(190 pages)

What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars by: Jim Paul, Brendan Moynihan publisher: Infrared Press released: 1994-06 ISBN: 0963579495 $28.95

This is the best book out there to explain why we do what we do to lose money in the market and what we should change to avoid it. It's an easy and fun read, and the author provided tremendous focus and clarity to get his point cross.

It helps me to see exactly why my own mentor, a successful trader with net worth over $100 million, made his trading rules as they are, which are based on almost exactly the same principle as expressed in the book. The book would have saved me tens of thousands dollars trading loss if I had read it earlier.

I would personally consider this book much more valuable than Elder's and Mark Douglas' books on trading psychology simply because it provided concise, clear, and practical steps to confront and resolve the root cause of our trading losses. I also find it intriguring and invaluable that we can apply the principles discussed in the book to other human endeavors beyond trading the markets. What a great job these two authors did! Thank you both from bottom of my heart!

I'm a self taught investor/trader (arent we all) so I've collected my share of books. But this one by Jim Paul/Brendan Moynihan is the most unique book I have ever read so far. It's the only book which correctly points out that trading and investing are personal journeys; about finding out who are you, and then how to manage what you find out. Until you do, one can never be consistently successful at this game. This is largely why the public can never make a career out of trading. It never dawns on them that it's all about soul searching and then applying your strengths while controlling your weaknesses. Everyone is different; which is why there are infinite ways to make a profit. There are no "secrets" to trading. It never dawns on them that investing seminars are utterly useless. It never dawns on them that you don't have to watch CNBC either.

The book is basically two sections. Jim describes his life stories in the first part, then Brendan writes about the psychology of it all in the second part. Copies of this book are relatively pricey given the rarity. Wait until several sellers show up to take advantage of price competition. Good luck trying to find it in public libraries. This book is worth every dollar I spent to read it. It's one of those that you'd want to reread once a year so you never forget the correct way to approach the markets. The earlier in your career you get a chance to read this book, the better off you'll be.

This book was recommended to me by another trader. I'm glad I picked it up. There are enough books out there that tell us how they make money...but too few tell us how to avoid losing it. This book is a must read! All the mistakes that we as traders make are outlined, explained, and amusingly told in this book that I fear too few traders have read.

The book makes you feel that you could have travelled the same road as the author which brings it home all the more powerfully.

The lessons are not just conceptual or psycho-babble. These are applicable lessons that you can use in your own trading as soon as you put down the book. The approach and an awareness that this book gives you helps you understand you do the things you do.

Again, this is not an outline of how to trade. These are important lessons about how we accept a trading loss, how to analyze losing trades, and finally how each of us can be tempted to rationalize losses.

A great book!

The title of this review is a chapter in Jim's book. I bought this book after Jim passed away on September 11, 2001 in 1 World Trade Center. He told us about this book in 1997, and I was so glad it was still in print. It is an excellent book, and it is written by an extraordinary individual. When I met Jim I could tell he was amazing, and his personality comes through in this work, which is part autobiography and part trading treatise. Jim's rise and fall and subsequent rise again makes for an incredible story, and his insight into the markets are superb. Even if you are not interested in the market, this book is worth purchasing just to learn more about Jim's amazing life story. Jim is candid, funny and dynamic in this work. I wish the world had more people like Jim Paul and more books like "What I learned While Losing a Million Dollars."

An alternative title to this book could be, "What I learned losing my ego."

After describing a meteoric rise to the top of the Chicago food chain, Jim Paul essentially boils down the secret of his success to being a cocky punk with an exceptional lucky streak that had to run out.

I think he gives himself less credit than he deserves in ascribing all his early success to luck--it takes confidence and selling ability to take advantage of the "lucky breaks" he got--but that is beside the point. His main message is that success fed his ego until he felt that winning was his birthright. He thought he could do no wrong, which led to inevitable downfall.

One small quibble. The ironic thing about Paul's stories of loss are that he was 99% there most of the time. If he hadn't have let the bean oil get back to zero, he could have walked away with at least a couple hundred grand in profits... if he hadn't let the stock options purchased for an eighth (or whatever it was) go to zero after seeing them hit $4, he could have had six figures in profit there again, etcetera.... I got the impression that even the big downfalls in this book were actually success stories with "oops" endings tacked on.

