General-Order

Simon and Bowie do provide a basic sketch of philosophy which is particularly relevant to LD debate. what they do not do is provide the most up to date, ardent, or quotable defense of any of them. I would reccommend Grady's Dictionary of Philosophical Quotations or Singer's overview of ethics much more highly for any debater who aspires to more than mere mediocrity. In the world of debate, this is the huge survey lecture course taught by a barely qualified TA. Those with intellect and motivation can do much better and needn't waste their money and confine their minds. Besides, LD is outgrowing this outmoded paradigm anyway--just read the LD-L if you wont take the word of a national circuit debater.

High school debate students who are just starting out would be well served to pick up a copy of this book. It is a terrific background source for a wide variety of philosophical concepts that are often used in competitive Lincoln-Douglas debate. It is important not to use this book as a primary source of evidence, but merely as a text to gain understanding of the philosophy in the vernacular. In conjunction with Scott Robinson's "L-D Road Guide", this book is a terrific tool for novice debaters.

If you want to get deep in your knowledge of philosophy, get this book. I bought it for my high school students.

Hello, I'm the author of God and Coffee: in that order and I wanted to let you know about my new gift product line, Thank God for Friends. If you would love to send a gift that is sure to touch someone's heart, please check out, thankgodforfriends.com. You will find, Thank God for Friends coffee mugs (Some days are bad hair days... Thank God for Friends - and more) coffee, cards, and of course, more copies of God and Coffee: in that order. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kristina Seymour

A great inspiring book! I especially enjoyed Kristina's poems. They described her daily struggles purely from the heart. Kristina is witty and writes with a humorous flair. Her book is a well-written daily journal of raising a family and going to school. God and Coffee was fun to read and I could relate to her stories. The bible verses at the end of each chapter was a nice touch to sum up the chapter's message. An excellent spiritual read!

This is one of the best books about God, His power & love for us, that I have ever laid eyes on. In this book, the Author relates to her readers and also teaches the important message of how God truly IS present in our day-to-day lives and how much he cares about EVERY little thing! It is so down-to-earth, well-written and inspiring to anyone that reads it. I could relate to so many things that she talks about, which makes the message hit home! I was impressed with how it was written, with the related scriptures and beautifully written poetry. I highly recommend this book! Thank you, Kristina & I hope your next book will be coming soon!!

The writer is on the right track but many of his 'facts' are wrong. Yes, an asteroid did hit but not when he says. Correlation with archaeological evidence, none of which he does, demonstrates a date about 700 years earlier than that which he identifies. Again, archaeological evidence shows that North Africa remained lush and green until about 5-6,000 years ago. Usually cites his conclusions without backing them up with any evidence whatsoever. Needs to rely on ice core samples from Greenland and Antarctica to support his claims about the Ice Age, many of whose particulars are in error. Obvious lack of knowledge about the development of cultures toward civilization 7-3,000 BC.

His writing style is atrocious. Most chapters are only a few pages, and often repeat the same material from previous ones over and over and over. The book is 212 pp. Had he fleshed out his chapters with hard, supporting data and eliminated the redundancy, it would have been a much better effort.

He's openly hostile toward religion. Odd, considering the emphasis placed on religion by Cro Magnon humans, whom he cites as being more intelligent than modern humans owing to their larger brain capacity. What did they know that he doesn't?!

This should be required reading for all high school students.Cogan's book solves a great many questions of the past. An outstanding and interesting book.

Mr. Cogan pierced through the great fog of human history. One can only hope that the world of academia will be open minded enough to give careful and unbiased consideration to every page in his book.

This book was written in a confusing and poorly written manner. The last chapters were especially dull and filled with a lot of psychological mumbo jumbo.

I have read this book with tears and satisfaction. I, too, am married to a woman who suffers from this terrible tragedy and have lived a similar life the author describes in this book. He has captured the utter sadness which can and does surround us all, hidden in the secret threats and tortured minds of many.

As I read this book the last numerouse years of mine, and my wifes life, came rushing back. The author has truely captured what it means to love another, to give whatever you have to give to see to it anothers life is changed for the better, to see to it the fear instilled by those who would hurt a child, and forever remain anonymous, are brought out into the open.

The courage of Diane, and her inner friends, is of the highest regard in my mind. Diane's determination, steadfastness and all around get-it-done attitude is, and will, help many lost children hidden inside so many grown women, to become free of their fear.

This book can help those locked inside to reach out with hope, to know they can trust, be free of the pain and live life with smiles.

You have the courage to read this book, your life will be changed, you will see others in a clearer light, you will believe.

For those who suffer now or have suffered in their life from the tragedy described here, this books lets you know there is help, caring, understanding, love and compassion. All you have to do is believe, let go the fears which keep the secrets hidden, which give the secrets power to silence, to see your abusers for what they really are, and become free at last.

