The Book of Overclocking: Tweak Your PC to Unleash Its Power

Book Description

**Winner of the Books24x7 Referenceware Excellence Award, Hardware category, April 2004**

The definitive guide to overclocking-- the art of running a PC's processor faster than the manufacturer intended. If you don't mind voiding the manufacturer's warranty on your CPU, overclocking is for you. Learn how not to fry your system while souping up everything from the Pentium II to the latest Athlon XP and Pentium 4. Sections on cooling, troubleshooting, and benchmarking make sure you get the most out of your machine.

Customer Reviews:

Out of Date.......2007-03-25

I agree with a previous reviewer, this book is seriously out of date. It does give the reader ideas about over-clocking (the reason I gave it 2 stars), but unless you have a OLD processor, it doesn't help. I suppose if you don't want to (or can't) upgrade to a new processor it will serve some purpose.

Recommended by Critic.......2005-01-23

This book sparked my interest in computer overclocking. Before I read this book, I thought the idea behind overclocking a computer was adolescent wannabes who wanted to burn up Mom and Dad's PC - not true. I learned that there are very practical applications for overclocking a computer, namely cost and efficiency, ie., speed.

The authors cover almost all the CPUs from Intel and AMD. There are no Pentium I's or the very latest barn burners in here (book was published in '03), but the point is that a *lot* of relevant info is between the covers for anyone who wants to find it. Yes, the book is dated, but the background info such as how the CPU industry works and what "speedbinning" is will make the reader giddy with new insight.

My final advice is give this book a try if you're new to the overclocking scene, and even if you're not, as there is a wealth of awesome reference info here. Light it up and let it howl!

This Book is in the Stone Age.......2004-12-12

I have this book and I have thrown it in the trash. It no more tells you how to overclock then a man on the moon. He give you computer history in the first part and then he talk about overclocking old computers. This book is seriously out of date but if you have a Pentium 3 or 2 or anything old its in there. But why overclock an old computer thats only going to give you a few extra MHz as I see it these old computers are only worth the price of gas to take it to the dump.

Satisfies that "need for speed"..........2004-12-01

Do you have a "need for speed"? Does your idea of fun center on making your computer run faster than advertised? If so, check out The Book Of Overclocking - Tweak Your PC To Unleash Its Power by Scott Wainner and Robert Richmond (No Starch Press).

Chapter List: What the Computer Industry Does Not Want You to Know; Overclocking Versus Industry Hype: Technical Background; Technical Theory: Evolution of the Integrated Circuit; How to Overclock; Cooling; Intel Overclocking; AMD Overclocking; VIA/Cyrix Overclocking; Benchmark Testing; Troubleshooting; Final Thoughts; Appendix; Index

This is a unique book on the market, as it covers both the why and how of overclocking, as well as providing all the technical details and specs of each CPU that was available at the time of publication. The book has 250 pages, and the first 50 and last 40 are more general in nature. By "general", I mean the chapters talk about how chips are constructed, why you'd want to overclock a CPU, and what considerations you have to keep in mind as you proceed. The information is pretty detailed, and it's not something you'd give to your grandmother to help her get a bit more "oomph" from her old 486. Everything in the middle of the book is specific information for individual CPU chips produced by different manufacturers. These specs involve such items as physical design, performance ratings, bus speeds, multiplier ratios, overclocking potential, and overclocking tolerances. If you happen to have one of the CPUs covered in here, you'll have more than enough information to determine how best to max out the performance.

The only "problem" with this book is that it was published in January 2003. Since it's now two years later, there's an increasingly greater chance that the chip you have is not covered in this book. Still, the basic information you have in here will serve as excellent background material that you'll need to know regardless of what chip you're working with.

Good book, excellent information, but just a little dated at this stage. Still, a necessary read for all serious overclockers (or overclocker wannabees).

know most of the theory from online sites.......2004-04-13

The only good thing this book has is historical data on various cpus and their overclockability.

To proceed with overclocking, you need to compare performance of the latest products, which this book has none. The sites above thus also do product reviews. They also cross link reviews from other sites. Once you start on the trail provided above, you'll learn much much more than buying this book.

Most of the sites also have forums with very helpful people who knows the specifics of each cpu, cooling product, motherboard & brand name ram etc. Just ask and people will answer.

