excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

Superb., 04 Sep 2000
What made this book such an enjoyable read, was the fact that no big chunks of prior knowledge were assumed. It was therefore very accessible. A fascinating read enlightening me to the minor changes required in our genetic makeup to cause disease.

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

Superb., 04 Sep 2000
What made this book such an enjoyable read, was the fact that no big chunks of prior knowledge were assumed. It was therefore very accessible. A fascinating read enlightening me to the minor changes required in our genetic makeup to cause disease.

very good for students and professor, 30 Aug 2007
I've been using this book with my students. It is very clear and easy to read. Simple figures easy to follow. Covers the main subjects of Biomechanics. Rita Santos Rocha (Portugal)

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

Superb., 04 Sep 2000
What made this book such an enjoyable read, was the fact that no big chunks of prior knowledge were assumed. It was therefore very accessible. A fascinating read enlightening me to the minor changes required in our genetic makeup to cause disease.

very good for students and professor, 30 Aug 2007
I've been using this book with my students. It is very clear and easy to read. Simple figures easy to follow. Covers the main subjects of Biomechanics. Rita Santos Rocha (Portugal)

Plugging a gap, 02 Jan 2009
The significant thing about this book is 'not that it was done well, but that it was done at all'. There is a very limited output of material on the possibility of quantum features being relevant to biological matter or consciousness, so this book plugs a gap.

Useful chapter include those by Mershin/Nanopoulos on the involvement of the internal structure of cells in memory, by Paul Davies and also by Al-Khalili/McFadden on the origins of life on Earth and those by Seth Lloyd and also Appoorva Patel on computation and information processing as it relates to life forms. Finally, Stuart Hameroff has contributed an interesting chapter on a possible mechanism for the support of quantum coherence in living cells.

The main criticism is that while the book appears to present itself as a relatively popular science book, about half the chapters are likely to be too difficult for lay readers, and might belong better in a peer-reviewed journal. Two further chapters reproducing plenary conference debates gave the impression of speakers talking past one another rather than engaging with the core issues.

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

Superb., 04 Sep 2000
What made this book such an enjoyable read, was the fact that no big chunks of prior knowledge were assumed. It was therefore very accessible. A fascinating read enlightening me to the minor changes required in our genetic makeup to cause disease.

very good for students and professor, 30 Aug 2007
I've been using this book with my students. It is very clear and easy to read. Simple figures easy to follow. Covers the main subjects of Biomechanics. Rita Santos Rocha (Portugal)

Plugging a gap, 02 Jan 2009
The significant thing about this book is 'not that it was done well, but that it was done at all'. There is a very limited output of material on the possibility of quantum features being relevant to biological matter or consciousness, so this book plugs a gap.

Useful chapter include those by Mershin/Nanopoulos on the involvement of the internal structure of cells in memory, by Paul Davies and also by Al-Khalili/McFadden on the origins of life on Earth and those by Seth Lloyd and also Appoorva Patel on computation and information processing as it relates to life forms. Finally, Stuart Hameroff has contributed an interesting chapter on a possible mechanism for the support of quantum coherence in living cells.

The main criticism is that while the book appears to present itself as a relatively popular science book, about half the chapters are likely to be too difficult for lay readers, and might belong better in a peer-reviewed journal. Two further chapters reproducing plenary conference debates gave the impression of speakers talking past one another rather than engaging with the core issues.

