5 comments about Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution.

1. Michael Beehee's work has been discredited too many times to count ranging from a lack of participating in the scientific peer review process or in court cases (see Dover, PA.). This book has more bogus science for those who prefer faith over evidence.
   
   Thanks Mike, we all love being mislead...



2. Excellent book. Not for the faint of heart and has some very technical reading. As I continue my research of creationism vs. evolution it's incredible how our schools continue to teach the wrong history with the mountains of obvious evidence against evolution and the non-existent evidence supporting evolution. A great read!



3. In the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision the Court noted that "Professor Behe admitted in "Reply to My Critics" that there was a defect in his view of irreducible complexity because, while it purports to be a challenge to natural selection, it does not actually address "the task facing natural selection."" [and] "Professor Behe specifically explained that "[t]he current definition [of irreducible complexity] puts the focus on removing a part from an already functioning system," but "[t]he difficult task facing Darwinian evolution, however, would not be to remove parts from sophisticated pre-existing systems; it would be to bring together components to make a new system in the first place." Id. In that article, Professor Behe wrote that he hoped to "repair this defect in future work;" however, he has failed to do so even four years after elucidating his defect."
   
   In other words, the only thing that Irreducible Complexity proved was to be wrong.



4. Very well written book. Despite the impression that some reviews give, the book is quite logical in its approach. There are some very in depth descriptions of cellular mechanics and certain biological functions (such as blood clotting). But the author sets these difficult passages apart from the main text, providing a simpler overview, and a more in-depth analysis for science-minded folks who like to know the finer details. Not for causal reading, but certainly an excellent read to stimulate those synapses.



5. I found this book absolutely fascinating. What a wonderful case for intelligent design without the usual "fall-back" to biblical references. It would be hard to deny ID after reading this book. A great read for someone who is honestly seeking answers.

5 comments about Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing.

1. The book came in quicker than expected and was in perfect shape. Nothing else to say. Excellent business!



2. Superb! I am a programmer by day and a writer of articles on programming at other times.
   
   Growing up in England I was taught every miniscule detail of the English language. How to construct sentences and how pronunciation changes depending on word stems, Country of origin and so on. I had a pretty good grasp on writing. At work I spend some of my time re-writing briefing notes, user manuals, and proof-reading emails.
   
   On top of this I study grammar and style manuals. You get a feel for where I'm coming from in terms of expertise.
   
   This book changed my entire outlook on writing. I am only up to page 26 and already I have hacked through some articles like a whipper-snipper through a weeded garden. I found some habitual mistakes I constantly make and curbed some emerging ones. This is a fantastic book!
   
   The last briefing note I edited started as a monstrosity of bad grammar and ended as a shining example of what this book has to offer.
   
   I cannot recommend this book enough. It is only 200 pages but not a word is wasted. It is concise and packed full of information and is an example of its own subject.



3. I'm a working writer who has found this book very helpful. An original hardbound edition holds an honored place in my library.
   
   If you want to improve your own writing, then this is the book for you. You would likely only need one of the copy editing books recommended by other reviewers if you are (or want to become) a working copy editor.



4. I've bought a lot of grammer books over the years. Some of them are well written some are not. They don't help me much but I keep buying them and hoping that someday I'll find one that helps me with all my style problems. I consider Elements of Style the best of the lot, but this one is a close second. Her examples of good writing as opposed to poor writing are very helpful. She provides not only a poor sentence and an alternative one but also various alternatives of style and sentence structure. I think the process of working towards a clear crisp sentence very helpful.
   
   



5. Based upon the Modern Language Association guidelines, Claire Kehrwald Cooks' instructive 'how to' manual for aspiring authors, "Line By Line: How To Edit Your Own Writing" completely demystifies the process of self-editing, a vital aspect of honing, polishing, and otherwise preparing a manuscript for publication. All the relevant issues are addressed including basic grammar; pruning unnecessary words and phrases; balancing related sentence elements; making subjects and verbs agree; using pronouns accurately; the correct usage of punctuation marks; and avoiding the 'questionable usage' of words and phrases. A welcome and core addition to personal and professional writing reference collections, "Line By Line" is especially recommended reading for aspiring writers, published professionals, business managers and government officials needing to communicate with clarity, advertising and public relations professionals, scholars and students, as well as technical and science writers.

5 comments about Chemistry: The Central Science.

