Main Points

We created a test XML file with bibliographic information and annotated references, basically a book review. Officially, we're cheating. Nowhere is there a definition of our XML language, ie we haven't put together a .xsd file which lays out the rules. However, it's not likely to happen soon as XSD is the most complicated of the three major XML technologies. (XML, XSLT, XSD) There are applications where this would cause problems, and it would be difficult for this language to be used by XML professionals as there is nowhere a specification for the it. However, for our purposes it is not a problem, and as long as we follow logical rules for it, it will work fine. If it's logically laid out, there is always the possibility of constructing a .xsd file for it later, though there's no question that starting in XSD is the best way to make sure that you are in fact following logical rules. We're now going to test our ability to work with it inside ASP.NET.

XML Data Dump

This is a pretty simple page just to see how the XML server control works. All we had to do was drag an XML control onto the page and set the DocumentSource property to our XML file. The code looks like so.

<asp:Xml ID="xmlBibliography" runat="server" DocumentSource="XmlResources/Books.xml" />

It simply dumps the XML file, tags and all into the page. Now the browser you are using doesn't recognize any of these tags and so it ignores them, basically stripping them out of the page, but if you view source you'll see they're there. What comes through is the child text elements of the tags with no particular structure; everything is run together as you can see below. It looks like a mess, but in a way that's good. It means that .NET isn't messing up our XML. So there should be few bumps to managing it with XSLT, the tool that's really built for manipulating XML files. You can see the XML file with it's structure if you want what the "real" file looks like.

XML data dump using the <asp:Xml> control

World AtlasDenys BrunsdenJ. Malcolm WagstaffCaroline Burgess338New York1st AmericanDK Publishing, Inc.1999Well thought out color scheme with highlights and shadows conveying the 3D topography. Excellent selection of maps from world to local maps, from physical to political to specialty maps, with copious amounts of background information and data. Wise use of big maps for core topics, extensively supplemented with smaller maps and diagrams for extra topics. Beautiful and informative, in every way one of the best books compiled by DK, perhaps the best publisher in the world of non-fiction books with graphics.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27GeographyBreaking the Maya CodeMichael D. Coe304New York1st US paperbackThames and Hudson, Inc.1992A basic background to language decipherments and pre-Columbian American history. Well-written and packed with details, but quickly and clearly sets forth the requirements for any decipherment and then dives into all the details of the tortuous road that Mayan scholars took to get there.4GChroniclemaster12005/6/27LanguagesThe Marcus Didius Falco seriesMarcus Didius Falco16Lindsey DavisThe tales of Marcus Didius Falco, an ex-Roman Legionaire and low-life informer (ie, a classic tough detective in the mold of Sam Spade). Marcus solves 1st century AD crimes in Rome and across the Empire with his loyal buddy in the police force, Petronius, and his elegant dame, Helena, a nobly-born Senator's daughter. Every novel is dressed with a delicious look at some aspect of Roman history or culture as seen from the inside by the Romans. But what truly sets this series apart is its beautifully developed relationship between Marcus and Helena and Lindsey Davis's marvelous wry wit.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23FictionHistorical MysterySilver PigsMarcus Didius Falco1Lindsey Davis241New YorkBallantine Books1991Begins the adventures of Marcus Didius Falco as he travels to Britain to break a plot to overthrow the new emperor, Vespasian. The chapters in the mines will haunt you, but the story is necessarily bogged down in exposition and introducing characters. A good series openner, but better is to come.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23Shadows in BronzeMarcus Didius Falco2Lindsey Davis384New York1st AmericanCrown-Random House1990Marcus must track down loose ends, as a mysterious stranger is trying to resurrect the plot against Vespasian. The first great book in the series, boasting a clever well-ploted mystery and vivid characters whose relationships hit their stride in a way they never quite managed in Silver Pigs. Davis has a perfect turn of phrase and a beautiful sense of dramatic timing that builds to a riveting climax.