Warning: Dying may be hazardous to your wealth : how to protect your life savings for yourself and those you love

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Radio Astronomy
John D. Kraus; A Chapter On RadioTelescope
Manufacturer: MCGRAWHILL BOOK COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WSNBPQ

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Quite Useful

an important work, well worth every penny and minute

The Price of Virtue

Radiotelescopes
W. N. Christiansen , and J. A. Hogbom
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality

The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire

Loving Life: The Morality of Self-Interest and the Facts that Support It

Ayn Rand Answers: The Best of Her Q & A

The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics

ASIN: 0521347955

Customer Reviews:

Quite Useful.......2006-11-11

The author sets out to analyze, integrate, and present systematically the whole Objectivist ethics, and she succeeds admirably. This book will be useful to the Objectivist who wants to understand more deeply the logical implications of Miss Rand's rational egoism and consider how to live egoistically. It will also be useful to anyone grappling to understand the Objectivist ethics (e.g. the reader of The Fountainhead who senses Howard Roark's greatness but struggles to reconcile it with selfishness, having subconsciously automatized altruistic premises).

I consider Miss Rand's books as prerequisites to this work, particularly The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and The Virtue of Selfishness (in that order).

The author's writing style, though stilted in places, is generally clear, economical, and unambiguous, and she remains focused throughout, confining her digressions to the footnotes (and even those are typically relevant and interesting).

My principal gripe against this book is its neutral, noncommittal tone. Since it is not merely a restatement of the Objectivist ethics, the author obviously has something to say, i.e., many opinions on the subject. It seems to me ingenuine of her to pretend she has no opinion about the truth or falsehood of Objectivism. One can glean from the text that she probably believes rational egoism to be true.

I did not expect the author to attempt a novel validation of rational egoism, but I also did not expect her to deliberately obscure (though somewhat half-heartedly) her own opinion of its truth or falsehood. To present rational egoism without "bias" would be to say nothing new about it, and Tara Smith has done something better here.

Though she explains, in the introduction, that she is merely presenting the implications of Miss Rand's ethics, and confesses that she is "sympathetic" to it, I cannot see why she did not (consistently) simply write from the point of view of what she actually believes. Her approach seems calculated to appeal to moral subjectivists or multiculturalists, and that is so out of place in a discussion of Objectivism that I found it distracting.

an important work, well worth every penny and minute.......2006-05-27

Noting how recent scholarly work in ethics dances around the edges of seriously grappling with egoism, Dr. Smith offers the invitation: Why not judge ethical egoism by squarely confronting it in its most powerful and consistent form? Thus her comprehensive, systematic presentation of Ayn Rand's ethics. This book is particularly welcome because important elements of Rand's ethical thought are scattered among her novels and various essays, with further illumination sprinkled in her journals, her live Q&A, and reflected in works by her leading and longtime students (primarily Dr. Leonard Peikoff). Smith draws all of this together into a single, clear, carefully organized presentation, judiciously employing comparison and contrast with contemporary academic thought to clarify distinctions and to highlight the novel and powerful aspects of Rand's ideas.

Smith's presentation is masterful, executed with clarity, power, and finesse. Yet it is accessible, and she maintains a warm, reflective style throughout that is grounded in the realities of human life. While following along as Smith unwinds the major virtues Rand identified, what makes them virtues, and what they demand of us in action, you may find that you can't help but consider the implications regarding your own behavior -- the character you are shaping by your everyday choices and actions -- the course you are charting in your own life. This is a solid academic work, but it is also the deepest sort of practical self-help book, implicitly encouraging people to get real and seriously consider what it means to live as a human can and should.

-----

Regarding Steve Jackson's review: Smith was clear about her mission of presenting RAND'S ethical ideas, and doing so certainly doesn't entail a survey of all fully-, semi-, non-, and anti-Objectivist thought regarding Rand's ethics. That would be a different book, and Mr. Jackson denying Smith's achievement here by leading people to confuse her purpose with his own is unjust. Smith took on a worthy and substantive project, and she absolutely knocked the ball out of the park.

The Price of Virtue.......2006-05-24

Prof. Tara Smith follows up her defense of Ayn Rand's metaethics (VIABLE VALUES) with this work devoted to the normative ethics of Objectivism.

