Weinberg, Robert

Average customer rating:

fantastic book
Biology of Cancer by Robert A. Weinberg
The Biology of Cancer CL, by Robert A. Weinberg
Comprehensive
Good text book

Biology of Cancer
Robert A. Weinberg
Manufacturer: Garland Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0815340761

Book Description

The Biology of Cancer is a comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date textbook written by a major researcher in the field. It clearly presents the principles of cancer biology in an organized and accessible fashion. The information unfolds through the presentation of key experiments which give readers a sense of discovery, and provides insights into the conceptual foundation underlying cancer biology.

Customer Reviews:

fantastic book.......2007-06-14

This book is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the cancer biology. It is well-written, comprehensive, current, and the illustrations are superb. The enclosed CD-ROM of the book's figures has proved invaluable for creating Powerpoint presentations on various topics in cancer.

Biology of Cancer by Robert A. Weinberg.......2007-05-14

Excellent, clear, comprehensive overview with useful CD supplement

The Biology of Cancer CL, by Robert A. Weinberg.......2007-05-07

it is a must have book for someone in cancer research. It covers both molecular and biological aspects of cancer very well.

Comprehensive.......2007-03-10

As a colorectal cancer survivor, I've undertaken a self-study of my cancer in particular, and the disease in general. Saltz's Colorectal Cancer is the comprehensive text for me, but it is better read with a foundation in the nuts and bolts of the disease. Sompayrac's How Cancer Works is a wonderful text for explaining what the nuts and bolts are, but this book, Biology of Cancer, not only explains these in better detail, it also explains how researchers figured all this out. The illustrations, graphs and photos are worth the price of the book itself--you can see the discoveries unfold in front of your own eyes. You don't have to be a scientist to start reading it, but you will probably have to become something of a scientist and retain what you are absorbing as you progress through the book. This is a textbook that is something of an all-star collection of information from a variety of scientific research textbooks.

Good text book.......2007-03-08

I read about this book on one of the prominent academic magazines, perhaps Nature. I have gone through only a few of the chapters. It is easy-reading, lots of pictures and extra information on the CD. Good for an introduction to the subject.

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Average customer rating:

Excellent undergraduate sport psychology textbook!
Way of success

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Robert S. Weinberg , and Daniel Gould
Manufacturer: Human Kinetics Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Fitness & Health
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ASIN: 0736044191

Book Description

In the newly revised and updated Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Third Edition, students and professionals will find a comprehensive array of information that bridges the gap between research and practice and captures the excitement of the world of sport and exercise.

Authors Robert Weinberg and Daniel Gould have revised every chapter of the popular text, incorporating the latest research and practice in sport and exercise psychology. They combine contemporary practical examples, case studies, and anecdotes to help readers better understand different theories, concepts, and research. In-depth questions at the end of each chapter guide readers from research to practice and enable readers to think critically.

The first and second editions of the text set new standards for introductory textbooks; this edition raises the bar to an even higher level with new artwork, photos, and a fresh design, making the text an exceptionally rich learning resource and professional reference tool. Each chapter includes up-to-date information. The following are new features of this third edition

· Extensive material on motivation, social loafing, and group development · Expanded coverage of leaders in sport, including information on expectations, values, beliefs, and behavioral guidelines for coaches · Research on anxiety and team-energizing strategies · Comprehensive data on hypnosis phases, techniques, and their effects · Details on the use of imagery in sport · An entire section on goal mapping · Updated information on eating disorders in sport · A comprehensive section on exercise addiction · Material on sport aggression, moral development, cooperation, and gender differences in competition

The seven-part text is organized in an easy-to-follow format that allows for quick topical searches. Key points are highlighted throughout to help readers identify the most important ideas. Special elements such as case studies, new research procedures and findings, and sample questionnaires and application procedures also enhance reader understanding.

Part I, "Getting Started," introduces the main ways knowledge is gained in sport psychology. It emphasizes the importance of teaming scientific and practical knowledge to better help students, athletes, and exercise enthusiasts.

Part II, "Understanding Participants," focuses on personal factors (such as personality characteristics, individual orientations, and emotions) that affect performance and psychological development in sport, physical education, and exercise settings.

Part III, "Understanding Sport and Exercise Environments," examines the situational factors that influence behavior in sport, physical education, and exercise settings.

Part IV, "Understanding Group Processes," outlines information on group interaction.

Part V, "Enhancing Performance," details the progress that has been made with psychological techniques to help people perform more effectively.

Part VI, "Enhancing Health and Well-Being," reviews the roles that psychological factors play in health, exercise, and wellness.

Part VII, "Facilitating Psychological Growth and Development," examines psychological development and well-being topics that are important to both society and sport and exercise psychology, such as children in sport, aggression in sport, and moral development and sportsmanship.

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, third edition, expertly captures the intrigue and excitement of the field while explaining basic concepts and principles. It shows how these concepts and principles can be applied to counseling, teaching, coaching, sports medicine, and fitness instruction. This completely updated text will help students and practitioners improve their comprehension and knowledge of the field of sport psychology.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent undergraduate sport psychology textbook!.......2001-03-17

I used this book in my undergraduate and on-line graduate course in sport psychology since the first edition. This text does a good job of explaining theories and and describing sport psychology applications. Weinberg and Gould have developed a well organized, resourceful, and easy-to-read book that my students have enjoyed reading. College professors, this book has excellent ancillary materials.

Way of success.......2000-01-18

Suceeding in sport is not made by hazard.... it needs specific aptitudes that Mr WEINBERG et Mr GOULD explained very well in their booK. Please to the readers:can you give me the e mail ftom Mr Weinberg and Me Gould. I want to join them. Thank you. MICHEL REQUET

Art of Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy

Average customer rating:

Lost for days...
MY HIGHEST RECOMENDATION
A heavyweight vision.
Necessary purchase for my collection of art texts
A Trip Through the Fantastic!

