Book Description
The expert advice students need is just one click away with the new e-book for A Writer's Reference, Sixth Edition. Cross-references between the companion site's Writing, Grammar, and Research exercises and relevant e-book content help students learn how to work with their handbook to improve their writing. Interactive "Citation at a glance" boxes provide a dynamic guide to citing sources. The new e-book allows students to bookmark the sections they use most often, add their own examples and notes, and print any material they might need when not online. Instructors can add their own content to the e-book, including documents and images, to share with their students. "MLA Papers" is available for preview. Please note that any changes, including bookmarks and notes, will not be saved in this preview version.
To request instructor access, click on the link below:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/Login/login/loginbcs.aspx?isbn=0312472307
Customer Reviews:
Great Resource.......2007-10-17
It is a great resource. I use it for work and other writing tasks. Thank you very much.
A writer's reference.......2007-10-01
This book is required for my online English Composition and it has been helpful for online editing and critiquing. Best part is that Amazon shipped it fast so I got it in one day!
Excellent Reference.......2007-10-01
I am currently enrolled in graduate school, and the professors are very strict with written reports and proposals. The Writer's Reference is an excellent tool to use as a guide in APA, MLA, and Chicago style format. I have to use the APA format for school and the information within the guide is easy to read and very user friendly. I am doing very well with my written assignments and I truly love Ms. Hacker's reference materials she is excellent with details. I recommend this as a must buy for any grad student.
Good Book Good Quality.......2007-09-24
I was very pleased with how fast I received my book. I needed it for my English class and it was in great condition. I would definitly buy here again.
A Writers Reference.......2007-09-10
I purchased this book for our daughter for college. It was in excellent shape and we were very pleased with our purchase
Book Description
For decades the accepted wisdom has been that America's mainline Protestant churches are in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true, and this book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the opposite—that many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.
Christianity for the Rest of Us describes this phenomenon and offers a how-to approach for Protestants eager to remain faithful to their tradition while becoming a vital spiritual community. As Butler Bass delved into the rich spiritual life of various Episcopal, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Lutheran churches, certain consistent practices—such as hospitality, contemplation, diversity, justice, discernment, and worship—emerged as core expressions of congregations seeking to rediscover authentic Christian faith and witness today.
This hopeful book, which includes a study guide for groups and individuals, reveals the practical steps that leaders and laypeople alike are taking to proclaim an alternative message about an emerging Christianity that strives for greater spiritual depth and proactively engages the needs of the world.
Customer Reviews:
Christianity For The Rest of Us.......2007-09-18
This book had some intersting, informative points. However at times, it requires a supreme effort to continue reading in order to dig out the few nuggets the book offers; unless you also see the world through VERY liberal lenses.
A must read.......2007-08-06
Author did an excellant job on her research of mainline christianity and has a clear understanding of what individuals are looking for in the neighborhood church. The Author gives an insightful look at the ten signposts of healthy chruches. A good book for the membership of churches to read and study together.
Critique of Christianity for the Rest of Us.......2007-08-04
If there are made for TV movies this is a made for NPR book. (And I listen to NPR regularly. I recognize the genre.) Her anecdotes come from people who always laugh with a wry twist of self-deprecation or weep softly in joy over a newfound insight. I get the feeling she goes about her work with contrived naïve innocence. All of her characters are happy, well adjusted, mainline Christians in congregations that may have disagreements but never conflicts. And their spirituality is so above average. Apparently they never have to worry about declining budgets, loss of membership, and minister's health insurance and where to recruit Sunday School teachers. I genuinely wish we could have seen the congregational warts as well so that my real life pastors could draw some real life encouragement for transforming their real life congregations. My friends do not live in Pleasantville.
I wish I could say this book is worthwhile. Unfortunately it fails on very many levels. I wish I could use it in our pastor's development course. I cannot even put it on the suggested reading list, much less use it as a main source book.
The first problem is rather trivial. The subtitle for the book is How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith. That would be a wonderful study if indeed it is happening. But this is not a study of neighborhood churches. And many of these congregations are simply not transforming the faith. Many of them continue in their gradual decline toward closing the doors. If you are looking for book that will show you how to grow a neighborhood church, this book is not for you. Now on to the important issues.
The research behind this book is not a designed study by any academic or scientific standard. It is a collection of anecdotes from participants of carefully selected, perhaps cherry picked, congregations, assembled to support a particular predetermined premise. All the congregations shared an ethos and catalogue of best practices. Well and good. BB declares them therefore to be vital churches. However there is no investigation of other churches with similar ethos and best practices and whether or not they too are vital. That is to say, after reading the book, I have no idea whether or not implementing these ten sign post practices will turn around a declining congregation to spiritual and numeric growth. A similar subject was undertaken by Thom Rainer in Breakout Churches. Rainer sets criteria for health, identifies congregations that meet the criteria, and then studied their histories, ethos, and best practices. BB finds churches with a certain profile of ethos and best practices and declares them vital. The problem with this approach is that it becomes a celebration of her particular prejudices. And she has many prejudices.
During the course of the book she insults Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, and southern Christians in general.
"I heard quite a few stories from smart, well-educated - and clearly not Pentecostal - churchgoers about supernatural healings." P. 113.
" Memphis, Tennessee, conjures visions of southern religion. These two words, southern religion, evoke images of folks hootin' and hollerin' about God. Eternal damnation and hell. Sweating preachers thundering on about sex, drinking, and Democrats. Southern religion is all heart and fire, the blinding light of Jesus converting sinners to saints in a flash. This is what more reasonable Christians used to ridicule as "enthusiasm."
In Memphis, the Church of the Holy Communion, an Episcopal parish, stands in stark contrast to the fulminations of southern evangelical religion." P. 115.
