modelling

The natuare of the book turns me toward testimony rather than review, because the book is where a change began for me. I thought Metaphors in Mind had something to do with literary analysis, which is what I was looking for. I was thus a little disappointed when I first opened the book, but then I couldn't put it down (see . . . it's impossible to live outside metaphors). So compelling was its proposal, metaphor is reality, that for the first time in my more than fifty years, I sought a therapist who ascribed to its principles. By happy coincidence I was able to meet with James and Penny--two of the gentlest human beings I think I have ever met. What has changed is my relationship and response to the images I live with and have lived through, once I spoke what they were, and where they resided in me, and what it felt like living with them, and what needed to happen to dispell--those ghosts, bugaboos and, ah yes those very symbolic ties that bind and double bind ones consciousness. For an English teacher to obtain reality through the life that exists in words is an awesome and radical experience. Without the book though there wouldn't have been a beginning . . . or, so as not to try logic, there wouldn't have been such a beginning. Metaphors in Mind is clear, precise and orderly, a succinct presentation of theory and pratice, even for the lay reader. It's an extraordinary introduction, and perhaps a great beginning. Before me now in my classroom are the basic clean language iterations and questions to consider, perhaps, the life of the symbols within Gatsby or Hamlet or Elizabeth Bennett. My thanks to James Lawley and Penny Tompkins.

The previous reviewers spoke of the value of this book for therapists and mental health professionals. However, Metaphors in Mind will also provide the interested layman with a fascinating view into the way people create their "realities." The explanations are clear and any special vocabulary is well defined. The annotated transcripts provide powerful examples of the way metaphors shape people's perceptions. I would highly recommend Metaphors in Mind to anyone interested in the intriguing landscape of the human mind.

This is a definitive book about the most important development in human psychology since Freud. Lawley and Tompkins have written an accessible, insightful account of a new way of working with verbal and nonverbal language that will not only appeal to the ordinary reader but to therapists, psychologists, educators, trainers, doctors, managers and consultants - indeed anyone interested in facilitating human change. Read this book and I guarantee you will never use language the same way again.

I read this book over and over. Bill Horan sets a new standard for figure modeling and this book does a wonderful job of showcasing his work. The production qualities of the book are excellent. Most of these photos are incredible. There are many times when I study the photos of Horan's figures, look at my own and say, "How does he do it?"

Which leads me to my only disappointment with this book. While Horan describes his techniques fairly clearly, the descriptions are relatively brief and he discuss use of enamels only.

His painting example is on a 100mm figure. I would love to see a similar section describing painting a 54mm figure as I am curious on how his techniques would vary.

The captions are very good and one can learn much reading them and studying the figures. I also enjoyed Bill's description of his early days in the hobby.

I hope that Bill decides to do another volume. I'll be the first to sign up for it. How about a DVD with a painting clinic too.

It's difficult to quantify Bill Horan's contribution to historical figure modelling. His sculpting and painting set a standard by which other work was judged for at least a decade and this title continues to be a source of inspiration for me six years on. The author's steady improvement over the years (including his early, modest, efforts) is documented, which I found fascinating and should provide a spur to improvement for any dedicated modeller.

This is well written in the author's distinctive style and extensively illustrated with colour photos including a number of step-by-step sequences. In addition to many of Bill's incredible 54mm single figures, vignettes and dioramas there are numerous pictures of the work of other noted miniaturists.

Beginning with a chapter on painting a single stock figure (David Grieve's 100mm Sergeant, 79th Highlanders) the progressive photos clearly show the author's enamel-painting style, complementing the detailed written account and 15 pages showing the work of other artists round off the chapter. Chapter two covers conversion and scratchbuilding, beginning with one of the author's trademark 54mm sculpts (a Confederate infantryman in this case) built from a commercial head, resin parts, wire and putty. The text covers materials, tools and posing before detailing the techniques used. The finished figure (shown approximately four times lifesize in one view) highlights the extremely high finish and just how much additional detail can be achieved at the painting stage. 25 pages of single figures by the author and others finish off the chapter. Chapter three is on vignettes, with a detailed look at the creation of the author's "Fight For The Flag" with 13 pages of additional photos of vignettes rounding out the chapter. Chapter four covers perhaps the most impressive side of figure modelling, dioramas, with an in-depth look at the creation of the noted "Ghosts Of Chillianwallah" and also includes photos of the author's legendary "Last Stand At Gandamak" from 1988. The final chapter is on mounted figures and dioramas with "A Cloud Of Red", an exquisite three-horse vignette depicting the charge of the 16th Lancers at Aliwal, covered in detail. Eight pages of photos of top-notch mounted subjects complete the book. Although only touched on lightly in the text, careful study of the groundwork on the author's pieces will benefit the reader in this under-appreciated area of the hobby.

