You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

An all round standard text for the study of Nail Technology, 14 Sep 2008
Elaine Almond produced this standard textbook many years ago; yet it still retains its appeal to modern Beauty Therapists. This book is an informative written academic text in the study of nail techniques and technology. Its main strength lies in its extensive anatomy and physiology text and illustrations; also covering in detail nail disorders and diseases which other texts fail to cover in as much detail. Unique features include its thorough treatment of artificial nail application; and although some techniques have advanced, this book covers useful advice on nail shapes and colour theory. An extensive description of manicure and Nail Technology tools and equipment are included, along with an excellent section describing how to polish nails. From my experience as a lecturer teaching `nail polishing'; this section is invaluable to beginning students, as nail polishing is one of the most difficult tasks to master. This book is an all round standard text for Nail Technology.

The manicurist's bible., 28 Nov 2001
This makes an excellent textbook for the practicing manicurist and pedicurist. It is a very useful and detailed guide with plenty of information. It has information on the anatomy of the hand, nails and feet, information on tools, equipment, health and hygiene, products, nail problems and disorders, setting up a business, professional conduct, manicure and pedicure procedure (what to avoid), and how to do nail extensions. This is a book that one must have and it can certainly be described as a manicurist's 'bible'.

However there are not many pictures to guide through the procedures which can make things a bit awkward and difficult especially if you are still a learner.

Informative, but dated, 24 Jul 2001
I found this book to be very helpful, as there is not a lot of information available on these topics. It does look dated, however the techniques and infections haven't changed much

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

An all round standard text for the study of Nail Technology, 14 Sep 2008
Elaine Almond produced this standard textbook many years ago; yet it still retains its appeal to modern Beauty Therapists. This book is an informative written academic text in the study of nail techniques and technology. Its main strength lies in its extensive anatomy and physiology text and illustrations; also covering in detail nail disorders and diseases which other texts fail to cover in as much detail. Unique features include its thorough treatment of artificial nail application; and although some techniques have advanced, this book covers useful advice on nail shapes and colour theory. An extensive description of manicure and Nail Technology tools and equipment are included, along with an excellent section describing how to polish nails. From my experience as a lecturer teaching `nail polishing'; this section is invaluable to beginning students, as nail polishing is one of the most difficult tasks to master. This book is an all round standard text for Nail Technology.

The manicurist's bible., 28 Nov 2001
This makes an excellent textbook for the practicing manicurist and pedicurist. It is a very useful and detailed guide with plenty of information. It has information on the anatomy of the hand, nails and feet, information on tools, equipment, health and hygiene, products, nail problems and disorders, setting up a business, professional conduct, manicure and pedicure procedure (what to avoid), and how to do nail extensions. This is a book that one must have and it can certainly be described as a manicurist's 'bible'.

However there are not many pictures to guide through the procedures which can make things a bit awkward and difficult especially if you are still a learner.

Informative, but dated, 24 Jul 2001
I found this book to be very helpful, as there is not a lot of information available on these topics. It does look dated, however the techniques and infections haven't changed much

A 'must have' for anyone applying for US Graduate School, 17 Dec 2000
Getting into Graduate School in the United States is extremely competitive. Donald Asher acknowledges this and gives excellent advice and detailed examples on how to write an essay that will stand out from the thousands of statements received by universities each year.

The index is clear and the introduction explains clearly what you can expect by following the guidelines of the DOs and DON'Ts in writing a 'winning' personal statement.

The main part of the book is the fifty example essays. These all vary in style and content, and although different essays are required for different programmes and universities they were a great help to me. Helpful comments are noted in the margins of the essay text, which reiterate what is good writing material and what isn't.

In addition, the book includes helpful guidelines on writing effective reference letters for graduate applicants.

This is certainly the best book I have come across in my search for 'helpful hints' in writing an essay that will be noticed by the admissions board.

I now have to wait 3 months to find out whether Asher's book has made me write my way into the Graduate School of my choice!

