Membrane Activation in Immunologically Relevant Cells (Chemical Immunology)

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Questionable Research

Its NOT about Raising Taxes!

Readable but not agreeable

The Elephant in the Bedroom: How much is it costing us?

The hidden subsidies that make an automobile a "requirement"

The Elephant in the Bedroom: Automobile Dependence & Denial : Impacts on the Economy and Environment
Stanley I. Hart , and Alvin L. Spivak
Manufacturer: Hope Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Getting There: The Epic Struggle between Road and Rail in the American Century (Chicago Lectures in Mathematics)

Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream

Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back

Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

ASIN: 0932727646

Product Description

A library cover edition of the paperback.

Customer Reviews:

Questionable Research.......2005-10-25

I was very dissapointed with this book. I did find it interesting, and if the arguments were true they would be very convincing. Unfortunately, the authors use many different facts and figures to support their arguments, but do not cite where these facts and figures came from. These facts could all be made up. They could be all true. The reader has no way to know.
Therefore I don't find the book to be reliable.

Its NOT about Raising Taxes!.......2003-09-16

The book is great, invaluable if you want to really understand where 25% of our economy is going - much of it squandered.
I had to write this review because though because the last one got it completely wrong. Their premise was the authors wanted to just raise gas taxes - WRONG!
The authors repeatedly said the correct thing was to LOWER other taxes that subsidize cars, while EQUALLY raising auto taxes and other fees to bring driving back into the real world of capitalism - not the Stalinist system we have now that makes urban driving seem two or three times cheaper than it really is.
Then people (especially poor people) face the true cost of driving and parking. They then take cheaper means, such as walking, cycling, car-pooling, tele-commuting, transit, and rail or plane travel - just like they do in Europe.
The end result is people SAVE MONEY - just the opposite of raising taxes. Its called fair capitalism, and its the only thing that works.

Readable but not agreeable.......2001-03-15

I purchased this book in Hardcover from Amazon directly. Several good points are made with the problems of an automotive dependent society (the kid who spent his inheritance modifying a Van), but the solutions offered are simply incorrect or incomplete (the old 'raise gas tax' ruse). The Authors, however, are dead right in their criticism of the corrupt 'traffic engineers' (if you build it, they won't come!) and 'build, build, build!' method of non-smart development. They also are able to dissect the failed solutions of the others, such as "carpool" lanes and others(if they work and are used, they will also have traffic, causing the carpooling parties to drive solo since they have nothing to gain. Ergo, if they work, the fail).

However it is their demand for a "fair" (exorbitant) level of Petrolleum (Gas) taxation that causes them to lose credibility in my eyes. Yes, fuel taxes alone do not cover the cost of building roads, and yes, non-drivers have to 'pay' for the roads. But it is largely irrelevant given that most drivers, especially commuters pay heavy taxation to all levels of government, far more than they receive, even counting road building and maintenance. Furthermore raising petrolleum taxes will increase the cost of shipping goods in trucks from UPS to Supermarket supply vehicles, raising the price on everybody. Also, as much as 80% of all emissions are from COMMERCIAL vehicles (i.e. trucks), not passenger cars.

Whether they like it or not, the Internal Combustion engine has allowed a level of prosperity that horses could have never given us.

3 stars for being long on what's wrong, and short on what to do about it.

The Elephant in the Bedroom: How much is it costing us?.......1999-06-14

The Elephant in the Bedroom is a concise analysis of the automobile as a sugarcoated transportation system that has been sold to our country without any justice given to other transportation systems. One of the key questions brought up by the authors is "How much does the use of the automobile as the primary transportation system actually cost?" The authors bring up the seldom-discussed issue of "Who actually pays for the 'free parking' offered by commercial stores and restaurants?" Other issues discussed include gasoline taxation, political land use, automobile-driven economics, and various inefficiencies related to the current transportation system.

The hidden subsidies that make an automobile a "requirement".......1998-05-05

This is an excellent book that shows how the "highway lobby" (real estate developers, highway construction companies, politicians, trucking companies, automobile manufacturers) has gotten the American taxpayer to subsidize the use of automobiles. Fuel taxes in 1993 (when the book was written) amounted to $0.28 per gallon, while the subsidies (borne by sales and property taxes) are estimated at an additional $3.50 per gallon! The authors go on to show that the subsidies lead inevitably toward insolvency of public transporation systems, which require *further* subsidies from the taxpayers. Many societal ills are shown to be directly or indirectly due to this one fact -- that the *true cost* of operating a vehicle is hidden from the user.

