Average customer rating:
- Not so good
- Good intro to VHDL
- The book lives up well to its title
- Excellent intro to VHDL
- good but lacking
|
VHDL Starter's Guide
Sudhakar Yalamanchili
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
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Similar Items:
-
Circuit Design with VHDL
-
VHDL : Programming By Example
-
The Designer's Guide to VHDL (Systems on Silicon)
-
The Design Warrior's Guide to FPGAs (EDN SERIES FOR DESIGN ENGINEERS)
-
A VHDL Primer (3rd Edition)
ASIN: 013519802X |
Customer Reviews:
Not so good.......2006-01-26
I have over 10 years of electronics design experience but have never used VHDL (CUPL and ABLE, yes). This book seems like it was written not by a hardware designer, but a by a programmer. Starting with zero knowledge of VHDL, his examples are hard to follow, and coding style is not consistant leading to confusion. I downladed a free tutorial program from Aldec.com and it has helped my understanding of the book GREATLY. In fact, it turns out the author references Aldec's Active-HDL simulator in appendix A.
To Mr. Yalamanchili's credit, he does clearly state in his book, on page x of the preface, that this is supposed to be a supplementary text.
I would recommend another book if you want to buy a "VHDL for Total Noobs" type that could also serve as a reference later on.
Also, a glossary would have helped greatly.
Good intro to VHDL.......2004-06-06
Mr Yalamanchili does a great job of introducing the reader to VHDL. The book is long enough to get you to understand the VHDL language, without being so long as to bore you to tears. After reading the book, I feel that I could design most any simple-medium complexity digital circuit in VHDL without much difficulty. My only complaint is the author's poor indenting of his code. This makes it difficult at times to follow the flow of his code. Other than this minor flaw, the book is perfect.
The book lives up well to its title.......2004-04-30
I know there are many hardware design engineers and students who suffer from "VHDL anxiety" since it tends to seem alot less intuitive than verilog (especially in this age when C has surpassed ada as a common programming language taught at universities). For this reason Yalamanchili's VHDL Starter's Guide represents a nice contribution to the field. There is enough material in the guide to satisfy, say a senior computer-engineering student who is being intorduced for the first time.
My only complaint about the book is its lack of appendices and specification of the entire language. So look somewhere else if this is the purpose for buying a VHDL book. However, as a place to start, it seems quite effective in developing the confidence needed to move on to the more technical aspects of synthesis and simulation.
By the way, the author has written a thicker introductory hardcover book on VHDL published by Prentice Hall. The title is different, but it is virtually the same content. Little if anything was changed from that book to this starter guide. So be careful.
Excellent intro to VHDL.......2002-03-24
This book is exactly what it says it is: a VHDL Staters Guide. It is a great way to get started in VHDL, i'm finding this book clearly written, useful and interesting. This book has an emphisis on SIMULATION of VHDL, instead of SYTHESIS. This means that you don't need any silicon to start learning VHDL. However you will probably want another book on VHDL Systhesis as well, as you might want more in-depth information about sythesis. However this book is a great starting point, and clearly explains the syntax of VHDL and how to use it properly. VHDL is such a huge and powerful area that one 265 page book won't explain everything, but is a great way to begin!
good but lacking.......2001-06-21
It is a good introduction to the VHDL language and VHDL simulation. I was disapointed with the lack synthesis discussion: how the different VHDL constructs can effect gate count and timing.
Book Description
777 Mathematical Conversation Starters shows that there are few degrees of separation between mathematics and topics that provoke interesting conversations. The topics presented in this unique book are accessible to mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike. They include thought-provoking conversation starters such as: the value of fame; why language matters; the anatomy of thought; how we know what we know; how the Pythagorean theorem (with very little physics) shows that Einstein was correct about time dilation and distance contraction; and how mathematics produces intuition-defying examples. The format is unique, too: Topics (conversation starters) are numbered, extensively cross-referenced, and divided into small digestible units. Published for the first time in 777 Mathematical Conversation Starters are original quotes from Joshua Lederberg, Ron Graham, Jay Leno, Martin Gardner, and many others.