Far and away the most frequent target of the vinegar is evangelicals generally and evangelical megachurches in particular.
"I immediately think of evangelical megachurches, with their huge congregations complete with doctrinal statements and Republican voting guides. Big yields, yes. But where is wisdom?" P. 147.
"Unlike in evangelical churches - where doctrinal uniformity is considered nonnegotiable - theological diversity shapes the daily life of most mainline churches." P. 146.
"Unlike conservative evangelicals who read the Bible literally, seeking out proof-texts for narrow moral or ethical readings of scripture, the Episcopalians at Redeemer approach the Bible "seriously, but not Literally." P. 188.
"However, there is still a rift in the ways that Christians view art. Some, usually those in evangelical churches, understand art instrumentally. Art is important because it proclaims a message, usually intended to convert people to the faith. ... Other Christian, however, engage art for the sake of mystery instead of a message." P. 213.
Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and its viewers receive special attention. "Unlike the evangelical Christians who flocked to the film, mainline Protestants more thoughtfully engaged The Passion in its theology and as a spiritual product." P. 230. Anyone who dared to view "The Passion of the Christ" incurs her judgment. She comes close to saying that anyone who went to see "The Passion of the Christ" is an anti-Semite and a consumerist, a willing participant in economic sin.
"That is, of course, what happened with The Passion of the Christ: the primary symbol of Christianity, the cross, was turned into a marketing event." P. 233.
She was unnecessarily insulting to several individuals and their readers. For example she belittled Forty Days of Purpose (twice) and Purpose Driven Church, although several of her congregations described implementing Purpose Driven action items. If these two resources are so counterproductive why have they had such an impact on the lives of so many individuals and congregations. BB spent a whole chapter on the practice of discernment. So what is wrong with asking the purpose of a life or of a congregation? She came close to insulting Billy Graham. One wonders why an author of her talent feels a need do insult people. It may be true that Purpose Driven, etc., are the basics. But she comes off as a university mathematics professor belittling an elementary school teacher for teaching arithmetic to first graders. What purpose does this serve?
People who have a perspective different from hers and dare to speak it with conviction are thundering partisans. See page 238 and the southern religion quote above for examples.
I am very concerned as well over the makeup of the study group. Of the ten primary congregations eight were all white, one was Latino, and one was multiethnic. The multiethnic congregation had three African American staff members, two of whom are sextons. Do the math. Is this a prejudice or a coincidence? I honestly do not know. But either way I cannot recommend this book to any of our African American pastors.
Butler Bass also seems to misunderstand the place of evangelicals in mainline churches. Generally speaking she does not acknowledge that there are very many evangelical mainline congregations and even more evangelicals in congregations that are not totally evangelical.
"The most troubling division comes from the tensions within the Presbyterian denomination between the church's traditionally more liberal theological constituency and its vocal evangelical minority." P. 146.
One need look only at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the upcoming exodus of evangelical congregations in the Presbyterian Church USA to see Butler Bass' misconception of mainline evangelicals. In one PCUSA presbytery 60% of the Sunday morning attendance was in Confessing Churches. Currently the PCUSA has entire presbyteries who wish to leave the denomination as a whole presbytery. The EPC is setting up a provisional presbytery to receive the congregations leaving the PC USA. Some projections estimate that the provisional presbytery will be as large or larger than the original EPC. Similar phenomena are occuring in the Episcopal Church, the Lutheran tradition, and the Methodist tradition. Indeed within a few years the PC USA will cease to be the majority Presbyterian voice in the United States given the current rate of change. That is to say there will be more Presbyterians who are not members of the PCUSA than those who are.
On page 2 BB writes, "Rather, I journeyed with a surprising group of contemporary pilgrims - those folks who gather in mainline Protestant congregations, communities that describe themselves as theologically centrist to liberal-progressive and are part of denominations that trace their lineage back to colonial America. I hung out with brand-name Christians - Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and Episcopalians, ..." Does BB mean that only centrist to liberal-progressive Christians are mainline? What about centrist to evangelical, those just right of center but still in the center? What about those who are just plain centrist, for whom the evangelical/progressive divide is irrelevant. In the Presbyterian Church, USA I know many a minister who is just plain Presbyterian. Are they not mainline because they do not at least lean towards the progressive side?
On the other hand if mainline is defined as tracing their lineage back to colonial America, and centrist to progressive is a subset of mainline, why exclude the other subsets? One cannot read Presbyterian history in North America without seeing that there has always been tension in our antecedent denominations over this very issue. We have had Old School/New School, Old Light/New Light, Modernist/Fundamentalist, Liberal/Conservative, and now finally evangelical/progressive controversies. What is important to note about these controversies is that despite the formation of some splinter groups the majority of both sides remained in the denomination. Both sides remained mainline. In our current context there will be some splintering, with many congregations leaving the PCUSA and moving to the EPC. There remain many evangelicals who wish to remain in the PCUSA and to work through the difficulties. The Constitutional Presbyterians is such a group. And while many New Wineskins congregations will go to the EPC, many other NWAC congregations will remain in the denomination. Why then exclude such a large and healthy, and historically significant cohort, from the study? If this is progressive inclusiveness we need a different inclusiveness.