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

An all round standard text for the study of Nail Technology, 14 Sep 2008
Elaine Almond produced this standard textbook many years ago; yet it still retains its appeal to modern Beauty Therapists. This book is an informative written academic text in the study of nail techniques and technology. Its main strength lies in its extensive anatomy and physiology text and illustrations; also covering in detail nail disorders and diseases which other texts fail to cover in as much detail. Unique features include its thorough treatment of artificial nail application; and although some techniques have advanced, this book covers useful advice on nail shapes and colour theory. An extensive description of manicure and Nail Technology tools and equipment are included, along with an excellent section describing how to polish nails. From my experience as a lecturer teaching `nail polishing'; this section is invaluable to beginning students, as nail polishing is one of the most difficult tasks to master. This book is an all round standard text for Nail Technology.

The manicurist's bible., 28 Nov 2001
This makes an excellent textbook for the practicing manicurist and pedicurist. It is a very useful and detailed guide with plenty of information. It has information on the anatomy of the hand, nails and feet, information on tools, equipment, health and hygiene, products, nail problems and disorders, setting up a business, professional conduct, manicure and pedicure procedure (what to avoid), and how to do nail extensions. This is a book that one must have and it can certainly be described as a manicurist's 'bible'.

However there are not many pictures to guide through the procedures which can make things a bit awkward and difficult especially if you are still a learner.

Informative, but dated, 24 Jul 2001
I found this book to be very helpful, as there is not a lot of information available on these topics. It does look dated, however the techniques and infections haven't changed much

A 'must have' for anyone applying for US Graduate School, 17 Dec 2000
Getting into Graduate School in the United States is extremely competitive. Donald Asher acknowledges this and gives excellent advice and detailed examples on how to write an essay that will stand out from the thousands of statements received by universities each year.

The index is clear and the introduction explains clearly what you can expect by following the guidelines of the DOs and DON'Ts in writing a 'winning' personal statement.

The main part of the book is the fifty example essays. These all vary in style and content, and although different essays are required for different programmes and universities they were a great help to me. Helpful comments are noted in the margins of the essay text, which reiterate what is good writing material and what isn't.

In addition, the book includes helpful guidelines on writing effective reference letters for graduate applicants.

This is certainly the best book I have come across in my search for 'helpful hints' in writing an essay that will be noticed by the admissions board.

I now have to wait 3 months to find out whether Asher's book has made me write my way into the Graduate School of my choice!

wrong dvd, 12 Jul 2008
i asked for wild things 3, diamonds in the rough dvd[2005]. but unfortunately i got wild things 2, that would have been ok but i already have it. could you please sort out the one i wanted. my invoice even states wild things 3. thankyou tommy.

Fun easy cooking, 21 Jun 2006
This book is bright and colourful. The dishes shown inside are just as exciting with such varity for every occasion. The recipies are simple to follow and first hand advice provided by the author is really usefull. One negative point is it would be a perfect book if there were photographs of the dishes to help wet your appetite and inspire you to cook.

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

An all round standard text for the study of Nail Technology, 14 Sep 2008
Elaine Almond produced this standard textbook many years ago; yet it still retains its appeal to modern Beauty Therapists. This book is an informative written academic text in the study of nail techniques and technology. Its main strength lies in its extensive anatomy and physiology text and illustrations; also covering in detail nail disorders and diseases which other texts fail to cover in as much detail. Unique features include its thorough treatment of artificial nail application; and although some techniques have advanced, this book covers useful advice on nail shapes and colour theory. An extensive description of manicure and Nail Technology tools and equipment are included, along with an excellent section describing how to polish nails. From my experience as a lecturer teaching `nail polishing'; this section is invaluable to beginning students, as nail polishing is one of the most difficult tasks to master. This book is an all round standard text for Nail Technology.

The manicurist's bible., 28 Nov 2001
This makes an excellent textbook for the practicing manicurist and pedicurist. It is a very useful and detailed guide with plenty of information. It has information on the anatomy of the hand, nails and feet, information on tools, equipment, health and hygiene, products, nail problems and disorders, setting up a business, professional conduct, manicure and pedicure procedure (what to avoid), and how to do nail extensions. This is a book that one must have and it can certainly be described as a manicurist's 'bible'.

However there are not many pictures to guide through the procedures which can make things a bit awkward and difficult especially if you are still a learner.

