conception and contraception calendar

(320 pages)

From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well: Discover Human-Identical Hormones as a Safe & Effective Treatment for PMS, Perimenopause, Menopause or Hysterectomy by: C. W., Jr., M.D. Randolph, Genie James publisher: Natural Hormone Institute of America released: 2004-08 ISBN: 0975427008 $12.89

With devastating reports coming out about synthetic hormones, Dr. C.W. Randolph, Jr. was urged to write From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well . This book helps women around the world understand how their bodies can be treated effectively by using human-identical natural hormones - the safe way to a healthy life as the body changes.

The book is written for women suffering from the symptoms associated with PMS, perimenopause, menopause, or hysterectomy. With more than 38,000,000 women now hitting the perimenopause or menopausal years, it's important to know that there are safe options for their health. Dr. Randollph also provides insight into a woman's reproductive health as well as male menopause.

The book offers safe and effective treatments for the following: weight gain, depression, osteoporosis, mood swings, premature aging, breast health, hot flashes, low sex drive, fluid retention, and fatigue.

Finally after 21+ years of going to doctor to doctor & not getting any relief from my hormone symptoms, Dr. Randolph has given me new hope. His book is invaluable & a must read. God bless Dr. Randolph.

This thought provoking book gives hope to all who read it and follow Dr. Randolph's advice. I'm coming out of the "fog" because of his advice!

You'd think with a title like Hormone Hell, there'd be a revelation inside the book, especially being published rather recently. There's no revelation. This is all old news. And there are better books that address the subject. If you haven't done your research yet on hormones and BHRT, this would be a good place to start, but again...better books abound. Dr. Randolph is also pushing his own progesterone cream...go figure.

First, let me say with much chagrin that I have never read the above book. I gave it 5 stars because I did not want to downgrade its rating if I hadn't read it. That being said, I have some really good info to share with those thinking of going down the bio-identical path, and I'm hoping Amazon is ok with this. I started on pharmaceutical hormones when I was 2 years into menopause. First I took pills, then I went on the patch. I took both estrogen and progesterone. I was having about 5 hot flashes an hour, couldn't sleep well, and was losing bladder control (I've exercised strenuously my whole life and this was a shock for me. I had my kids thru Csection, so that wasn't it). The pills worked (no more bladder problems), but I had breakthru bleeding and I was hoping to find something better. The patch was an improvement because the skin delivery system bypasses the liver (I was told). Thru reading books like this one, I came across a doctor who is the head of the ob/gyn dept. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Tennessee who developed his own delivery system of bio-identical hormones in DROPS. He also throws testosterone into the drops if a blood test shows that you need it. His name is Dr. Joel Hargrove and he will work with your own personal physician to get the proper dosage worked out. I found him in the book The Wisdom of Menopause by Christiane Northrup, MD, which I'm sure Amazon sells (look in the resource section in the back, chapter 5). I'd give you the lab's telephone #, but I don't think that Amazon allows that. I love the drops. I can take a minimum amount because if I take too little I get hot flashes, and if I take too much I get breakthru bleeding. I only need to take one drop a day. It's not covered by my medical plan (the dolts!), but it's cheaper than my co-pays would be. And the testosterone is great! Once I started on that, my sex drive came back and my hair, which had been getting very thin, filled out again. I had to look around a bit to find a doctor who was "with it" enough to help me.

A must read for all women and anyone who cares about women.

(480 pages)

It's Your Hormones: The Women's Complete Guide to Soothing PMS, Clearing Acne, Regrowing Hair, Healing PCOS, Feeling Good on the Pill, Enjoying a Safe and Comfortable Menopause, Recharging Your Sex D by: Geoffrey, M.D. Redmond publisher: Collins released: 2006-12-26 ISBN: 0060859695 $10.85

From the renowned director of the Hormone Center of New York: complete cutting–edge medical and alternative strategies for living happily with your hormones–including how to enhance your sex life safely with testosterone.

According to Geoffrey Redmond, M.D., a majority of the 42 million American women between the ages of 35 and 55 suffer from vulnerability to their own hormones. Appearance, feelings–and even sex drive–may be affected. Symptoms include thinning hair, persistent acne, mood swings, low energy, loss of pleasure in sex, weight gain, irregular periods, and migraines. While the media has emphasized the problems of menopause, Dr. Redmond explains that many women experience hormonal miseries even in their thirties. Lab tests are often normal because the problem is not the hormones themselves but how a woman's body reacts to them. Healthy, active women suddenly find that once quiescent hormones are ruling their lives.