BB never addresses the fundamental question regarding mainline churches. Until the 70's American culture required church attendance. To be a good American one also had to be a churchgoer, if not a genuine Christian. Protestant was preferred over Catholic and Orthodox was a genuine peculiarity. Mainline denomination (meaning successor to a northwestern European tradition) was culturally more desirable than Southern Baptist or Pentecostal. Little League was never scheduled on Sunday morning. Mainline churches did not have to go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in. We relied on our culture to do that for us. That has changed. Now our culture is not only not supportive of Christianity it is at best suspicious of and at times hostile to Christianity. Which means that for the churches to thrive they have to go to the world and interrupt people's lives with the Gospel. Her list of best practices is quite good. But it is not the main issue. If the congregations do not create their own new participants they will all die. Of all the personal anecdotes I read I was struck by how many quotes were from people who had been churched as children. I counted only two people who were adult converts, and one of those came to Christ through an evangelical Bible study, then moved on to one of the cohort congregations. BB rails against evangelicals. But were it not for an evangelical Bible study this young woman would not have become Christian. The study church certainly was not doing any evangelism. And this is the biggest problem with BB's book. It is all about baby boomers who were churched as children, left the church, and now are back. The issue we face now is how to reach people who were never churched. Yes, by all means, the depth discipleship described in the ten signposts is great. But it is almost, though not completely, inner focused. Even the testimony section is not about bearing witness to Christ to non-Christians. She has changed it to bearing testimony within the congregation for the benefit of the congregation.
The result of this Boomer propensity for navel gazing is a steep decline in worship attendance across the board. I had hoped that this book would help us see ways in which mainline congregations can address this very issue. Unfortunately this is not the case. Of the four Presbyterian congregations in her cohort three were stagnant or in decline. I say this not to pick on Presbyterians. Rather they are the easiest to get data from. So the long term question remains. If I am not replacing my losses in participation how will this congregation's ministry continue? If our ministry is good, but dies, who will take over the needed ministry? Who will host the tent cities?
Butler Bass' real issue is how can a liberal/progressive church survive, and maybe possibly grow numerically as an unanticipated but welcome side effect. If you think that the answer lies along the axis of "it is possible to have our old, traditional worship with a hymnbook and an organ prelude, with a cerebral Enlightenment/Modernist confessional approach to faith," you will be sorely disappointed. The congregations she studied have abandoned those things for the most part. Her ten signposts are all things that were not practiced in mainline Protestant congregations in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries in North America, as she very ably demonstrates. Her answer instead is that to survive as a mainline Protestant congregation you have to start doing the very things that her mainline village church never did. That is to say, to survive as a mainline congregation one must stop being traditionally mainline, or change one's definition of mainline, both of which violate her premise.
On p. 174 BB describes a "mainline" church that is not at all traditional mainline. "Combining elements of jazz, performance art, film clips and video, multimedia reflection, live-camera feed, testimony, readings, silence, contemplative prayer, and journaling, they christened this service The Studio." How is this traditional mainline? Simply because they still put Congregationalist on the marquis? BB never addresses this question. The congregations she describes are no longer "mainline" in practice, only in name and judicatory membership. That is exactly the issue.
Her study congregations are post-modern experientialists who are PC USA or UMC or UCC or Episcopal or Lutheran in name only. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But let's be honest about it. The Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran ministers of the study congregations may be able to describe Reformed, Wesleyan, and Lutheran theology respectively. But she gives no evidence that the members understand or even care about it. And of course, denominational identity was a hallmark of mainline Protestantism. The congregations she worked with are not traditional mainline churches any more. The answer she arrives at is exactly the same answer the "evangelicals" arrived at. Traditional mainline Protestantism, based on northwestern European culture beginning in the early Sixteenth Century and founded on Enlightenment rationalism, no longer is a viable model for Church in post-modern North America.
Butler Bass spent many years as an evangelical, and an eloquent one. She has left that behind and moved into the progressive fold. Well and good. But in leaving the evangelical fold she feels the need to castigate her former colleagues. Martin Luther ultimately affirmed, "I am not!" Perhaps this book is her "I am not" to her evangelical sisters and brothers. I hope that as her service to the church continues the evangelical stage will be her thesis, the progressive phase will be her antithesis, and that she will find somewhere and somehow the peace of a synthesis.
I still have hope. Tonight I start reading Dr. Butler Bass' The Practicing Church.
Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith.......2007-08-04
Ms Bass is a wonderful writer that makes this topic easy to read and understand and she gives such insight that it triggers great discussions.
A book to give us confidence.......2007-07-09
Diana Butler Bass writes with a style that pulls the reader in. She is clearly a religious realist. Her categorization approach is useful to others, even those who do not have the technical tools to examine their churches formally. If one is honest, one can look at the hospitality (for example) in one's own church and see if it is an effective area of ministry. Looking through these categories allows a problem-oriented approach to be adopted. It may be a little more difficult to build on strengths, but that is because of our enculturation, and not because of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, have recommended it to our pastor, and will read it again to pick up things I may have missed the first time. I came away from this book saying, "We can do these things, and we can grow!"
Customer Reviews:
Good book for personal library........2007-01-05
I purchased this book for my personal library, and I was not disappointed by how the material in the book presents math in an enjoyable way.
Excellent Teaching Vehicle.......2006-02-01
Not having paid much attention in school (60 yrs ago) and learning computer programming dicated the need for a refresher course in basic mathematics. The author's approach to teaching is to demonstrate the problem and its various solutions and then provide numerous (up to 60 or more problems for the student to work. Answers are provided only for the odd-numbered review exercises. Chapter tests and cumulative review exercises have answers to all the problems. The text is written in clear language that is easily understandable. As with all endeavors effort is needed on the part of the student. The title is somewhat misleading in that I view this book as a "review" or "refersher" course in basic math not as an introduction to college mathematics which I assumed to be on a much higher plane. At the present I am a third of the way through the book and enjoy it. I highly recommend this book for someone who needs to catch up on their abc's of math. Unlike a lot of books this one has plenty of the hands-on approach to doing math. If you need to learn numbers, this is the place to start.