Art of Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy
Frank M. Robinson , Robert E. Weinberg , and Randy Broecker
Manufacturer: Collectors Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1888054727

Book Description

Since the beginning of his existence, man has used imagination to create magical worlds that would transport him beyond the borders of reality. Art of Imagination is a trilogy consisting of the award winning Illustrated History series: Science Fiction of the 20th Century (Year 2000 Hugo Award Winner), Horror of the 20th Century (Bram Stoker Award nominee), and Fantasy of the 20th Century creating the ultimate collection. It was in the twentieth century that book, magazine, and poster artists reached new pinnacles of creativity in depicting the unknown. This collection of works by artists and designers of movie posters, books, and magazines provides a hearty feast for the eyes of the enchanted reader. These artisans and their works are the subject of this new must-have book for not only collectors of memorabilia, but for every person who has longed to step into his or her imaginary world, be it one of fantasy, flight, or fear -- if only for a moment.

Customer Reviews:

Lost for days..........2006-01-31

This book is amazing. You will find yourself peering at every full-color nook and cranny for days. There are so many historical, book, and film references, you'll find yourself taking endless notes for things to look up later.
If you consider yourself even the slightest of sci-fi/fantasy/horror fans, you will cherish this book.
It is quite a tome, however. Be sure to work up your bicepts before trying to lift it.

MY HIGHEST RECOMENDATION.......2005-01-08

If ever there was a book that's a treasure trove of images and information, this is it. An incredible array of pulp, comic, paperback and other art of 20th century science fiction, horror, fantasy and the like. The production values of this mammoth book are great, with familiar and totally obscure titles shown and explicated. Buy this book!

A heavyweight vision........2003-11-02

First off I think you should know that this wonderful book's 768 pages weigh a bit over ten pounds. It is a reprint of three very popular Collectors Press 20th Century series, Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy. I bought this copy because I'm interested in visual popular culture and I was very impressed with the historical scope of the subject matter, the 1300 colored illustrations include not only book jackets but covers of magazines, comics and nicely, film posters.

With so many illustrations you can search out your favorites, I like the work of Hannes Bok, Kelly Freas and Jeff Jones and there plenty of examples of their work. Running through all the images the three authors contribute a popular history of each genre but it is the huge collection of covers that make this a knockout book for me.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

BTW, I bought this big book at a huge discount and I suggest you take the trouble to check the title out on the comparison shopping book websites, you'll be surprised at price variations.

Necessary purchase for my collection of art texts.......2003-05-13

Being a professional artist, and a mondo horror fan, I was craving to get my pencil smudged paws on this book. Over 700 pages of lavishly illustrated science fiction and horror history. Art of Imagaination brings to attention the works of the great artists who have worked in this field for over a century. Anyone with even a minor interest in thsi subject would find this text a true page turner. Highly Recommended.

A Trip Through the Fantastic!.......2003-01-17

This book is a must have for anyone who is creative. If you've lost your sense of wonder, this book will bring it back. You cannot help but be inspired by this fine tribute to the illustrators and art directors of fantastic art. You will not be disappointed buying this book. No cheap black & white stroll through memory lane here. It's a full color journey spotlighting the creative talent of imaginative artists from days gone by to today. High quality paper and binding are the icing on the cake. A tip of the hat to the authors and publisher for such an authoritative volume on a thinly treated subject.

Average customer rating:

Must read
History of cancer theories for the layperson
Excelent entry to cancer biology
Valuable information!
Must have: great intro and overview of current research

One Renegade Cell (Science Masters)
Robert A. Weinberg
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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How Cancer Works
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ASIN: 0465072763

Amazon.com

"Cancer wreaks havoc in almost every part of the human body"--Robert Weinberg's opening remark is a chilling reminder of the pervasiveness of an all-too-familiar disease. Cancer touches most families, and if you have ever wondered why, despite so much time, effort, and money, it has proved such a seemingly intractable problem, then read One Renegade Cell, Robert Weinberg's masterful explanation. As director of the Oncology Research Laboratory at the Whitehead Institute and professor of Biology at MIT, Weinberg has been at the forefront of cancer research for well over a decade.

Unlike most diseases, cancerous tumors are not foreign invaders but "take on the appearance of alien life forms, invaders that enter the body through stealth and begin their programs of destruction from within." But as Weinberg shows, these are deceptive appearances. And since he is foremost a scientist, he finds the truth "subtle and endlessly interesting" and manages to convey fascination for something that most of us dread--cancer. Much of the present increase in cancer is due to increased longevity because "given enough time, cancer will strike every human body."

By telling the story of the historical discovery of cancer, Weinberg is able to introduce gradually the intricacies and complications of the genes and proteins involved (oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, etc.) for the general reader. He characterizes cancer cells as renegade because, unlike normal body cells, they "disregard the needs of the community of cells," they are "selfish and unsociable," and are only interested in "their own proliferative advantage." By comparison, normal cells hold down cell numbers by "inducing them to commit suicide" (apoptosis).

The understanding of cancer has been developed enormously over the last few decades by Weinberg and the worldwide community of researchers. As Weinberg eloquently shows, cancer research and its related disciplines "have moved from substantial ignorance to deep insight." --Douglas Palmer, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

For everyone whose life has been touched by cancer, One Renegade Cell tells the story of the search for the ultimate causes of this dreaded disease.

"One Renegade Cellâ¦offers a breathtaking picture, both wonderful and frightening, of the fantastic intricacy of aberrant cellular functioning." -New York Times

"Part primer, part history and part meditation. [One Renegade Cell] succeeds on all counts." -Wall Street Journal

One of the leading cancer researchers in the world, Robert A. Weinberg is perfectly suited to describe the search for cancer's origins from the early days of this century to the present. Presuming little knowledge of biology, he tells how a cancer-causing virus was first discovered in 1909, how the correlation was made between chemical carcinogens and cancer, and how oncogenes (the genes that can turn a cell malignant) work. He explains clearly how malignant cells send messages to one another and also block the messages of normal cells. Finally, Weinberg predicts that cancer prevention may depend on our ability to understand the mysterious chemical clock that regulates our cells' most basic functions. One Renegade Cell offers a concise, accessible route into the complex and often daunting world of cancer and cancer research.

