Product Description
The No Child Left Behind legislation, by legitimizing a stark, one-size-fits-all, industrial model of education, has denied the inherent complexity and richness of what teachers do. Discussing teaching in terms of Chaos Theory, Chapin explains that while excellent teaching may occur at the edge of chaos, it is not chaotic. There are patterns common to master teachers that connect the components of effective teaching to give meaning and stability to the classroom, allowing master teachers to get up morning after morning, and make a genuine, positive difference in students' lives. Master Teachers presents teaching as a complex, adaptive exercise undertaken at the edge of chaos where creativity and invention are maximized. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Must Read for parents
This book is a must read for parents! Chapin starts out by recounting the dichotomy of a profession our society says it values, yet that profession holds very little status and is one of the first to be "trimmed" in times of fiscal crisis. He goes on to provide information about what makes a Master Teacher and to dispel commonly held myths. A quick read yet quite informative.

Master of All
Dexter Chapin knows a lot about teaching, a lot of metaphors and a lot of big words, too. In his new book, Master Teachers, Dexter uses all this knowledge to examine the role of the teacher in home, school, and community.He manages to do so with great intellect, insight, and compassion.I loved this book because it raises big questions, gives penetrating answers to these questions, and challenges the teacher or parent reading it to be both introspective and inquiring.Amazon should love me because I sent copies of the book to all my teaching friends.

In a series of short essays, Dexter writes about teacher preparation, instructional content, pedagogy, classroom management, the important teacher-student-parent relationship, and the global issues for which we must prepare students.Nothing he says is superficial, and most of his ideas speak not only to teachers, but also to parents of students, and educational policy makers. Dexter's command of language is such that he can explain the most complex theory in words everyone can understand.He never falls victim to jargon.
Reading this book one finds the answers to questions such as :
How is a teacher like an orchestra conductor? What is the correlation between holding a PhD and being an excellent teacher? When is a classroom a successful environment? And perhaps most important -- What do good teachers learn from their students?

Reading this book will comfortably teach you the meaning and educational relevance of big words like: autopoietic, historicity, phantasmagoria, general systems theory, simulation models, expeditionary learning, eudemony, and schismogenesis, while you are simultaneously entertained and intrigued with images of the classroom as factory, county fair, circus, or crocodile-infested swamp! Through the narrative, Dexter's genuine love for his profession and the parents, students, and colleagues who surround him is evident and inspiring.

By the way, did I mention that I loved this book?But then I love big words, too, and I'm not afraid of chaos.

A Master Teacher Teaches
This is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary teacher.Dexter Chapin points out the mine fields in the classroom and provides many ideas about communicating with high school students based upon his experience as a teacher for 35 years. ... Read more

Product Description
The tendency to synchronize may be the most mysterious and pervasive drive in all of nature. It has intrigued some of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century, including Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Norbert Wiener, Brian Josephson, and Arthur Winfree.

At once elegant and riveting, Sync tells the story of the dawn of a new science. Steven Strogatz, a leading mathematician in the fields of chaos and complexity theory, explains how enormous systems can synchronize themselves, from the electrons in a superconductor to the pacemaker cells in our hearts. He shows that although these phenomena might seem unrelated on the surface, at a deeper level there is a connection, forged by the unifying power of mathematics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (62)

Fascinating subject touching a lot of fields
I am a practising physician and I can say the author is reasonably accurate when he talks about the medical aspect of synchronization (saying that, it is I think an overstatement to say tachycardia can degenerate into lethal arrhythmia called verticular fibrillation - page 210).What is surprising of this book is the breath of fields that it covers: from mathematics, to physics, to chemistry, to biology and then to sociology.I got a clearer idea from this book on the behaviour of bosons than some other books on quantum meachanics.It even teaches me stuffs that I did not know in my field (e.g. the human circadian cycle).

The only thing is that the nature of the subject means that the reader has to concentrate and unite all the themes together his or her own.I feel that the author talks about several rather different types of synchronization and I am not sure whether they can be all unified as a single phenomenon.

In any case, it is a book which is surely informative, fascinating and reasonably accurate.Five stars.

Great book!
This book provides the different perspective from my common life. I have learned a lot and totally agree with some part of this book. However, some part still questionable and overwhelm in his idea. Over all, i love it a lot!!!

Allocate the time to better understand
I was a little disappointed in this book I must admit. I found that it perhaps did not go into the all the aspects I was interested in. I also found that since there were so many theories that the authors use of constant analogies tended to confuse rather than clarify the situation.

However, the book and the topic is still very interesting. I also think that you need to have a grasp of mathematics and physics to get the most from the book. There is however plenty to interest those who want to know more about network theory and how it is evident is so many aspects of our world these days.

This is not a book you can simply read before you go to sleep each night. You need to allocate some time and really spend time understanding what the author is trying to get across if you want to get the most from this book.

Interesting read, but ...
I enjoyed this book.The author does an excellent job of bringing the subject to life, following the history of the research and using clever analogies to gently guide the reader through the significant ideas of sync.Artfully woven in are stories that introduce us to the personalities of those who have made contributions to the field.I often get bored by such biographical details in books, but Strogatz did an excellent job with it -- the book is a surprisingly lively read.You really get from this book a sense of how researchers struggle and collaborate to solve problems in fits and starts, and how exciting it is when those rare breakthroughs are achieved.

So I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes pop science, but there were a couple of things I wish Strogatz had done differently.First, there were many times when, after reading a key paragraph and grokking what it meant, I thought "why didn't he give us a diagram showing ...?"There are a few diagrams in the book, but not many -- perhaps one fifth of what I personally feel was warranted.

The other disappointment -- and in all fairness I have felt this way about many other books as well -- I wish the author had not tried so hard to shield us from the math.I'm pretty sure publishers consider explicit formulas the "kiss of death" for such books, but hey, couldn't you squirrel off in the appendix a section or two about "The Math of Sync" for those who are not allergic?Just a sample -- something to give the idea.As it is, I feel like I got the aroma of the soup but didn't actually get to taste it.

Still, it's a good read, and I congratulate the author.

very poor
very poor written. you finish with a sensation of void. don't aggregate nothing. the book is like an enumeration of anecdotes and things that "sync", but there are no theory nor tesis nor explanation of almost nothing, mere speculation. Thus, just for speculations, i prefer poetry. cheers! ... Read more

Product Description
You CAN Turn Around Failing Project!

Poor project results are all too common and result in dissatisfied customers, users, and project staff. With countless people, goals, objectives, expectations, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and deadlines to consider, it can be difficult to keep projects in focus and on track. How to Save a Failing Project: Chaos to Control arms project managers with the tools and techniques needed to address these project challenges. The authors provide guidance to develop a project plan, establish a schedule for execution, identify project tracking mechanisms, and implement turnaround methods to avoid failure and regain control. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A powerful pick for any business library
Poor project results are common and result in unhappy customers and users alike: that's why How to Save a Failing Project: Chaos to Control, the collaborative effort of Ralph R. Young, Steven M. Brady, Dennis C. Nagle, Jr., is key for any project where project managers want to assure success. Ralph Young has led projects in local government and management information systems, and has written four books on requirements engineering: others have worked extensively on project teams. The basics of what differentiates success from failure and key tipping points along the way make this a powerful pick for any business library.

