Governments

It's amazing,
after how many years people ( dreamers ) finally understod that the sandinista revolution in nicaragua was an marxist revolution.
And this is what Czarkowski Robert describes in that book.

Recuerdo estos tiempos cuando la gente tenia miedo o no les convenia decir lo que realmente ocurria en Nicaragua bajo la dictadura del FSLN.Este libro fue uno d elos primeros que abrio los ojos a todos ,tambien a estos...que no querian ver .

I remember the times when the people did not want to see what was inreality going on in Nicaragua under the dicatorship of saninista regime(FSLN).This book open up the eyes of all.
Great book.

Un libro muy interesante e educativo Interesting and educative book

Dirk Chase Eldredge's "Ending the War on Drugs" is a powerful and persuasive book that argues that America's war on drugs has been an abysmal failure and should be ended as soon as possible. The author's message has a certain edginess in that he is one of a small but albeit growing number of Republicans who are weighing in against the drug war. Of particular note, Eldredge was co-chairman for the California Gubernatorial campaign of Ronald Reagan, who was perhaps the nation's most vocal drug warrior. Yet there wasn't a single word in this book that I could disagree with.

Eldredge is encouraging us to act like grown-ups and provide the caring and compassion that drug abusers need. Through the use of numerous statistics that are supplemented by some interesting anecdotes, the author overwhelmingly shows that interdiction has failed. The bottom line is that illegal drugs remain readilly available to those who seek them. But their illegal status has proven to be a boon to the drug lords, street gangs and other undesirable elements -- including Afghan terrorists, as we have recently learned -- who are attracted to the promise of quick and (usually) easy profits.

Edlredge contends that de-criminalization will swiftly take away the profit motive and bust up the drug gangs, both here at home and in places like Columbia and Mexico. Safer streets will enhance the quality of life for our citizens and no doubt help stablize the governments of countries where drug lords are nearly as powerful as the state. And for the user, government distribution will ensure a safer supply of drugs and, importantly, provide the drug user with a point of contact who could arrange treatment, should it ever be requested.

Eldredge's discussion of the nuances of how the anti-drug laws should be changed and the types of programs that need to be implemented show that he has spent a fair amount of time carefully considering the issue. But Eldredge takes care to critique the drug war in terms familiar to most Conservatives: as an example of wasteful government spending. If criminalizing drugs is not working as a deterrent to behavior patterns, and if it does not suppress the supply, then the government should logically search for alternative solutions where it may be able to get a better return on its investments.

One hopes that the mature message found in this book will be heeded by a growing number of policy makers. I encourage you to read it and to join the growing number of Americans who think that sanity and clarity of purpose should rightly replace the current state of insanity and corruption that unfortunately characterizes our country's current drug war strategy.

The most knowledge packed 200 pages on Drug War circumstance I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in politics and especially on the War on Drugs. The author is incitive and extraordinarly objective in his discussion. I read the book in one sitting and immediately searched to find more books by Eldredge. Though an ex Reagan man (campaign for CA governor) his views show a fairly liberal view on the topic, far away from any Reagan stereotypes. Too much good to discuss here, just read it!

Mr. Eldridge presents us with a very well writen critiqe of our nations stance against drugs. The book is full of insight into ways that the war on drugs can be put to better use. anyone interested in drug public policy should read this book.

Rarely has a non-fiction book riveted me this much. Excellent Cadavers is a story so amazing that it would seem to be the invention of a European social novelist extraordinaire. Shockingly, every word that journalist and writer Alexander Stille puts to paper is tragically true. It is the story of Italy, a beautiful and legendary part of post-war Western Europe. Home to the Vatican, of the Renaissance, and some of the most extraordinary artisans and writers in all of western history, Italy seemed relatively well suited to succeed after World War II. However, these dreams were quickly snuffed out by an organization that would use any means necessary to protect their vast international criminal empire, which brought in millions upon millions of dollars. This book tells the story of this group of murderous thugs that managed to corrupt an entire country, effectively creating a shadow government, which enabled them to profit from the hard working taxpaying citizens. It is also the story of two men who decided that it had gone far enough, and they, with the help of a precious few band of brave men, would cure the cancer that had afflicted their country and province for the better part of a century.

