Product Description
Now in its 4th edition, Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic, Therapist Guide updates, extends, and improves upon the most effective, evidence-based treatment program available for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia.

- Program is now organized by skill, instead of by session so treatment can be tailored to the individual
- Presents breathing and thinking skills as methods for facing, rather than reducing fear and anxiety
- Focuses on learning how to face agoraphobic situations and the scary physical symptoms of panic from an entirely new perspective
- Includes a completely new chapter for adapting the treatment for effective delivery in 6 sessions within primary care settings
- Provides up-to-date information on pharmacology

Written and revised by the developers of the program, this book provides therapists will all the tools necessary to deliver effective treatment for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia.It provides step-by-step instructions for teaching clients the skills to overcome their fear of panic and panic attacks, as well as case vignettes and techniques for addressing atypical and problematic responses.

This therapist guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that has been recommended for use by public health services around the world.

TreatmentsThatWorkTM represents the gold standard of behavioral healthcare interventions!



·All programs have been rigorously tested in clinical trials and are backed by years of research


·A prestigious scientific advisory board, led by series Editor-In-Chief David H. Barlow, reviews and evaluates each intervention to ensure that it meets the highest standard of evidence so you can be confident that you are using the most effective treatment available to date


·Our books are reliable and effective and make it easy for you to provide your clients with the best care available


·Our corresponding workbooks contain psychoeducational information, forms and worksheets, and homework assignments to keep clients engaged and motivated


·A companion website (www.oup.com/us/ttw) offers downloadable clinical tools and helpful resources


·Continuing Education (CE) Credits are now available on select titles in collaboration with PsychoEducational Resources, Inc. (PER) ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (16)

Pervert's Paradise
Gordon gives us a concise and mostly objective overview of the sex scene and history during the Weimar Berlin era along with the pictures which are at turns titillating, gross, disturbing, or weird depending on the reader's predilections.Berlin at the time was a mixed bag of fun, corruption, depravity, danger, and godless callousness. It was one of most sexually free or perverse cities of all time. How sexuality played itself out in the city was fired by the imagination of the populace. This kind of sex can be seen as decadent in that in was paid for a lot of the time and was done for cheap thrills and often on arousing drugs. Elements in the populace were half willing and half forced to participate in paid sex to survive in bad economic times. Although there were laws against illicit sex, the city fathers grew tired of trying to enforce the codes after WWI. Effeminate gay men and transvestites were looked down upon, but even they had their niche in the city's sexual commerce. Gordon covers the gamut of unorthodox sexuality: transvestites, homosexuality, nudist clubs, sadism, masochism, pedophilia, sexual murder, and prostitution. It is suggested the WWI itself made the German population more open illicit sex after witnessing such violence, butchery, and becoming shell shocked. Berlin also had a reputation for homosexuality even in 1800s because military policy would not allow or discouraged the elite in the military from marrying, so they used teenage boys to slack their desires instead. Around 1932, the mood of Berlin changed and the Nazis acted upon the general desire to clean things up in the city and in the ranks. Ernst Rohm and his militant mannish homosexuals were eliminated from the Nazi ranks in the night of the long knives. The Jewish Magnus Hirschfeld's sex clinic and museum was ransacked and closed down. Most of the brothels and criminal dives were stamped out. The former transvestite party place, the Eldorado, became Nazi Headquarters.

Revealing
This book was a bit more than I expected. It gives a quite revealing view of life in the Weimar Republic. Although I am not one who would be considered a prude, or am easily shocked. I can see how someone like Hitler was able to use the amoral attitude of these people to further his agenda. This book is not for prudes, or the faint of heart. I also could not help but wonder if it was written from this kind of viewpoint, as it seems to insinuate that the Weimar Republic was one of total moral depravity.

Warning: how a moral collapse breeds monsters
The abysmal depth of human depravity in the Weimar Republic, shown graphically in this publication, goes a long way toward explaining why many decent Germans preferred even Hitler over this seething mass of degeneration, corruption and pure filth. A lesson for the future?

Stellar Research
This book has proven to be an astonishingly valuable source in my research of the period, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in the social history of this remarkable time and place. As a costume designer, the photo references are first-rate, and not available anywhere else. As a collaborator in the theatre and an amateur social historian, I found VP one of the most thorough and colourful pieces of research I have encountered in a long while. Pony up the dough, folks, it's well worth it!

Voluptuous Panic by Mel Gordon
Excellent book, which had lots of information regarding Berlin, Germany in the wild 20s.I only wish there was more in depth material to read and more photo's.Especially interesting was the "Occult" section, which could have had a more in depth coverage, but I'm not complaining. Dietrich Eckhart, who belonged to a number of Occult Societies introduced Hitler to Ernst Rohm The Criminal Elements or crime section was also heady. Overall, well put together and very interesting.I think including the individuals and activies of some subversive groups in Berlin at the time would have been helpful in understanding the rise of Naziasm in the 20's.I understand there were a number of "White Russian" exiles that supported Hitler's cause. ... Read more

Product Description
This step-by-step guide to recovery from anxiety and panic disorder--the number-one mental health problem in America--offers state-of-the-art treatment methods that have helped thousands, plus simple, straightforward, and reassuring techniques that help guard against relapse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Real Life - Really worked
This book recommended to my by my counselor - helped me deal with and overcome my panic attacks.It was so bad I was agoraphobic at one point, and this book helped me work through the panics and realize what my body and mind was trying to tell me.I would recommend it whole-heartedly!You are not alone

Great book!
I am still in the process of working with this book.So far it has helped me understand what panic disorder is and has given me some techniques for overcoming it.

Very good
This workbook is good so far. Takes time to do the exercises and work through it so that it is effective. I'm learning a lot

An End to Panic
I bought this book for my mom, but I believe that she is enjoying it.

Best Book on Panic I Own
I have been plagued with panic attacks for 5 years. Despite medication and therapy, the anxiety of having another panic attack remains with me 24/7.
This book was recommended to me by my therapist, and it is truly excellent. Do not plan to breeze through it in a few evenings, though. It has questions to answer, things to ponder, and requires more involvement than "quick fix" books that you've probably already tried. You must truly commit to going through the book and doing the exercises - and making that commitment can be difficult. ... Read more

Product Description
Panic in Level 4 is a grand tour through the eerie and unforgettable universe of Richard Preston, filled with incredible characters and mysteries that refuse to leave one’s mind. Here are dramatic true stories from this acclaimed and award-winning author, including

• the phenomenon of “self-cannibals,” who suffer from a rare genetic condition caused by one wrong letter in their DNA that forces them to compulsively chew their own flesh–and why everyone may have a touch of this disease
• the search for the unknown host of Ebola virus, an organism hidden somewhere in African rain forests, where the disease finds its way into the human species, causing outbreaks of unparalleled horror
• the brilliant Russian brothers–“one mathematician divided between two bodies”–who built a supercomputer in their apartment from mail-order parts in an attempt to find hidden order in the number pi (π)

In exhilarating detail, Preston portrays the frightening forces and constructive discoveries that are currently roiling and reordering our world, once again proving himself a master of the nonfiction narrative. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Pop sci essays with a human touch
This collection of essays is a well-written exploration of a variety of different topics, including mathematicians' search for pi, the race to sequence the human genome, and an examination of the ebola virus. One's opinion about the collection as a whole will inevitably depend on one's interest in the six topics covered but I found this collection held my interest even through the slower essays.