Customer Reviews:
My father loves this book too.......2005-08-09
Being a mathematician, I love this book. But my father is
very far from being a mathematician, and he loves
this book too.
"777 Coversation Starters" by John de Pillis
is a definite winner!
can't keep the book.......2005-01-20
A wonderful book to read, to keep, and to give. I've bought 5 copies by now, each with an intention to keep for myself, each given as a gift to somebody (not necessarily a mathematician) after starting a conversation inspired by the book. About to buy another copy...
Joyful surprise for a non-math person.......2004-07-14
Strangely linked, in wild and sexy ways to mathematics, are jokes, observations, and topics I care about (surprise surprise)!!!
I found out how solid(?) the thinking is of certain, well-known intellectuals...compared to Humpty Dumpty.
I also found out about Alexander Graham Bell and his "fortunate blunder."
In addition, the book has Dave Barry's comments on the history of algebra which, I guarantee, you will not get in maths class.
And another thing...I found out about the Monty Hall problem through the world's best cartoon of it.
An absolutely jolly read!
great gift.......2003-08-02
A friend gave this to me. I am definitely not a math type, but it
is a great vacation companion. You can read it in bits and pieces
or from front to back in order of appearance. I, in turn, picked
up three copies to give out: a birthday gift, wedding (Yes! honey
mooners need something to talk about!), one for a friend going
on a cruise! It really is the perfect gift!
777 Conversations Started.......2003-05-30
I love this book. I've enjoyed sharing it with all my math friends and some of my anti-math friends as well. It does indeed start conversations!
The the book is formatted in a way that invites the most casual of readers to explore mathematical topics. It is full of fun. The author treats the subject in a light-hearted manner complete with cartoons. I am completely entertained.
Average customer rating:
|
Intermediate Algebra: Mymathlab Starter Kit
Margaret L. Lial
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0321159128 |
Customer Reviews:
Great Algebra package!.......2005-07-19
The book covers a large amount of information but the Mymathlab helps practice the information learned.
Customer Reviews:
What a waste!.......2006-01-04
Just received my copy. There's no inclusion of the additional commands in file I/O from Verilog 2001. There's no $fscanf, no $fgets. No always @(*) explanation. If you're looking for Verilog 2001 stuff, look elsewhere.
Excellent introduction and reference.......2005-06-09
I purchased this with the hope of reinforcing my existing Verilog knowledge as well as familiarizing myself with new language features added in Verilog 2001.
What I found in the book was a fairly well-written, concise, introduction to the language. Furthermore, Verilog 2001 features were mentioned as appropriate. The examples are diverse and exhaustive, making this a perfect reference guide for people who learn best by example. Also, appendices provide invaluable reference materials for language features and primitives. Finally, Prof. Ciletti does an excellent job of mentioning practical synthesis considerations in designs, as well as suggesting coding styles as opposed to mandating a specific style.
I feel this book is an excellent value for the price, and I've placed in my reference bookshelf for digital design.
an excellent introduction to verilog.......2004-04-30
I liken this book to Kernighan and Ritchie's "The C Programming Language" in that it seems very concise, self-contained, well-written, with helpful appendices that will answer most advanced questions about verilog. The comparison is fitting since verilog is based on the C language. The aforementioned book on C is really the only text reference on the subject that I've used in the past five years, and I imagine verilog 2001 will play a similar role as I continue using verilog to design hardware.
Book Description
In just 24 lessons of one hour or less, you will be creating your own Windows applications using the power and functionality of Visual C# .NET. Using a straightforward, step-by-step approach, each lesson builds on the previous ones, enabling you to learn the essentials of Visual C# .NET from the ground up.
As an added bonus, the book includes a 60-day Trial Version of Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 on DVD-ROM so you will have every tool you need to create the applications demonstrated in the book.
Step-by-step instructions walk you through the most common Visual C# .NET tasks while questions and answers, quizzes, and exercises at the end of each hour help you test your knowledge. Notes and tips point out shortcuts and solutions and help steer you clear of potential problems.
You will learn...
