Many years ago, I started programming C++ with a friend of the family and member of my home church. We dove in with {{Borland C++ for Dummies}} by {{Michael Hyman}} and {{Stephen Prata}}’s {{C++ Primer Plus}} (Waite Group). Prata’s book was fantastic – if you were at the advanced high school / collegiate level. While …
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Category:books
google apps: the missing manual by nancy conner
{{Google Apps: The Missing Manual}} by {{Nancy Conner}} was a great book. In 2008. Today? Not nearly so much. So much has changed in the Google landscape in the last few years (or even months) that, sadly, much of the content is now quaint, or just out-and-out wrong. It’s too bad – because the book …
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mastery by robert greene
In {{Mastery}}, {{Robert Greene}} continues in the style of his excellent work, {{The 48 Laws of Power}} (which I previously reviewed and have been posting excerpts from). Sadly, it is not quite to the level of The 48 Laws – though it still a good book. Unbeknownst to me, I’ve already been practicing most of what …
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always say less than necessary – law 4 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 4 When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original it you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you …
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deploying openstack by ken pepple
Where do I begin? How about with this being perhaps the most overpriced tech book I have ever seen. At just under 70 pages, and a penny shy of $25, {{Deploying OpenStack}} by {{Ken Pepple}} exceeds the cost per page numbers I can remember from college. Wow. Thankfully, I did NOT pay for this book – I …
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conceal your intentions – law 3 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 3 Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelop them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will …
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intelligence and espionage – chapter 13 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 13 Intelligence and Espionage Generally, raising an army of 100,000 and advancing it 1000 li, the expenses to the people and the nation’s resources are 1000 gold pieces a day. Those in commotion internally and externally, those exhausted on the roads, and those unable to do their daily work are …
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the basque history of the world by mark kurlansky
I have long been interested in the Basque people; first introduced to them nearly 13 years ago in an introduction to terrorism class (a year and a half before it was “cool”) with the separatist group {{ETA}}. So it was with great interest I grabbed {{The Basque History of the World}} by {{Mark Kurlansky}} off …
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attacking with fire – chapter 12 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 12 Attacking with Fire There are five kinds of fire attacks: Burning personnel; Burning provisions; Burning equipment; Burning stores; Burning weapons. Using fire attacks depends on proper conditions. Equipment for fire attacks must be available beforehand. There are appropriate seasons for using fire attacks, and appropriate days for raising fires. …
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the nine battlegrounds – chapter 11 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 11 The Nine Battlegrounds The principles of warfare are: There are Dispersive ground Marginal ground Contentious ground Open ground Intersecting ground Critical ground Difficult ground Surrounded ground Deadly ground. Where the rulers do battle in their own ground, this is called dispersive ground. Where one enters the other’s ground but …
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situational positioning – chapter 10 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 10 Situational Positioning The grounds are: Accessible Entrapping Stalemated Narrow Steep Expansive If you can go through but the enemy cannot, it is called accessible. For accessible ground, first take the high and the sunny side, and convenient supply routes. You then do battle with the advantage. If you can …
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movement and development of troops – chapter 9 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 9 Movement and Development of Troops Generally, on positioning the army and observing the enemy: To cross mountains, stay close to the valleys; Observe on high ground and face the sunny side. If the enemy holds the high ground, do not ascend and do battle with him. This is positioning …
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ghosts in the fog by samantha seiple
For much of my life I have been interested in WWII – my grandpa Myers was in the Navy in the Pacific theater on a mine sweeper. My dad read extensively on the war, largely because of his father, and passed along an interest in military history – the navy in particular – and intriguing stories …
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the nine variations – chapter 8 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 8 The Nine Variations Generally, the principles of warfare are: The general receives his commands from the ruler, assembles the armies, and mobilizes the masses. Do not camp on difficult ground. Unite with your allies on intersecting ground. Do not stay on open ground. Be prepared on surrounded ground. Do …
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military maneuvers – chapter 7 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 7 Military Maneuvers Generally, the principles of warfare are: The general receives his commands from the ruler, assembles the troops, mobilizes the army, and sets up camp. There is nothing more difficult than armed struggle. In armed struggle, the difficulty is turning the circuitous into the direct, and turning adversity …
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weaknesses and strengths – chapter 6 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 6 Weaknesses and Strengths Generally the one who first occupies the battlefield awaiting the enemy is at ease; the one who comes later and rushes into battle is fatigued. Therefore those skilled in warfare move the enemy, and are not moved by the enemy. Getting the enemy to approach on …
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never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies – law 2 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 2 Be wary of friends – they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also becomes spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends …
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strategic military power – chapter 5 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 5 Strategic Military Power Generally, commanding of many is like commanding of a few. It is a matter of dividing them into groups. Doing battle with a large army is like doing battle with a small army. It is a matter of communications through flags and pennants. What enables an …
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tactical dispositions – chapter 4 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 4 Tactical Dispositions In ancient times, those skilled in warfare make themselves invincible and then wait for the enemy to become vulnerable. Being invincible depends on oneself, but the enemy becoming vulnerable depends on himself. Therefore, those skilled in warfare can make themselves invincible, but cannot necessarily cause the enemy …
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strategic attack – chapter 3 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 3 Strategic Attack Generally in warfare, keeping a nation intact is best, destroying a nation second best; keeping an army intact is best, destroying an army second best; keeping a battalion intact is best, destroying a battalion second best; keeping a company intact is best, destroying a company second best; …
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waging war – chapter 2 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 2 Waging War Generally, the requirements of warfare are this way: 1000 quick four-horse chariots 1000 leather rideable chariots, 100,000 belted armor, transporting provisions one thousand li, The distribution of internal and on the field spending, the efforts of having guests, materials such as glue and lacquer, tributes in chariots and armor, will …
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detail assessment and planning – chapter 1 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 1 Detail Assessment and Planning Warfare is a great matter to a nation. It is the ground of death and of life. It is the way of survival and of destruction, and must be examined. Therefore, go through it by means of five factors – compare them by means of …
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the art of war by sun tzu
{{The Art of War}} by {{Sun Tzu}} is one of the oldest texts in the world, and the oldest known treatise on warfare. It has become de rigueur in war colleges, business schools, and other venues. Most people have incorporated at least part of Sun Tzu’s teaching and thinking in their lives as leaders – …
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never outshine the master – law 1 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 1 Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your mission appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power. …
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the richest man in babylon by george s clason
{{The Richest Man In Babylon}} by {{George S Clason}} is one of the few audio books I have enjoyed – and one that I think everyone should read/listen to frequently: it’s the early 20th century version of {{Dave Ramsey}}’s {{Total Money Makeover}} (another great book). The advice/suggestions in this book are things I didn’t listen …
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