Here, Preston's writing is largely sharp and concise as readers have come to expect. He peppers in a bit more of himself in these essays through personal observations and comments on the writing process. This can be off-putting to some readers but I found it fit the tone of the essays. His empathy for others comes through clearly and it lends the popular science writing a human touch. Standout essays include "The Mountains of Pi," which was a very empathic and grounded look at a completely abstract subject, and "The Human Kabbalah," in which the story of the genome sequencing race read like a piece you'd see on ESPN. Overall I enjoyed this collection.

Kindle edition: The book offers a working table of contents, working footnotes, and zoomable images. It includes a non-working index. It was well-formatted and free from any noticeable typographical errors.

An incredibly interesting book.
The book covers a wide array of topics, including level 4 biological laboratories.The title is taken from that section of the book.The writing is excellent and I highly recommend this book.The "mountains of Pi" section is wonderfully written and very interesting.

Couldn't put it down!
I finished reading this last night, and out or curiosity came here to find what others were saying and see what other books Mr. Preston has written.I was absolutely shocked to see the negative reviews!Do people actually give a product a negative review because they don't like the *title* of the book?Seriously folks.

While the book is a collection of short essays, I felt the author did a brilliant job of weaving them together. In reading some of the reviews here, I think this fact went way over some readers' heads.The whole point is that these stories aren't as 'fringe' as they might first appear to be.The science and issues are interrelated and have dramatic effects on all our lives.Mathematics, genetics and microbiology are topics at the very core of modern science.This book does a fantastic job of introducing these fields to the non-scientific masses via interesting stories.

This was one of the most fun reads I've had in a long time.Highly recommended.Despite the title!

Good stories, if a little pretentious.
The book was okay. The stories themselves were intriguing and mostly well told. Unfortunately, Preston occasionally slips in comments about his own writing style and tips and tricks for aspiring writers. This felt condescending to me and inappropriate for a book that doesn't purport to be about writing. It's a science piece--just give me the science. Don't explain to me what rhetorical devices you're using to make it read well.
Having said that, the topics he chose for this collection are mostly fascinating, and he does a nice job of humanizing the stories with his characterizations of the players.

less than worthless
I want my money back and the several hours it took be to read this book.Don't judge a book by it's cover works both ways and this is a prime example.I thought it looked exciting and interesting, great cover, title, etc...but the book was horrible.Just so you know, this book's main articles are about: two brothers who are computer nerds and built a big computer in their appartment, a blanket that is really old and uninteresting (this article features previously said computer nerd brothers for some reason), And an article about people who self mutilate...which i thought would be awsome and since it was the last part of the book i read everything leading up to it (unfortunatley) just to find out that the article is more about the authors realationship to several people who self mutilate which is both uninteresting and pointless (not to mention it seems as though it was only written so that the author could make himself sound like a really great fun guy, it reads more like an essay application to college and a corney one at that).Skip this for sure, or read it if you like horrible narative non fiction books that waste your time.
... Read more

Product Description
This practical, self-empowering book on overcoming debilitating panic attacks is now in a completely revised, updated and expanded third edition, and includes the latest information and new research findings on agoraphobia, exposure therapy, medication, and other important topics.

MASTER YOUR PANIC parallels an actual treatment program in which you are guided, step-by-step, through twelve self-help treatment sessions. Proven, research-based methods are presented in easy-to-follow instructions, accompanied by numerous case examples. Includes guides for identifying triggers of panic attacks, challenging catastrophic thinking and for preventing relapse. Follow Dr. Beckfield's procedures to gain a thorough understanding of the disorder and you can actually resolve the panic in your life.

--Find out why you developed panic attacks in the first place and why they come back. --Learn the tried-and-true "SRB" method to STOP panic the moment it strikes. --Discover your personal triggers for panic and tackle them, one by one -- the thoughts, the physical habits, even the emotional traps. So panic goes away and stays away. --Find out the latest information on the best medications for panic. --Identify the personal stresses and family backgrounds that can lead to panic. --Learn to stop limiting yourself and get your life back -- for GOOD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Educate and Empower Yourself!
After having my first panic attack years ago, I decided to educate myself and I purchased this book.This book helped me realize why I was having these attacks and allowed me to get on the path of getting my life back.It was a critical piece of the puzzle to this healing process and I am so glad that this was the book that I chose.

Not for an agoraphobic!
I was quite dissapointed after reading most of this book. It refers to Agoraphobia simply as an avoidance! It gives the general common sence answers for anexiety ; both social and common. I have had Agoraphobia (housebound) for almost 13 years...this time. But have been plagued by it most of my life. It seems by her saying Agoraphobia is merely an avoidance, it is trivalizing the seriousness of it! Wish I had not bought this waste of time! J. Dalton, Swansea, MA.

A Big Help To Me
This book was very helpful to me.Just reading it seems to cause one's anxious thoughts to subside, as the book describes the causes and physical aspects of a panic attack and helps the reader to identify the process and isolate it as an objective physical and mental phenomenon which can be dealt with rationally using simple techniques described in the book.There are also questions to guide the reader to identify aspects of their personal and family history that may be contributing to the anxiety and panic attacks, and it includes information about standard treatments and medications for anxiety.

The phenomenon of anxiety is rooted in a panicky feeling of being overwhelmed in a crisis.The mere act of objectively studying the anxiety and panic helps to defuse it.Also it is a great help to see that anxiety symptoms are common to other people who have successfully learned to live with and/or overcome them.

Additionally this book is good because it allows you to practice "bibliotherapy" in the privacy of your own home, if you are uncomfortable with the idea of going through the formal mental health system to get some help, and helps you to realize whether your problem is severe enough to need professional assistance, or if you can manage it yourself.

Magnesium can relieve anxiety and panic; please read review!
I am very familiar with the pain of anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia for I suffered from these maladies for several decades. During those years of suffering I believed that my problems were purely mental and underwent treatment by psychiatrists, psychologists, and hypnotherapists. I took various prescribed medications and read many books such as this, but experienced little relief. And then something wonderful happened: I began taking a daily supplement of chelated magnesium (for a different ailment) and shortly thereafter experienced a significant diminishment of anxiety in addition to cure of the ailment for which I had originally taken the supplemental magnesium. There seemed to be no explanation for why taking supplemental magnesium caused this wonderful loss of anxiety until the publication in 2003 of the important book The Miracle of Magnesium by Dr. Carolyn Dean. Early in her book Dr. Dean reveals that a major cause of anxiety and panic attacks is deficiency of magnesium and that magnesium deficiency is quite common in the U.S. Therefore, I beg all sufferers of anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia -- whatever else you may do -- please purchase and read The Miracle of Magnesium by Dr. Carolyn Dean and please try the magnesium supplementation which she recommends. It may change your life as it has changed mine.