In this light, I didn't really understand the blurbs on the back talking about how Jim Paul shows you the perils of the trading game. What perils? The perils of not taking a huge, monster profit when it is sitting in front of your face?

This is why I have to think the book will probably just reinforce the ideas that readers already have when they pick it up. Someone with a big ego and a small mind could easily think in the back of his mind, "Nice story, Jim... good thing I won't make the same mistakes you made. Because while you just thought you were the man, I actually AM the man, heh heh..." But then again this isn't much of a criticism. I mean, who can reach those types anyway?

The last half of the book reads almost like someone else wrote it, and has some very good points. I liked the way he took comments from a bunch of the "pros" (traders who have won big and kept their winnings) and juxtaposed their ideas, to show how successful traders' thought processes are sometimes totally different and often contradict each other.

It really hammers home the point that there are multiple paths up the profit mountain, and that discipline and defense are often the only truly common elements among a broad universe of strategies. I also thought the book made a really great point about odds--hat the reward to risk ratio on a trade has nothing to do with actual probability of success for that trade.

An entertaining book worth a weekend read.

(396 pages)

Designing Embedded Hardware by: John Catsoulis publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc. released: 2005-05-16 ISBN: 0596007558 $38.60

Embedded computer systems literally surround us: they're in our cell phones, PDAs, cars, TVs, refrigerators, heating systems, and more. In fact, embedded systems are one of the most rapidly growing segments of the computer industry today. Along with the growing list of devices for which embedded computer systems are appropriate, interest is growing among programmers, hobbyists, and engineers of all types in how to design and build devices of their own. Furthermore, the knowledge offered by this book into the fundamentals of these computer systems can benefit anyone who has to evaluate and apply the systems. The second edition of Designing Embedded Hardware has been updated to include information on the latest generation of processors and microcontrollers, including the new MAXQ processor. If you're new to this and don't know what a MAXQ is, don't worry--the book spells out the basics of embedded design for beginners while providing material useful for advanced systems designers. Designing Embedded Hardware steers a course between those books dedicated to writing code for particular microprocessors, and those that stress the philosophy of embedded system design without providing any practical information. Having designed 40 embedded computer systems of his own, author John Catsoulis brings a wealth of real-world experience to show readers how to design and create entirely new embedded devices and computerized gadgets, as well as how to customize and extend off-the-shelf systems. Loaded with real examples, this book also provides a roadmap to the pitfalls and traps to avoid. Designing Embedded Hardware includes:

• The theory and practice of embedded systems
• Understanding schematics and data sheets
• Powering an embedded system
• Producing and debugging an embedded system
• Processors such as the PIC, Atmel AVR, and Motorola 68000-series
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) architectures
• Protocols (SPI and I2C) used to add peripherals
• RS-232C, RS-422, infrared communication, and USB
• CAN and Ethernet networking
• Pulse Width Monitoring and motor control

All of the topics could be easily found by a google search in much more details. The only good point after reading this book : a beginner knows how to pick from the smorgasbord of the Net.

Pretty useless for Engineers, even beginner Engineers already in the trade. And the book is not cheap !

I am a Firmware Engineer currently but have a degree in Electrical Engineering so I felt this book would help me relate my Electrical experience to the Firmware world. I was disappointed when I realized how basic this book was. They dedicate a full chapter to basic voltage, resister, capacitor, etc concepts. Even with no on the job experience outside of school I found almost nothing that I did not already know. It is good for people who need to learn the basics but if you have any computer architecture experience or electrical engineering experience then this book is not for you.

