Composite Materials: Properties as Influenced by Phase Geometry

Book Description

This book deals with the mechanical and physical behavior of composites as influenced by composite geometry. The monograph provides a comprehensive introduction for researchers and students to modern composite materials research with a special emphasis on the influence of geometry to materials properties. Composite Materials enables the reader to a better understanding of the behavior of natural composites, improvement of such materials, and design of new materials with prescribed properties.

Average customer rating:

Good Read

Ehhh

DNA just is and we dance to its Music

Decent Primer

Another Richard Dawkins book

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (Science Masters Series)
Richard Dawkins
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Evolution | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Climbing Mount Improbable

Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder

The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene (Popular Science)

A Devil's Chaplain: Reflections on Hope, Lies, Science, and Love

The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe Without Design

ASIN: 0465069908

Amazon.com

Nearly a century and a half after Charles Darwin formulated it, the theory of evolution is still the subject of considerable debate. Oxford scientist Richard Dawkins is among Darwin's chief defenders, and an able one indeed-- witty, literate, capable of turning a beautiful phrase. In River Out of Eden he introduces general readers to some fairly abstract problems in evolutionary biology, gently guiding us through the tangles of mitochondrial DNA and the survival-of-the- fittest ethos. (Superheroes need not apply: Dawkins writes, "The genes that survive . . . will be the ones that are good at surviving in the average environment of the species.") Dawkins argues for the essential unity of humanity, noting that "we are much closer cousins of one another than we normally realize, and we have many fewer ancestors than simple calculations suggest."

Book Description

How did the replication bomb we call "Life" begin and where in the world or rather, in the universe, is it heading? Writing with characteristic wit and an ability to clarify complex phenomena (the The New York Times described his style as "the sort of science writing that makes the reader feel like a genius"), Richard Dawkins confronts the ancient mystery. "Dawkins is above all a masterly expositor, a writer who understands the issues so clearly that he forces his readers to understand them too. River Out of Eden displays these virtues to the full." --New York Times Book Review "Dawkins has gone to the heart of his subject and presented it with energy, insight, verve." --Los Angeles Times "[River Out of Eden] abounds with metaphors that make things brilliantly clear....an excellent introduction to many important evolutionary ideas." --Nature

Customer Reviews:

Good Read.......2007-02-04

I enjoyed the writing style and flow of this book. It was a nice read.

Ehhh.......2006-12-31

Excuse the low score. I will come to that, later. Overall, this book is not bad. It's actually quite good. It covers a wide range of topics in average detail. What do you expect from a 160 page book?

I gave it a mediocre score because the book covers topics that Richard has already explained in other books. It felt as though Richard wrote this book just to make money. All he did was rewrite his ideas, change the analogies, and write it real quick. Also...his writing wasn't on par. It didn't flow and didn't contain the usual humor that Richard presents.

Conclusion: If you have two days to read one of Dawkins books, read this. This should be the only circumstance in which you should read this book.

I recommend read 160 pages of The Blind Watchmaker instead of this book. You'll get ALOT more out of it.

DNA just is and we dance to its Music.......2006-12-26

As mentioned in other reviews of Dawkins's books I enjoy his writing and his passion for explaining science to the general public in an understandable way. I have given this book 5 stars because of the way he explain his arguments... although I don't agree with them. Now for a reply which is divided into the following parts:

1. Good Explanation of Mitochondrial Eve
2. Evolution in small Gradations: No Evidence forthcoming
3. Darwin's Argument from Personal Incredulity
4. God's Utility Function and the problem of Ethics
5. Question for Darwinists/Atheists

1. Good Explanation of Mitochondrial Eve

River Out of Eden is an addition to his ever-growing collection of fine books. This talks about DNA and genetics. For someone who is not a scientist this is a good introduction into genetics. He also explains very well the concept of the Mitochondrial Eve and that she would have been an ancestor of humans in the female line (as opposed to a common ancestor). Dawkins also explains there are other ways of being descendents, and that the mitochondrial ancestry is just one of many. This should put to rest any attempts by Creationists (by this I mean those of the Christian Protestant ilk... see my review of Dawkins's book, `An Ancestors Tale - A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life'. I myself am a Theist of the Islamic ilk) to infer that Mitochondrial Eve is in fact the Eve of Adam.