Wonderful Self-Help Guide
Master Your Panic and Take Back Your Life, Third Edition, by Denise F. Beckfield,PhD. , written in lay language instead of "medicalese" is a step-by-step, straight forward how to help yourself if you suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, or agoraphobia.Explaining what constitutes a panic attack, the doctor shows what causes the frightening attacks to happen and how to trace and ammend their root causes.She details the warning signals to become alert to in order to sense an attack coming on before it really kicks in. Then Dr. Beckfield gives excellent yet simple methods of what to do to prevent the panic attack from occurring.The book helps the sufferer to analyse attack triggers and how to challenge catastrophic beliefs, how to practice situations that cause panic while learning the steps to prevent the attack.Her methods include his SRB formula which, when practiced can become automatic and restore the calm state of life which the panick attack sufferer has lost, giving back one's ease and control. The book has some excellent methods and is helpful also for family and friends to read in order to understand what the panic attack victim is experiencing and to help him or her conquer these overwhelming experiences. A very helpful book and an easy and interesting read.The First Aid for Panic is alone worth the price, from Impact Publishers in California. ... Read more

Product Description
Coping With Preschool Panic is an indispensable guide to the Los Angeles preschool maze. Coping With Preschool Panic reviews educational philosophies, some factors to consider before you visit a preschool, what to look for when visiting a preschool as well as provides reviews 55 Los Angeles area preschools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not Enough Valley-Area Schools
Book was helpful to provide insight on the different pre-school philosophies and the types of questions to ask and things to look for.Not as helpful when looking for specific information on specific neighborhood pre-schools, since I live in the SF Valley and the number of SF Valley schools included in the book is limited.I may give the book to a friend that lives on the West Side.It will be more helpful to her.

Great book!
I bought this book and I know friends who have found it very useful too. If you live in LA, this book is the best preschool guide out there.

Good for Stay at Home Moms in LA Looking for Preschools
This book contains listings for several preschools in the Los Angeles area. It contains useful information about where the preschools are located and provides a little glimpse into how each one is run. This book is good if you are looking for traditional preschools with traditional hours (e.g., 3 to 4 hours day, a few times a week). It is not a good book if you are looking for a daycare/preschool combo on a full time basis (40+ hours per week). Also, it also does not cover the East LA are (e.g., San Gabriel Valley area). So, overall it is a great reference book for stay at home moms that want to provide their kids preschool. It is not useful if both parents are working and need a daycare/preschool combo. ... Read more

Product Description
Your life may be a mess because of panic. In fact, it may have turned into a nightmare. Now all you can do is hope you can get through the day without a panic attack. What you may not realize is that it is possible to have a day without panic. And it can start now. Today is the day to take your life back and to kick panic to the curb. You’re ready to get over panic attacks. You’re ready to forget about them. In fact, you can’t wait until you can forget about them. You’re waiting for your life to begin again. If that’s what you truly want, get ready. It’s time to put it into motion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

inspiring to hear from a sufferer
aside from some typos (don't know why they don't fix that, and I'm no grammar Nazi, it's just irritating for those that might not know what someone is trying to say) the author's story about the emotions she went trough and the fears she developed after having her first panic episode. Most of the things she mentions I have gone through, from fear of death (although it is still there and like she stated, that is everyone's fear whether it is small or huge) to swallowing pills and choking like mine is. When I fist started reading the book, she talked about "how special you are and blah blah blah, and I wasn't having any of it thinking that she's trying to lure me into the god stuff, until she went to the stuff that I could related to, from the moments of feeling not real, to doubting stuff and everything you've ever believed in. I do in fact recommend youget this book because it will help you realize that you're not alone in Panic and the experiences that one goes through- the one that makes you feel like you're from Mars. it has beenvery helpful and I'm going to give you another tip: there's a book called "hope and help for your nerves" by Claire Weekes( best book I've ever read on panic and anxiety), and she explains most symptoms and "solutions" similar to the author in "What if?...."

Awesome!
I've been suffering from panic attacks off and on for more than 10 years and feeling very isolated since family and friends don't know what it feels like.This book hit home and finally, I felt like I wasn't alone.I know many people suffer from panic attacks, but most of them do not write books about it.The books about panic attacks are usually written by psychologist or doctors who have NEVER had a panic attack so it's hard to trust in someone who hasn't been there.I have this book on my Kindle and go back to it often for some encouragement and support.After reading this book, I felt like I could face my fears and using the techniques really does help.I also wish i could speak/email this author to say thank you for being brave and writing this book.This is a great book for people who are having a difficult time facing their fears.

Amazing
I wish I could meet with this girl, she wrote an amazing book.It's the first book that says almost exactly how I feel and I can relate to it.All the other books I have read are too scientific.I believe in this book and I feel that this book will help me recover from my panic disorder.It's just soo nice to have someone out there that went through the same thing I went through and talks on my level.I only wish I could talk to her in person, I would ask more questions.Get this book, it is so worth it. ... Read more

Product Description
“It’s all devastatingly true — except the bits that are lies” — Douglas Adams

Upon publication, Don’t Panic quickly established itself as the definitive companion to Adams and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This edition comes up to date, covering the movie, And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer and the build up to the 30th anniversary of the first novel.

Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman celebrates the life and work of Douglas Adams who, in a field in Innsbruck in 1971, had an idea that became The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The radio series that started it all, the five — soon to be six — book ‘trilogy’, the TV series, almost-film and actual film, and everything in between. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Interesting, learned a lot
This is a creditable survey of Adams writing and production of his most famous (and some not so famous) works. It has a brief section on Adams' school writings - he got the only perfect score on one writing assignment a teacher had ever handed out - and from there to college, radio, television, and computer games.

I thought the treatment of the text adventure games was particularly interesting, taking one back to a world where authors were critical to the design of a computer game.

The discussion of the politics around making the BBC television show was also interesting and rang true.

There is not a lot of depth in much of the analysis of the texts, nor is there much psychological analysis of Adams himself. It mostly focuses just on how the various texts were finally produced. But it yields valuable insights into Adams nonetheless.

A powerful guide perfect for any Adams fan or library catering to them
DON'T PANIC: DOUGLAS ADAMS & THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY appears in a new, updated edition to celebrate the life and work of Douglas Adams. Here Gaiman covers all of Adams' work, from Doctor Who scripts to his famous Hitchhiker originals through their book, TV and radio show renditions, offering a powerful guide perfect for any Adams fan or library catering to them.

Mostly harmless
Interesting and funn at times, this book is pretty bland considering it is a biography of one of (in my mind) the greatest authors I've ever read.(I've only read about 5 different authors, however).

In Douglas Adams' own review of this book, I totally agree:

"The best biography of Douglas Adams & the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy written since this morning" - D.A.

I'd give it a miss, in retrospect.(Maybe you can buy mine).

It's the bonus disc to the H2G2
This is a neat little book. I found the 1st edition years ago by chance in my university bookstore and bought it. When this revised edition (with some new material) was released, I snapped that up as well and re-read it.
Basically, think of this as the book equivalent to a "Bonus Features" DVD. It's jam packed with odd little stories and insights into the making of the Hitchhiker's universe (all media: radio, records, books, & TV). Die-Hard Adams fans will enjoy this.
And the fact that this happens to be compiled by Neil Gaiman, one of my other favorite writers, is just an added bonus.