Great Tool
This is an excellent book written in very straightforward terms using pertinent examples that provide a solid foundational approach to PM. Important focus is directed at the fundamental and common sense aspects, whose oversight/devalued importance has commonly contributed to project failure.
Having worked with Mr. Brady and Mr. Nagel, (I represented the user community on a very large government project) I witnessed the application of the processes/techniques detailed in this book and can testify to their effectiveness.

Good, Solid Advice
HOW TO SAVE A FAILING PROJECT: CHAOS TO CONTROL by Ralph R. Young et al is a competently written book with a misleading title.It should have been called HOW TO KEEP A PROJECT FROM FAILING, since it's a collection of good project management advice from a voice of experience, but it's not how to triage a project in trouble.Still, it's well-organized and well-presented and could probably replace dozens of its predecessors already lining the project management bookshelves, covering this territory before but not as well.If I were teaching basic project management, I'd certainly consider using this book in class.Planning, team-building, managing expectations, sharing a vision--it's all there, and the authors have obviously been there, done that.

I would, however, like to have found more insights, what to do when you apply this good advice and it doesn't work, when you don't "get stakeholder buy-in" or you can't get the team together for a weekly review of progress or when conflict erupts.I would like to have heard about assembling teams that aren't co-located, teams that span geography, cultures, and languages, which is now often the case.

I also wish the book included more stories.There are a few, but given that our authors seem to have considerable experience, it's too bad they didn't share more of their first-hand experience.Stories always make for better reading than one "now do this" section after another.

I was glad to see, at the end of each chapter, a list of recommended further reading on the topic, including summaries of each book or article so prospective readers will have some idea whether they wish to actually spend time on it.I was glad to see, too, a new (I think it's new) term in the Project Management lexicon:"inch stones."It's about time we stopped thinking everything must be measured in "milestones"!

If you buy only one project management book this year, you'll get your money's worth if you buy this one.It won't catapult your to new heights, but it won't disappoint you if you're looking for a comprehensive view of what it takes to manage projects well.

Learning from experience
There's nothing like learning from experience, especially when it is the experience of others you can learn from. This book is a stellar example of that. These three authors bring a ton of experience and insights that will improve the effectiveness of any IT project manager...not just ones that find themselves trying to recover a troubled project.

This is a book for every IT project manager's personal library.

NOTE - The book "reads" as if it was authored by a single person rather than three...very impressive example of collaboration.

Outstanding PM Resource!
This is, simply put, an outstanding resource for any project manager, whether your project is going well or failing.It's written in plain English, is a fast read, and is loaded with valuable information.I would recommend that this book be read before starting any project just to put in place the mechanisms and processes to prevent the chaos from developing.My favorite aspect of the book is the notes and references.Ralph, Steven and Dennis have loaded this book with numerous references - hard copy and on the web - and I can't wait to go back through the book a second time just to begin following up on those.I will be using this text with my project managers as well as my offshore team to reinvigorate the process-based approach and the fact-based management techniques.I strongly recommend this book to all project and program managers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A comforting book for the unconventional gardener
This is not a book for the lover of the conventional (American) garden,it is for those who look for a guide to a 'controlled ' wilderness which provides some fantasyand mystery as well as attracting birdsan imaginative playground for children. It will not be the tidy garden of lawn, surrounded by Rhodedendrons, Yews and annuals. ... Read more

Product Description
"Introducing Chaos" explains how chaos makes its presence felt in many varieties of event, from the fluctuation of animal populations to the ups and downs of the stock market. It also examines the roots of chaos in modern mathematics and physics, and explores the relationship between chaos and complexity, the new unifying theory which suggests that all complex systems evolve from a few simple rules.This is an accessible introduction to an astonishing and controversial theory that could dramatically change our view of the natural world and our place in a turbulent universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Solid background
This is a well-reasoned, carefully thought out book that allows for a good introduction of the subject of Chaos. I wish that the volume was a bit more of a "populist" volume (like Larry Gonick used to write and draw), but that might be a bit too much to ask these days.

OK, but something missing...
I'm a fan of the Introducing series.I don't want to be too critical of this book, but I was a bit disappointed.I did learn a little more than I knew before I read it, but as many of the reviews say, the organization is a bit "chaotic" to the point where you feel you're never given a true overview of the subject.An introduction to any topic should at least try to leave you with some framework of organization for the topic as a whole.

You can probably learn as much about Chaos theory by reading the Wikipedia article.If I'm going to buy a book, I want something more.Perhaps a deeper exploration into one practical application of Chaos theory that shows it as a real science with a purpose.One is almost left with the impression that Chaos theory is more a post-modern criticism of western science rather than a true alternative explanation of phenomenon.

Great book
This was the book that got me hooked on the Introducing... series.I wanted to get a nice overview of Chaos Theory, and this book provided it.

Introducing Chaos Adequate
I've read a number of books on Chaos/Complexity, and found this one to be fine.I think my favorite was the one by Mitchell M. Waldrop "Complexity: the Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos."

At any rate, for the audience for which the book is intended, which is someone who wants an easy-to-read introduction on chaos, I think the book is perfectly adequate.

"Chaos" (not Chaos theory) is all this book introduces you.
I was looking for an easy-to-understand book on Chaos Theory for some non-English speakers (say, some Japanese students) to read, and I personally like "Introducing Fractal Geometry", so I got my hand on this book...

It was a mistake.

I would not say much about this. The author did introduce Chaos, not really Chaos theory, to the readers. He tried his best, I believe, to make things easy to understand by simplifying things... However, in doing so, he had just created Chaos.

Hence, this book is probably one of the best examples of "How Simplicity creates Complexity and Chaos"... a simple scheme found in Complex systems (like complex Cellular Automata which emerged from a simple set of rules).

One thing, while a lot of names (technical terms) were introduced, almost all of them are left unexplained. And I think only "introducing" is never enough. (Well, it was the name of the book afterall... this book wasn't named "Explaing Chaos" :)

There are other good books on Chaos for layperson. And, in fact, "Introducing Fractal Geometry" did a far better job than this one. ... Read more

Product Description
Three of the most original thinkers of our time explore issues that call into question our current views of reality, morality, and the nature of life.*A wide-ranging investigation of the ecology of inner and outer space, the role of chaos theory in the dynamics of human creation, and the rediscovery of traditional wisdom.

