MEDIA INTERVIEW & REVIEWS
REVIEWS
The Henry Gallant Saga
"Science Fiction Adventure with Action, Mystery, and a Strong Hero. 'Lieutenant
Henry Gallant' is an exciting science fiction novel that holds attention through
a nice balanced blend of action and interplanetary conflict." By E. Lucus - Top
500 Amazon Reviewer.
"This is yet another excellent installment in the 'Henry Gallant' space opera
series. . . . 'Henry Gallant and the
Warrior' is a fairly quick read, but it is a good, fast-moving story that has
a good ending in and of itself." By Roger J. Buffington VINE VOICE, Top 500
Amazon Reviewer.
"This is an epic sci fi series that has some great elements put together, making
it one that I have put on my watch list." By TFLReader Top 500 Amazon
Reviewer.
"I have read all three books in order and I am hooked. Outstanding cast
of characters, interesting and believable. Again, I think it's an outstanding
look at the future of space warfare. The author's take on what could happen,
makes an intriguing and interesting story line." By S/F OLD READER Amazon
Reviewer.
Connections: Patterns of Discovery (with a foreword by James Burke)
Review by Xavier K. Maruyama (Newspaper: Pacific Union 2010)
The television series Connections by James Burke opened our eyes to scientific
connections where seemingly disconnected events were interconnected. For
example, the episode ten, "Yesterday, Tomorrow and You" starts with the plow,
which leads to irrigation, which leads to pottery, to craftsmen, civilization,
writing, mathematics, calendars, and on and on to the modern world. In the
modern world, changes happen at a much more rapid pace. H. Peter Alesso and
Craig F. Smith take us one step further. Connections, Patterns of Discovery
brings us to the understanding of today’s world dominated by information
technology. It shows how circuits, transistors, chips, software and hardware
brought us today’s world dominated by Google. The changes in our lifetime have
been so rapid, we quickly become members of what I consider the “technological
dark ages.” In the “technological dark ages,” we become effectively technicians
fighting with swords while teleporting ourselves through wormholes. We use the
fruits of technology, but have a very small understanding of the connections.
Connections, Patterns of Discovery gives us an understanding of how seemingly
disconnected events, hardware and thought patterns allow us to exist in the
information world. The players, Moore of Moore’s Law, Vannevar Bush, science
advisor to President Roosevelt, Alan Turing, John Von Neumann, and Steve
Wozniack, may be familiar to us. However, Michael Dertouzos, Tim Berner-Lee and
Jeff Hawkins are among the lesser known players who gave us what we have. What
are Thomas Edison's and Kurt Godel's connections to the web? The authors, Alesso
and Smith allow us to understand connections and give us coherence. If you have
half the geek strength of those who use the internet, Connection, Patterns of
Discovery is a must.
Thinking on the Web: Berners-Lee, Godel, Turing
Review by (DePaz, Nov.27, 2008)
Although the target audience for this book is most likely comprised of computer
science students, those well versed in computer science, IT type professionals
and anyone with a vested interest in remaining on the leading edge of Web
capabilities, it is my opinion that even a casual reader will benefit from
reading this book. Because this book makes one aware of the current Web
limitations and describes how it could be significantly more than what it is
today and then launch us into the real Information Revolution. Yes, according to
the authors we have not yet experienced the full Information Revolution.
This book makes you think about thinking or at least the thinking process as it
relates to instilling the Web with enough artificial intelligence (AI) to make
it capable of thinking. I learned from this book that the Web, as it is
currently structured, it not really very intelligent at all and there are many
enhancements that have to be made to bring the Web to its full potential. Those
who are in any way interested in the Web achieving its full potential will be
well served by reading this book. The authors take on a sizable task and do an
excellent job of interweaving the philosophical with the technical aspects of AI
as a driver and/or incremental part of enabling the Web to "think".
The authors start from the beginning and bring us up to the current status of
web thinking. The beginning here is literally from Aristotle and along the way
they spend considerable time laying a foundation that includes the significant
contributions of Berners-Lee, Gödel, and Turing. After the first part of the
book establishes the foundation, the second part of the book becomes very
technical (as you would expect) focusing on Web ontology and logic and a lot
more to address the complex superstructure that will be required to establish
thinking on the Web. One aspect of this book that I found refreshing and I
believe unique for a technical book are the interludes at the end of each
chapter. These interludes are a running interaction/dialogue between two
computer science students as they debate/discuss the feasibility of using AI
applications, etc. to make the Web capable of thinking. These interludes are
refreshing to read and give a real life perspective of how daunting the task is
to make thinking on the Web possible. And, indeed will we all ever agree on what
thinking on the Web really means and if it is ever fully achieved?
Thinking on the Web: Berners-Lee, Godel, Turing
Kybernetes, 2009
My opinion after reading this book is that there will probably not ever
be a unanimous agreement. Of course, you will have to judge for yourself. I gave
this book five stars because I really learned a lot, and some of what I learned
was more than I bargained for, a real surprise. The authors did a thorough job,
and the book stimulates a lot of thinking about something we take for granted
--- and that is thinking. Enjoy the book and when you read it, expect to be
challenged. "Anyone with experience of HCI will want to read this book which
after all, has provided a new and entirely different way of providing a stimulus
to a subject that is very much in need of direction.
Thinking on the Web: Berners-Lee, Godel, Turing
Blogcritics.org, March 9, 2009
This book offers a fascinating history and impressive background of the age we
are living through, and serves as a tribute to three great minds. A true geek
bonus is the depth of coverage, with rich explanations, examples, and a look at
next generation web services."