Smith starts with an excellent point. There have been versions of egoism throughout history. However, there have been few which are non-predatory and rights-respecting. The most prominent and influential version that kind of egoism is Ayn Rand's. Why not discuss the most consistent version of ethical egoism?

As an exposition of Rand's ethics, this book generally succeeds. Smith references Rand's letters and journals (which have in part been published) as well as her essays and novels. This is a large amount of material to integrate and Smith does it successfully. Her work is certainly of a much higher level than typical Objectivist writings. To give one example, unlike, say, Leonard Peikoff, Smith actually tries to understand what people mean by humility and then critiques the concept intelligently. Another example is honesty. Smith is aware of the standard arguments against Objectivism's instrumentalist opposition to dishonesty. I don't think she successfully answers them, but she doesn't duck problems. I was, however, a bit disappointed with Smith's discussion of charity, since she skirts around certain questions related to helping strangers. Smith doesn't give a clear answer to the question of whether it is morally appropriate to give to people who are victims of natural disasters. She states that optimally it would be best to know if those in need were moral. But if a tsunami struck an area where the victims were predominantly religious, would it be immoral to offer help? Smith's answer is presumably yes, but she doesn't say.

My major complaint with this book is Smith's use of sources. If Smith is of the opinion that Rand's journals and letters are relevant for understanding Rand's ethics, then what about Nathaniel Branden's essays? When Rand broke with Branden in 1968 she stated that Branden's pre-split writings were consistent with Objectivism. She obviously had a high opinion of them since she included several in her work THE VIRTUE OF SELFISHNESS. Certainly these essays, written during the time of Rand's mature philosophy, are of much value in understanding Rand's ethics. Smith's discussion of certain psychological issues related to ethics (such as self esteem) would have been much improved if she had interacted Branden's articles including "The Psychology of Pleasure." Yet Smith doesn't even mention Branden, much less give a reason why she ignores him. Given that Rand did not excise Branden's essays from her books, why does Smith consign them to the Orwellian Memory Hole?

It's particularly disappointing that Smith decided to limit the secondary sources concerning Objectivism almost entirely to authors associated with Leonard Peikoff's Ayn Rand Institute (such as Peikoff, Harry Binswanger and even popularizer Craig Biddle). There are many scholars that Smith overlooks. For example, she doesn't mention Objectivist philosopher David Kelley, even though his book UNRUGGED INDIVIDUALISM is quite relevant to her discussion of benevolence. Likewise there is no mention of Chris Sciabarra, Roderick Long, and Eric Mack, all of whom have written valuable material concerning Rand's ethics. Since Smith considered it appropriate to discuss non-Objectivists such as Philippa Foot and Rosalind Hursthouse, her unwillingness to engage in non-ARI Objectivists and writers influenced by Rand is most curious. I suspect that Smith's decision with respect to sources was influenced by her association with the ARI. (If you do a search of the book you will find that "Peikoff" appears on 143 pages.) Since Kelley and Branden are no longer within the line of apostolic succession, any mention of them is ultra vires.

When Smith departs from her area of expertise, she makes a few mistakes. She asserts that Jesus opposed judging, citing the well-known injunction in Matt. 7:1 ("Judge not that ye be not judged."). She even argues that Catholics who looked the other way regarding pedophile priests were following Jesus' teaching. However, Jesus was likely only opposing self-righteous judgment. Later in Matt., Jesus discusses church discipline and advocates expelling members when appropriate. (Matt. 18:15-17.) The New Testament contains many example of judging, including the exclusion of sexually immoral people from the church. Smith later argues that Jesus urged his followers to sell everything and give to the poor. Jesus told one specific person to sell everything and there is no suggestion that it was a universal commandment.

AYN RAND'S NORMATIVE ETHICS is the most important work to date on Rand's ethics and certainly one of the best works by an Objectivist philosopher. Given its price, I'm disappointed by Smith's decision to exclude authors based not on the quality or relevance of their work, but on their standing with the ARI.