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27Venus in CopperMarcus Didius Falco3Lindsey Davis288New York1st AmericanCrown-Random House1991Suffers by comparison coming after one of the best books of the series. This novel explores Roman tenement life, an interesting social issue often ignored historically, but perhaps one which should have been ignored by Davis. The book drags for significant sections as Marcus looks for a new place to lives.3GChroniclemaster12005/6/27Iron Hand of MarsMarcus Didius Falco4Lindsey Davis320New York1st Ballantine BooksBallantine Books1992If Roman tenements were boring to read about, then the dreaded German frontier is the perfect topic to bring the series back. If there's a book where the Roman history lesson overshadows the vivid characters, Iron Hand of Mars is it. From the sheer scale of a gigantic Roman frontier fortress laid out with its main streets, to the fate of the three legions destroyed by the Germans, Davis brings alive the horror of the German frontier for civilized Romans circa 100AD. The rich background provides the perfect setting for Marcus to investigate reports of a new revolt by the Germanic tribes.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27Poseidon's GoldMarcus Didius Falco5Lindsey Davis352New York1st AmericanCrown-Random House1994Where Iron Hand of Mars succeeds by reveling in exotic parts unknown, Poseidon's Gold is equally brilliant by staying close to Rome sweet Rome. Marcus and his estranged father delve into the shady past of the perfect older brother whom Marcus has always felt inadequate next to. Marcus is vulnerable and authentic with his male relatives (and their memory) in ways that make for utterly compelling reading. A fabulous book.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27Last Act in PalmyraMarcus Didius Falco6Lindsey Davis432New York1st Ballantine BooksWarner Books1997If Germania made for gripping reading, how can the Roman Middle East be so uninteresting. The wandering acting troupe goes down with the Roman tenements as a good history lecture, but lousy reading. I did not follow Marcus and Helena, now expecting parents, all the way to exotic Palmyra just to see the inside of the theater. After beginning with international intrigue in the city of Petra, chiseled into the Arabian cliffs, this story was disappointing. At least compared to Davis's usual quality.3GChroniclemaster12005/6/27Time to DepartMarcus Didius Falco7Lindsey Davis432New York1st USMysterious Press1997Back to Rome, back to basics, back to the sleazy underlife of the city. Davis's sense of dramatic tension building to the climax is exceeded only in Shadows in Bronze. Davis introduces a series of underworld characters important to later books who create havoc at Rome when their boss is exiled. Naturally, Marcus won't leave his policeman friend, Petronius, in the lurch and investigates.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27A Dying Light in CordubaMarcus Didius Falco8Lindsey Davis464New York1st USMysterious Press1998Davis finally seems understand the value of the supporting characters shes developed in Rome. While this book explores corruption in the forgettable olive oil production of Roman Spain, Marcus and a now VERY pregnant Helena, split time with Rome, which saves us from an otherwise uninteresting plot.4GChroniclemaster12005/6/27Three Hands in the FountainMarcus Didius Falco9Lindsey Davis432New York1st USMysterious Press1999Marcus must track a nondescript serial killer. His grisly habit of cutting up his victims lead Marcus down into the gargantuan and creepy Roman sewers. Even better, Marcus and Helena's transformation into parents adds a new twist to the series.4GChroniclemaster12005/6/27Two for the LionsMarcus Didius Falco10Lindsey Davis464New York1st USMysterious Press1999One Virgin Too ManyMarcus Didius Falco11Lindsey Davis368New York1st USMysterious Press2000Ode to a BankerMarcus Didius Falco12Lindsey Davis384New York1st USMysterious Press2001A Body in the BathhouseMarcus Didius Falco13Lindsey Davis304New York1st USMysterious Press2002The Jupiter MythMarcus Didius Falco14Lindsey Davis336New York1st USMysterious Press2002A funny thing happened on the way home... Marcus is still stuck in Britain to solve another murder and break a crime syndicate. The supporting cast is especially strong. His friend, Petronius is both poignant and realistic struggling to build a romance with Marcus's sister, Maia. And his wife, Helena, is forced by the case to consort with Marcus's sleaziest and most infamous old girlfriend.