Reviews (20)

"Not Even Wrong" for Dummies
I read this book a month or so after finishing "Not Even Wrong" by mathematician Peter Woit.Both volumes deal with the same subject: the failure of string theory to make testable predictions that would allow it to be proven or falsified.Both works are excellent.This one has the advantage of being far more understandable for laypeople. Finally the truth
After years of spirited propaganda by string theorists purporting to have stumbled upon the ultimate theory of nature, we now have a revealing, tell-all tale that throws back the covers on what has turned out to be the most intellectually disengenuous ruse in the history of science - the continual presentation of string theory as the be-all, end-all theory of everything -despite its utter lack of predictive power, its failure to predict dark energy, its myriad of versions, and its reliance on anthropic reasoning. Smolin, along with Peter Woit (who also dared to go against the 'establishment') should be thanked for bringing this house-of-crashing cards to the public's attention. Despite pitiful and below-the-belt attacks and outright dismissal by members of the 'stringy' establishment, including a scathing and unprovoked attack by a theorist from Harvard who sees a threat in works of this nature, Smolin gives us a thoughful and provoking look at the many failures (and occasional mathematical successes) of the most overhyped theory in the history of science.

Great book, but not perfect
This is a superb, five star, technical book. Smolin starts by describing the five, big, unsolved problems of physics. Then proceeds to a wide ranging overview of the last three decades of theoretical and experimental work, assessing how much (if any) progress has been made toward answering the five big problems. String theory from this perspective gets a failing grade. Smolin's writing is always clear and lucid, providing non-physicists with at least a modicum of understanding of complex issues. If you have any interest in modern physics, I urge you to read this book.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. History    3. Methodology    4. Modern - 20th Century    5. Physics    6. Physics (General)    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. String models    10. Science / Physics   

Reviews (33)

Bridge the gap
Statistics books are either too hard or way too basic for non-statisticians.
Lots of theory, not enough application
I've read the other reviews and I generally agree: This is a well written stats book, especially if you are trying to learn the underlying theories rather than just randomly banging around on a keyboard. However, don't expect this book to be a particularly good choice if you need to do anything much more difficult than a one-way ANOVA.Even though this book is 770+ pages long, Field doesn't address realistic scenarios. For example, even though he devotes about 210 pages to all sorts of ANOVA, there is no mention of repeated measures ANCOVA, which is not that unusual. In some places, he seems to suggest that something is really difficult (e.g., contrasts in repeated measures ANOVA) and then offers only weak examples of what to do about it with no mention of how to report what you've done. In fact, he offers very few examples of how to report results, and in some cases, his running examples are nonsignificant so his reporting examples stop short.All together, this is a good stats theory book with an intro to SPSS, but it's not the kind of book that is going to get you through many real-world analyses. I would recommend this book to undergraduates and graduate students who feel they need some more background, but folks in the field are better off looking elsewhere.

This was exactly what I was looking for!
The author provides clear explanation of various statistic techniques; what each of them means, when to be applied, and how to use them in a very understandable way. This was what I was exactly looking for. Good examples with step by step guide with actual dialog boxes from the SPSS window are also very helpful. I really like it a lot. It was a good priced book considering what it provides. Best stat book I've bought ever! Thank you!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Programming Languages - General    4. Research    5. Sociology    6. Statistics    7. Mathematical & statistical software    8. Probability & statistics    9. Social Science / Research   

Reviews (4)

Highly disappointing
While the class I took that used this textbook was informative, this book was full of what seemed to be the authors' personal opinons.Like another person said here in the reviews about blame on the Bush administration, and lack of references aside from photo credits, this book seemed to be geared more towards giving you the biased outlook of the author than an unbiased view of environmental science.
Interestign articles with a thick political spin
This revision must have been specially produced just to include all the anti-Bush rhetoric.In nearly every chapter, responsibility for the current state of the environment is laid squarly on President Bush's administration.
One of the Best
This is one of the most readable environmental texts I've seen.
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Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental Studies    4. Environmental sciences    5. Human Ecology    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Textbooks    10. Ecological science, the Biosphere    11. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (26)