The feasibility of an orbiting 1500-meter radiotelescope (NASA contractor report)

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The feasibility of an orbiting 1500-meter radiotelescope (NASA contractor report)
William M. Robbins
Manufacturer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007HQZZ0

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Radiotelescope with 22-meter reflector
P. D Kalachev
Manufacturer: [s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007HV190

Some preliminary design studies for a very large orbiting radiotelescope, (NASA contractor report, NASA CR-573)

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Some preliminary design studies for a very large orbiting radiotelescope, (NASA contractor report, NASA CR-573)
William Mayor Robbins
Manufacturer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration]; for sale by the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Va
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006BP7WE

Towards a frequency-agile solar radiotelescope

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Towards a frequency-agile solar radiotelescope
T. S Bastian
Manufacturer: Center for Solar Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006QSXKC

Book Description

Safety in industrial process and production plants is a concern of rising importance, especially if people would be endangered by a catastrophic system failure. On the other hand, because the control devices which are now exploited to improve the overall performance of industrial processes include both sophisticated digital system design techniques and complex hardware (input-output sensors, actuators, components and processing units), there is an increased probability of failure. As a direct consequence of this, control systems must include automatic supervision of closed-loop operation to detect and isolate malfunctions as early as possible.

One of the most promising methods for solving this problem is the "analytical redundancy" approach, in which residual signals are obtained. The basic idea consists of using an accurate model of the system to mimic the real process behaviour. If a fault occurs, the residual signal, i.e., the difference between real system and model behaviours, can be used to diagnose and isolate the malfunction.

This book focuses on model identification oriented to the analytical approach of fault diagnosis and identification. The problem is treated in all its aspects covering:

• choice of model structure;

• parameter identification;

• residual generation;

• fault diagnosis and isolation.

Sample case studies are used to demonstrate the application of these techniques.

Model-based Fault Diagnosis in Dynamic Systems Using Identification Techniques will be of interest to researchers in control and fault identification. Industrial control engineers interested in applying the latest methods in fault diagnosis will benefit from the practical examples and case studies.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Trial, published by Association of Trial Lawyers of America on May 1, 1996. The length of the article is 2543 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.

From the supplier: Trial lawyers should make sure to argue damages throughout their cases, but emphasizing damages is particularly important during rebuttal. Rebuttal is the plaintiff's attorney's final chance to make an impact on the jury. Since rebuttal follows the defense's summation, the plaintiff's attorney must be sure to maintain the position established earlier so that the jury does not get the impression that the attorney has been influenced by the defense's argument. Arguing damages may take the form of suggesting calculations, but the attorney may also argue the wrongfulness of the defendant's conduct.

Citation Details
Title: Improving the damages appeal: a few words on having the last word.
Author: Brooke Jackson
Publication: Trial (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 1996
Publisher: Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Volume: 32 Issue: n5 Page: 66(3)

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Cut Throat Business: I Am Having the Last Word

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YET ANOTHER BAD REVIEW
HORRIBLE!!!
loosing time & money
curiousity killed the cat
men and sex, baha humbug,,,

Cut Throat Business: I Am Having the Last Word
C. Bridge
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1410785149

Book Description

So many books are coming out about the porn industry but not one like this, a true story, an autobiography that are not trying to cash in on her last moments of fame, she never had one though she will tell you in a conversational way in the same street wise and gritty way as the industry is what goes on in today's porn Mecca, San Fernando Valley.

You will find out how much the actors/actress are making as of today, how this on the fringe industry can't really make money unless they bootleg one or two competitors products and what will happen if you get caught with the fingers in the cookie jar.

This book also tells about backstabbing bosses, drugs, booze, extortion, and so much more but last of course the sex. This book is written by an editor that turned her back on the industry. There will be revealed how much it costs to make a DVD from shooting the scene to the actual cost of creating the sleeve and duplication; about the different 'legitimate' filmmakers involved, and where blank videos that use to have content of Disney's movies such as "Mulan" and many others come from.

This is a secretive and many times dangerous industry and this book will give a different and 'sober' look into the industry that so many others have written about when they were under the influence, this one is from an unknown editor that slammed the door in their faces by revealing everything.

Customer Reviews:

YET ANOTHER BAD REVIEW.......2005-08-29

I have to join the consesus on this one. This book is strictly amateur hour with its numerous typo-s, awful diction and just plain poor writing. (It should be noted that the author makes indications that English is not her native tongue . . . Duh!) With the book jacket's limited information, you're also likely to assume that this book was written by an adult film actress (Why else would she only give her first initial?!) when in actuality all this women did was edit porn films and design their video/DVD jackets. Needless to say, there is nary any insight to film shoots. (I myself know learned more from merely working as an "extra" on a lark one time.) Between the lines there ar also some hints of Anti-Semitism, followed immediately by the writer denying any sort of racism.