The group of course was Cosa Nostra, a shadowy group of professional criminals that formed a tightly knit family of crime. Their ranks were highly structured, with bosses, captains, and soldiers. Originating from the violent land of Sicily, La Cosa Nostra quickly took advantage of the turbulent world of Italian politics and the rising worldwide narcotics trade. Their access to narcotics gave them almost limitless wealth, which enabled them to bribe and corrupt whole swaths of the Italian government and the justice system. Judges, prosecutors, police chiefs, ministers, and even governors were not safe from the mafia's reach, as they would kill literally anyone to make sure everyone else followed orders. Soon, mafia wars sprung up, where hundreds upon hundreds of people would be killed. The narcotics fueled group spread to every city in Italy and even into Europe. The mafia was allied with the Gambino and Genovese crime families of New York, the Asian triad gangs, and the Colombian cartels. Their power was limitless, and few dared challenge them. As the 1980's progressed, and thousands were killed, two prosecutors, Giovanni Falcone and Paulo Borsellino, took up the challenge.

Falcone and Borsellino were not just fighting against the mafia, they were fighting against a society where organized crime was a way of life. Many of their superiors did not want to rock the boat and constantly impeded the work of the two prosecutors. At the same time, the two men were under constant death threats, as the mafia sought to kill both them and their entire families. Even with these obstacles, Falcone and Borsellino managed to bring many mafia chieftains and soldiers to trial. Surprisingly, they were initially successful, sending thousands of them to prison. However, the wheels of corruption quickly turned, releasing many of the prisoners and destroying Falcones reputation. At the same time, the infamous boss of bosses, Toto Riina, consolidated the entire Sicilian organization by murdering anyone who stood in his way. Soon, the violence and political changes forced the government to make changes. However, the only real change came when both Falcone and Borsellino were tragically murdered. Then, the people rose up and demanded justice. Soon, most of the government had been thrown out, and thousands of mobsters found themselves in jail for life. It was too late for Falcone and Borsellino, but they triumphed in death.

Stille provides just an amazing amount of knowledge as he deftly narrates an amazing range of crime and politics. It really is a general history of Italy at the time, with many different mentions of Italian society, politics, and economics. The differences between Northern Italy and Southern Italy are explained, as is the maddening bureaucratic nightmare that is European socialism. Millions of taxpayer dollars disappeared into a black hole of corruption and incompetence, and the voters had little power to do anything about it. Stille provides a great history, and one of the best examples of personal bravery I have ever read.

This book is great read. very informitive, If your interrest lies in the American Mafia then this is a great insight into the rest of the family. hard and cold and deadly "men of honor". you get to see them for what they really are. Personal terrorists. The true hero's being Giovanni Falcone, paolo Borsellino and the sicillian people.

Mr Stills makes it all easy to understand and feel the tenison that must swirl in the very air of Sicily. My admiration goes out to those involved in this strugle. and to Alexander Stille for recording it so well.

A totally first rate work of reporting and writing. stille's book never drowns in its detail, but remains readable and informative, even for someone who doesn't know the ins and outs of italian politics. he really brings anti-mafia investigators borsellino and falcone alive, and comes as close as anyone can to trying to explain what drives former prime minister andreotti. if you are interested in italy, this is a great historical document. if you aren't, treat it as a great crime thriller, except that it's all true.

This is the first Sarah Andrews mystery I've read, starring main character Em Hansen, Forensic Geologist. I loved it so much that I'm planning to go out and buy every book of Sarah Andrew's that I can get my hands on !

The book takes place in heavily faulted Salt Lake City. Geologist (and informal investigator-in-training) 35-year-old Em Hansen is shaken awake about 4 AM by an approximate 5.3-level earthquake. She gets caught up in the two murder investigations of a geologist and a reporter who are out to expose earthquake damage in public structures, but which developers want covered up. Furthermore, we are drawn far into the Mormon world, and society, of Salt Lake City. Along the way, we also learn a lot of interesting science and geology. If you enjoy science at all, you will LOVE this whole mystery series.