2. Evolution in small Gradations: No Evidence forthcoming

The Chapter on, `Do Good by Stealth' is an attempt to answer a letter sent to Dawkins by a Theologian. He delves into evolution in small gradations and cites a couple of examples to explain his understanding:

a) The evolution of the bee dance:

Dawkins explains in detail about the dancing of bees based on Von Frisch's ideas and how they are related to the location of food. He says that the dancing we see today may be an end product of intermediary dances that evolved into what we see today. This may be true and it will be accepted by all (Creationists) that behaviour can evolve. But the citation of the possible evolution of the dance sequences is not evidence that intermediary species existed. We may also track the changing dance sequences/styles of human beings from 1700s to 2000 and notice changes in the way people danced. There may have been intermediary dance sequences that led to what we have today, alongside the evolution of music. Behavioural evolution of human dance sequences does not explain nor suggest that there were intermediate species between our supposed common ancestors and homo sapiens. I understand why Dawkins cites the bee dance, it is an easy way to explain evolution, but as I say we have to distinguish between behaviour and speciation.

b) Nilsson and Pelger Computer Simulation:

Dawkins cites the two scientists who ran computer programmes that simulated the evolution of the eye. I am always sceptical about citing computer simulations as a way of explaining evolution in small gradations (fast-forwarded through programming) directed by natural (in this case artificial) selection. As the reader will note that programmes, algorithms etc. do need to be programmed in order to generate `random' events. The scientists start from a single cell... which is a given. Dawkins rightly points out that the complicated mechanism of the single cell itself is out of the equation so this somewhat simplifies the evolutionary simulation. Dawkins also used a simulation which he explained in his book, `The Blind Watchmaker' called the `Biomorph' programme to look at the evolution of simulated fancy-shaped biomorphs. In both examples of computer simulations, there is a programmer to programme algorithms to generate evolution. This glaring drawback is either ignored or acknowledged (in the Blind Watchmaker) but just accepted as given.

3. Darwin's Argument from Personal Incredulity

Dawkins rightly criticises Creationists for their often emotional argument that because the universe is so complicated etc etc that there must be a creator. There is no argument but just emotional nonsense. That is why I agree with Dawkin's coinage of the term `Argument from Personal Incredulity'. However, Dawkins didn't see fit to criticise Darwin for the same argument of personal incredulity. In the beginning of Chapter 4, `God's Utility Function', he cites Darwin who said that he could not persuade himself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designed the Ichneumonidae to feed within the bodies of caterpillars'. Atheists also tend to use the Argument from Personal Incredulity, i.e. emotional arguments much like Darwin did. They would ask why disasters happen or children are abused... if God existed He wouldn't let this happen. Same argument but on the different side of the coin

4. God's Utility Function and the problem of Ethics:

In Chapter 4 entitled, `God's Utility Function', Dawkins talks about the utility function (or I prefer to use `purpose') of life. Put it simply of is the survival of DNA. My favourite quotation from Dawkins (out of all the books he has written) is the following one he mentioned at the end of this chapter as it explains Atheistic ethics in a nutshell:

"In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at the bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference...DNA neither cares nor knows. DNA just is. And we dance to its music".

This quotation provides a huge problem when dealing with ethics. If there is no right nor wrong, no justice and injustice, then by logical extension there is no such thing as a crime only survival of the fittest. Let's take rape. I hope all readers will agree that rape is a crime and is wrong and laws are there to deter men from raping women, and if they do there is a punishment. Using the Atheistic/Dawkins analogy, the act of rape would be the preservation of DNA. It would be a male instinct to procreate and transfer his DNA so that new DNA could be generated regardless of whether the woman wants it or not. Would Atheists accept this type of universe? No they would not and let's be fair to Dawkins, he did deal with the problem of ethics elsewhere. In one of Dawkins's other books (cannot recall which one) he did criticise a scientist (again I have forgotten whom) for suggesting that rape was a survival instinct. Dawkins rightly stated that this should not be accepted. Elsewhere Dawkins said that there are consequences of evolution but we as a species have crossed a threshold where we can revolt against evolution (I am paraphrasing). But this begs the question, if the utility of life is preservation and propagation of DNA, then why revolt against a system which will do exactly that? Why have laws against rape, which is a preservation and replication system for DNA? If there is no right no wrong, no good, no evil then Atheists and Darwinists should not criticise rape. If they do, and rightly they do, then there has to be a problem with the concept of the utility of life being DNA preservation alone... hence a problem with the theory of evolution and natural selection in the absence of a Creator.

Note: I am not using the ethics argument to prove the existence of a Creator. Creationists may do that but my reasoning behind bringing ethics (and the example of rape) is to show the fallacy of the concept of the purpose of life being DNA preservation alone, a universe where there is no evil no consequences. It's something for Atheists and Darwinists to think about.