I hate math but I love this book!.......2005-11-29
at the ripe old age of 45, I had to retake math and for somebody whose math skills aren't above fourth grade, I dreaded the idea. This book made things easy for me. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that the algebra section was severely lacking but one math book cannot cover everything. I even used this book in my allied health math class and that book for that class STANK. I resorted back to this book many times as a refresher. My professor for the allied health math class would explain a long, drawn-out version of how to find an answer and a simple shortcut was supplied in this book. I would have the answer before the professor was even half way done with HIS method! I can't imagine ever giving up this book.
Basic College Mathematics.......2005-09-27
I was terribly disappointed as the text received is the instructors edition with all answers noted within the text. As a student of course this text was not what I thought I was purchasing. It was too late to return the text as the semester was in session at the time the text was purchased. I will definitely not use this service again as there will questions as to what I will receive and there is no time for returning and reordering text. Thanx for asking
The best Basic College Mathematics book.......2005-09-10
The book is really easy to read and follow directions.
I like the exercise reviews after each class and the test at the end of each chapter it is very helpful.
I really recomend this book.
Book Description
Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA sets the stage for starting, operating, and growing a successful and PROFITABLE virtual assistant business. This book has already helped thousands of administrative assistants, word processors, and other office professionals realize their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
The book covers all the business nuts and bolts including business and financial planning, pricing your services, billing, and setting up your business. Plus, it offers information on creating your web site, daily operational procedures and most importantly, how and where to find clients. Discover how to put your existing skills to work for clients around the globe and apply them across many different industries.
Still working full time? You can still do it! We'll show you how to ease into your practice while working full-time AND continuing to care for your family.
Along with their personal experiences, the authors also include recommendations from virtual assistants across the land. These are the real pros that are now running successful businesses. You will find their suggestions in the "In Their Own Words" section at the end of each chapter and featured throughout the book. This will enable you to see how others are making their businesses successful and provide you with a blueprint on how to do the same with yours.
Cited as a "must have tool" for the VA industry, Virtual Assistant - The Series is currently used as training material for VA courses including: Virtual Assistance U, an online training center for virtual professionals; Red Deer College's VA Certification Program (in Canada); and other higher level learning organizations and colleges who are recognizing the potential for growth and continued education in the VA industry.
Download Description
Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA sets the stage for starting, operating, and growing a successful and PROFITABLE virtual assistant business. This book has already helped thousands of administrative assistants, word processors, and other office professionals realize their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. The book covers all the business nuts and bolts including business and financial planning, pricing your services, billing, and setting up your business. Plus, it offers information on creating your web site, daily operational procedures and most importantly, how and where to find clients. Discover how to put your existing skills to work for clients around the globe and apply them across many different industries Still working full time? You can still do it! We'll show you how to ease into your practice while working full-time AND continuing to care for your family. Along with their personal experiences, the authors also include recommendations from virtual assistants across the land. These are the real pros that are now running successful businesses. You will find their suggestions in the "In Their Own Words" section at the end of each chapter and featured throughout the book. This will enable you to see how others are making their businesses successful and provide you with a blueprint on how to do the same with yours. Cited as a "must have tool" for the VA industry, Virtual Assistant - The Series is currently used as training material for VA courses including: Virtual Assistance U, an online training center for virtual professionals; Red Deer College's VA Certification Program (in Canada); and other higher level learning organizations and colleges who are recognizing the potential for growth and continued education in the VA industry.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-09-07
There is a lot of general business information in this book that you can find in just about any business-related, how-to book. You'll find the typical marketing advice, typical Web site advice, and typical advice on writing a buisness plan.
The virtual-assistant Web sites listed in the "You're Not Alone!" section are mostly outdated, although I realize the author has no control over that.
There is some useful information in the book, such as the sample marketing letter and the sections on choosing services and setting fees. There also is some useful advice from other virtual assistants. However, I'm not sure those things make the book worth its cost. It may be worth the cost for someone who is totally unfamiliar with business practices.
Frankly, if you're interested in offering writing services through your virtual-assistant business, I would recommend reading the book titled "The Wealthy Writer" by Michael Meanwell.
Using as a textbook for my class........2007-09-06
I am fortunate enough that the local college a certificate in virtual assisting, and this is the textbook that was required (together with the workbook). So far I am liking the text because it gives very concise and concrete information. The comments from VAs are very good because it makes you feel like you are talking to them. As we go along the book, we complete the exercises in the workbook which really makes the text become alive.
Virtual Assistant book review.......2007-08-15
Very informative book. Has given a few great Ideas for me start as a Virtual Assistant.
Virtual Assistant, The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA (Virtual Assistant)
Great for someone looking into the VA industry..........2007-06-03
I am almost embarrassed to say that I'm just getting around to reading this book. It's one of the most popular books for/by Virtual Assistants on the market today. I found a few things that apply to me now, but the book is written mainly for those that are just looking at getting started as a Virtual Assistant. Extraordinarily valuable for those that are thinking about starting a practice or are just taking those first few steps. A must read for that group. Well done, Ms. Ennen and Poelker!
Just a little side note: It's very large. It had large type (which is great for my old eyes), but hard on the hands. I hope they release the next version in a trade size or paperback size.
My Virtual Assistant Bible.......2007-05-25
This has been such a great book to get me started with my business and I think I could learn from it everytime I look in it. There is so much assistance in this book and I feel like I will have so much fun with becoming very successful. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and your expertise on such a wonderful career choice.