1. This was an outstanding product, came bundled and I got more than I expected in terms of quality and quantity! One of the best purchases I've ever had online. Thank you!



2. I bought this book on March 22, 2008 and received it April 12, 08. This is unexpected. I bought another book at the same day and got it within 4 days.



3. I teach general chemistry as both a private tutor and as a free tutor at Purdue University. In my time, I've seen every general chemistry book known to man come across the table. Without fail, though, BLB is my reference text. Like many gen chem books it has excellent diagrams, but in addition the text is lucid, organized, well written and makes no pedagogical leaps that the reader must figure out on their own. It is easy to read and easy to understand and the material is presented in a fairly logical order (I have minor quibbles with some of it). I forsee this book becoming a classic in the future.



4. This book was in perfect condition...no highlighting, no tears, no breakage...I would recommend this seller to anyone



5. The book wasn't in the best condition but it serves the purpose for my chemistry course.

5 comments about Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science).

1. As one of the other reviewers wrote, this book has much more than what you would get with a typical chemistry "toy" kit. Everything is well explained in detail, from the level of quality and what equipment to buy, where to obtain chemicals, and the steps for each experiment. The experiments have a full explanation of process being investigated, questions and calculations to make real quantitative assessments.



2. Many other reviewers have made comments about the demise of home chemistry sets and their youthful experiences. I echo many of the same thoughts. Without going in to the details suffice to say that I loved my chemistry set and still relish those youthful memories. I have long lamented the fact that you can no longer buy a decent home chemistry set. Thompson's book addresses this problem and fills a much needed niche. This by far the best book around if you want to setup your own chemistry lab and conduct experiments at home.
   
   This is a real how to book that addresses the practical issues of setting up a chemistry lab and conducting experiments. In addition to the chapters that deal with the actual experiments, there are chapters on safety, equipment, and where to find chemicals. There is also good discussion about the disposal of chemicals and a realistic and practical discussion about the dangers of chemicals.
   
   I've had a copy of the book for a couple of months. I've had the opportunity to read much of it and actually try some of the experiments. I don't have a lot of room for a lab but that hasn't stopped me from experimenting. I originally obtained the book for my son but I have to admit I find it more interesting and useful than he does. While he is interested in chemistry and has enjoyed out experiments he is too busy with other things to really get into it at the moment. I hope that will change after the summer ends and we settle in for the winter. I plan to incorporate chemistry into our home schooling program and this book is the perfect tool to help guide my efforts.
   
   The bottom line is that this book is educational, practical and fun. I recommend it for anyone interested in learning about basic practical chemistry. If you are a parent and your child is interested in chemistry you need this book. It will be invaluable for home school parents who plan to teach chemistry and as a supplement for high school chemistry students. I would not be surprised to find that chemistry teachers adopted this book in their own curriculum.



3. There are many excellent theory books suitable for high school and early university chemistry courses but few really good practical manuals. Many lab manuals are ad hoc productions of variable quality geared to the school or college teaching the subject.
   
   Robert Thompson's book is an excellent guide to performing interesting experiments that complement the theoretical instruction in a course.
   
   Thompson discusses lab safety, how to obtain chemicals and equipment needed for the labs and potential legal hazards of some chemicals.
   
   Chemistry cannot be learned effectively just in a classroom, it's necessary also to learn the planning, observational and manual skills required to become adept at preparing and mixing solutions and observing results. Also emphasised is the need to write up results so that they can be repeated later or by others.
   
   This book is an excellent companion to a chemical lab course and well complements chemistry theory taught in the classroom. It would also be most useful to someone performing chemistry experiments as a hobby.