Customer Reviews:

Must read.......2007-05-24

This is an amzaing manuscript. By leading the reader through the key discoveries in modern molecular oncology , Weinberg is able to elucidate the hallmarks of carginogenesis in simple, yet comprehensive ways.
This is a must read for any doctoral student. However, Weinberg simple and entertaining language will be enjoyed by anybody who has an interest in the pathways that lead to cancer.

History of cancer theories for the layperson.......2007-04-17

Here's a book that I would recommend to those people interested in learning a bit about the beginnings of cancer. In One Renegade Cell, Robert Weinberg has written an informative narrative on the history of cancer and molecular biology research, focusing on the theories and evidence behind the early days of this field: the 1970's and 80's.

Weinberg's focus is on what he knows best: the mechanisms that promote and regulate the proliferation of normal and malignant cells. And for that, his explanations are the best out there. These explanations take up the first half of the book, corresponds to the early events in the development of a tumor, and makes up a coherent story. For example, he covers oncogenes, tumor suppressors, apoptosis, and to a lesser extent DNA repair, in relatively easy-to-follow language.

In the second half of the book, Weinberg refers to other aspects of cancer progression, more reflective of the later stages of cancer - angiogenesis, immune evasion and metastasis. He essentially provides the highlight reel for these aspects of cancer, and I felt that the transitions to such topics could have used some work. But that's okay in my opinion, because Weinberg comes right out and says it on the cover - this book is specifically about *the beginning* of cancer, first and foremost.

Weinberg also avoids using overwhelmingly long lists of references that are typical of more scientific writing, as well as skipping over the many highly-technical details that are involved in actually conducting such research, making it more accessible to non-experts. Indeed, he defines every term in a way that probably only requires a minimal background in biology to understand.

Excelent entry to cancer biology.......2004-04-11

There are very few books out that give the reader an overview modern cancer biology. This short book gives a clear picture of a complex and current subject. It uses historical perspective on scientific discovery to enliven the reading. It's well organized and readable without background in biology, but with enough depth to interest biologists in other fields. I also reccomend Robert Weinberg's "Genes and the Biology of Cancer", written with Harold Varmus, which covers the same material in a little more depth.

Valuable information!.......2004-02-12

Extremely informative, written in interesting form like a scientific novel, a systematic mini-survey of the molecular biology of cancer. Takes you through 30 years of discovery, explaining how false expectations were replaced by the discovery in laboratories of right pathways. Among the useful pieces of information you'll pick up: cancer cells are not destroyed by chemo and radiation, only some DNA damage occurs. Unless the p53 gene is little enough damaged, then the tumor is not stopped, and Weinberg explains why. He fully describes the 6 mutations that are required, over time, to produce a metastasizing tumor. My wish: that Weinberg would next write a book about cancer treatments.

I end with an aside for those who are in love with the red herring called "holism", and imagine that "reductionism" is dead and of little or no use in the elucidation of complexity. The entire field of genetic and cancer discoveries, all of microbiology, is nothing but plain ol' reductionism applied to very long molecules, molecules so long and often disordered in shape that new techniques of chemical analysis had to be invented (like PCR). This book and any standard text on molecular biology provides full evidence for the truth of my assertion.

Must have: great intro and overview of current research.......2002-10-17

No prior knowledge of cell biology or genetics is required. I have gained an appreciation for the complexity of cancer research thanks to the book. I highly recommend it. You also learn a fair amount of the history of the development of cancer research. And don't think you need to read through hundreds of introductory pages to accomplish this. The book is under 200 pages.

Once again: What I found great about the book is it explains very clearly the current thories on how cancer starts and spreads without requiring any prior knowledge in the field.

Book Description

The authors of The Science of Superheroes now reveal the real genius of the most evil geniuses
Ever wonder why comic book villains, such as Spiderman's bionic archenemy Dr. Octopus or the X-Men's eternal rival Magneto, are so scary and so much fun? It's not just their diabolical talent for confounding our heroes, it's their unrivalled techno-proficiency at creating global mayhem that keeps comic book fans captivated. But is any of the science actually true? In The Science of Supervillains, authors Lois Gresh and Bob Weinberg present a highly entertaining and informative look at the mind-boggling wizardry behind the comic book world's legendary baddies. Whether it's artificial intelligence, weapons systems, anti-matter, robotics, or magnetic flux theory, this fun, fact-filled book is a fascinating excursion into the real-world science animating the genius in the comic book world's pantheon of evil geniuses.
Lois Gresh (Scottsville, NY) and Bob Weinberg (Oak Forest, IL) are the authors of the popular Science of Superheroes (cloth: 0-471-0246-0; paper: 0-471-46882-7)

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Customer Reviews:

Science Supervillains and Superteens.......2007-01-28

I am blessed with a superteen, a teenage son who is just coming into his superpowers! I am usually stumped by what to give him as a present but this book was a big hit, especially as he is deep in the City of Villains video game. The game is not related to this book, but I think I got bonus points for actually realising what he was playing! I'd recommend parents of teens to buy this book!

Boff - Pow - Zap.......2005-09-20

I liked the book. I have several others that are similar (The Science of Christmas). I find it interesting how science can explain super powers and gadget and even how science mirrors them in some way. Good book.

Science good........2004-11-16

This is a nice - light - book that hopefully gets people thinking about science in a fun and painless way.

I would like to see more volumes in this series.

"An insightful look into the diabolical villains of comics.".......2004-10-22

Reviewer: Brian Wilkinson, for ComiX-Fan.com
Overall Rating: Great!

In a book that bills itself as the Science of the Supervillains readers have to feel right from the first page that this is an all-or-nothing kind of book. Thankfully writers Robert Weinberg and Lois H. Gresh have stepped up to the plate to deliver a funny and insightful look into the mind and heart(less?) of some of the greatest villains that have graced the pages of our beloved funny book medium for more than 70 years.