- The basics of Visual C# and then quickly begin applying your knowledge to real-world Windows programming tasks.
- Important features such as building forms, working with controls, looping, debugging, and working with data in the world of .NET.
- Tips that ease migration from Visual C++ and Visual Basic 6 to Visual c# .NET 2003.
Download Description
Revision of Sams highest rated C# book-now we're taking it Visual! Part of the best-selling TY in 24 Hours series, this book reaches blue-collar coders on the verge of jumping to .NET programming. Completely updated for MS's "Everett" release, this book is 100% .NET -no messy legacy/beta code to muddle through. The author, James Foxall, has readers writing Visual C# applications within the first 80 pages of the book. Visual C# .NET is available as part of Microsoft's Visual Studio .NET suite of developer tools ($1,079 to $2,499) or as a standalone product ($109 before MS rebates). With the initial release of Visual Studio .NET in 2001, the focus was on the new language C# and not the developer tool Visual C#. Now that Visual Studio is moving out of the "early adopter" stage and into general acceptance by the bulk of the developer audience, the trend is toward Visual C# as a developer tool with less interest in the basis language. Teach Yourself Visual C# .NET in 24 Hours provides readers with 24 structured lessons with step-by-step guidance to real-world programming tasks including Windows and Web applications. James Foxall moves beyond the pure syntax covered in most C# books to guide readers through the basics of Visual C# .NET. Each chapter includes practice exercises, tips, notes, and cautions providing easy-to-understand advice on how to start programming quickly. Sidebars provide more experienced readers with tips that will ease their migration from Visual Basic 6 and Visual C++ to Visual C# .NET. James Foxall, MCSD, is VP of Tigerpaw Software, Inc.-MCSP specializing in commercial database apps. He is responsible for management of all Windows application development, and is an authority on application interface and behavior standards of applications for MS Windows and Office. He contributes to journals/magazines, speaks internationally, and has been featured in news shows, trade publications, and newspaper articles for his expertise. Wendy Haro-Chun, MCSD and MCP, has a Bachelor's in CS and MBA with an emphasis in Int'l Business. As Asst. VP of Internet Development for Sungard Insurance Systems, she is responsible for overall management of Internet product design and development.
Customer Reviews:
Visual C# .NET & Visual Studio.NET.......2006-08-08
James Foxall has written a book that clearly elucidates the mysteries of the Visual Studio.NET environment. Written in five well-organized sections, this book leads the reader through a step-by-step approach to building basic Windows applications. Using a "nuts-and-bolts" type of approach, the author presents the concepts of object-oriented Visual C#.NET programming via a series of brief, but effective projects found in each of the 24 chapters.
Starting with the fundamentals of objects, Foxall shows how to build a user interface using forms and controls. He then adds menus and toolbars to create workable applications. While performing these tasks, the reader begins to grasp the concepts of properties, methods, and events.
From the user interface, the reader learns the basics of C#.NET by writing brief lines of source code and how to manipulate data. Finally, the concept of designing custom objects using classes fulfills the author's objective of teaching the user how to design their own applications.
This text is indicated as a user guide for the beginning. However, I found it to be ideally suited for any one with even a modest programming background. To an aspiring Windows programmer, this text has good introductory value to satiate even the most curious.
My First C# book.......2006-08-04
In pursuing to update my technical knowledge, I decided to purchase this C# .NET 2003 book written by James Foxall. I was impressed at the level of detail and easy to understand content. What I was mostly impressed by is how the Author personally answered some of my questions without hesitation. That's something that I haven't been able to obtain from other book author.
I will definetely pursue purchasing from this author in the future.
Thought it was great.......2006-08-03
As I am new to programming, I thought I would go down the Sams publishing route and find a book that would teach me the basics and foundations for C#. And this is what the book did. I felt the author didn't scare you with technical jargon and slowly introduced you the more high-end stuff. The book is designed at beginner level and was pleased with the purchase.