In this book of "trialogues," the late psychedelic visionary and shamanologist Terence McKenna, acclaimed biologist and originator of the morphogenetic fields theory Rupert Sheldrake, and mathematician and chaos theory scientist Ralph Abraham explore the relationships between chaos and creativity and their connection to cosmic consciousness. Their observations call into question our current views of reality, morality, and the nature of life in the universe. The authors challenge the reader to the deepest levels of thought with wide-ranging investigations of the ecology of inner and outer space, the role of chaos in the dynamics of human creation, and the resacralization of the world. Among the provocative questions the authors raise are: Is Armageddon a self-fulfilling prophecy? Are we humans the imaginers or the imagined? Are the eternal laws of nature still evolving? What is the connection between physical light and the light of consciousness?

Part ceremony, part old-fashioned intellectual discussion, these trialogues are an invitation to a new understanding of what Jean Houston calls "the dreamscapes of our everyday waking life." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

"Creative Thinking"
I have always respected the open mindedness of all three thinkers and found the material in this book consistent with that as it was far from dogmatic. It inspired me to consider new ways of looking at the old concepts. On the negative side. I think some of the ideas showed a little lack of critical thought. Some of the topics were philosophically based notions and, as that is my field, I felt that it was a little lack of awareness of the problems that have been worked out by some other thinkers(I wish that they would have at least mentioned those ideas then debated the point). Specifically I wish they would have acknowledged the issues that have come up in transpersonal psychology. Overall, I feel most interested in these issues (the evolution of consciousness and mind and critique of the modern post modern views) will enjoy the creative thinking they share. C.J.

Mind blowing
I have read McKenna's other books, The Archaic Revival and The Invisible Landscape, True Hallucinations, and to me, this seems even better! Perhaps McKenna's best book! By page 10 I was flipping out, and it only got better. If you like McKenna, hallucinogens, metaphysics, forward type thinking, if you have ever pondered the mysteries of the universe, you will love this book. Dont mess around! Buy it now! Thank cosmos later.

New Age Pseudoscolarly Psychobabble
The chapters in this book are transcripts of three academics rambling on and on as they speculate about "cosmic consciousness" and how it touches upon existence, science, history, religion, etc.

An example of their fare:
"The chaos revolution now taking place throughout the sciences is a major setback for the forces of law and order, control and dominance.Scientists, the high priests of Marduk, must now accept chaos and replace Tiamat on her rightful throne.This is why I say that chaos is the biggest thing since the wheel.Imagination, creativity and inspiration are all on the upswing.Chaos, Gaia, Eros-arise!"

If you find meaning in statements like this, you will probably love this book.This material reminds me of listening to late-night frat house bull sessions, or someone who's stoned and thinks that his random navel-gazing is actually providing profound insights.It's reminiscient of the psychedelic froth of the 1960's.

I didn't find this worth the time spent reading it.

Lofty-sounding but vacuous
A more appropriate title for this book would be "Three Pretentious Fools Talking About Things They Know Nothing About."The book is composed entirely of vacuous but lofty-sounding rhetoric and New-Age style cosmic speculations, and is remarkable for its almost complete lack of intellectual content.It reminds me of the kind of pseudo-intellectual discussions I used to have in the dorm with my college buddies after we'd each had several beers.

holy trinity?
Three of the most intriguing and revolutionary minds of our time together at last.If you can find the video in which this book is transcribed,it's definitely worth watching as well.it's called Metamorphasis. ... Read more

Product Description
Although highly mathematical in origin, chaos is a science of the everyday world, addressing questions every child has wondered about: how clouds form, how smoke rises, how water eddies in a stream. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A huge effort
I can imagine the amount of effort done by the author to collect the different pieces together to construct a consistent line of thought along the whole book. Good piece!

Order from Chaos
We all know things that are not predictable. These can be everyday occurrences like the weather, or more specialised events (whether the stock market will go up or down). The unpredictable plays a large part in "normal life". Yet for some of these matters, there is a nagging feeling that if sufficient information were known, the unpredictable would indeed be able to be forecast with as much certainty as whether the sun will rise tomorrow. Thus James Gleick introduces the topic of `chaos' - there can be a "sensitive dependence on initial conditions". If we were to know the initial conditions in all their details, predictability would be brought within our grasp. Thus the flapping of the wings of a butterfly in China could result in rainfall in Indianapolis.

At times I was lost in the small detail, but the strength of this book is that it paints a big picture. The mathematics (and physics, and chemistry, and biology, and .....) is sometimes beyond me, but the overall story is that there is `chaos' all around. Some of the chaos is linked into classic Newtonian mechanics, but strangely enough, chaos almost has in itself an order and `predictability' about it.

The three of the most significant scientific theories of the 20th century are reckoned to be Einstein's General Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and ...... Chaos Theory. Before opening this very historical account of the last mentioned, I knew nothing about the theory of chaos. Now I have an awareness of the subject, and how experimentation can play a part in mathematics. Experimentation and mathematics are not normally uttered in the same sentence.

Look for the big picture, and do not get lost in the people and places, which can be bewildering. If you read this book, please ensure that it has colour photographs within it - the pictures are both staggering, and help to bring home the message. Some areas of chaos have their roots in self similarity, and the pictures from Mendelbrot sets are both staggering and fascinating. Self similarity can be best summed up by the classic (and anonymous) ditty: "Big fleas have on their backs small fleas to bite them, small flees have smaller fleas and so ad infinitum"

Gleick is strong on the history and roots of chaos, and how the ideas were received when initially tabled. There was shock and disbelief that others from external communities could have something to say that would have relevance to (say) population growth models, from totally different scientific disciplines. There was also reluctance initially to publish some of the ground-braking ideas.

Chaos is about non-linear dynamics, fractals, fractal boundary basins and much more. As `chaos' as a concept (and almost as a discipline) spread, rather than bringing order when chaos had existed before (and this could be described as one of the main purposes of `science'), evidence of more chaos emerges.

From study, it could be that there is more evidence of chaos than we thought hitherto. There could be chaos in space, and the onset of cardiac arrhythmias (heart attacks) seems chaotic. Gleick speculates that `evolution' is chaos with feedback. He has made me more aware of randomness. Classic determinism generates randomness. Perhaps, just perhaps, chaos is a way to reconcile free will and determinism. All in all, unlike the pure scientists of old, I now find myself positively looking for chaos.

Perhaps that is a mark of a well presented book.

[...].

The stories that switch on the lights!
Gleick introduces chaos in an easy and understandable way, not relying on lots of mathematics.His descriptions of deterministic chaos are accurate and he recounts several stories to help the reader understand the context of the discoveries.Not a book for mathematicians, but rather a book for everybody else that loves a good story about where our current science views are coming from.Read this before you get into Holland and the rest of the manic gang.

Must Reading
Being written in a comprehendible language, it is really a nice intelligent book presented and further inspired an innovative complex field of modern science.

