This book provides an elementary introduction to Information Theory and Coding Theory - two related aspects of the problem of how to transmit information efficiently and accurately. The first part of the book focuses on Information Theory, covering uniquely decodable and instantaneous codes, Huffman coding, entropy, information channels, and Shannon's Fundamental Theorem. In the second part, on Coding Theory, linear algebra is used to construct examples of such codes, such as the Hamming, Hadamard, Golay and Reed-Muller codes.The book emphasises carefully explained proofs and worked examples; exercises (with solutions) are integrated into the text as part of the learning process. Only some basic probability theory and linear algebra, together with a little calculus (as covered in most first-year university syllabuses), is assumed, making it suitable for second- and third-year undergraduates in mathematics, electronics and computer science.

Since it first appeared in print in 1959, John Doberstein's Minister's Prayer Book has been a devotional classic among Lutheran pastors. Written by a pastor for other pastors, Doberstein's work recognizes the need for the pastor to drink from a well of rich resources to sustain the spiritual vitality needed to serve faithfully in parish ministry. The fact that this manual of devotion is still available more than fifty years later is a testament to the timelessness of the collection Doberstein gathered, as well as to his own pastoral acumen. Other than a minor revision made in 1986 by Philip Pfatteicher to update the propers, there has been no attempt to bring fresh material to Doberstein's work, no attempt to update it for a new generation. Until now. This revised edition recognizes the increasingly diverse face of clergy. New resources--prayers and readings written by women, people of color, and Christians from around the world--give the collection a broader appeal. The beauty of the Minister's Prayer Book is its intentional re-centering of the pastor's calling on word and sacrament, on pastoral care, and on being fully present and engaged in the lives of God's people.