History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Darwin (Norton Critical Editions) (3rd Edition)

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very editorial
Best Anthology of Darwin
Perhaps a classic among anthologies
A Must Read

Darwin (Norton Critical Editions) (3rd Edition)
Charles Darwin
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0393958493

Book Description

"The best Darwin anthology on the market" (Stephen Jay Gould, Harvard) has just become better, in this newly revised version of the now classic Norton Critical Edition, first published in 1970. The impact of Charles Darwin's work on Western civilization has been broad and deep. As much as anyone in the modern era, he changed human thought, and his influence is still felt in virtually all aspects of our lives. This new edition, larger and more varied than the previous ones, includes more of Darwin's own work and also presents the most recent research and scholarship on all aspects of Darwin's legacy. The biological sciences, as well as social thought, philosophy, ethics, religion, and literature, have all been shaped and reshaped by evolutionary concepts. Excerpts from the most important books and articles of recent years confirm this Darwinian heritage. New work by Richard Dawkins, Edward O. Wilson, Kevin Padian, Eugene C. Scott, Steven Pinker, Daniel Dennett, Michael Ruse, Frans de Waal, Noretta Koertge, George C. Williams, George Levine, Stephen Jay Gould, Gillian Beer, Ernst Mayr, and many others illuminates this exciting intellectual history. A wide-ranging new introduction by the editor provides context and coherence to this rich body of engaging material, much of which will be shaping human thought well into the new century. This edition will be useful to scientists and historians alike: "The Norton Darwin explains Darwinian evolution and illustrates the social and intellectual conflicts of the past two centuries better than any other book that I am aware of." (Charles Taylor, Professor of Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles) And it will be of great value to the humanities and social sciences as well: "The edition provides the sharpest and most exciting access to Darwin we have ever had. It shows all of us interested in the heart of our intellectual heritage how that heritage is sustained, manipulated, and honored." (James R. Kincaid, Aerol Arnold Professor of English, University of Southern California) A Selected Bibliography and an Index are included.

About the Series: No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions. Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehenive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

very editorial.......2004-07-24

To the point of writing (somewhat interesting) poems to introduce various sections, Appleman's selection of Darwin's texts (minimal) and convseration surrounding them, shows a heavy editorial hand, but it's a pretty knowledgable one. Somewhat too much in awe for my tastes. The poems were okay, but what an old fashioned thing to do, include your odes to an author as you anthologize his work. I guess I like it. This is not the book to get if you want to read alot of Darwin. Probably 80% commentary and much of it lame (everyone from the pope to the hare-krishnas weighing in), all the selections are too short to really get more than a soundbite.

I found it interesting to see that many of the Christians and Jews including the pope accept Darwinism. Living in America you wouldn't realize how small the faction of fundamentalists are (because they take up the whole middle of the country). I think his selection of Muslim and Hindu views is minimal and unrepresentative. In general, Hindu scholars have always been receptive to biological and physical scientific discoveries and he takes the krishna consciousness sect as representative of the vedic tradition's outlook on evolution, which is weak.

Best Anthology of Darwin.......2003-12-22

I have not read the 2nd or 3rd editions of this book. But based on the table of contents that I have seen they are even better. Appleman does a great job of organizing the material. I've often thought that the amount of religious material was a little bit overwhelming. I will probably try to pick up the 3rd edition when I can because of the addtional material. One thing that I thought was a weak point of the first edition that came out in 1970 was that there was a serious lack of current scientific thought. That seems to have been shored up in the later editions and, with some New Humanists thrown in, I definitely think this would be a very good pick.

Perhaps a classic among anthologies.......2002-09-18

Natural selection is the idea that shaped a science and altered our understanding of life. It is also, unfortunately and too often, misunderstood and/or used to justify moral beliefs. This book, edited admirably by Philip Appleman serves two purposes. First, the reader is given Darwin's idea of evolution and the context in which it developed, from the scientific environment before the publication of "The Origin of Species" to selections from Darwin's various works. Second, there are a number of excerpts that show how natural selection influenced later thought. This includes not just the fields of science and theology, but also sociology, philosophy, and literature.

