The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War: The Soldiers, Generals, Weapons, and Battles of the Civil War

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Full-color comprehensive reference to the soldiers, generals, weapons, and battles of the both the North and South by a noted Civil War historian.

Civil War Generals: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (American Civil War)

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Incomplete, inadequate and erroneous

Civil War Generals: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (American Civil War)
Civil War Society
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0517202883
Release Date: 1999-07-20

Book Description

A fully illustrated, incisive A-to-Z compilation of biographical and historical essays on every significant military leader of the Civil War-Union and Confederate-with authoritative text prepared by the Civil War Society. Includes archival illustrations and photographs throughout.

Customer Reviews:

Incomplete, inadequate and erroneous.......2000-02-17

A book on Civil War generals that doesn't include Pat Cleburne? John Bell Hood (b.1831-d.1879) said in the book to have died "four years" after the war? An "encyclopedia" on individuals that frequently ommits places and dates of births and deaths? The Civil War Society, author of this book, should be embarrased.

Historical times illustrated encyclopedia of the Civil War

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Must Have Reference
Best General Civil War Reference

Historical times illustrated encyclopedia of the Civil War

Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0061812617

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Must Have Reference.......2005-04-01

This is a great volume for either the casual or serious student of the War Between the States. I first saw this book at the Jefferson Davis State Park in Fairview, KY. The Park Manager uses it to answer the many and varied questions presented to him on a daily basis. By the way, if you have a chance to visit this park, do so!

Best General Civil War Reference.......2003-04-16

This is the best single-volume general reference work I have used on the American Civil War. It is comprehensive, accurate, balanced, readable, and well-illustrated. The articles are well-written and make for enjoyable browsing. I find it much more useful than Boatner's Civil War Dictionary (which is unbalanced in favor of Union topics and viewpoints).

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War: The Soldiers, Generals, Weapons and Battles

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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War: The Soldiers, Generals, Weapons and Battles
William C. Davis
Manufacturer: Salamander
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Photojournalism | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1840653078

Book Description

Take a rare view of Civil War memorabilia through the eyes of the photographers and artists who were there. This comprehensive collection features over 440 full-color and black and white original photographs, drawings, lithographs, and specially commissioned images from the first major war to be photographed, the United States Civil War. Here is just a peek of what you'll see inside:

-The battlegrounds of Fort Sumter, Appomattox, and more
-The bravery of great leaders such as Lee and Grant
-A rare glimpse into the soldiers' life in camp
-The enthusiasm of volunteer regiments
-And much more!

With authoritative text from noted Civil War expert William C. Davis, this masterful volume is both a historical reference and a moving tribute to the war America will never forget.

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The World Encyclopedia of Cruisers: An illustrated history of the cruisers of the world, from the American Civil War to the Royal Navy's last conventional ... warships with 500 identification photographs
Bernard Ireland
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Battleships of World War I: A Fully Illustrated Country-By-Country Directory Of Dreadnoughts, Including Armoured Cruisers, Battlecruisers And Battleships From 1906-1918

The Encyclopedia of Warships: From World War II to the Present Day

Ironclads: An Illustrated History of Battleships from 1860 to WWI

ASIN: 0754817733

Book Description

The cruiser evolved from a variety of powered sailing warships, employed in independent operations. The impact of rapid technological advance during the Victorian era saw the cruiser quickly assume familiar forms.

Book Description

Correspondence explores the history of a fascinating cultural practice: the writing of letters. From the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, western societies served a long apprenticeship in the culture of the written word. Although mastery of reading and writing was far from evenly distributed, many tradesmen, shopkeepers, and artisans possessed these skills. A specialized literature came into being whose aim it was to regulate and control ordinary forms of letter-writing by instilling in people the difficult techniques that this writing entailed. As a result, tensions evolved in the structured practice of letter-writing. Although writers wished to stay within the guidelines set forth by secrétaires or by collections of model letters, they also wanted to be spontaneous. Correspondence explores these tensions over a long span of time by examining model letter collections.

