1 comments about Publisher to the Decadents: Leonard Smithers in the Careers of Beardsley, Wilde, Dowson (Penn State Series in the History of the Book).

1. While the verbose, academic style of this book makes it more difficult to read than it ought to be, it is still very much worth the effort. Brainard proposes a unique approach to the question of ultimate reality that has the potential to deepen our understanding of this elusive subject in a way I have not seen before. He may have in fact found a way to show how different views of ultimate reality might complement each other without whitewashing their differences.

   Part of what makes Brainard's analysis difficult but also rewarding are his original definitions for "reality", "truth", and "awareness". One of the more intriguing concepts he introduces is that awareness creates reality and truth (like people create languages and cars), and yet realities and truths are not subjective. According to the author, these elements of reality are not products of individual minds (like mine and yours), but rather by the cooperative activity of more than one mind -- or, more exactly, by more than one moment of awareness (in the way an illusory car exists for just you, while a real car exists for all). This objective and external character of reality is based on Brinard's thesis that everything, from Quarks and atoms, to rocks, and plants have some level of awareness, with human awareness being just one flavor out of a great many. While the concept of multi-dimensional awareness is difficult to grasp at first, his discussion of material "awareness" is especially interesting and provides some good insights that makes the rest of his ideas go down more smoothly.

   If this sounds like a bit like Whitehead or Kant or Hinduism or Buddhism (or de Chardin for that matter), you're right; it does recall many different philosophical approaches. In fact, Brainard argues that his approach does not intend to offer another philosophy to compete with others, but rather show the way in which we might discover how competing philosophies and religions might complement each other. Regardless of what he thinks, his approach is certainly a compelling way of doing philosophy, one that seems to offer a set of analytic tools that promise to enable thinkers to get past some of the roadblocks that limit current inquiry into the thorny questions of perception and reality.

   I'm giving the book 5 stars for the concepts and ideas it expresses, even though it does lose some credit with me for being difficult to read by non-academic types such as myself. But for those that take the challenging journey into Brainard's world, they will be richly rewarded.

1 comments about Herman Hollerith: Forgotten Giant of Information Processing.

1. This book sheds much desreved light on a remarkable man. His life and his invention are truely amazing.

No comments about David Matthew Kennedy: Banker, Statesman, Churchman (Monograph Series of the David M. Kennedy Center for Internat).

4 comments about Restaurant: Gettin' Their Kicks Stompin' On a Dream.

1. Death by Newspaper! The Power of the Press in an overkill of two ordinary individuals just trying to run their business. This story should be a bestseller and made into a movie. Never, have I read a story such as this.



2. An easy, fluent book that will make you think twice the next time you read any sort of critic's review - restaurant, movie, etc. - and question the writer's sincerity and intent. A devastating story for two people pursuing their dream. It's unbelievable, but it could happen to anybody. It leaves you with a sense of outrage at the restaurant owners' helplessness during this senseless ordeal. A good read.



3. David Pegasus, who left the glowing review above regarding this book, is actually the husband and co-plaintiff in the case behind this book. Not exactly an unbiased opinion about the book! That's right, the author is Beverly King Pegasus and David Pegasus is the author's husband. They are the co-proprietors of Salsa Dave's, the restaurant involved in the case. A self-interested party commenting under an alternate surname in an effort to get the book made into a movie?!? Priceless.
   
   The newspaper in question wrote an honest review about the restaurant's pre-packaged Mexican food (they used canned beans and a frozen "avocado" like substance). It turns out it was a big SURPRISE (to the author and her husband), that the first amendment protects the newspaper's review of the restaurant. The newspaper is free to publish their independent opinion of the food at the restaurant. Just like Mr. Pegasus is free to publish his own independent (NOT) and UN-BIASED review of his wife's book. At least the author of the restaurant review and the editor of the Reno newspaper have policies to fully disclose any associations that can lead to bias. Evidently wife/author Beverly King (Pegasus, really) and husband/reviewer David Pegasus have no such policy.
   
   Note: I have no relationship with the Reno newspaper. I'm just a law student knowledgeable about this case and don't want Amazon customers to be misled by the biased review from David Pegasus.
   