No clue, whether a Chaos inventor was bestowed with any prize upon at all.
... Read more

Product Description
Today you hear it even from many well-meaning Christians: "It doesn't really matter what you believe, so long as you're sincere." These pages demonstrate that such a "doctrineless Christianity" is not merely impossible; it's dangerous. Indeed, argues author Dorothy L. Sayers, if Christians don't steep themselves in doctrine, then the Christian Faith - and the world outside the Faith - will descend into chaos.It's a surprising argument these days, but once you've finished these lucid and often witty pages, you'll agree with Sayers that dogma is no exercise in hair-splitting about insignificant matters; it's a vibrant window into the splendor of God's truth, a window that each Christian soul needs.Doctrine is vital to your faith, to my faith, and even to the faith of the simplest believers. Each of us must make a stark choice: creed . . . or chaos! These pages show why there's no way you can avoid that choice - and they help you to choose wisely. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Good book to help think about work
I really enjoyed Creed or Chaos and especially the chapter on work.I don't hear a Christian perspective on work very often but Sayers' take on it was quite helpful.The whole book is good but that section really helped.

Choices, choices...
Dorothy Sayers, best known as the author of typically wonderful British mysteries, was also known in her lifetime as an engaging public speaker, and one of the topics she would speak about is the life of the church.A staunch and solid Anglican of Anglo-Catholic persuasion (read here, 'more Catholic than the Pope', in many respects), she in some ways shared a spotlight (and variously competed for the spotlight) with other such luminaries as C.S. Lewis.

This particular book, 'Creed or Chaos?' is a particular favourite of mine.Written in the 1940s, it is actually a compilation of pamphlets (or, perhaps more appropriately, tracts) that were issued along with her speaking engagements.This is a book of lectures, but these are no mere lectures.Sayers is a woman of wit and wisdom in addition to being a scathing and no-holds-barred critic of those things she finds deserving of critique.

There are seven essays in total, which deal with issues of art and culture, church and state, public and private morality, virtue, and more.The title of the collection comes from the fifth essay, 'Creed or Chaos?' in which Sayers argues for the necessity of strong dogma in the face of declining stability in the world.Watching the unfolding of events at the beginning of the second world war, after having lived through the aftermath of the first (which included the collapse of the old order in Russia), she lays part of the blame on the kind of touchy-feely Christianity that had come into vogue that was more concerned with feelings than with understanding and order.'The thing I am here to say to you is this: that it is worse than useless for Christians to talk about the importance of Christian morality, unless they are prepared to take their stand upon the fundamentals of Christian theology.It is fatal to let people suppose that Christianity is only a mode of feeling; it is vitally necessary to insist that it is first and foremost a rational explanation of the universe.'

Perhaps my favourite section of the entire collection comes from the fourth essay, 'The Dogma is the Drama'.In this, Sayers puts forward a catechism based upon popular conceptions and misconceptions of what Christianity and its attendant dogmatic points are, and suggests that, as misleading as her witty answers might be, they still bear remarkable relation to the way in which Christian orthodoxy is perceived, not only by those outside the dogmatic faith, but also those inside.

Sayer's play, 'The Zeal of Thy House', was high in her mind during several of these lectures.In her essay, 'Why Work?' she looks at the vocation of work and labour, spinning the question around from being 'should we work for the Lord?' to becoming 'how can our work be work for the Lord?'Any work, artfully done, can be sacred in this context.She has particular ire for those who insist on the moral or pietistic purity of those who should really be chosen for their work for their directly related skills.With regard to her own profession, she lists the virtues of the actors (being on time, knowing their lines, etc.) and states that only after such considerations were made would any attempt be made to find out the piety of the actors.'The worst religious films I ever saw were produced by a company which chose its staff exclusively for their piety,' she wrote.This excess of zeal with regard to the wrong aspects led to films so bad they would never be a credit to Christianity, no matter how 'good' the people involved might be with regard to morality and piety.

Sayers is also rather forward for her time at discussing sex, claiming that the primary sin of her time was seen as sex (in that regard, not much has changed!); hence the title of the final essay, 'The Other Six Deadly Sins'.Here she looks at sin and morality with her dogmatic lens intact, but also explores the ways in which human nature ignores the inconvenient on a regular basis.

This is a wonderful book, short and to the point, witty and serious, and surprisingly relevant to the church and world today.

Too Close for Comfort
This collection of essays and speeches covers more ground than the title suggests.The first portion, on the importance of dogma in an authentically religious life, is passionate, persuasive, and predicts the coming battle between Christianity and paganism in Western culture.Interesting as this is, I found the second part of the book more intriguing still, when Sayers turns her attention to the significance of work and then to the Seven Deadly Sins.She draws a crucial distinction between work as an end in itself and work as a means to an end.Instead of treating our work as our gift to God, are we merely looking for a paycheck so we can get more stuff?Sayers exposes the social ills wrought by excessive materialism and insufficient attention to our moral responsibilities, and carries this theme further in her discussion of the deadly sins.This final chapter makes for an excellent examination of conscience as well as an embarrassing commentary on the crass materialism that pervades our culture, almost invisible in the absence of moral reflection.And above all, this book exhorts us to moral reflection.With remarkable power and insight, Sayers encourages us to ask, "What am I doing, and why am I doing it?"

I'll take Creed, thank you.
Like some of the other reviewers, I found that some of the essays in this book did wander off from the main question as presented in the book's title. Particularly the last three chapter's do this, focusing more on socio-economic issues rather than on the significance of dogma or creed in the church. These essays were tangentially related, however, as Sayers pointed out the need for Christianity's influence to be pervasive in all aspects of life. The weakest chapters in this volume were, nonetheless, the 5th and 6th chapters, titled "Strong Meat" and "Why Work?" However, the remainder of the book was very well written, and enjoyable to read.

Sayer's primary intent was to show how Christianity collapses without dogmas or creeds. She marvelously shows how dogma is not the dusty, dull, and boring thing that modern Christians often claim, but rather, that the very excitement and drama in Christianity is in the dogma! She uses the doctrine of the incarnation in particular to illustrate this, and throughout the book she interweaves the historic Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds to show their profound relevance and interest to even modern humanity. The problem, she asserts, is not that the dogma is dull, but that the church has not properly taught or shown its meaning. This has created another problem, which is that most unbelievers despise Christianity without even ever understanding the truly radical nature of what it teaches: that God entered the world in human flesh. When Christianity isn't clear and creedal in what it teaches to its own, it won't be able to present a clear and vital witness of Christ to the world.

