ASSORTED WRITINGS AND
PRESENTATIONS BY JOHN PRESTON
Topics without hyperlinks are in progress
Books
Published on Amazon
The Next Campaign:
Bigger Ideas and Better Choices [Link}
China: A Framework for Understanding [Link]
Silicon Intelligence: An Introduction to
Artificial Intelligence (expected in 2023) [Link to draft copy]
Men’s
Discussion Group: Unitarian Church in Charleston
New Priorities and Organization of Education [Link]
Readings for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Classes
Series #1: Science and Technology behind Today’s Energy Issues [Link]
• Fire for Cooking and Heating
• Coal, Steel, and Steam
• Oil, Explosions, Cars, and War
• Electricity and the Grid
• Nuclear Energy
• Population and Clean Energy
Series #2: Mathematics
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Algebra
• Geometry and Astronomy
• Trigonometry and Vectors
• Calculus: Differential and Integral
Full Length Online Textbooks
Global Awareness through Energy, Health, and Communication Technologies—a book I wrote for the Global Technologies class at EMU.
Chapter 1—Breathing Fire
Chapter 2—Lights! Action!
Chapter 3—The Race is On
Chapter 4—To Be or Not to Be
Chapter 5—MIddle Eastern / US Religions
Chapter 6—Middle Eastern Energy
Chapter 7—Sustainability
Chapter10—Communications
Chapter11—Censorship
Quantitative Reasoning—a book I wrote for a new class at EMU. It is much more practical than most approaches to mathematics.
Chapter 1 – Measurements
Chapter 2—Transformation
Chapter 8—Using Spreadsheet software
Chapter 9—Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 10—Applying Business Rules
Chapter 11—Optimizing Choices
Plays and Children’s Stories
Mary’s Mother-in-Law—a different Christmas story
God, a Single Father—a different look at the Easter story
The Ant and the Grasshopper—The Unitarian Version
Other Short Subjects
The Candle Flame—a thought for lighting a chalice flame at a UU meeting
Song Lyrics
Belleville High School Fight Song—I wrote a new set of lyrics to my high
school fight song while I worked there as a teacher
Story Ideas
These are some ideas that I’ve had for plays/books/movies.
An AI for Mom—a story about a robot that uses artificial
intelligence skills to converse with and care for an ageing woman.
The Nudge—a story about a sentient AI program that
tricks a scientist working at NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office
(PDCO) into directing an asteroid onto a collision path with the earth to
cripple humanity and facilitate the takeover by AI.
Final Lecture
Preparing for the Future—This is a PDF version of my last lecture. It includes an illustrated story of my father’s quest for an education and how it influenced my live and career.
Writings of John Mitchel Preston
GroceryStore—John and Ruth buy a grocery store and post office
Coauthored with AI Program
My Favorite Poem—Valinda
Dickerson invited us to dinner at her house and suggested that we read
our favorite poem. I asked my new AI program, Bing AI, to write one for me. I
asked it to write a short, casual, funny poem that was suitable to read at a
dinner party. This is the result.
AI Poem—created by Bing AI and used in the
Introduction of my book; Silicon Intelligence: An Introduction to Artificial
Intelligence, from the following request: "A poem about silicon
Intelligence; professional and short"
Silicon
Intelligence: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence—An explanation of
AI for the layperson. Co-authored with the AI program Bing
Bibliography of Co-Authored College Textbooks
Computer Literacy for IC3, Unit 1: Computer Concepts, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published March 27, 2009, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-135-01709-2.
Computer Literacy for IC3, Unit 2: Applications using Microsoft Office 2007, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published March 27, 2009, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-135-06497-X.
Computer Literacy for IC3, Unit 2: Applications using Open Office, eBook, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 20, 2009, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-135-06503-8.
Computer Literacy for IC3, Unit 3: Living Online, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published March 27, 2009, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-135-06499-6.