My life has been and is changed by the text of the life this book reveals.

Great work.

I loved this book, from the beginning to the end, I never wanted to put it down. So many emotions, so many feelings, all at once, and I could feel too, the pain, the mental anguish of all those involved. I recommend this book for anyone going through sexual abuse feelings or past emotions hard to deal wtih. This is a wonderful recount of one person's love for another.

This book will no doubt infuriate the "politically correct" lobby but then the truth always hurts! Mr Brooke states how today's antilife, antifamily trends are, together with the popularity of various occult, New Age practices paving the way for the coming of the Antichrist! I find Tal's ideas on the sanctity of human life and the family refreshing. No doubt many readers will think him terribly old-fashioned but have radical feminism and the permissive society really brought people happiness? However I do feel he should show more compassion to women who have had abortions and to homosexuals (without condoning their actions). This is the only thing that stops me from giving the book 5 stars.

I came across this book at a New Age convention in LA. I had delved into New Age religion for 3-4 years, even seeking a spirit guide, with the caveat however that JC the Boss's Son must approve thereof. Silly me, I thought Christian and New Age beliefs were compatible. Erroneous. Actually Frank Peretti's book This Present Darkness gave me some qualms but this book was the clincher, taking a more systematic and logical approach to debunk new age beliefs. A must read for those blessed with a tolerance for large vocabulary. The author was a former New Age disciple.

I owe Tal Brooke a tremendous debt for writing this book. Because of it, I have been set free from some really bad things and been given life like I _never_ could have imagined! If you can find a copy of this book, I really encourage you to read it and be blessed by it! I read it about 12 years ago and I'm still benefiting!

Appleby's book demonstrates that the ascendancy of the Jeffersonian Republicans in 1800 was in itself perhaps as revolutionary as the War for Independence. The classical republican ideas of rule by virtuous elites, adherence to tradition, deference to superiors, etc all subscribed to by the Federalists were attacked as being contradictory with the aims of the Revolution.

Appleby argues very persuasively that the rise of market relations was also very destabilizing to hierarchical social and economic relations. Throughout the 18th century the idea that an economic system in which individuals acted in their own self-interest would yield a result most beneficial to the greater public gained widespread hearings. In the Republican view such a system required property-owning men free from such restraints as tariffs, excise taxes, and any other market interferences which was contrary to the mercantilist ideas of the Federalists.

The French Revolution was a catalyst in the formation of Republican political societies in the 1790s where Federalist policies were roundly attacked. Even the successful prosecution of several Republican newspaper editors under the Federalist-backed Sedition Act of 1798 could not stem the attacks on Federalist ideas of privilege and elite control. The author contends that the rise of the Republicans was nothing less than the triumph of an idea of the essential equality of all men.

The commercial enterprise in which most colonials were engaged was the production of foodstuffs for the European market. Other enterprises arose to support this increased production by farmers. This very short book ends with the election of 1800 before the rise of industrialism and such distinctions as employer versus employee. A concluding chapter would have been most welcome that addressed the Republican response to a more complex economic world. I did enjoy the book but I do believe that not examinig its ideas in the context of the 19th century is a shortcoming.

This study showed a new liberalism that developed at the begining of the American Republic.Ms.Applby shows how the Jeffersonian Republicans rejected the old"country party" ideology of their English ancestors and developed a more libertarian and socially liberal view of society.She shows how the Republicans rejected the old ideas of order,deference,and class that shaped colonial society.She also points out how the Jeffesonians rejection of mercantilism began an "american" ideal of free trade,low taxes and sufferage for the common man.The study points out how the Jeffersonians combining of diverse elements:merchants,tradesmen,and wealthy plantation owners were bound not by an egalitarian ideal of equality,by by an ideal of equality of opportunity within the new american nation.Overall an excellent study.

Jeffersonian democratic faith was sabotaged by the Second Great Awakening and by an unparallel industrial growth: the Awakening cut dry the secular faith in human order and the industrial growth further divided workers from employers. This is what Joyce Appleby nostalgically perceived that happened after the glorious victory of American new Republicanism powerfully emerged in 1800. Her attempt to jointly explain the economic and ideological transformation experienced in the U. S. at the turn of the century have the tendency to present the two opposing political orientations as highly cohesive in themselves. In 1790s the Federalists defended the traditional concept of society of distrust in the human being in which laws are to maintain a certain social order and in which virtue was the quality of unselfish concern for community. The Jeffersonians, in the other hand, promoted the idea of limiting government and engendering egalitarian goals. One of Appleby's main contributions is the idea that the Jeffersonians were open to economic development. Indeed, economic development and political democracy complemented and reinforced each other.