An excellent texbook on a fashionable subject, 07 Feb 2003
What do colloids, polymers, amphiphiles and liquid crystals have in common? Well, nothing at first sight. Yet all these diverse materials have common structural, and most importantly dynamic properties that fall between those of crystalline solids and simple molecular liquids and gases. Many such materials are familiar from everyday life, including glues, food, pigment paints,detergents, etc. In soft condensed matter the most important features are probably the following three: Universality, effect of Fluctuations, and Self-Assembly properties. Prof. Jones, a quite well-known researcher in the
field of soft matter, in this single volume textbook has attempted to present the subject at an introductory level, yet without losing much of clarity. The book is divided in ten chapters and Prof. Jones start his discussion by defining
what soft matter really is, and discussing the intermolecular forces and timescales operating in these systems. It is worth noticing that a very clear, albeit short discussion, on the glass transition of liquids is included in the second chapter, where the free volume theory is totally exposed as inadequate. I
have to say that coming from a polymer science background this is probably one of the very few books, that simply does not explain glass transition by the much celebrated (and also mistaken) free volume theory, but proceeds further.
Following the first two chapters, the material of the book may be divided into two categories. The first category deals with specific systems of soft condensed matter, where colloidal dispersions, polymers, liquid crystals, and bio-polymers
are covered in chapters 4, 5, 7, and 10 respectively. The second category involves the discussion of more general concepts appearing in soft matter, like phase transitions, gelation, and supramolecular self-assembly.
Overall, the book is really very well written and in some parts the material included is discussed quite elegantly (for example the Casimir effect in chapter four). It is quite difficult most of the times to write a scientific book, and yet avoid an
overload of mathematics, but rather focus on the principles and manage to explain them elaborately. In addition, important references for further reading are suggested at the end of each chapter, and in two appendices a brief discussion on statistical mechanics aspects, and Brownian motion is given. My only objection to Prof. Jones' excellent textbook, is probably the relatively small part devoted to the polymer crystallinity in the solid state, and also to the total omission of the subject of deformation, yield and fracture of polymers. The inclusion of these subjects, would have certainly increased the size of the book, but the text would have also been far more complete. The book is mostly addressed to senior undergraduate physics students, and it is clear that it has been derived by the author's lectures in the class. Students of other fields (materials science, chemical engineering and chemistry) will
certainly find the book of value. The book is at an introductory level, but familiarity with the basics of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and polymer science will certainly boost the level of understanding of the reader.
Concluding, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who is interested in soft condensed matter.

excellent scientific strength training book, 27 Jan 2008
the review above says it all: excellent resource for the strength athlete or coach,although you may need a background in sports science, or be well read to understand parts of it.Not an easy read, but very,very informative with a lot of scientific data regarding strength development.
Highly recommended.

Superbly advanced strength and conditioning manual., 05 Mar 2001
This book draws heavily on the author's experiance in preparing the weightlifting, athletics and swimming teams of the former USSR. It is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind the soviet method of strength training. The book is primarily directed towards an academic or coach'sperspective, however the motivated home enthuasiast can benefit from Dr. Zatsiorsky's's knowledge.

The layout is simple and methodical. It begins with the basics of strength and conditioning. These first chapters are of great benefit to neophytes and sports scientists alike. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising.This includes a great deal of data gathered from soviet athletes. Dr Zatsiorsky goes into detail on the scientific basis of the development of strength and condioning with regard to the neural system.He particularly stresses the use of strength training for injury prevention, and the specificity of the exercise selection and loading patterns.

I have used these principles when coaching young Shot Putters who went on to break national records here in Ireland.

An excellent book, not geared towards bodybuilding or power lifting, rather a scientific explanation of the basis of strength development.

The type of person who would benefit the most is one who is seeking knowledge of these principles to apply to their particular sport, IE Athletics, Rugby, Rowing and gymnastics et cetera.

Many thanks to the author for helping me to "think outside the box".

Stimulating Ideas, 18 May 2006
With the current focus of research concerned with AC fields, particularly associated with neuron firing and neural networks, it is refreshing to find an author who has devoted his career to exploring the role of DC electric fields in the body.He has surmounting many barriers to funding from committee people and many active biologists who unthinkingly associated the subject with 'vital forces' and therefore considered it unworthy of support.His results, described in the book are quite fascinating. The main results are concerned with the electric currents and potentials associated with healing, regeneration, consciousness and pain and seem to me to set out many clues for developing a new improved understanding of 'Life'. The book is easy to read and suitable for both professional and lay reader.

Never stop exploring or think you know it all, 22 Sep 1999
This book is a classic and should be required reading for all medical students and biologists. If we really had a National Health Service this information would be disseminated immediately, but unfortunately the drug companies rule and we all have to suffer so their directors and shareholders can profit. Becker clearly demonstrates that regeneration of lost limbs in mammals is possible and has donemuch of the work in achieving it. He also underpins the current craze for colloidal silver with hard evidence of teh efficacy of positive silver ions. Anti biotic resistant bacteria? No problem with silver - except for the drug companies. If you think this review is contemptible for attacking the pharmaceutical industry, then read the book and then decide.

If you care about health and the future of mankind, then read this book.

An exploration into the mysteries of life., 03 Nov 1998
Robert O. Becker, the 20th century pioneer of research in bioelectric phenomena, does a masterful job of leading the reader into the invisible yet profound world of electromagnetism and its effect on all living organisms. At times awe-inspiring, at others frightening, Becker ends his book with more questions posed than answered, both in the realm of medical implications of tissue regeneration and in the realm of electropollution and its possible ramifications for our industrialized society. An excellent book for the intellectually curious.