Material OK, very badly organized for new programmers.......2004-10-26
The book does a decent job of covering visual C# material. But the way it is organized is so bad for new programmers that I can only give it one star. You keep getting "write this code, I will explain later" that most newcomers to programming will give up withing the first three chapters as all they do is point and click and write tons of code they have no ideah how it works. This book was obviously written by a programmer who doesn't teach new students. We have this book at work and none of the 4 people who used it had any success in learning to program in C#.
This is odd for a SAMS book, as they are usually excellent learning books. I would recommend the Teach Yourself C# in 21 days as a better tool for a new programmer to grasp the language.
Even for experienced programmers (and I have been one for 18 years), the book is hard to follow. Phrases like "now add this code ..." whithout saying where (you are stuck looking at pictures in the book and your source code file to finally figure out where the code is suppose to go) doesn't help one bit.
This is a teach yourself book, it should take you from scratch and teach you. All it does in the first few chapters is confuse you and discourage your from learning. I suspect this book was bought my many who ended up leaving it on their bookshelf thinking they cannot learn to program while the problem is not them at all. That is unfortunate!
Good book, but it doesn't teach C#.......2004-05-12
I just finished reading this book cover to cover and I'm afraid I don't know C# much better than I did before I started. I am now an expert in using the (really cool and powerful) Visual Studio.Net Integrated Development Environment, but I hardly learned a thing about programming. So, if you want to be able to create cool applications by dragging and dropping and using menus, this book is great. If you want to have a clue about the code behind your applications and/or learn some lessons in Object-Oriented Programming, you'll need another book. (...)
Average customer rating:
- Now this is soup for the soul!
- Should be retitled - The Soup Dictionary
- Not for everyone
|
The Soup Bible
David Paul Larousse
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Soup Bible
-
The Sauce Bible: Guide to the Saucier's Craft
ASIN: 0471135623 |
Book Description
The most complete guide to the craft of making delicious soups, featuring hundreds of soup recipes from around the world
The history of soup is as old as the history of cooking. Over the centuries, hundreds of varieties of soup have been developed, each the enunciation of a particular regional taste. Following his widely acclaimed The Hors d'Oeuvre Bible and The Sauce Bible, David Larousse brings cooking enthusiasts the most complete guide to soups ever. Featuring soups from the five continents, this lavishly illustrated guide instructs readers in the art and science of making delicious soups. Interspersed among the hundreds of recipes and descriptive entries, Larousse includes fascinating anecdotes and historical notes that enliven the presentation as much as the stunning color photographs.
- A total guide to soups, including clear soups, thickened soups, chilled soups, and specialty regional and ethnic soups
- 300 complete recipes, plus 700 descriptive entries
- Illustrated with 16 pages of color photographs and 25 line drawings
DAVID PAUL LAROUSSE (San Francisco, California) has taught culinary arts at City College of San Francisco, Johnson & Wales University and the California Culinary Academy.
Customer Reviews:
Now this is soup for the soul!.......2006-07-05
If you want a book on soup that will absolutely blow your mind this is the one for you.
This is an incredible piece of work with wonderful recipes you have never dreamed of.
This is the only book of it's kind you will ever need.
Should be retitled - The Soup Dictionary.......1999-10-13
I was never so disappointed in a book as I with this one. Can someone tell me what the soup on the cover is? Can't find it referenced anywhere.
I was looking forward to learning about making soups, not just the generic - this soup consists of water, leeks, etc. If you want to know the name of every consomme possible, than this is for you. I was very disappointed especially after purchasing "The Sauce Bible". I expected more than this book delivered.
Not for everyone.......1998-05-10
This is a great book on soups if you have some culinary knowledge. I've used a number of David's ideas for classical soups in my place. Its a great book for those who want to understand soup.
Customer Reviews:
Fun!.......2003-12-08
What a fresh and fun book this is! If you are looking for quick activities (fifteen to twenty minute periods) that will help your elementary students develop self-esteem, a cooperative attitude, life skills, as well as study and problem-solving skills, this is the book for you.
