Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos

Customer Reviews:

True Asimov style.......2004-12-10

This book is an excellent summation of the progress made in discovering sub-atomic particles, It may not now be up to date (it was printed in 1991), but I would not forgo the learning within, or the Asimov method of presenting it. Isaac Asimov specialty was explaining difficult subjects to his readers. He did an admiral job keeping the subject matter interesting. Each short chapter is dedicated to a particle, ex. mesons, quarks, bosons. Each chapter also gives a little historical background of the search and discovery behind each particle and how it fits within the sub-atomic world. Nuclear physicists may have progressed far beyond this by now, but this is still a good book for piecing together the subatomic puzzle of particles.

Completely Dry and Uninteresting.......2002-10-08

Isaac Asimov's Atom is an interesting premise for a book...the evolution of the smallest aspect of an element which is the basic aspect of life and existance. Asimov intends to take the reader across centuries explaining simply, interestingly, and concisely how this fascinating little thing came to be as it is and why it is so important.

However, Asimov explains the atom neither simply, interestingly, nor concisly. Let me rephrase...Asimov's writing style is extremely dry in this book. It is understandable to a certain extent...the book is divided into 51 small sections of between 3 to 7 pages each. If a reader attempts to read over more than one or two of these sections at a time, it becomes nausiating. Explainations of experiments are extremely difficult to understand, and the book drags and lacks any interest whatsoever in many parts.

Redeemed by interesting tidbits, it is easy to understand how a science buff can enjoy this and understand it, but to the average reader, the prose is uncommonly dull and loquacious. The diverse gallimaufry of scientists govered begin to combine in the mind, and it is difficult to remember who did what.

As the book stretches onward passed the three-hundered page mark, the reader is constantly questioning "Why do I care? I have learned what the atom is today, and how it came about originally. Why on earth to I need to know all the errors in between?"

In conclusion, Asimov's Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos may be perfectly suited to the literature taste buds of a science afficianado, but nobody who takes no particular interest in the subject should be forced to read such a dry and useless account. Asimov has talent, which he beautifully and powerfully demonstrates in certain parts of Atom and in almost every single other work he has written, but here his talents need to be reserved for the most scientific amongst us. It is unfortunate that so many Chemistry teachers require this book as reading for their class. This difficult narrative will only succeed in fogging the perception even more.

Excellent.......2001-01-23

This is an excellent book for students of almost all ages (14 up). I was 14 when I read it, with no education in atoms, and I understood it perfectly. Asimov writes in a way that is extremely provocative and very informative. I highly recommed this book.

Asimov's Atom.......2000-05-18

This book reveals a part of Isaac Asimov that I have never realized before: the Detective. His journey across the subatomic cosmos is that of a detective, whether he is analyzing electrons, light, neutrons, quasars, antimatter, neutrinos, interactions, or the universe. He presents a mystery, a problem, that stumps the experts in physics or chemistry or mathematics, and then begins eliminating the suspects one by one until the only possible solution is revealed. He has done the same thing in his science fiction, for example in his Foundation Series and Robot Series (see my Amazon.com reviews of various of his books) - in fact, the heroes of his robot series were a human detective and a robot or android detective. I grew up reading the science fiction of Asimov and/or his colleagues, and my wife Dr. Marleen Josie Doctorow used Asimov's book on psychological science fiction in her university psychology courses. Asimov, by a remarkable coincidence, was married to a psychiatrist, Dr. Janet Jeppson, and she continued his Foundation Series after his death via his Estate and the great writers Brin, Bear, and Benford. When I read the front page headlines recently in newspapers attacking psychiatrists and psychologists like Freud, I wonder whether the journalists realize that all of science and medicine and journalism involve detective stories. The greatest detectives also have something called intuition, which also goes by the name of ESP, and in theology is considered to be a quality of the Divine. Asimov had it, Saint Thomas Acquinas had it, the Old Testament Prophets and Mohammed had it, Buddha had it, Einstein had it, Field Marshall Montgomery had it. It leaves us humble and grateful for the miracles of our and their existence.

The Secret of My Success.......2000-01-29

I'm a hobby science-fiction writer, and you can't do that plausibly without knowing the facts of the subject matter. Everything I know about physics I drew from this book and from Richard Feynman's "Six Easy Pieces," which I also recommend. When I sell things and you like them, you'll be able to go to this book and say, "so that's where he got it from."