The best chapter of the book is the one titled "Creed or Chaos?" In it Dorothy Sayers affirms that "it is absolutely impossible to teach Christianity without teaching Christian dogma" (33), and then proceeds to list several dogmas which are especially in need of being taught on account of their being misunderstood. She states the case for dogma very well in this chapter, but makes one particularly false statement. She says that "The Church of Rome alone has retained Her prestige because She puts theology in the foreground of Her teaching"(33). Rome is not alone in retaining her prestige or dogma. The glaring omissionis that the confessional bodies of the Lutheran church also place theology in the foreground of their teaching. There are those in Lutheranism wandering toward Chaos (and who would do well to read this book), but the true heart of Lutheranism is a boldly creedal faith. Even though Sayers ignores the Lutheran church, it is interesting to note that in the 6th chapter, on "Why Work?", she comes surprisingly close to the Lutheran understanding of what Scripture teaches regarding vocation.

Overall, Sayers' book issues a much-needed call to return to the orthodox creeds of Christianity, as this problem has continued and worsened in the church at large since she wrote these essays in the WWII era.

Don't Miss Dorothy L. Sayers
If I have a gripe about this book, it's that the cover picture and blurb would be more at home on a tabloid at the checkstand. There's an earlier version of this book with a somewhat better cover. For that matter, these essays are drawn from two collections published in Sayer's day, Unpopular Opinions and another one I forgot. The best essays reappeared some time back in a collection called Christian Letters to a Post-Christian World (I wonder why that title didn't sell?!), and then again in a series by MacMillian called The Whimsical Christian (catch the play on the name of her detective, Lord Peter Wimsey).

However you have to get them, try to read the best of these essays, "The Dogma is the Drama" and "And Telling You a Story" among them. The first one relates to her experiences while writing The Man Born to Be King, the first radio drama of the life of Jesus for the BBC. Long before Jesus Christ Superstar and the many movies tackling the subject, she was at the front lines of critical crossfire for updating the gospels to everyday Cockney England (the sort of updating that was common in the Middle Ages in Mystery plays). The second essay tells how she fell under the spell of another British writer, Charles W.S.Williams, and was so inspired by his writings on Dante that she taught herself Italian and translated the three volumes of The Divine Comedy (the third volume, Paradise, being completed by her student, Barbara Reynolds). Other essays touch on her trials as a mystery writer and playright, and the zillion other things she did (that no one seems to know about). Fans of her sleuth, Lord Peter, may enjoy tracking down these witty essays by the divine Dorothy L. ... Read more

Product Description
The first edition of Systems Thinking was the first book to develop a working concept of systems theory and to deal operationally with systems methodology. The author has been working for the last 5 years to incorporate parallel development in quantum theory, self-organizing systems and complexity theory, the sum of which is included in this new 2nd edition. He has tested these concepts with 200 executive MBA students, and also with Russell Ackoff, one of the founding fathers of systems thinking. Ackoff reported that it was the most comprehensive systems methodology he has seen.

The 2nd edition features the synthesis of holistic thinking (iteration of structure, function and process), operational thinking (understanding chaos and complexity), sociocultural systems (movement toward a predefined order), and interactive design (redesigning the future and inventing ways to bring it about).

Also added are the operational thinking and self-organizing aspect of sociocultural systems, with updates made to the holistic thinking and interactive design parts to incorporate recent new developments.

* Cutting edge thinking incorporates the interaction of holistic thinking, operational thinking, sociocultural systems, and interactive design to develop an all inclusive systems methodology
* Companion website built solely to accompany and compliment the new edition available at www.interactdesign.com
* Operational thinking and self organizing aspects of sociocultural systems added anew, with the holistic thinking and interactive design parts updated to incorporate new developments ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

This book is bunk!
Written in the style of a guru preaching to his would-be followers, this book is so full of jargon and nonsense that it is impossible to even build a critical analysis of the content.The author is more interested in pulling the wool over your eyes than teaching you anything.If you are interested in enlightenment through mysticism, this may be the book for you, but those interested in the rigorous application of systems thinking to business would best look elsewhere.

Horrible book!
Okay, let me first say this book is crap!I am a senior in college and have had a 4.0 the entire time and all of a sudden get stuck with having to read this book in one of my business classes.Firstly, this book is extremely confusing to the point where it makes your mind spin and when you get done reading a page you forget everything you read because you were sitting there trying to comprehend what the author was saying.Like several other people have reviewed, it seems as though the author loathes in seeing how confusing he can make sentences, ideas, and theories to the reader instead of making the points clear and understandable.I have read the first two chapters and do not remember hardly anything because of me having to reread some sentences up to ten times; I think I am going to use this book as toilet paper because it is not worth a plug nickel.

An excellent practical guide for business practices...
I have had this book for quite a long time and have read it many times.Each time that I read it I come away with fresh ideas and views on how to apply systems thinking to practical business problems.This book contains a plethora of ideas, views and examples of both good and bad approaches to applying systems thinking to real problems.

I think that every systems engineer should have a copy.Probably all project engineers trying to do NPI in today's fast-paced business environment should also have a copy.I think there is lots of very practical advice and ideas in the book.

The book covers many aspects of systems thinking in business applications from foundations of cybernetics, psychology and philosophy to hands-on approaches to managing teams.

Highly recommended.

Not up to expectations
I could not get the essence of this book.There is not a coherent framework, nor ideas are applied in a way that I would find useful.Please try to peruse a copy before purchasing it - in my case it would not make my first cut through the "search inside" feature.

A True Cipher Key To Business Design / Re-Engineering
This is one of the most important books written in the last 30 years.It is about moving beyond process, synthetic and analytical thinking as singular means of improving business.It is a key to understanding that all of these methods are insufficient on their own as a means of creating optimum results, continuous improvement and business development.

We all understand that in the greatest of companies, musical ensembles, theatre troupes, and sports teams, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.However, we remain mystified by that elusive "chemistry" that actually is the necessary final ingredient needed to move beyond simply being very, very good, and becoming extraordinary.

Dr. Gharajedaghi reveals to us that "chemistry" remains elusive because of the way we see it.He demonstrates that it is not an ingredient that we can insert, but it is a product of the interaction and interdependence of the other ingredients that we are using.Additionally, we learn that the ingredients must be put into the right mixing bowl, or operational environment, which he defines in general terms as "context".

With this book, Professor Gharajedaghi provides us with a very clear understanding as to how chemistry can be created and recreated within any organization, and how to sustain it.This book is a key that will allow you to actually implement process improvement theories such as TQM and Lean, that have been at best a disappointment and at worst a failure in corporate America over the last 20 years.