Because their problems are often dismissed as trivial, women who are hormonally vulnerable are frequently thwarted in their quest for help. Too often they are brushed off with remarks such as, "Your tests are normal; there's nothing wrong with you." This is tragic because, as Dr. Redmond demonstrates, hormonal balance can nearly always be restored with the treatments he details, which include individualized use of prescription medications, herbal supplements, lifestyle changes, and even spiritual practices.

Many women have heard that testosterone can help sex drive, but most have not been warned about the damage that careless testosterone therapy can cause on skin and hair. In this book, Dr. Redmond, an internationally recognized authority on testosterone in women, explains the only safe ways to use testosterone.

With informative sidebars, quizzes, and personal stories of women who have overcome hormone vulnerability, this helpful book will empower you to find treatments for your hormone problems that are tailored to fit your own body, biochemistry, symptoms, and lifestyle.

I buy this book for myself, then for my best friend...and I recomend it to every woman.

Have not finished the book, but have ready about half. The parts that I have read pertain to my problem and some other issues friends are having. This is the 4th book I have bought that was about hair loss. This book covers more that hair loss. There are so many different reasons women loose their hair, and ways to correct at lease in part if not fully regain the hair. Many reasons have the same symptoms, which makes it difficult. However, this means also that there are more way to get back some if not all your hair. I would recommend this book and The Bald Truth by Spencer Kobren (even before The Truth about women's hair loss by Kobren). If you are considering a hair transplant please read this first.
There are other subjects that may come in handy for your friends and family too.

(256 pages)

The PMS Murder (Jaine Austen Mysteries) by: Laura Levine publisher: Kensington released: 2007-05-01 ISBN: 0758207840 $6.99

On the frontlines of the battle of the bulge, otherwise known as trying on bathing suits in the communal dressing room at Loehmann's, freelance writer Jaine Austen makes a new friend--a wannabe actress named Pam--and gets a new job: sprucing up Pam's bare-bones resume. Their feeling of connection is mutual, so Pam invites Jaine to join The PMS Club-a women's support group that meets once a week over guacamole and margaritas.

But joining the club proves to be more a curse than a blessing for Jaine. Though she is warned that Rochelle, the hostess, makes a guacamole to die for, Jaine never takes the warning literally. Until another PMS member, Marybeth, drops dead over a mouthful of the green stuff after confessing she is having an affair with Rochelle's husband.

While Rochelle and her husband are the obvious suspects, everyone at that night's meeting is under suspicion, including Jaine. So, instead of dishing dirt with The PMS Club, Jaine has to dig up dirt on the surviving members. And soon it becomes clear: someone in this club thinks getting away with murder should be a privilege of membership...

This is the first book in the Jaine Austen series I have read. I did read the Candy Cane Murder short story collection and her short story.

Laura Levine's writing is very funny and her characters are quite believable. I enjoyed reading about the seniors at the senior center. That was very believable. Anyone who has had a friend or a loved one living in a senior home has probably heard similar tales.

I imagined Andrew Ferguson as looking like the sensible bank employee in the Bank of Scotland commercials. Prozac the cat is the typical spoiled feline.

I liked how she planted little clues to let you believe one character had done it. The actual killer was a total surprise.

I think I will read more in this series. It was fairly entertaining and occasionally extremely funny.

I basically enjoy this easy-to-read, not-too-tortuous mystery series but enough is enough! Please, Ms. Levine, cats lick themselves in places other than their "privates" and have many other amusing traits that could be descriptively used in place of this particular obsession. I also do not care for the self-promotion of Ms. Levine's other titles in this series scattered throughout the writing. It is extremely distracting to the storyline. If one is interested in knowing what else the author has written they can look at the front pages of the book or come to Amazon.com for this information - they do not have to have it thrown in their faces.

Criticism aside, I actually liked the plot of this book better than the last couple of books in the series. There seemed to be more character development than usual and the assortment of suspects was neither too many nor too few. Also thought the incident regarding the open window could've been worked in more subtly than it was, and, as others have mentioned, it did end a bit abruptly although all loose ends were tidied up nicely.