ATOM: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos by Isaac Asimov

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ATOM: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Truman Talley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OH7UK2

Book Description

On September 17,1975,after being electrocuted by a bolt of lightning,Dannion Brinkley died. When he revived twenty-eight minutes later in a morgue, he had the story of a lifetime to tell- a profoundly moving account of what happened to him during his near-death experience.

It is a tale of a dark tunnel, a crystal city, and a "cathedral of knowledge" where thirteen angels shared with him 117 revelations about the future-95 of which have already come true. Even he now possessed the ability to read minds, no one believed his story of the spiritual transformation that changed his life- except others who had died and come back.A second near-death experience reunited him with with his angelic instructors.This time,they revealed that he was to use his new psychic gifts to help the dying.Since then, he has dedicated his life to working with the sick and elderly, and sharing his fantastic story with people everywhere.

Dramatic and inspiring,Saved By the Light is an exciting look at the fascinating mysteries of life and death.

Customer Reviews:

best book i've ever read.......2007-04-20

On September 17, 1978, Dannion Brinkley was electrocuted through his telephone while talking to his friend Tom and was instantly dead. 28 minutes later he was revived in the morgue. And had a life story to tell the world.
As i was reading this book i was drawn to it due to all of the premonitions Dannion Brinkley had made. Everything that Dannion had said came true. he was right about demoralized countries, strife and hatred in the holy lands, nuclear destruction, enviromental religion, China and Russia battling, economic earthquakes and desert storm, technology of the new age and viruses, and biological warfare.
Dannion became a very spiritual person after meeting with the Higher Beings. He had a mission in life, and his mission in life was to make spiritual centers for people around the world. This was the best book i've ever read and i do not normally read. It took alot for me to finish this book, so in my mind if a book can keep me interested than it is good to me.

A source of great comfort.......2007-04-13

It takes a very special kind of book for me to want to read something that I've already read, but "Saved By the Light" was, and remains, quite the exception.

I read this book in the mid-1990s at a very down point in my life: I was freshly graduated from high school and had absolutely zero idea what was going on in my life, let alone know what I wanted to do with it. I had just completed 13 years of Catholic school (K-12) and I wanted to find a spiritual, as opposed to religious, path for my life. I wanted to think for myself as opposed to reciting and believing what other people told me to say and believe my entire life, and I was not satisfied with organized religious dogma in the least.

I got quite the shock when I read Dannion's debut book for the first time, mostly because it shattered everything I had ever been taught - and more.

I had always believed in an afterlife from an early age, but I had a hard time digesting the fire and brimstone scenario painted by organized religion (especially by some Protestant denominations!). Dannion's experience not only proved there *is* life after death, but that it's not the work of the "devil" or evil spirits (which, in and of itself, is one of the most ignorant things I've ever read and/or heard.) It's not about being "judged" for every little wrong (or "sin") you committed in your earthly life, nor is it about being an angel with wings and a halo, playing the harp on clouds.

Instead, Dannion's experience really made me think about the way I treat other people, hence having to face that life review - where you experience what the other person was feeling and where you judge yourself. That made a lot more sense to me than being told that, because I was human, that I was full of "sin" and destined to make tons of mistakes along the way. But, despite that I'm not perfect, I had only one lifetime to get everything right and, if I didn't, I was going to burn in this horrible place forever. (And then people wonder why so many folks are walking around with inferiority complexes these days!)

Dannion's afterlife journey gave me great comfort. I can't really fully explain the feelings his book brought to light within me (just as he couldn't put words to some of the feelings he felt during his NDE - near-death experience), but the vast majority of what he conveyed in his book just rang true with me. The majority of the book was one "a-ha!" moment after the other.

"Saved By the Light" started me on a quest at my local library to read nearly every book they had on the topics of NDEs and spirit communication. I'm fascinated by the fact that the veil between the spiritual and material worlds gets thinner every day it seems. I'm also fascinated by the almost exact details that people around the world have had during their NDEs and the fact that it gets harder for the naysayers to discredit the myriad of peoples' NDEs as being either "mass psychosis" or "dreams." (If that's the case, then people from all over the world have done a great job of giving almost exact details of NDEs, and that's a hell of a feat considering those people don't even know each other.)

