MP Auditing & Assurance Services with ACL CD

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All you need to know about auditing

reader-friendly

MP Auditing & Assurance Services with ACL CD
William F Messier , Steven M. Glover , and Douglas F. Prawitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 007333720X

Book Description

Messier employs the audit approach currently being used by auditing professionals. This approach is a direct result of the demands of Sarbanes-Oxley, which has changed the way auditors do their jobs. The approach emphasizes understanding the entity (i.e., the organization or business being audited) and its environment (i.e. industry), and then assessing the business risks faced by the entity and how management controls those risks. This audit process focuses on business processes instead of accounting cycles. This unique and innovative approach has been developed in response to changing market dynamics. The systematic approach, referred to in the subtitle of the text, reflects the early introduction of three basic concepts that underlie the audit process: materiality, audit risk, and evidence; this allows Messier to build upon this model in subsequent chapters. These are central to everything an auditor does and a unique feature of Messier. As such, this approach helps students develop auditor judgment, a vital skill in today’s auditing environment.

Customer Reviews:

All you need to know about auditing.......2007-05-28

Great book. All you need to know about auditing. Well structured, it provides a thorough overview of the main audit concepts in a very clear manner.

reader-friendly.......2007-05-17

Book is very easy to read and comprehend. Auditing can be a bit challenging and this book made it easy for me.

Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach with ACL CD and OLC Card

Average customer rating:

New method of presentation needs to be refined during the next edition

Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach with ACL CD and OLC Card
William F Messier , Steven M. Glover , and Douglas F. Prawitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0073137537

Book Description

Messier employs the new audit approach currently being used by auditing professionals. This new approach is a direct result of the demands of Sarbanes-Oxley, which has changed the way auditors do their jobs. The new auditing approach emphasizes understanding the entity (i.e., the organization or business being audited) and its environment (i.e. industry), and then assessing the business risks faced by the entity and how management controls those risks. This new audit process focuses on business processes instead of accounting cycles. This unique and innovative approach has been developed in response to changing market dynamics. The systematic approach, referred to in the subtitle of the text, reflects the early introduction of three basic concepts that underlie the audit process: materiality, audit risk, and evidence; this allows Messier to build upon this model in subsequent chapters. These are central to everything an auditor does and a unique feature of Messier. As such, this approach helps students develop auditor judgment, a vital skill in today’s auditing environment.

Customer Reviews:

New method of presentation needs to be refined during the next edition.......2006-05-02

I have just finished a course that used this textbook. To me, it is clear that auditing has undergone a dramatic change. That is, this book lacks clarity and specificity.

My bias, however, is that I have a hard time believing that auditors are concerned with a bussiness' control environment and its understanding of management's response to risk factors.

Instead, I believe that auditors still need to spend time "verifying amounts and tracing journal entries to source documents." Those tasks seem monumental enough for an audit engagement.

I left the class wondering, "What do auditors do?" In conclusion, I am not sure that I could perform any audit procedures beyond bank reconciliations and confirmation letters after reading this book. Yet, I do have an understanding of the framework and justification for why we need auditors.

To the book's credit, I did learn how to assess risks, use the audit risk model, make preliminary judgments about materiality, and, in a general way, relate an audit procedure to the management assertion it is supposed to test.

If you want an epistemology of auditing, read this book. If you would rather begin learning how to do auditing, this book will not be helpful.

Average customer rating:

SSL programming
SSL made Clear
Great Book to Use When Writing an SSL app.
openssl programming cleanly explained
Excellent!

Network Security with OpenSSL
John Viega , Matt Messier , and Pravir Chandra
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 059600270X