Book Description

In this book eminent international banking expert Alexandre Lamfalussy grapples with issues that surround the trend toward financial globalization and its potential impact on financial fragility. He analyzes four recent crisis experiences in emerging markets-in Russia, Latin America, Mexico, and East Asia-and offers a series of carefully considered, pragmatic policy recommendations. "Drawing on intimate personal experience and a deep well of common sense, Lamfalussy provides a compact but thorough account of debt and currency crises in the 1980s and 1990s. His proposals for crisis prevention and management are bold without being unrealistic. The Henry L. Stimson Lectures

Customer Reviews:

A Good Read!.......2001-03-15

This slender, surprisingly thorough volume provides an insider's view of four region's storm-tossed financial crises (Latin America, '82, Mexico '94, Asia, '98 and Russia '98). Author Alexandre Lamfalussy, a key figure at the Bank for International Settlements during some of these crises, discusses the history of these events and the problems confronting crisis managers at the time. He lays out the critical background facts of each crisis and draws clear commonalties and contrasts among them. He also offers thoughtful, reasonable prescriptions for avoiding, minimizing and managing future crises. Then, he points out some little-discussed aspects of globalization in the developed world, which contributed to the crises. Though Lamfalussy's style is dense and somewhat academic, his content is worth the work. We at getAbstract recommend this book as valuable reading (and a financial lifejacket) for anyone doing business or investing in an emerging market, for corporate executives working abroad and for public policy makers worldwide.

Financial Crises in Emerging Markets.(Review) (book review): An article from: Finance & Development

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Financial Crises in Emerging Markets.(Review) (book review): An article from: Finance & Development
Vivek Arora
Manufacturer: International Monetary Fund
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Finance & Development, published by International Monetary Fund on June 1, 2001. The length of the article is 815 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Financial Crises in Emerging Markets.(Review) (book review)
Author: Vivek Arora
Publication: Finance & Development (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2001
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Page: 58

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

This classic has helped thousands of pastors, students, laypeople, and Christian counselors develop both a general approach to Christian counseling and a specific response to particular problems.

Customer Reviews:

Mental Biblical Counseling.......2007-09-29

BRAVO!!! Jay E. Adams!!!

Reclaiming Christ Centered Counseling, ie: Nouthetic Counseling.

An Insightful Must Read for all Biblical Counselors Interacting with people who seek their help.

In Christ, Amen.

Helping hurting people .......2007-07-07

Anyone that wants to grasp what nouthetic counseling is should read this book. Adams does a nice job of laying out the book so his readers can comprehend his position. He dedicates the entire 4th chapter to defining, "What is Nouthetic Counseling?" He states, "Nouthetic counseling in its fullest sense, then, is simply an application of the means of sanctification p.73" (I.e. helping others grow in Christ). People often accuse Adams of equating everything to sin, but he clearly makes a distinction between biochemical problems and non-biochemical. If you are an integrationist, Adams work will help you understand the "other side" of the debate. If you are completely a non-integrationist this may be your "pillar text" concerning counseling. Either way, if you are a person trying to help hurting people, this book will help equip you, even if you do not fully agree with Adams approach.

Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling.......2007-03-23

In the beginning there was spiritual friendship, soul care, and spiritual direction dispensed by soul physicians. The Serpent entered and enticed Christians to sell their souls for a mess of secular psychological pottage. Adams charged in exhorting the faithful to faithfully use the Word of God which made every believer competent to counsel.

In the ensuing generation (four decades), thousands of biblical counselors, Christian counselors, and biblical psychologists have continued to call back and equip the Church to fulfill Her calling to speak God's Truth in love. Thus, while Competent to Counsel is not the proverbial be-all and end-all of ancient spiritual care, it was a ground breaking, foundation quaking, theory shaking, and movement making book.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction.

The Classic Work on Christian Counseling.......2007-03-14

This is one of two books that every Christian Counselor must have. (The other book is The Christian Counselor's Manual by Jay Adams.) Competent to Counsel contrasts the various theories of Psychological/Psychiatrict Counseling with Christian Counseling. The conclusion is clear, Christians are more competent to counsel than psychologists and psychiatrists (if you do not believe me read the book). Moreover, the author then provides a Biblical Exposition of Counseling with practical tips and guidance on how to provide sound Biblical Counsel. If you are a pastor or Christian Counselor this book is a must read.