4. I bought this book with high hopes of learning some Chemistry.
   All the reviewers raved about how wonderful it was and felt it was just what I was looking for.
   Well, after going through several chapters, I've come to a different conclusion than everyone else posting here so I guess it's motivated me to at least write about my experiences.
   The book starts out very well covering the basics on lab equipment, safety, disposal of chemicals, etc.
   It gives a list of all the chemicals and lab equipment you'll need to do the experiments and places to buy them which some offer as complete kits.
   Great, I can buy the kits and just get down to doing the experiments - wrong.
   After having invested several hundred dollars in this venture, with each new experiment, there is something missing that I need to do the experiment which was not on the initial list of things needed.
   Oh, I guess he explains that there are every day items that you'll need which you should find around the house or at any local hardware store or pharmacy. I've spent too much of my time running around to hardware stores, pharmacy's and other places looking for items that I still don't have (after spending lots of $$$ on the kits that include 'everything you need'). I feel each experiment is a scavenger hunt. Place after place would not have what I was suppose to easily find either.
   I can't tell you how disappointed I am with this.
   I thought I would buy the chem kits and be able to just sit down and do experiments ... nothing further from the truth. Expect to be out on a scavenger hunt - for every experiment.
   OK, enough of that.
   My next disappointment is that the experiments are not explained very well in what the underlying objective and theory you're proving is.
   I guess I can expect that since the title tells me that it's "All lab, No lecture". Don't expect this to teach you what you should really be learning from doing these experiments. Your only doing what he tells you to do and you move on. Well, I'd like to know a little more about what just happened so I understand what I just did and how that might be applied in other ways. However, you just move on to the next experiment.
   I guess if you have a thorough understanding of general chemistry and just want some lab experiments outlined for you, then this is the book for you. However, I would venture to guess that if you already had a good understanding of general chemistry, you would have no need for this book. So what audience is this book trying to target??? I don't know.
   
   If you're looking to learn chemistry, this is not the book.
   If you think you're going to be able to just sit down and start doing experiments after buying the chem kits and lab equipment kits, you're wrong. You'll be on plenty of scavenger hunts with some items hard to find and after each experiment you'll be left asking yourself, "What did I just learn?".
   If this author would have taken the time to have provided the Lecture with the Lab, this might have been a very good book to learn chemistry since I've had a hard time finding "Lecture" with the "Lab" books.
   
   I guess I'm the only one who's found this to be a disappointment thus far.



5. This book is an amazing value. I would pay 50 bucks for this book. Much of the book is full of very useful information about lab equipment and the chemicals you will need--where to find the chemicals, and the specific safety risks of each chemical. The experiments are simply in design, but lengthy enough to be significant learning experiences. Data tables and questions about the lab are included. I'm sure this will turn out to be a very valuable resource for my teaching of secondary science.

5 comments about Homework Helpers: Chemistry.

1. Amazeed by this chemistrt review book. It's like a large textbook, condensed in a smaller version but you have everything you need at your finger tips. I need to refresh my my mind on some basic chem for a next year, pre entrance exam for nursing and I have to say is "I don't need to take a class." The author explains everything in lay terms and you understand, quickly. Even if you have to read certain things over again, you pretty much get it after looking the material over for the third time. I read the first two chapters and mostly everything is still in my mind. The author makes chemistry interesting by using real life examples to reinforce the material. He has the gift of gab and ANYONE who is struggling with chemistry whether it's high school and college chem, this book with HELP you get an A. I'm very impressed and happy that I bought. But I also want to thank the folks before me that reviewed this book. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have bought it. THANKS GUYS!!!!!



2. This is a pretty good review of the basics of Chemistry. I'm also reading the Calculus, Physics, and Biology books of this series. They all seem to be good reviews of the basics.



3. This book was written with the student in mind. It just makes sense. The book is full of examples and explanations. This probably saved my Chemistry grade and helped me understand everything for the final. The book is seriously amazing. If you need help in Chemistry, you HAVE TO get this book. I swear, you won't regret it.
   
   The book makes it seem like you have a tutor teaching it to you.



4. This is actually not a bad book, the only reason I give three stars is that its meant for students with little or no chemistry background. Its a good book for students of chemistry 101 or maybe even 111.
   
   Its clear that the author wrote the book with the student in mind. The author explains the chemistry concepts very well so that even the least chemistry orientated can learn a thing or two.