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23Scandal Takes a HolidayMarcus Didius Falco15Lindsey Davis320New YorkCentury2004The AccusersMarcus Didius Falco16Lindsey Davis384New York1st USMysterious Press2004Web Designers Reference: An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSSCraig Grannell389New York1st AmericanFriends of ED Co.2005Excellent reference that includes a great deal of explanation and is well organized even for someone seeking to learn XHTML and CSS. It definitely helps to have an understanding of HTML first, but no background in XHTML and CSS are required. Lots of code side by side with the graphical output it creates. Lots of tips for executing particular elements with real world experience. Lots of workarounds for getting visual CSS to do things it doesnt necessarily do well, and get them all the way done so they look nice.5*Chroniclemaster12006/01/03ComputersAtlas of World HistoryJohn Haywood121New YorkBarnes & Noble Books1998Excellent resource with over 120 detailed full-color maps. Topical maps highlight key empires and/or historical periods with accompanying essay that provides an excellent historical summary, similar to other high-quality historical atlases. However, almost unique among history books, Haywood includes 26 world maps stretching from 2000BC to 1999AD. You can use one map to place nations in context to one another, e.g. 800AD shows that when Charlemagne ruled the Holy Roman Empire, the Abbasid Caliphs ruled the Middle East, and the Tang Dynasty ruled China, or you can trace from one world map to the next, e.g. see how China's Han Dynasty expanded from 200BC to 1BC and then fragmented by 400AD. This is invaluable when trying to keep the Mongols straight from the Mughals and stay sane, especially if you're a visual learner. Chroniclemaster1's favorite historical desk reference. Limited edition book, usually hard to find.6*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27HistoryFlash 8 AcceleratedSas Jacobs272KoreaYoungjin Singapore Pte. Ltd.2006An excellent resource to take a new Flash user and lesson by lesson build on what you've learned to turn you into a solid intermediate user by the end of the book. Wonderful full color pictures let you see exactly how everything looks. Each chapter lays out the theory and tools behind a topic and then drops into two to four exercises that lead you step by step to give you hands on practice. This also results in an extensive portfolio of work, and hands on learners may want to start with the exercises first.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27ComputersWeb Design: Tools and TechniquesPeter Kentie436Berkeley, CA2ndPeachpit Press2002Divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced web design. Well put together, but its strength is also its disadvantage. Aside from the beginners section where pictures appear next to HTML, the book explains how web designers really do things using the tools web designers really use. So, if you dont have all those specialty programs to help you build a website, large sections of the book may be useless to you. If you have one or two of the more important, and you may at least have something similar, it is helpful. I found it interesting just to glean general information about the world of web design, especially the section on XML.3Chroniclemaster12006/01/03ComputersHubble: The Mirror on the UniverseRobin Kerrod192Buffalo, NY1st USFirefly Books (U.S.) Inc.2003The ultimate coffee table books for nerds. The text is interesting, is logically laid out and does a decent job (3/4 rating by itself) of both explaining fundamental background information and discussing some of the latest discoveries in very general terms. The entire book is laid out with a general audience in mind. However, all the information is just an excuse to drape page after page with dazzling, eye-popping images of stars, galaxies, and nebulas. Often well hear in a newspaper about some amazing picture from the Hubble Space Telescope, with a grainy newspaper image next to it and a blurb with the link to the actual picture at NASAs website. But most of us have not really seen many of the actual images. You will probably never read this book, but its more than worth the time to check it out of your local library or buy it yourself for the amazing vistas.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27ScienceAstronomyTil We Have FacesC.S. Lewis324San Diego1st HBJ1956Harcourt Brace Jovanovich1980A very difficult read, but tremendously rich adaptation of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Lewiss story presents the depth, difficulty, power, and obscurity of great myths in a narrative form. Elements of surrealism are the most instrumental way that the story both transcends and loses itself. However, it is very beautifully written, almost poetic, and it gets better and better the more times you read it (but it still rates a good 3 the first time through).3*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27FictionFantasyThe Crusades Through Arab EyesAmin MaaloufJon Rothschild352New YorkSchocken Books1984Interesting and well-written book for a lay audience. Full of good information but