History Books

Honest yet condescending and superficial. These adjectives would be the best way of describing not only the tone of this memoir, but also the personality of its author, the famed James D. Watson who, with the help of others, discovered the structure of DNA. The slight tome gives a unique, inside-look at the inner workings and egos of the scientific community, especially in regards to winning fame and renown. In fact, that seems to be the only goal - there isn't much regard to the fact that their biological work with DNA and helices could actually benefit society. The quest for the Nobel Prize is the dominant theme of the book, and the author is very alienating in this regard. The ending is abrupt and frankly anticlimactic, although, as previously stated, the honesty was rather refreshing. However, the memoir was filled with suspense and intriguing in its descriptions of bickering and competition between scientists. It would have been nice to see some analysis or reflection, but there is little imagery or imagination. The Double Helix is literal and informative, and distinguishes itself only by being the first of its kind. It's more personal than a thesis but less inspiring than a textbook.

the book was perfect but it arrived a 2 weeks after the mailing date

Good book, very easy to read despite its scientific background. As an autobiography, it also makes no attempt to remain neutral, which makes it much more interesting than your average textbook.

I remember upon first reading The Double Helix I was delighted with the fact that Watson was a slacker and still managed to make one of the most important discoveries in biology. There was hope for me too! It is a pleasure to read a book about scientific discovery where the researchers are not mercilessly driven type-A personalities confined to their labs. A well-written account of the personalities and community behind a major scientific discovery, of the molding of disparate facts into a new theory that changed the field.

"The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of The Structure of DNA", James D. Watson, Simon & Shuster, NY 1968/2001. ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-1630-2, PB 226 pages, 20 B/W Photos & 11 Diagrams, plus 3 pg. Foreword by Sir L. Bragg & 4 pg. Intro. by S. Nasar. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".

Written by Dr. James D. Watson in 1968, reprinted several times, this is one of the most intriguing, personal stories of scientific endeavors written to unravel the molecular basis of heredity and the genetic code of life itself, the DNA molecule - deservingly referenced as the Holy Grail of scientific inqiry. With an explanatory apology, Watson describes his maturation from an initial lazy undergraduate at Univ. of Chicago having primary interest in ornithology and avoiding chemistry and physics courses,to doing post-doctoral research abroad, first in Copenhagen and subsequently in Cambridge where he began serious research with Francis Crick that culminated in elucidating the molecular structure of the double helix DNA molecule with base-pairing of A-T and G-C, allowing a model construct possessing correspondence to its X-ray crystalline lattice structure. Much of the time it appeared to a 'Mission Impossible'. Success came in 1953, Watson was then 25 years old.

The author's prose and pace of relating this story reveals the passion of his quest to establish his mark in science - and he relates intimate anecdotes of his cohorts, teachers and the scientific cult of divisions enjoyed by the scholarly, erudite academicians in England and elsewhere. In the end, he shared along with his associate Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins, the Nobel Prize in 1962. The future of medicine was forever changed. The book is a compelling, refrehing read for anyone with a modicum of curiosity - a science background is not essential.

This is a hands-down absolute must read for anyone wishing to understand the Israel/Palestine conflict. Don't even bother to have an opinion until you have read this book.

Ilan Pappe is one of these people that won't cover up the truth just to appease the Israeli government. He was threatened several times and several of his student caused trouble for him during lectures protesting his controversial books. During one of my visits to Jerusalem, one peace activist told me how Ilan Pappe was attacked by some Orthodox Jews in one of his talks at a conference. It was the security or police there that protected him and threatened to not interfere again, until he stops "his attack on the principles & rights of the Jewish people".
This book is a very powerful narration of what really happened during the "Nakba" or the catastrophe of the creation of the State of Israel, when the Zionists started to spread lies about the land without people for the people without land. At a time when the world was busy rebuilding Europe after WWII, the Zionists were cleansing the Palestinian lands under the protection and supervision of the British. One of the things that were overlooked in this great book was the dirty role of Hitler in this disaster, even though Pappe briefly mentioned the Holocaust. The expulsion of Jews from Germany and the other planned massacres in Europe fueled the massive migration of Jews (especially from Russia & Eastern Europe) to Palestine, in addition to the flow of donations from the wealthy Jews in US & Western Europe sympathizing with jews in general.
This book is a very good source of truth at a time when the truth is deliberately hidden and falsified.

10 Stars!!!

The militant Zionists, in Israel and elswhere, held meetings to discuss
the Palestinian Question:

Amazing in what we consider modern times to see stark, savage brutality as a continuing policy of the militant Zionists.