5. Let me start by saying anyone who lands on this page, and who has either only a little or NO chemistry experience should BUY THIS BOOK. I am NOT exaggerating! The 11 dollars that you spend on this book could make all the difference between achieving your schooling goals or not. It did for me. THIS author is AMAZING. I found his book while already registered in an Intro the Chemistry course. The class required text book had me running around in circles. I almost quit. Then I found this book. This book made a huge contribution not only to passing the course but to getting an A. Know this: I failed every science course I ever tried to take when I was younger. I am trying to get back into school and have to take Chemistry, Microbiology, and Anatomy and Physiology. I could not take any of the other courses without first passing chemistry. Chemistry is a pre-req to many other courses so that is what I mean when I say this book can mean the difference in your achieving your schooling goals or not. Still if your teenager has to take chemistry and NOTHING else, then this is still the book for you. Without this book I would not be moving on to my next science. Listen I could go on and on about this book but ask yourself this: for 11 dollars is it worth not at least trying out this book? This Author in my opinion has given many of us a gift: an affordable book that is completely understandable! NOW there are some typos in important areas but guess what: this guy's teaching style is SO amazing that you will know enough to see the typos when they come. MY only suggestion is READ IT FROM COVER TO COVER. Make that commitment. DO not try to skip around if you are new to chemistry or even know a little chemistry. Now admittedly this book covers what some call the "basics" of chemistry. I would like to re-phrase that and say what this book does is cover all the FOUNDATIONAL stuff one needs to be able to understand chemistry. Let's be clear without a good foundation NOTHING is easy. TRY this book. Think of all the ways we daily waste 11 dollars. This11 dollars could give you a 500% return on your investment. This guys writing is amazing! He makes important chemistry knowledge not only accessible but affordable! This 11 dollars is giving me a chance to achieve goals that I never could before.

3 comments about Solutions Manual for Organic Chemistry and the CW+ GradeTracker Access Card Package (Workbook only, no Access Card included).

1. Very easy to understand when used in conjunction with the text. Good step by step explanations. Had taken general chemistry 8 years before i took organic and it was able to bring me up to speed!



2. This is a very good solutions manual. It doesn't skip steps and is clear and covers EVERY problem. It is so useful that I wouldn't recommend using the textbook without having this b/c this solutions manual really helps you to understand the specific steps and mechanisms. Hey - I got an A in O-chem for two semesters and this book helped.



3. This manual is a key to success in organic chemistry. The more practice problems you do and do correctly the better you will do in the course. If you are using the Wade textbook I highly recomend spending a little more money and geting the solutions manual. This manual covers not just the odd numbeered problems, but covers every problem in the entire text. If there is a problem in the text you want the answer for it is in this solutions manual. The other nice thing is the manual gives you a couple of different solutions for a problem that has multiple answers.

5 comments about Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles.

1. This book is concise and broken into two major sections, the science and the styles.
   
   The first part, dealing with the math & science of brewing, goes through all of the critical calculations for creating your own recipes, and provides and excellent reference for hitting a target gravity or a desired hop level.
   
   The second part goes through the major styles of beer (focused on the styles as they are seen in competitive brewing), giving a history and summarizing each style as to major constituents (from a grain & hops perspective) as well as good target gravities, bitterness & characteristics.
   
   This book has helped me to create many batches of excellent beer. At this point, I've forgone recipes not my own...



2. This book is best regarded as a recipe guide for the competitive brewer. While the styles presented are regrettably limited, the styles that are presented are wonderful. Each style section presents the ingredient incidence and range of ingredient percentages for both commercial examples as well as 2nd round National Homebrew Competition entries. There are very helpful comments on each style as well - mash approaches, comments on the different malt bills, etc. I have to stress the notion that this is a recipe guide - no actual recipes are presented. Rather, the focus is on the different approaches commercial brewers and homebrewers use to brew to style as well as how they are perceived in judging.
   
   As an example, for Scottish Ale, you'll find comments on the use of smoked malts - right down to rauch vs. peat-smoked, roast malt vs crystal, residual sugar levels in different style sub-types, etc. What you won't find is a suggested malt and hops bill along with a mash schedule. Thus the audience is the competitive brewer looking to divine what his competitors are doing, how, why, and how it's being perceived in judging.
   
   The shortcomings of the book are its limited style and sub-style coverage. I also found the upfront chapters (i.e., those preceeding the style sections) of limited value. Finally, I'd like a lot more on mash schedules. The information presented in the style sections is priceless, however. If you are interested in even a single style or two in the book - two primary styles interested me - it's well worth the price. To my knowledge, the comparative recipe information is found nowhere else.
   
   I give it 5 stars for its unique information. I'm tempted to downgrade it for its limitations, particularly since there are some really egregious style omissions, but it's just too valuable in terms of what it does cover.



3. Actually, I bought this book when it originally came out. The pages are in tattered now, but I can't live without it and all the notes placed in the margins. It's a superb guidebook for brewing.
   