This is a project that could have easily gone astray or been caught up in the many nuances of cunning and deceit that the countless villains have put our heroes through. Instead they take the cream of the crop, including baddies like Magneto, Lex Luthor, Doc Octopus and several others to show some of the more interesting attempts they've made to make the world a worse place to live.

The Luthor chapter starts the book off with a decent look at the man who would become Superman's main villain. That's really saying a lot if you think about it considering how powerful and unstoppable the Man of Steel really is. Yet everything Luthor has tried has failed. Instead of really getting into why Luthor sucks or how Superman may have just gotten lucky, Gresh and Weinberg dissect the science the villains used in the books.

Intentionally or not, this may be a bit of a nod in the direction of the writers and editors behind the book. Back in the day, the two major companies, Marvel and DC, both had their own approaches to how science was used in the comics. Julius Schwartz over at DC maintained that the science had to be believable no matter what. It didn't necessarily have to exist, but so long as an attempt was made to reveal how things were being done, that seemed enough.

Enter Luthor's weather machine. Apparently Lex thought he'd be able to manipulate the weather over Smallville and sent the little town into a deep freeze. Rather than take the typical comic fan stance of disbelief, Gresh and Weinberg actually talk to top scientists and do the research behind whether or not such a contraption is possible. Not surprisingly, they find out it isn't something that Lex could have done in real life, but rather than take the typical fan standpoint of "look how smart I am because I know it can't be done" they take the extra step towards proving it.

The diabolical nature of this book isn't so much in the characters that it discusses as it is in the clever methods the authors use to trick their audiences into reading a science textbook. It doesn't matter that subjects like magnetism, nuclear science and more are covered in very specific and scientific terms as the humour and subject matter work so brilliantly to disguise it. This is the kind of book kids across North America are liable to pick up in their local library for the fun colors and then shock their parents at the dinner table with a basic knowledge of nuclear fission. Heck, if I was a kid I'd read it just to look smart.

Beyond the unbelievable and the humour, this is an overall package that serves to delight and entertain without getting bogged down in minute details. Like the first volume, The Science of Super Heroes, this book delves into the mysteries of comic book lore without taking away the fun and excitement that it's meant to generate in the first place. Think of this book as the perfect companion piece to kids just getting into comics, or for older readers who think they know it all.

The book isn't without a few cursory flaws, however. The narrative device used by the pair have them stating things like "We don't think this is possible" or "We have a theory." While it's generally acknowledged that there are two voices here it begins to feel a little like the royal `we' and becomes distracting from the information it's trying to convey.

Fans may also raise an eyebrow or two at the inclusion of Silver Surfer, the current hero and one-time herald of the planet-eater, Galactus. It's the latter rather than the former that our intrepid authors are focusing on but it raises an interesting question in terms of modern-day heroes that often blur the line between who is a hero and who is a villain. This is more of a philosophical question and would take the book off course, so it isn't dealt with in the book. It's more food for thought, really.

The book features an introduction by legendary comic book writer Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men) who gives a little of the back history about what it means to be a writer and to tackle the great villains of comic books. It's a nice addition and can only serve to add up the appeal to casual readers interested in some hard core comic science.

At its heart, The Science of Supervillains is a book full of winks and nods. But much like the popular novel at the moment, The Da Vinci Code it seems like the characters or stories are just loose wrapping around incredibly interesting research. I devoured Dan Brown's novel because of his interesting facts and finds, much like Weinberg and Gresh have provided a feast of comic book goodies for readers of all ages.

It's not your typical book, but it's not to be ignored either. Pick both this volume and its sequel up as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed, and if you are, there's enough information in here for you to begin plotting some diabolical deed of your own. (Don't actually do this, it's generally not a good idea.)

(...)

A two-bit scheme, not a diabolical master plan.......2004-10-09

In theory, The Science of Supervillains, the sequel to Lois Gresh & Robert Weinberg's 2002 The Science of Superheroes, is the perfect formula: Nefarious comic book baddies explicated by real-world physical laws - Mad scientists with real science. In theory, on paper, it's a lock. Of course, in theory, on paper (chapter one, to be exact), time travel is also entirely possible; it is just a matter of actually creating something that can do the job. That's where things get tricky, both for time travel and The Science of Supervillians: creating a concrete object to live up to the theory.

To be fair, fans of Superheroes will not be disappointed by Supervillains. A number of notable, nasty nemeses are named and needled, from Magneto to Lex Luthor to the Anti-Monitor to Dr. Doom (whom they have the bad habit of continually calling "Dr. von Doom," as if he will insist they stand on ceremony). But, those readers who require more of the books they read - those for whom the style of thing such as, say, alliteration is empty without substance to back it - will find the book a little erratic. At one moment, it treats the characters and the pseudo-science behind them quite carefully and insightfully; at another moment, though, the writers will brush off compelling aspects of a given villain and simply go for what in baseball is called "the easy out." It is as if, in the case of something like their fourth chapter, the collaborators said to each other, "Let's do a bit on aerodynamics and flight. Is there an easy villain we can use as a segue?" And so, the Vulture gets his own chapter.

There is an inconsistent love for the comic book medium and superhero/villain genre fueling this enterprise. Mild disdain for the medium - its silliness, its presumably juvenile nature, its utter impracticality - surfaces from time to time, only to be compellingly overturned by meticulous, heartfelt discourses on such things as the origin of Cable and Apocalypse.

Supervillains spends three pages weaving through the ins-and-outs of the arch-nemeses' convoluted, time-hopping history - thanks in no small part to the writer of their Foreword, Mr. Chris Claremont - which is almost half of the entire chapter on the science of Dr. Doom. One suspects that there might be an X-fan at the helm of this ship, instead of an objective, unbiased scientist - the sort which they admonish the supposedly selfish Dr. Curt Connors of being in his misadventures of becoming the Lizard.