Book Description
The scalability, performance and Emmy Award-winning workflow of Final Cut Pro 5 make it the first choice of professional editors everywhere. For those clamoring to get in on the action, this best-selling volume uses a series of class-length lessons designed to provide a strong foundation in all aspects of the digital video editing powerhouse. Readers follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the book's hands-on exercises, using the project files on the accompanying DVD. Master teacher Diana Weynand covers everything from basic editing skills to complex topics such as creating transitions and motion effects, real-time color correcting, titling techniques, and more. Previously published as Final Cut Pro HD, this revision has been updated to cover all of Final Cut Pro 5's new features, including higher quality effects, RT Extreme with Dynamic RT, editing multi-camera projects, closer integration with Apple's other creative tools and more.
Customer Reviews:
for final cut pro beginners.......2007-10-18
very useful, pretty easy to read. would they consider publishing a smaller version for all the commands only?
Good tool for learning.......2007-10-18
Book is very comprehensive, covers topics in depth and allows the reader to work through projects. Final Cut is quite a program, and to try to learn about it on your own would be a challange, this book bridges the gap.
Not once could I complete the project tasks in the estimated time given, i.e. 1 hour, I don't know if I am the only one who can't pick it up as quick as the book says, for me personally the concept of completing the book in the time stated is unrealistic, nevertheless I got it eventually and now have a much broader understanding of the program, so in this sense I found it useful and it has fulfilled it's purpose as a learning tool.
Excellent source of information.......2007-10-17
I am new at editing having only used Final Cut Pro for very basic and simple editing. This book is superb for beginners who wish to take their skills up a notch with plenty of tidbits for experimentation. I recommend beginners to have a copy of this book in their library if only for referrence.
great lessons... sytematic, clear........2007-05-09
Excellent lessons... just perfect... sssshhh.. I'll let you in on a little secret... you listening? Give Apple 99 bucks and get 50 one hour lessons! 2 bucks an hour with a pro at the Apple store!
Really good start for learning Final Cut Pro 5........2007-04-08
Anyone aspiring to be an director needs to be a good editor first. You need to understand how the film will be put together so that you can plan your shots, actors, special effects, music etc. Editing is the final part, where everything comes together. The best editing work is only as good as the sum of the components - story, acting, photography, sound effects, music, etc. When all these things come together with great editing, there is the potential for a great property.
Final Cut Pro (FCP) is an industry player in film editing. The price of Final Cut Studio (Final Cut Pro is part of this package) is cheap for professionals and within reach of the serious hobbyist. By serious I mean you don't just by the starter kit and then put it on the shelf. Make no mistake FCP is very functional, and it is entirely probable that you will be fully intimidated by the plethora of options available to you. This is where the "Apple Pro Training Series: Final cut Pro 5" comes in. Don't expect to be the next Tony Scott or Steven Spielberg yet. That can't be done in any book. It will however, give you enough grounding to start experimenting with FCP with confidence.
Do all the chapter exercises in order and don't skip any. I don't recall any errors, which is rare. I can't recommend this book enough.
Book Description
This mainstream, best-selling text is noted for its especially strong integration of compelling and engaging "Lived Experiences" - extended examples that focus on various social issues to illustrate chapter coverage. These extended examples are introduced with the social issue or application that opens each chapter and are then carried throughout the chapter in various boxes, features, and exercises. Kendall's text is also known for its exceptional coverage of current social issues, along with its integration of race, class, gender, and age perspectives. The author includes diverse theoretical viewpoints, including feminist theory. The author's vivid, applied, personal writing style engages students, and her compelling everyday examples make sociology particularly relevant to the diverse student population of today. The author shows students that sociology involves important questions and issues that they confront both personally and vicariously.
Customer Reviews:
Boring.......2006-12-03
This is the worst college class I have had. This book is sooo boring. It is all common sense; I learned nothing except how to name everyday knowledge with big words. This class was awful, and so was the book. Sorry I'm usually not negative about anything I just can't help it, it has been a horrible four months. I expect a A, which is a really big deal because I thought I was going to fall asleep in several of the tests. Horrible, just horrible.
A fine introduction to sociology.......2003-12-02
As one of the most recently-developed social sciences, not to mention one that seems to be consistently popular with college students, sociology is a field that truly needs a good comprehensive text. Put quite simply, this is it. Diana Kendall, a well-respected scholar and author in the field, has managed to put together a text that manages to cover all of the major subfields of the field, presenting a lot of information on each, and giving a good general overview. All of the major subpoints of sociology are covered: population studies, race/gender/ethnic relations, collective behavior, criminology, and more. In addition to providing a solid block of information for each subtopic, Kendall further invigorates her text with well-placed contemporary and classical photographs, graphs, charts, and other peripheral information. She also prefaces each chapter with a real-life example relating to the forthcoming information, a quiz about the information contained within (which sometimes will yield surprising results!), and more. Throughout the individual chapters, she also sprinkles dialogue boxes with separate takes on individual subissues relating to the major topic at hand and shows readers how they can get involved. As a bonus for the college student, certain editions of the book feature a CD with access to additional material, and a free four-month subscription to Infotrac, a well-known scholarly index.
Kendall writes well, and she presents a lot of information. Therein, however, lies my only complaint about this text: certain chapters feel overlong. Granted, sociology is a diverse field, and this book attempts to cover it all between a single set of covers. Still, some chapters are so jam-packed with information that they become somewhat tiresome. Nevertheless, it is all good information -- and all worth reading. It is a small complaint, on the whole, that does not detract from the overall quality of the text.
In summary, this is an excellent introductory text both for a college text and for the individual reader.
One of the better Sociology Textbooks.......2001-07-17
There are a number of good sociology textbooks available, and one can choose almost any of them with confidence. However, this is definitely one of the best. It is accessible, yet the author does not talk down to the student. The illustrations are pertinent and timely. The choice of topics is comprehensive. It is a broad-ranging textbook, yet, at the same time, is focused and direct.