... Read more

Product Description
Like his mother, Jem, when he looks in people's eyes, Adam can see the dates of their deaths. It's hard enough living with this terrible gift, but life is about to get tougher. Adam sees that everyone around him has the same date - January 2027. Something huge is going to happen. Something bad. But what is it? And what can he do about it? ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (12)

Excellent introduction to fractals and power laws
This book is an extraordinarily well written and presented introduction to fractals and power laws. It has a far deeper mathematical level and requires more time and effort to understand than the typical popularizations. I find it specifically well suited for the the mathematically inclined layman and scientists outside mathematics who want to delve deeper into this subject. Note, however, that if you are a hard core mathematician (of the "lemma - proof - corollary" type), you might probably find this book too superficial and light for your taste, so this book is not for you. If you are an Earth, Life or medical scientist, or just a mathematically curious guy, you will find this book interesting and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Collection of specific cases
This book explores many cases of self similar structures that give rise to fractals .
It is not mathematically oriented and the few mathematical arguments are easy .
It is full of examples of anecdotical character demonstrating power laws and self similarity (concert halls , music , image treatment etc) .
There are also some nice pictures .
However it is not by any account a book concerning the chaos theory .
As a physicist I have been disappointed .
It is too long to be a book on fractal esthetics and it is too short and too anecdotical to be a book about non linear dynamics .
The only description I can find would be : entertaining mathematical games on the concept of iteration and self similarity .

A Chaotic Heaven


What a head-trip! While the Pearly Gates of Paradise may be more than a few minutes away, you are almost certain to enjoy the journey with this book in hand. I purchased this book from Amazon back in 2002 and apart from the curling cellophane-coated front cover, I have nothing but praise for it. It simply gets better, every single time I read it - not unlike sipping some fine vintage even as it ages.

It must be difficult to write a book on a subject so intrinsically mathematical while retaining a healthy, comprehensible tone with a twist of the ridiculous. Schroeder has an enviable sense of comic timing in addition to his peculiarly personalized insight into the world of Number Theory. It is pretty amazing, considering the broad and variable scope of his exposition that the entire opus did not descend into an inexorable chaotic mess of formulae. He skillfully manages to avoid the quagmire of complexity by properly abbreviating lengthy explanations with diagrams, pretty color prints and even the occasional cartoon aside. This leaves him enough time for the most engaging (not to mention informative) anecdotes which allows him to bring the reader into certain obscure fields of research - bilingual poetry, cheating at roulette and on how to kill Germans with Gift(s) - so to speak.

Do not be fooled by the casual tone of the book because this is anything but a cursory tour. In fact, if this is your first encounter with Chaos and Fractals, it may be better to have more than one supplementary text at hand. (I suggest Peitgen, Jurgens and Saupe's Chaos and Fractals: New Frontiers of Science.) Schroeder's book is written for serious students, who want to see some practical (and sometimes not-so-practical) applications of what were once mere mathematical monstrosities. Neither Weierstrass nor Cantor could have predicted that their little monsters would turn out to dominate the physical world. This book gives you an insightful look at how far non-differentiable functions have come since those early pioneering days.

Go ahead and buy this book. It is what every scientific book should aspire to be - brilliant and funny (exactly in that order!)

Great Math Book
This is a one of the best semi-technical mathematics books I ever read. What I mean by "semi-technical" is, you need somewhat of a math interest and education to appreciate it, and if you have that, you can read it casually. You don't need pen and paper; it's not a textbook. However, occasionally you will want to grab the pen and paper to verify what the author writes.
For an ex-math person as myself, this book is an eye-opener as to how many areas of life are touched byfractals and chaos theory. Everything from nature, to economic markets, to music, to just plain theoretical stuff is mentioned here. And the writer delivers it in a well-organized, lucid, entertaining, and passionate fashion. And it is well-illustrated, which really helped me understand....
I'm on my 3rd reading of this book since 1992, and if I wear out the book, I'm buying another one! I rank this up there with "Prime Obsession" as the two best non-textbook math books I ever read.

For the uninitiated!.--Fun too!
For the uninitiated! --The author combines insight with story telling. He has a story to tell, and does it well! Not only does he know the theory inside out, he has the ability to get accross the central points so it (almost) seems easy, in any case entertaining, using pictures (including cartoons), humor, and equations when they are needed. He further make clear the many fascinating links between chaos theory, algorithms, technology, and areas of pure math, such as number theory. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
In this book, L. Douglas Kiel presents a framework that addresses the new chaotic reality of public management and the need for responsive change and innovation. By acknowledging the potential for positive change and renewal that can arise from uncertainty and instability, Kiel offers managers a paradigm for transforming government performance. ... Read more

Product Description
Theologian, mother, and writer Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore gives us some answers to this question and shows us how to integrate and strengthen the practice of faith in the everyday (and often mundane) experience of raising children. In the Midst of Chaos reveals what it takes to find the spiritual wisdom in the messy, familial ways of living. By rethinking parenting as an invitation to discover God in the middle of our busy and overstuffed lives, it relieves parents of the burden of being the all-knowing authority figures who impart spiritual knowledge to children. Finding spirituality in family activities such as reading bedtime stories, dividing household chores, and playing games can empower parents to notice what they are already doing as potentially valuable and to practice it more consciously as part of their own faith journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Spirituality of Parenting
Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, In the Midst of Chaos: Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2007)

Who will think of parenting as a spiritual practice? Who will think of parenting as being spiritual? For most of us parents, parenting is just basic survival, living day to day. Bonnie Miller-McLemore's book catchy title, In the Midst of Chaos captures the messy aspect of parenting exactly. It also throws a new perspective on parenting.

Bonnie is no ordinary mum. She is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Pastoral Theology at Vanderblit University Divinity School. I wonder what it will be like to have a theologian as your mother. In this book, she invites us to "...(by) rethinking parenting as an invitation to discover God in the middle of our busy and overstuffed lives..." Taking the ordinary task and routine of parenting, Bonnie shows us how to be "contemplating in chaos." She invites us to take kids seriously, dealing justly with them, playing the field (x-box, soccer etc) with them, read from Seuss to Scripture and finally to blessing and letting go.

This is a good read for parents who are struggling with being parents in the midst of chaos. God, have mercy.
... Read more

Product Description
Prime Chaos presents an overview of the fastest-growing school of modern occultism --- Chaos Magic. The author of Condensed Chaos presents simple, yet effective techniques for becoming proficient in practical magic, including an exhaustive breakdown of the possibilities offered by ritual magic, sorcery, invocation, possession and evocation. The resurgence of interest in magic has led to a new interest in magical groups, and Phil Hine brings a wealth of experience in groups to an exploration of the advantages --- and disadvantages --- of working magic with other people. Prime Chaos also explores some of the lighter --- and darker --- aspects of modern occultism, and presents new ideas for developing magical techniques for the 21st Century.

In addition, you have on this book a unique piece of history: a cover by William S. Burroughs, author of Naked Lunch and many other famous works. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excellent book on Chaos magick
I was surprised to see this book got mixed reviews. I wonder if those people understood the concepts presented in this book. For me personally, Phil Hine put into words everything I could not articulate about the psychological aspects of magick and really got me moving down the chaos mage path. It's certainly not a beginner's guide or magick-101 book. This delves into the very essence of what magick is, and the mindset needed to be an effective mage. This book won't teach you spells, but it will give you an essential framework for creating your own rituals. This is one of the most important books I've ever read on magick, and will help develop the greatest magickal tool in one's arsenal. The mind.