It can be difficult to just sit and read Darwin if you are not a biologist because it seems a little dated and obvious (at least if you are familiar with natural selection, as you should be). Additional material provides perspective and helps to see in what ways Darwin's work was revolutionary. Such material can also show how evolutionary ideas have been modified over time by different people. Appleman has obviously read widely on Darwin and evolution, and the readings he provides represents an array of influential and important works. With this book, a person can develop a much deeper appreciation of Darwin's ideas than from simply reading Darwin alone.

I am reviewing the second edition. The third edition is 100 pages longer and includes more recent material, especially concerning the dispute between creationism and evolution. I would not hesitate to recommend even the dated second edition to anyone interested in Darwin and Darwin's influence on scientists and other thinkers; this third edition should be a must-have.

A Must Read.......2001-07-22

I agree with Gould that this is the best Darwin anthology on the market. It contains a significant amount of new material and details the profound change in scientific and intellectual thought in the past few decades. Darwin is constantly misquoted by creationists, but this book sets the record straight. For example, the chapter on "mainstream Religious Support for Evolution" includes leading religious opinions on evolution, illustrating that many mainline Christians and Jews do NOT subscribe to the antiscientific propaganda of the fundamentalists and creationists. New threats to Darwinism and science are also covered. This is an enthralling read and I highly recommend it.

The Blood-Hungry Spleen and Other Poems About Our Parts

Average customer rating:

Great Book....Great Poet!!!
I wish it was published when I was teaching!
Why wasn't this published when I was still teaching???
Funny, original, and educational
Original, funny, and educational

The Blood-Hungry Spleen and Other Poems About Our Parts
Allan Wolf
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 076361565X
Release Date: 2003-07-28

Book Description

Ears have drums (but don't play them), knees wear caps (even in church), and a boneless boy turns into a human puddle in this book of wacky—and anatomically accurate—poems about our body parts.

To the left of your stomach, a deep violet-red,
a filter's at work filling blood cells with dread:
The red blood cell graveyard! It's not Halloween.
I'm talking about that blood basher, the spleen.

Have you ever wondered just exactly what some of your body parts do? How many times a year your heart beats?How big your small intestines are? And, equally noteworthy, which of your muscles looks most like a slug? Certain to appeal to elementary-school children, this unique and humorous book uses poetry to explore the amazing workings of our bodies. With great verve and enthusiasm—and plenty of outrageous illustrations—Allan Wolf and Greg Clarke tickle the funny bone in these thirty-four poems while answering some of those deep anatomical questions.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book....Great Poet!!!.......2007-07-26

My child and I had the good fortune to see Mr. Wolf perform at a library where he read from this book, and others! I was so impressed by his show that I bought this book for my child who LOVES it! It truly makes the body interesting and fun.....captivating to children!! Thank you so much!

I wish it was published when I was teaching!.......2003-09-09

When I taught school, I was always looking for an entertaining way to trick my students into learning, into becoming inspired, and "The Blood-Hungry Spleen" would have been a huge hit -- if only I was still teaching! Not only is it amusing and educational to young children on a basic level about their anatomy (seriously, did you ever think about spit having a purpose, other than helping you look cool in a dugout?), it helps teachers and parents broach subjects they may have difficulty with. And, yes, very clever poetry!

Why wasn't this published when I was still teaching???.......2003-09-09

Funny, original, and educational.......2003-09-05

"The Blood Hungry Spleen" succeeds quite nicely in making learning about the different parts of the body fun. The poems are just silly enough to induce lots of giggles from kids (while teaching them - how sneaky!). The text is written in language that is easy for kids to grasp from a very young age, without ever being condescending.

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

This is a book that parents and kids can enjoy together.

Original, funny, and educational.......2003-09-05

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

Book Description

Call it Bird University. This gloriously illustrated volume provides comprehensive college-level information about birds and their environments in a style accessible to nonscientists and teachers the world over.

The Handbook of Bird Biology covers all major topics, from anatomy and physiology to ecology, behavior, and conservation biology. One full chapter addresses vocal communication and is accompanied by a CD of bird vocalizations. Produced by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's world-renowned Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, the CD illustrates key elements of bioacoustics.