5. Question for Darwinists/Atheists

This is a general question and not related to this book alone. The idea of evolution is that species would mutate in order to survive changing conditions. Let's assume that bacteria is the first entity on Earth that evolved from single cells after chemical interactions etc. Now the reason for bacteria to mutate into something better (`better' is a relative term but we can use it for this argument where `better' means better survival) is for survival of DNA. A series of mutations and natural selection would make subsequent descendents and species better equipped to survive. Give the Earth billions of years time and what started with bacteria ends up with a multitude of species we see today which have evolved through small steps over geological time. Let's assume that Homo Sapiens, a part of the African Ape species, is uppermost of the evolutionary ladder. In other words, it has reached a survival capability better than when its ancestor started as a bacteria...otherwise there is no point in evolution. With me so far? If we and the rest of the African Ape species are best equipped to survive brought about by millions of years of evolution (mutations and natural selection), why is it that the most populous entities today are bacteria? They seem to have survived without any need to mutate and evolve into complicated descendents. If bacteria are the most populous entities, then why is evolution regarded as a sequence of better mutations (guided by natural selection) that leads to better survivability that has led to species such as Homo Sapiens?

(Ex-Parliamentary Candidate, Conservative Party)
London
UK

Decent Primer.......2006-12-18

Many people have trouble reconciling the complexity of the observed organic world with a simple and mindless process such as natural selection. The trouble derives from an implicit idea, a fallacy of the conservation of complexity, which holds that complex effects must have complex causes. As a result there is a tendency to invoke what Dennett has called skyhooks - imaginary mechanisms (such as an intelligent designer). In this book Dawkins offers a popularized account of natural selection, the only known process which can produce complex functional organizations. The book is aimed at the general reader. Dawkins begins with an overview of the basics of natural selection, showing how each generation acts as a sieve, filtering a "digital river of information" -- namely, the ACGT sequence of DNA.

Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, there has recently been a resurgence of obsolete `arguments' from design and a resistance against the irrefutable facts of evolution. Dawkins successfully tackles many of these so-called arguments and shows how vacuous they really are. Many creationists believe that evolution, proceeding as it does by a process of gradual selection and incremental change, cannot explain certain phenomena in the natural world. Using mimicry as an example, there is no survival advantage to critters that are only one-quarter camouflaged, these creationists say: it's an all or none thing. Dawkins dismantles this `critique' and manages to show its fallacy. But perhaps the paragon example for many creationists is the eye, an organ of extreme complexity, and Dawkins addresses this issue at some length as well. What use is an eye with only half of a functioning capacity? Well, actually, there is evidence that parallels nearly every step of eye evolution: beginning with the simple, light-receiving structures in the limpet to the `pinhole camera' eye of the mollusk, Nautilus, to the image forming lens eye of the vertebrate. Photosensitivity offers a greater survival advantage than no photosensitivity and the ability to detect only blurred intimations of movement confers a still greater advantage. It is only a lack of imagination and thinking that could prevent a person from understanding how, through a process of the intensification of function, the complex mini-computer that is the vertebrate eye could have gradually evolved. Dawkins also reviews the work of Swedish scientists on simulation models of eye evolution whose research has shown that this entire process (from light sensitive sheaths of tissue to image forming visual systems) requires only a few hundred thousand generations - a mere blip on the geological time scale. But the best indicator of possibility is historical antecedent and here it can be pointed out that the eye has evolved along independent lines, at least forty times over. Just because some people find this incredulous doesn't change a thing - arguments from personal incredulity are not valid.

The recent rallying against evolutionary theory and the resurfacing of outdated intelligent design arguments is troubling. This small book should serve as a decent primer for the general reader who wants to become acquainted with the process of evolution by means of natural selection. In the process, the general reader should come to realize that there is no `controversy' at all in the evolution versus intelligent design debate. It is true that the themes explored in the book are explored elsewhere by Dawkins and in a more satisfactory manner, but this is not bad for a quick read.

Another Richard Dawkins book.......2006-08-19

I remember reading a review of a Chuck Norris film many years ago that made the point that Chuck Norris films could only be compared to other Chuck Norris films because all Chuck Norris films were nothing more than Chuck Norris films.

And that's sums up the writing of Richard Dawkins. This book, River out of Eden, is just another Richard Dawkins book that can only be compared to other Richard Dawkins book because its nothing more than a Richard Dawkins book.

So what is a Richard Dawkins book? A collection of interesting stories from biology and chemistry loosely tied around a vague theme. The theme is introduced somewhat early on, but due to Dawkins' penchant for not staying focused, the theme is unstable and ever mutating. The stories are wonderful indeed, and they usually support the theme of the moment. Finally, after several hundred pages of stories and ramblings and changing themes, Dawkins ends the book. Quickly. Done. It's over.