Book Description

Most applications these days are at least somewhat network aware, but how do you protect those applications against common network security threats? Many developers are turning to OpenSSL, an open source version of SSL/TLS, which is the most widely used protocol for secure network communications. The OpenSSL library is seeing widespread adoption for web sites that require cryptographic functions to protect a broad range of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and other financial transactions. The library is the only free, full-featured SSL implementation for C and C++, and it can be used programmatically or from the command line to secure most TCP-based network protocols. Network Security with OpenSSL enables developers to use this protocol much more effectively. Traditionally, getting something simple done in OpenSSL could easily take weeks. This concise book gives you the guidance you need to avoid pitfalls, while allowing you to take advantage of the library?s advanced features. And, instead of bogging you down in the technical details of how SSL works under the hood, this book provides only the information that is necessary to use OpenSSL safely and effectively. In step-by-step fashion, the book details the challenges in securing network communications, and shows you how to use OpenSSL tools to best meet those challenges. As a system or network administrator, you will benefit from the thorough treatment of the OpenSSL command-line interface, as well as from step-by-step directions for obtaining certificates and setting up your own certification authority. As a developer, you will further benefit from the in-depth discussions and examples of how to use OpenSSL in your own programs. Although OpenSSL is written in C, information on how to use OpenSSL with Perl, Python and PHP is also included. OpenSSL may well answer your need to protect sensitive data. If that?s the case, Network Security with OpenSSL is the only guide available on the subject.

Customer Reviews:

SSL programming.......2007-01-09

This book was a valuable resource in implementing Secure Sockets, it would have been difficult to finish my product without it.

SSL made Clear.......2007-01-09

I worked on a LAMP project with 'C' switching application behind it. This book clearly described what I needed and how to do it. Very good resource.

Great Book to Use When Writing an SSL app........2005-05-28

If you have little or no experience with SSL, or OpenSSL, get this book. It explains the principles behind SSL, and then goes on to cover OpenSSL. The companion website opensslbook.com contains the latest examples.

The only drawbacks to the book are the way that the authors cover random number generators for windows, (totally excludes the MS crypto function cryptgenrand(), in favor of the Author's own entropy collection system), and the creation of certificates could have been covered a little better. I also kept having to consult the Openssl API documentation for clarification on certain things, but overall this is a great book.

openssl programming cleanly explained.......2004-10-12

The book starts with a general introduction of encryption in general, then SSL protocol in general. Then openssl command line interface is introduced with some easy to follow examples. Later openssl programming is explained in detail.

As the only free SSL programming library with source code available, openssl is notorious for its undocumented/underdocumented/misdocumented manuals. Starting a software project using openssl without prior experience is often a painful experience if you simply rely on the manuals coming with the source code. Given thousands of interfaces/data structures, it is an overwhelming job to understand openssl in depth. Your best bet is usually reading the sample source code that comes with package, but often it leaves lots of questions - what does this api do? Why use this one? Under what circumstances should I use this one? You may rely on openssl mailing list, but answer is not guaranteed and you have to do your own home work first.

So come this book finally. It explains (using many examples) most interfaces a typical openssl programmer would use in reality. It is a really easy to read from chapter to chapter since the authors apparently try to explain most api using a short and clear example.

I wish when the next version comes out, it can do:

1. fix typos. Yeah, it does contain some typos. Good proofreading is needed.

2. Include topics in openssl 0.9.7. Like CRL.

3. What's going on under hood. How openssl code is organized, how interface control of flow goes. This helps understand the openssl library and debugging as well.

Excellent!.......2002-11-23

OpenSSL is a terrific programming resource, but the online documentation on it
is hard to understand and index. This book brings most of it all together, and
provides enough examples to answer most of your questions.

One thing that it lacks is tie-ins with Java; most of its examples are in Perl
and Python. I'm currently trying to see if certain ideas can be implemented in Java.

Book Description

Password sniffing, spoofing, buffer overflows, and denial of service: these are only a few of the attacks on today's computer systems and networks. At the root of this epidemic is poorly written, poorly tested, and insecure code that puts everyone at risk. Clearly, today's developers need help figuring out how to write code that attackers won't be able to exploit. But writing such code is surprisingly difficult. Secure Programming Cookbook for C and C++ is an important new resource for developers serious about writing secure code. It contains a wealth of solutions to problems faced by those who care about the security of their applications. It covers a wide range of topics, including safe initialization, access control, input validation, symmetric and public key cryptography, cryptographic hashes and MACs, authentication and key exchange, PKI, random numbers, and anti-tampering. The rich set of code samples provided in the book's more than 200 recipes will help programmers secure the C and C++ programs they write for both Unix® (including Linux®) and Windows® environments. Readers will learn:

How to avoid common programming errors, such as buffer overflows, race conditions, and format string problems
How to properly SSL-enable applications
How to create secure channels for client-server communication without SSL
How to integrate Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) into applications
Best practices for using cryptography properly
Techniques and strategies for properly validating input to programs
How to launch programs securely
How to use file access mechanisms properly
Techniques for protecting applications from reverse engineering

The book's web site supplements the book by providing a place to post new recipes, including those written in additional languages like Perl, Java, and Python. Monthly prizes will reward the best recipes submitted by readers. Secure Programming Cookbook for C and C++ is destined to become an essential part of any developer's library, a code companion developers will turn to again and again as they seek to protect their systems from attackers and reduce the risks they face in today's dangerous world.