I would have loved this book if the author could have left out the heroins over obsesive additute toward food. I lost count of the number of time the heroin "thought" about grabing leftovers off other peoples plates, eating the cats left over food, etc.. Alot of the book centered around where the characters ate, what they ate and how often they ate. All the while making it more than plain that while eating was ever important to the heroin she had a horrible body image and was obsessed about losing weight. While I am sure the author was hoping to make the heroin feel more "real" to female readers all that was accomplished was irritation at the heroins lack of self control and the books lack of focus on the mystery.

Prozac has become part of my life. The cat, not the drug. I look forward to the periodic laughs from Janie's feline and am never disappointed. This holds true for the latest Janie Austen adventure. Besides the usual fast fun, this episode has an ending that really surprised me. And it's not easy to find that these days. Keep purring Janie and Prozac.

I usually love the Jaine Austen series, but this one was not nearly as good as the rest to me. The light and breezy style is still there and it is certainly a fast read but the plot line is a little thin, though the ending was very good and a complete surprise to me!

The whole food thing really stated to get to me after a while. I got tired of hearing how Jaine "wolfed down" or "scarfed down" every bite she eats. It's get a little nauseating after a while. And the way she acts around Prozac on a diet just caused me to roll my eyes. The side plot involving her parents is hysterical though. Her father is a riot!

I like the gimmick of saying what Jaine wants to say first and then coming back with "Of course I didn't really say that...I really said this...." but it is used far too much in this book and becomes distracting and after a while annoying. In the previous books in this series this style is used as well but not nearly as many times and it works much better.

All in all, this was just average at best to me, but I'll keep reading her books and hope the next installment is a little better.

(370 pages)

American Government: Brief Version by: James Q. Wilson publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company released: 2004-12-21 ISBN: 0618427783 $85.56

The brief edition maintains the framework of the complete text, emphasizing the historical development of the American political system, who governs, and to what end. Revisions include updated examples, tables, and figures; complete coverage through the 2004 Presidential election; and expanded discussion of domestic and foreign and defense policy in two new chapters—Chapter 12, Making Domestic Policy and Chapter 13, Making Foreign and Military Policy. Additional updates include discussions of current topics such as the U.S.A Patriot Act, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the Department of Homeland Security.

An expanded discussion on education addresses how students may be influenced by interactions with campus organizations, political movements, and social contacts and how they may in turn affect public opinion.

• To augment the chapter summary and help students synthesize and think critically about what they learn, Revisiting the Enduring Questions appear at the end of each chapter as mini-essays and expand on the classic questions about democracy posed at the beginning of the chapter.
• In-text pedagogy includes key terms, end-of-chapter summaries, World Wide Web boxes, and suggested readings.

(640 pages)

Questions that Matter: An Invitation to Philosophy by: Ed. L Miller, Ed. Miller, Jon Jensen publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages released: 2003-07-21 ISBN: 0072406348

Do not buy this book. My professor selected this title for our introductory class, but two days into the course students were asking for alternative textbooks to buy. The book fails, big time, in explaining basic concepts and uses terminology that for an introductory class needs to be explained. I also agree with the other reviewer mention about the excessive amount of "copying and pasting" from other books. A disaster. I wish I could give it 0 stars.

This was my college text for Intro to Philosophy in the early '90s and I enjoyed it a lot. The concepts were presented clearly and in a logical order. An introductory course should give a student an overview and a "ground floor" to build on, should the student wish to go on. In fact I ordered a copy of this textbook for my college-sophmore son - his professor only has original source material from three philosophers for an INTRO course, which seems narrow and overwhelming.

I have taught courses in philosophy and religion for the past 15 years at several colleges and universities in Southern California. I have dozens of introduction to philosophy textbooks in my personal library (instructor complementary review copies from various publishers). For several years I struggled to find a textbook that would buttress my diligent efforts to teach philosophy to young men and women in a challenging and stimulating fashion. By far, the best introduction to philosophy textbook I have ever seen or used is Ed Miller's outstanding book QUESTIONS THAT MATTER (hereafter QTM). Allow me to mention six reasons why this book is truly an exceptional textbook in philosophy.