Vague Beyond Belief
I really regreted buying this book.While I'm sure the author knows something a little more than the average joe about chaos magic, he is incredibly vague.He rambles on and on with out making a point.From reading the book, the only thing that seems clear about chaos magic is that it is whatever you make it to be.If that is truly his point, he could have shortened his book by more than 50%.

good but vague
Phil Hine's second book on Chaos magic, Prime Chaos offers a somewhat vague and rotoscopic view on progressive occult practices. It's almost too vague, and offers little in the way of theoretical foundations for Chaos Magic, other than the requisite "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Hine ends each ideological explanation for a belief system or ritual with "but that's just what some people believe, you can do it differently." while this does offer a warm and openminded aproach to chaos magic, it underscores one of its frustrating aspects: its hard for newcomers to get a feeling for chaos magic's theoretical foundations and thereby begin the thought process neccesary to branch out and form your own belief system. The book also spends alot of time on technicalities of practice, particulary minor social disparagements that might occur in group practice. So, add another star if you have group experience and would like some warm, experienced advice from Phil(he focuses alot of the book on group practice.) Phil writes in an easy to understand way, with a warmth and understanding that some other Chaos Magicians who are too wrapped up in being snotty and cynical lack. However, this might not be the best introduction to newcomers of chaos magic, particularly occultists who have dabbled in wicca or other contemporary occult practices and have seen most of this stuff before.

Group Chaos
Prime Chaos is the first book I ever read about chaos magic.It serves as a great way to introduce a reader to the ideas and concepts of chaos magic.Despite its relatively small size it contains and highlights all the ideas a chaos mage can play with.

This book is geared towards group work and a large section is dedicated to it.As a lone wolf mage you might not find it satisfying and I would suggest "Condensed Chaos" by the same author, Phil Hine.However if you are interested in learning and experiencing magic as a group Prime Chaos will definately be a very valuable assistant with its approach and ideas.

decent read
I've read through this book, not through and through mind you but good enough to get a good general idea about it. Now I have a friend that practices 'chaos magic' and I agree with some of his theorys and find it a fascinating system. The thing that turned me off about this book is Cthulhu, this god was indeed strictly created by H.P. Lovecraft. My friend who happens to believe in Cthulhu is always trying to state that Cthulhu was actually a Sumarian diety but the thing is that; like most Cthulhu fans lacks any substantial research. I've mentioned other Sumarian gods past H.P. Lovecrafts work (such as Sinn) and he doesn't even know what they are.

From what I've seen of most chaos magick books is that they try to be anti-dogma yet their beliefs as a whole embraces dogma, like Peter Carol. For instance his belief that everything has an oppisite, this is in essence dogma.

If this sounds like I am totaly tearing down the chaos beliefs I appologize... I just question the validity of it's sources. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by a teenage dyspraxic, this inspiring book is a unique practical guide for dyspraxics and those around them struggling and determined to get to grips with the social, physical and psychological chaos caused by developmental co-ordination disorders (DCDs). In her own conversational style, Victoria Biggs discusses both the primary effects of her 'learning difference' - disorganization, clumsiness and poor short-term memory - and the secondary difficulties she and other dyspraxics encounter, including bullying, low self-esteem and loneliness. She offers down-to-earth advice on a wide range of issues, from body language, puberty, health and hygiene to family life and social skills. Personal stories and 'this-is-what-it's-like-for-me' accounts from other dyspraxic adolescents are also included. Her positive and practical approach and profound empathy with others in her situation make this book a must-read for dyspraxics, their parents and other family members, and for professionals working with them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Finally a real view of dyspraxia instead of clinical explanations
My 10 year old son was recently diagnosed with Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia and it has been a mystery to figure out all the ways they affect him.Reading this book helped me realize which challenges might actually be related to the Dyspraxia and the helpful hints about ways to help him in those areas have already made a huge difference in his confidence and outlook.

I bought 3 copies - one for myself, one for my parents and one for the school so that everyone who works with and interacts with my son on a frequent basis understands the reason he struggles with some things that seem simple to them.

Thank you for a wonderful book!

most helpful book I have read on dyspraxia
I found this book at the perfect time.My son has started middle school and the problems he had before are minor compared to this.The book really gave my husband and me insight into what our son goes through on a daily basis.We feel much more able to understand and help him through yet another difficult time in his life.The book has given us hope.

A great help for Parents and Families
Vickie is a godsend for those of us with Dyspraxic children.We've used this to introduce ideas and approaches with family and friends, as well as, gain a deeper understanding of this challange from the stance of the affected.Although the writting is sometimes a little quirky it's a funny and easy look into the life of the dyspraxic.

Highly recommend
This is a pivotal book for me.While not a clinical, academic description of apraxia/dyspraxia, it does provide a largely overlooked perspective:life from the eyes of someone living with the disorder.Biggs' coping strategies are useful, yet it is her palatable, positive outlook that is most rewarding.It is easy to read, filled with wry, poignant humor and useful suggestions, but not sugar-coating a frustrating existence.As a parent, it would be particularly useful to help understand some of the frustrations an apraxic child may face.As an educator, her suggestions would be useful to consider within the classroom.For an apraxic individual, this book shows you are not alone, that others feel similar differences and frustrations.
Again, this is not a technical, in-depth reference book, instead it aims to resonate and illustrate living with apraxia.If you are looking for a listing of symptoms, manifestation, clear definitions, and scholastic techniques for dealing with apraxia, then this is not the book for you.Whether it is for yourself or another person you care about with apraxia, if your goal is to better understand their perspective then this book is exceptional.

Caged in Chaos
I highly recommend Caged in Chaos because it is a book on Dyspraxia like no other.There are many academic "how to's" regarding this often mis-understood disability, but not one on what it actually is like to be dyspraxic.I really loved the fact that this book gives readers a snapshot into the dyspraxic child's (or teenager's) world.Caged in Chaos sets itself apart from all other books on the subject.How can we really help those with dyspraxia if we don't know what it feels like to walk in their shoes? Also, author Victoria Biggs' light sense of humor is very refreshing.She's an amazing person -- and terrific role model for my dyspraxic son. ... Read more

Product Description
This daring and thought-provoking chronicle encourages readers, both the healthy and the unhealthy, to become open, honest, and courageous in dealing with the sensitive issues surrounding a life invaded by chronic illness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Excellent Book
I began reading this book, along with my wife, as was suggested the author.It's a well written book, spoken from a very personal place, but is also written in a way that I think anyone in the predicament he writes about can relate to.We're both looking forward to continuing this adventure that Pilburn, sometimes playfully, sometimes humorously, sometimes painfully, shares in his book.

Beyond Chaos
Book is (346 pages)of decent information about a spouse/caregiver's journey with an illness. Sometimes difficult to follow what the author was trying to get the reader to see. Good conversational tone. Good section on intimacy.

