Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers: The Story of Success By Malcolm Gladwell

In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. Along the way he explains the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

Reviews

Outliers was the first Gladwell book I had read, and the first half seemed to open doors that had previously been nonexistent to me. He has an uncommon talent to find trends or developments that are mindblowing and yet logical, and backs up these theses with seemingly good data. (It's always good to keep in mind that any smart person can misconstrue said data as well.)

The second half . . . not so much. Where Gladwell seems to lose his way is his explanation of how airplane crashes are in part cultural, focusing mainly on Korean Air and in particular the exchanges between the pilot and the air controllers. While I don't dispute his interpretation of why these accidents occurred, his explanation that the Korean culture of respecting authority is facile. Japan jumps to mind as a similar society where speaking up, particularly against a superior, is frowned upon, and Gladwell never mentions its safety record. It appears as though he's attempting to make more and more outlandish statements to outshine his earlier arguments, but the foundations are shaky. The last chapter, while very personal to him, lacks some of the zip and originality of his earlier chapters.

I understand that Gladwell sets forth provocative theories for effect, so the fact they're susceptible to criticism or are simply wrong is not surprising. The mere fact that he makes the reader think, and question all that is around him or her, is good enough.

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Textbook of Medical Physiology

Textbook of Medical Physiology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Hardcover) byArthur C. Guyton

Reviews

I agree with the reviewer from Israel, this book is exceptional at explaining physiology. During my first year in medical school I used Berne and Levy as the text for medical physiology and I found it to be a very good text. But reviewing physiology during my second year I used the text by Guyton and I couldn't believe how well written and clear it was. Both texts are excellent and I give both 5 stars, but I would definately recommend Guyton for a first read, and then Berne and Levy.

However, not all sections in this book, like not all sections in Berne and Levy are excellent. I recommend supplementing reading in Respiratory physiology by West or weinburg, Renal Physiology by rose or vander, and GI with Johnson. Cardio use B/L-it's the best. Endocrine, Guyton is good. Nerve and Muscle physiology use Berne and Levy; and Neurophysiology I highly recommend reading Neuroscience by Purves and Essentials of Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology by Gilman.

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Classic Fairy Stories

Classic Fairy Stories (Classic Literature With Classical Music. Junior Classics) From Naxos Audiobooks

A selection of some of the most famous fairy stories which every child needs to foster their imagination. "Three Little Pigs"; "Dick Whittington"; "Beauty and the Beast"; "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"; and "Puss in Boots" are all included.

Reviews

A wonderful telling of fabulous stories while remaining true to a rich linguistic tradition. These stories are not dumbed down in the least and the narrator is a pleasure to listen to.

My three and five year old have listened to these stories over and over again! I also read "Dick Whittington and His Cat" (retold by Marcia Brown) to my girls. This combination quickly became a favorite of my three year old. I can't recommend this cd highly enough if you are a fan of well written literature for children.

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The Angel Experiment

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD) byJames Patterson (Author)

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Surprised at all the negative reviews, but then again its all just opinion, so here is mine: James Patterson isn't Ernest Hemingway!

Maximum ride is a fast read. Its a fast read because it is fun, imaginative, and adventurous. It centers on a group of various children who all have certain genetic enhancements. One of these enhancements is the ability to fly. The children are from a place called "The Institute" and soon they leave this place only to find themselves lost in an unfamiliar world...OURS. Despite the odds, the crew sticks together, until the ERASERS find them. Erasers are other mutant type children from the same secret facility; only they all seem to turn into werewolves with superhuman strength!

From the beginning, the book is a fun read. It's told from the viewpoint of Max, the oldest of the children. In her early teens, it is her who must protect the others while somehow raising them, keeping them together, and keeping everyone as a unit. The Erasers are sent out to capture them, kill them, or do whatever it is they have orders to do. Patterson mixes a modern day world with a little pop-culture thrown in here and there for reminders with fantasy. The Erasers run the streets as humans but at any time can be descending upon the kids by Hummer or Helicopter, armed with bare claws or assault rifles. The action scenes that consist of everything from car chases and helicoptor scouting to hand to hand combat is very well detailed. The most menacing of the ERASERS is Ari, who taunts Max and the others, partly because he has a connected past with them, which is further revealed later in the story.

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The Art of War: Sun Zi's Military Methods

The Art of War: Sun Zi's Military Methods (Translations from the Asian Classics) (Hardcover) by Sun Zi (Author)

"After reading Victor Mair's elegant new rendering of the ancient text, I was left without any doubt that it is an important contribution to our understanding of both the meaning of the text itself and the evolution of Chinese military thought. While some translations in the past have been informed by philosophical studies or the translator's own personal experience of modern warfare and intelligence matters, what Mair brings to bear is a remarkable feel for the Chinese language of ancient times that results in lucid and persuasive renderings of many of the more enigmatic and obscure passages. He steers a judicious course between the free translation and the overly literal, and further aids our comprehension by providing a concise glossary explaining the key terms that appear in the text." -- David Graff, associate professor of history, Kansas State University

Customer Reviews

Mair's new translation does a great job of making "The Art of War" readable while better imbuing it with the feel of the Classical Chinese original.

His explanations also shed new light on various aspects of this work by attempting to put it in broader context than many previous translators and annotators.

I still think that every enthusiast of "The Art of War" ought to read the annotated Lionel Giles translation at least once--but without question, Victor H. Mair has created a genuinely valuable new translation that is superior to the work of most other modern Sinologists who tackled Sunzi's enduring masterpiece.

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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 (Paperback) by scott Kelby (Author)

Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world’s best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It’s even more of that “Ah ha—so that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ‘Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I’d just turn to you and say, ‘Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.’ Well, that’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned, just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”

Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you’re tired of taking shots that look “okay,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

This isn’t a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade,” this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

About the Author
Scott Kelby is the world’s #1 best-selling author of computer and technology books, as well as Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and President of the National Association of Photo–shop Pro–fessionals (NAPP). He’s the co-host of the highly acclaimed Photoshop User TV, and teaches digital photo and imaging workshops around the world. Scott is an award-winning author of more than 50 books, including The Adobe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers, and Scott Kelby’s 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Customer Reviews <See More>

"The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3" is another fine addition to the series, but unlike many of Scott Kelby's books which usually stand on their own, to get the most out of this book you really, really should have bought and read the previous two volumes. For example, the first two chapters, "Using Flash Like a Pro, Part 2" and "Using Your Studio Like A Pro", are direct continuations of chapters in Volume 2. Both are excellent chapters and give much needed depth to the subjects which were introduced in the previous volume.

Probably the most useful chapter, certainly for me and for anybody who is looking to expand beyond the lens which came in the box with their SLR, is Chapter 3 "The Truth About Lenses". Here Scott goes through every type of lens and when they should be used plus a whole load of additional tips on lenses in general. A very, very good introduction to a tricky, technical subject which will help prevent unnecessary, costly purchases.

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