Their solution would make Adam Smith proud: lower the property and/or sales taxes dramatically and raise the fuel tax and cost of parking so that users pay for the services they receive. This would lead to increased ridership on public transportation (to the point where these could once again become private companies instead of publicly supported agencies -- heck, there might be multiple companies *competing* for the privilege of transporting you!)

Book Description

The roads within America's national park system reveal a wide range of technological, aesthetic, and philosophical concerns. Their design and construction epitomize the central challenge of national park management: how to balance environmental protection with public access. The Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), a division of the National Park Service, has spent more than a dozen years documenting the history of this vital aspect of the national park experience.

America's National Park Roads and Parkways brings together 331 measured and interpretive drawings commissioned by HAER to illustrate the physical characteristics, design strategies, construction practices, and visitor experiences of roads in national parks from Acadia to Zion and parkways from the Blue Ridge to the Natchez Trace. Also included are non--Park Service projects that utilized similar design strategies, including the Bronx River Parkway and the Columbia River Highway. The book documents thirty-one projects, explaining how roads shape visitor perceptions, highlighting key characteristics of individual park road systems, and connecting their design and construction to the broader history of American engineering and landscape architecture.

More than a documentary record of historic design and construction practices, this book has practical applications for engineers, landscape architects, and cultural resource specialists in guiding design decisions, interpreting historic sites, and informing contemporary debates on preservation and environmental protection.

National Park Roads: Acadia National Park; Crater Lake National Park; Glacier National Park (Going-to-the-Sun Road); Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park; Mount Rainier National Park; Rocky Mountain National Park; Scotts Bluff National Monument; Sequoia National Park (Generals Highway); Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive); Yellowstone National Park; Yosemite National Park; Zion National Park

National Military Parks: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park; Gettysburg National Military Park; Shiloh National Military Park; Vicksburg National Military Park

Parkways: Baltimore-Washington Parkway; Blue Ridge Parkway; Colonial Parkway; George Washington Memorial Parkway; Natchez Trace Parkway; Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway

Park Road Precedents: Bronx River Parkway; Columbia River Highway

Aerodynamics and Ventilation of Vehicle Tunnels: Principles, Analysis, and Design (British Hydromechanics Research (BHR) Group) (British Hydromechanics Research Group (REP))

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Aerodynamics and Ventilation of Vehicle Tunnels: Principles, Analysis, and Design (British Hydromechanics Research (BHR) Group) (British Hydromechanics Research Group (REP))

Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1860582559

Air Traffic and the Environment: Background, Tendencies, and Potential Global Atmospheric Effects : Proceedings of a Dlr International Colloquium Bon (Lecture Notes in Engineering, 60)

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Air Traffic and the Environment: Background, Tendencies, and Potential Global Atmospheric Effects : Proceedings of a Dlr International Colloquium Bon (Lecture Notes in Engineering, 60)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Building regional security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere: Issues and recommendations (Shaping the regional security environment in Latin America special series)

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Building regional security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere: Issues and recommendations (Shaping the regional security environment in Latin America special series)
Max G Manwaring
Manufacturer: U.S. Army War College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Channel Tunnel and Alternative Cross Channel Services

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Channel Tunnel and Alternative Cross Channel Services
Dept.of Environment
Manufacturer: Stationery Office Books
ProductGroup: Book
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Civil Reserve Air Fleet Enhancement Program: A Study of Its Viability in Today's Environment

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Civil Reserve Air Fleet Enhancement Program: A Study of Its Viability in Today's Environment

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 1423562305

Product Description

This is a NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A436343. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: During the 1970s and 1980s, there existed a gap between the strategic mobility requirement and the nation's cargo assets to meet this requirement. Consequently, the Military Airlift Command developed and implemented the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Enhancement Program (CEP) to bridge this gap. Civilian airlines were given monetary and other incentives to modify their existing wide- body passenger aircraft enabling them to carry military-sized cargo in the event of military necessity. This study examines the National Defense Airlift System, the concept behind the CEP's development and reasons for its failure. It also discusses whether the current military, Congressional, and airline environments are conducive to a revitalization of the CEP. It was determined that the current environments do not favor a re-birth of the CEP. However, if a CEP were deemed necessary to meet a potential gap in the strategic mobility requirement, actions could be taken by AMC, Congress, and the airlines to aid its success. Some of these actions are: developing adequate incentives enticing airline participation, ensuring even distribution of enhanced aircraft among CEP participants, investigating use of medium-sized aircraft, investigating benefits of placing financial liens on enhanced aircraft, and reducing CRAF activation concerns among participants.