Amazing still to know that a race of people, the Jews, who have suffered so much find it an ideal, a national program and a continuing process to inflict upon the elderly, the babies and infants, the mothers and fathers and other human beings that same vicious hatred and beastial treatment inflicted by the Nazis of Germany to now being inflicted by the Nazis of Israel.

Either the Zionists are liars, to themselves or others, that there really is a God and that they are His Chosen People, or they must tremble when they go to sleep nightly knowing the Devine Wrath that will be visited upon them.

Further, those Jews who remain silent, who do not actively and openly fight against these horrible crimes must, in devine judgement, similarly suffer the Devine Wrath and retribution.

When it comes to Palestine, and it's Question, as an American I am embarrassed. Long Live Palestine, Long Live the Palestinians.

The last Palestinian died over 2200 years ago. The only ethnic cleansing that is taking place is that which is committed by Muslims in the name of Allah: "Convert or die by the sword."

Ilan Pappe used Israeli records and interviews with victims of Zionist ethnic cleansing to document how terror, murder, and rape were used by Jews, in Palesting, from the end of World War II through 1949 to expell Palestinians from Palestine and create a larger and larger Isreal. The book is a good corrective, for the mis-representations of the event sequences and non-reporting of events, by US print and electronic press coompanies, of what happened.

I just finished my Freshman year at college, and I am lucky enough to be at a college that allows its students to take AP tests through their senior year in order to get out of General Education requirements. My school has this nasty World History requirement so I decided to try my hand at the AP World History test.

I'd heard in the past that the "5 Steps to a 5" books are amazing, so I decided to make it my sole study guide for the test. Granted, being a college student, I had a ton of homework and didn't have time to study this AP book during the school year. To make matters worse, the AP test was right after my college finals ended. So, I was exhausted and only had 2 full days to read/skim/study this book.

As much as history books tend to bore me, this book was a very easy (and interesting!) read and everything clicked in my head after reading it only once (trust me, that doesn't typically happen!) The book's change/continuity charts were super helpful not only in reviewing for the CCT essay but as an easy way to cram. Also, the book essentially tells you the bare minimum you need to know for the test.

I got to the test super nervous, thinking I didn't know anything, but unbeknownst to me, this book prepped me so well, I flew through the test and scored a 5.

If you want a book that will teach you to pass the AP World History test in the easiest way possible, THIS IS THE BOOK YOU WANT!

While using the 5 Steps to a 5 AP World History 2008-2009 edition I was Very glad at the fact that they had several Charts at the End of Each Time Period or Time Frames that the AP college Board has chosen. At the End of Each Time period they had a chart that was organized with different regions ex. middle east , Southeast Asia, and Almost all Major Regions. This Chart Helped because it gave Political, Economic, and Social Changes and Also CONTINUITES that occurred in that region. It Was an idle Book for quick review not Very Very Detailed But if you were Paying attention in Class very worth While. Its a Quick Skim of things and is great for those last week Review worksheets.

Even though this is a very short book and only deals with the first half of Tesla's life, it still provides some fantastic insights into the life of a genius. Written by Tesla after some very traumatic experiences in his life, he still comes through as a very generous and forgiving man. When you read his version of the troubles with J.P.Morgan, you realise the myths that have accumulated around Tesla. Great read!!!

Not what I expected. His childhood years were interesting. But I didn't finish it - and I really like books about inventors. Not enough info. His writing style is a bit hard to follow. Better to buy a bio written by somebody else. I rate it "One Induction Motor".

You really get a feel for the way he thinks, and his eccentricities from this book. If you want to know what it would feel like to talk to him then read this book. If you want an in depth biography I recommend Tesla: Man Out of Time

Good book, it seems like its written funny,not sure how to explain it though. Alot of uncapitalized i's, was it even proofread?

I'm really a fan of Tesla and this book was a good view into him as a person. Although the exact same pages of this book can be found in the end portion of the book "The Nikola Tesla Treasury" and I highly suggest that book over this one.

This is a wonderful book and with Amazon's amazingly inexpensive price, you really can't pass this one up. Tony Duquette was a master of style with an incredible eye, and a creative genius. HIGHLY recommended.

I met Tony and his wife in Ireland - we were staying at Heney McIlhennys castle - he was terrible charming - I did not know of his career and am so sorry I didn't question him til he was exhausted.

karen marcus

Tony DuquetteI am an interior designer of some 20 years and while I found this book interesting it had very little to do with interiors and more to do with a very specific, unique and strange lifestyle. I'm sure the man was brilliant just know this book is not about liveable interiors.