Appleby's assertion rejects traditional American history. Advanced economic development has usually been portrayed as encouraged by the elitist Federalist Party for the benefit of a small socio-economic elite. The democratic Jeffersonian Republicans, on the other hand, have traditionally been identified as agrarians and as inheritors of an English country tradition. It is against this backdrop of historiography that Appleby's works makes more sense and appears to contribute. To make her point forcibly understood, Appleby make it clear that Englishmen did not "travel lightly" when they left their English ports toward America. They carried with them the ideas of a conservative society. The ideas that motivated colonial leaders were ancient ones going back to classical texts of politics. Classical theory emphasized the fragility of society; that society was composed by the talented few and the ordinary many. Appleby asserts that there were indications of strong Europeanization: to lose one's access to property at a time of rising land prices and the consequently breach among classes. And it was not until their idea of being an Englishman differed from the one held in Britain than Americans were forced to defined theirs separately. Their idea of an unselfish virtuous man evolved into the concept of self-interest benefiting society by the natural balance of collective interest. The advanced ideas of free trade that would provide the foundation for American capitalism were at the base of this Jeffersonian utopia too. Undoubtedly, Appleby's book reflects a movement against the fascination of modern liberals for the civic unselfishness of Classical Republicans.

Despite Appleby's well-organized lines of arguments, even the non-expert may notice some inconsistencies. First, the reader may be struck by the ideological (and emotional) unity Federalist had in 1790s, as presented by Appleby. How could a politicized group of leaders felt completely pessimistic about the future of their new nation at once? My understanding of James Madison's attitude toward the future was not a bright one. He believed that excess of population would lead to large numbers of poor landless, and this does not seem to compliment Appleby's Jeffersonian positivism. Secondly, even Jeffersonian positivism was not monolithic since John Taylor of Caroline was fearful of the minority self-interests. Thirdly, Jeffersonian strong opposition against the national bank and to the growth of national economy is not convincingly reconciled with their acceptance of national capitalism in Appleby's book.

Mr. Cossman probably inteaded this book to help others on the road of financial prosperity through a home based mail order business. However he falls well short by only going into little detail on many areas instead of great detail in some areas. If you are looking for a wonderful motivation tool than this book is for you. However, if you are looking to make a million I suggest you purchase something else.

E.J. Cossman's book is part of my support system and changed my life for the better. E. Joseph Cossman advice helped me to go from debt to success (out of debt) in less than 3 years. The book contains advice to help anyone. The advice is not limited to mailorder, and applicable to all businesses and professions. Yes, your job can benefit from the advice. Don't be afraid to invest in this book and use the advice to help yourself from debt to success. Sounds like a good title for a book.

All the best, Franklin

I work a lot with new businesses. In fact, that has been a ministry of mine for the past twenty years. This book is the book I recommend or out right give to anyone who is just starting out in business. Just the first chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Those who have sour grapes concerning this book are just ignorant. My father used these same principles to start a successful catering truck business that lasted until he was too old to do it anymore. So, what he has to say REALLY, REALLY works! The book is cheap, gives good advice and is funny as well. What more could anyone ask for? BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!! You won't be sorry!

I found this book to have a lot of advice that is mostly common sense stuff and I didn't really learn anything from it. My first child will be 14 1/2 months old when the new baby is born and this book doesn't give any usefull information for that age difference. I also didn't care too much for the way it is put together. It is sort of like a collection of thoughts strung together and called a book. Unfortunately there isn't much out there on this subject but if you are having a second child and just want to read everything you can about it, especially if your first child will be over 3 when the new baby comes then go ahead and get this book.

I bought this book anticipating some great hints, knowledge or insight into having our second child and preparing our first for that event. In my view, I felt the book was a waste of my time. I have read various articles, whether online or in magazine print about preparing for a second child, and this book was a disappointment--no great insights, and most of the material was based on common sense. Hopefully, one of the other books on the topic will be a better read.

What is great about this book is that it covers pregnancy and the time after birth equally well. I wish that I had had some of the advice earlier, but the book would be worthwhile even for just the second half. It was especially helpful to have a guide to how to handle some of the really tough times we had with our 3 1/2 yr. old when the baby was about six months old. Highly recommended!

Though this book is, on the whole, a useful one, it doesn't take a glimpse at the author's bio to quickly realize she is no classicist. How else can one explain two elementary errors back-to-back which, even to this amateur Roman historian, are as prominent as two sore thumbs?

On page 36 (Chapter 2, "The City" subsection) the author asserts Polybius "wrote circa 200 B.C." Why? Because those who claim he was BORN at that time are only making "scholarly estimates" (according to my "Polybius on Roman Imperialism")? Or because Salisbury breezily, and in this case incorrectly, assumed that Polybius was a contemporary of the events he most famously chronicled (an assumption that fails to hold for most Roman historical sources; cf. Suetonius, Tacitus)?