The authors examine the invention of norms for writing letters in the Middle Ages, and the application of these norms in various popular manuals. They then analyze the letter-writing models developed in the ancien régime, showing how these models were linked to both court literature and popular books distributed by peddlers. Finally, the discussion turns to models of letter-writing developed during the nineteenth century. By exploring changes in letter-writing, this book sheds light on a cultural practice that has created ways of thinking, of feeling, and of relating to others and to oneself.

Amazon.com

In 1998, scientists discovered an enzyme, telomerase, that had the astonishing ability to "immortalize" certain kinds of cells that normally died within a short time. When that discovery was announced to the public, the press put an almost inevitable spin on it: aging was about to become an artifact of the past. Never mind that the scientists in question never claimed that telomerase had anything to do with the lifespan of humans: the discovery became a story because it appealed to our ancient interest in cheating death and living forever. A huge, lucrative industry now caters to that interest, offering the public pills, potions, and powders that are meant to reverse and undo the effects of aging.

Such fixes do not, will not, and cannot work, write scientists Jay Olshansky and Bruce Carnes in this book-length argument against the claims of "prolongevists," those who believe that the fountain of youth is just around the corner. "Short of medical interventions that manufacture survival time," the authors argue, "there is very little you can do as an individual to extend the latent potential for longevity that was present at your conception." In the aggregate, they continue, we have already passed the far limits of our life expectancy, as is evident by the fact that many of the diseases that plague us today, such as certain cancers and neuromuscular disorders, are the expression of genes that have long been with us but were not often manifest, because humans did not live long enough for them to become a problem.

Adding still more years will do nothing to improve the quality of life, Olshansky and Carnes suggest. The better approach is to guard our health during the years that are ours--and to regard all claims to immortality and life extension, no matter how attractive, with a skeptical eye. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

Two leading experts offer an antidote to the maximum-lifespan hype. A multi-billion-dollar industry today offers a bewildering array of herbs, vitamins, hormones, or lifestyle changes that are supposed to slow aging, prevent disease, and lengthen life. These "discoveries" are big news to the aging baby-boom generation. Unfortunately, the touted benefits of many of these treatments are either unproven, grossly exaggerated, or just plain false. S. Jay Olshansky and Bruce A. Carnes provide a comprehensive account of the real science of aging, from a historical overview of religious and philosophical thinking about aging and death, to the biology behind the changes we see in the mirror, to the promising but frightening future of genetic engineering. The Quest for Immortality demystifies the complex language and concepts of science, explains how to distinguish real science from media hype in order to help readers make informed health decisions, and offers a powerfully optimistic vision of aging and health in the twenty-first century.

Customer Reviews:

Scientific Snake Oil.......2002-08-05

This is an extremely disappointing book. It is superficial, repetitive, padded, sometimes illogical, and could be boiled down to a magazine article with no loss of content. The main point is pretty simple. Now that we have mostly conquered infectious disease in rich countries, what kills us is accumulated genetic damage, and there is no magic potion to treat it. Vitamins, herbs, dietary supplement, etc. are a waste of money. Basically, the authors wrote this book to warn against exaggerated claims about products purporting to prolong life. I have no quarrel with this point, only with the black and white nature of their thinking.

What I was hoping to find, and didn't, was practical advice, based on current scientific knowledge, on what I (or anyone) could do to live longer and healthier. What about diet? Avoiding toxins in the environment? Reducing stress? The authors mention that a healthy life style can add about 900 days to the average life span. Explain that to me in detail and I'll be delighted. But they don't explain it, and what little advice they offer contains nothing new.

The authors are research scientists interested in the possibilities of genetic engineering to further extend the human life span. They strictly believe in science and the medical model. They provide some information on why our genetic inheritance limits the human life span and where breakthroughs in genetic engineering might soon occur. Their science is quite watered down, however, below the level of Scientific American. They often refer to ethical considerations, but take no stand. The possibilities for genetically altering pigs to produce internal organs for transplant into humans seems to enthuse them, for example, but there is no sign of concern about the ethical treatment of other living creatures.