Competent to Counsel.......2007-01-16

An outstanding book for anyone that is in the business or even has an intrest in helping others through the art of biblical counseling.

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Competent to Counsel

Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Theology of Christian Counseling, A
Christian Counselor's Manual, The
Ready to Restore: The Laymans Guide to Christian Counseling
Christian Living in the Home
The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, and Self-Image

ASIN: 0801000475

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Competent to Counsel

Manufacturer: Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1978
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GZB04E

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Competent to Counsel
Jay E. Adams
Manufacturer: Presbyterian And Reformed Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JIJ6H6

Capacitado para orientar: Competent to Counsel

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Capacitado para orientar: Competent to Counsel
Jay E. Adams
Manufacturer: Editorial Portavoz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Devotionals | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0825410002

Book Description

Un enfoque biblico acerca de la orientacion. [The standard manual on biblical counseling.]

The Christian counselor's manual;: The sequel and companion volume to Competent to counsel,

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The Christian counselor's manual;: The sequel and companion volume to Competent to counsel,
Jay Edward Adams
Manufacturer: Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Excellent tips for the layman!
Excellent tips for the layman!

Competent Counsel
Erwin Cherovsky
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Legal System | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Subjects | Books

Legal Systems | Perspectives on Law | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0471577928

Book Description

Contains a wealth of excellent guidance on how to research and evaluate attorneys, keep expenses under control, get the most service for your legal dollars and review your options should things go wrong--from fee disputes and lawyer discipline to suing your attorney. Multiple case study format with different clients, each with a unique set of problems, enable readers to find the most relevant situation in order to track their options and solutions.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent tips for the layman!.......2000-09-05

By means of using several case studies, Erwin Cherovsky clearly explains to non-lawyer types how to hire, retain and fire a lawyer. This book moves quickly and helps you understand different instances for which you need a lawyer in your own life. Its a must read for people who don't know much about the law, but require a lawyer of their own.

Excellent tips for the layman!.......2000-09-05

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Competent Counsel -
Erwin Cherovsky -
Manufacturer: John Wiley and Sons Publishing-
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UMZQOS

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Competent Counsel: Working With Lawyers
Denise Shekerjian
Manufacturer: Dodd Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Consumer Law | Business | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Law Practice | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0396086969

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COMPETENT TO COUNSEL

Manufacturer: PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED PUBL.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HF5NU0

Book Description

This is a study of the development and acquisition of technology by a group of small- and medium-sized rural industries in Sichuan province, China. The enterprises are mainly collective ones, but they are compared with other ownership groups, such as private and state enterprises. Rural industries have received special attention in the development economics literature for two reasons: they are part of industrialization, which constitutes the backbone of the development process, as well as part of the rural economy to which most of the populations of developing countries belong and where many are unable to make a living in agriculture any more. China has attracted attention for its radical rural collectivization policies in the first three decades after the communists came to power, as well as for its more market orientation thereafter and its relatively high growth rates, in particular of its rural industries. Technological change is increasingly being recognized in the economic literature as a pivotal factor of growth and development at the macro level, and of success of enterprises at the micro level. This study analyses technological development and acquisition in small-and medium-scale enterprises in a developing context, in a large Chinese interior province quite similar to many developing countries.

Book Description

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint pathology which primarily affects the older population. The disease is characterized by unique pathological changes in some synovial joints, predominantly affecting the articular cartilage, but also entire joints, including the synovial tissue and subchondral bone. The remarkable growth of research on normal and abnormal biology of tissues in the articulating joint, including the application of novel molecular biological approaches and new imaging techniques, is reflected in this volume. It describes the current state of knowledge and helps to further understand the etiopathology of osteoarthritis, hopefully leading to early detection of the disease and novel treatment modalities. The volume contains contributions and discussions from a select group of investigators, all experts in this field, who met at the conference "The Many Faces of Osteoarthritis", held in June 2001 at Lake Tahoe, to acknowledge Klaus E. Kuettner and his contributions to osteoarthritis...

Book Description

This is the first volume of a two-volume set of critical reviews of many aspects of both asphaltenes and asphalts and their interrelationship. Asphaltene is invariably present in asphalt or bitumen and other fossil fuel-derived liquids such as coal tar, coal liquefaction products, pyrolyzed shale oil from oil shales, source rock extracts and numerous naturally occurring bituminous substances. The latter include asphaltites, asphaltoids, waxes, and carbonaceous deposits containing a composition of petroleum and coal.

