GB Books

Meticulously translated, this collection of essays is a great place to start for a person only familiar with Weber's seminal work "The Protestant Ethic". I found the essays to be very readable, and Weber's unique style makes it a joy to read.

This is a great place to start for anyone interested in beginning to study sociology.

What is most curious about the home page for this classic academic work is that Amazon does not explain that this text is the fruit of one the most singularly important academic translations in the 20th century, accomplished by the team of sociologists Hans Gerth and C. Wright Mills (who later became an immensely influential classic sociologist himself). First published after the Second World War, the text provided access at long last to a treasure trove of previously untranslated works by Weber for the American academic community, and thus transformed the nature of the way American social scientists understood modern social theory.

It is no exaggeration to say that Weber's genius was his ability to successfully integrate the critical essence of the Marxian analysis of capitalist society with more functionally-oriented works such that even as stodgy and conservative a theorist as Talcott Parson soon found common analytical purpose with Weber's theoretical views! before long all the academic community was enthralled by the scope and verve of Weber's complex vision of a social theory informed with a comprehensive view of social action, such that all social actions can be meaningfully located within the welter of the purposes, motives, and values of the interacting individuals themselves. This was indeed an intelelctual revolution within social theory, and we can still find bibliophiles and academic devotees still poring over the nuances and variations in themes in Weber's considerable body of works.

After the publication of these essays, much more of his corpus of works was successfully translated and used in American university settings. Yet Weber's prose was never an "easy read", nor was his message about the evolving nature of contemporary bureaucratic society necessarily a heartening one; he was convinced we were turning toward a dark and mechanistic age, what he himself frequently characterized as being the "iron cage" of rationalization. His was the dark vision later shared by intellectuals like Aldous Huxley of a brave new world of petty diversions and a systematic but innocuous autocratic manipulation of everyman. Still, Weber's works stand as a testament to the power of an individual intellect. I recommend this book for anyone interested in better understanding him and his theoretical views. Enjoy!

Gerth and Mills' reader provides an excellent introduction to Weber's life and thought. This edition includes excerpts from _Economy and Society_, the brilliant essays ``Politics as a Vocation'' and ``Science as a Vocation,'' plus a brief critical biography and material from other sources.

Weber had so much to say about so many subjects that any anthology would require a well-considered method of organization; this book has that. It is easy to navigate. When I want to know what Weber said about a particular subject, I look in _From Max Weber_.

Rostovtzeff's "ROME" from 1927 is one of the best books, in which you can read the general development of the Rome; from the republican era to the emperial. Using a tune in which everybody can follow, the book does not seem to academic; however it is! - the differense between Rostovtzeff and for example E. Gibbon, is that Gibbon made his book for academic only - Rostovtzeff did not.

The book has many daring interpretations of the decline and eventually the fall of the roman empire: Rostovtzeff says it was due to the rural population rebelling against the urban; whereby he sees a connection to the Russian Empire.

If you want good information on Rome, this is the book for you.

This wonderfully written book is the best overview of Roman civilization out there. Anyone wishing to learn about the Roman kingdom, Republic, and Empire should start here.

I read this book a few years ago in college and have since found it to be one of the best written on the subject of ancient Rome. Readable and enjoyable, it stands the test of time.

This is a delightful tale of Josh McBroom and his family as they move west (to Iowa to be exact) and take up the honest work of farming the land. Of course, they meet up with tricky Hector "Heck" Jones who attempts to cheat them. However, from that point on, McBroom and his loving family are overwhelmed with the great abundance that the land yields. Watch out for the watermelons and pumpkins! This is a great American tall tale that should keep both young and older readers smiling.

I read this book repeatedly throughout my childhood (probably the first printing),and I think that the essence of the book is that you can make it through anything life throws at you if you have a positive attitude and the will to succeed. I recently repurchased this book to read to my nieces. A "10"

I'm 34 and can still name all McBroom's children, can envision the moth's flying from his change purse, and have wonderful images of his children "riding" the produce as it springs out of the top soil. Very colorful and endearing!

This is excellent book, full of facts.
I congratulate the writer for this marvelous work.

This is excellent book, full of facts.
I congratulate the writer for this marvelous work.

...as a long standing student of Morocco I found this book focused and factually correct. Unlike some other books written about this country, 'Morocco Under King Hassan' provides a balanced picture that allows the reader to make his or her own judgements. If asked which books a student of Morocco should put at the top of their reading list I would start with Maxwell's 'Lords of the Atlas' and then Mr. Hughes' book.

This book is ideal for children whose logical, intellectual muscles need to be strained. Nate is a young boy who calls himself "the great" because of his ability to solve puzzles. Early one morning he encounters a torn piece of paper with the letters "VITA" on his doorstep. This is equivalent to a major dare, so Nate and his faithful dog Sludge embark on an exploration to discover what the message. After several small adventures and some excellent deductive work, the riddle is solved and Nate ends up where he was supposed to be at the appropriate time.
The story reads easily and there are a few clues that appear early that a sharp eye may spot. It is an excellent story for the second or third grader.