The book's text was written by 12 leading ornithologists and illustrated by respected photographers and acclaimed artist John Schmitt. It includes an extensive glossary and index, a list of the common and scientific names of all birds mentioned in the text, author profiles, suggested readings following each chapter, and a complete reference section.

The Handbook serves as the backbone of the Lab's popular Home Study Course in Bird Biology, a self-paced course that can be taken from anywhere in the world, by anyone with a serious interest in birds who would like guidance from professional ornithologists.

Comprehensive and readable guide covering all major topics
Free CD of bird vocalizations enclosed
Extensive glossary and index
List of all common and scientific names
Suggested readings
Complete reference section
Companion to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's popular Home Study Course in Bird Biology

Customer Reviews:

Good book.......2007-09-21

This is a good compendium of ornithology. It contains general information on bird biology, however it is to general for university teaching. Probably it should be used together with Gill's "Ornithology".

Simply Wonderful.......2006-12-22

The folks at Cornell have done it again. This is a huge book, packed full of information, but it is also a joy to read. Even though it supplies plenty of the "encyclopedic" material, it's a bit reminiscent of David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" DVD, in that it highlight some of the "gee-whiz" aspects of birds, such as egg mimicry, artistic bower construction, lymphatic penises in ducks, and so forth. There was a surprising section on nocturnal birding by ear, which I had never seen addressed. They seem to have covered every topic and then some.
If you have only a casual interest in birds, this book may be overkill, but if you are a birder or ornithology student I'm sure you'll enjoy deepening your appreciation and understanding of birds with the help of this book.

A tour de force.......2005-01-04

I recently purchased the new "Handbook of Bird Biology" (hereafter, HBB) and would like to share my views of it. Published by Princeton University Press, this massive volume is a tour de force from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. I have taught university classes in ornithology for the past several years using Gill's "Ornithology" and Proctor & Lynch's "Manual of Ornithology" (both outstanding books), so I spent some time comparing HBB to these works. HBB consistently exceeded my expectations. It routinely (although not invariably) provided more details than Gill or Proctor & Lynch, and it also included topics that the other books omit. These topics (e.g. selecting binoculars, FAQs about backyard bird feeders) were typically geared more towards birding than towards classroom-based ornithology. Indeed, this was one of the main objectives of the Cornell Lab in compiling this book, to appeal to birders and not simply to students of ornithology. For example, the book includes a CD of various bird sounds (nothing that will replace proper "birding by ear" song/call guides, but useful for illustrative purposes). However, HBB is not light reading in any sense of the word. Weighing in at nearly seven pounds, it represents the proverbial "too much information" for casual birders. In addition, the book is costly (approximately $95 + tax, but that is still cheaper than purchasing even used copies of both Gill and Proctor & Lynch). It is not without its copy-editing flaws (particularly in figure captions). Its figures are solely in black-and-white (a major disappointment for me--try explaining structural colors without color examples), and many figures are taken directly from Gill or Proctor & Lynch (appropriately credited). The copy I bought (through Amazona) was missing its sound CD (sent to me by Princeton U.P. after I alerted them). The chapters are written by various authors, with little stylistic continuity (e.g. active voice in some chapters, passive in others).

These negatives do not take the luster off of a highly recommended book. If you are interested in birds but do not own an ornithology textbook, you really owe it to yourself to invest in one. I will likely require HBB instead of Gill and Proctor & Lynch in my future ornithology classes. The "Handbook of Bird Biology" will be a single source for valuable and fascinating information for years to come.

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A Gentle Creature and other stories
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192838288

Book Description

In the stories in this volume Dostoevsky explores both the figure of the dreamer divorced from reality and also his own ambiguous attitude to utopianism, themes central to many of his great novels. In White Nights the apparent idyll of the dreamer's romantic fantasies disguises profound loneliness and estrangement from 'living life'. Despite his sentimental friendship with Nastenka, his final withdrawal into the world of the imagination anticipates the retreat into the 'underground' of many of Dostoevsky's later intellectual heroes. A Gentle Creature and The Dream of a Ridiculous Man show how such withdrawal from reality can end in spiritual desolation and moral indifference and how, in Dostoevsky's view, the tragedy of the alienated individual can be resolved only by the rediscovery of a sense of compassion and responsibility towards fellow human beings. This new translation captures the power and lyricism of Dostoevsky's writing, while the introduction examines the stories in relation to one another and to his novels.

