Builder

This is pretty handy software, especially when it comes to making characters for GURPS (the Generic Universal Roleplaying System by Steve Jackson). The interface is fairly intuitive, so you really don't have to delve into the tutorial at all, unless you just want more indept information. This software covers all the advantages, disadvantages and skills from several source books (Fantasy, Fantasy Folk, Magic, Supers, Psionics and the Grimoire). Unfortunately, you'll need those books to read up on the particular details of each, but the software is great in that it allows you to customize these things to a certain extent. The character sheets that it prints out look just like the ones out of the back of the book, except that all your information is typed in. It also prints spells sheets and extra skill sheets! This is really a great tool if you are a GM (Game Master) and need to make some NPC's really fast... which is the main reason I bought the software. In additional there is a name finder that is pretty handy and also a die roller (which really isn't as handy as grabbing a handful of dice and throwing them... but then it could be the aesthetics of it too..) I give it a 5 stars, because it is one of the better RPG tools I've used to date and I think it is a good value for the price.

Okay, here's the short version:

At a price of around $14, this book is the second-best bargain I've ever seen (the #1 bargain was when I bought my Focus below invoice).

Now the long version:

This is a really cool book. The author takes a very methodical and systematic approach in order to find out where the Zetec engine is restricted, and where the stock components will suffice. Throughout the book, the engine modifications are tested on the dyno in order to tell what works and what doesn't. Case in point: the stock throttle body looks like a bottleneck, but the author made well over 200 wheel horsepower using it on a turbocharged Zetec. On a supercharged Zetec, however, the author shows that the stock throttle body is indeed a restriction. While other guys are wasting their time with mods that won't make any noticeable difference, Holdener is actually testing all of the changes he makes and passing on what he has learned. If you're a beginner, this book will save you a lot of money. If you're experienced, this book will save you a lot of time.

This book was clearly rushed into print, as there are a LOT of typos and mislabeled graphs - you've got to pay careful attention to the text. In one case, it appears that the graphs were put on the wrong pages entirely, as the numbers on the graph are nowhere near what they should be. The quantitative value of the graphs is limited, but the qualitative value is enormous. The reader can see just where a given configuration makes its power, which is crucial for both off-road and street use. I, for instance, have no use for some wild engine that makes peak power between 7,000 and 8,000 rpm's. On the other hand, I fell in love with the power curve of Pectel's turbo - it looks absolutely perfect for street use (which is ironic given that I'm pretty sure it's not street-legal - I guess it's designed for rally cars). Unfortunately, this brings us to the biggest problem with this book - it's not appropriate for street cars.

This book is definitely aimed at off-road use. There is very little discussion of emissions - in fact, I can't recall any of the turbo setups being street-legal. I would've liked to see a catalytic converter squeezed in for a few of the tests, especially since the cat can be such a restriction under the right conditions. That is, I'd like to see a comparison of the stock cat to a high-flow aftermarket cat. That would be VERY helpful.

This book focuses (no pun intended) almost entirely on the [Zetec] engine, with turbocharging receiving the most attention. Supercharging and normally aspirated mods are covered pretty thoroughly, but nitrous, sadly, is almost ignored. There is only one dyno test on a nitrous setup, which is unfortunate given nitrous' affordability. Ironically, nitrous is probably the most likely mod for a novice to make, yet this book leaves us flying blind in terms of the fuel requirements (how many beginners have the equipment to measure air/fuel ratios?). It would've been nice to see a couple more dyno runs so that I can tell how large my injectors need to be. Of course, the reader can use the other tests in the book to get a rough idea of what injector size is required for a given power output, but nothing compares to the usefulness of one of Holdener's tests.

As I said earlier, this book is almost exclusively about upgrading the Zetec engine. It touches briefly on suspension mods, and very briefly on the drivetrain and brakes. There are no dyno tests to show the effect of the aluminum flywheel vs. stock. Nor are there any scientific tests on the torque-biasing differential, the upgraded brakes, or the effect of the new final drive ratio (again, it appears that the book was rushed into print). This doesn't seem like a terrible shortcoming, except that I think a discussion of rotating mass would be a great addition to this book. For example, the lighter flywheel should've made a noticeable difference off the line, and the up-sized wheel/tire package would obviously place more demands on the brakes.

Overall, this book is awesome! Just keep in mind that the text is STRONGLY biased toward racing. In fact, Holdener used Union 76 118 Pro Stock race fuel for one of the tests (last time I checked, that wasn't one of the choices on the pump at my local Hess station). A word of warning for beginners: after reading this book, you're going to want all the stuff you've seen in Holdener's cars. If you're poor (like me), either start looking for a second job or get ready to be extremely envious!