First, QTM strikes an excellent balance between scholarly content on one hand, and a readable writing style on the other. A motivated and reflective college student will come away from this volume with a thorough and understandable introductory knowledge of the discipline of philosophy.

Second, QTM provides a comprehensive introduction to philosophy by introducing the student to the major branches or fields of philosophy, including metaphysics (study of reality), epistemology (study of knowledge), ethics (study of the good), logic (study of correct reasoning), and philosophy of religion (critical analysis about God).

Third, while QTM is organized in a topical manner, it includes a wealth of information about all of the leading philosophers of the Western world, including relevant excerpts from the various philosophers' writings in their major fields of contribution. This text also includes brief but very informative mini-biographies of the leading philosophers.

Fourth, QTM as a textbook promotes solid learning through the helpful use of charts, diagrams, and providing the definitions of key terms through the use of various pull quotes throughout the volume. In addition, the text provides a useful and extensive glossary of philosophical terms.

Fifth, QTM is written by an author who holds doctoral degrees in both philosophy and in theology. The result is a textbook that addresses the field of philosophy of religion in a very sophisticated and even-handed manner. Arguments both for and against God are clearly presented and logically evaluated. The best philosophers on both sides of the God question are quoted.

Sixth, QTM devotes an entire chapter to helping the student become familiar with the basic principles and arguments of logic. Since philosophy is defined [by the author] as "the attempt to think rationally and critically about the most important questions," this chapter presents logic in a concise and clear way.

As a college instructor, I give QTM my highest recommendation. I recommend it to teachers and students alike. Thank you Dr. Miller for writing such a clear and insightful book that introduces students and teachers alike to the big questions of philosophy. This is a work well done!

I've used this textbook on more than one occasion in my Introduction to Philosophy courses. And for me the proof as to whether or not this is a valuable text is determined by the quality of the educational experience it generated among my students. With this in mind, I can't help but conclude that this book works for me. My students and I have had wonderful and often passionate discussions regarding the various topics covered by this book. In an Intro course students do not necessarily need to be exposed to all the latest--and mostly trendy--schools of thought; but they can benefit from learning about the historical development of philosophy. On this note, although the author does exhibit a predilection for Christian topics and points of view, I think this is justifiable when one considers the deep and lengthy relationship that Western philosophy has had with Christianity, be it in the form of Saints Augustine and Thomas or in the more modernist vein of Descartes, Kant, and Hegel (even much of Nietzsche has to be read as a response to Christianity). Taking this approach, in my experience, enables students to better appreciate the growing secularization of the world around them and the ineptitude of current philosophies to provide them a more organic and meaningful relationship with the earth, their community, and the sacred. In the end, I believe that anyone who's frustrated by this book is more than likely just a bad teacher, and they should probably just get over themselves and quit trying to blame their textbook.

Before my professor made the decision to complete the class without the assistance of Ed Miller's "Invitation" to philosophy, I took a brief break from reading one of the chapters to either gouge my eyes out with my highlighter or compose a short list of things I didn't like about the textbook:

1. The book is wordy, a sentiment previously expressed by my classmates. A lot of multi-faceted concepts are introduced in a single bound, with the assumption the reader is familiar with their implications.

2. As has been previously mentioned, the author makes excessive use of excerpts from other texts. Long, frequent, and teensy are the ingredients for a block quote most readers will skip. I began to feel that I myself could write a philosophy textbook if all I had to do was string together more adept, articulate literature.

3. The book not only denies the reader the convenience of easily accessible definitions (which can be found in the margins of greater texts), it lacks the self awareness to know when it's using a term that could be unfamiliar to an introductory student.

Although I am not a philosopher and am in no position to critique the validity of the book's contents, any astute college student can identify the shortcomings of a textbook that doesn't compare to the more palatable ones they've had. Ed Miller's Invitation to Philosophy was like showing up at a party and being met by a host who had no idea I was coming.