This is a practical introduction to embedded hardware, so to write software for the hardware presented in this book, you will need to consult other books. This book is only an introduction and if you want to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of hardware design, further study is required. In the first part of the book the author gives an introduction to computer architecture and describes the components that you find in a PC. The author goes on to explain basic electronics, just enough to understand the explanations about the electronic components. There are the basic equations to calculate voltage and current. The functionality of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and crystals is explained. There is advice on how you can build or have built your own integrated circuit board. Some simple microprocessors and micro controllers are described including the currently available and commonly used PIC and AVR micro controllers, the 68000-series microprocessor and a DSP based controller. The functionality of the components is described and it is shown how the component can be used with a few other basic components to exercise a minimum of functionality. The book also covers useful topics like the protocols SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and I2C, Inter Integrated Circuit, which show how components can communicate with each other or the outside world. Various serial port and network protocols are discussed like RS232C and USB. Chapter 13 was particularly interesting, covering analog to digital conversion and applications. For example, the book explains how to use an amplifier to connect a digital circuit to a temperature or light sensor, or a motor control. The one thing I did not like about the book was the dedication of an entire chapter to the ancient language of Forth. This space might have been better spent on expanding the book's discussion of assembly language or the more timely topic of embedded networks.
This book might be too elementary for practicing engineers, particularly if they are already familiar with the devices commonly used in embedded circuits. However, for those engineers that have been writing software since they graduated, this book is a good fast-paced introduction to the hardware commonly found in embedded systems. A good follow-on to this book is "Programming Embedded Systems with C and C++" by the same publisher.

This is a great beginners book from basic electronics up to developing for specific chips. I've been an application developer for years and I've been looking to make the switch to lower level programming. This book will definitely get you started and even walk you through the design of the beginners microprocessors (PIC & AVR).
As mentioned above, it should have "beginner" in the title.

This book aims at a very wide domain - embedded hardware/software. While most of the books out there on the market are concerned with design patterns, agile techniques and heavy methodologies for big projects, the largest software market is actually the embedded, with most processors manufactured, and most software written.

The author is an experienced embedded engineer and has knowledge both in hardware and software - it's the connecting line between these two that is the main subject of the book. Quite well written, many topics are covered - Electronics 101 (though not really on a beginner level - it runs too fast for that), some software - assembly language of various processors, microcontroller architectures, digital design and even soldering / breadboard creation.
It looks to be possible to build a small embedded computer just from the directions given in this book - which is very nice, and gives practical-headed readers something to play with. The author clearly enjoys what he's doing and it shows through his writing - this is a nice motivational boost, embedded design is indeed very interesting.

The crowd to enjoy the book the most will be people with some experience in either software or hardware (or both), who want to get into the exciting embedded field, or just bright and curious amateurs who want to build that heat-sensing remote control for their bathroom tub.

Some downsides of the book: the chapter on Forth is dubious. (Forth ??? Gimme a break...) The Electronics tutorial is just too fast. I doubt that people without any EE background will really understand it. For a beginner's book, there's too much options given in the processors chapters (about 4) - beginners like few options that are well explained. So a suggestion to the author for the next edition - drop Forth, drop a couple of processors, spend more time on electronics basics instead, and you'll have a truly great book.

(288 pages)

David Buschs Digital Infrared Pro Secrets by: David D. Busch publisher: Course Technology PTR released: 2007-04-12 ISBN: 1598633554 $26.39

Infrared photography can provide unique and flattering portraits, eye-catching close-ups of flowers, travel photographs unlike any you've ever seen before, and, if you know a few tricks, a new perspective on sports photography. You may have seen infrared photos without even being aware that they are infrared images! This full-color, hands-on book includes numerous do-it-yourself tutorials that show you how to convert your existing camera for IR use. You'll learn how to take infrared photos with both snapshot cameras and digital SLRs using a full range of shutter speeds and lens openings. You don't need a costly IR filter - you'll learn how to make your own! You'll be amazed to learn that many cameras, including dSLRs and consumer cameras like Canon PowerShot and Nikon CoolPix models, can be converted to shoot infrared photos full-time. Digital Infrared Pro Secrets will help you blow the lid off of IR photography!

This book is great. The information provided will help anyone that is thinking about trying infrared photography. Digital cameras make the process so much easier without the hassle of trying to find a pro lab that will develop infrared film. This was a good purchase and I intend to get lots of use out of it.

I picked up this book after already being really interested in IR photography, or as David corrects, is near IR photography.