The contents cover not only the basic science of asphaltene but also deal with the applications and technology such as upstreams (production, recovery) and down streams (refining, upgrading) of petroleum, and the paving technology and formulation preparation. The main features of the book are: it provides an up-to-date, in-depth review of every aspect of asphaltenes and asphalts; it spans five decades of research and technology of heavy fractions of petroleum; it presents a global view of asphaltene related to exploration production, refining and upgrading.

The book will be welcomed as a valuable reference source for petroleum companies, research institutes, refineries, universities and also by individuals dealing with the production, origin, formation, engineering, conversion and catalysis of heavy oil, tar sands and other bitumens materials.

Book Description

Between 1925 and 1926, the Nobel Laureate gave two sets of lectures at MIT: one on the structure of the atom, the other on the lattice theory of rigid bodies. This volume for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students features the text of both lectures and represents the foundations of quantum theory.

Customer Reviews:

A Classic by one of the Pioneer's of Quantum Theory.......2007-02-25

A very enjoyable read, providing a unique perspective on the early days of QT.

A unique view of the operator formalism of Quantum Mechanics.......2005-07-06

There are two series of lectures in this book: one on crystal lattices and one on quantum mechanics. The crystal-lattice work is of no great interest these days, but the lectures on QM were written just after Born worked with Heisenberg et al. to develop the operator formalism, and shows a unique angle on it. For example, he motivates the need for matrix multiplication by discussing the representation of physical variables in terms of Fourier transform, but where the frequencies are not harmonics of a fundamental frequency, but are instead the differences between energy levels. It's a very different angle from the way it is introduced in text books, and quite fascinating if you're interested in the conceptual development of QM.

Analytical Methods for Problems of Molecular Transport (Fluid Mechanics and Its Applications)

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Analytical Methods for Problems of Molecular Transport (Fluid Mechanics and Its Applications)
I.N. Ivchenko , S.K. Loyalka , and Jr., R.V. Tompson
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Industrial & Technical | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Mechanics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1402058640

Book Description

The Kinetic Theory of Gases has applications in many areas of science and technology as well as in our understandings of many natural processes and phenomena from the nano-scale up to the cosmic-scale. Some of the fields and topics affected include manufacturing, health care, weather, defence, pollution, aerospace science and engineering, and others. In particular, the interactions of rarefied gases with surfaces are of great interest because such interactions can have pronounced effects on the behaviour exhibited by those systems in all of the above fields. Such fundamental things as the transfer of mass, momentum, and energy between the components of a system can be significantly altered by such interactions. Collectively this transfer is typically described in terms of Rarefied Gas Dynamics and Transport Theory which generally go hand-in-hand with the Kinetic Theory of Gases. When this transport involves small particles suspended in a gas such as air, it is typically termed Aerosol Mechanics. Thus, this book should prove to be a very useful tool in virtually all application areas involving the Kinetic Theory of Gases, Rarefied Gas Dynamics, Transport Theory, and Aerosol Mechanics. This book is designed to serve a dual function. It is intended that it be capable of serving as a teaching instrument, either in a classroom environment or independently, for the study of basic analytical methods and mathematical techniques that may be used in the Kinetic Theory of Gases and is primarily suitable for use in graduate level physics and engineering courses on the subject. This book should also prove to be useful as a reference for scientists and engineers working in the fields of Rarefied Gas Dynamics and Aerosol Mechanics. In addition, the material in this book may prove to be of interest to individuals working in such areas as Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or any other applied discipline in which gas-surface interactions can be expected to play a significant role.

Coulomb Interactions in Nuclear and Atomic Few-Body Collisions (Finite Systems and Multiparticle Dynamics)

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Coulomb Interactions in Nuclear and Atomic Few-Body Collisions (Finite Systems and Multiparticle Dynamics)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Nuclear | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Quantum Theory | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This fully illustrated resource examines three-body systems where the Coulomb interaction plays an important role. Contributions focus on nuclear physics and atomic physics-in the low-energy regime-as well as on collision phenomena. Covering experimental and theoretical work, chapters discuss the direct calculation of collision amplitudes using momentum-space integral equations and the screening method for handling Coulomb effects; the coordinate-space wave function analysis; time-dependent methods; the H ^-( e ^- pe ^- ) system; and atomic and molecular three-particle systems.