Power Unseen: How microbes rule the world

Average customer rating:

truly an excellent book
Amazing!
Useful and worrisome features of microbes are detailed.

Power Unseen: How microbes rule the world
Bernard Dixon
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 071674550X

Book Description

Microbes - tiny unseen bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa - pervade every aspect of human society and of the natural world. They provide all our daily food; they were the original source of the world's abundant oil supplies; their presence in soil is essential to the existence of life itself. They also cause horrendous epidemics, from the plague and smallpox of past centuries to the continuing pandemics of cholera and today's growing AIDS crisis. Microbes have vanquished armies, swinging great military campaigns even more effectively than the strategies of generals or the machinations of politicians; they now provide life-saving antibiotics and other benefits of modern biotechnology. Power Unseen portrays the many, diverse and often unexpected activities of microbes through a series of 75 vignettes, each focusing on one particular organism and its characteristic behaviour. Here, then, is a portrait gallery illustrating microbial life in its astonishing diversity. Microbes have influenced history and they are helping to shape our future. They are still springing surprises, and they continue to threaten us; yet we could not exist without them. In this fascinating and entertaining book, Bernard Dixon leaves the reader in no doubt that microbes, not macrobes, rule the world.

Customer Reviews:

truly an excellent book.......2007-03-01

This is a great book for general reading on microbes and microbiology. The short chapters make for easy and very entertaining reading, and it is one of those books that can really inspire an interest in science. Many people develop an interest microbiology after reading "The Microbe Hunters," and I agree with the previous reviewer who suggested that "Power Unseen" makes very good follow-up reading. It is more focused on the actual microbes rather than their discoverers, but the excellent storytelling and appeal to general audiences is similar. It is really a shame, and very surprising to me, that it is not currently in print. I highly recommend reading it if you have even the slightest interest in microbiology and can buy or borrow a used copy.

Amazing!.......2003-07-20

Being a junior doctor now, whenever I recall my 2nd year in the medical school I remember all these nights trying to understand what at time thought of a much more difficult course than anatomy (!)....microbiology. I never thought I would be following a microbiology career. This book changed it all. There is nothing to be afraid of microbes.....Hypochondriac as all med students are was also myself...all you must do is to consider it as part of our planet's natural history..The book correlates human history and microbes in the most exciting way! The language is readable by everyone and the new ideas jump out in every page....I could not stop thinking humanity as a microbe of the universe. There were chapters that i couldnt stop laughing and others that really put me thinking. Read it....it will make you appreciate the role of medicine and microbes in our lifes.

Useful and worrisome features of microbes are detailed........1997-04-28

With our present concerns and apprehensions about the invisible yet ubiquitous microbes which are a natural part of our environment, Bernard Dixon, the British science writer has written a series of vignettes to protray the myriad diverse and fascinating activities of some of these microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. Too frequently, we associate microbes with pestilence and spoilage; microbes as germs have been branded as invaders and pathogens which use and abuse their hosts. While from the human perspective, this reputation may be well deserved, the essays portray both the useful and the worrisome features of these microorganisms. Divided into five sections, each holding fifteen delightful short stories to illustrate how microbes (1)shape our world, (2)spring surprises, (3)threaten us, (4) lead us to depend on them, and (5)shape our future; the contents combine historical background with contemporary technology. Starting with the primordial cell, where we all began - the essays cover the problems and circumstances that are associated with plague, smallpox, AIDS, rabies, yellow fever, lyme disease, typhoid, cholera along with many other appalling diseases. To balance this fearsome ensemble, useful microbes on which we depend or which we can manipulate to advantage are described; such as the nitrogen fixers, antibiotic producers, vitamin manufacturers, and the genetically engineered microrobots. Bernard Dixon has the knack of describing the microbes both in their historical context and in our current awareness of their impact. In two essays, he relates the story of Typhoid Mary and the consequences on those infected with the bacteria along with our past helplessness to control the disease, and in the second he relates the tale of the development of a recently cultured live oral vaccine that is more successful than the dead vaccines used earlier. In fact, Vivotif, the oral typhoid vaccine was prescribed for us before embarking on an Amazon trip recently. It is a painless, oral tablet that carries a modified strain of 'Salmomella typhii'. This living ingested microbe infects the intestinal wall for a few days before it self-destructs due to 'genetic crippling'. It was gratifying to learn that the 'live' medication confers long term immunity and shows better results that the earlier painful, injected dead bacterial vaccines. This is a delightful and practical book which will enrich the scientific background of students at the high school and college levels, as well as interested adults. Years back, the classic 'Microbe Hunters' by Paul de Kruif was the recommended outside reading for microbiology students and science afficiandos; I would strongly add "Power Unseen" to the list of exciting and relevant reading materials that present background history along with up-to-date descriptions about some of those 'microbes that rule the world'.