One of the important topics in the book is the discussion of how free radicals damage genetic material in our cells and whether taking antioxidants can help. Even here they are sketchy, illogical and, therefore, misleading. I'll illustrate with only one point. Stripped to its essentials, the authors argue that no one should spend the money on vitamins, herbs, or any alternative medicine product because the results differ greatly among individuals, and relatively few individuals would receive the greatest benefit. But what if you are one of those people who would benefit?

The authors are rightly concerned that a lot of wrong information is besieging the public, but they are unfocused on who their target audience might be. I think they missed all their potential targets and can't imagine who would gain much from this book.

Senescence simplified.......2002-06-28

Dr. Andrew Weil provides an endorsement on the back cover saying "This is by far the best book I've read on the science of aging." I wonder why. It is definitely NOT the best book I've read on the science of aging. Better are: Austad, Steven N. Why We Age: What Science Is Discovering about the Body's Journey Through Life. (1997); Clark, William R. A Means to an End: The Biological Basis of Aging and Death (1999); and Hayflick, Leonard. How and Why We Age (1994)--see my reviews at Amazon.com. All three of these books explain aging and the evolutionary necessity for death better than Olshansky and Carnes.

I think what Andrew Weil liked about this book is the authors' endorsement of alternative medicine and their mention of Dr. Weil as "a leading proponent of this approach...emphasizing the importance of the natural healing and protective powers of the body in a way that is identical to that of evolutionary medicine." (pp. 146-147) It should be understood that while the authors endorse the principles of evolutionary medicine they do not endorse the use of many popular food supplements as a means of gaining longevity, including some advocated by Dr. Weil. Of course, Weil advocates their use for "optimum health" not as a means to anything like immortality. See his engaging best-seller, Eating Well for Optimum Health: The Essential Guide to Food, Diet, and Nutrition (2000).

What this book has going for it is a clear statement of the demographic facts about aging and death, and some good arguments explaining why the facts are as they are and not as we would like them to be. In particular, we are warned about the "Prolongevists" who make unsubstantiated claims about the possibility of living very long lives or of attaining immortality. They begin with the Taoists and the alchemists, through Roger Bacon and Luigi Cornaro, to the unnamed "advocates of extreme prolongevity" who, it is implied, believe that "meditating and eating fresh fruits and vegetables" will lead to "an ageless body and timeless mind," (p. 235), and they debunk them all. In a sense, theirs is an extended argument against buying any snake oil (in bottle or book form) that promises anything beyond the actuary tables. Clearly Olshansky and Carnes see their book as a clear-eyed "answer" to authors like Deepak Chopra , the mesmerizing author of Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (1993) and many other books, who would have us believe in pollyannaish possibilities.

While I agree that some kind of counter balance to the feel-good fuzziness of some New Age authors is necessary, I think that Olshansky and Carnes may have hurt their cause by not emphasizing the fact that humans need hope perhaps as much as they need factual knowledge. Furthermore, I think the authors may have aimed a little below their readership; witness the fact that the word "senescence" virtually does not appear in the book and is not in the index. Also, do they really think that their readers need to be advised (see page 35) that Tao is pronounced "Dow"?

Nonetheless, this is an attractive book and an easy read. I particularly liked the chapter on antioxidants, which makes it clear that such supplements are unlikely to be of any value in fighting senescence. Also excellent is the Appendix which is a "Life Table" giving years and days of life remaining for males and females at any age from 0 to 110 along with the probability of living to the next birthday. If you're male and a year old all the way up to being 29-years-old, you have a 99.9 percent probability of living to your next birthday. If you're a female, extend that to age 41. If you're a fifty-year-old woman, you have, on average, 11,651 days of life left.

The Immortalist Manifesto to balance this Pessimistic Book?.......2002-01-02

Many scientists with impeccable pedigree claimed that we could never harness the power of the atom, or land a human on the moon. And they were all wrong! And Olshansky and Carnes are going to be proven wrong too.

