not for those who don't get it
920715
What can I say about this that wasn't already written by Mr. Wood, in a previous review. Well just that I've seen two episodes and I've decided to pick up the DVD. It is an almost enlightened use of animation, with dead on blending of the different styles. I also must add that I completely agree that the FuriKuri is definitely a better title than Fooly Cooly.
The soundtrack is the best I've ever heard for a show and even the closing credits, with it's use of still frame, blends in perfectly.
If you don't get much out of my review I'd recommend you read the previous review of Mr. Richard Wood, he captured it dead on.
It is not a show for those who don't get anime. It's Art.
689950
Please ignore the reviews of people here who haven't read the book, or people with an agenda or people talking about "logical fallacies" without seemingly knowing what that means.

This book is an examination of the sexual practices of a wide variety of species of animals, including humans.  The book concludes that there are significant evolutionary advantages to non-monogamous sexual relationships and there seem to be very clear bodily adaptations that evolved because of this.  These points are just not arguable in good faith.

The book doesn't draw any conclusions about the "naturalness" of monogomy except that it is rare, because that discussion is metaphysics at best; the religious among us use "natural" as a proxy for "our interpretation of gods will" or "how we think society ought to be".  We live in a dangerous age where people are willing to deny the truth as it suits them.  We have a duty as rational beings to accept objective truth no matter how unpalatable.

I think the book is a very good read if you're at all interested in the topic.  I did not however find the writing style very interesting, and I had trouble keeping track of the many many types of animals discussed and their various traits.  I also felt the conclusion was far too apologetic towards current societal beliefs and a bit simple minded.  Nevertheless, a good read if you're interested in the subject.
3548213
This 85-page cryptic revelation is not for everyone. Especially not for those who rely only on hindsight to understand what the author's translations of Nostradamus may tell us. Perhaps in light of Barrack Obama's recent surge in popularity as he rockets to the forefront in world leadership will some naysayers become skeptical believers in the book's revelations.
This book is truly directed at those with the gift of foresight and logical thought process. Thoughtful reading of this book and ability to picture possible eventualities allow Nostradamus' predictions through this author's interpretive writing. If only Nostradamus' Quatrains predicted which stocks to buy and when to sell, his followers would surely have it made in the today's financial world. Hold on...perhaps some of that information is there in the Quatrains yet to be deciphered. But much like Astrology, this work is not meant for all of those who can read a book.
362861
Rhythm Science is definitely one of those books that can be viewed in extreme opposite lights depending on the sort of mindset the reader is.  This book is not for those that aren't already interested in DJ Spooky/Miller or the DJ culture.  I read it for a class, and it was tough to get through.  Upon reflection and reading through it again, I was able to appreciate it more.
As a previous review has already stated, as you read this book, it is essential to give your thought patterns to Miller, to submerge your mind into the text in order to really get into the flow of the book and fully understand what Miller is saying.

I completely agree with others, though.  The CD that serves as the book's audio companion is far better than the book itself.

Overall, it is an interesting read, but unless you have the time and willingness to dive into the book and not surface until you're finished, I wouldn't bother.
456292
Just finished reading the book. It's been awhile since I've read the reviews. I assume, that like most folks, I read the reviews to see if I want to read the book or not. I recall a lot of complaints about the author being too easy on the Bible despite reading it. There's truth to that in my opinion. But you have to realize your reading the work of a Christian working at a Christian University. So there's a lot of reasonableness to his point of view.

I'll have to say that when he was pointing out some of the crazyness of the Bible, making the point there there never has been an agreed upon cannon, showing the misogyny, brutality, pettiness, jealousy, and every other inhuman point of view, it was hard for me to see how someone could continue to follow it, or be associated with it in any way. But he did. His argument, as I understand it, was that it's crazyness was like life itself, and therefore an argument for continuing with it. Sounds a little more like "the previous investment trap" to me. I remember finally throughly studying the Bible 30 years ago, finding the same crazy stuff, and deciding I had to get as far away from any association with it as I could.

So why did I buy and read this book? It's probably more fun reading people like Dawkins and Harris, but I found myself just getting more smug and irate over time. How could these people be so stupid! Well, reasoned surety is all fine and dandy, but it's easy to fall into bullheadedness and a kind of bigotry. In other words, if you live in the US, you're going to run into Christians every day. Why be all bummed out? Truth of the matter is, as the author pointed out, most Christians never read the book anyway.