In all, it was refreshing to see someone like Dannion, who was so involved with US intelligence and who murdered in the name of "patriotism" see the error of his ways firsthand and now make a positive difference for people. One can't help but notice the glow in his author picture on the back inside of the dust jacket.

But, despite his past, his book was the first book that I ever read in my life that truly made a difference in my thinking and how I acted. Thanks for sharing your amazing story, Dannion! - Donna Di Giacomo

incredible story.......2007-03-04

What if the meanest and most hatefull bully from high school had a terrible accident and suffered horribly for many years in the flesh to pay for his bad actions? What if, with that, he gained incredible knowledge from heaven, great spiritual gifts, had a second chance and became one the kindest persons you know?
That's the story you will find in the book. There are also some interesting prophecies he makes in the book based on the information he supposedly gained in the other side, but quite frankly that was of a lesser interest to me.

indepth.......2007-02-02

I believe this book is worth reading for anyone. It gives anyone who wonders if there is something beyond death or those who worry about death a great deal of faith to not be scared of it. It gives great account of dannion brinkleys near death expiriences and also tells about many other cases of near death. Great book , i suggest ever one read this book.

Best Near-Death Experience Report I've Ever Read.......2006-11-14

I have read many first-person accounts of near-death experiences. And Dannion Brinkley's is by far the most complete, both because he spent a longer time out of his body than most and because his NDE caused a profound change in his personality and, therefore, a 180-degree turnaround in his behavior toward others. His description of the life review he conducted on his first 28 years of physical existence was a true "ahah" moment for me.

Brinkley describes an intense review which awaits us all, conducted by the Spirit Self we are and not a father sky-god on a throne before us. He tells us we will feel the happiness and love we have given to some during our physical journey, as well as the pain we have inflicted upon others. No reward of an eternal heaven for the "good" among us. No reward of an eternal hell for the "evil." But an opportunity to truly "reap what we've sown" as we feel the emotions of souls whose physical lives have been touched by ours. A must-read for everyone who yearns for a peek at what awaits us after we've discarded our bodies. Especially instructive for those who have rejected Christianity's fear-based heaven/hell doctines but have nothing with which to replace those rejected teachings.

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Update for Previous Review
DARING MASTERPIECE!!!
Obscene!
Kind of Silly
Cryptically stunning.

The Man Who Died
D.h. Lawrence
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0880014296

Book Description

In his last novel, published less than a year before his untimely death at the age of forty-five, D.H. Lawrence takes up the theme of Christ's resurrection and his final days on Earth. Lawrence recounts Christ's agonizing journey from death back to life with an alarmingly proffane realism, depicting the tale from teh moment of his initial painful awakening to his eventual redemptive sexual relationship with the priestess of the pagan goddess Isis.

The story expands beyond its Christian roots to explore and embrace Lawrence's abiding faith in the life-force apparent in every aspect of the natural world. For his final work, Lawrence has encapsulated a lifetime of extraordinary vision into one profound and exquisite parable.

Customer Reviews:

Update for Previous Review.......2003-11-21

In my previous review of this masterwork I used the word "aesthetic", when of course I meant "ascetic..." Also, regards the quality of the prose: This book was published in 1930, at the height and influence of the simpler styles of Americans like Hemingway and Fitzgerald. While remaining intensely metaphoric, the style nevertheless shows the influence of this younger generation of writers who had emerged in the past half-decade. The result is one of Lawrence's most accesible novels, while also retaining the quality of Imagism that distinguishes his earliest work.