A great tribute to a great man
This is part a biography of Douglas Adams, and part a description of how the different versions of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy came to be. Douglas Adams was a very interesting and intelligent man whose life was cut tragically short. The story of how his most famous work was created is almost as funny and capticating as the Hitchiker's Guide itself. We get some examples of his early work, which can be incredibly funny ("How many kamikaze missions have you flown?" "Fourteen Sir!" "Shouldn't it be just one?"). He was involved with the Monty Python group, and wrote some material for them.
I think the book should be essential not only for Hitchhiker's buffs but also for wannabes in any creative profession. ... Read more

Product Description
This highly acclaimed, research-proven, physician-endorsed guided imagery combines healing imagery, powerful music and a state-of-the-art understanding of the mind-body connection to reduce or eliminate acute anxiety and panic attacks. The first 3 exercises: conscious breathing, mantra meditation and body awareness, can be used separately or cumulatively; followed by 18 minutes of guided imagery to reduce fear & isolation; instill a sense of mastery and control; and manage or eliminate symptoms. With affirmations and exquisite, new music by Steven Mark Kohn. (66 minutes). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

One of the best for anxiety and sleep problems I have found so far...
During a great time of turmoil including radiation therapy, loss of job stress, etc. with a history or anxiety and panic attacks including medications tried, this has literally saved me. You have to keep working at it-try listening to parts of it at least two to three times a day until you can do the techniques on your own when your experiencing anxiety or panic. The simple, soothing breathing techniques are extremely helpful and beneficial. It also has helped with sleeping problems. I often listen to it on my ipod and do the techniques as I'm falling asleep, too. Highly recommend-worth a try and worth the money. It should be titled Panic Attacks and Anxiety, though. It also has several techniques on it in case one is better than another for you such as affirmations, guided imagery, etc. and the music is very nice. All of them work for me. I have tried yoga, tai chi, and acupuncture as well but the great thing about this is you can practice the techniques anywhere, anyplace, any time you feel panic or anxiety without fuss or being obvious. In some cases you may have to slip away to a private place for a few minutes, but it requires little effort.

Great Work
This is an excellent CD.I am a Mental Health Therapist by Trade, and I have recommended this CD to a number of my patients.This is where most mental health healing begins, and that is simply by meditating and quieting the mind.

A Big Help
I bought this for my husband to help him with panic and anxiety attacks and it has helped him greatly. He finds the affirmations especially helpful, particularly when he's at work or in the car and not able to close his eyes and meditate along with the guided imagery track. Often he turns on this CD at bedtime as we go to sleep and we've both found it helps us sleep better all night. Because we liked this CD so much we've bought several others (Healthful Sleep, Healthy Pregnancy/Childbirth) and enjoy those just as much. We highly recommend Belleruth meditations!

This one is worthwhile
I've bought several guided meditations in the past year, but I never really like them.The people doing the guiding had unpleasant voices, which to me cancelled out what they were saying.
Luckily, by chance, I ordered one by Belleruth Naperstak, and this one works for me.She has a very pleasant voice, and the background music isn't distracting.Also, she has both guided meditations, and a section on affirmations.She says that the affirmations work better for some people than the meditations, and I agree.The way she does them works well for me.I think they last about 12 or 13 minutes, and in that short period of time, I drift off to sleep.I truly think that listening to them over and over has "soaked into my mind" and is helping me with my attacks(which are related to my poorly controlled high blood pressure).I intend to order a couple more of her CD's.Ithink they are the best.

Panic Attacks
In fifteen minutes or so, I learned how to breathe,relax and take control.Sounds too easy but it works! ... Read more

Product Description
Jindai High School was a relatively safe place, right up until Sousuke Sagaka transferred there.A total nut, he wreaks havoc on the school's student body and gets into a world of trouble with the teachers!But there's more to Sousuke than meets the eye--not just a hell-raising student, he's actually a member of an elite military unit, on an undercover mission to protect the beautiful schoolgirl Kaname Chidori from the KGB. Discover the mystery as this comedy-action-science-fiction story unfolds! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A real page-turner!!
"Full Metal Panic! Fighting Boy Meets Girl" is the first of several light novels in a very exciting series revolving around the exploits of a young mercenary named Sousuke Sagara.This novel is an odd, but charming mix of secret warfare, science-fiction, comedy, and a dash of romance.

Despite being a light novel this book contains a colorful cast of characters and intriguing scenarios described in surprisingly acute detail.Some of the author's descriptions of combat are very graphic, while in other instances he provides remarkably poignant insight into the characters' feelings. This combined with his ability to weave together several interesting plot threads makes for some very addictive reading.

What really makes this book engrossing, and hard to put down, is the incredibly tense action in the latter half of the story.The author does a fantastic job of gradually escalating the tension and raising the stakes until you feel like bursting.Each page will leave you dying to find out what happens next.

The series is aimed at teens and young adults, so people in a more advanced age bracket may scoff and be dismissive of it, but those who are open minded enough to give it a try may find some very enjoyable, if a bit light, reading.

This is the NOVEL, not the manga!
note: i am a 16-year old male, named Mike Takahashi. so, obviously, this is written from a 16-year old male's perspective. not the actual account holder's (my father's)

For everyone about to click that "Add to cart" button: be warned that this is NOT a manga! the book shown is the first in a series of novels, which are still being released in japan. in japan these kind of books are known as "light novels", and they are generally aimed at young adults. light novels also have manga(anime)-like illustrations scattered throughout the book.

all that light novel stuff i just mentioned is simply to inform you that this is not a graphic novel. on the subject of the book however, in my opinion this is the among the best books i have ever read. speaking of book's i have read; there aren't that many i really wanted to finish. i bought this book yesterday and i can't stop reading it. i am a huge fan of the anime and manga, and this book was the inspiration to both! in fact, the third season of the anime (titled: Full Metal Panic! The second raid) only goes up to the 5th book! As of now, there have been nine novels (japan) and ten short story collections published, and a tenth (and possibly final) is in production. today, this book had me using all my willpower to restrain from laughing uncontrollibly after i finished one of my midterms. but take note that this book consists of so many more demographics than comedy, the book (and the series) have perfectly blended elements of comedy, drama, romance, action, and mecha (giant robots). what this book does, it does exceedingly well!

anyone who has watched the anime or read the manga will probably think that they have no reason to read the book. i disagree with that. reading this book made me feel re-introduced to the series, and i recently just re-watched all of the episodes from all of the 3 seasons (i'm an FMP! nut, what can i say?).

Very long opinion which i could delve into a whole lot further short: this book is an excellent read for anyone who loves the following categories: mecha, action, comedy, drama, and romance.

anyone who likes any one of these categories will be doing themselves a favor by buying (and reading) this novel.

Great Novel!
Shouji Gatou is an excellent story-teller. You'll be completely caught up in his narrative. I enjoyed the time spent reading this amazing book and get to know what was on the character's mind and situation's details that only this novel can provide. I recommend this book very much, for fans and non-fans, you wont regret buying this.
Greetings from Brazil.

SECRET AGENT STUDENT
Kaname Chidori has a boy at her high school who seems to follow her wherever she goes, and his chivalrous nature protects her from all dangers. She even reciprocates his feelings of attachment even though she won't admit it to him or herself. His name is Sosuke Sagura. He's such a great guy that he even busts through her window at home, swinging on a rope, ready to take down a threatening cockroach that Chidori almost steps on getting out of the shower. Yes, Sosuke is a weapons freak! And that's putting it mildly. For example, when someone leaves a love note for Chidori in her shoe locker, Sosuke deems that it would be safer to blow up the locker, along with part of the school! And the class president, Hayashimizu, seems to think that it was apporpriate too! Sosuke is actually an agent of Mithril, a super-stealth anti-terrorist agency, assigned to protect Chidori from anyone that would want to get their hands on her. Not because of her beauty, but because of the important information locked in her mind.