Life work in discovering the secrets of regeneration, 25 Sep 1998
Written so that the lay reader experiences the sense of adventure, the frustrations, and the triumphs as some of life's most fundamental secrets are revealed and lucidly explained. A classic with far reaching implications into our daily life, written by a man with impeccable and possibly unique credentials in this field.

Superb., 04 Sep 2000
What made this book such an enjoyable read, was the fact that no big chunks of prior knowledge were assumed. It was therefore very accessible. A fascinating read enlightening me to the minor changes required in our genetic makeup to cause disease.

very good for students and professor, 30 Aug 2007
I've been using this book with my students. It is very clear and easy to read. Simple figures easy to follow. Covers the main subjects of Biomechanics. Rita Santos Rocha (Portugal)

Plugging a gap, 02 Jan 2009
The significant thing about this book is 'not that it was done well, but that it was done at all'. There is a very limited output of material on the possibility of quantum features being relevant to biological matter or consciousness, so this book plugs a gap.

Useful chapter include those by Mershin/Nanopoulos on the involvement of the internal structure of cells in memory, by Paul Davies and also by Al-Khalili/McFadden on the origins of life on Earth and those by Seth Lloyd and also Appoorva Patel on computation and information processing as it relates to life forms. Finally, Stuart Hameroff has contributed an interesting chapter on a possible mechanism for the support of quantum coherence in living cells.

The main criticism is that while the book appears to present itself as a relatively popular science book, about half the chapters are likely to be too difficult for lay readers, and might belong better in a peer-reviewed journal. Two further chapters reproducing plenary conference debates gave the impression of speakers talking past one another rather than engaging with the core issues.

An excellent texbook on a fashionable subject, 07 Feb 2003
What do colloids, polymers, amphiphiles and liquid crystals have in common? Well, nothing at first sight. Yet all these diverse materials have common structural, and most importantly dynamic properties that fall between those of crystalline solids and simple molecular liquids and gases. Many such materials are familiar from everyday life, including glues, food, pigment paints,detergents, etc. In soft condensed matter the most important features are probably the following three: Universality, effect of Fluctuations, and Self-Assembly properties. Prof. Jones, a quite well-known researcher in the
field of soft matter, in this single volume textbook has attempted to present the subject at an introductory level, yet without losing much of clarity. The book is divided in ten chapters and Prof. Jones start his discussion by defining
what soft matter really is, and discussing the intermolecular forces and timescales operating in these systems. It is worth noticing that a very clear, albeit short discussion, on the glass transition of liquids is included in the second chapter, where the free volume theory is totally exposed as inadequate. I
have to say that coming from a polymer science background this is probably one of the very few books, that simply does not explain glass transition by the much celebrated (and also mistaken) free volume theory, but proceeds further.
Following the first two chapters, the material of the book may be divided into two categories. The first category deals with specific systems of soft condensed matter, where colloidal dispersions, polymers, liquid crystals, and bio-polymers
are covered in chapters 4, 5, 7, and 10 respectively. The second category involves the discussion of more general concepts appearing in soft matter, like phase transitions, gelation, and supramolecular self-assembly.
Overall, the book is really very well written and in some parts the material included is discussed quite elegantly (for example the Casimir effect in chapter four). It is quite difficult most of the times to write a scientific book, and yet avoid an
overload of mathematics, but rather focus on the principles and manage to explain them elaborately. In addition, important references for further reading are suggested at the end of each chapter, and in two appendices a brief discussion on statistical mechanics aspects, and Brownian motion is given. My only objection to Prof. Jones' excellent textbook, is probably the relatively small part devoted to the polymer crystallinity in the solid state, and also to the total omission of the subject of deformation, yield and fracture of polymers. The inclusion of these subjects, would have certainly increased the size of the book, but the text would have also been far more complete. The book is mostly addressed to senior undergraduate physics students, and it is clear that it has been derived by the author's lectures in the class. Students of other fields (materials science, chemical engineering and chemistry) will
certainly find the book of value. The book is at an introductory level, but familiarity with the basics of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and polymer science will certainly boost the level of understanding of the reader.
Concluding, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who is interested in soft condensed matter.