Informative, but dated, 24 Jul 2001
I found this book to be very helpful, as there is not a lot of information available on these topics. It does look dated, however the techniques and infections haven't changed much

A 'must have' for anyone applying for US Graduate School, 17 Dec 2000
Getting into Graduate School in the United States is extremely competitive. Donald Asher acknowledges this and gives excellent advice and detailed examples on how to write an essay that will stand out from the thousands of statements received by universities each year.

The index is clear and the introduction explains clearly what you can expect by following the guidelines of the DOs and DON'Ts in writing a 'winning' personal statement.

The main part of the book is the fifty example essays. These all vary in style and content, and although different essays are required for different programmes and universities they were a great help to me. Helpful comments are noted in the margins of the essay text, which reiterate what is good writing material and what isn't.

In addition, the book includes helpful guidelines on writing effective reference letters for graduate applicants.

This is certainly the best book I have come across in my search for 'helpful hints' in writing an essay that will be noticed by the admissions board.

I now have to wait 3 months to find out whether Asher's book has made me write my way into the Graduate School of my choice!

wrong dvd, 12 Jul 2008
i asked for wild things 3, diamonds in the rough dvd[2005]. but unfortunately i got wild things 2, that would have been ok but i already have it. could you please sort out the one i wanted. my invoice even states wild things 3. thankyou tommy.

Fun easy cooking, 21 Jun 2006
This book is bright and colourful. The dishes shown inside are just as exciting with such varity for every occasion. The recipies are simple to follow and first hand advice provided by the author is really usefull. One negative point is it would be a perfect book if there were photographs of the dishes to help wet your appetite and inspire you to cook.

Enjoyable, concise, but possibly unecessary, 17 Feb 2006
A 'meaty' book if there ever was one, the Push guide to which university is full of concise information, with healthy dollops of humour spread throughout. Covering all of the universities of Britian, it's certainly not something to read start-to-finish, and most probably only contains about 30 pages that are personally relevent to you. This makes it a blessing for reference in a library, but possibly a slight waste of time for anybody at home. The fact that far more information can be obtained for free, by requesting a prospectus from your favoured university, further hampens the purpose of bothering with this book. Still, as always with Amazon, it's dirt cheap, and it's an enjoyable read that will make you feel more confident in whatever decision you ultimately make.

As good as guides get, 27 Dec 2004
Push manages to cover all the aspects you should be looking for from a University, and does so in a concise and straightforward manner and manages to offer opinion without being vindictive. What makes Push stand out is that it appears to give each University a fair crack of the whip; some other University guides on the market cut corners and get current students to review their own Universities, which may at first seem to make sense but all too often results in a rather predictable (and usually positive) review and can furthermore mean it's the ability of the reviewer rather than the attributes of the University which is most striking. Push however offers independent and consistent reviews, offering the same pieces of information about each institution and dedicating roughly the same amount of pages to each one so you can make as meaningful a comparison as a book allows. The scope of information on offer is truly impressive (and Push states it is thoroughly checked) and is conveyed via accessible and entertaining language for its target audience without being condescending.

Choosing a University requires a lot more thought than which University guide to consult, but of those on offer I consider Push to be the most reliable and thorough.

Like it is!, 01 Sep 2004
The Push people say they 'tell it like it is' and that's is what they seem to do. It's a really fun book to read. Lots of info about each uni - at least 6 pages on each I think, it even tells you how many men and women students there are at each place (handy for those who go to uni to pull!). It could've been really dry and dull, but some bits made me laugh out loud. They've also got a section on the bottom of some pages with a funny bit of info about each uni. My parent's bought mine, I'll be applying later this year and look forward to reading the book in depth then.