Few-Body Systems and Multiparticle Dynamics: Crystal City, VA 1987 (AIP Conference Proceedings)

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Few-Body Systems and Multiparticle Dynamics: Crystal City, VA 1987 (AIP Conference Proceedings)

Manufacturer: American Institute of Physics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Folded-diagram Theory of the Effective Interaction in Nuclei, Atoms and Molecules (Lecture Notes in Physics)

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Folded-diagram Theory of the Effective Interaction in Nuclei, Atoms and Molecules (Lecture Notes in Physics)
T.T.S. Kuo , and Eivind Osnes
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

The Genesis of Simulation in Dynamics: Pursuing the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam Problem

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The Genesis of Simulation in Dynamics: Pursuing the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam Problem
Thomas P. Weissert
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Modeling & Simulation | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Mechanics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This book introduces some aspects of the development of the modern theory of dynamics and simulation to a wide audience of scientifically literate readers. Unlike some other general texts on chaos theory and dynamical systems theory, this book follows the work on a specific problem at the very beginning of the modern era of dynamics, from its inception in 1954 through the early 1970s. It discusses such problems as the nonlinear oscillator simulation carried out by Fermi, Pasta and Ulam at Los Alamos in the 1940s, the seminal discoveries by Lorentz at MIT in the early 1950s, the mathematical rediscovery of solitons in the late 1950s and the general problems of computability discussed by Kolmorogov, Arnold and Moser, by Ford, and by many others. In following these developments, one can see the initial development of many of the new and now standard techniques of nonlinear modeling and numerical simulation. No other text focuses so tightly and covers so completely one specific, pernicious problem at the heart of dynamics.

Many-Particle Quantum Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Fragmentation (Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics)

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Many-Particle Quantum Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Fragmentation (Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Nuclear | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Quantum Theory | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3540006672

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive treatment of the interactions of atoms and molecules with charged particles, photons and laser fields. Addressing the subject from a unified viewpoint, the volume reflects our present understanding of many-particle dynamics in rearrangement and fragmentation reactions such as electron capture, target and projectile ionisation, photoabsorption and Compton scattering, collisional breakup in Coulomb systems, and dissociative ionisation. The individual chapters, each written by leading experts, give a concise picture of the advanced experimental and theoretical methods. The book also describes experimental methods such as recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy (RIMS), electron microscopy (REMI), and many-particle time-of-flight and imaging techniques. Theoretical approaches treated include the three-body Coulomb problem, R- and S-matrix as well as classical approaches, close-coupling methods, and density-functional theory.

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PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC DYNAMICS
Max Born
Manufacturer: Frederick Ungar Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 009454350X

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Problems Of Atomic Dynamics
Max Born
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQIRLO

Problems of Atomic Dynamics. Two series of lectures on: I. The structure of the atom (20 lectures) II. The lattice theory of rigid bodies. (10 lectures)

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Problems of Atomic Dynamics. Two series of lectures on: I. The structure of the atom (20 lectures) II. The lattice theory of rigid bodies. (10 lectures)
Max Born
Manufacturer: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LOG7RU

Book Description

Mina lives with her screenwriter husband and works at her best friend Lorene's highly successful concept restaurants, which exploit the often unconscious desires and idiosyncrasies of a rich, chic clientele. Almost inadvertently, Mina has acquired two lovers. And then there are the other men in her life: her father, a washed-up Hollywood director living in a yurt and hiding from his debtors, and her disturbed brother, Michael, whose attempts to connect with her force Mina to consider that she might still have a heart -- if only she could remember where she had left it.

Between her Spiritual Exfoliation and Detoxification therapies and her elaborate devotion to style, Lorene is interested only in charting her own perfection and impending decay. Although supremely confident in a million shallow ways, she, too, starts to fray at the edges.

And there is Lisa, a loving mother who cleans houses, scrapes by, and dreams of food terrorists and child abductors, until even the most innocent events seem to hint at dark possibilities.