Overall, though, the trope of using supervillains to explore scientific notions feels artificial; they read as more of a vehicle by which to get the book on bookshelves in the hands of a wider audience than as a genuine attempt to analyze the superhero universe. (It should be noted that Science of Superheroes had a similar overtone to it.) Admittedly, that expectation may be too high; Gresh and Weinberg do a better job wrestling with their source material than, say, The Zen of Beverly Hills 90210, The Ethics of James Bond, or The Faith of Rambo. (Those books, incidentally, do not actually exist. But The Science of Star Trek does, written slightly more lovingly by Gresh & Weinberg, as well.)

What leaves the reader with the impression that supervillains (and, in the previous volume, superheroes) are nothing more than a vehicle? First, there is the relative sloppiness of summarizing their featured characters. Saying that Dr. Doom was attempting to reach his mother in the afterlife "for reasons never stated" impacts the devout Fantastic Four reader as something of a gross error. Likewise, noting that Braniac attempted to convert Metropolis into a massive computer only in the Xbox Superman: Man of Steel video game overlooks a whole body of individual comics. And even just observing that Dr. Connors "can still talk fine" as the Lizard sounds like a comment coming from one who never read a Spider-Man comic book, where the reptile lisps his way from panel-to-panel. Of course, these are likely only the sort of gaffs that a superhero comic enthusiast might find problematic - but, at the same time, given the intense magnifying glass under which they're holding these characters for their scientific believability, one would think a similar standard of precision should be maintained for the character histories (and motivations and articulation) they study.

In addition, there is the minutiae which Gresh and Weinberg choose to highlight that is off-putting. That is, they do an excellent job of discussing various theories of time travel, but not for such chronal villains as Kang, Parralax, or even Dr. Doom and his time platform; instead, they elect to focus on that non-seminal event of Luthor going back in time to try and kill President Lincoln in Superboy #85. Likewise, instead of a dialogue about cosmic power sources, vacuum-tight encasing, or planetary subsistence, they focus much of their Galactus chapter on a six-page recount of the Silver Surfer's history, then three pages discussing solar breezes. No time is given to Luthor's replacement body as "Luthor Jr." in the early1990s, Braniac is given a surface treatment instead of a more straightforward robot intelligence like Ultron from The Avengers, and what could have been fascinating studies of Venom's weakness to sonics or Apocalypse's shapechanging abilities are absent. "Nuff said," indeed.

To their credit, though, Gresh and Weinberg do have electric moments, no pun intended. In addition to their look at time travel, the chapter dedicated to Sinestro, the Green Lantern foe empowered by an antimatter universe's yellow ring, breaks down quantum physics in a remarkably readable matter. From cataloguing subatomic particles, the elements of antimatter, and the possibility of both "dark matter" and "shadow particles," to alternate explanations on the events following just moments after the Big Bang, this chapter is every science fiction reader's dream and is the exemplar for the entire book. Further, they perform an encore by addressing a true genre milestone, DC Comics' 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, in terms of what wiping out an infinite number of alternative universes would truly mean and the near-infinite unlikelihood of it. This time, though, it does not seems as though they are out to burst anyone's bubble (or universe); rather, the narration takes on a tone of wanting the continuity-impacting series to ring true, even if scientifically it cannot. That sentiment is also apparent in the final chapter dealing with the other-dimensional imps Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite - which they are willing to admit could exist, given what little humans know about higher dimensions. (After all, they note, supersymmetry and string theory, the hot topics of the quantum physics community, posit a total of ten dimensions. So who are they to say beings from a fifth dimension are impossible?)

In short, The Science of Supervillains is flawed but worthwhile. The opening Foreword by Chris Claremont alone, where he admits to a science error early in his scriptwriting career that drew the wrath of detail-minded fans, serves as an excellent cautionary tale. Further, the bibliography and closing interview with comic book professionals (including The PULSE's own Jen Contino) on their perception of science in superhero stories are likewise enlightening. The wealth of resources available and the easy admittance by writers that science can be skimped on in their tales is proof enough that books like The Science of Supervillains is needed.

Now, if only it read more like a dastardly master-plan rather than a two-bit scheme ...

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Tennis: Winning the Mental Game
Robert Weinberg
Manufacturer: Robert Weinberg
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Inner Game of Tennis

ASIN: 0972094008

Book Description

If you have ever lost your concentration after a bad shot, gotten tight and choked due to the pressure, got mad over a bad line call, or lost motivation to practice or hang in a match, then Tennis:Winning The Mental Game is just for you. In competitive tennis, it is usually the player who can win the mental game, that usually wins the match. This hands-on research-to practice book is an excellent tool for understanding and building mental toughness and teaching mental skills

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Foundations of Exercise Psychology
Bonnie G. Berger , David Pargman , and Robert S. Weinberg
Manufacturer: Fitness Information Technology
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1885693346

Book Description

Though exercise is relatively easy to do, its influence on our physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being is complex. Even those who are aware of its positive effects are sometimes reluctant to begin. Why do some people maintain a regular exercise regimen while others quit after a few weeks? How does exercise influence mental health? If medical, health, fitness, psychology, and athletic professionals are to help their clients, they must understand the issues that surround the psychology of exercise.

Foundations of Exercise Psychology presents a summary of the information to date on the psychology of exercise and offers lucid suggestions for practice and future research. Foundations of Exercise Psychology will help shape the direction of the field of exercise psychology for many years to come, and it will do much to encourage young professionals to enter the field and to pursue further study. Students moving toward the exercise professions will gain a solid background in key issues surrounding exercise and health and make great strides forward in becoming competent and compassionate practitioners.

Customer Reviews:

Max Weinberg Rocks!.......2003-08-09

I bought this book after seeing Max live in 1986 with the legendary Dirty Bones Band, a New England cult rock and roll band that used to play all the time at my university. He talked about his favorite drummers, then demonstrated their styles with the band. Even though I don't play (I am not a musician) I really enjoyed reading about some of Rock's great drummers including Ringo and Levon Helm. Buy the book

Average customer rating:

Misleading title, and only gets worse from there....
BREAKING NEWS!! SUPERPOWERS ARE NOT REAL!!!
A very disappointing treatment....
Biased against superheros...
Disappointing and out of date

The Science of Superheroes
Lois H. Gresh , and Robert Weinberg
Manufacturer: Wiley
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The Physics of Superheroes
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The Government Manual for New Superheroes

ASIN: 0471468827

Book Description

The truth about superpowers . . . science fact or science fiction?