DARING MASTERPIECE!!!.......2003-11-07

Anyone who has a passing interest or knowledge of the origins of Christian Myth will recognize those roots in this final masterpiece by D.H. Lawrence. It is amazing how prescient Lawrence was here. Remember, this was written some 20 years before the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels at Nag Hammadi. Although gnosticism was known of, and to some degree what some of the gnostics believed about Christ, it was rarely acknowledged beyond the study of heresy within the Catholic and Protestant seminaries. Laypeople knew almost nothing of the origins of Christianity. That most original Christians had very different ideas about their Savior, and that indeed many believed that He was a sexual creature (and some even a homosexual), was blasphemy of the highest degree. And that many also equated Christ and Mary with the myth of pagan Isis and Horas (which many today believe is the real precusor of Chritianity), would have been unthinkable even as late as the 1930s.
But Lawrence was an autodidact when it came to religion, and like many autodidactics, had some very strange and original ideas about that and Christianity in particular. Essentially a mystical deist, he found much to despise in organized, modern Christianity. Like so many of his generation, he blamed it, correctly, as one of the main causes of the First World War and the ills of the modern world. He also had an abiding interest in pagan religions of all types (read his The Plumed Serpent), but especially Roman/Etruscan paganism. How much he knew of the Egyptian Isis-Horas/Mary-Jesus connection I have no idea, but it was probably intuitive: Isis was one of the most popular godesses of late-pagan Rome, which Lawrence was very familiar. Did he know that certain early Christians also worshipped Isis and, indeed, believed in a sexual union between the two? I can't say. But knowing of Lawrence's interest in "mystical" sexuality, mixed with his other interests, it was probably natural that he would combine these into one of the most daring novels of all time.
While simple-minded, prejudice readers might find this work blasphemous, it is in fact one of the most original and exciting novels written about Christ. This has none of the nonsense of Kazantzakis'Last Temptation of Christ, which was essentially a reverent and wholly orthodox work (but which also has an element of original Christian philosophy -- and thus the unjust controversy). Lawrence dispenses with all that, and somehow discovered and revealed the pagan heart at the core of much Christian philosophy. In his tale of a Christ who "survives" the crucifixion, has a sexual relationship with a priestess of Isis, and then renounces aesthetism for the wordly pleasures of the flesh, Lawrence typically and bravely went for the jugular, while also retaining his elegant, inimitable style. What emerges is one of his most profound and poetic works, and not surprisingly, as he was to die a year later, also pretty much sums up his philosophies in one, neat little package. If you have the chance to read this small, but rich and powerful work, you will have discovered one of the true masterpieces of one of the greatest writers of all time.

Obscene!.......2000-07-26

I had no trouble reading Lady Chatterley's Lover, but I did indeed have trouble reading The Man Who Died. It is gross and blasphemous. D. H. Lawrence must have been mad when he wrote this. His tuberculosis was sure getting at him.

The book, which is a novella, was about Christ's resurrection. He discovers that men are put on earth to have sex with women. And He Himself takes part in this heathen notion.

I was insulted when I read this. Christians and non-Christians alike will agree that this book is not worth reading.

Kind of Silly.......2000-05-10

This is D.H. Lawrence at his hobby horse again. He gives a portrayal of the risen Jesus after the crucifixion who is tired of life . . . weary of it all, with the life force at an all-time low. What can save him? Sex, of course. What else? It's the same old song-and-dance. Lawrence seems to think that the answer to all of life's problems is sexual union, which makes about as much sense to me as regarding vegetable curry as the meaning of life. Sex has it's place, to be sure, but I don't understand the primacy that Lawrence ascribes to it in each and every one of his novels. In certain instances, sex can revive a sense of purpose or ebbing energy, but it cannot and will not aid anyone in a sense of world-weariness. If attempted it will just be like trying to give live into a dead horse. It would probably only make one feel all the more disgusted with existence rather than giving one a sense of rejuvenation, as Sartre so adequately demonstrates in his "Nausea". All, in all, i felt the whole attempt was kind of silly. The Christians will get mad, the Lawrencians will love it, but it is really just another testimony to one man's inability to make sense of live in anyway other than genital terms.

Cryptically stunning........1999-08-18

The first time that I read this story was close to 10 years ago and it was coupled with another short titled, "Bryn Mawr" (sp). Being a fan of Kazantzakis, I was immedeiatly drawn into this speculative account. I couldn't put it down even when it ended. The best of this style and subject.

The Man Who Died Laughing / The Man Who Lived by Night (Stewart Hoag & Lulu)

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The Man Is Back
The Man Who Read All The Books

The Man Who Died Laughing / The Man Who Lived by Night (Stewart Hoag & Lulu)
David Handler
Manufacturer: Busted Flush Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0976715791
Release Date: 2006-10-01

Product Description

Busted Flush Press is excited to announce the release of The Man Who Died Laughing / The Man Who Lived by Night, the first two mysteries in David Handler s Edgar Award-winning series featuring celebrity ghostwriter Stewart Hoagy Hoag & his faithful basset hound, Lulu. Out of print for almost 20 years, these books are nearly impossible to find, even online or in used bookstores. In The Man Who Died Laughing, Hoagy & Lulu find themselves in Hollywood, where Hoagy is ghosting the memoirs of has-been funnyman Sonny Day. When it becomes apparent that someone wants to kill the book, Hoagy discovers that ghostwriting can be murder. In The Man Who Lived by Night, Hoagy is off to London to dig up the secrets of reclusive bad-boy superstar Tristam 'T. S.' Scarr, formerly of the legendary British rock group Us. T.S. is ready to reveal all, in a book destined to become a controversial best-seller. But then someone intends to send Hoagy to the top of the charts with a bullet. Busted Flush Press will reprint all eight of the Hoagy & Lulu mysteries in a series of four omnibus volumes.