it's arranged first and foremost so that Maalouf can tell the stories of the Crusades. Presenting a clear and understandable history takes a back seat as he jumps around geographically and chronologically to follow the threads of his accounts. As Arabic scholarship and documents are being translated in a woefully slow manner, this is still a valuable book. European records of the Crusades are nowhere near the scholarly caliber (or credibility) of the Arabic sources, so this book fills an important gap in English-language Medieval history. Consider Maalouf a good read (and your only choice) while we wait for a history book on this topic to be written in English.3GChroniclemaster12005/6/27HistoryParis 1919: Six Months That Changed the WorldMargaret MacMillan608New York1st USRandom House2002Tells the story of the conference and of the many fascinating personalities behind the monumental 1919 Treaty of Versaille that ended World War I. One of the few books to be both entertaining reading and a truly excellent history of its topic. The story of the conference is interspersed throughout the book to enliven the historical narrative of each nations portion of the treaty and how it developed. MacMillans country by country arrangement makes clear and understandable sense of the mammoth conference that becomes a confusing hodge podge in so many other accounts. Paris 1919 is in clear lucid prose with astute observations and demonstrates a clear understanding of the successes and failures, impact and limits of the peacemakers of 1919. Spiced with the flavor of what it was actually like to be there in Paris after the war, this is the quintessential comprehensive history of the end of World War I.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27HistoryFlash 8: Graphics, Animation, & InteractivityJames L. Mohler575Clifton Park, NYDelmar Learning2006Walks a user through from the basics of Flash to the elements of ActionScript and how to create animations. It's well laid out for teaching yourself Flash and recommends exercises to complete after each topic in the chapter. This may be as simple as telling you to play with a new tool which is better learned hands on, or step by step instructions to walk you through a complex task. Some images and tables in the book are too small but the content is very good.4Chroniclemaster12005/6/27ComputersThe Byzantium seriesByzantium3John Julius NorwichWell-written for a lay audience and a good read for history buffs, Norwich sets forth the oft ignored history of the Eastern Roman Empire which survived until Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453AD. Follows a generally chronological account, but told in stories so it back tracks on occasion. Extensive history of military, politics, and the royal family life of an empire thats generally neglected in English-language scholarship.4GChroniclemaster12005/6/27HistoryByzantium: The Early CenturiesByzantium1John Julius Norwich416New York1st AmericanKnopf1996Traces the origins of what would become the Eastern Roman Empire, when Constantine refounded the greek colony of Byzantium in his own honor, as the city of Constantinople. Follows Constantine's emergence in the reign of Diocletian. Continues through the fits and starts of Christianization, and collapse of Rome, to Christmas 800AD when Charlemagne was crowned as a rival to the emperors of Constantinople.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23Byzantium: The ApogeeByzantium2John Julius Norwich416New York1st AmericanKnopf1992Traces the histories and the accounts, some competant some suspect, that are all we have left of the resurgence of the Eastern Roman Empire around 1000AD. The most important volume in the series, because it deals with history that is almost wholly untaught in Western Europe. Also traces the cultural accomplishments of an empire that gave much to the Islamic Middle East at a time when Western Europe used stencils so kings could sign their own names. Fills a major gap in European history.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23Byzantium: The Decline and FallByzantium3John Julius Norwich461New York1st AmericanKnopf1995Follows the political collapse of East Roman government that allowed the Turks to consolidate their crushing victory at Manizert. However, the Fall of Constantinople in 1453AD, is revealed in all its ironic detail to be the work of fratricidal wars between the Christians states of Europe. Follows the devastation wreaked by the 4th Crusade which sacked Constantinople, (and marked the end of the East Romans as a major power) and the numerous other adventurers who spread devastation and slaughter in the Balkans in pursuit of the title of emperor.4GChroniclemaster12005/9/23The US Civil War seriesUS Civil War3Michael ShaaraJeff ShaaraExcellent, well-researched historical fiction