If you buy this book, make sure you balance it with THE IMMORTALIST MANIFESTO: Stay Young & Save the World by Elixxir. Available also on Amazon. Harvard's bestselling public intellectual Cornel West has described the author as "FIRST RATE! ORIGINAL...RAZOR-SHARP." This book is to the Immortalist movement what Silent Spring was to the environmental movement, or The Feminine Mystique to the feminist.

And what's most important, it points out that the anti-aging life-extension breakthroughs are inevitable, but not guaranteed to come in time to save you or me. But it then tells us how to speed up the arrival of these breakthroughs. Beware. The Immortalist Manifesto is very provocative and in your face.

informative, but unrealistically conservative.......2001-11-24

I read The Quest For Immortality last spring with some expectation that my preconceptions about aging research would be seriously challenged. Instead, afterward I had the impression that, if this is the best these authors can do to debunk the claims of "prolongevists," then I'm more confident than ever that substantial life extension will be a reality in the near future.

Olshansky and Carnes agree with a variation of the commonly held "wear and tear" theory of aging--a version which holds that accumulated, random unrepaired damage, over time, causes aging. In their view, aging is not programmed by evolution, but results because our cells, though remarkably good at repairing random DNA damage, still do not do so perfectly. But in stating this, Olshansky and Carnes have to ignore some fairly obvious things.

First, somatic cells have, in vitro, been brought from a senescent state back to a more youthful state. So it is clear that not all somatic cells suffer from degraded DNA that induces senescence; it is also clear that the senescence of at least some cells is not the result of random DNA errors, or it could not be so easily reversed.

Second, nowhere is this supposedly critical random DNA damage quantified. Nowhere do they tell you how prevalent the accumulated damage is, how many or what genes it affects, or what tissues suffer most from it. In contrast, adherents of other theories can at least quantify certain aspects of things such as hormone levels or telomere shortening.

Although this book is written in an entertaining style that is well-targeted to the lay reader, I cannot give it more than three stars, not only because I think their reasoning is not persuasive, but also because I think their writing has been deficient in several places. Some examples:

(1) On p. 187, they start a chapter by saying that telomerase was discovered in 1998, and reported with great fanfare. This is not true. I have not been able to find the exact date of discovery, but telomerase was discovered no later than about 1989; this appears to revolve around work done by Carol Greider and Cal Harley at Cold Spring Harbor NY. The 1998 discoveries involved consequences to cells (renewed ability to divide) when telomerase was activated in those cells.

(2) One of the authors starts the book with a foreword in which he heaps scorns on the misguided health concerns of his in-laws--not a high note on which to begin a supposedly serious discussion!

(3) In a similar vein, another chapter starts with several derogatory remarks about the work of Michael Rose with fruit flies. Later, they speak of him in a more complimentary way. If the authors don't think much of Rose's work, fair enough; but they should just say so, and forthrightly tell you why. There seems a puzzling contrast between the different comments made about Rose's work.

(4) Around page 192, in discussing caloric restriction experiments with animals, they suppose that the control animals were allowed to "lay around and get fat," so that the findings would not be generalizable to other normal (not obese) animals. The usual assumption would be that the caloric intake of both groups would be regulated, at different levels. There is no confirmation that this was not the case. Some clarification could be helpful here.

Olshansky and Carnes have used questionable reasoning elsewhere as well. In an article in Scientific American around the time of the book's release, they paint a whimsical picture of what humans would be like if we were designed by nature to live decades longer than we do. Knee joints would be equipped for durability, not speed. Throats would be shaped to prevent choking. And so on. But nature does not design animals to hang on during an extended period of decline; and the aim of prolongevists is likewise not to extend a terminal period of decline, but to preserve youthful functioning. So it's not clear what their purpose is in putting forth this fictional scenario.

Aging research is a field sorely in need of clarification of important questions that are not adequately addressed by this book.

Live well now cause lightening can kill you tomorrow.......2001-06-21

Just shy of 250 pages the chapters include Death and Immortality Early Views, Sex and Death, Life Expectancy, the Public Health Experiment, Manufactured Time, Antioxidants,the Genetic Frontier, Long Life and Fleeting Youth, Longevity for Sale, A Prescription for the 21st Century.