Customer Reviews:

Good developer reference .......2006-03-23

This is a well-written and example oriented book for C/C++ programmers that covers secure programming in all aspects. I had been using this book for last one year now and It helps me as a quick reference and also real source code demonstrating practical approaches that can be incorporated into their software projects.

The book needs a little update but still helps any aspiring C/C++ programmer involved with crypto.

a good reference if you've really got to be secure.......2004-05-13

If you are not sure that you need this book, then you probably don't. But if there is something it the table of contents that you've got to know, and you've got to get it right, then this would be a good book to have. Chapter 12 on Anti-Tampering was a really enjoyable read, though probably a futile task.

Great book for anyone using C.......2003-10-31

This is simply a great book for anyone using C or C++.

These guys literally wrote the book on secure code.

Read it!

A task-oriented reference guide.......2003-10-16

This well-written book covers a lot of topics that I have not read in other books.

Its strengths include:

--Good coverage of cryptography programming
--Task-oriented solutions to specific programming problems
--Easy to navigate "cookbook" style ("with recipes" as the authors call them)

However, some areas of improvement might be:

--Could use more coverage of important subjects (buffer overflows, etc.)
--spends a lot of space on narrower examples (like explaining certain APIs that are documented well online)
--Sometimes jumps into material without much background explanation (which was confusing for me)

It is probably not the first book you should read on the subject. This is more of a recipe guide that is useful if you get stuck on coding a particular topic that happens to be covered. The authors have done a good job of explaining what coverage they do and don't include.

Bought it for one reason but ended up using it........2003-10-16

To be truthful, I bought this book because the "gang" I hang out with is mentioned in the Acknowledgments section of the book. That was the ONLY reason when I sent money to Amazon.Com and purchased it for the dusty collection on my bookshelf.

But, when I got it and chuckled over the Acknowledgements section, I started to mindlessly flip through the book. Mindless page flipping soon turned to semi-conscious scanning. Semi-conscious scanning soon turned to serious reading. I find myself reading the book more and more, jumping back and forth between sections I find interesting and useful.

As a Windows C++ programmer for in-house tools, I do not dwell much on secure programming concepts. Yes, this is very, very bad way to program, so those of you reading this review should not try it at home. This book has shown the errors of my ways, revealed security issues that I have overlooked by accident or on purpose and gave concepts and examples that I can apply in my projects.

This book is one reference that I will be going back over and over again. The authors and editors have done a wonderful job to make the reading flow nice and easy. It is also very well laid out by stating the problem you may encounter, followed by a solution and then detailed discussion section with code samples.

For any C/C++ programmer making software to be used by more than one person, this reference book is a must.

Amazon.com

Steve O'Meara has been called "the best visual planetary observer of modern times." The first to spot Comet Halley on its return in 1985, the first to determine the rotation period of Uranus, he now turns his amazing visual skills to the deep sky.

Charles Messier was one of the best comet hunters of the 1700s, with 12 comet discoveries to his credit. He was frustrated because he kept wasting time looking at fuzzy objects that turned out not to be comets. The list he kept and published of "things that aren't comets" turned out to be his ticket to immortality.

Amateur astronomers of all ages enjoy tackling the Messier catalogue members, because they represent a good sampling of what's "out there," and because finding them helps to hone observing skills. In a sense, the Messier objects are the testing grounds for budding skywatchers.