He shows you how you can convert your camera, but also recommends LifePixel for conversion, which I had done. He does not steer you wrong there with that suggestion. I do have some sample images on my blog at [...]

David gives you several ideas for dIR photography and more than just typical IR subjects as well. This is a definate keeper.

Actually, as the author points out in several places in this book, digital infrared photography is exclusively near infrared (NIR)photography, and should not be confused with heat/thermal photography, which, as Busch says, is something else entirely.

Indeed, the technical accuracy and depth of coverage are one of the strengths of this book. It explains the process of IR photography in enough detail that even those new to this type of shooting will be comfortable with the technical demands, which, after you've read the book, aren't that complicated at all.

There are two other aspects that I particularly enjoyed. First, unlike most other books in IR photography, this one doesn't deal exclusively with landscape photography. Instead, the author invites you to explore architectural photography, close-ups, even sports (!) and other varied subject matter. If you thought of IR photography as a quirky special effect, you'll discover that it's a genre of its own.

Second, the do-it-yourself parts of this book are commendable. The author shows you how to build an auxiliary viewfinder from parts salvaged from a single-use film camera, how to make your own IR filter on the cheap, and how to convert your own camera to full time infrared shooting. There are even step-by-step illustrated instructions for converting a popular camera model.

None of the other IR books I've read touch on all the topics found here. This is highly recommended.

Infrared light is close in the spectrum to heat. As a result, cold things like trees and water dramatically change their appearance. And the warm skin of people put out a more intense image. Again because of the heat effect, skin blemishes such as acne tend to disappear. This may offer some distinct advantages in photographing young people. Likewise the somewhat strange effect produced by infrared photography may have effects that appeal in industrial or commercial shoots.

While there are a lot of books on taking, using, processing infrared pictures, in this book that only takes up about half the content of the book. The most interesting half is on getting yourself an infrared camera. At the minimal end of the game there's building yourself a filter that can be put on the front of a camera. Or, you might consider that some cameras are easy to convert to infrared photography only. He gives a list (many of these are under $100 on eBay that can be professionally or perhaps even converted by you.

(388 pages)

Molecular Vibrations: The Theory of Infrared and Raman Vibrational Spectra by: Edgar Bright Wilson, J.C. Decius, Paul C. Cross publisher: Dover Publications released: 1980-03-01 ISBN: 048663941X $11.53

This is a classical book on the subject of molecular vibrations. People interested in molecular spectroscopy or Quantum Chemistry should read it. Excellent book!

It is probably the best book about molecular vibrations, cited in many other books.
It treats complex arguments with rigour but at the same time it is able to explain them clearly.

In this one, Wilson writes definitively, math/scientifically, and with sincerity of purpose. Don't get confused by the word 'theory.' There's as much math in here as Born and Wolf's P of O. The only diffenrence is Wilson's is much more algebra-based. The mathematics (i.e. isomorphs) is 'taught', without breaking the flow, and is not assumed that you know the stuff already--- or can find it somewhere else. This book stands out because there is more science in here than names of scientists, and his references are for real. I would also say it was unique because books with titles like 'Molecular Vibrations' are usually skipped over for titles like 'mechanics' or 'quantum theory.' Spectroscopy was a major advancement in science, and it is good to see it skillfully treated with enlightening clarity.

This is the original work by E.B.Wilson where the G and F matrix formalism is presented. The G matrix, related to kinetic vibrational energy is built uppon the elements of the B matrix defined from "internal coordinates". Many quantum chemistry software packages use this exact methodology to build normal coordinates. For those working on Quantum Chem Molecular Orbital calculations, this book is a must.

Reissue of original, which was published in 1955, in the pre-computer age. Solid QM description of vibrating polyatomic molecules, and their interaction with EM radiation. The authors exploit group theory (molecular symmetry) to reduce the calculational work as much as possible. Good introduction to the use of finite groups, e.g. how to exploit the hexagonal symmetry of the benzene molecule.