Divided into five sections, each one is filled with themes such as "Setting Goals," "Showing My Art and Soul," and "What's Important to Me." Each of the 52 themes begins with a pithy quote, and then describes five activities, each designed to last approximately fifteen or so minutes. (Although you could certainly extend the activity if you wish.) Included also are "Think About It, Talk About It" discussion starters as well as an affirmations. The author has thoughtfully included resources for students as well as teachers for each theme.
There are five categories of activities: writing, drawing, creative, music and movement, and activities that emphasize reaching out to others. (The various learning styles are well represented here.) The activities are imaginative, clever and easily implemented. Also included are 56 reproducibles. (The book cover has a lay-flat binding so that copying will not be difficult.)
Jump Starters is aptly titled. With a minimum of fuss, you can have your students engaged in meaningful and fun activities each day of the school year. This one is a definite "keeper."
Great book of activities for the teacher or parent.......1999-08-18
As a former elementary school teacher, mother of three children, scout leader and very involved parent at home and school I treasure my copy of Jump Starters! The lessons and activities are fun,meaningful and very easy to follow. I purchased a copy for each of my children's teachers as an end of the year gift. They were thrilled! This book truly encourages a child to think positively and to better understand and appreciate themselves and others.
This book promotes important life skills through activities........1999-07-22
I would highly recommend this book for parents or educators. It provides many short creative thematic activities with clear easy directions to follow. These help develop valuable lessons for our children while making the entire learning experience fun. You will always find further resources if needed along with stimulating quotes along the way. Geared for grades 3-6.
wonderful resource for anyone who works with children.......1999-06-09
I have found Jumpstarters to be a wonderful resource in working with children. From the inspirational quotes to the creative, fun-filled activities, Jumpstarters is suitable for both classroom as well as small group use. It approaches such topics as empathy, self-esteem, goal-setting, assertiveness, communication skills, peer interaction skills, and problem-solving skills in a manner guaranteed to engage school-age children. I especially appreciated the helpful list of teacher and student resources.
Treasury of accessible, fun projects, a wonderful tool........1999-05-08
McElherne, Linda Nason. Jump Starters: Quick Classroom Activities that Develop Self-Esteem, Creativity, and Cooperation. 176pp. free spirit ISBN 1-57542-050-3 21.95 New issue. (1999). Tons of useful material and inspirational suggestions for the classroom teacher, homeschooling parent, scout leader. . .anyone involved with children will relish the ideas in this book. Energy and creativity stab at you as you read--it's exciting! Ms. McElherne understands children and what they need to thrive. Easy to follow guide in kid friendly language offers tips from engaging kids in writing, to community service, to physical activity, creativity and the Arts. The projects are accessible and fun, and quick. I found them useful beyond the recommended ages of grades 3-6, adaptable for preschooler and junior high alike. Chock full of inspirational quotes and additional resources should you wish to delve deeper into the 52 presented themes and 260 stimulating activities. Beautifully done, enjoyable to read, this treasury can be used in its entirety or picked at to pluck relevant themes for your own situation. Reproducible handouts included. Awonderful addition to your tools. Rating. OUTSTANDING. JHS
Average customer rating:
|
Bacterial Starter Cultures
GILLIAM
Manufacturer: CRC Press
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ASIN: 0849356865 |
Book Description
This book brings together information concerning starter culture bacteria in the manufacture of many milk, meat, vegetable, and bakery products. The characteristics and functions of these bacteria in the production of cultured foods, as well as factors which affect their performance, are discussed in detail. Topics include the role of plasmids in starter culture bacteria, the function of these bacteria as food preservatives, nutritional and health benefits, and future applications. Authors provide historical background as an introduction to each chapter. This will be a valuable reference book for food industry technologists and academicians.
Book Description
Learn UML, the Unified Modeling Language, to create diagrams describing the various aspects and uses of your application before you start coding, to ensure that you have everything covered. Millions of programmers in all languages have found UML to be an invaluable asset to their craft.
More than 50,000 previous readers have learned UML with Sams Teach Yourself UML in 24 Hours. Expert author Joe Schmuller takes you through 24 step-by-step lessons designed to ensure your understanding of UML diagrams and syntax. This updated edition includes the new features of UML 2.0 designed to make UML an even better modeling tool for modern object-oriented and component-based programming. The CD-ROM includes an electronic version of the book, and Poseidon for UML, Community Edition 2.2, a popular UML modeling tool you can use with the lessons in this book to create UML diagrams immediately.