I absolutely loved the main character. She has a lot of interesting friends, and an interesting, but very realistic life. In addition to this mystery, this author has a lot to say about life (through what her characters are experiencing) and gives her readers a lot to chew on.

I'm going to have to buy the next book in the series because I'm dying to find out what happens next to detective geologist Em Hansen, particularly her love life, and I'm not normally a fan of romances. But detective Em is very likeable and the reader cares about her, and there are a couple of very interesting men in her life as the book ends.

In this mystery, Em's relationship with her boyfriend, Mormon policeman Ray, is in difficulty from the get-go. Em is not Mormon and his family is not so happy about their relationship. Then there's Emma's career -- another problem area, since she isn't actually employed (she does some temping to supplement her dwindling savings). She moved to Salt Lake City to be near her boyfriend, but has been unable to find a job.

To top it off, there's this earthquake (in the first chapter), and Em begins to suspect that some of the buildings in Salt Lake City are going to collapse if a really big earthquake hits. How is it that the authorities allowed them to be built?

Then there's the murder of a state geologist -- is it related to the earthquake or politics or both? Em gets involved in trying to discover who killed her, even as she tries to sort out her troubled relationship with her boyfriend and his family.

If I have any criticisms of the book, it is that you might end up knowing more about earthquakes and fault lines than you want to -- but you will learn quite a bit on the subject, and quite a bit about Salt Lake City and Mormons.

All in all, an entertaining, amusing, engaging, "can't put down" book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

The timing of this latest Em Hansen mystery makes the novel already dated but no less enjoyable for that. When a moderate 5.2 earthquake hits Salt Lake City weeks before this year's Winter Olympic Games, the local geologists, including Hansen, get excited. But when the Utah State geologist is murdered, the FBI recruits Hansen to look into the geological state of things. Coping with chronic underemployment and a rocky romance with her Mormon cop boyfriend, Hansen jumps at the chance.

Reviewing maps and tramping the terrain, Hansen discovers that her newly adopted city is riddled with faults, which the city fathers have virtually ignored. Between complacency and corruption, numerous public venues - from housing developments and malls to the spanking new stadium where the Olympics' opening ceremonies are scheduled - sit precariously on fault lines.

The murder investigation parallels Andrews' dire exploration of earthquake inevitability and its devastating effects on an unprepared populace. Greed, politics and religion wrestle with science in a story as much exposé as mystery. An engaging and forthright protagonist, Hansen's narration is interspersed with other viewpoints - a corporate villain, his trained construction geologist and an ambitious newspaper reporter among others - which heightens the suspense and the novel's scope.

Like Robin Grunder's (New York, New York March 1999) review I just saw on this page, I had read this book (from my church library, no less!) when I was about 10-12 years old. I fell in love with it, and it left a marked impression upon me. Sort of "Cinderella at a whole 'nother level." But as a teenager I could not find the book anywhere. As a young adult, I would revert back to childhood books in times of stress (Madeleine L'Engle, Carolyne Keene) and looked for Eleanor's "Glass Slipper" many times to no avail. Then, in my late 30's, when Internet searching became all the rage, I one evening put the title in a search engine and VIOLA! There were several used (collectible) hardback copies available through Amazon.com! ... but I have my used 'library' copy and I'm ecstatic. I'll pass this on to my child's children, who will hopefully love reading as much as I do.

you can not give this book enough stars. this book brings cinderella to the next level very tastefully. thank you to the author for this teenage level.

The book is very good story. The author has done a very good job of telling the story. I have readed this book since 6th grade and now I'm first year in college. I have enjoy this book every time I read it. I recommend it to every one.

Not only would I highly recommend this as a great coffee table gift book, but it's also a fantastic resource for 'history lessons' and how they relate to contemporary America. It's a great conversation starter as well. Especially interesting to me was some of the quotes and documentation related to the founding of our nation's top Ivy League universities. The publisher's web site is another terrific related resource. Read. Enjoy. Give.

American Destiny: God's Role in America is an inspirational quote book like no other. It motivates the reader to investigate and understand our American forefather's true vision in founding our Constitutional Republic.