Having lived in Los Angeles since 1981 and working as an art editor for a regional magazine, the name Tony Duquette came up time and again in my social circles. Without question, he was an amazing talent the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetime. His imagination and passion for his unworldly, surrealist visions are captured in this brilliantly orchestrated book. Bravo and brava to the authors! A must-have for everyone's art library!

This is a visually beautiful book that surveys the creative life of Tony Duquette, an artist best-know for his stage sets (Kismet, etc.)and high fashion jewelry. Less well known are his amazing home interior and garden designs, as well as his free-wheeling sculptures, many of them made from recycled and re-imagined objects. The photography is of the highest quality - most of it, I suspect, archival from fashion magazines over the decades.

Jennifer Lee's "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food" is a delightful read that provides an interesting perspective of American Chinese food. The author covers the origins of Chinese food in the American society, and how it has evolved. She also touched on various aspects of Chinese restaurants in the U.S. - from Chinese delivery guys to the origin of fortune cookies.

This was a insightful read as Lee was very comprehensive in her research. She covered topics such as the origin of General Tso's chicken, the myth of chop suey, and the company that started the soya sauce packets that came with any order of Chinese food. These quirky topics make this book such a fun and delightful read. What was even more important was that she was able to show how Chinese restaurants and food have become a part of the American culture. In addition, her writing was clear and conversational, interjecting facts with personal anecdotes. Highly recommended.

I found this book an interesting glimpse into the world of the USA Chinese restaurants industry, it's workers, and a bit of it's history, as Jennifer went on the hunt for the origin of the fortune cookie. It was an easy, informative, read.

I really looked forward to reading this for so many reasons. First, I am of Chinese descent and always wondered about the differences between the food my family ate and what many local restaurants served. Second, Chinese history including immigration stories fascinate me. Third, the sample I downloaded engaged me immediately (I have a kindle). Last, the overwhelming good reviews.

While it started out great, I'm sitting here trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I can't bring myself to finish the book right now (I'm about 1/2 way through). I guess based on the title, I was looking for a fun but informational read. This is not recreational reading and maybe that's just my mistake for thinking it would be.

It reads too much like a collection of long academic essays...all types of details that don't add to the story. Each chapter has an interesting premise but then meanders all over the place interspersing what seems to be every detail of the authors research with large stretches of facts to suit her premise...like a college student supporting her thesis.

I haven't given up, but will put it down for awhile. For me, this is a book that needs to be read a chapter or two at a time. As others have stated, there is a lot of interesting background and facts contained but I agree with others that at a minimum, the book could use a good editor. I personally think the book could've been condensed a lot (readers digest version?).

Of course, for all of those who "think" they know Chinese food, I'd recommend this just for the education :)

As the title implies, this book is about the world of chinese world. Everything connected with chinese food is touched upon in this book, and some of it goes into a lot of detail. If you ever eat in chinese restaurants and find yourself interested in some aspect of them, this book is for you!

I have found the book to be entertaining and informative. I have enjoyed so far.

subtitled: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number

that's alot of hype for the irrational number 1.6180339887... . the author barrages the reader with hyperbole. 'mysterious', 'astonishing', 'amazing', 'wonderful', 'beautiful', 'fascinating', 'curious', 'crucial', 'unimagined', 'divine', etc. etc. not just astonishing, but "the World's Most Astonishing Number".

horse feathers. the people who are 'fascinated' by this are the same who freak out when they see 11:11 on a digital clock; the same who have 'lucky' numbers; the same who fear Friday the 13th.

in fact there are more 'crucial' AND more 'astonishing' numbers. how about 0 or 1 or 2 or 10 or infinity? i guarantee you that if we changed our everyday number base from 10 to , say, 13 that the wheels would fall off of this old bus. now THAT is 'crucial'. and 'divine'? please! what could be more 'divine' than 1? maybe 2 :-) . 'astonishing'? 1 is 'astonishing'. it factors into EVERYTHING! it's everywhere and in everything. 0 doesn't factor into anything. these are more 'astonishing' than phi.

Dali knew how to capitalize off of frenzied hype, so he threw together the "Sacrament of The Last Supper" and when phi's superstitious cultists found out that it featured the 'divine' proportion they took care of turning that ugly, mediocre effort into a 'divine' icon.

the author is supposedly a PhD? whatever.