IC3 Essentials Enhanced, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, June 30, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-536-21086-1.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Brief with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 22, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13243-770-8.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 V1 with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 5, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13243-772-4.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 V2 with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 22, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13179-147-8.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Comprehensive with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 21, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13243-771-6.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Brief with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 22, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13224-240-0.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 V1 with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 7, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13224-242-7.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 V2 with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 22, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13179-145-1.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Comprehensive with CD, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 21, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13224-241-9.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Brief, 2nd Edition, eTextbook, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, January 11, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13187-864-6.
GO! Series: Microsoft Windows XP Comprehensive, eTextbook, Robert L. Ferrett, Suzanne Weixel, John M. Preston, and Sally Preston, June 27, 2005, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13188-049-7.
IC3 Essentials, 2-chapter version, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, January 12, 2005, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13175-577-3.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Brief, 2nd Edition, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, January 11, 2006, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13187-878-6.
GO! Series: Microsoft Windows XP Comprehensive, with Suzanne Weixel, John M. Preston, and Sally Preston, June 27, 2005, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13133-078-0.
IC3 Essentials, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, January 12, 2005, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 013149-864-9.
GO! Series: Microsoft Windows 2000 Getting Started, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 12, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-433-0.
Computers in a Changing Society, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 10, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-193-6.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published December 22, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-438-1.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Brief (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published December 18, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-125-1.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 9, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-420-9.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Volume I (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 5, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-119-7.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published October 2, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-436-5.
GO! Series: Microsoft Excel 2003 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published September 24, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-424-1.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published December 22, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-432-2.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Brief (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published December 18, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-107-3.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 5, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-431-4.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Volume I (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 3, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-102-2.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published October 1, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-425-X.
GO! Series: Microsoft Word 2003 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published October 8, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13143-422-5.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, and Alicia Vargas, published January 9, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13144-420-4.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Brief (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, and Alicia Vargas, published January 9, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-118-9.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Intermediate, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, Jeffrey Howard, and Alicia Vargas, published May 3, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13183-850-4.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Intermediate (adhesive bound), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, Jeffrey Howard, and Alicia Vargas, published April 27, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-116-2.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Advanced, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, Jeffrey Howard, and Alicia Vargas, published October 27, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13144-422-0.
GO! Series: Microsoft Office 2003 Advanced (Adhesive bound), John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, Jeffrey Howard, and Alicia Vargas, published October 11, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13145-121-9.
GO! Series: Getting Started with Microsoft Office 2003 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Linda Foster-Turpen, and Alicia Vargas, published January 9, 2004, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13144-421-2.
GO! Series: Microsoft Windows XP Getting Started, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published December 2, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13109-037-2.
Learn Windows XP-Getting Started, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 18, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13046-075-3.
Learn Office XP Volume I, Enhanced Third Edition, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 19, 2003, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13182-406-6.
Learn Office XP Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13047-375-8.
Learn Access 2002 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13009-723-3.
Learn Excel 2002 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 21, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13009-724-1.
Learn Word 2002 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 19, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13009-726-8.
Learn Access 2002 Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13047-824-5.
Learn Excel 2002 Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 13, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13047-826-1.
Learn Word 2002 Volume II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 19, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13047-825-3.
Learn Office XP Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published March 15, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13067-545-8.
Learn Microsoft Office XP-Getting Started, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published March 21, 2002, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13046-075-3.
Learn Access 2002 Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 1, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13060-040-7.
Learn Excel 2002 Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 1, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13060-056-3.
Learn Word 2002 Volume I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 1, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13060-075-X.
Learn PowerPoint 2002 Comprehensive, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 1, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13060-0760-1.
Learn Office XP Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 1, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13060-061-X.
Learn Access 2002 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 6, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN#0-13061-313-4.
Learn Excel 2002 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 6, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN#0-13061-314-2.
Learn Word 2002 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 6, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN#0-13061-316-9.
Learn PowerPoint 2002 Brief, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 6, 2001, Prentice Hall, ISBN#0-13061-315-0.
Microsoft Office 2000 Essentials Right-Phit, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 1, 2000, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13025-891-1.