A great book for SAS and statistics beginners
.. that is of little use for advanced users. Most of the book's chapters (1-4, 10-19) deal with general-purpose SAS programming techniques, and the rest introduce one to REG, ANOVA, TTEST, CORR, FACTOR and LOGISTIC procedures. Discussion isnon-technical and never in-depth, with the short shrift given to PROC REG especially disappointing. Many capabilities of selected procedures are not discussed, and, of course, a host of other important SAS/STAT procedures do not even make the cut. (MODEL? And speaking of non-statistical ones: what do you make of a book that devotes 200+ pages to SAS programming tips, including a chapter on merging datasets, and whose index has no mention of PROC SQL?) Overall, I think that the book is a friendly, clear and well-organized (as is typical of Ron Cody's writing) introduction for beginners, e.g. college stats students, but more seasoned statisticians should go straight to SAS/STAT User's Guide (available online). Don't even think about considering this (pricey) volume an up-to-date or reasonably broad reference on SAS's statistical capabilities.

Blergh
I did not like this book. The organization was abysmal, and I decided to sell it back to the college bookstore for use by future hapless students, because it is not good as a reference guide.
no fancy graphics
[A review of the 5th EDITION 2005.]
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Subjects:  1. Data processing    2. Mathematical statistics    3. Mathematics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. SAS (Computer file)    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Mathematics / Statistics    8. Probability & statistics   

Editorial Review

Paper or plastic? Neither, say William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Why settle for the least harmful alternative when we could have something that is better--say, Read more

Reviews (59)

everyone should read this book
We need change to the core, specifically on how we make, use and dispose of our "THINGS"... this is not a HOW TO book, so do not expect hands on solutions to problems you want to solve. It's more a wider view of just how much damage we are causing, and it's just mind blowing how much we can actually change by thinking different.
All is not lost!
This book is just the ticket for the average environmental pessimist.A refreshing and optimistic look at the future.It's simple, it makes sense, and it has the udeniable ring of truth.

The people criticizing this book have "misguided" all over them
There were a lot of complaints that the book wasn't specific enough, didn't give every detail to their examples, or didn't provide any examples at all. Newsflash: it was not the authors' goal to redesign our entire civilization. Their goal was to point out that it will eventually need to be done, should be done, and hopefully, with the examples they did provide, can be done. If you are disappointed a specific problem in our society wasn't solved, why don't you do as the book directed, take a few steps back, and come up with your own "effective" solution.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental aspects    4. Industrial Design - General    5. Industrial management    6. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    7. Recycling (Waste, etc.)    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (2)

Very dissatisfied with this seller
I purchased a textbook on May 11 and it supposedly shipped on May 15, 2006.It is now June 2 and I have yet to receive this order.I do not believe that it takes 21 days for a book to arrive.What is even more infuriating is that the seller has ignored all my e-mails regarding my order.I definitely have every intention of letting Amazon know just how poorly this seller treats customers and I expect that Amazon will have to refund my money because these people won't even acknowledge a customer once they have your money.I WILL NEVER BUY FROM THIS SELLER AGAIN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

A great book covering everything
This textbook is one of the best scientific books I have seen.Not only does it cover earth science (like geology), but astronomy and meteorology also.It covers every topic that you possibly want to know about.The authors leave no information out.I had to use this for Science Olympiad, and it helped me so much.The explanations are great, the images beautiful, and the diagrams very helpful.I would suggest this for anyone that has an interest in Earth Science or Meteorology.It is a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - General    2. Earth sciences    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Science / Earth Sciences   

Reviews (21)

Microbiology text,It helped me.
I like this book. Microbiology is very fascinating to me.Parasites, etc are particularly interesting.If you are assigned this book for your Microbiology class, my advice is to read it and know the information.This book was very helpful.
A lot of information....disorganized
I taught a basic undergraduate microbiology class using this text book. The students were mostly pre-nursing so we had a clinical focus. My main problem with the text is it is trying to be all things to all people. It tries to present too much information that is scattered all over the text. Frequently, within chapters, students have to jump back and forth to material presented in other chapters and it simply becomes information overload. In addition, some of the study question, especially the clinically oriented ones, ask the students about areas that haven't been adequately covered in the text or assume knowledge that they don't have as yet. Finally, beware the Powerpoint slide presentations. These are also full of errors and need pretty extensive editing.