Not what I expected
I have had chronic pain problems for over 10 years.I bought this book thinking my husband might feel a resonance in our lives and ability to cope with the loss of our preplanned vision of our future.My husband has been such a tremendous support to me all through these years and could write his own book of the stages he has gone through to adapt to my illness.What my husband would tell Gregg Piburn is that it is only when you realize that "it isn't all about him" could he learn how to cope not just with my illness but his aging parents where one has Alzheimers disease and the other has developed such severe immobility issues they can barely move.I tried to read the book cover to cover but really could only scan it, it felt jumpy and unfocused as illness progress along a path and it is the travel along the path that creates the ability to survive and be able to cope or not cope.Life and illness build on itself and repetition of certain fluxes in one illness are different than the appearance of a new and yet to be figured out health problem that may or may not be a variant of existing problems.I think the book is a catharsis of how his own mind and emotions have ricocheted around but as a source of guidance for others on how they might cope, it is not that kind of reading.

Written so that men will actually read it - doesn't get any better than that!
Beyond Chaos is one of the best books for men who have a wife who lives with a chronic illness. A few years after recommending this book to many people I mentioned it to someone who is "a good friend" of the author, Gregg Piburn. She shared with me just how much heart went into this book.

This book is not from the perspective of a "know it all" and "follow my directions." It's written by a humble man who daily feels inadequate for this journey he has been called on to care for his ill wife. His deep love and constant support is obvious, but he still struggles with the feeling that he's put his foot in his mouth one more time.

I think his vulnerability is what makes this book a gem and one that men can actually relate to and find comfort and encouragement in. More books like this need to exist, but time will never make this one any less worthwhile. 10 stars!

Egocentric
First of all, I highly commend Mr. Piburn for having the courage to write his story. Although, the further I got into the book, the more egocentric his style of writing became. I felt like many times he was focusing more on how to say things than sharing what was really going on. When I arrived at the part in the book where he expresses that a man has to ejaculate sometimes, I could no longer read this. It sounded chauvinistic to me. As a female partner of someone with chronic pain, I can only say that I'm sure both sexes have a need to experience the release of orgasm. Maybe the book would be more helpful to a male who is the well spouse. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

The Perfect checklist for spiritual health
Experience is the best teacher.Becky's experiences parallel the lives of many women who are seeking a closer walk with God.She provides succinct summaries of action steps that busy women need to review when feeling overcome by the turmoil of living in the world.This is a book that will be read over and over again in every season of a woman's life.

Practical tool
Becky's book helped me to focus on Jesus when I am going through a crisis or I am tempted to worry.I also use it in mentoring situations with other women who get bogged down in circumstances.Focusing on the "I Am" statements of Christ is a practical way to rise above the circumstances.Becky Harling's conversational writing style and her friendly wit make it seem like I know her.I can't wait to read more that she writes.

Good mentoring book
I am on my second time through this book,taking it more slowly as I meditate and review the basics of the Christian walk of faith.This is a good book for different stages of life as well as for mentoring younger women.Anxiety and "busyness" can rob us of our joy and peace in Christ and Becky uses clear and relevant examples to display Biblical truths as well as remind us of how to keep focused on Christ as the source of calm in our lives.Well done!

An encouragement for hard times...
In "Finding Calm In Life's Chaos," Becky Harling guides the reader through some simple Biblical truths that sometimes get lost in the busyness and difficulties of day to day life. In the stories she shares, her honesty and sincerity bring to light some of the things we all struggle through. She also offers a reminder to see the bigger picture and rely on the peace and hope that can be found in Jesus Christ. It was a pleasure to read and an encouragement to me in my own life.

A Refreshing Read
Becky Harling's "Finding Calm in Life's Chaos" is filled with wisdom for women in every season of life. This book is brimming with biblically-based insights that are not theoretical, but practical in nature. Written with transparency and authenticity, the author shares how she learned to draw near to God in the midst of her own personal tragedies. She also shares from the experiences of others, but more importantly bases her insights on the solid foundation of the life, example, and words of Jesus.

The book comes with a study guide which can be used by groups or individuals. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Hailed for its gripping narrative, its insightful analysis, and its informed historical perspective, this book offers a "revealing look at the secret and powerful political society of Mexico, its breakup, and the fallout that we are witnessing today" ("Wall Street Journal"). of photos.Amazon.com Review
This is an attempt to understand Mexico's steep descent intoturmoil, which happened rapidly after the uprising in Chiapas on NewYear's Day 1994.Following the assassinations of a presidentialcandidate and then the congressional leader, President Carlos Salinasde Gortari had barely left office when the peso collapsed. Pursued byallegations of corruption, Salinas then fled the country. Oppenheimer,a reporter for The Miami Herald, argues that the crisis is theresult of nothing grander than a turf war within a decrepit rulingparty and that the Chiapas uprising is not something new, justanother eruption of the Marxist intellectualism that has longflourished in Latin America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Great read and insight...
I would like to recomend this book because it really captures the moment and when you have a doubt of the information provided you can look at the extensive resources section.

A must read...

Should be required reading
This book is so shocking, it left me hoping the author made it all up. It raises many important questions regarding the US relationship with out southern neighbor. A must read.

GOOD HISTORY, WELL RESEARCHED, FAST PACED READ
In Bordering on Chaos, Oppenheimer does a very good job of depicting the events and digging up the dirty that led to many of the most important events in mid-1990s Mexico, including the murder of the leading presidential candidate, the rise of the Zapatistas and the choice of Zedillo for president.

However, instead of pure history, we are presented with deep character development for the two main actors in this process, Zedillo himself (the president to be) and Subcomandante Marcos, the leader of the Zapatista movement.In this process, we learn of the political ploys adopted by the PRI, the almost monarchic party that led the country for most of the century.These include forays into education, health, and the most important social services.Another important area is the corruption going on at the top levels of the PRI, requiring, for example, that business people contribute a minimum of [several] million to participate in the government, or else be excluded, with all that it entailed.There is less than I would like to know on Carlos Salinas, the now disgraced but formerly darling leader.

Overall, a good history and a well written book.If you have an interest in Mexico, or in the crisis period of the mid-1990s, this may offer some of the pieces that build up a puzzle of it.

Facinating account
This is a great read for anyone wanting to know about Mexico during the 1990s.It's very indepth, at times it feels like maybe Oppenheimer doesn't have all the information to tell the story, but he sure tells a lot of it.It's also not overly biased, like many books about recent Mexican history. Oppenheimer does a great job of setting the scene, explaining who is who, and helping the reader get their arms around all the different factions that make for a volatile social environment in Mexico.I also read "Castro's Final Hour" which was informative, but not as good (especially since the "final hour" was somewhere in the early nineties, and now it's 2001).I'd love to read more of Oppenheimer.

Andresito has excellent contacts
Excellent book on recent Mexican history. ... Read more