So if your looking for "look at what these silly retards believe," this is probably not the book for you. But for a more mellowing, yet informative, experience, this might be the book for you.
479959
There are a lot of great reviews of this book, but what I am going to give is a cautionary take. This isn't a book or novel that you would ordinary read. This book will change you. If you have battled with solitude or depression in the past this book may bring up feelings you aren't going to be prepared to deal with. When others have stated this book will drive you crazy they aren't exaggerating. This is what to expect when reading this book: you are going to be presented with a puzzle. That puzzle seems facile at first, but the hints, the people, the story just keep going on. Reading this book becomes an obsession. It's something like an LSD trip, impossible to explain to someone that has not experienced it. To call this book a novel is almost misleading. What I will say definitely: nothing is the most terrifying "element" in the universe.
982162
This is a very informative book, but it is not for everyone.  If you want to know something about the politics, economy, and emerging culture of caste, then this book will give you some good information on that.  It is very much involved in quantitative methods, and concerned with situating itself in the literature in the field.  For this reason, it may not be for everyone.  At the senior level of college or in graduate school I could see this book having the most use.  Others, who are not as professionally involved, may want something more friendly or readable.  The writing style is not the best  at times it seems empty, but at others it is insightful and gives some rich data.  If you think you can get past any or all these limitations, then this book may be for you.
4748813
A touching story if you are intelligent enough to read beyond the literal meaning of the story. To all the people calling this "creepy" I don't understand what deep internal issues run through your cynical mind to take this literally and think the author wanted to tell the tale of a mother stalking her son. I'm ashamed that so many people can't see that this is about the eternal love between mother and child. I'm really sad after reading all the reviews calling this creepy and saying they never want to look at it again. I still can't fathom as to how one could not get beyond the literal events in the story. I CAN understand why some might find it too sad to read to their children but otherwise I just don't understand.
1238906
Don't read this book if you are looking for a cheap thrill. Nor should you read it if you are looking for a dry lecture about the mechanics of "Insert Part A into Part B." If however like me, you've got a well-educated mind but don't take life too seriously, then check this out. The book is interesting and amusing. I listened to it narrated in audio format, but I'm sharing this here as well, as so many folks prefer to read than to be read to. This book is a discussion and exploration of some of the quirky facts about human sexuality. It's not meant to be a medical treatise, nor is it meant to be an erotic novel. It's just meant to be entertaining, and that it is.
1343422
To start, this book is not for everyone... frankly, it is not for most people. This book is crafted as and for the very specific audience of those that are intimately familiar with the content that Mattophobia helps create, in the community that has been built around that.
The 1-star reviews are not wrong, but neither are the 5 star reviews. They are just from two different class of people, those that get the joke and those that don't.
Unless you get the joke, do not buy this as you WILL be disappointed and feel cheated; however, if you are a member of the community and get the joke, it is an excellent and accurate look into the mind of Matt that we rarely get a glimpse at.
542478
What ppl don't understand is that you're never supposed to actually take things you read in books like this literally. If he says a certain investment is smart, or he made money a certain way, do your research and see if its right for you. Just like any book, the specific examples used are not as important as the message behind the book. I read all the criticisms of Robert Kiyosaki online, (just google him and the word scam). But to me its not about him, whether or not he has this or that, its about the fact that I his message is one that resonates with me.

I'm a business student in college and I really learned a lot from this book, not just about money, but about life in general. People don't know this book is more about life and how you choose to live: a slave or free. Many of the things he's saying, "don't work all your life like your parents, ect."are all things I have thought about, but this book really articulated the ideas well and re-affirmed it.

Don't buy this book if you literally want to learn to get rich, what you will get from this book is a good sense of the mindset you must be in to be rich. Its about being ambitious and thinking Rich, securing yourself financially so you can be free and do what you want. Would def recommend this to every and anyone, period. The bad reviews come from ppl who take the words literally and try to follow his instructions, go for the message, not the details.
746438
Granted, it's not for everyone but it does not deserve the low star rating it currently has. This movie is for mature people who want something more than just pure escapist films - there are plenty of those around. This film offers a unique perspective on life and death and everything in between.
2004053
This book is excellent; though not for those that are new to the agenda of the elite. I state this because it's written on the basis that the reader actually understands that we are slaves to Corporatism; those that control every facet of our lives including both needs and wants. Recommended for those whom are awake, but would like the greater details of putting it all together.
691392
Amazing book; but not for everyone to love it.
Stop talking, stop thinking, and there is nothing will not understand.

Return to the root and you will find the Meaning.

Pursue the Light, and you will lose its source.

There is no need to seek Truth: only stop having opinions.

- Seng-tsan / Sosan
4849143
It's pretty indepth. Not for the faint at heart. Study was rewarding, but confusing at times. Enjoyable, if you don't mind going deep in both thinking and time.
2762874
You may be wondering why there are such drastic variations in the reviews of this book.  One reason that so many hate it, as another reviewer pointed out, is that many were forced to read it at school which most definately would put a damper on their enthusiasm.  Another is the different ways in which people approached it.  Some came into it expecting a Swiss Family Robinson or Hatchet type book, in which a group of boys in a plane crash struggle to survive.  Many of these readers were probably appalled at much of the symbolism and Golding's strange style of writing.  Those of us who came at it expecting this type of literature were drawn into the book.  If you are the first type of reader, I would not recommend this book, but if you are the latter and haven't read it yet, read it now!  I am not going to go too far into my own interpretations of this book, but I am going to say it is one of the best pices of writing I have ever read.  Golding puts you on this island with the boys (in my opinion I don't think you are supposed to question what happened before the plane crash or how they got there.  it is irrelevant and the author doesn't give much information on it, much to the frustration of some readers) and they start out much as you would expect them to.  One boy takes command and they build their shelters, gather food, all of the things you are supposed to do in this situation.  But then things go terribly, terribly wrong and the dark side, the Id as Freud might have called it, comes to the surface and the boys become horrible savages, and you are shocked to see the children's innocent exterior melt away.  And then, at the gut-wrenching climax, they are suddenly seen again from an adult's eyes for what they really are.  This book is one of the great triumphs of all symbolic literature
3269244
This book, however informative, is not written in a manner which everybody can understand in the same way. Personally I find it very difficult to read as it jumps back and forth instead of going in a linear fashion, and the subject seems to change entirely mid-page. I am reading this book for a college course (I'm an animation student, not a history major) and I would only recommend this book to people who are fascinated by history. Otherwise, it probably won't make much sense and you'll be confused a lot. I've had to re-read it several times to make sense of the chapters and still have a very minimal understanding of it.

However, I'm sure most people looking for this book are either interested in the history and will have a good understanding upon reading it, or like me, are a college student who has no choice but to read this book, leaving my review useless really. If there's any other reason for buying this, I can't stress enough how difficult it can be to read.