Anyone that has already seen either Full Metal Panic anime series will find a lot of stuff they've already seen in this manga. But it's still entertaining even if you have. Panic has always be a little more unique than other series because it blends two distinct storylines. There's the high-school hijinks that occur at high school, which is mostly slapstick interaction between Chidori and Sosuke. The other line is the mecha action that occurs in the terrorists wanting to kidnap Chidori arc which takes things to a more dramatic level. The characters are great and the humor is funny. Recommended.

At Last, The Beginning of the Best Anime Series
For those who have seen the show, FMP is perhaps one of the best animes that has ever been created. The plot development, video quality, sound quality, and drawing is just brilliantly done. And the manga promises no less. Filled with plenty of plot turns, and comical stories, the manga is sure to not dissapoint.

Full Metal Panic manga is sort of a mix between the two seasons of Full Metal Panic; FMP original and FMP fumoffu. Sagara Souseke is assigned to protect high school girl Kaname Chidori; a pretty, all-around successful, 16 year old schoolgirl. Chidori has something terrorists want, and it's up to Sagara and his organization to stop them from taking it.

This first installment of full metal panic gets the reader well acquainted with the characters of the book through a sequence of many mini stories. Through these stories you also see a budding relationship between the two main characters in the book as well glimpses of Sagara's painful and unknown past. Those of you who didn't like Love Hina due to the lack of action, you won't be disappointed with FMP. FMP blends in the perfect combination of action and romance, promising an action filled plot while continuously developing a love relationship between the two characters that you love the most. While the first book doesn't exemplify this quality, there is a small amount of action as well as suspense that leads to an action-filled second book.

Drawing is a big part of manga books. Poor drawing, like Inuyasha and Ranma, which aren't aided by computer animation, tend to turn readers off to the books. But I guarantee you FMP is not the same. Gatou does a spectacular job at desiging perhaps the most well-drawn characters I have ever seen in a manga; and trust me I've read a lot. For 10 bucks? It's not even a contest. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

Revealing
My former English professor has given the reader a peek into the convoluted journey of life -- thus compelling the reader to ask, Is that all there is? Give us more! At times funny or curious, at times deep, Between Panic and Desire satisfies the reader with its keen writing style.

Recovering Irish Catholic
I first met Dinty while reading The Accidental Buddhist and was captivated by his style. I bought Between Panic and Desire as soon as it came out and learned that he is living my life five years in the future. I'm looking forward to his next work to see how my life turns out.

A Wonderful Read!
This is probably the most refreshing and inventive works of creative nonfiction. The stories interact with one another in creating a wonderful, compelling narrative. I chose this as a required reader for my creative writing class at Manatee Community College because the forms of the stories provide great examples of what creative nonfiction can be in the 20th century.
Because the novel is enjoyable, it reads quickly. The topics span a great distance in the modern era of popular culture, yet this book does not bog itself down with over-referentiality. Buy this and you will not be sorry!

Dinty Moore's Poignant and Funny Memoir
This is simply an amazing book:funny, accessible, poignant, avant garde, and silly all at the same time.It is an easy read, as it is organized in short, punchy chapters.If you were born in the 1950s or 60s, the book will be even more meaningful for you.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Quirky, honest and delightful
This really isn't a memoir in the conventional sense--and thank God for that. This sad-yet-funny montage provides a number of poignant glimpses into the life of a writer and a country: whether he's writing about Irish-Americana, 9/11, dropping acid, or dysfunctional fathers, Dinty Moore is poignant, honest and ultimately hopeful. No matter how much you think your country is screwed up, or how much you think you've screwed up, or how much you think your family screwed you up, read Panic and Desire. By the time you finish it you'll realize life is better than you thought. ... Read more

Product Description
Is the world running out of oil? This book analyzes predictions of global oil depletion in the context of science, history, and economics.

There has been continuing alarm about the imminent exhaustion of earth's non-renewable resources. Yet, the world has never run out of any significant, globally traded, non-renewable resource. Is the world finally facing a non-renewable resource depletion catastrophe, or is the current concern just another one of a succession of panics? In this book, key assumptions and underlying arguments in the global oil-depletion debate are first summarized and then challenged. Facts about oil supply, production, and consumption are made accessible using concise and simple graphics.

Concepts of resource depletion, end-use needs, technology leap-frogging, efficiency, and substitution are used to evaluate historical patterns of exploitation of non-renewable resources and to explore what history suggests about our future dependence on oil.

This book is aimed at a broad range of readers,from undergraduate students studying resource science and economics to anyone interested in understanding the context of the controversy over global oil depletion.

"It is a book serious students of the world oil market should read, not because Gorelick has all the answers but because his account is well reasoned, well informed, and argued honestly, with respect for responsible opposing viewpoints."
Book Review, Science, May 2010 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A superb & veraciously detailed book on the oil depletion debate
Central question on everyone's mind, given the importance of crude oil in our lives is - are we running out of the crude stuff? No one discounts the fact that oil is a non-renewable and finite hydrocarbon, but the positions people take on either side of the peak oil hypothesis evoke fierce emotions. The author of this book - Steven M. Gorelick - examines both sides of the argument and allied topics on the subject at length.

Neither side, their respective stances and arguments are free of some pretty major assumptions, Gorelick notes. He examines data and market conjecture that both supports and rejects the idea that the world is running out of crude oil. In a book of just under 250 pages split by five detailed chapters, Gorelick has tackled the subject head-on. Prior to entering the resource depletion debate, he charts the landscape, outlines the history of the oil trade and crude prospection, exploration and logistics in the first two chapters.

Following on from that, the next chapter discusses the resource depletion argument followed by a refreshingly well backed-up chapter offering counter arguments to imminent global oil depletion. The veracity of the research is simply unquestionable and the figures are not substantiated by rants or guesswork, but by a methodical analysis which makes the author's argument sound extremely persuasive.

Gorelick notes that while the era of "easy" oil may well be over, how much oil is extracted from difficult sources remains to be seen. I quite agree with the author that the next or shall we say the current stage of extraction and prospection would ultimately be dictated by the price of oil. Many commodities traders believe a US$50 per barrel price or above would ensure extraction from difficult to reach places. However, that is not to say that a high price equates to the planet running out of oil according to the author.

Every key topic from the Malthusian doctrine to M.K. Hubert's approach, from Canadian Oil sands to drilling offshore and the relative cost of imported oil for consuming nations has been discussed in context of the resource depletion debate and in some detail. The text is backed-up by ample figures, graphics and forecasts from a variety of industry recognised sources, journals and organisations. Unlike a straight cut bland discourse, the narrative of this book is very engaging.

It may well be data intensive, but if the whole point of the book is substantiating an argument - then the data adds value and makes for an informed argument - for which author deserves full credit. In all my years as a journalist who has written on oil and follows the crude markets closely, I feel this book is the most engaging, detailed and well written one that I have come across in its genre. I am happy to recommend it to commodities professionals, economists, students and just about anyone interested in reading up on the oil depletion debate.

Kind regards,
Gaurav Sharma
[...]