(480 pages)

The Hormonally Vulnerable Woman: Relief at last for PMS, mood swings, fatigue, hair loss, adult acne, unwanted hair, female pain, migraine, weight gain, ... all the problems of perimenopause by: Geoffrey, M.D. Redmond publisher: Collins released: 2005-09-20 ISBN: 0060825537 $17.13

According to Geoffrey Redmond, M.D., a majority of the 42 million American women between the ages of thirty-five and fifty-five suffer from vulnerability to their own hormones. Appearance, emotions -- and even sex drive -- may be affected. Symptoms include thinning hair, persistent acne, mood swings, low energy, loss of pleasure in sex, weight gain, irregular periods, and pain. While the media has emphasized the problems of menopause, Dr. Redmond explains that all too many women experience hormonal miseries even in their thirties. Lab tests are often normal because the problem is not the hormones themselves but how a woman's body reacts to them. Healthy, active women suddenly find that once quiescent hormones have taken over control of their lives. Because their problems are often dismissed as trivial, women who are hormonally vulnerable are frequently thwarted in their quest for help. Too often they are brushed off with remarks such as, "Your tests are normal; there's nothing wrong with you." This is tragic because, as Dr. Redmond demonstrates, hormonal balance can nearly always be restored with the treatments he details, which include individualized use of prescription medications, herbal supplements, lifestyle changes, and even spiritual practices. Many women have heard that testosterone can help sex drive, but most have not been warned about the damage that careless testosterone therapy can cause on skin and hair.

In this book, Dr. Redmond, an internationally recognized authority on testosterone in women, explains the only safe ways to use testosterone. With informative sidebars, quizzes, and personal stories of women who have overcome hormone vulnerability, this helpful book will empower you to find treatments for your hormone problems that are tailored to fit your own body, biochemistry, symptoms, and lifestyle.

I am 37 and am loosing my hair, The information in this book has made me aware of all the reasons women can loose their hair. Many of the reason have the same symptoms. Which at first is frustrating until you realize more reasons means more possibilities to get it back even if only part of the hair. If you are considering hair transplants read this first, please.
I read other parts of the book that would be relevant to some friends this book is a great one, I have 3 more books about hair loss one is pretty good but abit out dated, the other is OK , and the other I will use to start a fire.

This book is a must-have for every woman and teenage girl. Provides a wealth of info about female hormones & physiology in an easy-to-read format. Dr. Redmond is a leader in his field, and his depth of knowledge and compassion emerge effortlessly from the text.

If you are a woman suffering with unexplained hair loss on your head, hair growth where you don't want it, irritability, constant fatigue, dry skin or other skin problems and you are starting to feel generally more like a man than the beautiful woman you used to be, this book is for you. There ARE medications that can help you although most doctors will ignore and dismiss you. I went to see Dr. Redmond and he was able to help me, it was worth the trip into NYC and every penny. I feel like myself again and that is a miracle.

I went to Dr. Redmond over three years ago with a whole host of female problems that were preventing me from feeling good and enjoying my life. All that has completely changed due to his expert medical care. When I read his book, I knew that I had to buy copies for all my female friends! If you often feel that something is just "not right" with your health...then you owe it to yourself to read this book.

This is an excellent book on the subject of hormones! I highly recommend that every woman read it.

(656 pages)

The American Journey: Volume II (Chapters 16-31) (4th Edition) (American Journey) by: David Goldfield, Carl E Abbott, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Jo Ann E Argersinger, Peter H. Argersinger, William Barney, Robert Weir publisher: Prentice Hall released: 2006-03-20 ISBN: 0132217392 $100.00

Volume II: From 1877

For one and two-semester, freshman/sophomore-level survey courses in U.S. History.

Get the book that gets your students. The authors of The American Journey get your students with the best storyline, the best pedagogy, the best maps, the best in—text documents and the most inspiring student—oriented material available in a U.S. History text. Written in a clear, engaging style with a straightforward chronological organization, The American Journey motivates students to learn more about the key features of American political, social, and economic history. Prominent coverage is given to the West and the South, and the text highlights the importance of religion in American history.

The path that led the authors to The American Journey began in the classroom with their students. The goal of this text is to make American history accessible to students. They key to that goal-the core of the book-is a strong clear narrative. American history is a compelling story and the authors tell it in an engaging, forthright way, while providing students with an abundance of tools to help them absorb that story and put it into context. This text combines political and social history, to fit the experience of particular groups into the broader perspective of the American past, to give voice to minor and major players alike because of their role in the story this text tells.