I bought this book with a thirst to know about this number phi. I did learn about the number phi. However a large part of the book was devoted to instances where various people thought the number phi was present but the author spent considerable time developing the opinion or fact that phi was not influencing this or that particular instance. I got REALLY tired of that.

For me, the first chapter and a half or so and the last two chapters were the meat of the matter for my interest. The book was worth it for the last chapter.

I think that the author would have been better to write a book titled "Why Is Mathematics So Effective?" That seemed to be the central question that really drove the author.

I don't regret reading it. I just feel it wasn't really the book I signed up for.

One of the best books I've read. It is an in depth study of the Golden Ratio...the history, purpose, relationship to other concepts. I am intrigued by math, art, and science and found this book very, amusing. You will need a basic understanding of high school math to fully appreciate some of it. Oh, by the way, the author shoots down most other author's claims that the golden ratio has been used in classic architecture and art. Superb job Mario Livio!

I happened to notice that he says Babylonians found the general solution for the quadratic. General solution of the quadratic was given by Bhaskara. The author has not read Fibbonaci's book. Fibonacci himself said in the preface that he learnt new math from India. Fibonacci numbers were found by Hemachandra. there were many other errors...I would not recommend to my students

Several years ago I prepared a review for amazon on this book. Since that time there have been many others to contribute. There are those like me who found it fascinating and gave it five stars, others that gave it a 4 or a 3 because they quibbled with the author over some mathematical issues and finally agroup that really hated it and found it boring and gave it only 1 or 2 stars. Some of those in the third group claim to be mathematicians but thought the book had too detailed. I don't see how a true mathematician could not love this book. Here is what I wrote that I still believe.

The book is 253 pages and 10 appendices about a number called the golden ratio. I give it 5 stars. It is a book for mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike. The first question I asked was how can an entire book be devoted to one number. Well Beckman wrote a book about the number pi and certainly that was interesting. There is a lot to say about the geometry of pi and many mathematical and statistical properties it has. Some including the Buffon needle problem are related by Livio in this book. He contrasts pi to the golden ratio (phi) which also has geometric and mystical properties. The quantity pi is a transcendental number meaning it is not the solution of any algebraic equation. On the other hand phi is algebraic as it is the solution to a quadratic equation.
Other strange properties of phi are:
1. If you subtract 1 from it you get its reciprocal
2. Add 1 to it and you get its square

To see the marvelous algebraic and geometric properties of phi you need only scan through the 10 appendices. Scan through the book and the pictures show you the many artistic properties related to phi.

Although algebraic phi is an irrational number. By applying the quadratic formula to its solution (see Appendix 5 in the book) you will see that its solution involves the square root of 5. Pythagoras and his followers in ancient Greece were said to have discovered irrational numbers (a natural consequence when you study right triangles) and hid this knowledge from the populous.

Phi is defined by Euclid as the "extreme and mean ratio". As Livio quotes Euclid " A straight line is said to have been cut in extreme and mean ratio when, as the whole line is to the greater segment, so is the greater to the lesser". This leads to an equality of proportions that yields phi=1.6180339887 rounded to ten decimal places.

Livio also discusses the relationship between the ratio and our concept of beauty (i.e. the quality of the perfect face). It is also interesting that in his new book on the impossibility of solving the 5th degree polynomial by radicals Livio relates the Galois theory of groups to concepts of symmetry. There he also attributes our perception of besuty to symmetry.

If you have the time read the book thoroughly. Write a review that adds to what has been said if you like. Or skim through the pages and appreciate the artist properties of phi along with its algebraic and geometric properties. Read about fractals and myths. Enjoy this wonderful book!

The book came quickly and was in the condition described. I would definitely buy from this seller again.

Used this in a regional geography course in college with a visiting professor from Moscow State University who highly respected the authors, de Blij and Muller. Being a physical geography/GIS person, I wasn't sure what to expect, but soon came to love the 'regional' approach to geography. For those who don't know, 'Regional Geography' is a subdiscipline of geography that emphasizes holistic description and analysis to understand the human and environmental pieces that make up a place. The material is very relevant to current events, such as the Georgia/Russia conflict. You'll learn about the South Caspian oil fields, the Baku pipeline, and the cultural 'minorities' of Russia and the former Soviet Union that make up this fascinating region. You'll learn about past Russian political involvement in the region and the effect of Russian colonists. It's all in there! And the same goes for the entire rest of the globe -- this is the magic of Regional Geography. de Blij's approach is to attempt to define "Realms" of the world (kind of "Super-Regions" which are somehow cohesive) and organizes the book around these theorized Realms. Whether or not you agree with the definitions of realms, the technique does help with memorization, as Regional Geography has a LOT of places, dates, and names to be memorized. I believe this book has great potential to turn people onto the highly underrated discipline of regional geography and sprout more academic and armchair geographers!