de-Icing Salt Damage to Trees & Shrubs (Bulletin)

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de-Icing Salt Damage to Trees & Shrubs (Bulletin)
HMSO Books
Manufacturer: Bernan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Effects of traffic and roads on the environment in urban areas; (Road research)

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Effects of traffic and roads on the environment in urban areas; (Road research)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 926411095X

The Going Rate: What It Really Costs to Drive (Bulletin 129 of the Central Electric Railfans' Association)

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The Going Rate: What It Really Costs to Drive (Bulletin 129 of the Central Electric Railfans' Association)
James J. MacKenzie , Roger C. Dower , and Donald D. T. Chen
Manufacturer: World Resources Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0915825775

Book Description

The book reviews recent developments in the field of deep inelastic electron-proton reactions at high momentum transfers. These studies have been made feasible by the high-statistics ep collision data collected by the experiments ZEUS and H1 at the HERA accelerator at DESY. The standard model framework for describing deep inelastic scattering and scenarios beyond the standard model, as well as the experimental situation, is discussed, and the experimental results are collected and confronted with the theoretical predictions.

Book Description

Â“The cater waiter is the ultimate illusion; queer posing as straight, liberal posing as conservative, hedonist posing as eunuch.Â”

In his second novel, Jim Provenzano (author of the acclaimed PINS) explores Manhattan society life from the servantsÂ' point of view. Monkey Suits serves up a compassionate and witty tale of 1980s class warfare, and the romantic entanglements of a quintet of tuxedo-clad waiters.

Lee WyndamÂ's work-related affairs lead to more frustration than heÂ'd expected. Drawn to activism, his passion may finally blossom. His ex-boyfriend Brian BurnsÂ' foray into Â“the oldest professionÂ” leads to a strange encounter. Ed Seabrook, BrianÂ's spiritual boyfriend, Marcos Tierra, a sassy club kid, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly) straight sculptor, each have their lives forever changed by a tumultuous benefit protest.

Â“Jim Provenzano captures an era in gay history with humor and poignancy. He has become one of our strongest voices.Â”
Â—poet Alex Gildzen

Customer Reviews:

A lot of flaws, but a lot to like in an engaging read.......2006-05-22

"Monkey Suits" is ensemble piece that, in some ways, reads like a set of overlapping short stories. Whereas Provenzano's "Pins" departed from some typical conventions of gay "coming of age" fiction, "Monkey Suits" occupies more familiar territory. The story focuses on a group of "cater waiters" in the era after the initial onslaught of AIDS. It's a coming of age piece among young post-college men stuck in the world of upscale catering--a little more lucrative than temping, and a bit more glamorous than entry level office work, but a dead end from which one hopes at least some of the guys can escape.

The nominal protagonist is Lee, although he is probably the least developed of the ensemble. Early on, he is described as an airhead; later he comes across as timid and anxious; and finally, he emerges as an activist of sorts. The various pieces of his personality aren't really pulled together and his initial interest in activism seems more a matter of his attraction to fellow waiter, Kevin, than anything else. Even if Lee is a nice guy who flies under most people's radar and needs to be pulled along by the flow of things, his character requires more development than occurs here. We know more about the other characters backstories, while all we know is that Lee comes from a college town in Indiana. We don't know if he's from the gown or the town or whether he or his parents ever had expectations beryond waiterhood. The counterpoint to Lee is his ex-boyfriend Brian, the exteremely handsome, very manipulative guy that most people want to have, but also come to hate. Rounding out the cast are Ritchie, the basically straight artist, his musician girlfriend, Brian's new boyfriend--Ed, and Marcos who is something of a diva-ish mother hen for Lee. Later, we meet Cal, a stunningly beautiful man, who becomes the real love of Lee's life. Other characters include a well-intentioned socialite and her husband who is a closeted, kinky, and homophobic political conservative.

The story captures the later years of the New York that was chronicled and lampooned in Spy magazine. This was the New York of "The Donald", Leona Hemsley ,and the worst sorts of excess. The book also focuses on AIDS activism and issues of class. The efforts at finding metaphors for the servile life of the waiters is a bit forced, especially given their largely middle class to upper middle class backgrounds. The AIDS activism seems a bit muted and fails to communicate the truly intense anger and the level of theatre that came with ACT-UP. The dopey narcissism that sometimes came with the guerilla theatre also is missing. The anxiety about AIDS is a mix between the complacency that came later and the concern about evety act that was more typical of the mid-80s. In that respect the book captures its era very well.