"An entertaining and informative guide to comic book wonders bound to come."
—Julius Schwartz, Editor Emeritus, DC Comics

Superman, Batman, The X-Men, Flash, Spider Man . . . they protect us from evildoers, defend truth and justice, and, occasionally, save our planet from certain doom. Yet, how much do we understand about their powers?

In this engaging yet serious work, Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg attempt to answer that question once and for all. From X-ray vision to psychokinesis, invisibility to lightspeed locomotion, they take a hard, scientific look at the powers possessed by all of our most revered superheroes, and a few of the lesser ones, in an attempt to sort fact from fantasy. In the process, they unearth some shocking truths that will unsettle, alarm, and even terrify all but the most fiendish of supervillains.

Lois Gresh (Rochester, NY) has written eight novels and nonfiction books as well as dozens of short stories and has been nominated for national fiction awards six times.
Robert Weinberg (Oak Forest, IL) is a multiple award-winning author of novels, nonfiction books, short stories and comics.

Customer Reviews:

Misleading title, and only gets worse from there...........2006-03-02

I have never felt as compelled to write an online review of a product as I do right now...

First of all, the very title of this book is blatantly misleading. And I believe this was intentional. This isn't the science OF superheroes, this is the science AGAINST superheroes. (Well, it is against all of them except the X-Men, but we'll get into that one in a bit.) What the authors have done here is taken what could have potentially been a fun little ride through the land of superheroes, and turned it into a mean spirited trek through your most boring physics class.

After reading the title, you might expect to see a book describing the scientific aspects of how superheroes exist and function. But you would be wrong. Instead, the authors go well out of their way to disprove any notion that superheroes could exist. I believe this was intentionally given a misleading title because they knew someone interested in superheroes would not be buying a book saying they are impossible. I mean, come on... we all know they are impossible, be we would like to see science that shows what might be possible. But this book does none of that. This book is only about ripping the superhero genre to shreds.

Not only is the book 99% negative, but it is written in a way that is very degrading to fans of superhero based comic books. Like other reviewers have said, it is as though the authors are just trying to bash comic books and fans of them. Reading this book gives you the feeling that they would just love to tell us "Are you stupid? Don't you realise this is impossible?!?"

The science isn't entirely accurate either. For all of the looking down their noses at us that they do, these two enlightened people don't exactly have all their facts straight. For example, in the chapter about Henry Pym, they describe how a person that is getting larger would actually become weaker with size, so that eventually he would not even be able to support his own weight. So that means that my 36 year old body is impossible because I am alot bigger than I was when I was 5. But yet, here I am. Heck, maybe I'm a superhero... I guess dinosaurs were impossible too, because they were pretty doggone big. The authors also say that Pym shrinking down to ant size would increase his relative strength tremendously. If this would be the case, at 5'-11" I can lift my own weight so that would mean that a person significantly smaller than me, such as a midget, should be able to lift many time his/her own weight. I don't think so....

Now, the famous X-Men chapter... As a believer in the Bible, I am deeply offended by this chapter. Not one single scientific fact was made about the X-Men. NOT A SINGLE ONE. Instead, the authors used this chapter as a soapbox to deliver a long tirade about how they think Creationists are trying to deceive the world about our origins. They go on to say that everyone who believes in Creationism thinks that the world was created on October 22, 4004 BCE!!! Let me tell you, I believe that God created the Universe, but I have never heard this mess about October 22, 4004 BCE. Through this entire chapter, they do nothing but ridicule and insult people who believe in God and Creation. Then to top it all off, they end the chapter by saying the X-Men are not only possible, but probable in our future!!!! So, we get to look forward to guys shooting lasers our of their eyes, people controlling the weather with their minds, people who can morph into perfect copies of other people, not to mention others who can walk through walls, freeze moisture in the air, shoot fire from their hands, etc... Hey, the authors said all this is probably going to happen in our future!! (sigh) This chapter alone was enough to make me stop reading this book. It was not a very enjoyable read to begin with, but once I got to the end of the X-Men chapter I had enough. And from other reviews, I see that the authors think Donald Duck is the shining example of a good scientific comic book. As one other reviewer said... Talking Ducks....

To sum it all up, I don't see that there is any market for this book. People wanting to know the science behind their favorite superhero are not going to enjoy this book because they will find out that nothing supports their favorite character, unless that character just happens to be blue and can teleport with a BAMF sound, which in that case the authors say that is entirely probable. People who are not interested in superheroes are not going to buy this book for obvious reasons. So who does that leave as the target audience of this book??

No one.

And that is exactly who I would recommend this book to.

BREAKING NEWS!! SUPERPOWERS ARE NOT REAL!!!.......2005-12-11

I haven't done this in awhile, but I don't think I could review this piece any better than the other reviews I've read about it. It's pretty average, however filled with nice bits of knowledge. They didn't seem well-researched in some areas. Here are the interesting parts of reviews from the other "critics" that I agree with...

"they go into lengthy history lessons about the origins of the characters when two sentences...would be enough." - John Gallant

"Biased against superheros(sic)" - Christopher Ritter

"I found this book to be tedious, lacking in charm, badly researched and wildy inaccurate in some areas." - C.P. Halliday

"I picked up this book." - Lawrance M. Bernabo

"Their belief seems to be that Donald Duck was the best comic book ever..." - M.G. Bloedorn

"Pretty boring." - BernardZ

"...a black hole is hypothesized, lending a faint respectability to the premise behind Green Lantern's abilities." - Peter Vinton Jr.

"...this book will not satisfy full on fans..." - James N. Simpson <---gave it five stars.