Customer Reviews:
Good UML Introduction.......2006-12-13
This is a good introduction to the greatness of UML. I gets you up to speed quickly on what UML is, the various types of diagrams, and how to use UML in the real world. If you are looking for comprehensive coverage of the topic you will probably want to read some books by Martin Fowler and/or Scott Ambler next.
Doesn't hang all the ideas together well.......2005-07-07
Useful book for getting familiar with initial syntax and semantics of UML, but I found did not manage to connect the ideas between the types of diagrams together well.
Use of more real world examples would have helped.
Interesting But.......2004-10-15
The book is interesting but the author spends much time (many pages) explaining "obvious things or other matters" and not enough on UML...
Anyway this book might be enough to know some on UML... and on gathering of Business Requirements.
Gabriel
Book Description
A pioneering look at first marriages lasting five years or less and ending without children, Paul’s book “will be a lesson to those contemplating marriage and a comfort to those who falter” (The Economist).
What is it about marriage that makes today’s twenty- and thirtysomethings want it so badly? And why do so many of their marriages, despite high hopes and desires, end in divorce? Nobody goes into a starter marriage expecting to divorce and trade up to something better, but like a starter home, a starter marriage can teach you a lot about what to look for, and what to avoid, the next time around.
Drawing on extensive research and interviews with starter-marriage vets, Pamela Paul explores why young people are jumping in and out of marriage, and what lessons can be drawn from their failures. She shows how starter marriages can be avoided, and why lifelong marriage is still a desirable, achievable option for the next marrying generation.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.........2006-12-31
This book is so good..it helps you to realize as a young adult that sometimes divorce can't be avoided..we need to encourage this upcoming generation to not get married so early. Don't find so much fault in yourselves if you had a yound marriage desolve..order this book and get back to the road of recovery..this book will open your eyes on a lot of subjects!!
Seems to reflect a lot of what I see and experience.......2005-07-16
I found this to be a great book. I don't think the book is perfect, and, as some other reviewers have pointed out, Paul can make some big jumps in her conclusions. So don't read this as a super-controlled scientific assessment (which it isn't supposed to be anyway). I found that the book wasn't anti-marriage or pro-marriage, but rather just touched up on a lot of the realities, myths, struggles, and ideas that Gen X (and a little older and younger) face when it comes marriage -- like how so many go into marriage with the subconscious expectation that it will make life complete or fix things that marriages just can't "fix." I was especially thankful on her section about the "wedding industry" that markets absurdly expensive weddings (the perfect dress, the biggest ring, the best food... the most important day of your life!) to individuals and couples and that often contributes to a loss of perspective about what the actual marriage after the wedding might involve. One of the most helpful things I got from this book was the articulation of a feeling that I and many of my friends have -- that you are not complete until you are married and that being married will "make things okay," which until this book I hadn't recognized as so widespread/generational/cultural. Secondly, I appreciated the feeling from the book that divorce can be okay, is sometimes better, but that sometimes a marriage just takes a little more work. I was glad she made it clear that marriage has had too high of expectations hoisted upon it, that it is hard work, can be great, can be hard, and can be rewarding. She is legitimately hard on the "pro-marriage" camp that promotes marriage as the savoir of civilization and that advocates staying married at all costs. If you want an anti-divorce book, this is not it. But if you want a fair treatment of many of the struggles that the twenty and thirty somethings face in trying to make a life with a partner, in the face of work, high expectations for marriage, our parents' marriages and divorces and a culture that sends amazingly mixed and strong messages about marriage, sex, and "success" this is a great place to start. Particularly for those thinking of getting married or struggling in the early years of a marriage, this might be particularly helpful to pique your thinking.