(436 pages)

Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide (Exam PW0-050) by: Tom Carpenter, Planet3 Wireless publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media released: 2006-06-20 ISBN: 0072263423 $37.79

Get official exam preparation for the all-new Wireless# Exam PWO-050

Authorized by the exam developers at the CWNP program, this study guide thoroughly covers all the topics on the entry-level Wireless# certification exam. Work at your own pace through a system of lessons, scenarios, and review questions to learn the material quickly and easily.

Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide will help you prepare for the exam as well as learn the basics of many wireless technologies. You'll learn, step-by-step, how to implement, troubleshoot and maintain small and medium-sized wireless networks. Get the only official study guide authorized by the creators of the Wireless# exam and get started in a career in wireless IT.

Maximize your performance on the exam by learning:

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WiMAX, ZigBee, Infrared, RFID, and VoWLAN
• Wireless hardware, software, and installation
• Wireless security, applications, and support
• Wireless organizations, standards, and protocols
• Radio frequency (RF) technologies

Complete Exam Coverage

• Comprehensive details on all Wireless# exam objectives
• Review questions modeled after the real exam
• Helpful chapter summaries and key term lists
• Vendor-neutral coverage of wireless technologies and equipment

This book is an excellent starting point for those new to the wireless community, as well as those technology managers who include wireless products or services in their portfolio.

The book is written in clear, easy to understand language and has no shortage of real-world examples designed to convey critical concepts. The tips given in the book, which focus on specific exam material, are plentiful yet not overwhelming.

My only recommendations for improvement include improvements to diagrams and charts, and more exam practice questions - maybe on a CD or something?

I highly recommend this product, as it's an excellent resource given the price point.

I am currently still reading this book, and I am planning on getting my certification. The book is written in a very concise, clear and easy to understand manner. Everything is explained with clear examples: every concept explained is easily grasped, and the details fall nicely into place. This is by far the best written manual/study guide I have seen on the subject.

This is a good book. The book provides an excellent overview of all of the technologies on the Wireless# exam it also serves as an excellent reference guide. I passed the Wireless# exam using this book and I have frequently returned to this text follow reference material during the course of my work.

This is a well written book, it held my interest though the whole book I never had to force myself to read like some tech books. It not only helped me pass my wireless# exam but I believe that it helped me pass my Network+ exam also.

I took the Wireless# exam today and passed after using this excellent book. The book is extremely well written and easy to follow. Even if you already know Wi-Fi pretty well, chances are you might not know a lot about all the other wireless standards out there. As a previous reviewer said, this book gives you a nice broad introduction to all the major wireless technologies currently in use. The information is highly current as the book just came out this year. I recommend taking the exam, as preparing for that will ensure that you have a good grasp of the contents of this book. Even if you are already a CWNA, it's still worth reading this book. Be warned though that the exam expects you to have thorough knowledge of all the standards described in the book including relevant frequencies, ranges, etc. I recommend the practice tests on the CWNP site if you intend to take the exam. In short I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to get a grasp of all things wireless.

(160 pages)

Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography (A Lark Photography Book) by: Joe Farace publisher: Lark Books released: 2006-10-28 ISBN: 1579907725 $16.47

Infrared photographers are in their own creative league. Read this book, check out Joe's images, read his words, and you'll see why Joe is one of the top IR photographers around - any why he is the technical director of The League of Creative Infrared Photographers. I've been a photographer for about 30 years, and yet I still continue to learn and grow, thanks to books like Joe's. - Rick Sammon, Founder, The League of Creative Infrared Photographers.

This is a good basic introduction to infrared photography, with beautiful photos. However, it concentrates on landscape photography (as you might expect) and a lot of the text in this 160-page book deals with post-processing techniques.

A newer and much more comprehensive book is David Busch's Digital Infrared Pro Secrets,which explores the topic in a more wide-ranging and in-depth manner. For example, Busch's book shows you how to convert your own camera to infrared photography, how to make your own inexpensive IR filter, and how to build a viewfinder that by-passes the IR "blackout." In addition to landscape photography, that book has techniques for shooting architecture, portraits, sports, and other unconventional subjects.

Serious photographers should probably have both books. Farace's is a good guide to infrared fine art landscapes, while Busch's book is perfect for someone who intends to get serious about IR photography.