   I recently purchased a new copy for a friend, a fellow homebrewer. Why? Because, if you are a serious homebrewer, this is the best reference I know of. It takes a while to get the formulas cross-referenced and the graphical choices for what you are brewing in line, but the math works. I really think you will live by these rules for all your brewing. The second plus is the reference to award winning recipes in the last half of the book. They are all excellent brews.
   
   If you want consistant results, hit target recipes, be on the marks, you have to buy this book. Extract the formulas and adjust the graphs for the grain bill available to you and you can get the perfect brew. If you experiment with brewing, this is how to know what you're doing. Daniel's book is the best gift you can give to a brewer outside of a hops farm in Moravia.
   
   A Dark and Stormy Knight, Harmonics, Orphan Records



4. Ray Daniels' Designing Great Beers was my second book - after John Palmer's How To Brew. Though I have since read many more brewing books, this is by far my favorite. I read it in a week - and three more times in the following months. It is well written, well organized, and an overall joy to read. Being a bit of a beer history and styles buff, I very much enjoyed well-referenced sections on classic beer styles. One could build a complete library from the references in this book. Well done, Mr. Daniels.



5. This book is an excellent, in-depth resource on the subject of homebrewing. It is an incredibly detailed and well-researched book, and doesn't shy away from simple math, as many others on the subject do. For those brewers that aren't as mathematically inclined, the equations presented are tabulated, so that they never HAVE to be used. Daniels carefully explains the factors that affect important brewing parameters, such as OG, IBUs, extraction efficiency and water quantities and chemistry, and describes how to quantify them for your particular system. Many may argue that this level of detail is not required. Why worry about the effect that already-dissolved iso-alpha acids have on the solubility of more? Well, as Daniels explains early in the book, his goal is to help you predict as precisely as possible the character of your finished beer, so you won't be disappointed. If you are thinking about brewing your first batch of beer, this book is NOT for you. However, if you have a couple of batches under you belt, and want to dabble in partial- or all-grain brewing, a copy of this book belongs on your shelf.

5 comments about The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (Cartoon Guide To...).

1. I am a high school chemistry teacher. I was totally disapointed with the book to the point of returning. It is factually correct, but lame. The only thing I gleaned from this book was the origin of the word alchemist. I would not by this book. William "Douey" Doucette



2. It is so basic in concepts and the presentation (materials and graphics)is not as good as I thought. It would be useful to show some pages of the book to the customers.



3. I have all of Gonick s great cartoon books and was really expecting more from this one... I am teaching chemistry and was disappointed. Just compare it with Genetics in cartoons...Chemistry is not as boring as shown here, Larry!



4. This book is required summer reading for AP Chemistry. Looks like a fun way to get an overview of the subject.



5. I never took chemistry. This book was way over my head even though I just skimmed in. The cartoons are easy to look at (no dark, foreboding shading) - but I understood 'squat' from this book. I hope my giftee sees it differently with his B.S. in Chem. I WAS impressed with the last few chapters where future implications were addressed. Once I give this book-gift, I'll report back with "my expert's" opinion on this book. In the meantime, I'll stick with mixing together fruit juices.

5 comments about Perfumes: The Guide.

1. Yes, BUT! I was dancing with anticipation when the library finally delivered this to me. I am not a "perfumista" and I think I have a terrible nose for things. I am also a sucker for adverts, I admit it! So I was really interested to see so many perfumes reviewed in one volume.
   
   Gone are the silly and ultimately unenlightening magazine tags of "fruity," "floral," and "sexy." LT and TS delve into depth for those perfumes that merit such attention, and for others, two words often suffice. I have no qualms whatsoever about the tone of this book, which many seem to think cruel or overly snipey. I may like it because, well, I talk that way myself.
   
   However, I also have some serious complaints. It's not just that they dislike some fragrances that I like, etc. but LT's overall theory of perfume and its application in this guide leaves me cold. Perfume is something intimately tied to memory and personal taste. I cannot accept that perfume does not smell different on different people, as they posit. I tried Guerlain's Shalimar, which they rate as a masterpiece, but to me and on me it smells like wet baby diapers. Ew.
   
   I was trying to think of an example: Those scientific chaps have shown that most of our sense of taste is really our sense of smell (this is why when you have a stuffy nose your food tastes off). Let's say a person absolutely abhors food X in any form. This person goes to the best restaurant in the world and the best chef at that restaurant prepares a complex and beautiful meal that also contains X. The person will still dislike it. Even though food critics may have lauded that dish for its mastery of ingredients, complexity, etc, that person will still hate it.
   