The instructor who chooses to use Sociology in Our Times can be comfortable with the choice. The student who is fortunate enough to have a teacher who chose Sociology in Our Times should be confident that they have had a good exposure to Sociology. If one learns the material in this book they will be well-grounded in Sociology.
Sociology in our times.......2000-08-08
this book is very board. it doesn't discuss things in details. Personally, I don't like this kind of book. I would rather get a psychology than this.
Average customer rating:
- Oh, my Goodness!
- Sensible eating and great for food addictions
- Excellent
- Good and bad carbs and fats.
- FANTASTIC!!!
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The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger
Diana Schwarzbein , and
Nancy Deville
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The Schwarzbein Principle Cookbook
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The Schwarzbein Principle II: The "Transition" - A Regeneration Program to Prevent and Reverse Accelerated Aging
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The Schwarzbein Principle, The Program: Losing Weight the Healthy Way
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The Schwarzbein Principle Vegetarian Cookbook
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Natural Hormone Balance for Women: Look Younger, Feel Stronger, and Live Life with Exuberance
Accessories:
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Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
ASIN: 1558746803 |
Amazon.com
From her work with insulin-resistant patients with Type II diabetes, Dr. Schwarzbein concludes that low-fat diets cause heart attacks, eating fat makes you lose body fat, and it's important to eat high-cholesterol foods every day. Picture cardiologists and dieticians tearing their hair out and overweight people cheering as they dive into Eggs Benedict with sausage.
According to Schwarzbein, the high-carbohydrate, low-fat, moderate-protein diet that most dieticians and disease-prevention organizations recommend is the culprit that turns people into diabetics, makes them age faster and get degenerative diseases, and keeps them fat and unhealthy. She supports her theory with case studies of people who were sick and miserable on high-carbo, low-fat diets and who sprang to life when they "balanced" their diets with more fat and protein. Schwarzbein recommends avoiding "man-made carbohydrates"--processed carbs--in favor of those you could "pick, gather or milk." She instructs patients to eat "as much good fat as their body needs": eggs, avocados, flaxseed oil, butter, mayonnaise, and olive oil. Sorry, but fried foods and hydrogenated fats are "bad fats," or "damaged fats," as Schwarzbein calls them. You can eat as many eggs a day as you want on this plan, plus meat (even sausage--as long as it's nitrate-free--and pâté), saturated fat, cream, and nonstarchy vegetables. The book includes a four-week meal plan and about 15 recipes.
Book Description
This groundbreaking book dispels the myths perpetuated by some bestselling diet books that may help people lose weight, but will put them on the fast track to disease. Based on sound research and the success of thousands of people, The Schwarzbein Principle proves that excess weight, degenerative disease and accelerated aging can be controlled - and reversed - in a healthful way. The Schwarzbein Principle is a holistic guide to achieving lasting weight loss, normalizing metabolism and maintaining ideal body composition through lifestyle and nutrition. By bringing the internal systems into balance, the Schwarzbein program has been proven to: reverse type II diabetes; free people from food cravings for chocolate, caffeine and sugar; cure depression and mood swings; and reduce body fat while building lean tissue. The nutritional program consists of two phases -Healing and Maintenance - which are easy to adopt into any lifestyle. Instead of shunning fat, the program advocates eating all of the good fats and proteins your body needs as well as an unlimited portion of non-starchy carbohydrates. By incorporating the lifestyle components of stress management, exercise and eliminating harmful stimulants, program participants experience renewed energy and vitality. Don't forget to check out the cookbooks!
Customer Reviews:
Oh, my Goodness! .......2007-06-03
When I read this book, said, "WOW, this makes sense!" I have been on a good vitamin regime that includes progesterone and following the diet in this book. [...] In two months of the suppliments and progesterone and one month on this diet, I have; no more daily headaches, have slept better, feel refreshed upon waking for the first time in decades, lost 12 pounds, don't feel deprived, lost my cravings for sugar and processed cabs, have better moods, have quite a lot less muscle and joint pain, have more energy, enjoy sex more, have people tell me I am looking good, lost that puffy look in my face and body, have softer skin, my roscaea has lessened, my intestinal and uterine pain has gone away, and my allergies are a lot less, therefore my asthma is not as bad. I am 52, menopausal, with a top weight of 249, (now 237) with chronic pain and headaches. I am unbelievably happy about this diet and plan to continue it to become healthy and strong again. I have a long ways to go, but the start is amazing. I started out with adding butter and cream to my diet and stopped eating sugar and white carbs. I have always had cravings for sugar, but as soon as I got my fill of good fats, I lost my sugar cravings and have not been tempted to eat sugary or processed foods since. I have the cookbook on order and I am reading the other two books Dr. Schwarzbein has written. If you want to be healthy and feel better, read this book and go through her recommendations. You won't regret it. Just be aware that you may feel worse for a short time and then feel much better, it is your body making adjustments and is temporary. It depends on how sick and out of balance your body and system is. You have to stick with it to get good results. I have to say that I certainly do not feel deprived and feel satisfied.