Lightning Field explores the language tics of our culture -- the consumerist fetishes, the self-obsession and the þeeting possibility that you just might have gotten it all badly wrong. In funny, cutting, unsentimental prose, Spiotta exposes the contradictions of contemporary lives in which "identity is a collection of references." She writes about overcoming not just despair but ambivalence.

Playful and dire, raw and poetic, Lightning Field introduces a startling new voice in American fiction.

Download Description

The Los Angeles Dana Spiotta evokes in her bold and strangely lyrical first novel is a land of Spirit Gyms and Miracle Miles, a great centerless place where chains of reference get lost, or finally don't matter. Mina lives with her screenwriter husband and works at her best friend Lorene's highly successful concept restaurants, which exploit the often unconscious desires and idiosyncrasies of a rich, chic clientele. Almost inadvertently, Mina has acquired two lovers. And then there are the other men in her life: her father, a washed-up Hollywood director living in a yurt and hiding from his debtors, and her disturbed brother, Michael, whose attempts to connect with her force Mina to consider that she might still have a heart -- if only she could remember where she had left it. Between her Spiritual Exfoliation and Detoxification therapies and her elaborate devotion to style, Lorene is interested only in charting her own perfection and impending decay. Although supremely confident in a million shallow ways, she, too, starts to fray at the edges. Lightning Field explores the language tics of our culture -- the consumerist fetishes, the self-obsession and the fleeting possibility that you just might have gotten it all badly wrong. In funny, cutting, unsentimental prose, Spiotta exposes the contradictions of contemporary lives in which "identity is a collection of references." She writes about overcoming not just despair but ambivalence. Playful and dire, raw and poetic, Lightning Field introduces a startling new voice in American fiction.

Customer Reviews:

Flashes of Brilliance.......2003-03-30

With overtones of old Hollywood glamour and new Hollywood bulimia, the sky of Spiotta's debut novel is often illuminated with lightning sharp observations and thought-provoking dialogue, but the thunder of action and character development are eerily absent. The book keeps the reader at a distance, skipping too quickly among snapshots of the three female characters. The male characters are little more than names.

Lightning Field can be appreciated for its flashes of reflective brilliance, but in the end, Spiotta's scatterplot leaves the reader empty. In a book obsessed with film and set within its glossy capital, the story is ultimately celluloid and too obsessed with the close-up.

MUST READ.......2002-08-26

Life and reality are all relative in the city that never weeps. Los Angeles may lack a soul, but Spiotta gets to the heart of her characters, and she does so with biting humor, honesty, and
irony. Buy this book, it is GREAT reading!

tain-ment.......2002-02-27

a decent, quick read. yes, she has read "white noise" a few times.
two issues:
--the "this is how LA people are" bit got a tired; in a 220 page novel maybe a little less space could be spent on the obvious revelations that they have breast implants, they relate real life to the movies and they eat those "wacky" foods.
--towards the end of the book the author was still giving us back story rather than plot/character pay off.

The Electricity of Lightning Captured.......2001-11-12

Every once in a while I read a book that leaves me changed. Lightning Field is one of those rare books that is so disturbingly refreshing I cannot help but be affected by it. Spiota's style is wonderfully indescribable. While most first time authors weave a story of stolen stylistic interpretations, Spiota's style is all her own. The haunting ending might leave some literary fuddy-duddies asking "Why?" But those of you that are tired of reading the same "written formula" in book after uninventive book will breath a sigh of relief. This book is ground breaking and will leave you thinking...for a long time.

The Ultimate Objective Correlative.......2001-09-06

Dana Spiotta's Lightning Field is an interesting first novel that initially seemed a little disjointed to me, but then I realized that the disjointedness is the whole point. The novel follows three women in contemporary LA. Mina works at Lorene's upscale, super successful restaurants, is having affairs with two men and is perpetually late because she won't ride in cars any more. Lorene has her own issues, trying to find some sort of satisfaction through new age remedies like spiritual exfoliation. Lisa cleans Lorene's house, trying to scrape by and support her five year old twins and survive her marginally successful marriage. Lisa is the only "real" character in the novel, although Mina and Lorene certainly are believable. Their successes and LA have removed them from what is real, from what Lisa's struggles are all about. The disjointedness in the novel only highlights the disjointedness of Mina and Lorene's life. The writing is marvelous in this novel; it's quick-witted and entertaining, while also being thought-provoking. There are many layers in Lightning Field, enjoy discovering them.

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