By far the best of its kind, 24 Aug 2004
I'm a head of sixth at a school in Berkshire and we have been using The Push Guide since it first came out. Compared to any of the other university guides, this is quite simply far and away the best.
It covers details that my students are actually interested in - like sex ratios, the price of a pint, even student clubs and societies. It also covers more serious information too, like costs, accommodation and academic standards.
It's much more detailed than any of the other guides (a quick comparison: The Push Guide has 800 pages and averages what looks like about 6 pages per university; The Times Guide has about 400 and averages 3 pages), but is the same price or cheaper. It also seems to be a lot more reliable - in the past, I've found virtually nothing wrong in The Push Guide, but the others seem to be riddled with mistakes or regurgitated propaganda from the universities' own websites. (I mean, what's the point in that?)
The Push Guide's independence is one of the main things that our students respond to, but mostly it's the attitude of the writing which is very easy-going, not at all patronising, and occasonally laugh-out loud funny (e.g. "If variety is the spice of life, the Birmingham is the vindaloo").
They didn't do a guide last year, I think, and I was worried they wouldn't do it any more, which would have been a real shame, but it's back with a vengeance and seems a lot bigger than before, so maybe they were just out researching! They seem to have two other books out now too, which I will be checking out and will review on Amazon too. The website's not much to look at, but has stacks of information and nifty features if you ignore the design.

You will need a PhD to read this, 12 Jun 2008
If you're looking for an easy to read guide to authoring a PhD, this book is not for you. The author seems more interested in using fancy and complicated sentences than actually clearly stating what he means. I picked a line at random,here is a typical sentence; "For Oaskeshott and other traditionalists my enterprise here will seem no more than another brick in the wall, a further step toward the bureaucratization of modern society forseen by Max Weber. " When your at the start of your PhD, this book is not what you want to read. I felt like telling the author; yes I know you're very clever, but can you explain things clearly rather than showing off how complicated and confusing you can make a sentence. I've already stopped reading this, and have bought a more clear easy to read text.

A good book, but don't rely upon it as your sole guide, 16 Feb 2008
This book is written by a political scientist and I think this shows through quite clearly in the focus and content of the book. Although there is no specification of it in the title, the book is probably excellent for PhD students in disciplines similar to his, the usefulness is very much more limited for students in, for example, science.

The content of the book is detailed and reasonably comprehensive in many aspects of PhD authorship but I would be wary of blindly following his advice too closely without consideration of whether it is strictly appropriate for you. There are numerous passages in which his personal likes and dislikes in terms of PhD content are stressed but without sufficient acknowledgement that other examiners - and particularly those in other disciplines - might have contrasting, but equally strongly held, convictions. Examples given of thesis structure are less appropriate for natural scientists and medics than for those studying humanities.

In its favour, the book is particularly geared to those studying in the UK. While the differences between the UK PhD system and those of continental Europe and the US are mentioned, the emphasis remains on the UK, in contrast to much of the information available on the internet, for example.

In summary, this is a good, and generally well written, book but I would strongly recommend consulting at least one other on the same topic in order to gain a more balanced range of opinions rather than relying on one person's personal slant.

Excellent and not limited for use by PhD Students. It can help us all..., 22 Jan 2007
I found this book to provide fundamental guidance to anybody looking for assistance to carry out a constructive research on any subject, be it management, science, technology or art. I found it useful for writing essays/articles in technology areas.

Must have!, 31 Aug 2006
The book is written in a pleasant style. The author supervised more than 30 doctoral students at the University of London. If you are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain, then I suggest you buy this book as the PhD programmes in the United States of America differ slightly.

A practical and high value-added guide, 11 Mar 2005
I strongly recommend this book to other Ph.D. students. It is practical and contains useful and very specific advice. The author stays clear of general and obvious comments of the type 'communication with your supervisor is important'.
A particular focus of the book is on the structure of the thesis and the organization of chapters. There are tips on clear writing (but this is not a style-book). Further, the book contains: how to draft and remodel text; how figures of different types ought to be integrated; tips on finishing the thesis (first and laster chapters, abstract); and getting published.

Informative guide to University Teaching, 08 Apr 2008
The first time I read part of it in a hurry as part of a course I am taking . When I first read it I felt that it presented a rather cynical view of University teaching. Now that I have read it cover to cover and had more time to digest it I can see its impact and potential.

The three theories/models that he presents are essential for understanding university teaching and how it relates to students. He takes a very theoretical approach that aims to find the ideas that should underpin education rather than looking only at practice and providing a guide to teaching techniques. He is correct that a techniques book does not allow you to understand the subjectivity of teaching. Each group will be different and as learning technologies change teaching has to change as well. He is trying to get readers to engage in a deep understanding of teaching and learning and not an imitative form.