Clarity and Logic Make This Book Exceptional
Most books take a viewpoint and pound it in the reader through repetitive use of anecdotal information.If you agree with the viewpoint, it's a fun read; otherwise, you may not finish it.

Gorelick provides a much better approach to the questions of peak oil production and how long before we run out.He looks at all sides of the issue and analyzes specific questions using a variety of approaches that make good sense and leave the reader understanding how he derives his conclusions. His ample use of well-designed graphics contributes greatly to the clarity of the presentations, but it is his disciplined use of logic and scientific skepticism that really makes this book exceptional.No great leaps of faith are required.Neither are you left wondering about the hidden and unacknowledged assumptions made by the writer.Gorelick builds his case with iron-clad logic, but with a fun-to-read, easy style.

It turns out a fundamental assumption in predictions of peak oil production is flawed.That assumption is that the rate of oil production growth will be mirrored in the decline of production. Gorelick thoroughly debunks peak oil predictions, showing that even in the US, production decline is not as steep as predicted.Likewise, he demonstrates that whenever future reserves have been estimated from the 1950's to the present, the world seems to have 30 to 40 years of oil remaining. So, regardless of huge increases in demand for oil and fantastic leaps in technology, we always have about the same years of future oil left.We always have in reserve what is economical to discover.

The real value of this book to me is reaffirmation of the value of scientific skepticism to challenge the assumtpions that underlie many of the larger policy issues we face.Policy is driven by perceptions of reality based on a technological or scientific assessment, and the strong tendency is to build upon these assesments without ever looking back. Thus are errors compounded. Maybe this book will inspire someone to challenge and test other assumptions driving public policy today, such as those involved in climate change modelling.

Fresh Perspective on the Global Oil Crisis
This book offers a fresh perspective on the global oil crisis, and uses facts and clear illustrations to counter much of the common wisdom and myths about oil depletion. For example, Hubbert's famous prediction of when oil production will peak is widely thought to have been incredibly accurate; Gorelick explains why this is not the case. The book's prose is clear, well-written, and easy to read, while simultaneously educating and enlightening the reader.

New York Post review / A levelheaded perspective on oil panic
Why do we pay so much at the pump? What are the true cornerstones of the oil crisis? Are we fighting for a resource that's nearly tapped or for control of a product still flowing freely? Steven Gorelick's approach to these timely and pressing questions is nothing less than refreshing. Not for reasons of false optimism or of stoking fires, but for his levelheaded approach, showing the best research from both sides of the debate on how quickly we absolutely need to grow out of our oil dependency as a planet. The answers, also refreshing, often illustrate that we just might get past the oil jones before our supply runs dry.

After reading a few of the sample pages of Oil Panic and the Global Crisis here on Amazon.com, I was drawn into the concise, thoughtful writing of Gorelick and to the clear statistical illustrations (i.e. the many charts and graphspeppering his work), which rather than bog down the layperson's appreciation of the flow of information, supplemented it and drove its points home. I immediately wanted to review the book for The New York Post, where I am a freelance writer. The review was printed in the December 6, 2009 edition of the Sunday Post, and can be viewed online here: [...]

Highly recommended for students, professors, and anyone interested in the ins and outs of the state of global oil supply.

A refreshingly thoughtful look at the abundance of fossil fuel resources
In contrast to previous works that have focused on advocating a particular position with respect to the "peak oil" debate, this book carefully and rigorously examines arguments on both sides of the question.From this analysis it becomes apparent that the peak oil argument in its simple form doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.It is important to note that Gorelick is by no means claiming that oil supplies are infinite.Rather, he points out that the ultimate size of these resources is poorly known, but much larger than the conservative estimates preferred by peak oil advocates.This is due in part to an historic tendency to consistently underestimate true resource size, and in part to continuous development of new extraction technologies.Gorelick also points out that past oil production rates are principally a record of consumer demand, rather than of resource availability.

The book is clearly written, well-organized, and extensively referenced.It is well suited to use as a textbook, but also an interesting read for anyone wanting to learn more about this subject. ... Read more

Product Description
This straightforward book presents, in clear layman's terms, a description of panic attacks and proposes a series of strategies for dealing with attacks and preventing them in the future. Basing his recommendations on his own extnsive research and clinical experience, the author provides readers with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision on how best to deal with individual problems. This book should be of interest to courses in counselling and social work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

HELP!
Clum's book was recommended to me by a psychologist friend after I experienced several panic/anxiety attacks, a disorder which she had also suffered.The attacks were "life changing" experiences that I would do almost anything to avoid repeating.This book helped immensely by explaining what was going on and how to deal with the fear and shame a person with anxiety faces.It gives you insight into the anxiety process and tools to deal with the anxiety cycle.It is easy to read. Of course, anyone with severe panic/anxiety problems should consult an appropriate health professional also.There is help available and this book is amazing. ... Read more

Product Description
The short novels Uh-Oh City and Black Cocktail, combine with many short stories--including ""Friend's Best Man,"" ""The Sadness of Detail,"" and ""The Life of My Crime""--in an outstanding anthology of the author's shorter fiction.Amazon.com Review
"I want you frowning now, knowing something is very wrongwith your parachute even before actually pulling the cord and prayingit opens. P.S. It won't." So Jonathan Carroll addresses hisreaders in this much-awaited collection of 20 stories. Author ofseveral wry and dark novels, Carroll has a considerable following, buthis books are difficult to pigeonhole, so some horror and fantasyreaders are still unfamiliar with him. This collection shows off histalents admirably, in tales that range from bittersweet sadness overGod's failing memory, to a disturbing friendship between a dog and adying child, to a macabre fantasy about how men and women manipulateeach other. As The New York Times put it, "Carroll's worldis one that is subtly out of kilter, and which can take a turn for thesinister at any time." This volume is winner of the 1996 BramStoker Award for Best Short Story Collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Carroll at his top form
This is a treat for Jonathan Carroll fans. If you like his special style (I know, not everyone likes him, but I do. I guess people either love him or hate him), you are in for a treat. The short stories in this collection are exactly what the readers like about him. The intriguing details of people's lives in the world where everyone has something special about them, be it a hobby, a phobia, a secret, a way of thinking; the magic springing out of nowhere, and the whole parallel supernatural universe created in his own, irreproducible manner. The same themes as in his novels are developed in more concise manner. The dogs, as always, are very significant and mysterious creatures. The dark corners of the characters' souls, where even they go only reluctantly, in dreams or in extreme circumstances, are explored. Death, childhood fantasies, painful and pleasant memories all form the unique mosaic of Carroll's world. All the stories are superb, although my absolute favorites are "Mr. Fiddlehead" (the last dialogue couldn't be better). "The Jane Fonda Room" and "My Zoondel". I like Carroll especially when I want to get away from the mundane surroundings and at the same time think about some universally important issues. I recommend this collection.

An almost-great collection from an incredible writer
The Panic Hand is an uneven collection of short stories by one of the best surreal fantasists out there today. For starters, if you're already a Carroll fan and haven't read this yet, buy it -- there are some true Carroll gems here.

If you've never read Jonathan Carroll before, then this is the wrong place to start. You've got to slowly slide into his work and sync with his quirky rhythms to start to appreciate his work. For Carroll initiates, you can't go wrong by starting with his novels Land Of Laughs or Bones Of The Moon.