Sensible eating and great for food addictions.......2007-05-30
I am now sold. was 80% there but after 5 pregnancies in 6 years, things went awry. then my mom went to the ER with a blood sugar of 887. I am now 42 with a 10 month old and two other young kids. Mom's visit got my attention. I immediately lost 6 pounds then switched to a cleanse by standard process which was very easy since i was eating pretty healthy anyway. When i got this book, i also signed up for womentowomen personal program. between the diet and the supplements and natural progesterone cream, i was a new woman almost immediately. my chocolate and wine cravings disappeared nearly overnite. I have alot of work to do still, have 20 pounds to go and have to find balance but food in this plan is balanced and a no brainer. even my meat and taters hubby drinks my veggie/fruit/avacado/protein (balanced) smoothies every day. he is hooked. our moods are better, more even. Now am working on my PMS and other menopause issues ala "what your doctor does not tell you about premenopause" by dr. Lee/Hanley and Uzzi Reice (sp?) book. just had my saliva hormones tested and am on the path to join my other girlfriends that feel fabulous. This is not a miracle, it takes a while to get back to a normal eating plan so your body is balanced and not starving. but, its a great plan. I recommend it to my friends. I am now 11 pounds down and headed for 20 more, 5 at at time. And, its not Atkins, you eat veggies and fruits and all things good. you don't eat crap though and i chose to give up coffee (and creamer) as well as limiting my alcohol intake. That with the diet, the good supplements and the natural pg cream, let's just say my husband will keep me a bit longer now (he wanted to hide me in the dumpster from mood swings up until now!!!).
Excellent.......2007-05-06
I feel no one should be without this very important book, we refer to information in it everyday to patients who want to become healthy again.
I would not be without it.
Good and bad carbs and fats........2007-04-01
An easy diet plan that explains the difference between good and bad carbs, and good and bad fats, plus explaining the influence of food on hormone imbalances.
FANTASTIC!!!.......2007-01-20
This book is fantastic! My mom actually turned me on to it after reading it herself. It taught me so much about the foods we eat and the foods we should eat. It also talks a lot about carbs. (good and bad) I had no idea that what I had been eating was really destroying my health.(physical and mental) This book was so easy to read and understand. In my oppinion, next to the Bible this is another book that everyone needs to read!!!(at least once) And the diet plan is the easiest I have ever seen!
Customer Reviews:
A rule of thumb.......2007-09-29
A formidable book aimed at helping young students to master the rules and syntax of the English grammar.
GOOD BUY!!!!!.......2007-09-27
The prompt delivery was a plus, and the product was in better quality than I thought. Buy from this guys they are good.
School Books.......2006-11-04
Good book for rules on writing. Excellent for anyone in any kind of writing class, or if you just want the rules on writing.
Rules For Writers.......2006-07-01
Comprehensive grammar book. Great sections on APA and MLA format writing.
The best writing reference I've found for the SAT Writing Section.......2006-06-21
I'm an SAT tutor, and I haven't been thrilled with many of the grammar/usage/writing SAT books on the market. They usually do a decent job on a few topics but not all topics. I'm getting this book for every one of my students (and my own son) because it will not only help them with the SAT writing section but it serves as the best ongoing reference for their use in school. I haven't tried the CD-ROM yet (sold separately) but it has over 1000 practice exercises.
Average customer rating:
- Another great addition to the Fraser family saga
- LOVED IT!!!!
- So far as I know, this is the last in the series
- Good ending to the series
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)
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A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)
Diana Gabaldon
Manufacturer: Delta
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The Fiery Cross (Outlander)
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Drums of Autumn
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Outlander
ASIN: 0385340397
Release Date: 2006-08-29 |
Book Description
Eagerly anticipated by her legions of fans, this sixth novel in Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling Outlander saga is a masterpiece of historical fiction from one of the most popular authors of our time.
Since the initial publication of
Outlander fifteen years ago, Diana Gabaldon’s New York Times bestselling saga has won the hearts of readers the world over — and sold more than twelve million books. Now,
A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the extraordinary story of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century wife, Claire.
The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.
With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence — with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie’s death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Another great addition to the Fraser family saga.......2007-10-17
I discovered the Outlander series several years ago and was immediatly hooked on both Ms. Gabaldon's incredible story-telling and her ability to weave real history through the tales to make the past really come alive. This latest addition may be the best yet. I could not put it down and cannot wait for the next installment to come out. I would recommend this book (and all of the Outlander series) to anyone who enjoys great stories, a little romance and a bit of a history lesson tucked inside.
LOVED IT!!!!.......2007-10-12
Great book! WOW!!! If you've loved the series so far, you will love this one too.
So far as I know, this is the last in the series.......2007-09-22
I've seen some negative comments about The Fiery Cross - and there is an explanation for its being less than Gabaldon fans have come to expect. It's not my business to explain it and that's all I'm going to say. If you want more of Claire and Jamie, you'd better start over - I just did. AND, you can always buy The Outlandish Companion or the Lord John Grey novels.
Good ending to the series.......2007-09-14
Finally the last epic of Claire and Jamie, Diana G has compleded the series in a good way, I was satisfied with the completion, it was time for the end to come, after all how many war's could Jamie still conquer! Good read, recommend.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander).......2007-08-24
Another really good read from Diana Gabaldon. It turns out I had already read this book but all her books of this series are worth a second or third read. I have already re-read the other books from this series and wish she would get the next book done and quit keeping us in suspense.
Book Description
Despite the fact that Juarez is a Mexican border city just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, most Americans are unaware that for more than twelve years this city has been the center of an epidemic of horrific crimes against women and girls, consisting of kidnappings, rape, mutilation, and murder, with most of the victims conforming to a specific profile: young, slender, and poor, fueling the premise that the murders are not random.
Indeed, there has been much speculation that the killer or killers are American citizens. While some leading members of the American media have reported on the situation, prompting the U.S. government to send in top criminal profilers from the FBI, little real information about this international atrocity has emerged. According to Amnesty International, as of 2006 more than 400 bodies have been recovered, with hundreds still missing.