   However, I learned about fragrances I never knew about before and have tried some of them with good results. But lots of brands and popular fragrances were completely omitted? Where's Fresh? Hard Candy? Gap?
   
   I hope they revise this with new fragrances every year. I'll probably read it, but not buy it. And take everything with a handful of salt.



2. First, let me state clearly that I used to value Luca Turin's work, and I'm enthusiastic about "The secret of scent". It is his name which attracted my attention to this Guide.
   Second, I did check authors' synopses on the back page. Dr. Turin holds a PhD in biophysics and writes about perfumes. For the little I know biophysics is not perfumery. Ms. Sanchez is an expert and avid perfume collector, writes on the Internet, lived in San Francisco and now in London. Now, how many prospective readers of this Guide don't collect perfumes, don't write on the Internet, didn't change a place of residence? OK, there is one difference - we don't claim to be experts.
   Bemused by this preliminary finding I set out to explore the book. The faults I found are so many I will just enumerate them.
   1) Text is uneven. Parts written by Turin (all text is initialed) flow easily, making for effortless reading. Sanchez's penmanship seems heavily indebted to tabloid prose, only it achieves higher level of sentence convolution. Copious references to "mom" and "dad" made me wonder if this book targets the adolescents.
   
   2) Products selected for inclusion. A lot of these brands and fragrances is just noise. We either can't buy them in the USA, or they were shortly on the market and disappeared. What's the point of including these products, in particular since many are branded as either "disappointing" or "awful"?. (Though it does give an idea why some perfumes are not available this side of Atlantic.)
   Remaining selections are either staple Sephora, or department store niche, say Creed or Annick Goutal.
   
   3) Products not selected for inclusion. I looked for some the well-known names - Panthere de Cartier, Shiseido's Feminite du bois, Hermes' Rouge, Versace Blonde, Jardin du Nil MPG (do not confuse with Le Jardin sur le Nil by Hermes) - futilely. The whole brand of Molinard is dispensed with "cheap floral scents" and only Habanita merits the review. So-called niche is limited to few brands, as a rule available at department stores. Don't expect to find here any mention of DelRae, Nanadebarry, Christiane Gelle, Shalini or Fifi Chachnil of the frolicsome flacon. Not sure if the authors heard about Montale, MPG makes an appearance only once or twice. (Strangest of all, considering the taste exhibited in perfume rating - more below - they left out Avon.) Space does not allow me to list all what is missing.
   At first I thought that the authors just pander to the interests of major department stores, but then checked again and yes, Trish McEvoy is also absent, so it's not department stores. Of course with the sheer number of perfumes on the market they had to make some exclusion choices, but what was the criteria? Perhaps product selection reflects the French/British market. Why, then, this book had been offered to the American public at all? Product selection should be adjusted to the local market.
   
   4) Style of critique. Typical review is limited to up till three lines of qualifiers, intended to explain the fragrance's rating, which ranges from "masterpiece" to "awful". Any Internet-based retailer gives better "reviews" just by listing ingredients and comparable fragrances. This Guide is nothing better than a guide to personal tastes of the authors.
   
   5) Tastes of the authors. Yes, they asked for it, by employing peculiar style of critique, see 4). Syrup, syrup ueber alles! True perfumery masterpiece sags under overload of vanilla and assorted kitchen odors, with generous hints at soiled underwear. Flowers, or rather "insect attractants", are deemed olfactorily inferior. Price is not a factor in rating, though price is said to reflect quality of ingredients; several affordable masterpieces may be found in the "personal care" section of your local food mart. Four labels - Guerlain, Estee Lauder, Chanel and Dior - dominate the field. Out of the three, two are owned by LVMH and only one has perfumes as its primary product. Given all this, I don't understand how the Authors could overlook Charlie!
   The Authors never reveal their evaluation criteria.
   
   6) Precision of execution. Sample case, Bulgari Black, which is rated "masterpiece" (did the Authors ever sniff the original Black, which reeked of burning rubber, and burning rubber alone? it wasn't pretty, but it was indeed outstanding in a very unappealing way. There is no mention of it in the review, while so many other scents come with history of all releases; current version of Black reeks of suburban mediocrity). The last sentence: "its place is with Bandit, Tabac Blond, and Cabochard among the great emancipated fragrances of all time". Now let's look at the ratings of the "great emancipated fragrances of all time". Bandit - a masterpiece; Tabac Blond - awful; Cabochard - disappointing. What did the Venerable Authors smell besides perfumes?
   