"a chance to laugh about the heroes I still love and that mean so much to me." - Reviewer

"Man, there's a whole 200 pages of this pooh-poohing, cranky-old-maid kind of stuff!" - Mark Alfred

"They were even putting words into C. Darwin's mouth." - Aaron Spriggs

"Mildly entertaining but not great" - Reviewer

"When the man (Dean Koontz in this case) writing the introduction says he doesn't read comics, I began to get worried." - Ivan A. Wolfe

"I agree with an earlier poster." - Reviewer

"Almost every chapter tells you why the superhero is impossible." Plastic Larry

"the authors give us a more plausible (given what we know now) origin for the Hulk, involving steroids and fluorescent gene modification." - J. Draper Carlson

"this book is not mean spirited or nasty." Reviewer

"Superman's powers break the laws of science. Ooh. Stop the presses." - [...]

"interesting." - Rick Hunter

"The Science of Superheroes," - Reviewer

A very disappointing treatment...........2005-07-16

Less than half the book discuss the science behind the superheroes they talk about. Rather they go into lengthy history lessons about the origins of the characters when two sentences saying these are this person's powers, this is how they got them, would be enough. Then you could go into an indepth treatment saying whether or not the powers have at least some grounding in reality then compare them with some current technology that may be close to duplicating some of these powers.

They talk about the Fantastic Four only in the contect of how they got their powers, say they are too silly to even discuss, and move on to re-write the Hulk's origin in a more realistic way. Why not talk about invisibility? What are the links with current technology? There was a guy on Guiness book of world records that can stretch his skin A LOT so why not mention something like that and try to make a link about how you could control it. For example, recent studies with Octopi have shown that they actually walk on the sea floor using two of their tentacles. They fill these with water making them more rigid and thats how they can support some of their weight without the need for a skelatal structure.

I thought the X-men chapter would be good, but instead I got a lecture on Creationism and Evolution. I expected examining Superman's powers in depth and all I got was 10 pages of discussing whether aliens could exist. Not to mention the fact that having Krypton's gravity stronger DOES NOT explain super-strength. He was not born on Krypton, therefore never experienced higher gravity. Being able to withstand a higher gravitational field would NOT be a genetic trait either. Even if he was used to the higher gravitational field, you would eventually become used to the lower one and the super abilities would go away.

Not a very good book in my opinion and the sequal "The Science of Super Villains" looks equally as bad.

Biased against superheros..........2005-01-03

Wow, do I have some qualms with this book.

First and foremost, boy was I surprised to find out the whole point of this endeavor was to say, basically, superheroes are crap but science fiction and Uncle Scrooge is awesome. Because that's what the last chapter says. I mean, its not like its a surprise or anything, considering the fact that the authors admit that they grew up reading those types of comics, and one assumes, not superheroes. I don't have the bios in front of me, but Lois Gresh, one of the co-authors, is a science fiction writer who did some Star Trek work or something.

Second of all, for all the scrutiny they put superheroes up to, the science fiction they briefly examine isn't held to the same standards. Sometimes the stories they talk about get a free pass because they don't attmept to explain the science at all, but go ahead with the central conceit that it exists for the purposes of the story and now look what happens. So... if you don't attempt an explanation, its okay? Also, they talk about how Uncle Scrooge comics have "good" science in them, which makes them perfect examples of great comic books. I guess because its not a superhero comic, they don't need to go into a lengthy explanation of how it fails to explain TALKING DUCKS. I mean, that's central to it, isn't it? If Donald wore a cape, I don't think things would be the same all the sudden.

Third, in discussing the actual science behind superheroes, the authors are rather... dismissive? I think that's the word I'm looking for here. Everything is all 'this is impossible' and 'you shouldn't be enjoying this.' Thanks, but no thanks. Unlike the authors interviewed in the back, the authors of this book don't seem to understand that the point of the story isn't the science. Its, surprise, the story. Every fantastical story asks the reader to suspend some degree of disbelief, even Star Trek, even Uncle Scrooge. I'm not saying superhero comics are some great repositiory of scientific knowledge, far from it, but jeez.

I think I would have liked the book more if there were some indication BEFORE page 170 or so that the authors were exhibiting a very specific bias against superhero comics, rather than simply deconstructing them. [...]

Disappointing and out of date.......2004-11-04

I really wanted to like this book, as I have a fondness for the writing of Robert Weinberg. However, I found this book to be tedious, lacking in charm, badly researched and wildy inaccurate in some areas.

While it's clear that the authors (or at least one of them) love comic books, it's also clear that they haven't done much reading of them since the early 80's. The book spends much of its length deriding the lack of scientific thought behind superheroes, ignoring the efforts of modern writers to make their characters at least slightly more realistic. Frequently, the characters that they dissect are the 1950's versions, while in the comic books those characters have moved on considerably.

Also, I found the whole direction of the book disappointing. Sure, there's a good deal of accurate science here, but there's also some spurious material, and when it appears it's almost always used to disprove a "superheroic" possibility. In fact, the entire book seems designed to show us how superheroes are impossible, which seems to carry with it the message that science is boring. It would have been far more engaging to show how certain superheroes (or approximations of them) might be scientifically possible.

Compare and contrast this book to the far more interesting and engaging "The Science of Superman" by Mark Wolverton and Roger Stern. Sure, it's less scientifically rigourous, but it's also much more interesting and more likely to encourage the reader to delve more into the subject. The sub-text of this book appears to be "superheroes are impossible, and you're stupid for reading about them."

That said, there are some interesting sections. The science is, for the most part, good, if a little out-dated. Just don't rely on this book for an idea of what modern superheroes are about.

The Science of James Bond: From Bullets to Bowler Hats to Boat Jumps, the Real Technology Behind 007's Fabulous Films

Average customer rating:

Errors and Plugs
Unfortunately, a bit of false advertising
Informative and Great Fun!

The Science of James Bond: From Bullets to Bowler Hats to Boat Jumps, the Real Technology Behind 007's Fabulous Films
Lois H. Gresh , and Robert Weinberg
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0471661953

Book Description

The science behind the gadgets, exploits, and enemies of the world's greatest spy

From the sleek Aston Martin that spits out bullets, nails, and passengers at the push of a button to the microjet that makes hairpin turns to avoid a heat-seeking missile, the science and technology of James Bond films have kept millions of movie fans guessing for decades. Are these amazing feats and gadgets truly possible?