Even though it is part of American history, the strong faith of our Nation's Founding Fathers is unfortunately absent from many educational programs today. This handy book offers a welcome introduction to the inspiration and motivation of our Founding Fathers, and anyone interested in history will appreciate it.

This book was recommended to me by my academic advisor, as it is considered an important and influential treatise on the subject of Native American education. David Wallace Adams, in his groundbreaking book, "Education for Extinction: American Indians and the Boarding School Experience, 1875-1928," shows how the case for education was made. First, Euro-Americans believed that the older generation of Indians was incapable of becoming civilized and were too attached to their old ways to change. The youthfulness of Indian children meant they could still be saved.

Secondly, education quickened the process of cultural evolution from savagism to civilization. Isolating the children, many felt, would help to reduce the influence of their tribes and their traditional cultures. Lastly, education helped prepare the Indians for self-sufficiency.

I really enjoy this book as it is extremely well written. Adams, unlike some historians, did not use too many jargons and his writing is easy to understand. Adams also provided background information for readers who are not proficient in this subject matter. In addition, "Education for Extinction" was heavily researched and well-documented.

A fascinating -- and heartbreaking -- look at the cultural devastation ensuing from the efforts of many well-meaning educators intent on "civilizing" Native Americans. Beautifully written, thoughtful, and thought-provoking, this book is a splendid and welcome examination of one of our contry's most shameful episodes.

I chose to read this text for a special assignment for a graduate level curriculum overview course. This book takes one through the historical journey of how American Indians came to be apart of the U.S. colossal education system. American Indian education is the only Federal education system model that exits. With the push for more Federal leadership in schools due to No Child Left Behind legislation, this book can help future (and current) educators scrutinize how successful the federal government has been in the past and present in implementing a standardized education system.

Whether your interest is due to academic reasons or personal interests, I highly recommend this book. The book is divided into four parts: Civilization; Education; Response; and Causatum. Chapter five entitled "Classroom" describes the evolution of the 'standard' curriculum that was decided to be the best/most successful for American Indian children. This curriculum mainly had its birth at the Carlisle Industrial Indian School in Carlisle, PA. That school became a model for the several off reservation boarding schools that were to follow.

Adams' research for his text is extremely thorough. Many times American Indians are currently worried when they see texts that have an anthropology 'feel' about them. This text uses many primary sources such as actual letters from the students at schools and excerpts from actual conversations between teachers and children, their parents, and school administrators. Such as this excerpt from Irene Stewart, "...By the time I graduated from the sixth grade I was a well-trained worker...By evening I was too tired to play and just fell asleep wherever I sat down. I think this is why the boys and girls ran away from school; why some became ill; why it was so hard to learn. We were too tired to study." (p. 153). What is great about his writing is that one is not lost in a lot of elitist research style prose. He is able to incorporate his research in a way to make it easily readable and almost in a story like fashion. Lastly, I really appreciated how he tried to incorporate a balanced portrayal of Indian Education when appropriate. By this I mean to say, that Adams is sure to include vignettes and commentaries to show that not all Non-Indians of the time wished to eradicate the 'Indians' and, like today, many Non-Indians have an earnest interest in the true success - however it may be defined - for American Indian children.

I hope you find this book as helpful and interesting as I did.

Of course, Luther and Calvin account for the majority of the reformation, and the O'Donovon's do a fine job of bringing them to life (as much as one can say that about Calvin). However, this text makes references to Anabaptists without giving them 'equal time.' Of course, they should not expect this pacifist and somewhat isolationist sect to raise a stink over being left out (in fact they would probably be in favor of maintaining a low profile), but it is intellectually incomplete. What is there, however, is excellent.

This collection truly is indispensable to anyone interested in the Christian tradition of political theology. A vast array of sources-many of which are quite inconvenient to obtain-are placed at the fingertips of anyone interested. Additionally, the authors distinguish their collection with numerous erudite, probing essays preceding each collection and author. These not only provide historical context but also the outlines of modern scholarly debate. Also, for further reference, bibliographies are concluded. In a word, it is a 'sourcebook' par excellance.

There are omissions, as is the case with all collections; however, this does not detract from the overall utility of the collection.