   7) Presentation method. All products are listed alphabetically, followed by lists of "top ten" and all grade categories - masterpieces, recommended, disappointing, awful. Needless to say any such ranking functions only either as personal confession, or an attempt to influence prospective buyers. Judging by distribution of masterpieces across giant marketing firms we are dealing with the latter. That's why, perhaps, any absence of groupings and indexes based on the brand, creator, or the fragrance content.
   
   On the positive note, I have absolutely no problem with the nasty tone of many reviews. Nasty wit can be wickedly funny and illuminating, though here it is neither, due to excess of clichés worn out by constant use in all texts on fashion, style and glamour. It doesn't matter anyhow, since the Guide totally fails in its purported mission. It is just another boring oeuvre on "style" (yes, "style" and not style), intended by its creator as a money-maker and directed at the newbies. Newbies are always numerous and impressionable, so it is rather easy to get them enthusiastic about - and spending on - anything.
   
   Footnote: I did not buy this book, in spite of previous positive experience with one of the authors. Decided to borrow it first and check. And the verdict is: I will not buy this book and will not bother with any consecutive editions. Better to spend on some perfume not listed in this guide.



3. You know how it goes... you get a spritz of something in the mall and, yes, it smells real purdy but is it worth the money? Is it special? Is it "you?" It smells better than nothing... usually, and on the other hand you remember all too well getting in the elevator with a bunch of people overspritzed on a Monday morning and feeling like you are going to heave. So, is any of it worthwhile? Also, a couple of things I suspected turned out to be true:
   
   1.) Manufacturers change scents... AH HA!!! I suspected as much.
   2.) Scents go through many changes on the skin... AH HA!!! Again.
   3.) A lot of the hyped scents are CRAP. AH HA!! Yet, again.
   
   No wonder we are confused. Every once in while you smell someone who smells fabulous and it's back to the cosmetic counter which is so confusing and after a while you end up with a bunch of bottles at home which smell various ways, none of them necessarily great and you wonder: is that all there is?
   
   No, as it turns out. It isn't (all there is). Example: Go to Victoria's Secret which turns out to be a scary place, (a roil of celebration about average body parts of 3.5 billion women on the planet) and stumble around the beauty component of the store and pick up the "Very Sexy for Her" perfume set which the snotty salesgirl dressed all in black and is not hiding her contempt for the manner in which you are hiding your nakedness... and she says, "Oh, that's a fabulous scent.... Everyone loves it," and looks as though it makes her sick that you might actually buy it and somehow be associated in anyone's mind with her even if it is just via their honker. So, when she's not looking you snap up the biggest vat of it you can manage along with the armloads of other stuff you hope launches you into the hip lifestyle and scuttle to the counter and whip out you credit card and feel you may have accomplished the biggest coup ever. But somehow "Very Sexy for Her" never lives up to its promise. Maybe you weren't the right Her. Maybe you're overreaching. Something is very wrong, not very sexy.
   
   TS (one of the authors) to the rescue. She says: "I have been racking my brain, trying to understand how one of the most unpleasant fragrances ever made was developed and brought to market. It consistes of a loud metallic note (which you can replicate at home by chewing on a piece of aluminum foil) plus the sourest woody amber ever and a whiff of stale pizza. Let us charitably assume that its self proclaimed sexiness has to do with the personal memories of some of VS's executives who falls helplessly into erotic fantasies in the presence of chemical spills and has mistaken this for a universal experience. Are people buying this? This fragrance and Givency's Very Irresistable lead one to believe that "very" is actually perfume industry jargon for "not at all."
   
   AH HA!!! (if there was a bigger font option, I'd use it here)
   
   Thank you TS and LT.
   
   Now what I need is this printed up on little cards so the next time a snotty VS saleperson.... (well, you know.)



4. One liners about how bad certain perfumes smell isn't really what I would expect from a book that takes itself so seriously as to be titled "Perfumes: The Guide". I was hopeing for something informative. Instead I got two divas with their claws out.
   
   Yes, they're clever. They're also so superior it's nauseating.
   
   The information in the begining of the book was helpful, I enjoyed that. But the reviews were a waste of time. My issue is not with how many stars they give a certain perfume or whether or not I agree with how much they liked it (or hated it so much they insulted and mocked it), I just would have enjoyed a little more subtance and a little less venom.
   