What is conscious life?, 26 Nov 2008
In a way I am not competent to hold a view on this book. I only understand the first three and the last chapter. The chapters in between require more scientific knowledge than I have. Still, I strongly recommend reading this book; even if is only to read the final chapter. The book is written by a prominent scientist to find the answer to: what is life? especially life of human beings.
The last chapter "time and free will" is an eye opener. For example: we have two selves, an internal one and an external one. The external one consists of all the relationships we have with others. Obvious once you realize this. The self is not doomed to fight others for survival as some people interpret Darwinism. On the contrary sustaining others makes the inner self stronger. The self and others are completely intertwined.
Another example. The final summary: What is reality? "Reality is thus a shimmering presence of infinite planes, a luminous labyrinth of the active now connecting "past" and "future", "real" with "ideal", where potential unfolds into actual and actual enfolds further potential through the free action and intention of the organism". The conclusions are remarkably similar to Buddhist concepts. You could even say it is a profound interpretation.

How a living cell overcomes constraints of the Second law of thermodynamics, 17 May 2007
This book is not for the faint hearted! It requires an undergraduate level of thermodynamics, and some working knowledge of biology, and laws of relativity and quantum physics. The author has done her best to write this book to a general reader about physics and biology of life; a monotonous and tedious job to describe in a book of 250 pages. She is influenced by the work of celebrated physicist Erwin Schrodinger and his passion for understanding life. The reader can see Schrodinger's influence throughout this book. Chapter 2 to 6 deals with Schrödinger's concept in explaining how a living cell exports entropy in order to maintain its own entropy at a low level or near zero there by circumventing the constraints of Second law of thermodynamics.

In the second half of the book the author explores various physical and chemical concepts to show how nature keeps cellular entropy production to a minimum. First, the author discusses how the energy transductions in living cells occur, and she determines that heat transfer is not the major form of energy transduction. The biomacromolecules are setup within the cell to near solid state or liquid crystalline like state such that it promotes synchronicity and coherence through electric, electromagnetic and electro mechanical interactions, which are primary source for energy. Coupled electron transfer reactions and other cyclic process that occur in a nested space - time organization within the cell helps minimize entropy since, for a coupled molecular process the entropy production is zero.

Intermolecular dipolar interactions among membrane bound proteins/enzymes, and nucleic acids which act as biological semiconductor devices; and quantum tunneling operate in many electron and proton transfer proteins. DNA and RNA are large dielectric molecules that can sustain coherent excited sates. In chapter 8 - 10 the importance of coherent process that removes biochemical processes away from thermodynamic equilibrium by energy flow have been discussed. The operation of quantum coherence, a coherent state that maximizes both global cohesion and local freedom such that micro domains and nested compartments within the cytosol or nucleus or membrane right down to a single biomacromolecules all functioning autonomously doing different things and at different rates generating flow patterns yet all coupled together in supporting the cellular process. A high degree of coherence, coordination, compartmentalization and regulation of multiple biochemical reactions involving numerous proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids is proposed as a compensating mechanism to minimize entropy. While the author does her best to bring everything in literature together to support a reasonable hypothesis, but the experimental evidences in support of these concepts operating in a cell is not very strong and hence it is some way to go for universal acceptance.

One important feature devised by nature in electron transfer reactions is a metal mediated reaction that has never been addressed in this book. These transfers are facile quantum chemical reactions where nature has used transition metals (with vacant 3d orbitals) to promote electron transfers between low molecular weight biomolecules that otherwise would be thermodynamically disallowed. Iron, copper and manganese perform key cellular reactions. Alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and calcium also participate in many ionic reactions that offer thermodynamic advantages to a living cell.

I found this author to be enigmatic since the book is heavily regionalized in its assertions. She refers to the scientific thought conveyed in this work as Western science throughout this book. Chapter 14 offers a very interesting discussion of entropy, and chapter 15 reminisces about the philosophy of life.


An excellent discourse on the scientific philosophy of life., 30 Jul 1999
M-W Ho begins this book with the question "What is Life?" and then states that the purpose of the book is to "keep the question alive". I believe he has creatively combined some of the deep intricies of physics (thermodynamics and quantum theory) with some fundemental biologic observations to establish an excellent framework for thinking about the nature of life. His descriptions of thermodynamics and quantum theory depend more on intuition than mathematics, and thus are accessible to non-speacialists. M-W Ho addresses observations in the atomic world, molecular world, cellular world up into the world of consciouness and civilization. This book has provided much "food for thought" concerning the deep issues of "Life" at many levels.