Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wild Ride: The Rise and Tragic Fall of Calumet Farm Inc., Americas Premier Racing Dynasty by Ann Hagedorn Auerbach - Wild Ride

Using many never-reported facts, award-winning writer Anne Hagedorn Auerbach chronicles the compelling and tragic story behind the downfall of Thoroughbred racings crown jewel.

Wild Ride
Wild Ride: The Rise and Fall of Calumet Farm Inc., America's Premier Racing Dynasty
Any one growing up in Kentucky has heard of Calumet Farms, and I know there are a lot of people like me that are not aware of all that has happened to the farm. Calumet is a big part of Kentucky's history, this book is a must read for any one that loves horses and horse racing

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Fame (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 1) by Karen Kingsbury - Fame

Fame is the first book in the soul-stirring new Firstborn series from Karen Kingsbury. As Dayne Matthews returns to Hollywood after his shocking discovery in Karens best-selling novel Reunion, he faces the dangerous world of fame and paparazzi. Meanwhile, Katy Hart receives the offer of a lifetime--starring opposite Dayne in a Hollywood film. Dayne and Katys choices will change their hearts and lives forever.

Fame

Great book. I read the whole Firstborn Series and loved it. I also
read the Redemption before these and plan on reading the Sunrise
Series. I would recommend them to anyone.

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For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy by Alexander Schmemann - A Modern Day Christian Classic

In For the Life of the World Alexander Schmemann suggests an approach to the world and life within it, which stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church. He understands issues such as secularism and Christian culture from the perspective of the unbroken experience of the Church, as revealed and communicated in her worship, in her liturgy - the sacrament of the world, the sacrament of the Kingdom.

A Modern Day Christian Classic
FTLOTW is one of those books you can't believe you missed reading once you pick it up. This book is on par with CS Lewis' Mere Christianity. Schmemann talks about developing a Christian Worldview through the Sacramental Life. This book is theology, apologetics, devotional, biblical study and history all in one. It is about equal in size to Mere Christianity and is perfect for book groups or personal reading.

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Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6 in 21 Days by Davis Chapman - Very good book...

For the majority of C++ programmers, the pace and style of David Chapmans Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6 in 21 Days will make a good deal of sense. The author covers all the essentials of basic Windows and Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) development, and then addresses several new features in Visual C++ 6, all while moving quickly enough for the busy, working programmer.

Chapmans first section introduces the basic Visual C++ 6 tools, like the AppWizard and ClassWizard, and discusses the essentials of building dialog-based applications using basic Windows controls such as static text, edit, button, and list box controls. Further chapters cover mouse and keyboard basics, timers, menus, and fonts. In short, the first week provides a traditional introduction to Windows and MFC programming without the frills.

The second set of tutorials delves into Graphical Device Interface (GDI) graphics programming, always a challenging topic for new MFC programmers. Then the author moves to using ActiveX controls inside your applications (a real strength of Visual C++, enhanced in the new release). The basics of toolbars, saving and restoring files to MFC applications, and an introduction to Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) programming round out this set of chapters.

The last set of exercises will give the MFC developer some new expertise. First, the author looks at the potential of ActiveX Data Objects (ADOs) for database development and how to build reusable libraries in both static and dynamic targets. Advanced material introduces the basics of networking and the TCP/IP protocol and discusses MFC support for working with the Web.

For readers with a little more time, handy appendices discuss additional topics such as printing, the MFC container and helper classes, and the basics of exception handling and debugging. Clearly, the constraints of the 21-day format have not prevented this author from successfully covering many essential topics in todays MFC programming with a good level of detail. --Richard Dragan

Very good book...
I read through this after being pleased with the Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days book. I learned how to use the Microsoft Visual C++ software, and I use it as a reference regularly. I would recommend this to someone who already has a working knowledge of C++ and who would like to learn how to use the Microsoft Visual Studio/C++ software. Ideas in the book can easily be applied to Microsoft Visual Basic or any of the Microsoft Visual compiler software releases.

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30,000 Years of Art by Editors of Phaidon - I loved it

30,000 YEARS OF ART: THE STORY OF HUMAN CREATIVITY ACROSS TIME AND SPACE is the follow-up to Phaidons phenomenally successful THE ART BOOK. This is an accessible, fun and informative compendium of world art that offers a fresh perspective on the whole of art history, from 28,000 BC to the present day. It debunks art historical classifications and hierarchies by presenting 1,000 masterworks of art in simple chronological order, demonstrating what was being created all over the globe at the same time. Only here can you find the Venus de Milo next to a mural from the Mayan civilization, or Velazquez Las Meninas next to a painting from the Chinese Ming Dynasty, an Indian jade wine cup, a ritual Nepalese plaque, a Korean portrait, and Vermeers Milkmaid. Each work has been chosen for its unique place in the history of art, and as a representative example of the art of its culture. By juxtaposing works of art from different cultures throughout time, this is the first book to offer a balanced appraisal of world art history, revealing the huge diversity of and similarity between mans artistic achievements.

Each entry includes a full-page color image of the work and a concise descriptive text that sets the work in context, explaining its contribution to the development of art and the medium in which it was created. A comprehensive index, illustrated timelines, and a glossary of terms and movements make this book an invaluable reference tool and teaching resource.

I loved it
Each artwork has a whole page for itself. A large coloured photo and some information on it. This book lets you sample artwork throughout the years from all over the world. I say "sample" because it doesn't go too deep into the history or meaning of each piece. Doing so would probably turn it into a mess.

If you want a narrow, in depth analysis of one culture or style, this book would not be what you're looking for. If you want to know what artwork has been made for 30,000 years or you just like beautiful things to look at, then you might like this book.

Plus, its pretty cheap for it's size.

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Dogberts Top Secret Management Handbook by Scott Adams - Truly the way it is

Cartoonist Scott Adams gives us still more corporate belly laughs with a point in Dogberts Management Secrets Revealed, the 10th book based on his wildly popular Dilbert comic strip. Taken this time directly from the word processor of world-class consultant Dogbert, it focuses on critical management responsibilities like keeping up with fads, implementing pointless reorganizations and demanding status reports. Leadership isnt something youre born with, it declares. Its something you learn by reading Dogbert books.

Truly the way it is
Dilbert is funny because of the underlining truth in all that is said. EVERYONE that I have bought this for loves it.

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Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale - Just plain fun :)

A big success in hardcover, this novel by New York Times bestselling author of Princess Academy is sure to find a new and substantial audience in paperback.
Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man—perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

Just plain fun :)
I did not have loads of expectations for this book. I did not think it would be a mind bending read. I thought that it would be well-written being by Shannon Hale and I thought it would be a fun summer read for a Jane Austen fan. I was right. I love this book!

I did not see it as boring, nor did I see the story play out in my head before I read the words, which often happens to me. I completely related to Jane trying to break her search for perfection cycle. She had me smiling and laughing out loud a few times which probably made me look like a loon in the gym. I know my boyfriend was laughing at me. Call me a sap, but after I read it the first time (within 48 hours), I read it all over again.

Normally I pass on the books I like to share with my friends. I could not bare to part with this one and told them to go buy their own, which they did. I am certain I will read this one a few more times because I enjoyed it so much.

If you like Jane Austen, and have the occasional thoughts of your own Mr. Darcy, you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Definitely pick this one to have some fun. It is an easy, quick read, even if you are an extreme multi-tasker dreaming of a simpler time (Mommy/Wife/Career/Life ;)

On a side note, I bought it new from the other options listed on Amazon with my Amazon Prime option. There was a small black mark on the bottom of the book.

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