(368 pages)

Internal Cleansing : Rid Your Body of Toxins to Naturally and Effectively Fight Heart Disease, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, PMS and Menopause Symptoms, and More (Revised 2nd Edition) by: Linda Berry publisher: Three Rivers Press released: 2001-01-04 ISBN: 0761529322 $10.85

Cleanse Your Body of Pollutants and Other Impurities
Why not feel gloriously better? Every day our bodies are bombarded with pollutants from food, air, and stress. This buildup of toxins is bad for you and ultimately leads to fatigue, depression, and a host of other chronic health problems.
In this book are ways to help you give your body a fresh start and achieve vibrant good health. You will learn how to:
·Recognize and avoid toxins in air, food, and water
·Use herbs, fiber, and therapeutic food powders for cleansing
·Enjoy tasty recipes and follow a healthful diet to complement cleansing
·Improve your digestion, your outlook on life, and your overall health
"A wonderful, integrated approach towards cleansing. All individuals who are trying to make their way in a congested, polluted, toxic world will greatly benefit." —Jeffrey S. Bland, Ph.D., author of The 20-Day Rejuvenation Diet Program
"Menopause and perimenopause are times of great transition. Dr. Berry's book will help women make that time easier and more enjoyable." —Mary Ann Mayo, coauthor of The Menopause Manager
"A comprehensive and readable guide that should become a valuable companion for all who are intent upon improving their lives and living well." —Efrem Korngold, L.Ac., O.M.D., coauthor of Between Heaven and Earth
"Conventional medicine has really missed the boat—cleansing helps you think and feel better." —Candace Pert, Ph.D., professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and author of Molecules of Emotion

It's always time to detox, so rid yourself of toxins now. This book is clear, concise and filled with information for beginners and experienced detoxers alike. Dr. Linda Berry can show you the easy, complete method that works! Buy the book, follow the instructions and get healthier.

You'll be glad you did.

Joanne Victoria
[...]

This is a none-scientific book. It is based on hocus pocus ideas. I threw it away as soon as I got it. I wouldn't even give it to my friends.

Being the author of two books on cleansing and rejuvenating the body, The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush, and Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation, I can only praise Linda's precious work and recommend it to anyone interest in improving his health. Without cleansing the organs and systems of the body we stand little chance of being healthy or restoring our health in this pollution-ridden world. These types of books are what the population now needs to overcome the current impasse that stifles our health care system and makes this a very sick country. Taking responsibilty for our own health is the only real way out of the current crisis that afflicts so many. Reading this book is an eye-opener and will serve you well on your path to good and lasting health.

A lot of good information for only one book, you will learn alot about fasting and how your colon and stomach work. A good read for the first timer or people really into health. If you're interested in cleansing yourself or just learning the benefits of why you should, this is it. I would really recomend this book.

This book is a page turner and full of interesting information. I was ready to recommend this book to everybody, until I got to the chapters on cleansing - then the book turned into an "info-mercial" for Dr. Jeffery Bland's products. As far as I'm concerned, skip the chapters having to do with cleansing and read the rest.

(312 pages)

The PMS Outlaws : An Elizabeth MacPherson Novel by: Sharyn Mccrumb publisher: Ballantine Books released: 2001-07-31 ISBN: 0345382323 $6.99

This ninth Elizabeth MacPherson novel is not one to start with if you haven't read any of the previous eight. Athough Elizabeth has checked into the Cherry Hill Psychiatric Hospital to deal with depression brought on by the death of her husband, the book is really humorous. Again, Bill's correspondence with Elizabeth is so funny! McCrumb's style is to have several unrelated events going on at the same time. But this story supposes that the reader has background knowledge of the characters. Series readers already know all about Bill, A.P. Hill, and Edith, so the book doesn't explain the relationships for a new reader. The ending brings into play another character that we met in three of the previous books, but will have little meaning for novice readers of the series. I was entertained by the eccentric characters inside the hospital, and Edith is very funny in this book. What keeps the pages turning is the desire to see Elizabeth find her way out of her depression. McCrumb's gift is for making us care whether she does.

I hope her other books are better than this one. The characters are one-dimensional and stereotypical and the plots are too far-fetched. I read this for a book group and had to force myself to finish.

Sharyn McCrumb is a gifted writer. As all her readers know, the McPherson series does not have the depth of her Ballad series. This was exactly what she meant it to be- intertainment! I loved it. I laughed because I occasionally saw myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am reading the series out of order but felt no qualms at missing the two prior to this one and 'I Should Have Killed Him'. A.P., Bill and Jeoffrey are delightful (and lets not forget Edith), this ensemble cast works for me. I was relieved that E. has finally put Cameron to rest, and will now get on with her life. I look forward to the next installment of this Southern Gothic mystery/family saga. Here's hoping Bill & A.P. will get together (I think it is a natural development).