My one criticism is that he does not refer very much to the literature on reflective practice in education and I think this could have added to his thesis.

A useful challenge for university teachers, 20 Jun 2001
Ramsden's book is written for both new and more experienced teachers of higher education. His main message is that we (the teachers) must organise the education so that students' learning is made possible. This might seem an obvious statement, but in practice it is not always so.

Ramsden provides a theory of teaching that I have found easy to grasp, useful for my own teaching and a real challenge. "Easy to grasp" does not mean that it is always easy to put into practice. Thinking in new ways about what you do isn't easy.

Read this book with a collegue and get to work! I have found it worthwile and the students have not complained - so far.

Very useful, but seriously funny too, 09 Sep 2004
I'm a head of sixth form and, if our budget would stretch to it, I'd get a copy of this for every one of my Year 12 pupils. But even at under a fiver, that ain't going to happen.
We ordered a few copies for our careers office and I picked one up on the way to the loo so I'd have something to read. I didn't care what it was. However, I was gripped. I ended up borrowing it and taking it home to read cover-to-cover. Although it may not be the most important thing about it, this book is very funny - the sort of funny that even our surly Year 12ers will enjoy.
It's also packed with absolutely excellent advice about how to go about choosing a university; the idea being that the course isn't the be-all and end-all, but that students should appreciate some of the other differences between individual universities. It goes on to explain some of those differences and why you might prefer one place to another.
If you or anyone you know is thinking of university, as a starting point, I cannot recommend this highly enough.

An all round standard text for the study of Nail Technology, 14 Sep 2008
Elaine Almond produced this standard textbook many years ago; yet it still retains its appeal to modern Beauty Therapists. This book is an informative written academic text in the study of nail techniques and technology. Its main strength lies in its extensive anatomy and physiology text and illustrations; also covering in detail nail disorders and diseases which other texts fail to cover in as much detail. Unique features include its thorough treatment of artificial nail application; and although some techniques have advanced, this book covers useful advice on nail shapes and colour theory. An extensive description of manicure and Nail Technology tools and equipment are included, along with an excellent section describing how to polish nails. From my experience as a lecturer teaching `nail polishing'; this section is invaluable to beginning students, as nail polishing is one of the most difficult tasks to master. This book is an all round standard text for Nail Technology.

The manicurist's bible., 28 Nov 2001
This makes an excellent textbook for the practicing manicurist and pedicurist. It is a very useful and detailed guide with plenty of information. It has information on the anatomy of the hand, nails and feet, information on tools, equipment, health and hygiene, products, nail problems and disorders, setting up a business, professional conduct, manicure and pedicure procedure (what to avoid), and how to do nail extensions. This is a book that one must have and it can certainly be described as a manicurist's 'bible'.

However there are not many pictures to guide through the procedures which can make things a bit awkward and difficult especially if you are still a learner.

Informative, but dated, 24 Jul 2001
I found this book to be very helpful, as there is not a lot of information available on these topics. It does look dated, however the techniques and infections haven't changed much

A 'must have' for anyone applying for US Graduate School, 17 Dec 2000
Getting into Graduate School in the United States is extremely competitive. Donald Asher acknowledges this and gives excellent advice and detailed examples on how to write an essay that will stand out from the thousands of statements received by universities each year.

The index is clear and the introduction explains clearly what you can expect by following the guidelines of the DOs and DON'Ts in writing a 'winning' personal statement.

The main part of the book is the fifty example essays. These all vary in style and content, and although different essays are required for different programmes and universities they were a great help to me. Helpful comments are noted in the margins of the essay text, which reiterate what is good writing material and what isn't.

In addition, the book includes helpful guidelines on writing effective reference letters for graduate applicants.

This is certainly the best book I have come across in my search for 'helpful hints' in writing an essay that will be noticed by the admissions board.

I now have to wait 3 months to find out whether Asher's book has made me write my way into the Graduate School of my choice!

wrong dvd, 12 Jul 2008
i asked for wild things 3, diamonds in the rough dvd[2005]. but unfortunately i got wild things 2, that would have been ok but i already have it. could you please sort out the one i wanted. my invoice even states wild things 3. thankyou tommy.

