Better than any of the courses I had attented.
927959
The book of professor Chiang is not simply a good introductory text to dynamic optimization in the continuous-time form, but also provides a tight explanation of the related original economic models. It is better than any of the courses most people had attented before. I wish a similar book will appear soon, developing dynamic optimization tools, and especially optimal control in the discret-time form.
2441582
Fantastic!  What occurs in my class has improved immensely because of what I've learnt from this book.
2327346
I bought this reasonably priced DVD hoping to pick up just a few pointers for my game. However, this DVD packs in 50-some lessons across all areas of the game that I found priceless. I wasn't expecting any fancy graphics or video tricks but I must admit, the way that the graphics tie into the lessons really made sense - especially for a novice golfer like me. I appreciated the fact that non-technique tips, like exercise, were also included in the collection to give a more holistic view of the game.

What I learned from this DVD for $30 would have probably cost me $5000 from a golf pro over the course of 5 years. Money very well spent.
601898
This is a good course to do when you're not studying the Scriptures.  It's definitely worth more than it cost.
1926267
Clinical strength has worked better for me than anything I've ever used and I have been around a long time.
2084568
Book has more illistrations than expected and eally provides the information you need for the course.
4515268
At 52 I started from scratch to learn Spanish. I listened to this course 30 minutes twice a day from March to October. I found learning difficult because it was so new to me so I went thru it a second time. I probably spent 180 hours on it. I do not believe that I can speak Spanish yet, but I know I got more than my money's worth. Even a simple Spanish course would cost 3 times what I paid and I would not have gotten the repetition I got at my own pace.
  Two points made by others I would like to address. 1) While the male certainly could be "slow" I noticed that the first time through for me this guy was asking the questions that I would have and making the same mistakes. Also, I think he is a good example of the problems more "British" speaking people have translating their "A" sounds. These sounds are very important in Spanish.
  2) I also have purchased a course described in other reviews here as being better (not available on AMAZON). However, without the hand holding of the THOMAS course I would be lost in the new course. My new course is an excellant vocabulary builder, but without the THOMAS course I could not understand what the performers are saying, and more importantly, why they say it. Maybe the suggesters had had some Spanish prior to that course - I had not.
  The THOMAS course is perfect for commuting as I do. The only negative I could even think of is its packaging. The box does not allow for convenient storage in my opinion. I will buy a CD storage packet for it.
213703
I bought this book because I felt I was missing crucial parts of programming "theory" and it definitely filled in the gaps.  Then, there was the added bonus of re-inspiring me about programming.

First of all, they claim at the outset that they study educational theory and wrote the book with these theories in mind.  Their theory is to present the material so that several different parts of your brain have to get activated to work on it, facilitating better learning.  So, you are hand copying code, drawing diagrams, answering short essay questions, following arrows around the page jumping out of the text for little side notes.

They aren't afraid to crack the whip.  "The exercises are not optional", they say.  I like a book that grabs my collar and shakes me around.  I found most of the exercises worth while, but some made me feel a little silly.  The book can be tackled at a good pace, maybe two hours per chapter.

One of the most valuable things for me is that explanations of the way some of the java APIs are set up accompany many of the design patterns.  This helps make plain old java code more understandable.  For example, Swing EventListeners follow the observer pattern and the Java I/O follows the decorator pattern.  Now that I know this, those two APIs aren't so baffling.

An interesting thing to mention is that while I am working through the chapters, I feel a connection with the authors and the person on the front cover.  I feel like I am doing the work for them and they would be disappointed if I didn't learn the stuff and use it.  Kind of like the comp-sci prof I never had (sniff).  I have not felt that with any other computer book.

It says at the outset that this book is not a pattern reference and they are not lying...  It is meant to be read through like a novel and enjoy over coffee.
3558602
I probably would not have selected this book on my own because of the words "introduction" and "beginners."  Having been a student of "A Course in Miracles" for 11 years, it wouldn't have occurred to me that I could really benefit from a book marketed to that group.  Well, surprise!  Since the book was gifted to me, I read it--and am here to share that I am so glad that I did!

  Yes, I was familiar with much of it, but the condensed format of essential themes of the Course was really beneficial.  It is another skill and level entirely to move out of the daily experience of the Course and get a bird's eye view of inherent patterns.  The Course is so extensive, deep and detailed that an overview becomes a very useful tool in the proverbial toolbox, weaving a more cohesive understanding of what this great work actually teaches and how it compares to other world views.

  There were some key concepts that were surprising and clarifying that I had never noticed or put together on my own.  The main one was that Holy Spirit took form as blazing light.  Wow.  And there was a compilation and discussion of other passages about the light that I found very helpful.  There is a discussion of what aspects of the Course are Eastern in origin and what comes from Western tradition, as well as teachings unique to the Course.  The presentation on the Course's teaching about karma was something I had never picked up and integrated, so that was a bit of a shock, as well as valuable!  I also greatly appreciated being shown the oneness of many seemingly separate ideas highlighted in the Course.  I realized my mind had been trying to keep them defined and apart, while the Course was inductively modeling oneness for me!