What I found so interesting about the book and how the authors tackle sciences quest to stop or slow down the aging process is the fact that this has been a quest from the centuries ago. That for some reason people fear living rather than death, and that by trying to stop the aging process, people are actually procrastinating and trying to put off making the needed lifestyle choices that would make our lives richer and better lived.

It is also nice to read a book that reminds the reader that no matter how hard we may try, we cannot outsmart Mother nature, and that the simple fact that as soon as we tackle one disease, evolution and genetics itself, throws another disease out to tease the scientific minds.

Book Description

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is an association of agricultural research centers that together represent an important force in genetic conservation of crops and their wild relatives. Under the CGIAR umbrella, the centers are collectively custodians of international genetic resource collections for crops that provide seventy-five percent of the world's food energy. This volume considers the status of the key collections, in each case providing details of the botany, distribution and agronomy of the species concerned, in addition to extensive information on germplasm conservation and use. The book presents a unique synthesis of knowledge drawn from the CGIAR centers, providing an invaluable source of reference for all those concerned with monitoring, maintaining and utilizing the biodiversity of our staple crop species.

Biotechnology And The Conservation Of Genetic Diversity (SYMPOSIA OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON)

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Biotechnology And The Conservation Of Genetic Diversity (SYMPOSIA OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON)
H.D.M., ED. MOORE
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198540302

Book Description

The conservation of many endangered species will depend on active management plans for both wild animals and those bred in captivity. A crucial factor is the maintenance of genetic variation in given populations to ensure that inbreeding effects are kept to a minimum. This volume describes
the rapid advances that have been made in reproductive biology and molecular genetics, explaining the role and practice of reproductive technology in the breeding of rare and endangered animals in captivity. Calling on both theory and example, the authors highlight three major categories of
biotechnology: techniques for managing reproduction (such as in vitro fertilization), techniques for cryopreservation of reproductive material and embryos (the `frozen zoo'), and techniques for genetic analysis. Both practical and ethical issues in captive breeding are explored here by scientists
who are leading workers in the field. The work is certain to be a valued resource for zoologists and conservation biologists concerned with issues of diversity and preservation.

Encouraging Diversity: Crop Development and Conservation in Plant Genetic Resources

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Encouraging Diversity: Crop Development and Conservation in Plant Genetic Resources

Manufacturer: Practical Action
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This book presents around 80 briefly described cases, which illuminate accumulated experience in plant genetic resources, both in the South and the North. These experiences illustrate the apparent conflict between crop conservation and crop development, and contribute to the understanding of opportunities that are offered by new approaches and activities in this field. Similarities between problems in the South and the North are apparent. The authors analyze the experiences and perspectives of gene banks, plant breeders, seed programs and NGOs involved in crop development and conservation. They place them in the context of new approaches in local and global Plant Genetic Resource (PGR) management by both the formal and informal sector. This book presents a very diverse and rich array of experiences of conservationists, breeders, seed production and NGOs in relation to crop conservation and development.

Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity: Exploring Access and Benefit Sharing Issues (Cabi Publishing)

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Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity: Exploring Access and Benefit Sharing Issues (Cabi Publishing)
W. Lesser
Manufacturer: CABI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0851991971

Book Description

The Convention on Biological Diversity is complex, particularly concerning the ownership and use of genetic resources. Despite this, countries are acting quickly on its provision granting them sovereign right to their genetic resources. This timely book seeks to review and synthesize the full range of issues involved, while focusing on the legal and economic aspects of sustainable use and transfer of these resources. Drawing on Articles 8, 9, 15, 16, 18 and 19, it carefully evaluates various choices facing scientists and policymakers at this critical time. It covers issues important to a wide range of disciplines, from economics and law to biological conservation, plant breeding, and biotechnology.

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Biotecnologia, sociedad y derecho
Rafael Perez Miranda
Manufacturer: M.A. Porrua
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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