Agent Books

Joseph Conrad, in his two novels "Heart of Darkness" and "The Secret Agent", demonstrate the duality of man at the extremes. In "Heart", Conrad uses the narrative of Charlie Marlow and his journey through the Congo basin to reveal how much man can change from what he professes as his aims and what he succombs to through his actions. Marlow and the other central character Kurtz are in many ways foils for each other, both in pursuit of an end, and both gaining realization of the futility of their pursuit.

Conrad succeeds in generalizing these characters' development to humanity at large, not just in an imperialist context of Africa, but in the heart of civilization of the time, London, in his later novel "The Secret Agent". Again, the themes of futility and disillusionment loom large in this work, but are made much more immediate and absurd in the context of the urban environment. Verloc, his wife Winnie, and the characters surrounding them all live their lives without discernible meaning, which end without meaning as well.

Both these novels draw from historical events--Conrad's trip to the Congo where he compromised his health and the 1894 Greenwich Observatory bombing outrage--and show Conrad's skill in weaving narratives of beautiful prose in a language that was his third. These stories are a great introduction to Conrad, and represent the turning point for the novel following the Victorian age into the Modern.

As the first Helen MacInnes novels I've read, I admit that my enthusiasm of these well written and entertaining stories may be colored by the other books in the spy genre I have been disapointed by. These are gold. They are neither patronizing nor sensational- just good, solid, logical page turners. I don't like spy novels that use crass language and over the top violence to cover up their inadequacy of a substantial story. These three are gritty without muck, compelling without teasing and still exciting enough to keep me up past bedtime on the fifth reread.

I'm not a big collector of books, but these are worth keeping on the bookshelf at home. Enjoy!

working in the field of immunology i think that this book really helps you to get an insight into the hepatitis B immunology and research protocols.Undoubtedly, is a great tool for my PhD project.
Dimitrios Arampatzis, MD, MSc

when Jean Claude Mezieres' and Pierre Christin's comic "Valerian"
was published in France for the first time it was different fromn other comics in the same genre. It featured a strong, female character, Laureline and some great designed aliens, to me "Valerian" is the best sci fi comic and if you have good taste you'll think that too.

This book provides an excellent overview of how to architect and create intelligent software agents that operate over the web. Case studies are covered in some depth and include STORE, a personalized department store application, CFIT, an application to prevent Controlled Flight into Terrain, and CHAIN, a supply chain example application.

The examples in the book are not strictly academic toys. I invented a financial agent system in 1999 that was subsequently purchased by America On-Line. The structure of agent interactions of that commercially implemented system is exactly as shown in figure 1.1 of the book.

The only thing that has changed since that system was built, and since this book was published, is the rise of Web Services. The book details an implementation architecture called IMPACT for deploying agents. I think we would find that Web Services would be the appropriate implementation technology today.

This is a review I found on the web already published about this book:

Hidden Promises takes the mind into the world and life of underground vigilantes. Jan and Ward, two PED (Paranormal Enforcement Department) agents decide to take the risk of leaving the agency unofficially and find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They entered the PED under the assumption of research and study, but years later, they realized that their life wasn't theirs any longer. The PED forbade them to become romantically involved, therefore Jan and Ward were forced to live a dangerous and mysterious life as husband and wife. They had became so used to taking orders and carrying out assignments governed by top notch agents, and now, their new life from the agency provided them with life-changing decisions to make. After leaving the agency, their responsibilities to the people who needed them most, remained a part of who they were. In addition to having a special talent for mind reading, that the agency cultivated, they possessed the skills to camouflage their true identity to close down an organization that sold women who attempted to cross the borders of Mexico, as slave laborers.
This book is very edgy. It kept me wanting to go to the end just to learn the outcome. I was able to picture each image in my mind, and felt as though I was a spectator watching everything unfold. I thought it would be so wonderful if I were able to read minds. I enjoyed this book.

Reviewer: Wanda

Part of the excellent Drugs: The Straight Facts series, HIV/AIDS Treatment Drugs teaches young adult readers the most up-to-date information about the drugs used to fight the AIDS epidemic today. Chapters give a basic history of how these drugs were developed during the battle against AIDS and discuss different types of drugs in depth, as well as how they work, and how doctors create specific combinations to improve their effectiveness. Social and political issues relating to AIDS as well as possible options for the future of AIDS treatment are also mentioned, including the hope of one day creating a vaccine. Charts, diagrams, and a user-friendly glossary enhance this timely and relevant book, enthusiastically recommended for public and school library collections.

While there has been a tremendous amout of "flux" in how agencies, artists and producers have chosen to be represented in the feature film indursty, this book will provide both novce and seasoned pros alike with information about a given actors popularity, or producer/director teams. Most importantly, it gives all readers a sense of scheduling and pace of production in feature films. It is a great resource to be kept and used to forward anyones careear. After using a friends, it was time to buy my own.

The seller was very understanding when I purchsed the incorrect book and gave me a full refund. The book was sent in a timely matter despite my mispurchase.

I am currently enrolled in Dr. Jaime Diaz's seminar class on drugs and behavior. He knows what he is talking about!