trilogy on the American Civil War. Written by father, Michael who won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, but then passed away. His son, Jeff, completed the other two books in his fathers style as a tribute, but created perhaps the most powerful historical fiction trilogy ever written. Each chapter follows an eye-witness to the unfolding carnage of the US Civil War, complete with their feelings, ideas, and impressions drawn from diaries and research. Like watching history as it happened.5*Chroniclemaster12005/9/23Historical FictionGods and GeneralsUS Civil War1Jeff Shaara512New YorkBallantine Books1996Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson dominate this tale of the opening battles of the US Civil War. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain gives perspective to the conflict both in contrast of his view from behind the Northern lines, and in the similarities between these dedicated, driven soldiers. Shaara does an admirable job following in his father's footsteps.5*Chroniclemaster12005/9/23The Killer AngelsUS Civil War2Michael Shaara384New YorkBallantine Books1996James Pete Longstreet's wisdom collides with Robert E. Lee's faith. Behind the Northern lines, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain wages a desperate struggle to hold Little Round Top, the exploit for which the North's most decorated soldier is best remembered. Shaara's style is both simple and revolutionary, hopping from character to character giving the reader a front row seat for all the important events of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara's gripping prose, vivid characters, and careful research earned him the Pulitzer Prize. The very best in historical fiction writing.6EChroniclemaster12005/9/23The Last Full MeasureUS Civil War3Jeff Shaara640New YorkBallantine Books1998Jeff Shaara's second book, completing the transformation of his father's novel on the Battle of Gettysburg into a sweeping trilogy of the entire US Civil War. Follows the two senior commanders Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Melded with views of the battles on the front lines, Shaara starkly contrasts the ineptitude and heroism of commanders with the bloody brutality of the final battles of the war; leading to the mournful finale at Appamattox Courthouse.5*Chroniclemaster12005/9/23Gone for SoldiersJeff Shaara512New YorkBallantine Books1996A prequel to the US Civil War Trilogy, it traces the future commanders as they see combat for the first time. Follows General Winfield Scott on his daring invasion of Mexico that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. Well-written and interesting but unquestionably the weakest book hes written. It is quite possible that this is because Shaara is all too accurately representing the character of the Mexican-American War. Shaara's other series on the US Civil War and the US Revolution are charged with the driving moral force of those conflicts, the clash of dedicated, deadly soldiers and the ideals they will kill and die for. Gone for Soldiers fails to live up to Shaara's standards because the subject has no such ideals or passions at stake.3GChroniclemaster12005/6/27The US Revolution seriesUS Revolution2Jeff ShaaraExcellent two volume recreation of the figures of the American Revolution and their impact on the defining moment of North American history. We are party to their ideas and impressions as they watch the events unfold making for moving biographical portraits and riveting history. From the fields of Lexington and Concord, to the halls of the 2nd Continental Congress, to the all important campaigns in the South, Shaara illuminates history in human terms.5*Chroniclemaster12005/6/27Historical FictionRise to RebellionUS Revolution1Jeff Shaara512New YorkBallantine Books1996Shaara returns to top form after the readable but disappointing Gone for Soldiers. We see history unfold from the eyes of the Ben Franklin on diplomatic assignment in London and Paris, John Adams giving shape to American politics and government, and George Washington as he faces off against General Gage for control of Boston.6EChroniclemaster12005/9/22The Glorious CauseUS Revolution2Jeff Shaara512New YorkBallantine Books1996The action loses a touch of its edge as it dives into battle after battle, but is engaging and brilliantly written. Like riding at the side of George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine, or General Greene on his march through the Carolinas. General Washington and his subordinates fight campaign after deadly campaign against General Cornwallis to determine the fate of the fledgling United States.5*Chroniclemaster12005/9/22Flash 8: Projects for Learning Animation and InteractivityRich ShupeRobert Hoekman Jr.340Sebastopol, CA1st edO'Reilly Media Inc.2006Includes a