Great Service!
I ordered this book on a Friday for a class that started the following Monday and it was here first thing Monday morning. The book is in excellent condition. I would use this seller again! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology    2. Microbiology (General)    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Microbiology (non-medical)    6. Science / Biology   

Reviews (8)

Is Darwinism bad for the environment?
On one level this is an eloquent plea for an environmental awakening sounding the alarm on the destruction of species diversity. But this clarion call is marred by the introduction of Wilson's Darwinian obsessions. The age of environmental exploitation has also been the age of the reign of the false theoretical constructs of Darwin and his misleading and socially destructive theory of natural selection. The book even includes a hectoring section about the laws of biology, which is bad science and concealed propaganda. Wilson should know better. Biologists fancy themselves the sages of nature, but in fact the reductionist positivism of their methodology constitutes a misunderstanding of nature and reflects the concealed ideology of classical liberalism that is responsible for the indifferent ravaging of natural resources and environments. So behind the fine words Wilson is really a spokesman and ideologist for the problem, not the solution.
A Plea for the Religious & the Secular to Work Together for the Biosphere
Thank you Edward O. Wilson for taking this burden on your shoulders; for making the plea to the religious among us to abandon the Dominionist principle that the Earth is here to be bent to humankind's will and save the biodiversity that makes our lives livable.
One long appeal
When Charles Darwin published "The Origin of Species" he declared it to be "one long argument".Today, less than 150 years later, Edward O. Wilson explains that the one species omitted [except for one sentence] from the "argument" is devastating the life of the planet.In one long appeal to a fictional Baptist pastor, Wilson describes what is clear to all but a few dedicated die-hards - life on this planet is in deep trouble.The die-hards are firmly identified in the opening passages; Christians in the US who regard themselves as "biblical literalists".Such folk expect the Apocalypse soon and saving the environment is of little concern.
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Subjects:  1. Biology    2. Creation    3. Environmental Science    4. General    5. Life Sciences - Evolution    6. Philosophy & Social Aspects    7. Religion & Science    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Christianity    11. Science / Environmental Science    12. Science: General Issues   

Reviews (37)

The fundamental authority
It is common practice at most universities to prescribe Biochemistry by Voet & Voet. The book is a classic which covers most relevant topics in Biochemistry from a more chemical perspetive (kudos for that!). For students doing a one off unit in biochemistry, this book will be far too dense and therefore, impractical. The target audience of this book are serious undergraduate biochemistry students who are familiar with first year chemistry and more importantly first year organic chemistry.
great book, grossly overpriced
Voet and Voet is an excellent introductory biochemistry textbook.The focus leans more towards the chemical aspects as opposed to the biological, which allows it to fill an important gap among undergraduate texts.The scope is broad and comprehensive, with clear writing and informative illustrations.While the book is a valuable resource, the price is truly outrageous.For those adopting textbooks for classes, I recommend assessing whether the added chemical rigor is worth the added price for students.Serious and motivated students of biochemistry will likely appreciate and benefit most from this book.Check out the contents (e.g. at a library or college bookstore), and make sure they meet your needs, before taking the considerable financial plunge in buying this book though.

Pluses and publisher minus
As a reference for those of us that are out here doing research in the real world this is a Godsend. It may not be appropriate for an introductory text but for those of us needing a concise backup for real decisions it is wonderful.
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Subjects:  1. Biochemistry    2. Biochemistry (General)    3. Life Sciences - Biochemistry    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Science / Biochemistry   

Reviews (70)

A New Hope: Cliffs AP Biology
This has to do be one of the best reviewbooks, if not the best, for the AP Biology Exam.Although I worked very hard throughout the entire year, I needed a good review a couple weeks before the AP.All of my classmates had this book, and they loved it?Well, it is an excellent summary of all of the things learned in AP Bio.It presents only the most important terms, concepts, people, and experiments.It follows the structure of the Campbell Biology books.In essence, its information matches exactly what is in all of these books.It condenses and simplifies all topics and makes them comprehensible to even the lay reader.Its summaries last for around 200 pages.After that, it moves onto the twelve required AP experiments and explains them in short yet precise paragraphs.This really helps, especially if you have not done all of the experiments throughout the year.In the end, it provides practice test questions and their answers and explains the answers thoroughly.I forgot: there are practice questions at the end of each chapter to check-up on your comprehension.In the end, I read the Cliffs AP from beginning to end, looked over our handouts, read all my class notes, took practice APs, went over all of the experiments, and looked over key areas in my textbook.It paid off in the end: I got a 5.Because of this book, I had no doubt in my mind what I would get on the AP exam.Go in peace, my brothers and sisters.