O'Meara's guide is unique in conveying his approach to observing: "It's an approach based on creative perception and on using the imagination to see patterns and shapes in the subjects seen through the eyepiece. It involves using not just your eye but also your mind's eye to associate those patterns and shapes with things that are familiar with you, to create pictures and even stories." With O'Meara as your docent, you will truly appreciate the art of the universe. --Mary Ellen Curtin

Book Description

If there were a canon for viewing the night sky, Charles Messier would be its author. The galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae cataloged by the famous comet hunter in the late 1700s are still the most widely observed celestial wonders in the heavens. They are the favorite targets of amateur astronomers, with such rich variety and detail that they never cease to fascinate. This book provides new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on the Messier objects. Stephen James O'Meara has prepared a visual feast for the observer. Using the finest optical telescopes available for amateur work, he describes and sketches the view from the telescope as never before. There are new drawings, improved finder charts, and new astronomical data on each object, including findings from the Hubble Space Telescope. Expand your universe and test your viewing acumen with this truly modern Messier Guide. It is a must for budding night watchers. Stephen James O'Meara is a contributing editor to Sky and Telescope.

Customer Reviews:

Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects.......2007-09-10

Add this reference book to your collection and be ready to observe. Along with this addition Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Deep-Sky Companions) and you can't miss.

A Beautiful Guide to Observine.......2007-03-28

The Messier Objects are one of the foundations of amateur astronomy (along with the planets and comets). The name comes from Charles Messier who was a comet searcher. To avoid confusion he created a catalog of some fuzzy objects that might be confused by other comet hunters as being potential comets. He listed 110 objects for comet hunters to avoid. He had actually discovered 41 of them, the others had been discovered by others but were in the list to avoid.

Today's amateur has access to equiptment far in advance of Messier's and these non-comets are among the most frequented things being observed. That's because Messier's objects include star clusters, nebula, as Mr. O'Meara says, the finest showpieces in the heavens.

In this book Mr. O'Meara illustrates the 110 objects with drawings and or beautiful photographs. Here is the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), 300,000,000 stars, the light from whom began its journey to us 2.3 million years ago. Then, of course, there's M77, 47 million light years away and more than a little bit strange.

After showing all the Messier objects, Mr. O'Meara discusses (but does not show photographs) of twenty spectacular non-Messier objects that he considers to be his personal favorites. This book would be a great present for almost any amateur astronomer.

What a disappointment!.......2007-02-24

O'Meara starts this book out with real promise. Widely acknowledged as an expert observer, his efforts to set out and observe the Messier objects in detail (minimum 3 hours each) and sketch his impressions from a great dark-sky site sound impressive and exciting. After all, who wouldn't want to put their eyes up against the best? Better yet, it's well-known that it is easier to see something if you know exactly where to look for it and what it will look like. And the introduction leaves you hungering to explore these targets rather than punch them off a list in a few seconds.

But then O'Meara ruins it. He puts his own personal "interpretations" on the sketches, drawing bat figures or snakes over the objects - things that are only there in his imagination. For an experienced observer, it may be easy to draw the line between what is fancy and what is reality, but for someone approaching these objects for the first time, the only result is confusion and dismay. Do I look for that wispy segment or not?

A second version of the sketches would have been called for - one without the "extras." Instead, we're left with a book that had a lot of promise, but fails to deliver the very thing we're in need of - great, accurate sketches of the Messier objects as they appear in the eyepiece.

Seeing Messier objects with new eyes.......2007-01-10

After having read a few other books on the Messier Objects, I can confidently say that this one is a winner! Descriptions are both very helpful in preparing you for what to expect, if you have never seen a particular object before, but also provide new insight to those that think they have seen it all. The author describes subtle details, and guides you to persist on watching, until you can really see all that there is to see. After reading the descriptions, you will feel an urge to go to the field and see what you have been missing all the time!
The book also has a lot of historic comments, about Messier himself and the observations he did while compiling his list, that are both fascinating and intriguing to read. As for the drawbacks, I only wish the finder charts were more detailed. You will probably need a more detailed star map to locate the less prominent and obscure of these fine objects.Overall, I would warmly suggest this book to both new and experienced observers.

Making small scopes look good :).......2005-01-31

First of all I have to say that O'Meara is a brilliant writer and a superb visual observer. He manages to capture the spirit of observing and you feel like he is right next to you at the eyepiece when you read the book. But the defining thing about this book is the superbly detailed eyepiece impressions. Indeed he sees more through the eyepiece of a 4" TeleVue Genesis than most people through much larger telescopes. Its all about training ones eyes to see detail. Most of us are mere "peekers", just taking quick glimpses of objects. O'Meara encourages and inspires us to push our vision to the limit, to drink in the faint details of a galaxy's spiral arms. I for one have been inspired. Very highly recommended for visual observers.