The book is what I expected but it did take a while to arrive at my home.

This text is my favorite textbook that I have ever owned, in any subject, from four colleges and universities. It is a tall book--it doesn't fit on any shelf. However, the size allows for many more graphs, maps, tables, and pictures. The paper and colors make for a visually appealing text, and the text does an excellent job of highlighting key terms and concepts.

Professor de Blij is a recognized expert on Geography education in the U.S. and his textbook demonstrates his mastery on every page. He covers physical geography, climate, history, politics, anthropology, economics, and every other relevant subject in the region. The entire package is correlated well, without getting mired in details or glossing over important subjects.

There are many features in this text that you will not find anywhere else. My favorites are the drill-downs on the world's great cities, providing interesting information and a map of Mexico City, Saigon, and many others. Another feature is the "Regional Issue" textbox that presents both sides of a current issue for a region, such as "Who Needs Democracy?" for South America. A final feature I like is his "Field Notes" section that is a paragraph or so of his travelogue and a picture as he continues to research our changing world.

This text was a valuable resource in my Geography class, is still a great reference tool as I continue my international studies, and is a fun book to flip through during "down time".

I bought this book for my husband and he really loves it. He even reads it to our kids sometimes! Great condition and arrived quickly.

Great book!!! I purchased this book because it was a best seller. Glad I did, it was before all the drama with his wives and near declaration of bankcruptcy. It explains his roots to his rise as one of the wealthiest land owners. Great read, hard to put down.

This is a excellent wealth of information and insight in Mr. Trump's life and business dealings of his early years. Learned he is a very good man. It is as intended very inspiring. Made me fill like I needed to go out and build sky scrapers as well, witch after reading this book now believe we all do in ways that fit each of us. Recomend reading his following book next Trump: The Art of the Comeback for more clairity.

Wow, The Donald has no real wig on this cover! Actually, this book is quite different from his later books. Here he gets into detail much more often and gives you better insight into the rise of his career (his fall and second rise came after this book).

In this book you'll get the examples about Trump that made him rise. He was as bold then as he is now. Only difference was he had less money, but it'll make you realize that if you want to be succesful in the future you have to act succesful in the present.

All the casino's and buildings he built early on in his career are mentioned in the book and the details about the deals are fun to read. Just consider this is a one-sided story, but the examples fit their goal.

This book is like The Donald without a wig: strange, but fun to see.

The Art of the deal is the only book written by Trump that I recommend; however, I rate this as one of the finest autobiographies I have read.

The Art of the Deal takes you behind the scenes and into the thoughts of one of the great deal makers of our time. Donald jumps right in with a detailed daily account of his business dealings for an entire week offering a genuine feel for the life of high society and big-time business decisions. He goes on to discuss his childhood and the brilliance of his self made father whose millions enabled Donald to jump start his own career in Manhattan.

Donald spends the bulk of his book discussing in detail his triumphs in Manhattan; from starting as unknown developer to gaining celebrity status as an entrepreneur. He outlines his often unpopular decisions such as filling half of one of his buildings with the homeless while waiting for tenants to give up their leases. He also outlines his knack for efficiency by taking over the construction of the Wollman Rink from the city and finishing the project in far less time and for reduced costs. Donald further discusses his entrance into the casino industry in New Jersey as well as his plans to build the world's tallest building on the west side and court NBC as its main tenant (something that obviously did not come to fruition). Perhaps this book is at its best in its discussion of Trump Tower, Donald's largest love and possibly most significant investment having been profitable even before completion of construction.

Since the time when he finished the book, Donald's life has taken numerous turns many of which fall outside of real estate development. The Art of the Deal at its core is all about his real estate empire. Donald gives off none of the arrogance that he is often associated with, the only exception being in his aggressive approach to business. If you enjoy the real estate industry and want to hear from one of its great tycoons, The Art of the Deal is essential reading.

This book explains further how the German people allowed repression by abstention. By allowing laws that discriminated against Jews the German people who had a history of dislike for Jews ignored the subtle and not so subtle hatred of Jews to become part of the fabric of their society. Yes it was the German people and not just Hitler. What still must be examined in another book is that the only thing all Nazis has in common was that they were Christian.