   And for the people who were insuled by the bad reviews of their perfumes, I can see why you would be. This book is very insulting to what it does not worship. I can understand why someone who enjoys, and smells like a perfume that gets ridiculed in this book could take that a little personally.



5. I'm older now, and I have a little more disposable income (and a lot more self-confidence), so I have had great fun using this book's witty reviews to guide me in trying and purchasing perfumes. I never had more than one or two bottles of perfume on my vanity table before. Now I have several dozen because this book has made me see perfume in a whole new way.
   
   Yes, the book is a delight to read, but I have found it much more fun to actually use. Interestingly, I discovered just how interactive this book can be because I am a book lover.
   
   I was intrigued by the book's description of a perfume by L'Artisan Parfumeur called Dzing! The authors likened the perfume's scent to a "secondhand bookstore." I purchased a bottle on a whim when I happened across it on a trip to New York. It was only when I was browsing at my favorite used bookstore days later that it struck me. The vanilla overtones in this fabulous scent do indeed evoke the wonderful aroma of old paper. I smelled my wrist, I sniffed the terrific, familiar book-laden air around me, I felt a happy sense of discovery and I was hooked.
   
   Since reading this book, I have stuck it into my tote whenever I plan to be in a major department store. The book's vignettes ignite my curiosity and imagination.
   
   Take, for example, Thierry Mugler's Angel. The authors deem this scent a masterpiece. They tell the reader the history behind the scent -- that it started as a joke which combined the elements of a masculine and a feminine fragrance, but that in making that joke the perfumer came up with a truly new kind of scent. The authors point out that Angel exists in a "high energy state of contradiction. Many perfumes are beautiful or pleasant, but how many are exciting?" Then the authors deliver the zinger, which gives me a mental image for placing the perfume into my own life context. They say that Angel evokes that " woman in a film who seethes "He's so annoying!" and marries him in the end." I got that! I could then smell the contradiction and the attraction in the scent. I purchased a bottle because the scent now "speaks" to me in a way it never could have before I read this book.
   
   Is perfume necessary to my existence? No. When my children were small and we had meager time, money or energy, perfume was simply that handy bottle of Chanel No. 5 my mother had sent me for Christmas which I sprayed on to feel pretty on those infrequent dinner/movie dates with my husband (when we could get a babysitter.) Do I agree with everything the authors say about the various perfumes? No, but that's part of the fun.
   
   This book has opened a pleasant door for me. Perfume has become a fascinating foray into sensual exploration. I enjoy reading the metaphors and similes, the creative adjectives and backstories describing these perfumes, and then experimenting with the truth of them for myself.
   
   The authors have done something wonderful with this book. They have taken the mystique which advertising has always made sure surrounded fragrance and swept it away. But they have replaced that mystique with something better -- little personalities, if you will, for the different scents. Now browsing at the perfume counter has become like attending a cocktail party filled with famous people. Some will speak to you immediately. Some will stand back, but become friendly if you approach. Some are dull as dishwater. Some you will dislike. But being an insider at the party is exciting. I love that I have an invitation.

5 comments about Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Exploration, Drilling and Production (2nd Edition).

1. This is the best book available if you want to understand the petroleum industry without all of the techy details (or the engineering that comes with it). An excellent overview & reference.



2. Very well written and formatted for those of us with very little or no previous oil and gas related experience. Covers all the bases and allows the reader to see how prospects are identified and analyzed and the hydrocarbons recovered and marketed. Recommended for all those wanting to learn more about the industry.



3. I am a graduate geologist and I found this book ideal in my circumstances as an introduction before I got some petroleum work experience.It is very well written ,even a layperson could get a good appreciation for the wide encompassing subject matter.It is not aimed at specialists or those with a lot of experience in the petroleum geoscience.However, it is one of the best text books I have read.



4. I was looking for a book giving a comprehensive overview ofthe petroleum industry Upstream processes.
   
   I found it. This is a great book with a practical sense and the figures and tables needed to build Your own frame of information.
   
   If You need a practical understanding of the industry to build a business case, or figure out Oil Co needs. This is where to start



5. Well done Norman J Hyne, what an excellent edition. You explain how this complex industy works in very easy to understand chapters and supporting diagrams. Well worth the price.