If you need or want to know anything about digital Infrared Photography
this is the book to get it was exactly what I need to get started.

Most of the information in this book is available for free on the internet. Filter information, how to properly expose and focus a shot, etc. is all basic and common sense. The most disappointing part of the book was the post processing. Almost all of the post-processing instructions describe how to use Photoshop PLUG-INS that the reader may not have. Each of the plug-ins mentioned will cost you between $50 - $200 and even if you already have them the instructions are so basic you never get a feel for what you are doing or why.

If you don't have access to the internet and are a complete newbie to IR Photography this book would be OK, which is why I am giving it 2 stars.

As a photographer for the last 38 years in both digital and film, I have kept up with the most recent trends of the trade. This book is self explanatory and copiously illustrated by the author's work and his directions to his readers to seek out other photographers more capable in the art of Infrared Digital Photography was a plus as well!

With three art degrees and aa a retired illustrator from Boeing Airplane Co., my camera is an extension of my talent base and not an after thought. With all this going for me, I have sought out information to make greater leaps in my phtotgraphic art.

I highly recommended this book because the Author does not toot his own horn, but rather shows by example how the process of great infrared images is best accomplished with cameras that are infrared sensative and those that are not. His stepwise "Scope and Sequence approach" with Photoshop or what have you, in the before to after production of great photos is superbe!

I highly recommend this book for anybody looking for the nuts and bolts of how to better his/hers own abilities in not only digital natural light photos but the Infrared side of this art as well!

(128 pages)

Digital Infrared Photography: Professional Techniques and Images by: Patrick Rice publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. released: 2004-11-01 ISBN: 1584281448 $19.77

While this book is full of great photographs, there is little practical information which will help the aspiring digital infrared photographer achieve similar results. More of an advertising portfolio, in my humble opinion.

ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS TO DATE. PATRICK REALLY HAS THE KNOWLEDGE ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DREAMLIKE PHOTGRAPHY. I HAVE LEARNED ALOT OF USEFUL INFORMATION FROM THIS BOOK AND EVEN BOUGHT A MODIFIED COOLPIX TO SHOOT INFRARED ON 4 MYSELF.

This book is a great book to get alongside "The Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography". Both books compliment each other. The book is full of great Ideas and information.

There are not many options for those of us interested in infrared photography. Found much invaluable reference material. Also purchased Complete Guide to Digital Infrared Photography by Joe Farace which made a good companion book.

Digital Infrared Photography by Patrick Rice is a good overview on the topic, but if you ware wanting an in depth understanding of infrared photography, you are going to have to buy more than this book. As a new eye to the art of infrared photography this book provided me with just enough answers to get started with my camera (though I was disappointed with the lack of discussion on DSLRs)and a good outline to head towards the web to find more information. This is not a book I regret having in my library.

(529 pages)

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (Chemical Analysis: A Series of Monographs on Analytical Chemistry and Its Applications) by: Peter R. Griffiths, James A. De Haseth publisher: Wiley-Interscience released: 2007-04-25 ISBN: 0471194042 $99.20

A bestselling classic reference, now expanded and updated to cover the latest instrumentation, methods, and applications

The Second Edition of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry brings this core reference up to date on the uses of FT-IR spectrometers today. The book starts with an in-depth description of the theory and current instrumentation of FT-IR spectrometry, with full chapters devoted to signal-to-noise ratio and photometric accuracy. Many diverse types of sampling techniques and data processing routines, most of which can be performed on even the less expensive instruments, are then described. Extensively updated, the Second Edition:

• Discusses improvements in optical components

• Features a full chapter on FT Raman Spectrometry

• Contains new chapters that focus on different ways of measuring spectra by FT-IR spectrometry, including fourteen chapters on such techniques as microspectroscopy, internal and external reflection, and emission and photoacoustic spectrometry

• Includes a new chapter introducing the theory of vibrational spectrometry

• Organizes material according to sampling techniques

Designed to help practitioners using FT-IR capitalize on the plethora of techniques for modern FT-IR spectrometry and plan their experimental procedures correctly, this is a practical, hands-on reference for chemists and analysts. It's also a great resource for students who need to understand the theory, instrumentation, and applications of FT-IR.