BEST BOOK FOR PREPARING FOR THE AP BIOLOGY TEST!
I did not learn anything in my AP Biology class because my teacher was... not that great. Three weeks before the exam, I started studying. This book was the most helpful. It has great preparation questions and practice essays. It gives just the right amount of information needed to ace the test...nothing more, nothing less. Reading this book was the main reason I got a 5 on the exam. I would also recommend reading the barron's ap biology book along with this one and maybe another book for extra practice questions. That's all you need to ace this test. Good luck!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I CANT BEGIN TO TELL U ABT THE MAGIC BHIND THIS BOOK LOL.
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Subjects:  1. Advanced Placement    2. Biology    3. Cliff's/ Monarch / Barron's Book Notes    4. College Entrance    5. Examinations    6. Examinations, questions, etc    7. Life Sciences - Biology - General    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Biology, Life Sciences    10. Study Aids / Advanced Placement   

Reviews (14)

Great Book
I used this text in my MBA stats class and have found it to be very informative and useful.I found the examples for Excel and Minitab to be well written and of great use.I would recommend this book for anyone who uses statistics on a frequent basis or simply would like a good reference manual in their library.

12th ed. has problems
The 12th edition of this book contains a surprising number of errors.I am currently using this book for a statistics course in an MBA program.We are twelve chapters into the book now and in most every chapter I have found a mistake; more often than not there are multiple mistakes.What is worse is that the majority of the mistakes are in the practice problems which are where the student learns to apply the skills.This serves to create confusion and frustration on the student's part.Some of the mistakes are sloppy editing while others more significant are providing wrong information.The editors need to take another look at this book and the authors should also take note.

Statistical Techniques in Business and Economics with CD-Rom
The book I received did not have the cd the book was in used condition not good as stated.It was ok.It would have been nice to have the cd. It needs to be a little more detailed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Mathematics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Statistics    6. Business & Economics / Statistics    7. Business mathematics & systems    8. Economics    9. Probability & statistics   

Reviews (25)

Be aware of the errors of the book
The book consists of two parts: probability (the first 250 pages) and statistics. The first part is extremely well written; however, the second part (I read page 427 totally so far) is not satisfying.The theorm derivations have missing steps, and not easy to follow.Moreover, it has ERRORS (which are not listed in the errata available in the authors' website).For example, Definition 8.3.16 of monotone likelihood ratio is wrong (page 891): it can only be non-decreasing (cannot be non-increasing).With the wrong definition, no way to approve Thm 8.3.17.I want to ask the author:how did you write down that proofby referring the wrong definition?Another example: Line 5 of example 8.3.19.You cannot draw the conclusion by using the analysis in Example 8.3.18.Instead, you have to use the analysis in Thm 8.3.17!Third example, the definition of power function is not accruate.The definition of power should be independant of H0 or H1.(In fact, the author did a poor job in give the insight of power function.Without such an insight, no way to solution example 8.3.19).Forth example, the second 8.3.4 on p-values is poorly written.The author does not bother to point out that p-values is the smallest level at which we can reject null hypothesis with given samples.Instead, the author's definition on p-values based on an formula whose meaning is very hard to understand!Do you know how many hours I have to spend to figure out these?
Very Good Text
Very good intro to grad level stats - does not use any real analysis.

One of the best textbooks
The is one great textbook and is as good as Cormen's introduction to algorithms. It does not require advanced math. I was a biology major and did not learn much Calculus at all. I had to use it in a graduate statistics class. Fortunately we used this book. It is very easy to follow. It gives very good examples and explains them well but not wordy. The exercises are excellent. This book is definitely not an applied statistics book. But it really helps you to understand applied statistics. It is absolutely not just another dry math book. I also want to say that this book is for newcomers. Neither me nor many of my classmates had statistical training before we took the course. When instructors were not clear about something, we always went back to this book and always found an answer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mathematical statistics    2. Mathematics    3. Probabilities    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Mathematics / Statistics    7. Probability & statistics   

Reviews (26)

Good Product, Horrible Price
Works great and is useful but very expensive for what you get.Hopefully the disposalable pen market won't go with these prices or they'd be about $10.00 each :) lol

Useful toy
For a non-specialist like me, it's a bit daunting to try to develop intuition about how simple molecules are put together. It really helps to have a physical model, especially for subtle ideas like multiple stereocenters and 3D structures. This kit is a great way to help visualize and understand simple chemical systems.
not a toy
work well for organic chemistry but not very well for picking up chicks ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chemistry - Organic    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Miscellaneous Items    5. Organic chemistry    6. Science / Chemistry / Organic   