As for who is behind the murders themselves, the answer remains unknown, although many have argued that the killings have become a sort of blood sport, due to the lawlessness of the city itself. Among the theories being considered are illegal trafficking in human organs, ritualistic satanic sacrifices, copycat killers, and a conspiracy between members of the powerful Juárez drug cartel and some corrupt Mexican officials who have turned a blind eye to the felonies, all the while lining their pockets with money drenched in blood.
Despite numerous arrests over the last ten years, the murders continue to occur, with the killers growing bolder, dumping bodies in the city itself rather than on the outskirts of town, as was initially the case, indicating a possible growing and most alarming alliance of silence and cover-up by Mexican politicians.
The Daughters of Juárez promises to be the first eye-opening, authoritative nonfiction work of its kind to examine the brutal killings and draw attention to these atrocities on the border. The end result will shock readers and become required reading on the subject for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
Daughters of Juarez.......2007-10-03
Daughters of Juarez is a disturbing story, but it is a true account of the unsolved mysteries of these young women's lost lives. It is an insight into the poverty and injustice that occurs daily in this border town and surrounding areas.
Compelling story, purple prose delivery.......2007-09-09
I would have to agree with the previous reviewer who said that the story was compelling and important, but the overlong purple prose descriptions of what the families went through and the overly dramatic descriptions of the situations, with speculations on what everyone was thinking mar an important and compelling book.
Some straight crime reporting, an analysis of the facts and maybe some more social analysis (for instance, how do the drug culture, the male dominated hispanic culture, the pervasive corruption of the border towns, etc. contribute to this holocaust against women) would have helped a lot.
Still, there is not much written about this problem, which if it were happening here or in any first world country, would be page one news everyday, so the book is valuable.
So, good subject and investigative reporting marred by overly dramatic writing.
I would recommend it, you can skip over the long emotional descriptions of background, thoughts and other contrived elements.
Daughters of Juarez.......2007-08-26
I live in El Paso and have followed much of this in the newspaper including the two Bus drivers, The FBI coming to help, etc. Now I know it was all lies.
Mexico has been called the most corrupt nation on earth and I've heard the stories and now I see it in action. I have too many chilling stories direct from American victims of the Juarez Police to share here.
This corruption has spread to El Paso with corruption in the Border Patrol, the government, the police and I'm not just saying this, I've talked to people and have examples both from the Newspaper and people in the know. The FBI has been conducting an investigation into the El Paso government for several months and people are going to jail. Halleluiah!
Personally I've been afraid to go across the Border for years based on these stories and now I'll be spreading the word. Do not go into Mexico!
This book hits hard with details that would make a strong man cry. The horrible end to young lives, the Police laughing at parents asking for help and the intimidating of helpless mothers who might "know too much", the framing of innocents, The corruption of "investigations" run by incompetents.
This book is an indictment, a denunciation of a government and society gone terribly wrong. Bribes are necessary just to get your TV cable hooked up and this pattern of behavior climbs to the very top.
I hope this book helps but in a society that accepts incompetence and corruption as a given I have my doubts. If Mexico is to change it must come from the bottom and it is so instilled in the poverty stricken common people to not make waves how can we expect them to effectively rise up. But enough publicity might send the rats scurrying, we need more books and TV exposes like this.
Compelling read, but with reservations.......2007-08-09
The Daughters of Juarez, by Teresa Rodriguez (with Diana Montané and Lisa Pulitzer), chronicles a series of horrific murders of young women (and teens) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, over the last fourteen years, the law enforcement/governmental response to them, and the myriad theories as to the perpetrator(s). Over this period, a good part of 400 poor women were raped, tortured and killed, then dumped in desert areas and vacant lots around the city. The book details a rich tapestry of police and governmental brutality, corruption, blatant sexual discrimination, disregard for public safety, and just plain incompetence.
Although many suspects have been charged and held, it is doubtful that any of the murders can ever be considered legitimately solved because of this pervasive and persistent institutional dysfunction. In fact, one can say that this is a glaring example of how not to run a criminal justice system. It's heartbreaking to consider that the families of these slain women will never see justice done. Additionally, it must have been so frustrating for those in law enforcement and government who made efforts to run effective investigations, only to be stymied at every turn by the very system they should have been able to trust, forced out of their jobs because they wouldn't falsify results or analyses, or even physically threatened.
Daughters is definitely a compelling, true tale and Rodriguez does a service to those affected by these horrors by airing them for everyone to examine. The book, however, suffers from a lack of organization: Rodriguez bounces around dates, people and events so much so that it's hard to keep them all straight. Also, she makes a point of maudlin over-description of the women and their families so as to make them more sympathetic. This in my mind is unnecessary; most people will find the thought of someone (not to mention hundreds) being subjected to the extreme violence that these women experienced and the grief (on multiple levels) that their loved ones were forced to endure to be inconceivably horrible - no matter who the reader is. I also think Rodriguez could have used some citations to support what must have been years of research and investigation. In the end, I would recommend this book as a real eye-opener, but with these reservations.
Thrilling Read.......2007-08-05
I stumbled onto The Daughter's of Juarez after having a discussion on the term femicide (the act of killing a woman is a more generic term but this term is often applied to specific mass killings of women). In Juarez, Mexico women from all social classes and with distinctly different family ties have been going missing. Now and then bodies (and the occasional mass grave) of women that have been sexually abused and mutilated show up. The Daughter's of Juarez explores the lives of these missing women, the media blips that have occurred as a result, the political turmoil caused over these cases, as well as the possible answers to what has happened to so many women. After reading about this I was horrified by what had happened and because I had never heard of anything about this prior to the reading. A thrilling and exploratory read of the lives of women in Juarez, Mexico as well as a look at the relations between the U.S. and its border neighbor.
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