The Tyranny of the Normal: An Anthology (Literature and Medicine, Vol 2)

Average customer rating:

A beautifully conceived and realized book

The Tyranny of the Normal: An Anthology (Literature and Medicine, Vol 2)

Manufacturer: Kent State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0873385357

Customer Reviews:

A beautifully conceived and realized book.......2004-12-03

Each selection, on its own, was worth reading: thought provoking, emotionally involving, memorable. Each selection was enhanced by all the other selections, by its placement in the book, and by the comments provided by the editors. I recommend this book to everyone who has ever felt "not normal," to everyone who mistakenly thinks "I am normal," and to everyone who appreciates a good book.

Alfred Russel Wallace: An Anthology of His Shorter Writings

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Alfred Russel Wallace: An Anthology of His Shorter Writings

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198577257

Book Description

The English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) occupies a unique position in the history of thought. With the exception of Darwin, Wallace was the most important developer of evolutionary theory in biology. He is also recognized as the father of modern biogeographical studies, and
can safely be considered history's pre-eminent tropical naturalist. His work extended into many other areas as well, including anthropology, physical geography and geology, the theory of land use, social reform, and cosmology. Further still, he was the foremost defender of occult studies of his day.
This fascinating anthology of Wallace's work, which includes a complete bibliography, reveals the scope and significance of this complex, dedicated scientist. In the many excerpts from the periodicals of his time, and the editorial introduction provided to each selection, the historical context of
Wallace's life and work are brought into focus. This unique volume is the first to present the full range of the work of this major figure in science and natural history, and is compelling reading for both scientific and social historians.

The Applications And Limitations of Taxonomy (in Classification of Organisms): An Anthology of Current Thought (Contemporary Discourse in the Field of Biology)

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The Applications And Limitations of Taxonomy (in Classification of Organisms): An Anthology of Current Thought (Contemporary Discourse in the Field of Biology)

Manufacturer: Rosen Central
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 1404204008

The Behavior and Sensory Biology of Elasmobranch Fishes An Anthology in memory of Donald Richard Nelson (Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes)

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The Behavior and Sensory Biology of Elasmobranch Fishes An Anthology in memory of Donald Richard Nelson (Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The elasmobranch fishes include the living sharks, skates and rays that are important members of nearly all marine ecosystems. Their large size, secretive behavior, and wide-ranging habits make them difficult to observe in the field or to maintain in captivity. Consequently, little is known about their natural behavior and how it is mediated by their sensory systems. This volume is dedicated to the scientific contributions and memory of Donald Nelson, a pioneer in the study of shark behavior, sensory biology, and remote instrumentation. The two opening papers review Don Nelson's unique scientific accomplishments and provide insight into his strong bias towards study of animals in the field. These are followed by 14 scientific papers on elasmobranch behavior, sensory biology, and current monitoring technologies. The papers on elasmobranch sensory biology and behavior address questions on hearing, the lateral line, electroreception, the brain, orientation behavior, chemical irritants, feeding, and reproduction. The latter section of the volume presents papers on conventional tagging techniques, ultrasonic telemetry, physiological telemetry, remote monitoring techniques, archival tagging and satellite tagging. The intent of this volume is to familiarize both new and established scientists with the sensory biology and behavior of sharks and rays, and to encourage further behavioral research on these animals in their natural environment.

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