thorough run down of all the Flash features and tools for a beginner, with large clear pictures. For more advanced users it provides a lot of more technical detail including programming concepts and techniques. Anyone wanting to really learn how to use ActionScript will find this a much more sensible approach. It gives you a solid introduction to how real Flash developers make their pages tick.4GChroniclemaster12005/6/27ComputersDHTML and CSS AdvancedJason Cranford Teague424Berkeley, CAPeachpit Press2005Well written guide for intermediate and advanced users of CSS and Javascript. Writing is very clear and professional, but with enough personality that it avoids being overly dry. (For example, Teague uses text and illustrations from the gorgeous original editions of Alice and Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1872).) Focuses on specific tasks or ideas to add to a website or use. Consistently puts complete code (with important lines highlighted in red) next to the graphical output, with explanations interspersed throughout as necessary. 5* resource if you want to perform any of the tasks included.4*Chroniclemaster12006/01/03ComputersThe Lord of the Rings seriesLord of the Rings3J.R.R. TolkienFor a treat there's the beautiful Alan Lee illustrated edition: Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Illustrated ed. Illus. Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. 1198pp. (50pp. of illustrations). The quintessential fantasy trilogy, and still one of the best series ever. For Tolkien, he was exploring ancient mythic tradition to tell stories that he, as a scholar, found interesting. For the rest of the world, he was pioneering an entirely new genre, fantasy, that flared into life following in his footsteps. The settings are amazing, the story telling rich and deep, and the writing is deliciously and poetically readable. However, it is still the characters and their tremendously meaningful human relationships that elevate this series to the status of one of the all-time classics. The somewhat tainted reputation that the fantasy genre has acquired since then, is a testament to how difficult it is to do it well, and attests to the phenomenal talent of this quiet Oxford professor.6EChroniclemaster12005/6/27FictionFantasyThe Fellowship of the RingLord of the Rings1J.R.R. Tolkien432Boston2nd ed1954Houghton Mifflin1987In some ways the best book in the trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring is both the most intimate of the books and the most non-traditional. Setting aside epic scope, the story follows the story "before" the quest of the Ring for almost half the book. Then ratchets up the dramatic tension with the flight from the Nazgul, the path through Moria, and the clash between Gandalf the wizard and the demonic Balrog. The most personal of the books and the the most beautiful, packed with twice the poetry of the other volumes.6EChroniclemaster12005/9/22The Two TowersLord of the Rings2J.R.R. Tolkien352Boston2nd ed1965Houghton Mifflin1988The most gripping book of the series, Two Towers follows the Fellowship as it breaks in three and scatters across the lands of the South. Frodo and Sam meet Gollum a twisted creature of the Ring, while the rest of the company converge on Isengard to battle Sauruman, a treasonous white wizard. A tense tale of high adventure that climbs to the pinnacle of Cirith Ungol where Frodo falls before the dark spider, Shelob.6EChroniclemaster12005/9/22The Return of the KingLord of the Rings3J.R.R. Tolkien448Boston2nd ed1965Houghton Mifflin1988The promise of the first two volumes, at last give way to the epic grandeur, and mythic imagination of the Return of the King. Like tales of ancient legend, The War of the Ring unfolds in the vivid clash of good against evil, the few against the many, and fate of the Ring & the world hangs in the balance as Frodo plunges into the nightmare land of Mordor.6EChroniclemaster12005/9/22Writing On Both Sides of the BrainHenriette Anne Klauser143New YorkHarper Collins Publishers1979Here is a book that's both useful and a treat. Imagine reading a book about how to write that practices what it preaches. Klauser's prose is soft and instructive, engaging and personal. It is also highly valuable. Whether you're writing the next War and Peace or just writing a memo, Klauser gives many concrete tips for how you should write. For those looking to write long or detailed pieces Klauser gives great writing techniques and exercises. Even better, Klauser has a light yet masterful touch in explaining how to approach writing. Other books tell you not to stress out. Klauser's ability to enjoy writing and communicate how she does it are the most valuable lessons in her book.5*Chroniclemaster12007/09/19Writing Skip to Main Points
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