Customer Reviews:

The Man Is Back.......2007-01-11

David Handler's Stewart Hoag is suave, debonaire, and witty. As a ghostwriter for celebrities, he works with a range of bizarre characters--but none so strange (and adorable) as Lulu, his persnickety fish-eating dog and assistant detective. The first two volumes of the series have been out of print and it's great to have them available again.
Handler also writes another delightful mystery series starring an odd couple--film critic Mitch Berger and policewoman Des Mitry--in a small Connecticut town.

The Man Who Read All The Books.......2007-01-09

It's great to finally be able to read the first 2 books of this fantastic, funny series.

The Man Who Never Died: The Life and Adventures of St. Peter, the First Pope

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The Man Who Never Died: The Life and Adventures of St. Peter, the First Pope
Gerald T. Brennan
Manufacturer: Sophia Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1933184094

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St. Mawr and the Man Who Died

Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Yippie Yi Yi Yo

Man Who Died Laughing, The
David Handler
Manufacturer: Crimeline
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0553185209
Release Date: 1990-08-01

Customer Reviews:

Yippie Yi Yi Yo.......2004-08-29

In the early 80s, Stewart Hoag ("Hoagy") was proclaimed to be "the first new literary voice of the 80s" by the New York Times. Now it's the late 80s, and Hoagy is reduced to ghost writing a biography for Sonny Day, nicknamed "The One," formerly of the Martin-Lewis-esque team Knight & Day. Get it?
OK, everybody sing:
o/~ Knight and Day, You are The One ... o/~
Like Martin & Lewis, Knight & Day had The Big BreakUp. The Why of it is at the center of the mystery. Hoagy's sidekick is his Basset Hound, Lulu. This reviewer's Basset, LucyIndaSky, wishes Lulu would have had a bigger role. This reviewer wishes this book would have moved along better. (o/~ "Get along. Little Doggies!" o/~)
No one dies until page 123 out of 184. This would not work for dear Jessica Fletcher, who manages to have a dead body by the 1st commercial in every Murder, She Wrote, and it doesn't work well here either.
The book meanders from Coast to Coast - New York to LA and back and forth. It is an exercise in Celebrity Name Dropping, including the real Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Dino even comes to the funeral, when Handler finally gets around to giving us a funeral to go to.
Reviewed by TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

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The man who died twice,
Edwin Arlington Robinson
Manufacturer: C. Palmer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

15 American One Act Plays - Thursday Evening, Dust of the Road, Undercurrent, Man who Died at 12 O'Clock, Aria Da Capo, Lottery, Red Carnations, Feathertop, Sorry Wrong Number, Still Alarm, Trifles, Trysting Place, Neighbors, Impromptu, Davil & Daniel Web

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15 American One Act Plays - Thursday Evening, Dust of the Road, Undercurrent, Man who Died at 12 O'Clock, Aria Da Capo, Lottery, Red Carnations, Feathertop, Sorry Wrong Number, Still Alarm, Trifles, Trysting Place, Neighbors, Impromptu, Davil & Daniel Web

Manufacturer: Washington Square Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HYP4J6

3 Books by D. H. Lawrence: The Rainbow, Sons and Lovers, St. Mawr and the Man Who Died

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3 Books by D. H. Lawrence: The Rainbow, Sons and Lovers, St. Mawr and the Man Who Died
D. H. Lawrence
Manufacturer: Viking Press, New York
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

D. H. Lawrence Omnibus: Women in Love / The Ladybird / The Man Who Died / The Captain's Doll / The Rainbow

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D. H. Lawrence Omnibus: Women in Love / The Ladybird / The Man Who Died / The Captain's Doll / The Rainbow
D H Lawrence
Manufacturer: Octopus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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