This book is a must read, so why did I give it only three stars? When Carroll is on, there is nobody better. When he strikes out, it's a bitter disappointment because his other work sets such high expectations. The Sadness of Details and Friend's Best Man are just monstrously good stories. Other yarns like Uh Oh City are also good, but suffer from a common Carroll issue of taking half the story to ramp up and start to really cook. The Jane Fonda Room was cute, but ultimately felt like an empty piece of fluff. And The Fall Collection and Waiting To Wave are,quite honestly,snooze fests.

A must for Carroll fans, otherwise you're better off trying one of his novels if you're unfamiliar with his work.

Good enough read--one story stands out
I'm usually not a short fiction reader. It usually doesn't evolve enough to be interesting. I enjoyed speculative fiction because it focuses on cocnept and ideas and how they play out in the future. Gives my mind more to think about than the limits of the prose.

I enjoyed this collection well enough. JC's writing is always a comfortable read. However the story "Uh-Oh City" is awesome. He presents an idea that I would love to see fleshed out. He leaves questions on the mind that want to be answered. The book was worth it for that story alone for me.

A Fine Imagination too Fond of Gimmicks and Easy Oddity.
After reading three of Carroll's books (I will read more), I feel that only one of them lives up to this writer's lofty reputation as a uniquely gifted magical realist, and it isn't this one. That would be The Land of Laughs, in case you're wondering. The Panic Hand, a collection of stories, features two or three remarkable tales (far and away from the pack is "Friend's Best Man," a deserved winner of the World Fantasy Award in 1987) that pull off this author's trademark legerdemain of snatching the rug out from under realistic premises to reveal a mysterious and sinister world riven with fantastic possibilities. Other stories, and there are a lot of them, are sketchy, gimmick-ridden, flatly written, and somehow smug in their pseudo profundity. And that's frustrating! Carroll is capable of better, as stories like "Friend's Best Man" make plain.

Wild and Wonderful Fare
I hate to harp on it, but Jonathan Carroll has problems ending stories.I would like to say I don't care because even a partial story by Carroll is enough, but the truth is that I'm always left with a craving that you get when you read a story and you're wrapped up into it and you require completion.Supposedly American audiences require a "happy" completion, but I hope I'm beyond that."Uh-oh City" has all the things that are quintessential Carroll: characters who are intrinsically interesting, a doozy of a "weirdness," and the, unfortunately, open ending.The premise is that there are 36 people who are God, but not individually, but collectively.One-thirty-sixth of God is still pretty much amazing, though, and when God(sub36) tells you that they are dying and you are next in line to become part of the 36thhood, what can you say? Complications ensue, as they usually do, and things are never as they seem in a Carroll story, but after the final twisty turn we reach the last sentence and we are still on the precipice of understanding, and need a final push to put us over...and it never comes.

The other stories here are more of the same wild, wonderful fare.THE PANIC HAND was originally published in Germany with a slightly different table of contents.I own a copy of that book, but being unable to read German was slightly hampered in trying to understand the stories. Carroll's better at the long form--his favorite literary device is the untrustworthy narrator, and it takes at least 50 pages to set up a story with one of those that won't annoy the reader.Even still, his tendency for the twist and his incredible way of creating characters that you would like to know in a few sentences is enjoyable even in the short form. ... Read more

Product Description
The Panic of 1819 was America's first great economic crisis. And this is Rothbard's masterful account, the first full scholarly book on the topic and still the most definitive. It was his dissertation, published in 1962 but nearly impossible to get until this new edition, the first with the high production values associated with Mises Institute publications.

The American Economic Review was wild for this book when it appeared: "Rothbard's work represents the only published, book-length, academic treatise on the remedies that were proposed, debated, and enacted in attempts to copy with the crisis of 1819," the reviewer wrote. "As such, the book should certainly find a place on the shelf of the study of U.S. business cycles and of the economic historian who is interested in the early economic development of the United States."

And specialists have treasured the book for years. It is incredible to realized that some American historians think of MN Rothbard as the author of this book and nothing else!

Rothbard tells the story about a disaster that could not be attributed to some specific government blunder or disaster. It seemed to originate from within the economic system itself. Its cause was not obvious to observers at the time. Confronted with something new, the Panic engendered much discussion and debate about possible causes and remedies. As Rothbard observes, the panic provides "an instructive picture of a people coming to grips with the problems of a business depression, problems which, in modified forms, were to plague Americans until the present day."

There were many cranky and contradictory remedies proposed, and Rothbard reviews each one. But in the end, there was no widespread confusion on what caused the downturn. Instead, it was widely known that a false prosperity is a very dangerous thing. It always turns to bust. Bad legislation failed to pass, the government embarked on no New Deal planning, and there was no great reflat ... Read more

Product Description

Are you ripped? Do you need to work on your abs? Do you know your ideal body weight? Your body fat index? Increasingly, Americans are being sold on a fitness ideal — not just thin but toned, not just muscular but cut — that is harder and harder to reach. In Body Panic, Shari L. Dworkin and Faye Linda Wachs ask why. How did these particular body types come to be "fit"? And how is it that having an unfit, or "bad," body gets conflated with being an unfit, or "bad," citizen?

Dworkin and Wachs head to the newsstand for this study, examining ten years worth of men's and women's health and fitness magazines to determine the ways in which bodies are "made" in today's culture. They dissect the images, the workouts, and the ideology being sold, as well as the contemporary links among health, morality, citizenship, and identity that can be read on these pages. While women and body image are often studied together, Body Panic considers both women's and men's bodies side-by-side and over time in order to offer a more in-depth understanding of this pervasive cultural trend.

Product Description
Originally written for a conference of the Federal Reserve, Gary Gorton's "The Panic of 2007" garnered enormous attention and is considered by many to be the most convincing take on the recent economic meltdown. Now, in Slapped by the Invisible Hand, Gorton builds upon this seminal work, explaining how the securitized-banking system, the nexus of financial markets and instruments unknown to most people, stands at the heart of the financial crisis.

Gorton shows that the Panic of 2007 was not so different from the Panics of 1907 or of 1893, except that, in 2007, most people had never heard of the markets that were involved, didn't know how they worked, or what their purposes were. Terms like subprime mortgage, asset-backed commercial paper conduit, structured investment vehicle, credit derivative, securitization, or repo market were meaningless. In this superb volume, Gorton makes all of this crystal clear. He shows that the securitized banking system is, in fact, a real banking system, allowing institutional investors and firms to make enormous, short-term deposits. But as any banking system, it was vulnerable to a panic. Indeed the events starting in August 2007 can best be understood not as a retail panic involving individuals, but as a wholesale panic involving institutions, where large financial firms "ran" on other financial firms, making the system insolvent.