In this at once sobering and pragmatic book, Mr Builder brings to the fore a background to an ongoing story that is rarely accessible to the general reader. The modern Air Force continues to evolve due in large part to the sheer force of the personalities wearing the unifiom. Exploiting technology relentlessly while stubbornly clinging to the ways of their upbringing as captains and majors, today's Air Force colonels and generals are hamstrung between new and old. This book expertly and accurately describes the process and its result. The book's core focus is on contemporary leadership and the experiences that shaped them (i.e., the Cold War and Vietnam, in a combination of extremes) If anyone wants to know why the Air Force does the odd things it occassionaly does (in public and private), the answers lie herein, told in unemotional tuths. Thank you, Carl Builder, for providing what Gen McPeak was unable to give you credit for in the book's opening remarks. Strongly recommended for the intelligent student of Air Force history - this book should have been on the Air Force Chief of Staff Reading List. The only improvement would be a reissue in paperback to spare the $44.00 cost.

Senior Master Sergeant Paul D. Helphenstine Directorate of Logistics/Aircraft Maint Policy and Programs, Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe

This book is an excellent example of documentary photography of a people and way of life that is slowly (or quickly depending on where you live) passing from the American landscape. Builder Levy has a strong empathy for his subject and for the people he portrays in these marvelous b&w photographs. Buy and read this book (and share it with friends) if you have any interest at all in coal people and Appalachia.

Recently my wife and I were planning a two week, once in a lifetime trip though Italy. We were very excited to see the entire country but realized that communicating might be difficult as we got into the Tuscan countryside. With this in mind we picked up a copy of Instant Italian Vocabulary Builder.

Although my wife and I had a bit of Spanish and Italian while in college, we didn't retain nearly enough of the language and its structure to feel comfortable on our trip. We each spent some of our free time reading though this book and were simply amazed at how much we retained. This method of learning worked wonders for the both of us and we commented to each other on our trip that we feel we learned more in the short time spent with this book than in our entire college experience.

This level of comfort with the language helped make our honeymoon a truly unforgettable experience. It allowed us to put our concerns aside and to enjoy our time in the Tuscan wine country. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast and easy way to pick up the Italian language. Simply the best learning tool I've used while studying a foreign language.

Great language learning tool. It showed me that Spanish isn't really that different after all.

For beginning Go players there is a dearth of material on what exactly it takes to increase one's skill. It is all very well to talk about 'whole board' play, but it takes considerable experience to lift one's eyes above the dust of battle long enough to see that there is action all over the board and that everything is related. It only slowly dawns on the player that more points may be made by playing elsewhere than can be gained by flogging a local group to death.

Even after one knows that this is true, even after one has studied some basic opening strategies, it is often difficult to for a player to understand how he or she can arrive at the middle game already badly behind. The 'Power Builder' series is intended to remedy this situation by studying overall opening strategy and then following through to other aspects of the complex game of Go. In each case, Wang Runan goes that little bit deeper that is intended to drive a player past the intermediate skill level.

This is the first volume released of three volumes, a translation of the first 13 lessons of a set of 34. I find it remarkable that they were originally based on a Chinese television program presented by Wang RuNan. It says something for the overall popularity of Go in the Orient that a course as advanced as this would appear as popular media. Here in the U.S. it would be hard to find a program on Chess, let alone a less popular game like Go.

James Dee has done an excellent job of translating the classroom style of the program into a text with a similar feel. I find the discussion exceptionally clear, even though the subject matter is not always straightforward. It is enjoyable, enlightening reading that, applied carefully, will work positive changes in your playing style. This is a book I expect to read many times, and I hope that the following volumes appear in short order.

Many of us have kids in sunday school who have heard all the standard stories. this is a book (part of a 12 book series) which has memory verses which are a little different, stories which focus on different aspects than usual. it also focuses on charictor development.

in addition to great content it is designed to be zeroxable. you don't have to project how many kids you will have 5 months from now to order your material. you can copy the number of hand outs you need the day of the class if necessary

Excellent, easy to follow coverage of difficult to find information like installation of shower with mortar bases, drains, and sheet pvc pans; jetted tubs and typical plumbing problems in renovation efforts; accessibility design; and kitchen and bath design. Written in an anthology format where each chapter comprehensively addresses a different topic. Appropriate level of coverage for both amateurs and professionals. One of the best books in this catagory

I was very pleased to recieve this book. It is clear, easy to read and has pictures of all the different types of Grourami's, Paradise Fish and Beta's and a few other species I did not even know were Labyrinth Fish. It has 175 pages of information and many, many pictures. It is the nicest book I have found yet on Labyrinth Fish. Happy Reading!