   And technically speaking, King & Pegasus didn't battle the case in the "highest court of the land". The US Supreme Court refused to hear their case. Cert was denied because the restaraunteurs lost their defamation suit at the Nevada Supreme Court level and the US Supreme Court agreed that they deserved to lose.



4. David Pegasus, who left the glowing review above regarding this book, is actually the husband and co-plaintiff in the case behind this book. Not exactly an unbiased opinion about the book! That's right, the author is Beverly King Pegasus and David Pegasus is the author's husband. They are the co-proprietors of Salsa Dave's, the restaurant involved in the case. A self-interested party commenting under an alternate surname in an effort to get the book made into a movie?!? Priceless.
   
   The newspaper in question wrote an honest review about the restaurant's pre-packaged Mexican food (they used canned beans and a frozen "avocado" like substance). It turns out it was a big SURPRISE (to the author and her husband), that the first amendment protects the newspaper's review of the restaurant. The newspaper is free to publish their independent opinion of the food at the restaurant. Just like Mr. Pegasus is free to publish his own independent (NOT) and UN-BIASED review of his wife's book. At least the author of the restaurant review and the editor of the Reno newspaper have policies to fully disclose any associations that can lead to bias. Evidently wife/author Beverly King (Pegasus, really) and husband/reviewer David Pegasus have no such policy.
   
   Note: I have no relationship with the Reno newspaper. I'm just a law student knowledgeable about this case and don't want Amazon customers to be misled by the biased review from David Pegasus.
   
   And technically speaking, King & Pegasus didn't battle the case in the "highest court of the land". The US Supreme Court refused to hear their case. Cert was denied because the restaraunteurs lost their defamation suit at the Nevada Supreme Court level and the US Supreme Court agreed that they deserved to lose.

No comments about Eitel Time : Turnaround Secrets.

No comments about Peregrinations: a man's journey.

No comments about Beyond the Mine: A Steelworker's Story.

2 comments about Daughter of the Yellow River: Special Edition (color photo insert).

1. Diana Lu's book has it all: Rough-and-tough beginnings, flickerings of hope, dashed dreams, overcoming obstacles and stereotypes, and ultimately, success beyond her wildest imagination - and through it all, Diana's voice can be heard loud and clear: Keep trying! Do your best! If you want to succeed, you will!
   
   Her book will touch you. It will inspire you. It will make you want to be more like her.
   
   Diana's story is a modern-day fairy tale. Pick up a copy for yourself and enjoy the adventure.



2. I very much enjoy books about China, but I could not stomach Ms. Lu's stunning narcissism. This woman needs to see a psychiatrist before she inflicts herself on anyone else. Do not encourage her self-obsession by buying her book.

3 comments about Unintended Consequences.

1. This is a very enjoyable book and a highly recommended read! In particular, the passages about the author's relationship with heirs to the H.L. Hunt fortune are much more than just entertaining. For those who are unaware of the history of H.L. Hunt, in 1946 Life magazine asked the question: "Is He The Richest Man in the World?" Hunt was a legendary oil figure.



2. I choose to read a book to experience positive feelings and/or for a learning experience. My intentions were realized when I experienced an aray of emotions throughout the reading of Byron Church's book, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. The joy of learning more about the beautiful and vibrant city of Colorado Springs; the laughter from humor found within different chapters; and the intelectual stimulation of good or bad business decisions based on experince and vision, all were found in this inspiring book.
   Really good books are worth reading for a second time. This book remains close at hand for a second reading.



3. Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (6/08)
   
   Byron Church provides an easy-read account of his life of ups and downs in Colorado. At the time the Church's were living in Colorado, it was the hot spot for treatment of tuberculosis.
   
   Mr. Church talks of his first real estate ventures that didn't work out and how he made some enemies in the community he lived. But he had dreams and knew if he socialized with the right people and marketed his properties the right way he would make it.
   
   In "Unintended Consequences: A Memoir" he talks about his time as a teacher at the extension center at the University of Colorado. Not qualified to be a teacher, he nonetheless accepted the assignment and found he learned so much from his students. During this time, he also began writing practical-advice articles for journals.
   
   "Unintended Consequences: A Memoir" is interesting book that shows all of us that with determination and a good plan we can reach our goals.

No comments about D. H. Lawrence and The Dial.