Endowment Books

Three expert scholars and associate professors combine their knowledge of modern-day Russian politics in Between Dictatorship And Democracy: Russian Post-Communist Political Reform, a close scrutiny of the democratic reforms that have been launched to change Russia's political workings in the past two decades. From a comprehensive evaluation of how Vladimir Putin's ascension has changed the course of the nation, to extensive charts and references packed with hard data, to diagrams and detailed walkthroughs of the transformations Russian government has undergone, Between Dictatorship and Democracy offers a crystal-clear picture of Russia's turbulent recent past, their changing present, and the possibilities of the future. Highly recommended for academic and political studies collections.

This is a fantastic little book that I wish were more available (it is kind of a pain to get your hands on). It is well-organized and beautifully written by an historian who knows Boston very well. I would advise this to anyone interested in the history of Boston or to urban historians in general, because of its concise nature. It is an excellent companion to O'Connor's other books about the history of Boston, and particularly its Irish inhabitants. Definitely worth a read.

Joel Fleishman is the expert in this important field, and he has authored the definitive case book. Essential reading for all who are interested in professional philanthropy.

This is a good follow-up piece to Sturtevant's earlier book, "The Artful Journey: Cultivating and Soliciting the Major Gift."

Cuba En Guerra ("Cuba In War") by scholar Enrique Encinosa is the definitive work on the guerilla wars waged by anticommunist rebels against the repressive totalitarian regime of Fidel Castro from 1959-1993. Written in Spanish, it needs to be translated into English and other languages for wider dissemination.

This book is not for the easily offended or faint-hearted. The poignant text, carefully annotated, meticulously research and succinctly put together by its author is accompanied by graphic photos of rebel leaders with machine guns and bandoleers, armaments, armed rebel battalions, and also pictures of those who died attempting to bring freedom to Cuba or captured and executed by the communist dictator.

Why would campesinos (peasants), workers, or students pick up arms and lead open revolts in the Escambray Mountains against Castro's "worker's paradise?" Why would Cuban exiles living good comfortable lives in Miami with their families leave to go back to Cuba, breach communist defenses to conduct clandestine operations, infiltration, and uprisings against Fidel Castro's communist government? You must read this book to find out.

This 428-page book has complete notes and references, bibliography and index and should be in the library of all freedom-loving people who truly want to know the truth about Cuba's communist regime and the heroic effort of those who have tried to bring change by armed insurrection.

Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Sentinel of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) and author of Medical Warrior: Fighting Corporate Socialized Medicine...

As FEMA showed with the disastrous mishandling of Hurricane Katrina a few years ago, a poorly guided philanthropic organization, even with the purest intentions to aid, will hinder the very thing they're trying to assist. To help prevent poor philanthropic management, "Effective Foundation Management: 14 Challenges of Philanthropic Leadership and how to Outfox Them" is here to outline 14 problems these leaders will face, such as lack of trained employees (given volunteer work), shared goals for all members of the organization, among other problems that must be rectified for an effective philanthropic organization. "Effective Foundation Management: 14 Challenges of Philanthropic Leadership and how to Outfox them" is deftly composed and highly recommended to anyone who might find themselves in charge of such an organization and for community library business collections.

According to Mr. Trenin the end of Eurasia can be a good thing if the Russians will manage to abandon the idea quickly. Eurasia in this context is not a geographical term, but a mental construct, the idea of uniqueness of Russia and her separate (from the Western civilization) identity and destiny. Russia has a distinctive feature of having more land in Asia than in Europe, which undeniably has had a huge impact on Russian life since 17 century. But from the author's point of view the idea of Eurasia would be foolish pursue since Russia is facing a whole new set of challenges.

The author argues that the collapse of Soviet Union was de facto the end of the idea of Eurasia. With the final end of the Russian Empire (and its short-lived successor - the Soviet Union) myth of Eurasia must also be abandoned. This is the right time for the Russian people to shed this idea once and for all and to join the European civilization where the Russian roots are. A Europe that includes Bulgaria and Turkey cannot close its doors to Russia - at least not on cultural grounds, Mr. Trenin emphasizes. I would also add that, while the concept of Eurasia was first developed by the 19-th century Russian Slavophile, these days it is completely turned around and used by the Western either far-right or far-left circles just to argue how barbaric and "Asiatic" Russia is and always will be. May be if the Russians discard Eurasia myth, the Western academics and policy-makers will finally give up using Marquis de Custine's book written in 1839 as the ultimate source of knowledge about Russia!