Buy it mostly for the anecdotes........2004-10-08
Paul has done extensive interviews with more than sixty individuals who have had what she terms "starter marriages"--marriages that end soon, within five years, and are without children. She sprinkles anecdotes from these interviews liberally throughout her book, and they are touching, poignant, and informative. Unfortunately the rest of her book doesn't live up to the anecdotes.
Paul cobbles together facts and figures from a variety of sources without an in-depth exploration of what these facts and figures might mean. She also often resorts to unsupported or dubiously supported assertions--for example, at one point she backs up an assertion that modern generations are increasingly impatient and unable to deal with change with the "factoid" that most people will not wait more than eight seconds for a web-page to load before going elsewhere. I found this a somewhat less than convincing support for her argument.
Some have complained that Paul caricatures the pro-marriage movement, which I feel is an accurate criticism of her book, and she is also often inconsistent. For example, she asserts that pre-divorce counseling programs will not stop divorce because her informants essentially felt that their marriage was all over but the paperwork from the time they decided on divorce, but elsewhere acknowledges that many of her informants, in retrospect, felt that their marriage could have been saved if they had worked harder at it, had more understanding of themselves and of marriage, or if they had had a more mature and realistic idea of what to expect from a relationship. This suggests that good marriage counselling might have been able to save some of these starter marriages; after all, even Paul acknowledges that even the best relationships can go through periods where the partners are profoundly disillusioned with each other and the relationship and may be ready to call it quits. If a couple is *really* bent on divorce, a few counselling sessions aren't going to stop them, but for couples who are less sure, counselling sessions or even a waiting period might provide them with the ability to work through their problems and perhaps even emerge with a stronger relationship.
In summary, while this book has some good anecdotes, and offers some food for thought for anyone who is contemplating marriage, it is also oddly shallow, and often inconsistent and contradictory. Of course, shallow as it is, it is still better than many books in the field (a sad commentary on the state of the field!) and as such, may be worth reading. Just don't take it too seriously.
Like marriage, know what to expect before going in...........2003-12-07
Pamela Paul does an excellent job here breaking down what she describes as a "starter marriage": a childless first marriage for someone in their twenties lasting less than five years. In interviews with sixty starter marriage survivors (all white, middle class Gen Xers), Paul explores how, when, and why this generation seems to be rushing headlong into and out of marriage. (For the first generation to be raised in a culture of widespread divorce, we seem to be remarkably optimistic about the raptures of the marriage state.) Her examination is thorough and compelling. Paul strikes an easy balance between research and anecdotes that keeps most of the book moving nicely.
While Paul lays out the evidence well, she does a much poorer job tying it together nor does she do a great job objectively presenting the "pro-marriage" point of view. I would be more convinced by her argument if it didn't appear clouded by her political beliefs. For example, after setting up a straw man of the "promarriage camp", she asks: "Who's pro-marriage now?" Uncalled for.
On the whole, a fine book. I would recommend two things: skip the last two chapters and, if you're depressed by the anecdotes, read "Happily Ever After" by Betsy Stone for ways to combat some of the pitfalls Pamela Paul points out.
This should be required reading for anybody marrying young........2003-11-23
Marriage is so vital -- why do people treat it lightly? I recently saw author Pamela Paul on an old episode of the television show "Politically Incorrect" in which she was pitted against a man who was trying to sell marriage seminars based on his patented "three As". "All you need for a happy marriage," he insisted, was for the man to be "attentive, appreciative, and accommodating". This, he felt, would get a relationship past financial difficulties, ethical differences, family opposition, health problems, loss of mutual attraction, or any other problems the world can dish out on a young marriage (or that the couple can dish out on each other).
Pamela Paul knows better, and she cut this guy down in a sentence that had the audience laughing to tears. Her book describes the complex trends that have led to younger marriages in the United States and younger divorces. She confounds simplistic politics by simultaneously supporting marriage and divorce -- even quick divorce if that can minimize the damage to the people involved, and get them apart before they have kids.
The "reviewer misses the point" review mentions a second important dichotomy in this book -- it is both rational and emotional. The book reveals massive research and an understanding of the deep hurt suffered by those who divorce young. You can't help but wish them all better than they got.
This is a fascinating book that I recommend to all.
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