  Having read "Overview," I am interested in continuing along the author's line of thought with the 2nd book in the series, "Seven Keys to Heaven," which goes into greater depth about the mystical aspects of the Course.  I am also looking forward to greater integration of East and West in the "Christian Meditation" book.

  I thank Don for his mastery of the subject matter and the very readable, forthright presentation!
68761
This course is a really good base for a subject that I never thought I'd ever explore! The explanations are light and easy to read, even fun.  I also intend to review it again in the future to brush up, so having it around is definitely a plus.
3865628
I finished this book in just three weeks, but I remember every word that was taught in the course. I feel right now that the words I learned will never leave my mind.

Just about three weeks ago, before using this book, I knew nearly no french (just "bonjour", "merci", and "bon voyage"), not did I know how to pronounce the language. After finishing the book however, I could say many basic sentences, more than most of my classmates could after taking 2 years of french.

Here are some good things about the set:

1. There are many drills that help you know the topic very well. They can be boring, but the payoff is great.

2. The speakers talk at normal conversation speed. This prepares you well for situations you might encounter in a french-speaking country. Also, it forces you to throughly know what is being taught since only then can you have enough time to respond to the drills. (Beginners may find it hard to adapt, but they should improve quickly).

I did not like the following:

1. No pronunciation is taught (at least not in my book). They assume you know it already. This was the biggest obstacle when I started. If you are a beginner, buy another elementary course (or get one from your library) or search online for some pronunciation lessons, because they will help you immensely.

2. The speakers can be hard to understand. Combined with talking fast, beginners may be lost. I believe this is a very old recording, and some parts are unclear. Also, to change everything to the new euro currency, some other woman talks quickly to replace these instances. I first thought the tape was screwed up, but then figured out the reason.

3. Very little grammar is taught, and many times, the dialogues add in sentences that would not make much sense without learning the grammar (for example, the past tense appears sometimes, and so does direct/indirect object pronouns that often cause english-speakers huge problems).

Overall, this course is only for really serious students (like mentioned in the book anyway) that really want to be fluent. If you are an absolute beginner, get a little bit of french background (pronunciation, basic phrases perhaps), and the course will be just as effective. Once you get the hang of this course's style, you'll find your french skills flying.
66391
I am happy with the Oxford Latin course because you learn the language through interesting stories as opposed to repetitive exercises that can sometimes be boring.
3052774
This is the third Pimsleur course I've worked with. Spanish was easy, had taken it in school and it's all around us if we notice. Last year I travelled to Vietnam and used Pimsleur. The rewards were amazing. People were so surprised I could make myself understood. While not everything I learned was correct in the vernacular the joy I received and the ability to connect was amazing. This year, heading to Thailand. I am finding Thai a little easier than Vietnamese, grammar is similar maybe that's why. The lessons are clear and build on each other. While it seems in the early lessons not much is learned the repetition and return to previous lessons builds a concrete language foundation.

My brain and the Pimsleur style are very compatible. I don't know if Thai vernacular is extremely different than what I am learning. Since there are fewer pronouns for addressing people I think I am on the right track. Even if I don't learn every noun that might be handy I am learning how to incorporate a new word into a learned context. Between learning to tell time, use numbers and money and talk about simple family structure and travel I feel comfortable to try and navigate traveler stuff.

When I'd only done a few lesson I tried out my "expertise" in a Thai restaurant, people understood and I got some compliments on accent and pronunciation... guess I'm on the right track!

I do have to listen to each lesson several times the first time through and it takes awhile for material to get more solid in my brain. After I finish the 30 lessons I will go back to lesson 8 or 9 and go through them again and again, not leaving till Dec, that will help. I don't listen as suggested, everyday. I use them when I am driving longer than 30 minutes so there is a recovery factor since sometimes several days go by without any input. So it can be done over a longer time frame with more lesson repetition for better retention. I really enjoy the process and the rewards from even a little knowledge are very fulfilling.

For me a phrase book is very handy. I am an auditory learner but I also sometimes see words when I am learning them. With a phrase book I can look up strangely sounding words and then I tend to do better with pronunciation.
1556836
I felt like I had taken a college course after reading this and Bill Mollison's Intro to Permaculture.  I now feel I can start to design and integrate permaculture into our current garden. While I was doing several things right, I was missing key connections of soil, plant and water interactions. It will take some time and practice but I can already see how this method of growing food is far superior to the current chemical agribusiness treadmill product.
4784349
It is truly a "course" and takes dedication and study.......thought provoking, not a lot of fluff.......
563135
I liked this program a lot, and I now know pretty much all of the fundamentals and a lot of  advanced knowledge of concealed carry procedures, guns, protecting myself, family, and others.
I put this knowledge into practice every time I go to the gun range now. And I will be reviewing these DVDs in once in a while to be sure I am remembering the things taught in this course.

Patrick is a very good teacher, and it is obvious that he cares about people and this subject. He radiates trustworthiness and confidence in his instruction.

I especially appreciated learning about the best sources for guns, ammo, gear, and what books to read to learn even more. I recommend this program to anyone who is serious about protecting themselves, their family, and others.
1884873
Really enjoyed these lectures! Love the Great Courses!