The author notes that the most important thing for a state has always been the sense of identity stemming from clear realization of its geographical limits - borders. In tsarist Russia and then in Soviet Union this idea was basically absent. Russia has emerged as an imperial-minded state, conqueror of the ever-moving frontiers. The frontiers had been shifting from the Urals to the Pacific and from the Polar Circle to Afghanistan. As a result Russia has never emerged as a nation state. The human and other recourses were routinely taken by the rules and invested in the continuously expanding borderlands at the expense of Russia proper.

The time of these spreading out Empires has passed. To survive in the XXI century Russia (which is significantly smaller now) needs to be integrated to the Western economic and political environment. But the part can integrate into whole only when the part is aware of its own limits. Russia needs to maintain secure borders, which connect rather than separate countries. Only then the true integration is possible. Russia can recreate itself only through its successful relationship with the West. It will have - the author argues - to recognize that its place in Europe will rest on its ability to integrate, not on its political-military influence beyond its borders.

The author correctly argues that with NATO quickly expanding Russia faces the prospect of progressive marginalization. This prospect can be stopped only by a conscious Russian decision in favor of Europe. The Eurasia myth must be buried. In the same time Mr. Trenin is aware that there are Western high-profiled advocates of dismantling of the Russian state (for example, Mr. Zbignev Brzezinski has offered three loosely confederated Russian States). Or rather there are some people in the West who "love" Russia so much that they prefer to see several of them.

The other point, which Mr. Trenin is not making but it is implicit, is that Russia cannot any longer play the role of " the Great Satan" for the West. Mr. Churchill and Mr. Truman (I would argue) successfully prodded Stalin on this role. The Soviet Union so dutifully (and foolishly) played "The Evil Empire" for 40 years. Russia simply can't afford anything like this - catastrophic population decline (Russia has approximately the same population as Pakistan) and underdeveloped economy are more important than anything else. Of course, with stunning $300+ billion budget the American military has to have some enemy. Russia is fortunate that the West is looking for it elsewhere. It would be wise if Russia continues to refrain from assuming the role of the Western antagonist and refuse any attempt by the "friends" inside and outside to drag her into that unrewarding role (over Chechnya, NATO, etc).

This is a well-researched book from a very insightful observer. Mr. Trenin is retired Russian army officer who participated in arms control negotiations. He is now with the Carnegie Endowment for International peace in Moscow. I disagree with the author on some minor points (also he can be perceived as someone who idealizes the West a little too much), but totally agree with his main lines of thought. What adds weight to this book is the fact that Russia under Putin's leadership seems to be moving (slowly but steadily) to the same direction as the author suggests. I recommend this book to everyone interested in Russian affairs.

This is not the type of book I would normally buy or read. However, it was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. The author vividly described feelings every woman in search of herself feels. The story line flowed into a beautiful story of self discovery.

     Members of the online community have many fine books available to them to help sell their products and services online. Many of these books, however, are either too technical or packed with an incredible amount of material too much for the average person to take in. Herschell Gordon Lewis and Robert Lewis have teamed up to write Selling on the Net to offer a reader-friendly guide on selling online that doesn't require a college degree to understand!

     The book covers a wide range issues that online business people must take seriously if they want to successfully market what they have to offer. Factors to consider include establishing an effective online presence, understanding and putting to use effective Website design principles, effectively promoting yourself online, grabbing and keeping attention, tailoring your presentation for the online community, and knowing how to conduct online business.

     The team of Lewis and Lewis provide readers with plenty of instructions for getting the ball rolling, including helpful information about the Internet and goal-setting to achieve favorable results. Chapters on Website design, tailoring content for online use, and promotion stand out from the rest. Effective transmission and reception of a good sales pitch are definitely necessary to succeed online. Plenty of examples, both good and bad, are provided to aid readers to determine what options and techniques are best for them.

     The authors contribute much in the way of setting up shop online for the average reader. They encourage innovation rather than clinging to a rigid set of rules, growth rather than remaining content. The easy-to-read flowing style, the frequent injection of humor, and a deep sense of personal involvement in the lives of others makes this a good resource to consider. Supplement it with several good HTML and creative Website design books and you'll soon be ready to become an online global business participant!

This book is incredibly well researched and nicely written. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the arts and/or arts policy in the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed it!