Nate the Great is a "great" series for kids in the 2-4th grades. My son enjoys reading about Nate's adventures, and the large selectionof other Nate stories makes it an excellent way to get a kid hooked on reading.

Another book featuring a young girl as the lead character who solves mysteries is "Abby and the Bicycle Caper."

My two boys and I have read all of the Nate the Great books, and this is one of their favorites. If you're paying close attention, you can even spot some clues long before Nate does, and help him solve the case.

Written in an easy to read format, this book will be read over and over again. Bought as a companion to Smart About the Presidents, they go together very well and my daughters ages 8 & 5 love both these books. I

I highly recommend this book for Women's History Month and for anyone needing to find out information on First Ladies in easy to read, simple form.

I bought this book for my 1st-grade daughter and she loves it! Each time we read this book, she selects a new favorite first lady. It is not the best history book ever written, but it has sparked a young childs interest in history and learning about our country.

I love reading this book aloud. When my 15 year old son was prompted to buy a book for his math teacher's new baby (I asked him to choose a book that he liked as a child), he immediately replied, "Snug Bug". You'll love it too. It is inexpensive, but worth a lot! "Brush and spit, That's It!!!"

When I was little i got this book from our small school library collection...I loved having my mom read it to me before bed...I just had to buy the book as a keepsake and i recommend it to any mother.

What a wonderful childrens bedtime story to be read just beforechildren are tucked into bed "snug as a bug in a rug". I'veordered another copy for our new baby..we wore the previous copy out on our other 2 children.

I was sad to hear of Nigel Tranter's passing just days into the new millenium. This great historical writer who had the unique gift of making us see, hear, and feel the heartbeat of times long past, of kings half forgotten whose reputations were laid to rest often as quickly as they were.

Robert the Bruce, hero of Bannockburn, was the grandfather of Robert II by his daughter Marjory, wife of Walter Stewart. The kings from this union came to be known as the Stewarts, and Robert II and his son Robert III were two of the weakest. Both, prematurely doddering and unwilling or unable to wield the power in the kingdom, yielded the real power to Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife and Menteith. This last Robert is a character of the type frequently found in Tranter novels: a stern, unyielding master of realpolitik. (See James Stewart in WARDEN OF THE QUEEN'S MARCH for a reincarnation.)

The action is seen through the eyes of the fictional Jamie Douglas, descendent of the famed "Black Douglas" of Robert the Bruce's day, who tries to help shore up the monarchy for David, Duke of Rothesay, oldest son of Robert III.

Scottish history can be incredibly murky and involved at times, and that's what makes it so fascinating. Tranter has a gift for breathing life into periperal characters and putting them into play across a wide landscape and over a long period of time.

My favorite subplot involves the notorious Wolf of Badenoch, who burns down the Cathedral of Elgin, the so-called Lantern of the North, because of a dispute with its bishop. The Wolf's son, Alexander , becomes a steadfast friend and ally of Jamie Douglas.

It was my great fortune to read this trilogy while criss-crossing Scotland. I would recommend someone new to Tranter starting with the Robert the Bruce trilogy, but after that, read THE STEWART TRILOGY.

I just can't say enough about Nigel Tranter. He takes historical fiction to a new level. This is how it could have been. This trilogy covers the Scottish kingdom through the last days of Robert II, through Robert III and into the beginning days of James I in prison in England. All the events are through James "Jamie" Douglas, the eldest but illegitimate son of James Douglas, Lord of Dalkeith, and the wealthiest noble in Scotland and head of the second most powerful branch of the up and coming Douglas clan. In book one "Lords of Misrule", we see Jamie become a lord in his own right and come to court after he sees the murder of the Earl Douglas and seeks to find the killer. Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteith, second son of Robert II also sets himself up as Governor and soon to be Regent. A great side story of the legendary Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Bandanoch, Earl of Buchan really moves the story along. And in the end we see Jamie engaged to Mary Stewart, a illegitimate daughter of Robert II.
In book two "A folly of Princes" Robert III has come to the throne but proves a weak and sad king who is run by his family. All are slowly set up and pushed aside by Robert, now Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland. Jamie falls in with Robert III's heir Prince David who begins as a great match to out-wit and supercede his uncle Robert as Governor but ultimately fails. This leads to book three "The Captive Crown" where Jamie is forced into the highlands and befriends Alexander Stewart, son of the late Alexander "Wolf of Bandenoch" Stewart together they try to counter Albany's power and protect the surviving Prince James. All the while the Douglas clan continues to marry Stewart brides and gain titles and land. Then add in the ursurper Henry, now King of England who wishes to reinstate his ancestor Edward I, the longshanks, policy towards Scotland. A great, great read.