For anyone interested in figure modelling, an absolute must-have from an acknowledged master.

Horan reveals his techniques for creating unique military models. He begins with his basic painting methods that are applicable no matter which painting medium is used. He then shows how to sculpt figures using ordinary items such as paper clips and toothpicks. The book then proceeds to the more difficult tasks of creating vinettes and dioramas. The book also includes a wealth of clear color pictures defining all the steps, as well as galleries of the authors (and others) work. This is a very valuable reference!

Modelling Sailing Men-of-war
Never seen anything better!
This book traces the progress of the construction of Majestic, 74, each step in the various stages is meticulously photographed in close-up, with the work actually in progress, and fingers or rulers giving a visual guide to scale.
The first chapters describe Mr.Reed's background, his workshop & tools and the reasons for his choice of scale and model.
Then the book takes us, in logical, but not necessarily chronological order, through the planning and construction process. Mr Reed favours a solid, excavated, then planked hull in preference to a built-up hull, as it was a commissioned project; this certainly saves time and effort, is more robust and looks more lifelike than the exposed interior of admiralty-style models.
In the text accompanying each photo (typically 4 per page), the author describes each process and gives hints and tips along the way. Some things I would do differently, but there are some interesting techniques used which I shall definitely adopt. The section on ship's boats is particularly helpful.
In the middle of the book are colour photos of the finished model, at anchor in a carved sea, surrounded by several bumboats - this looks so lifelike at first sight, one does a double-take! It is only the figures in the boats that give the game away - and they were not made by Mr.Reed!
I heartily recommend this to any amateur modeller, as a perfect teaching aid and inspiration to tackle bigger, more complex models.

I found "Modelling Sailing Men-of-War: An Illustrated Step-by- Step Manual" by Philip Reed to be well worth the price of the book. Following the builder/author through the modelling of the 74 gun ship HMS MAJESTIC in both text and photographs provided me with several techniques which I have already implemented.

The book includes a brief description of the ship and her history, an introduction, a description of the author's workshop and the building of the model with copious photographs that are well captioned. The captions not only describe the activity in the photograph but include many building suggestions and techniques.

I not only enjoyed reading the book but will certainly use it as a valued resource in future miniature shipbuilding projects.

Philip Reed has long been known for his superb miniature models, He has finally published a step-by-step manual of his modelling techniques, recorded during the building of Majestic, a 74-gun ship-of-the-line. While Mr. Reed builds to smaller scales than many modelers (typically 1/92 scale) the techniques he uses would be suitable for any scale. The book is composed of 385 black and white photos with brief captions that cover the construction of Majestic from hull to rigging complete with realistically furled sails. Also included are eight color photos of the completed model. Mr. Reed's photographic skills are superb and one cannot help but marvel at the model as depicted on the front and rear covers. Ship modelers in general and admirers of superb miniaturist Donald McNarry in particular, will surely want a copy of this book for their library.

The techniques and materials for producing life-like dioramas. Clear, easy-to-follow, well illustrated. Copious crystal-clear color photographs. Eye opening.

Richard Windrow's book is a must if you are seriously interested in terrain modelling. The professional skills on display within make it definitely worth his price.

In my country, the author is known as the artist behind the several magnificient paleolithic and medieval dioramas displayed at the Cantonal Museum of Early History in Zug - in the odd 1:62 scale, which means he had literally to build everything from scratch.
Each chapter of the book is dedicated to a particular scene or technique to model a specific environment in a step-by-step manner. Essential details about how to integrate human figures and vehicles effectively into a diorama are also adressed in the same way, and so are widespread mistakes. By the way, did anyone ever notice how many military dioramas lack any trace of tracks or tires in the mud around vehicles, as if those had fallen right out of the sky ?
Richard Windrow's solutions to this and many other common problems you may run into when building your diorams are simple but effective.

In front of the enormous wealth of details I found it pretty difficult to pick a favorite scene among all those discussed in this book. Perhaps the two most puzzling and therefore not to be missed are the jungle (Indeed, no other seems to have tackled that subject in such a depth before), and the fantastic Sherman Firefly armour diorama.

Don't hesistate for a moment to click the "ADD TO SHOPPING CART" button for this one! Windrow's book is excellent! This book will guide you through the construction of just about every scenery element found in dioramas or model railroad platforms. It contains plenty of photographs, step-by-step illustrations, and concise commentary. The chapters devoted to twisted wire armature trees, seasonal scenery, and water effects are extraordinary. 5 Stars . . .