An authority on banking panics, Gorton is the ideal person to explain the financial calamity of 2007. Indeed, as the crisis unfolded, he was working inside an institution that played a central role in the collapse. Thus, this book presents the unparalleled and invaluable perspective of a top scholar who was also a key insider. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

You Cannot Truly Understand 2007 Without Reading Gorton's Book
Gorton's book (really a collection of three papers he authored and presented to the Fed contemporaneously with the 2007 financial crisis) will surely be an essential source in any future literature review of the global economic crisis of 2007.As many other reviewers pointed out, Gorton's work is a slog to get through (because he wrote it as a research paper and because he is quite redundant, between and within his papers).Nonetheless, this is must read material for anyone who truly wants to understand:the mechanics of the subprime mortgage meltdown; the importance of recognizing the shadow banking system as real banking (with similar vulnerabilities and fully deserving of well-crafted policy and regulation just like traditional banking); how securitization works; how the ability to fully understand how risk is spread can be lost through derivatives; the impact of information insensitive securities becoming information sensitive; the importance of collateral and repo markets in contemporary global finance.I pretty much drained a highlighter in this book.Gorton's book is well worth the slog if you're serious about enhancing your understanding of what happened, and absolutely essential if you need to be informed enough to engage in intelligent debate on appropriate policy and regulation reform.

Not for beginners
The book is an excellent study of the financial crisis but it's written more as an academic paper than as a book for general consumption. The equations on some pages would make the average person faint.If you have the background, it's a must read.If not, either give it a pass or be prepared for a slog.

a wonderful book!
This book by Gary Gorton is really wonderful. I had some training in macro but never really learnt much in banking. And at first, I did NOT see why Prof Gorton would talk about the banking more than a century ago. Later on, however, Prof Gorton makes it clear that the "structure of the crisis," so to speak, is similar... and we might be able to minimize the damage created by the crisis if we knew all these...

insight into the panic of 2007
Gorton's explanations of the financial meltdown are the most plausible out there. Gorton has studied banking and banking panics for decades. Unlike other economists he has detailed knowledge of how the banking system has evolved and what exactly happened in the summer of 2007.

In a few words, the little guys bank at regulated commercial banks with deposit insurance. So the little guys don't panic when there are problems in the economy or in the banking system. The big guys put their cash in a shadow banking system where their "deposits" called repos are collateralized by asset backed securities. The system works well until the value of the collateral comes into question. This is what happened in the summer of 2007. The shadow banks had to dump asset backed securities en masse into the financial markets and there was on one to buy them. The price of asset backed securities as a whole began to fall and the shadow banking system froze up. Gorton points out that this is nothing other than a 19th century-style banking panic that occurred behind closed doors and was misinterpreted by economists and regulators who simply had no experience with this sort of event.

As another reviewer points out, the book is a hastily compiled collection of Gorton's papers. One might do better to find the papers on the internet.

A five star insight wrapped in a 3 star book
Gorton has made an important contribution to the debate on the Financial Crisis (and I was eager to read his book because of it). He argues that government guarantees of retail deposits enacted in the 1930s, and not capital adequacy requirements, (temporarily) ended previously common panicked withdrawals from the entire banking system. As uninsured short-term institutional deposits have grown and become the primary source of funds for money center banking, it was just a matter of time before these runs began anew. But the book just about starts and ends there. At a critical junctures like ours, the country needs clear thinkers like Gorton to provide leadership by addressing the issues comprehensively, speaking out against demagoguery and making recommendations. Otherwise, why step to the microphone with a book instead of the papers he already published?Gordon scarcely draws conclusions and makes no substantial recommendations!

He points out why repurchase agreement failed as an alternative to government guarantees but goes no further. He shows (in many pages of unnecessary detail) that structured finance contributed to the difficulty of knowing how much (sub-prime) risk each bank held but he doesn't analyze whether credit default swaps and flawed credit ratings also contributed to the confusion. Nor does he show that the value of withdrawing funds to reduce risk in fear of others doing likewise wouldn't have occurred no matter the availability of information. He admits that better information likely would not have solved the problem but he offers no alternatives.

He claims, with little support (although surely its true) , that increased capital adequacy requirements will simply contract the boundaries of banking but he doesn't show where, speculate how the resulting unfilled customer needs with be filled and whether these alternatives would be good or bad for the economy in terms of reducing systematic risk. In this context you'd also like to hear his evaluation of convertible bank debt as an alterative solution to the problem but again, nothing. (Increased reserves would likely curtail mortgage lending.) He asserts that the reduced value of monopoly rent conferred by previously restricted bank charters caused banks to take more risk. If his recommendation is to return to something akin to the restrictions of old, it would take a lot more than just pointing out the issue to show how, why and to what effect.

If you put forward a theory, you also have to show why it's better than alternative explanations but he devotes only a couple pages to pooh-poohing the alternative theories that originate-to-distribute and misaligned incentives reduced lending standards (although I agree with his conclusions) . Except for noting that sub-prime finance served as a trigger, he never addresses the role of Freddie and Fannie in spurring on sub-prime mortgage lending and the extent to which the crisis could have been averted were that not the case. (Presumably we can infer Gordon thinks something else just would have come along.) The role of the trade deficit in the build-up of uninsured short-term institutional deposits is never mentioned. If the answer is for the government to guarantee institutional deposits should we also be guaranteeing offshore deposits into US financial institutions?

If you've read Gorton's papers, there is nothing more here. If you haven't, it's a lot to slog through for what could have been summarized in a much shorter piece. Sentences like, "This agent cares about the intertemporal marginal rate of substitution, so the pricing kernel weights the expected returns on the demand deposits in determining the currency-deposit ratio." and many others like it, are not helpful to the public debate. If you've been sucked in by the superficial logic of demagogues... unfortunately I haven't yet seen a better alternative by a serious thinker.
... Read more

Product Description
The boy of Kaname's dreams, a former upperclassman, makes a sudden appearance, and Kaname is convinced he will ask her out. But are his intentions honorable? Sosuke will attempt to find out, as this all-to0-familiar high school love story suddenly takes a turn. By going undercover, sporting a Bonta-kun costume, he ends up saving the day, or at least Kaname.Aside from the high school dreamboat, Kaname still has her eye on Sosuke, and she is finally ready to come clean... but why is Tessa steeping out of Sosuke's shower?! Full Metal Panic! picks up more momentum, and more action, knife-wielding terrorists, a handful of hostages, and just one man to save the day! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not as good as the first two...
I've read the first two of these and I must say the third installment (end of season 1 anime) is a good read with some faults. Some of the characterization is weird compared to the fist ones, some of the characters are extremly hollow. It takes a while to warm up to the book because it is a bit jarring, but overall is worth buying.

The books are the inspiration for the anime and Manga so you could say it is true to what you are familiar with.

There are still many books to go, and the series is still being written (last I checked)so expect more details in the future.

the book and video's are good
it all depends on your taste, i am going to copy the description from video 1 for people to read and determine.

as normal the manga is the same story.

On the surface, Kaname Chidori appears to be a normal, popular high school student. The problem is, she doesn't realize just how popular she is. Unbeknownst to her, a group of terrorists believe she possesses the special powers of "the Whispered," and they're out to kidnap her. Enter Sousuke Sagara, a young, hotshot agent from the stealthy anti-terrorist organization Mithril. Will he be able to protect Kaname without her finding out what's really going on? Or will he just drive her crazy as he tries to fit in as her awkward, gung-ho, war-crazed classmate?

Graphic SF Reader
Mostly pointless.


Some agent type protecting a high school kid for no apparent reason (or apparent reason in volumes 1 or 2 perhaps).He gung-ho gunwielding emotional robot, she wants to do him.Even trying the skimpy bikini flaunting number fails, etc., etc.

Then at the end, the artist gives her list of favorite hot actresses, with even the odd drawing.


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