So when it all boils down, what is the author's bold observation about the adult industry -- That everyone is a self-serving, money-grubbing scumbag. This 'shocking' revelation indicates that she must started her new job within minutes of clearing Customs.

Welcome to Los Angeles, Lady -- Where you don't have to be in the porn industry in order to get screwed . . .

I did simply buy purchasing this book.

HORRIBLE!!!.......2005-07-30

What little semblance of a story this poorly written book has revolves around a woman who seemingly can't get along with anyone (her co-workers, her bosses, her business partner, her ex-husband, her boyfriends). In fact, this book has no story. It's simply unconnected rants against all them what's done her wrong (and, boy, there's a lot of `em). And while it's sometimes interesting to watch dirty laundry being aired in public (see reality TV), trust me, you'll have no interest in the "juicy" tidbits she offers (typical example: the stock boy stacks the videos too high in the warehouse). Who cares?! The only connection this has at all to the porn industry (and it's remote one at best) is that she happened to have a low-level job doing post-production for a third-tier video company. She may as well have worked at the DMV for all the information and insight you'll get on the industry from this book. Some good insight or scandal might have saved this book. But she has nothing to say and no writing skills to say it.

loosing time & money.......2005-07-10

You can save your money on this one.
Basically, here's the story of a woman who gets a job as an editor and has trouble with her boss, who's far from being a role model. But the fact is that she criticizes the business when she even tries to get in it as an independant producer.
This book is her revenge. But don't expect any juicy gossips or pornstars/backstage descriptions or any kind of pop-cultural reflection.
Not even entertainment you'll find.
You'll start reading it. you'll be passing pages expecting something to happen. it never happens. Book ends. bad luck. money is gone.

curiousity killed the cat.......2005-04-13

Ok, so people have opinions, we all know that sex sells, secrets sells and men love them both that is why they picked up this book, which they thought would be a book full with add on verbal explicit fantasies.
The author describes how she ended up in the industry, what kind of people that works in the industry, how their mindset, how this 'industry' is none like any other, how payroll seem to be the last thing on the list of important things to have settled before the week is ended, a sheer shoe string budget is what the book tells. It tells about team work at the work place with so many words no team work, about corrupt owners, lies, deceit, a bootleg trial, revenge among things. This book is the authors last word, that is the truth.
Anyone that claims that the books is garbage must be a player of the insutry, male as well as female.
It is not a book filled with pictures, it is a sarcasticly written, it is a book written in a conversational way.

men and sex, baha humbug,,,.......2005-04-11

Men most be the most stupid creature of all creatures. Randy and full of it.
This woman got her last word, she did! By saying what she had to say, now, you can't all like what people say but do you think she cares what porn reviewer thinks? When they read about what she got to say, it ruins every little inch of reality men has about porn. Sorry, guys, you are rear ended Michael Jackson style. Not only that but you pay big bucks for a complete set up sex scene, in reality it costs the manufacturer a lousy percentage of what it retails for. Sure no wonder you don't to hear what the writer have to say. To the readers that wants to get into this industry it is a let down, yes you are not making any big bucks, it is what the author say, " a one-way street going in the wrong direction".
If you want to read what goes on for the regular joe in the industry this book will do fine, so fine that you might scrap any plans of wanting to even remotely think of going into the adult industry.

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Having the last word
Paul E Jones
Manufacturer: P.E. Jones
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006RJDBE

Having the last word: Plot and counterplot in Bernard Shaw

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Having the last word: Plot and counterplot in Bernard Shaw
J. L Wisenthal
Manufacturer: s.n
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007AZ3CS

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The Memoirs Of Chief Justice Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Manufacturer: Doubleday & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HZ91BM

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The Memoirs of Chief Justice Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQI558

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The Memoirs of Chief Justice Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Manufacturer: Madison Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Chief Justice: A Biography of Earl Warren

Earl Warren: A Public Life

Justice for All: Earl Warren and the Nation He Made

ASIN: 1568332343

Book Description

This autobiography is required reading for anyone wishing to understand one of the most controversial Chief Justices in Supreme Court history.

Earl Warren: Chief justice of the United States : a personal memoir

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Earl Warren: Chief justice of the United States : a personal memoir
Francis J Weber
Manufacturer: Junipero Serra Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006RKHZK

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