Sharyn McCrumb is a top writer. This book as usual is one of her best though not the best. But worth buying & reading. Sharyn has a way with writing that is top notch. This book is a Elizabeth MacPherson book & it takes place after her husband, Cameron, died.

Her brother has bought a old house that has the old owner still living there. And he is doing something that no one knows about. Nor does the reader.

(224 pages)

The Topology of Fibre Bundles. (PMS-14) by: Norman Steenrod publisher: Princeton University Press released: 1999-04-05 ISBN: 0691005486 $44.96

Fibre bundles, now an integral part of differential geometry, are also of great importance in modern physics--such as in gauge theory. This book, a succinct introduction to the subject by renown mathematician Norman Steenrod, was the first to present the subject systematically.

It begins with a general introduction to bundles, including such topics as differentiable manifolds and covering spaces. The author then provides brief surveys of advanced topics, such as homotopy theory and cohomology theory, before using them to study further properties of fibre bundles. The result is a classic and timeless work of great utility that will appeal to serious mathematicians and theoretical physicists alike.

For those individuals who want an in-depth, insightful, and solid understanding of fiber bundles this book must be read. In spite of its date of publication, it still is of considerable value in this regard. Modern treatments of fiber bundles are very formal and the underlying motivation gets swept away in the thirst for rigor. Fiber bundles are now ubiquitous in differential topology, algebraic topology, differential geometry, and algebraic geometry, and have also found a place in theoretical physics, thanks to the success of gauge field theories. Therefore a mastery of fiber bundles is essential for entering any of these fields. But fiber bundles are fascinating objects in and of themselves, and studying them for their own sake needs no apology.

The author does use some antiquated notation, but that is not really a hindrance to the study of the book. The reader will no doubt have some background in differential geometry and topology before attempting this book, so the appropriate translation to more modern notation should be straightforward. Once started, and with a little thought adjustment to the idiosyncracies of the author's writing style, the reader will find a plethora of neat examples and insights into the subject. In particular, part 3 on the cohomology theory of bundles is exceptionally valuable in that it gives the reader a detailed overview of the origin of what are not called Stiefel-Whitney classes. The theory of characteristic classes has of course advanced and matured extensively since this book first appeared, but all of the modern treatments are lacking in that they do not give the reader an appreciation of the fundamentals of the subject. Indeed, the construction of the obstruction to the construction of a cross-section to a bundle is the starting point for many of the ideas in obstruction theory that one finds in differential topology. And yes, the procedures the author uses can be "cleaned-up" and made more concise, but the price one pays in such an endeavor is the loss of an appreciation of the concepts behind the scene.

Since the book is a monograph, there are no exercises, and this is probably the only minus to the book. Also, some knowledge of the German language would be useful to a reader who has it, since the author makes references to papers written in German and much of the terminology in the book shows its roots in the German language. One good example of this is the Reidemeister theory of cohomology groups based on a bundle of coefficients, called Uberdeckung by Reidemeister.

There is no question as to why this book remains in print, and it will no doubt continue to be well into the 21st century. IT is a good example of the idea that something new may not be something better. After finishing it, the reader will be amply prepared to enter into the continually-evolving theory of fiber bundles and their applications, all of which are interesting and important.

This book supplies a lot of intuition and background that more modern texts seem to assume of the reader. Steenrod's writing is meticulous and extremely clear. My opinion is that one can learn just as much out of this seemingly outdated text and probably even more than from the modern texts.

... True, more slick machinery has been developed since Steenrod's time, but those big machines are hardly transparent. Steenrod assumes very little of the reader; he even has a quick course in homotopy groups, although he assumes the reader knows the basics of homology/cohomology. Perhaps most importantly, since many of the ideas in the book were new at the time, he doesn't assume that the reader is already comfortable with those ideas. All together this makes a very accessible book indeed.

A nostalgic but still attractive book on (homotoy theory of) fiber bundles. This book is not very accessible as it predates the development of modern machinery of algebraic topology, but is worth reading.