Balance-of

This book presents the concept of offense and defense dominance in the international system and how that makes war more or less likely. This dominance arises from the current technological and social situation of the great powers. The author explores how this has played out in Roman, medieval, and modern times.

The book was written during the Cold War, so some of the conclusions are less valuable today. That being said, the book can be read for the concept which the reader can apply for him- or herself.

Dale Copeland's work represents a huge step forward in understanding why major wars occur. The debates over the origins of war have focused on whether or not the system is bipolar or multipolar, on the role of alliances in drawing states into war, on states trying to dominate the system, and other variables as well. Copeland has finally put all these differing views together into one coherent theory, adding a major causal mechanism: States' views of future power trends. States are most likely to start a major when when they see themselves in decline in relation to another state. They initiate a war to protect themselves from that growing states' threat to them in the near future. This theory explain why alliance do not really drag states into war, and why the number of poles is important, but not the determining factor. Bipolarity is more seen as more likely to lead to war, since a state must be willing to take on the entire system to succeed in a multipolar system, whereas it need only defeat one adversary in a bipolar world. Copeland backs up his theory with copious historical evidence, which seems to fit his theory. Furthermore, he breaks new ground in his empirical explanations. Historians will no doubt be intrigued by his contention that Germany deliberatly initiated the hostilities in World War One to defeat the rising Russian menace. He explains the Second World War in similiar terms. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he looks at pre-modern historical cases as well, dating back to Ancient Greece through the Napoleanic era. Finally, this book is very readable. Academic writing tends to be cluttered with jargon and in generally is very difficult to read. This book is not. Copeland writes with an easy style that is a pleasure to read. This is one of the few academic books that can be read by people in the field, and by those who are just interested in the question Copeland tries to answer. Highly recommended for everyone!

The book is a must for anyone who is serious about living without debt, yet with prosperity

This mongraph is a well organized, well written book that explains the science behind a reasonable lifestyle change that may really improve your health. The suggestions are concrete and liveable. As a physician, this "diet" makes a lot more sense than some of the fad diets that are currently popular. This will be recommended reading for my patients.

Great stuff. I've been working on a lot of these principles for the past 3 years in Pilates and Feldenkrais classes. This is an excellent discussion of the bones and muscles in the pelvis, why they're important, and how to develop pelvic power!

Why should we care? Because the pelvis is a fundamental structure in the body. Having proper mobility in the pelvis is a keystone of sitting and walking. If we lack proper strength in our pelvis -- or proper flexibility -- we cannot really be happy with our bodies. Franklin has already addressed the shoulder area in his other book "Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders". These two books together are a potent prescription to a fully functional and integrated body.

Typically, these concepts are difficult to understand -- even for massage therapists and other professionals in the bodywork industry. However, Franklin is gifted in his use of imagery to get his point across. There are many titles worthy for students to explore (Anatomy of Movement, Anatomy Trains, etc.) but this is one of the most accessible books for the lay person to read. Highly recommended.

The title of this book will put off some people; I appreciate the direcness of Franklin. It really is about having your pelvis be a powerful foundation for your body. There's no way to expand our understanding without talking about it! It is not a book about sex, but developing your pelvic strength and flexibilty will almost certainly have a positive impact in that area of your life. How could that possibly be a bad thing?

This book is perfect for the next generation. The generation that will now have to solve the problems plaguing the globe. People and their Planet explains the causal relationship between population and the environment. It is a very useful tool for all those studying the environment or the effects of demography or anyone who wishes to enlightened themselves. It is very clearly written and very informative.

a thorough, interesting book

The book provides an excellent training of a tool of population balance modelling and its application. The tool has been introduced in a neat and clean manner exploiting the elegance of sound mathematical analysis and engineering applications. Though the book is difficult to read at first instance, it opens itself as one reads it again and again exploiting its full potential.

I think this is a must read for all the researchers exploiting the utility of Population Balances in almost all the research areas form Bio to Nano technology.

Next to the Bible, this book is perhaps the most inspiring and life changing I have ever read. It should be in every individual's library. Buy several and give them as gifts.

Think you know what balance is? Not until you read this book. Dynamic balance is the term Jack Beauregard uses to expand our understanding of what it means to hold onto the positive and the negative AT THE SAME TIME. Knowing exactly what this means will make a world of difference, and hopefully ultimately make the world very different. It's as simple a logic as there is, and the logic comes from quantum physics -- the science that states the principles of how our universe works. And guess what!! It's exactly the way WE work!! Knowing and understanding that the principles of how nature works gives us the principles of our own natures, you can't go wrong! The Power of Balance translates the scientific principles into transformation principles. If it works for the universe, you know it can work for we individuals who are part of the universe!! Also, knowing the author makes a difference -- a man who "had the American Dream" and was "on the top" in the eyes of the world, but ached inside for real meaning. His life's up and downs took him on a 20-year journey that culminated in his book. Like all of us, he's "been there" and what's important is that he's walking the talk. Can't say enough about this book. It's one that's meant to move us all into the 21st century.