C# Via the Happy Path - A Review

 

C# Via the Happy Path

by

T. Cloudhorn

A Review

The author claims this book is or the “busy undergrad”; but to this reader it is not clear to whom this book is addressed.

The author starts where most beginning programming texts begin, defining simple concepts such as bits and bytes. He then moves to explaining how transistor work and how they are used to build simple logic gates (i.e. AND, OR, NOR, and NAND gates). He then moves into defining the difference between compilers, interpreters, and hybrid language systems.

From there he begins discussing classes, claiming, “One caution – this book does not cover some very basic programming constructs (built-in language features) like strings, for loops, while loops, if-else statements etc. because these are assumed to be easy enough for the reader to quickly learn by themselves through other resources.” Yet these are the basic building blocks from which programming solutions are actually built. To be fair, the author makes it clear that his purpose is to introduce the reader to Object-Oriented Programming (aka OOP), though it appears he wants to do this without the foundation needed to write complete programs. Doing so, it appears that the book is aimed at those who learned to program before the development of OOP in the eighties and nineties. These programmers will know about the basic building blocks of programming but not how to use them in an OOP setting. Sadly, many of us who learned programming in this era are nearing retirement age. The book comes 20-30 years too late. I will only give the book 2-stars.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review as well as a Kindle book purchased on-line. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Better Than Nun - A Review

Better Than Nun

by

Alice Loweecey

It is not often that I find a book from Henery Press difficult to recommend, but such is the case for Alice Loweecey’s newest book. Combining the weirdness and comedy of “Scooby Doo” (both literally and figuratively) and the horror of The Exorcist”, this new book did more to drive this reader away from than into the plot. What should have taken three days to read, my normal reading time for a cozy mystery, took me more than a week to complete.

The collection of ghosts, haunted objects, and tarot readings seemed overdone. As an evangelical pastor, I still enjoy an occasional ghost story (see my recent review of Buried In The Stacks), but Better Than Nun did not leave me with the same cozy feeling I expect from others in this genre. I suggest waiting for the next one in the series.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Ancient-Modern Bible (NKJV) - A Review

Ancient-Modern Bible

NKJV

by

Thomas Nelson Bibles

A Review

This Bible is a great concept and probably needed by the church, but its design leaves something to be desired.

Designed with a new “Comfort Print” font that is supposed to be easier to read, the compilation of comments from authors writing across the centuries. Opening to a random page in Isaiah (Isaiah 54-56), I see quotes from Augustine, Billy Graham, and John Calvin. The quotes are interesting and applicable to the life of the Christian — both at the time they were originally written and in the modern context of this Bible. Also included are a number of essays by well-known church leaders. Setting between the book of Isaiah and Jeremiah is an essay by H. Richard Niebuhr entitled: “Connecting Christ and Culture”. This Bible concludes with a set of seven “Supplemental Articles” on a number of broader topics: Creation, Meditation, Church, Trinity, etc.

Though borrowing from a great deal of source material, the notes and essays are not well-cited. A bibliography is included in the end notes (following the “Supplemental Articles”), but the entries are not tied directly to the notes included in the margins of the Bible; thus adding a layer of complexity to the researcher or pastor wanting to verify the source material. Though many resources are used, it is unclear as to how varied they are. Only on reference from the Wesley’s is cited and there is no way to follow that citation back to see where, how, or how often it is used.

A bigger problem than the poor use of citations is the design of the Bible. Though using a new font, this font is so small it makes both the Bible text and the notes difficult to read. There is plenty of white space on most pages — a larger font could easily have been used — better still would be to have the notes available as supplements on the Internet for registered users of the Bible. The pages are thin, occasionally making page turning more cumbersome than necessary.

Assuming plenty of light, nimble fingers, and good eyes, this Bible has a place on most pastor’s desk. Laymen may find it of use or interest as well.
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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Fatal Forgeries - A Review

Fatal Forgeries

by

Ritter Ames

A Review

Laura Beacham’s parents were art thieves. She was in the art recovery business. That at times put her at odds with much of the rest of her family - and those odds could be fatal. That theses sounded intriguing, but I was disappointed in its implementation.

The book is inviting as the characters travel throughout Europe, visiting or traveling near landmarks in London, Barcelona, and Paris. Similarly, the book introduced me to the world of art, particularly as created by Caravaggio, an Italian artist. These side trips did give value to the book and made the trip interesting as I used Google and Wikipedia to discover more of these unknown worlds.

The book, however, has one large problem - it does not offer a complete story. This reader felt as if he were set up, but that nothing was accomplished in its 300 pages. Paintings were not returned, parents were not found, thieves were not caught (though one murderer was).

I kept hoping for some conclusion of the story, but it never came. Like an afternoon soap opera (with far less romance), one can only hope the next book offers the satisfactory ending expects from an enjoyable book.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinion are mine alone.