The Science of James Bond takes you on a fascinating excursion through the true science that underlies Bond's most fantastic and off-the-wall accoutrements. The acclaimed science-fiction authors Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg provide a highly entertaining, informative look at the real-world achievements and brilliant imaginations behind such singular Bond gadgets as the buzz-saw Rolex, the car that turns into a submarine, and the ever-popular rocket-firing cigarette. They examine hundreds of Q Division's ingenious inventions; analyze Bond's astonishing battles beneath the earth and sea, in the skies, and even in outer space; and ask intriguing questions that lead to enlightening discussions about the limits of science, the laws of nature, and the future of technology.

Filled with entertaining anecdotes from Bond movie shoots and supplemented with "tech" ratings for all of the Bond movies, The Science of James Bond separates scientific fact from film fantasy--with some very surprising results.

Customer Reviews:

Errors and Plugs.......2006-12-23

Please do not waste your time reading this book. It is soon obvious that the authors have done very little research into their topic. Some of the obvious errors are: Ian Fleming did not write the screenplay for "A View to a Kill" as the authors claim, the wristwatch garrote appeared in the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" which the authors fail to mention, and the authors must have gone into the kitchen for a snack while watching "Goldeneye" since they seemed to have missed a Russian fighter crashing into the Russian facility. Since the authors base some of their reasoning on some of these errors, their final conclusions fall a bit flat.

My other complaint is how often the authors plug another one of their books. Several times in "The Science of James Bond," when the authors have introduced a field of science, they drop the topic, explaining that the reader will have to find more information on the particular field by referencing another title by the authors. To me, this reeks of laziness and commercialism.

Unfortunately, a bit of false advertising.......2006-12-13

I just finished reading this book, and while it has its amusing and informative bits, it is apparent that the publisher and/or editor did not bother to read the book before making the covers shots, and even the subtitle. This books is titled, "The Science of James Bond", with the subtitle of "From Bullets to Bowler Hats to Boat Jumps, the Real Technology Behind 007's Fabulous Films". The cover shot on the book shows a wristwatch, a bowler hat, and a boat jump scene from "Live and Let Die". The wristwatch appears to be too cheap to be a 'genuine Bond' item, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Despite the blurb and the photo, there is absolutely no mention of the bowler hat in the book, and only two (throwaway - no pun intended) mentions of Oddjob in the book. I was expecting a discussion of the derby, such as what could it have been made of, how heavy would it have to be, and even (as the Booklist review seems to indicate, showing that the writer ALSO didn't read the book) if it could decapitate a man.

Moving on to the subject of boat jumps, let me describe, in sum total, how much the authors have to say about them (and let me be the first to admit that the "Live and Let Die" boat chase scenes were among my favorites): Nothing.

That's right, not a single word, phrase, or discussion about any of this -- not the technology needed to film them, the stunt men, nothing.

There's quite a bit more wrong with the book, even if taken as 'tongue in cheek', because it's obvious that the authors (who claim to be science-aware) don't understand even basic facts. For example, they go on and on (over several pages) about how Blofeld's spaceship in "You Only Live Twice" is unrealistic because, after all, it wouldn't be able to 'stop' in space, as it needs to go 17,000 MPH to be in orbit, etc. They completely ignore relative speeds -- the Blofeld spaceship only needs to go slightly faster/slower than the target ship, not thousands of miles per hour different. I won't go into the whole 'orbital mechanics' that happen with rendezvous in space (most of which are counter-intuitive), because the authors don't touch on it at all. The authors go on and on about how they can't understand how (at the time the movie was released, in the sixties) NASA wouldn't have 'seen' the spaceship on radar, without understanding how much work had gone into being able to track vehicles that we KNEW about (let alone unknown ones). And there is only a passing reference, several chapters later, about the most 'incredible' aspect of this spaceship -- that it's able to land vertically, under power, on land.

The blurb on the back cover of the book even talks about the "ever-popular rocket-firing cigarette." Of course, if you're anticipating reading anything about that in the book, rest assured -- you won't. It isn't there. And while they spend pages and pages explaining bullet calibers, and why Bond has a Walther PPK, there is nary a mention of one of the most fascinating 'gadget guns' in any of the movies, the 'golden gun' used by Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

In short, this seems to be a somewhat rambling discourse on logical flaws in the Bond movies, with a bit of 'science' thrown in, but it doesn't hold together well, and I can't help but feel cheated by the comparison of the book cover blurbs and the actual content. It doesn't make me feel good to realize that I spent more time reading this book than the publisher did...

Informative and Great Fun!.......2006-11-29

Reading a book like this can give one the urge to watch the Bond movies yet again. Although the authors review the James Bond movies with a critical scientific eye, it is obvious that they are genuine 007 fans. Some of the technology, big and small, portrayed in the Bond movies are discussed in very accessible and engaging prose. Some scientific ideas are discussed form basic principles, but in a clear and completely painless way. Thus readers can learn a bit of science along the way. However, I did stumble upon an error. On pages 99-100, Geiger counter readings are discussed with the intention of establishing the total radiation dose received by Bond due to radioactive contamination on the surface of his body. The one essential element that is missing from this otherwise quite accurate and illuminating discussion is the time factor. A Geiger counter measures a count rate which is a measure of the number of radiation particles impinging upon it per unit time. If the Geiger indicates a reading of 72.8 (no dimensions given in the movie), it is clear that this reading must include time in its units. Thus, in keeping with the units given in the book, the reading could have been 72.8 mSv/hour. Consequently, assuming that this figure also represents the rate at which Bond's whole body is absorbing the radiation dose (which, by the way, is not usually the same as the Geiger counter reading), the total dose received by Bond would be the dose rate multiplied by the time during which he was contaminated. So, for example, if his body surface was contaminated for, say, 10 minutes, then his total dose would only be about 12 mSv. This minor point aside, this is a wonderful book that could be enjoyed by anyone - especially Bond fans.

Authors:

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