Similarly, a mere three paragraphs down, Salisbury claims Hannibal "crossed the Alps with his elephants and succeeded in laying siege to the city of Rome itself." I'd be prompted to ask "Why?" again if in this case the real reason weren't so blatant: Salisbury fliply read a history of the 2nd Punic War and just assumed that at the high-tide of his success Hannibal must have laid siege "to the city of Rome itself". This assertion is no more true than the Polybius one. In "Warfare in Antiquity" by Hans Delbruck (just one source where this can be found), the author states that Hannibal was so aware of his deficiencies in manpower and siege equipment that he knew "despite the greatest victories, he would not be capable of besieging and capturing Rome itself" (Chapter II).

I may seem to nitpick, but the errors I cited above are fundamental and have no place in a scholarly work, even if they are somewhat tangential to the book's main topic. I hope that in a future edition they will be corrected.

"Perpetua's Passion: The Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman" is the story of Perpetua, a young Roman Christian who was martyred in 203 A.D. It is a book well worth reading...but it is also missing something.

I found Perpetua's Passion to be very well written and apparently well researched. Joyce E. Salisbury adeptly explores and explains the Roman and Carthaginian culture that Perpetua lived in. Mrs. Salisbury also seamlessly weaves into this tapestry a compelling picture of the Christian Church during the time of these events.

The book is based off of the diary that Perpetua kept during her captivity. Mrs. Salisbury explains the significance of Perpetua's actions in light of the culture of her day. She then shows the influence of Perpetua's story on the later Church.

All of this is very commendable. I was most impressed by the scholarship and insight of this book. Yet a question forms within me when I contemplate this book:

So what? Where is the heart in this book? There is nothing in this book which says anything about how these events speak to the soul of people today. Maybe I missed it...

What happened to Perpetua was more than a clinical historical event that affected the people immediately around her and eventually helped form certain patterns of thought within the Church. It was much more. It was a mortal being making an eternal statement. It was a moment in time where the Christian truth that there is more than this life was given a full embodiment in the actions of a young woman--A young woman who had every reason to live, yet for her, to die was gain. It was a moment of ultimate surrender, and at the same time, one of ultimate victory. The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church!

In the end, in spite of my objection, I recommend this book. It is insightful and instructive. However, don't just read this book with your head. Approach this one with your heart and your soul.

In Perpetua's Passion, Salisbury has served two different communities very well---those interested in early Christianity, and those interested in the history of women. She deftly creates a sociology of life in a group of early Christian martyrs, and does so in a way that makes very clear family relations, gender roles, and the strength of Vibia Perpetua herself. I have used this book when teaching a course on ancient & medieval women (and will do so again), and found that it worked very well. Students found it readable and useful and thought-provoking.

Well, this work is certainly comprehensive, not to say exhaustive, so I give it three stars in deference to that. However, this is a recent piece of history writing, and it really doesn't show. Like the many 19th century histories you can find at your local library, Sire's book is conspicuously lacking in distance from the subject. He frequently displays a partisanship (I think) unsuitable for a historian, lacing his writing with condemnation of the "dishonorable" actions of the French knights and the paints a winning portrait of the SPanish. (I am particularly thinking of the section on Juan de Homedes, 1550's.) He presents his arguement as a 'debunking' of de Homedes' bad press, but never really addresses the issue. In short, I think the author is more interested in dreaming of the days of chivalry than seriously re-examining the controvertial role of the Knights.

In 1096, when the first Crusaders arrived in Jerusalem, they discovered the Hospital of St. John, which healed the wounds of the heroic knights. It would be this encounter that led the hospitallers to rally around their leader Brother Gerard de Saxo and created the Order of St. John. The knights returned to Europe, but they never forgot the kindness of the hospital that healed their wounded. After the first Crusade, the Order grew in importance and received many appreciative donations that helped solidify the future for the Order. The activities of the Order of St. John throughout its history assumed the role as the defenders of Christianity. The Order gained importance and power because the knights of the order fought bravely against the vigorous Islamic world. The knights defended the Holy Land for a long time, but were finally expelled at their last stronghold at Acre in 1291. The Order of St. John moved to Cyprus for fifteen years, then Rhodes, and lastly Malta.

If you are going to read Bradford's The Great Siege: Malta 1565, I would highly recommend that you read something on the Knights of Malta and their origins (this book would be a good choice). I give the book four stars because I really enjoyed reading Attard's Knights of Malta than this particular book. Perhaps, it was the trendy front over, the fewer pages, the comfortable feeling folding the pages or his better storytelling of the Great Siege in my opinion.

An excellent scholarly account of the Knights of St. John, Rhodes, and Malta. Very well researched, and I found the writing interesting and exciting, although others may find it tough to slog through. Absolutely the definitive work on the order.