"River out of Eden" is a Richard Dawkins book. Great stories supporting vague themes.

Did you notice how this one ended? A poem and it's over. I said to myself, "What? Where's the rest of the chapter? Where's the conclusion? What the devil was the point of this book exactly?"

Footnote: okay, okay. Not all of Richard Dawkins books are Richard Dawkins books. I have to admit that his recent "The Ancestor's Tale" was better. It actually ended with a bit of a summation. Not much, but a bit.

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life

Average customer rating:

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life
Richard Dawkins
Manufacturer: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0297815407

Book Description

An explanation of how evolution works, viewing it as information flow system.

Average customer rating:

River Out of Eden. A Darwinian View of Life.
Richard DAWKINS
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7O6LY

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (Science Masters S.)

Average customer rating:

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (Science Masters S.)
Richard Dawkins
Manufacturer: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORZR52

Average customer rating:

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (Science Masters S.)

Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GA0AFO

Average customer rating:

River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (Science Masters S.)
Richard Dawkins
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PDGAJC

Book Description

This book presents in a progressive way the techniques used in the proof of the hydrodynamic behavior of interacting particle systems. It starts with introductory material on independent particles and goes all the way to nongradient systems, covering the entropy and the relative entropy methods, asymmetric processes from which hyperbolic equations emerge, the equilibrium fluctuations and the large deviations theory for short-range stochastic dynamics. It reviews, in appendices, some tools of Markov process theory and derives estimates on the spectral gap of reversible, conservative generators. The book is self-contained and can be read by graduate students in mathematics or mathematical physics with standard probability background. It can be used as a support for a graduate on stochastic processes.

Customer Reviews:

A good idea, not quite fully realized.......2002-07-18

This book provides an excellent and thorough introduction to the limit theory of interacting particle systems; with an assumption that the reader is familiar with the basic theory as found in (for example) Liggett. The whole development is geared towards derving hydrodynamic limits, strongly based on the works of S.R.S Varadhan.

The material is however as presented much too advanced for a first graduate course on the subject because of the many dependencies on other advanced aspects of probability theory (e.g. Dirichlet forms, Large Deviations). There is a large collection (100 pages) of appendix matter covering some of these topics, but this material is better as a refresher than as an introduction!

The book is sadly marred, through the publisher's failure to copy-edit the material adequately (which in the past was most unusual for a Springer publication), and gives the impression of being a book in the "Lecture Notes in Mathematics" series, which prints straight from author's camera ready copy, without professional publishing assistance. As a result the book in its current form seems overpriced. There are numerous notational inconsistencies, spelling and grammatical error, and poor English idiom (while English is not the native language of the authors, good copy-editing should have corrected this), poor typography from tex, and worst of all, an ABSYMAL index (two pages for a 400 page book). Unfortunately a combination of these facts makes the book hard to read, since much cross referencing ends up being needed. There is plenty of hope for a second edition.

extensive converage on the subject.......2000-03-28

It covers the subject quite extensively. It would be a good reference boook. Moreover, if one wants to know about the recent developments in research on interacting particle systems, then this is the one to look for.

Book Description

Cedar Hole is the armpit of fictional Gilford County, a town full of apathetic underachievers trapped by a defunct railroad, distrust of the outside world, and their own lack of imagination. During the annual Train Festival, citizens are called to declare the town's "greatest man," and a fierce rivalry ensues between Robert J. Cutler, town golden boy, and Francis "Spud" Pinkham. When the competition follows the boys into adulthood, Francis must struggle to step out from Robert's shadow and prove his own worth. It is only through love, starting a family of his own, and a brush with the American dream that Francis Pinkham learns what it takes to be the Greatest Man in Cedar Hole.

Download Description

"For generations, Cedar Hole has been the armpit of Gilford County, a town full of apathetic underachievers trapped by a defunct railroad, distrust of the outside world, and their own lack of imagination. It has also been the home of the Pinkhams, a family whose gluttonous reputation stirs up fear and loathing even among the town's most indifferent citizens. Enter Francis ""Spud"" Pinkham, the youngest of the clan and favorite whipping boy of his nine brutish sisters. Almost from the moment of his unwelcome arrival into the world Francis knows his path in life will be as bumpy as Cedar Hole's unkempt roads. On the other end of the spectrum is Robert J. Cutler, the bright only child of two factory workers and town golden boy, who gracefully steps into the role of Cedar Hole's good-hearted visionary. Robert's blind optimism and unshakable faith dazzles everyone around him -- except Francis. When a town competition forces a rivalry between the boys that follows them into adulthood, Francis must struggle to emerge from Robert's shadow. It is only through love, starting a family of his own, and a brush with the American dream that Francis Pinkham learns just what it takes to become the greatest man in Cedar Hole. "

Customer Reviews:

Not what I was expecting.......2006-11-23

I wish I had liked this book. It had all of the characteristics of a classic. First of all, the way she described things in this book did not invoke an image. I had to read over a hundred pages to begin to envision her writing style. I realize that she was trying to describe small town America, but there were too many characters, and not all of them developed well. I really hated the ending. It was just over.... that was it.... the way she killed off Robert was silly, and pointless at the time it happened. It was like I was reading the first draft to something that could turn out to be amazing.