In this tale you follow the bastard son of a Douglas lord who in his first battle is knighted on the field for protecting the slain body of the Earl of Douglas. His loyalty to the earls' wife, the House of Douglas and to Scotland draw this heroic figure in to the intrigue behind members of the House of Stuart's tragic betrayal of the Scottish Crown.

Nigel Tranter has a rare and amazing gift for word craft. His ability to draw you into a tale is second to none. At every turn of the page I found my self reaching for a sword to help the young Jimmy Douglas.

And love it. My brother and his friend looked at it questioningly, but whatever. It's excellent. It has like, a hundred questions and they all have detailed answers. I love it!

It's thorough, honest, easy to read, and appropriate for teens and even pre-teens. Everyone should read this book before they formulate their opinions about gay people.

Eric Marcus has written this wonderful book for middle and early high school kids about homosexuality. Written in a question and answer format in larger print, this book tells the TRUTH to kids who might be questioning their sexuality, or might have a gay friend or family member, or are bigoted about gays. For older kids and adults, read Eric's book, "Is It a Choice?" It covers the same territory but in greater depth.

Homosexuality is usually not discussed at a middle school level, although children can sense sexual identity differences at this age between themselves and others. This often leads to shunning, confusion, prejudice, bullying, harassment and beatings. Some gay kids even have urine and feces thrown at them or are spit upon. If you condone or excuse this behavior you become part of the problem of gay harassment and hateful behavior.

The best way to avoid negative, bigoted behavior toward gays is to be proactive: buy this book for your child, your church, school, and home library. Homosexuality is a normal, natural expression of human sexuality. Let's take the lid off the pressure cooker of bigotry and become lesbigay advocates for all children everywhere. All straight, gay and questioning kids need this book's truth desperately. I highly recommend it as an educator and Lutheran church librarian.

What a great book for a kid. My third grader loved it. With houdini in the news again, and the recent movies about magicians out, it's something kids are becoming interested in again.

If the picture on the cover is any indication, Harry Houdini is Sean Penn (there's a striking resemblance). This is an interesting book in the "Who Was" series, detailing Houdini's impoverished boyhood in America (after emigrating from Hungary), his early interest in magic, and a turning point, his discovery of a book about Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, the "father of modern magic."

Author Sutherland divided the book into 12 chapters, each beginning with "So you want to be a (Magician, Pilot, Hero, Detective, etc.), detailing Houdini's feats in many areas. Several of the escape illusions are briefly explained (including Houdini's great illusion making an elephant disappear!), and there's a humorous bent as the author admits that it's difficult to tell which of Houdini's many statements about himself are true! Houdini traveled from town to town, and it wasn't until he Martin Beck, head of the Orpheum Circuit's (a string of vaudeville houses), discovered Houdini that he earned international acclaim, staying five years in Europe. The book does a good job at showing how Houdini worked hard at his illusions, and how this practice (and a penchant for self-promotion) catapulted him to fame. It also emphasizes the real dangers and near disasters that Houdini faced, a far cry from today's televised illusionists.

Sutherland does a great job of providing relatively unknown information about Houdini: He was the first person to fly an airplane in Australia, his wife played an important part in his stage act, he was in five movies, and he and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (the author of the Sherlock Holmes series) debated the validity of Spiritualism (Houdini thought it was an exploitative sham). Sidebars about, for example, airplanes, movies, WWI add a historical context, During WW1, Houdini raised money for American troops, did shows for the wounded, and even taught soldiers how to escape from German handcuffs!

This is a fascinating book that teaches a lot about Houdini and his times. Sutherland doesn't talk down to his readers, and both adults and kids will learn a great deal. The book may even begin or reinforce someone's ambition to perform magic tricks and illusions. John O'Brien's small black and white illustrations add an important measure of interest. 105 pages, with sidebars, two timelines, but no index.

I read this book aloud to my 7 year-old son, and once we started, he did not want to stop. I've tried to read other biographies to him and many I have found so boring and poorly written that I dreaded finishing them. Not so with this one! This was written so as to be interesting for both children and adults. The author weaves in discussion of various historical events and figures and provides just the right amount of detail and analysis at just the right level of sophistication for elementary aged children (e.g., World War I, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Spiritualism, The Wright Brothers' first flight, etc.). He doesn't avoid difficult subjects like death, war, and poverty but at the same time maintains a reassuring tone appropriate for children. The upshot was that we both learned a lot from this book and had a great time reading it. I've now ordered 8 more books in the series and am looking forward to reading them aloud to my son. I can imagine that in a year or so he'll be reading these books on his own and using them for school reports. As an educational psychologist, I will highly recommend this series for my "reluctant readers" who often complain that reading (particularly expository text) is "boring."