Fun easy cooking, 21 Jun 2006
This book is bright and colourful. The dishes shown inside are just as exciting with such varity for every occasion. The recipies are simple to follow and first hand advice provided by the author is really usefull. One negative point is it would be a perfect book if there were photographs of the dishes to help wet your appetite and inspire you to cook.

Enjoyable, concise, but possibly unecessary, 17 Feb 2006
A 'meaty' book if there ever was one, the Push guide to which university is full of concise information, with healthy dollops of humour spread throughout. Covering all of the universities of Britian, it's certainly not something to read start-to-finish, and most probably only contains about 30 pages that are personally relevent to you. This makes it a blessing for reference in a library, but possibly a slight waste of time for anybody at home. The fact that far more information can be obtained for free, by requesting a prospectus from your favoured university, further hampens the purpose of bothering with this book. Still, as always with Amazon, it's dirt cheap, and it's an enjoyable read that will make you feel more confident in whatever decision you ultimately make.

As good as guides get, 27 Dec 2004
Push manages to cover all the aspects you should be looking for from a University, and does so in a concise and straightforward manner and manages to offer opinion without being vindictive. What makes Push stand out is that it appears to give each University a fair crack of the whip; some other University guides on the market cut corners and get current students to review their own Universities, which may at first seem to make sense but all too often results in a rather predictable (and usually positive) review and can furthermore mean it's the ability of the reviewer rather than the attributes of the University which is most striking. Push however offers independent and consistent reviews, offering the same pieces of information about each institution and dedicating roughly the same amount of pages to each one so you can make as meaningful a comparison as a book allows. The scope of information on offer is truly impressive (and Push states it is thoroughly checked) and is conveyed via accessible and entertaining language for its target audience without being condescending.

Choosing a University requires a lot more thought than which University guide to consult, but of those on offer I consider Push to be the most reliable and thorough.

Like it is!, 01 Sep 2004
The Push people say they 'tell it like it is' and that's is what they seem to do. It's a really fun book to read. Lots of info about each uni - at least 6 pages on each I think, it even tells you how many men and women students there are at each place (handy for those who go to uni to pull!). It could've been really dry and dull, but some bits made me laugh out loud. They've also got a section on the bottom of some pages with a funny bit of info about each uni. My parent's bought mine, I'll be applying later this year and look forward to reading the book in depth then.

By far the best of its kind, 24 Aug 2004
I'm a head of sixth at a school in Berkshire and we have been using The Push Guide since it first came out. Compared to any of the other university guides, this is quite simply far and away the best.
It covers details that my students are actually interested in - like sex ratios, the price of a pint, even student clubs and societies. It also covers more serious information too, like costs, accommodation and academic standards.
It's much more detailed than any of the other guides (a quick comparison: The Push Guide has 800 pages and averages what looks like about 6 pages per university; The Times Guide has about 400 and averages 3 pages), but is the same price or cheaper. It also seems to be a lot more reliable - in the past, I've found virtually nothing wrong in The Push Guide, but the others seem to be riddled with mistakes or regurgitated propaganda from the universities' own websites. (I mean, what's the point in that?)
The Push Guide's independence is one of the main things that our students respond to, but mostly it's the attitude of the writing which is very easy-going, not at all patronising, and occasonally laugh-out loud funny (e.g. "If variety is the spice of life, the Birmingham is the vindaloo").
They didn't do a guide last year, I think, and I was worried they wouldn't do it any more, which would have been a real shame, but it's back with a vengeance and seems a lot bigger than before, so maybe they were just out researching! They seem to have two other books out now too, which I will be checking out and will review on Amazon too. The website's not much to look at, but has stacks of information and nifty features if you ignore the design.

excellent book and tasty recipes, 11 Feb 2002
This is one of the best recipes books I've read. As a student, I have a limited budget when it comes to food, and this book caters just for us. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, the ingredients used are easily available, and no dish takes longer than an hour to prepare. The final result is almost always delicious!! Alistair Williams takes dishes I would have shied away from and sets them out in a straight forward easy to understand format - even a sports student could understand it!! There is a wide range of recipes from all over the world, including lasagne, chile con carne and pork provençal, and also a lot of yummy dessert ideas! Williams is very in tou