I really enjoy this book by Sue Heaser. I am new to the world of Polymer clay, and found this book extremely easy to understand. I also have her book "Making Polymer Clay Jewellery" but like "The Polymer Clay Techniques Book" best. Included in the book, is how to make beads, buttons, millefiori, cabochons, Mokume Gane, faux finishes like stone, antiquing, etc. Another book I'd recommend that has great techniques and pictures, is "The Art of Polymer Clay" by Donna Kato. Both of these are very well written and provide a lot of inspiration! Donna Kato's book seems to have more advanced techniques.

Polymer clay is not only very versatile medium but also it is a medium where people that did not know having any artistic skills can achieve great results if getting good instructions. Sue Heasers book is excellent example of how all craft books should be written: There are hundreds of inspiring photographs in the book that give plenty of ideas. There are dozens of projects that really are unique and not only variations of previous projects. All the instructions are so well written than even a beginner without any prior knowledge about polyclay could easily do the projects.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is new with polyclay or has not even heard about polyclay before because I feel that after reading this book a person would know so much about different techniques with polyclay. It also should be in any serious clayers bookshelf just because it is the only book so far that has such a good overall look to most of the new and different tehniques and ideas that have kept the polyclaying community busy.

Sue Heaser makes what seems complicated very easy with this step-by-step book.

This is the most comprehensive coverage of interest rate models available anywhere in the global markets. If you already have a model, read this book to examine options for additional improvements. If you are developing a model, buy this book for the best state-of-the-art guidance available.

Jessica James's writing is always clear and accessible, and her Ph.D. in physics lends unparalleled quantitative expertise to the state-of-the art analysis of models and their applications.

As a math grad student who is interested in the term structure modelling, I found that this book is really useful! It just tells you everything about interest rate modelling,not just for the no-arbitrage modelling issue, they even have a chapter about the macroeconomic foundation for interest rate fluctuation! The math used in this book is very concise without too much measure theory twaddle,Everyone who works in this field should have a copy. It's a real must!

This is the most comprehensive coverage of interest rate models available anywhere in the global markets. If you already have a model, read this book to examine options for additional improvements. If you are developing a model, buy this book for the best state-of-the-art guidance available.

Jessica James's writing is always clear and accessible, and her Ph.D. in physics lends unparalleled quantitative expertise to the state-of-the art analysis of models and their applications.

I work in the Information Technology Section for the Department of Natural Resources. This review is for the book Case* Method: Tasks and Deliverables by Richard Barker ISBN 0-201-41697-2.

I have been using Richards book on Case Methodology for years as a guideline for project management and planning. There has been many methodologies introduce to the department through out the years, but we keep coming back to the concepts and tactics outlined in this book to help keep things organized and on track. I have found his concepts have proven themselves through time as a good template to follow. I am looking forward to reviewing your books Case*Method: Entity Relationship Modelling as well as Storage Area Networking Essentials.
Keep up the good work that has a timeless application and relevance.

I have to concur with the other five star reviews on Barker's book. I spent hours in a Borders evaluating which book to buy to learn Entity-Relationships. This was the book I picked and I never regretted it. All other data modeling books make far more sense after reading Barker's first two chapters.

This was also my first book in Data Modelling and though its been almost 10 years ago since I picked up my copy, I still have not seen many better on the shelves since in its category: intro to data modeling via ER diagraming (IE notation)
Though I no longer need to refer to this book any longer, it was certainly the first and best of the first books read in the subject and it speedily had me on my way to more advanced topics and eventually becoming an expert ER modeller.
I was so impressed by the book I eventually joined Oracle.. alas Barker had moved on but his case*method books haven't lost a step in so long a time..

Many reviews here are about the old edition of Mathematical Biology (the softcover one volume, 2nd ed). Recently J.D. Murray split the second edition in two hardcover volumes. Volume 1 discusses mainly models that use Ordinary Differential Equation, while slightly more complicated Math is required for Volume 2. These new books have added topics (modelling of marital interaction, temperature-dependent sex determination, wolf territoriality, etc). While sometimes the model is still very simple and in its inital stages (e.g. marital interaction model), the books show how much biology and applied mathematics intersect, and they make very interesting read.
There is a certain lack of analysis of the nonlinear cases, so for those who need examples of amplitude equations, different ways of perturbing a linear model, these books are not so good. These books might be too complicated for a bio person with not much mathematical background, but it is very accessible to those with some math background, and are certainly easy for Math or Physics people who want to know more applications to biology.