The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide: With Complete Maps, Charts and Tips to Guide You to Enjoying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects

Average customer rating:

Should become a classic!!!
A must-have for serious Messier searchers.
The Guide for finding the Messier Objects
Best Intro Book to Finding the Messier Objects
Excellent guide for the Messiers

The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide: With Complete Maps, Charts and Tips to Guide You to Enjoying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects
H. C. Pennington
Manufacturer: Willmann-Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0943396549

Customer Reviews:

Should become a classic!!!.......2001-04-30

Using this book for over two years, I've found all the Messiers and learnt a whole lot from this book. The book starts off with briefly introducing the pre-requisites to stargazing, and the geometric estimation method for locating the deep-sky using a Telrad. The book also tells the story of Charles Messier, and the origins of the Messier Marathon. He then takes the reader on a tour of all the Messier objects. Since this book has its focus on the Messier Marathon, the sequence of the objects is based on his observing sequence during the Marathon. However, as Harvard points out, this book does not necessarily have to be used during a Marathon and can be used any time to locate any of the Messier objects. The finder charts proved to be extremely useful, and I found this book becoming the book I refer to the most. The advantage is, I don't have to flip through other star maps looking for the Messier objects I'd like to observe. Its all included in this book. Therefore, I used this book more than my star atlas while observing the Messier objects. There is a little bit of inaccuracy with some of the charts. For example, in the chart for finding M75, I found I had to extend a little further than the distance from the mouth of the teapot to the lower corner of its handle away from tau Sag. to get to M75. Perhaps it was my problem of not using a powered finder (only the Telrad), but I had to try 5 times before I was compelled to move my scope little further east and north when the dim glow of M75 slid into view. This situation is actually clearly demonstrated in any star atlas, M75 is definitely a little further than the estimate.(I did very careful measurements on a printout of a few star chart program and Harvard's estimation method got to 0.6 to 1 degree from M75 depending on the angle deviation from the gamma Sag. - tau Sag. line, so I'm guessing some people may have troubles) Nevertheless, this is a VERY minor complaint for Harvard's method is based on estimation. Getting as near to the object as possible with the simplest method is what matters. My suggestion to any similar situation is to use a star atlas beside this book too to help with objects that don't seem to show up on first or second attempt. Furthermore, if the object is not in view, do scan around a little (which Harvard did mention). In a real Messier Marathon, don't panic (as I did =) and keep in mind that the less detailed charts are mainly for estimation. Overall, an exceptional book, beautifully written and educating. A book that deserves to be on the bookshelves of all amateur astronomers!

A must-have for serious Messier searchers........2000-09-25

This is an extremely helpful book. I rate it among the very best for helping in your Messier Object search: At the April 2000 Messier marathon, I found 75 objects, and was on schedule to find 105, but I grew too tired to continue. On a recent star party in September, 2000, I found 45 objects before midnight, thanks largely to this book. Buy it while you still can!

The Guide for finding the Messier Objects.......2000-08-08

After trying run my first Messier marathon with charts that I had prepared myself, I wish I had had this book with me that night. I would have seen alot more. Using this book, I have able to locate many objects that I had not been able to find before with certainty.

This book is excellent resource that I now take along with my telescope to every star party. The charts and object sketches are well oriented to the practicing amateur astronomer. Also covered are telescope calibration, observing techniques, and site selection. The only drawback to this book that I have found so far has been that it is not printed on waterproof paper. So, I had to order another copy to cut up and laminate.

Best Intro Book to Finding the Messier Objects.......2000-07-11

This book is exceptional for the beginning backyard astronomer. I found 25 objects in one weekend alone using this book. I'm up to 95 objects total with no doubt in my mind that the book will allow me to find the remaining 15 objects. In dark skies, the Telrad finder charts work extremely well. Over a dozen times I have literally been able to line up the Telrad finder per the book's illustrations and look into the eyepiece and see the desired target. In light polluted areas, where I do most of my observing and where the Telrad is not quite as useful, the star charts in the book provide just the right detail to find the target by either star hopping with a conventional finder or moving along lines of constant declination or ascension relative to a known star. Well worth the low $20 price tag.