Microsoft Publisher Essentials, Basic, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 1, 2000, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13026-198-X.
Microsoft Access 2000 Essentials, Advanced, Right-Phit Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 1, 2000, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13025-888-1.
Microsoft Access 2000 Essentials, Intermediate, Right-Phit Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 1, 2000, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13025-887-3.
Microsoft Office User Specialist: Access 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 1, 2000, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 0-13019-103-5.
Learn Microsoft Office 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published September 30, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-263-8.
Learn Access 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published September 23, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-258-1.
Microsoft Office 2000 Essentials, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 31, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-091-0.
Microsoft Access 2000 Essentials, Advanced, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 26, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-302-2.
Learn PowerPoint 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published September 23, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-257-3.
Learn Excel 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 30, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-261-1.
Microsoft Access 2000 Essentials, Intermediate, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 27, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-301-4.
Learn Microsoft Word 2000, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 26, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-262-X.
Microsoft Access 2000 Essentials, Basic, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 19, 1999, Prentice Hall, ISBN# 1-58076-094-5.
Access 97 Essentials, Level III Right-Phit, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 9, 1999, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-804-6.
Access 97 Essentials, Level II Right-Phit, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 9, 1999, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-805-4.
Access 97 Essentials, Level I Right-Phit, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published June 9, 1999, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-783-X.
Learn Word 97, 2nd Edition, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published January 20, 1999, Macmillan (Que Education and Training,) publisher, ISBN# 1-58076-326-X.
Microsoft Office User Specialist: Access 97 Expert, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published January 8, 1999, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-58076-057-0.
WordPerfect 8 Essentials, with Sally Preston, published November 13, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-58076-167-4.
Access 2.0 to Access for Windows 95 Transition, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 28, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-58076-069-4.
Learn PowerPoint 97, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 7, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-885-2.
Learn Access 97, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 7, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-891-7.
Learn Microsoft Word 97, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 15, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-883-6.
Access 97 for Windows 95 and Windows NT Essentials, Level III, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 14, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-58076-156-9.
Access 97 for Windows 95 and Windows NT Essentials, Level II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 14, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-58076-155-0.
Learn Excel 97, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published February 23, 1998, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-889-5.
Access 97 for Windows 95 and Windows NT SmartStart, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published September 19, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-818-6.
PowerPoint 97 for Windows 95 and Windows NT SmartStart, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published August 14, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-820-8.
Access 97 Essentials (Academic), Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published July 30, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-882-4.
Microsoft Office 97 Professional Essentials, with Laura Acklen, Linda Bird, Donna Matherly, John M. Preston, Sally Preston, Michele Reader, Rob Tidrow, Thomas Underwood, and Suzanne Weixel, published July 21, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-787-2.
Access 97 Essentials, Level III, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 30, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-804-6.
Access 97 Essentials, Level II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published May 16, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-805-4.
Access 97 Essentials, Level I, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published April 22, 1997, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-783-X.
Access for Windows 95 Essentials, Level III, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, November 19, 1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-478-4.
Access for Windows 95 and Windows NT Essentials, Level II Instructor’s Manual, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published 1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-266-8.
Access for Windows 95 and Windows NT Essentials, Level II, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, published October 16, 1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-265-X.
Powerpoint for Windows 95 SmartStart, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published March 29,1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-038-X.
Access for Windows 95 SmartStart, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published March 13, 1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-030-4.
Access for Windows 95 Essentials, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston and Sally Preston, December, published February 9, 1996, Macmillan (Que Education and Training), ISBN# 1-57576-263-3.
Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows using Style Manuals, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published 1995, Wm. C. Brown, ISBN# 0-25620-437-3.
Database Management Using Microsoft Access Version 1.1: Instructor’s Manual, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published 1994, Wm. C. Brown, ISBN# 0-69722-288-8.
Database Management Using Microsoft Access Version 1.1, Robert L. Ferrett, John M. Preston, published 1993, Wm. C. Brown, ISBN# 0-69722-283-7.