I've emphasized the flaws, but the writing makes up for most of them and the book is ultimately a very rewarding read. It's humorous and there are many insightful looks at human life and gay men. The characters are, in their different ways, likeable and engaging--even Brian. As with "Pins", Provenzano ties things up a little too quickly and neatly. A novel can leave us wondering more than a short story, a column, or an essay, and that seems to be where Provenzano has the most trouble.

Waiters with voices.......2005-03-26

This is an engaging story of activism in the early days of AIDS. But that's only the backdrop: it's really more the story of how lives can change suddenly and dramatically. The setting, mostly, is the upscale world of New York diners, who treat the gay waiters like their servants. The guys cope with the advent of this strange new disease and the new out-there protest group (ACT-UP) that appears.

The main character, Lee, is attracted to this vocal, policy-changing mob, and feels like with social activism, he might have found his passion in life. Other characters are equally colorful: Brian, who tries life as a hustler; a club-hopper boy, a bi-curious sculptor, and more.

It's a colorful, detailed look at a moment in time in our history--with all the laughs, tears and drama you'd expect.

The Waiter World.......2005-03-09

The problem with this novel is that of many second novels; it is not as good as the amazing PINS, Mr. Provenzano's first novel. While the author wrote about the world of high school wrestling teams in PINS, here he writes about the waiter world (thus the name MONKEY SUITS since those who carry food to our tables usually are clad in those uncomfortable suits with cummerbunds). It's certainly not a bad novel and is an easy read. It just doesn't have the passion, at least for me, that his first one did. Set in Manhattan in the late 1980's-- The elder Bush is elected president during the course of events-- the novel follows the lives of several gay "cater" waiters and one mostly straight one, Ritchie, who-- whether intentional or not on the part of the author-- comes across as one of his most endearing characters. There are other characters to care about as well: Kevin, for one, who is active in ACT-UP when he isn't waiting tables. But many of the other people aren't very sympathetic. They work for the people, high society types, who treat them badly even while raising money for AIDS. They do not lift a finger to help themselves-- unless you count the occasional passive agressive spitting in someone's food. And the use of feminine pronouns to refer to men is way past overdone. Additionally, the scene at the AIDS benefit at the Metropolitan Museum degenerates into slapstick. I thoroughly expected a food fight. Finally, at two different places in the novel the author inserts a page of quotations at the end of chapters (pages 108 and 165) that just seem to float. I have no idea what that's all about.

MONKEY SUITS is far better than a lot of contemporary "gay" novels and certainly covers an area not usually written about. It's probably unfair to expect this novel to be as fantastic a story as PINS. Mr. Provenzano obviously is capable of writing very fine stories and most likely will do it again. I'll read them cheerfully.

Monkey Suits Serves up a full platter..........2005-02-10

In Jim Provenzano's second novel he delivers a very personal view of an important part of America's history be you gay or straight. This is New York in the 80's. Don't mistake this for a history lesson though- it's a novel and he also gives you humor, passion, drama and some very funny details that mirror the absurdity and lack of humanity as people in this country tried to turn a blind eye on a real problem. At the same time for some people a very real problem was which side to serve the entrée. I whole-heartedly recommend this book.

Men in Black.......2003-11-20

What was it like to be an out gay man in New York City just as the AIDS activist group ACT UP became popular? And what's it like to serve dinner to the wealthy who ignored the AIDS crisis while struggling with your own growing anger?

This is what author Provenzano explores in an ensemble novel about a group of waiters, some of whom ignore the crisis, others who work within the echelons of upscale servants before abandoning that world.

While not as impassioned, deeply symbolic and poetic as his first novel, 'Pins,' he does weave amusing metaphors of Egyptian culture (and Anubis/dogs as well), portraying Manhattan as a slave culture of sorts. The handsome, gay men in the book have their lives intermingling.

Chapters shift mostly from one guy to another, with a few asides for a sarcastic yet humane portrayal of a socialite who means well, but becomes the subject of a bumbled protest because of her homophobic husband.

While the depiction of a Marianne Williamson-type "faith healer" doesn't work as a parody (the quoted "God Did Not Create AIDS, therefore AIDS Does not Exist" was actually one of her obtuse mantras), it seems to be a critique in contrast to the eventual activist stance of the main character, Lee.

With its rich detail, based on obvious experience in both worlds, Provenzano's narration takes on a dishy character all its own, extolling the excess. Urban and urbane, the humor is sometimes sidetracked by too-brief touching moments; the waiters stopping to hear a mourning co-worker play at a piano, one character's coming out as HIV-positive under a Central Park snowfall. Yet it captures an era now lost, and makes one wonder who among these tuxedoed men may have survived.

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