Excellent guide for the Messiers.......1999-12-16

this book is written with one purpose in mind-to get the reader(observer)through the Messier objects utilizing various, and well explained, star hopping techniques combined with in-scale drawings of the objects within their given constellations. It also has some very useful techniques for ligning up a telrad type instrument, calibrating the finder and eyepiece, as well as providing an observer's log for the objects and the Messier catalog. Great book and more than worth the money. Being an "advanced beginner" I have found its techniques easy to follow leading to some incredibly successful observations of these beautiful objects. I only wish it included the Caldwell Catalog, but that may have diluted its very narrow and detailed focus on the Messier objects. Highly recommended!

The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects

Average customer rating:

Excellent resource
The best on the market
Perfect for Binoculars Astronomy
Absolutely indispensable for backyard telescope astronomers
Modern, and first class

The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects
Ken Graun
Manufacturer: Ken Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1928771122
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Book Description

In 1752, Charles Messier left the small French town of Badonviller for employment in Paris as an astronomer's assistant. In the following years, he discovered 20 comets and compiled the first catalogue of over 100 objects listing star clusters, nebulae and galaxies collectively called Deep Sky Objects.

Today, Messier's catalogue is often the first set of Deep Sky Objects observed by budding amateurs wanting to go beyond viewing the Moon, Planets and Sun.

The Next Step is a complete field guide to discovering Messier's objects — a celestial road map for the successful navigation and exploration of these beautiful heavenly bodies. Experience space anew by taking the next step into the cosmos.

• Easy to understand, written especially for the novice amateur astronomer.

• Complete set of color star charts for locating every Messier object.

• Scale photographs, up-to-date information and easy-to-use spreads for each object.

• Expanded catalogue now includes 112 objects.

• New historical information about Charles Messier's childhood and journey to Paris.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent resource.......2007-08-26

This book is nicely done, easy to use, and not overly patronizing. I strongly recommend this book over Steven O'meara's Messier Object book. In contrast to Stephen O'Meara, Ken Graun treats his readers like equals and does not toot his own horn. Ken Graun has simply laid out a very nice resource with good photos that show realistic views of the sky. O'Meara, in contrast provides unrealistic images and commentary thick with self-importance. If you want to have some help looking for M objects, but are confident that you don't need someone telling you how to wipe yourself, then get Ken Graun's book. Also, Ken's historical information and photos are quite nice.

The best on the market.......2007-06-01

For years I have been looking for a book about observing Messier's objects (and others as well) which would show a brief description, a chart and consistent photos of what you can actually see in the eyepiece of a smaller telescope. This book is exactly what I wanted. I own many books about observing including Burnham's trilogy, O'Meara, The Night Sky Observer's Guide and I love them all. However, Ken's book is the best practical publication for observing Messier's objects for its format and consistency. It comes in a smaller size, hardback and can be easily taken outside. It does not contain lengtly descriptions or personal stories with hand drawn pictures in reverse colours or glossy colour pictures of what you will never see in a telescope. Instead, it covers only essential information with black and white photos of each object (of what you will see in a telescope) and charts. The introduction is also excellent - brief and informative. Unlike O'Meara's book (which is also very good in its own way), Ken's photos are consistent in size, scale, orientation and magnification. I absolutely love this book and recommed it to everybody. I hope that more books in a similar format (containing other deep sky objects) will show up on the market in the future. This book should be packaged with every small and medium size telescope sold.

Perfect for Binoculars Astronomy .......2007-04-28

In the last 4 months The Next Step has become my favorite astronomy book. I observe stars with a 20x80 binoculars. Even though this book is design for small telescopes it works great for me. The photos give me a realistic sense of what I can see with my binoculars. For example in the past I could not find M103 because I was expecting a bigger object; once I knew its true size and shape it was easy to find. The following are some of the things I really like about this book:
- Small enough to take into the field
- Excellent binding
- Good quality paper
- Great photo quality
- All photos are the same dimensions: 2.3 degrees x 1.3 degrees
- Helpful description on locating and identifying each object
- Detail star charts

Absolutely indispensable for backyard telescope astronomers.......2006-11-23

(Those of you new to astronomy and unfamiliar with "messy objects", please see the last paragraph of this review.)