NICE STORY, GOOD READ - I LIKED IT........2006-09-18

This is one of those books you will either enjoy, if you are of one mind set, or you won't if you are of another. I personally enjoyed this one and thought it was well done. Things are not always as they seem is the overall message sent by this one and I thought the author, who is a natural story teller, did a fine job in this area. Her character developement was good, her discription of small town America hit the nail on the head. While I certainly would not call this one a page turner, it did hold my interest and I did enjoy it. Do recommend this one.

Mawkish readers only.......2006-07-24

The opening pages, where the detective-fiction fan-cum-school marm is undeservedly scarcastic to her new charges seems like an interesting beginning. Only trouble is that the main character, Robert; nice, smart and full of civic-pride as he is; is dull as dishwater. Not that you wish him badly, but anyone except the most mawkish of readers would struggle to really warm to the little tyke. There's a reason why you don't usually find the goody-two-shoes as hero, and Robert illustrates the reason why. Having said that, Robert's nemeses, an unwilling bully/bad guy, is hardly more charismatic, so perhaps the fault is with the creator.

The central themes here: growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, being let down by parents, and the curious rights of passage we must undertake to become adults, are all worthwhile and to be fair Doyon does a good job of getting us to see the world from a child's perspective. The problem is, it is just not compelling. The ending screams `tear jerker' but I had no tears to be jerked.

If you want to see the world from a child's perspective I would, instead, recommend, `The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time', which, in contrast, is highly novel, humorous and genuinely moving without the manufactured sentimentality or pious characters.

An Exquisite Story About Small Town Life!.......2006-06-16

I bought this book for the bargain price of $10 down at Matilda's Bookstore in Mount Waverley from my good mate John and I am so glad that I did. Many authors have tried unsuccessfully to capture the Voice Of Youth in small town America but few succeed. I am very happy to say that Ms.Doyon managed to do this in a remarkable fashion. This book introduces the reader to Spud and Robert and part of the charm of this novel is for the reader to ascertain Just Who Is The Greatest Man referred to in the title?5 stars for this most excellent book.

Great story.......2006-04-03

I love stories about small town life, and this one was beautifully written with a great premise--Who really is the greatest man in Cedar Hole? Unfortunately, I wasn't so sure at the end. While Robert went to extremes, at least he fought for things. The other characters seemed so self destructive. I found myself being totally absorbed by the characters but not liking any of them. Francis proved his mettle at the end, but I found his redemption was sort of a no brainer. I thought the ending was a let down. Just like Empire Falls, I felt like giving all the characters a good swift kick in the ass.

The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole : A Novel

Average customer rating:

The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole : A Novel
Stephanie Doyon
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0747580596

Average customer rating:

From Publishers Weekly

The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole: A Novel
Stephan Doyon
Manufacturer: RB Large Print
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MC66FE

Customer Reviews:

From Publishers Weekly.......2007-06-26

Doyon, the author of series books for teens, peoples her adult debut, a sprawling, bustling chronicle of smalltown life, with a passel of intriguing characters, first among them the sad-sack town itself. Schoolmarm Delia Pratt calls her charges "Cedar Hellions" and bums cigs from the older girls at lunch; the nine Pinkham tomboys are depraved viragos who bully their young brother, Francis. Valiantly keeping up standards at the ramshackle library is Kitty Higgens, who receives a godsend in the form of an assistant, Robert J. Cutler. This model youth and citizen--the anomalous paragon of the title--wins a pivotal contest called the Lawn Rodeo by forming a star pattern instead of the required straight line mowed by rightful winner Francis. Years later, Robert--who remained loyal to Cedar Hole despite opportunities elsewhere--dies in a freak accident, leaving his wife embittered by his obsession with town matters at the expense of family, and Francis with an open field to venture into something extraordinary. Doyon writes pungently, with a wry slant, and pulls no punches regarding gossip, jealousy, schadenfreude and the myriad human foibles that are the backbone of farce, so the warm feeling when we close the book--with virtue rewarded and fences mended--feels earned.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books