This is a great reference for anyone designing or using FTIR instruments. This book is really intended for the advanced users and is worth the price. The only major drawback is that it is getting a little dated.

The book is really geared to the chemist, however, additional material on alignment techniques and a more complete and jointed discussion on design trade-offs and instrument characterization would make it much more useful to other users.

Bottom line: It is still a great reference

This book is the Bible of FTIR, written by the twin gods of FTIR, Griffiths and DeHaseth. It contains as complete an introduction to the theory and practice of this field as is available. Anyone who wants a detailed understanding of this field, and in particular how FTIRs work, should own this book. However...there are 2 reasons why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5.

1. The book is written at a rather advanced level, and is full of mathematics. For doctorate level scientists and engineers this is fine, but it blows away anyone without the appropriate math and science background. As a result, beginners to the field are often times frustrated with this book. The book is more approriate for instrument designers and lab managers than it is for the average technician running spectra.

2. The book was written in 1986, and parts of it are terribly outdated. Not surprisingly, discussions of specific computers, software, and instruments were outdated years ago. Things that the book predicts will happen, have long ago come to pass. Certain important new developments, such as IR Microscopy, FT-Raman, and new applications of Step Scanning, are totally missing. Come on guys...its time for a new edition.

LASER COMMAND ADVANCE TEAM PLAYSET by: Peter R. Griffiths, James A. De Haseth publisher: Jasman Enterprise $27.99

The Laser Command combat set is infrared target play at its finest! This deluxe set features enough infrared game equipment to outfit two combatants. The set features electronic laser and hit sounds, light up and audio scoring, plus pulsating light and audio targeting. The pistols fire an invisible beam over 120 feet and the chest sensors include adjustable straps. Requires 10 "AA" batteries (not included).

My kids have fun with this toy but it would be better if it didn't constantly make a pinging sound so that they could be stealthier and sneak up on each other. Plus, the pinging makes it really annoying if played indoors.
Holly

I tried to research laser tag guns a little before I bought this one. Got it for my 8 y.o. for Christmas and got another for his neighbor friends so they could all play together. They love it, however, when they are in the house the constant beeping is a little annoying. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase and the kids love it.

(108 pages)

Infrared Photography Handbook by: Laurie White publisher: Amherst released: 1995-11 ISBN: 0936262389 $26.96

The author provides complete, detailed information on basic and advanced techniques including exposure guidelines, identification of light sources, use of filters, composition, design and many tips and tricks to make the most of this unique and dreamlike process. The 128-page, 8.5-by-11 paperback contains graphs, charts, chemical formulas and useful technical information on infrared films and processes.

Ms. White's book is seen as the bible of infrared film use in the infrared community. Her textbook gives a very, very thorough explanation of the material. While this may be too technical for some, I found it to be perfect. This is a great book!

I have bracked my way through $$ rolls and gotten a good photo by accident. Laurie dosen't tell you how to do it. After all who can? ( I've read every book I can find) She tells you the details you need to figure out how to start. I am going out to shoot ghost towns in the desert soon. I have some idea how to get started. I especially liked her pics comparing regular B&W and IR with different filters. I can be bold now.
I thank Laurie

Masquerading as a text on correctly using infrared, I found this book very poorly written, loaded with errors and containing amatuerish photographs. I felt ripped off. I will look for better written books on the subject. If I could have looked the book over ahead of time, I never would have purchased it.

As an avid fine-art-infrared-landscape photographer I have found Laurie White's book to be the best source if information available on the subject, and I have read just about everything ever written about it. When I found out that she had written a 2nd book I jumped to get it right away. Should I ever write my own book on this subject, her works will be an invalueable source of reference for me.

This book does more to disuade people from using infrared as another medium.Overly technical, complicates matters involving infrared film, which is not all that difficult to use. Also has factual errors and no info on flash photography with infrared.There are better, more comprehensive books on infrared that detail just how easy it can be to use this wonderful film, without complicating and contradictory information.Poor quality reproductions and uninteresting images too.Steer clear of this book!