I needed a book on Messier objects, and I picked this one nearly at random. This was my luckiest find in a long time. I have recently started using a GoTo telescope, and these things are great - but - when it came to Messier objects, I just wasn't sure of what it was I was looking for. Humongous Hubble-like photos were of no use at all.

Not only does this book have a photo for each of the 112 objects - two added by the book's author to correct an oversight - but the photos show each object as it appears at 48X, which is just the power I use (and recommend) for searching and centering. I've found this book totally indispensable for Messier objects.

And there's more. There are star charts with the M-objects mapped. There's tons of advice on finding and observing these things. It covers the life and work of Charles Messier and his colleagues in detail. It even contains, for each object, the cataloger's (usually Messier) own comments as they appear in the original catalog.

Since this is the only Messier book I own, I can't compare it to others, and I probably never will. For my use as a backyard telescope astronomer, I can't conceive of what more information I'd need on the Messier objects, or on the man who thankfully took all that time to compile them.
_________________

For new astronomers: Once you can identify the major constellations and stars, and have worked your way through the moon and planets - probably with your first telescope - you're ready for the "deep sky" objects, which are star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The first category of deep-sky objects is called the "Messier objects", named after the man who, with help, cataloged 110 of these visible in the northern hemisphere with a moderate 40X-100X telescope. Some, but not very many, are visible to the naked eye. Being able to find, view, and - important - talk intelligently about these objects is a big step to being a "serious amateur astronomer". If this is what you want to do, you've found the right book.

Modern, and first class.......2006-10-17

I read O'Meara's book on the Messier objects, and eventually bought this one after reading the reviews on Amazon. I sometimes don't trust Amazon reviews because they are often too glowing. In this case, the reviews are accurate. This book delivers what it advertises, in simple, concise, and organized fashion. I like the way the photographic view is from a small telescope, which allows you to easily compare what you are looking at with what you see. This book comes with me when I search the night sky, together with "turn left at Orion", and my "Collins star atlas". I especially like the modern, color typeset and also the interesting historical introduction to one of the most famous Nerds in history. Messier would be so proud, and of course so surprised at how his little atlas of things to avoid became a timeless reference.

If you want one text on the Messier objects, then this would be the one.

Study Guide and Casebook to accompany Auditing & Assurance Services, 5/e

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Great Study Aid

Study Guide and Casebook to accompany Auditing & Assurance Services, 5/e
William F Messier , Steven M. Glover , and Douglas F. Prawitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0073263427

Book Description

Developed by Helen Roybark of Radford University. New to the 5th edition, this companion resource offers students the opportunity to practice chapter material, reinforce key terms, and complete activities relating to the case study, “Townsend Office Supplies and Equipment.”

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Great Study Aid.......2007-06-08

Great study aid. The essay study questions address many of the same topics my instructor tests.

The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon: A Handbook and Atlas

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Excellent addition to my growing astronomy book collection

The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon: A Handbook and Atlas
Don Machholz
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521803861

Book Description

The Messier Catalogue is a list of one hundred and ten galaxies, star clusters and nebulae, and includes many of the brightest and best-known objects in the sky. Amateur astronomers who find all the objects on the list in one night have successfully completed the Messier Marathon. The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon contains over 90 easy-to-use star maps to guide the observer from one object to the next, and provides tips for a successful night of observing. Don Machholz also tells the story of the eighteenth-century astronomer, Charles Messier, and how he came to compile his extensive catalogue. His complete guide to the Messier Marathon will help the amateur astronomer to observe the Messier Objects throughout the year, using a small telescope or even a pair of binoculars. Don Machholz is an engineer in Auburn, California. Interested in astronomy since childhood, he is a renowned comet hunter, having discovered nine comets that bear his name. He writes articles for local California newspapers and radio stations for special astronomical events. Between 1988 and 2000, Don Machholz was the Comets Recorder for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Recorders.

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Excellent addition to my growing astronomy book collection.......2003-04-20

This well thought out book is an excellent source for those of us who are pursuing the entire Messier catalog.Everything about it helps in the chase. Written in a manner that is not intimidating or too technical for those just starting out in amateur astronomy. Very helpful,interesting,and comprehensive. Can't go wrong with this one!Clear skies,all!!

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