Reviews (2)

They got it right with this one...
This book is a fabulous learning tool.The authors really seem to understand what parts need detailed explanation and the information is presented in a way that a student can grasp it easily.
Great overall perspective
Although our professor barely used the book for class, this book was very well laid out, starts off at a good pace and is easy to understand. I especially enjoyed the case studies in real life anatomy problems and real world applications of what we learned. The only part I didn't like is the author's prolouge, which seemed a little inflated and overzealous? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy    2. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Physiology    6. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Science & Technology   

Reviews (38)

Great Biochem book
I had this textbook for Biochem 1 and 2 and I thought it was excellent. It went in-depth when it was needed.The authors choose to leave out some reactions (using multiple arrows) and I thought that was great because it wasn't really needed in most cases.Sometimes there were questions though on how to get to one structure from the last.Pictures were great and really helped to picture what was going on.

Very helpful!
I really like this book.It does a great job of explaining the topics in detail, yet not too esoteric that one without a background in either biology or chemistry won't be able to understand.I have neither and I feel I am progressing along well.
Review
I bought this book because I need it for my biochemistry class.The book itself isn't bad.It gave detail of how biological systems and chemical reaction affect each other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biochemistry    2. Life Sciences - Biochemistry    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Science / Biochemistry   

Reviews (8)

A decent resource for Orgo beginners
Orgo (I, II) was the most difficult subject I EVER had. I've taken both sections over and went through 2 books. The strengths of this particular book are its reaction summaries: before introducing a topic, the author dedicates a page or two to summarizing the reactions that lead up to this topic and then summarizes the reactions of the topic once he's through explaining it. Example: 'Reactions That Yield Alcohols' and then `Reactions of Alcohols'. Summaries are accompanied by short, yet thorough descriptions. With elaborate and comprehensive reaction mechanisms, this book is more of a reference that a textbook, although the text is inclusive and relatively simple. If you understand the lectures and use this book for mechanisms, reactions and problems, rather that for understanding concepts, you'll be fine.
In Peripatetic Style, Carey Waxes Tirelessly While Avoiding the Point
Ok, perhaps I'm being a little harsh. Whether or not you enjoy this book by the esteemed Professor Emeritus Dr. Carey (Virginia ) depends largely on the teaching methods you embrace. Personally, I am the "Joe Friday" of students. Just the facts please unless and until I ask for more. As I read Carey, I envision a group of gangly sophomores following their Professor around their Jeffersonian campus as their teacher drops morsels of wisdom and his students anxiously retrieve them. As the brisk walk comes to a close, Professor Carey will guide you back to the classroom from where you originally departed and tell you all that you really needed to know about organic chemistry.
Organic book
The book was fine. It's our class textbook and it was cheaper new that it was used in the bookstore at school. However, I had problems with it being shipped with me. The street I live on got renumbered and UPS was unable to find my house. I ended up picking it up from their offices even though I paid to have it shipped next day. So that was a huge hassle with amazon and their shipper UPS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chemistry - Organic    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Organic chemistry    5. Science / Chemistry / Organic   

Reviews (92)

Thank you, David griffiths
This book is wonderful news to anyone who is frustrated with Jackson, or alternatively, is an excellent preface to it; Chapter 1 is particularly helpful as it presents all the necessary vector analysis, and is filled with illuminating geometrical interpretations to otherwise obscure mathematical creatures.
Worst book ever
A shining star in the quest for the most incomplete work ever published by credible institutions, David Griffiths triumphs over both the competition and his other works with his widely-distributed Third Edition of Introduction to Electrodynamics.
Book good, Amazon not
This book is a great introduction to electrodynamics and contains well worked out examples and good problems.
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Subjects:  1. Electrodynamics    2. Electromagnetism    3. Physics    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Communications engineering / telecommunications    7. Electricity, magnetism & electromagnetism    8. Science / Physics   

Reviews (4)

Very poorly written.
I had to buy this book for an introductory graduate stats class. This book assumes you have some knowledge of stats and so provides very brief explanations for most concepts. This is a big problem for students with little or no stats background. Disappointing
The text we used for our undergrad Stats class covered the exact same material as this text, which we used for a graduate level class and which cost about 60 bucks more, but the undergrad text was written more clearly, concisely and logically.We even found a mistake in one of the tables in the back of this book.

An "easy" introduction but lacks content
Author: Computer Science/Mathematics Undergraduate at Cameron University