A few decades ago mathematical biology consisted mostly of evolutionary and predator-prey models. This has changed dramatically in recent years with the advent of computational biology and gene sequencing projects. The applications of mathematics to biology are now exploding and this book is an excellent example of that. The book could best be described as the application of nonlinear dynamical systems and reaction-diffusion partial differential equations to biology structures and processes. Readers with background in these areas of mathematics will find their ideas applied beautifully in this book. The best sections of the book for me were the discussions of synchronized insect emergence, models of testosterone secretion control, insect dispersal models, calcium waves on amphibian eggs, mammalian coat patterns, models of hallucination patterns in the brain, and modeling the transmission dynamics of HIV. Numerous exercises end each chapter, and the mathematical algorithms can easily be coded in Mathematica or some other high level language. This is a fine addition to the literature on mathematical biology and for the price it is a real bargain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although a tough read, it is well worth your time and effort. The sections on spots and stripe formation are excellent and quite interesting. An excellent book!

This is probably the best book written on financial modeling in excel, definitely worth the $50. Comes with a great CD-ROM. The books strength is its illustration of financial models and implantation in Excel. Since the models focus on static solutions the book is probably of greater use in academics than in industry. It would be great if there was instruction about how to input real time data into Excel and implement the models dynamically. Of particular interest to me is the great VBA code given on the CD, namely the code to calculate autocorrelation, cubic spines, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This alone was worth the 50 bucks.

There are some major deficiencies in this book. Noticeably absent topics include: bond portfolio immunization; swap pricing; forwards and futures hedging; the ARCH, GARCH and CHARMA models.

My background is in finance, mathematics and computer science. Unlike the guy above, I don't see any need for advanced mathematics in order to study this book. In fact I am sure you don't. The point is to make excel do it for you. However it will a lot easier for those who understand the finance and mathematics behind what they are telling excel to do. I am assuming that those who are considering this book most likely have taken at least one college level calculus course and one statistics course. But I don't think even that is necessary and definitely not stochastic calculus.

Being a professional Azerbijani Yak trader, I (like my esteemed colleague) have used extensively Stochastic Calculus!
I am also very strong in the modelling & programming, area.
Just like my esteemed colleague, I stand in awe before this book, and certainly class it as a godsend!

The book not only applies to my current vocation, but i have found practical application for this book in the Scandanavian Seal clubbing industry.

I have stopped my wheels spinning, life is a truly experience after reading this book.

I also highly recommend Dr. Zeus, Cat in the Hat & Green eggs & Ham!

VBA is one of those tools I long knew I should be proficient in but never got around to learning. That is, not until I found this book. It makes it easy for a financial professional to quickly come up to speed and start coding VBA within spreadsheets. The fact that the focus is on financial applications means that you learn coding techniques that will be useful on the job. I highly recommend the book!

Some books are good for mathematicians, some books are good for managers. This book is different. Williams did a good job to combine both mathematic and application perfective in a single book. Even you have only high school background, this book is readable. For senior researchers or grad students or strong math background person, this book is still enjoyable to recall your fundamental of math modeling. The references are not quite updated, however. Also, this book should added some current optimization tools. Even though the title is model building, not solving, it won't be harmful to have the metaheuristics (only introduction) or KKT.

If there is anything that I would hold against my favorite Operations Research books - it would be the lack of emphasis on model and structure. Williams' book fills in that gap and is an essential companion to every Math Prog book. It is not a cookbook where one can look up a particular problem and the possible ways to model it. Instead, it takes a systematic and very sensible approach to modeling.
The three chapters on Integer Programming Models are amazingly easy to understand and were a real help during a graduate course in the subject. The huge number of practical examples in Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the book is the real value of the book. I would be hard-pressed for space to describe the range of problems that are modeled in Part 2... Part 3 covers a good deal of discussion on these formulations and Part 4 follows it up with solutions. Though solutions are not discussed in detail, they are a great help for someone who has worked hard through the problems and needs a verification of the solutions.
Another useful section in the book is a chapter on the interpretation of Linear Programming solutions. For a person without a Math Prog background (say, a manager), this kind of material is very useful. In fact, it once served as a good refresher for me in a hurry... and an excellent one at that.
The only sore point is a very limited discussion on nonlinear models.

This is one of the only books I have ever encountered that focuses on the practical aspects of model formulation. This is a frequently overlooked aspect of optimization, but models that are well formulated will often result in superior performance. It is particularly strong in the formulation of mixed-integer problems, with a variety of tips for linearizing variable products and for incorporation of logical constructs. It also shows how to model SOS1 and SOS2 variable types. One other area that I found to be particularly useful was a section covering convexity analysis. This was the only book that I've read that did a good job of explaining the concepts and ramifications of problem convexity. Finally, the examples in the book cover a wide range of practical problems. Most are fairly simple, but do a good job of illustrating important techniques.

I highly recommend this book for linear and mixed-integer modelers. However, if you don't use these types of solvers in your work, the book is less likely to be valuable.