Oliver O'Donovan, a Brit, and Joan Lockwood O'Donovan, born and raised a Canuck, of Christ Church College, Oxford, do a tremendous service to our understanding of the West's pre-Enlightenment constitutional tradition.

Political theorists and philosophers seemed to suffer an epidemic of historical and philosophical amnesia beginning about the 17th century with Hobbes, Locke, et al. Although their writings clearly rely on some sixteen centuries of thought with respect to political authority in the Christian tradition, 17th-c. theorists and on give little hint of the extent of their claiming the ideas of "dual (or plural) authority" and the rule of law as developed in western Christendom.

With selected excerpts from early church father Irenaeus to father of modern constitutionalism Grotius, the O'Donovans trace this development from an early church in tension (and persecution) with the sacralist Roman state; through the power struggles between church and imperial, and church and feudal authorities; and the development of Lutheran and Calvinist theories of resistance vis a vis 16th-c. absolutist theories of the divine right of kings.

Far from its being an invention or child of the Enlightenment, the O'Donovans make clear the West's tradition of plural authority and consitutionalism was delivered to Enlightenment theorists as a mature creature which continues to inform and instruct Western constitutional thought to the present, albeit far too little.

This is a clear, amusing and readable account of how Joan Darrah went from being a volunteer leader to become the mayor of Stockton, CA. Her engaging style makes it seem both doable and worthwhile. She recounts how much she was able to do by diplomacy and persuasion to dramatically reduce crime in the city and to take control of the city's development away from the developers and give it back to the people. Inspiring. And she is so likable. You end up feeling as though you have just had a good talk with a fine mentor. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone concerned about civic affairs.

Women working in the political arena, whether as politicians, activists, or in a myriad of other areas, struggle with finding traveled paths relevant to their goals. What Joan Darrah has ratified is that our desires to be agents for positive change in our communities are worthy and that a path has been traveled. GETTING POLITICAL - STORIES OF A WOMAN MAYOR recounts her experiences as Mayor of Stockton, CA that led to a resurgence of community pride in her city and tremendous personal growth for herself. Darrah's book is a candid, intimate, and inspiring look at a woman successfully putting herself "out there." The community Joan speaks of is 250,000 but the experiences of a woman leading are universal to all that have chosen to put their foot forward. A must read for women that have been there and those that want to go.

Joan Darrah presents us with a remarkable testament of one strong woman's effort to change the political terrain of a community of 250,000, Stockton California. She succeeds.

Why wasn't there a book forty years ago when I was in college like this book? It is a real political primer, one which in real life stories, detail the evolution of a woman from a non-profit type leader to a shrewd politician.

Episode after episode detail the daunting challenges of Stockton in the nineties: the drowning of several children by the out of control Calaveras River, the disastrous designation of Stockton by FEMA as being in a flood plain--it could have been an economic calamity for Stockton, and the tragic shooting of a property owner and a policman in a drug raid.

Nothing could probably overshadow the horror of the lone gunman who shot to death several students at their school. How does a relative newcomer handle such awesome challenges? Joan Darrah does and jumps back and forth successfully from being the loving caretaker to the shrewd politician.

One incident, however, enfolds into a huge drama with the mayor pitted against powerful gambling interests as well as the city council. Her move to get the entire community to vote and drive the gambling interests out of town, is nothing short of exciting.

The style of the book moves you along. If a detail here or there doesn't appeal, right away you will find yourself in the middle of new and even more absorbing story.

And you are learning. This story could be the story of just about any modern city in this country with a multitude of challenges. And the book tells us how Mayor Darrah's wonderful patience and courage change things for the better.

There is the colorful story at the end of the book of how ships brought men from San Francisco, bound for the hills during the Gold Rush, right into the deep water port of Stockton, where they disembarked and set off by horse or mule into the foot hills.

Joan Darrah is the first person in a half century of efforts to successfully launch the re-vitalization of this downtown area.

If the facts don't fascinate at times, then the biographical aspects of the book will have appeal. A determined girl, promoted by a high energy dad and a loving mom, Joan presents us right away with a young person with much promise. Yet, in retrospect, Joan's marriage to a fifth generation attorney from a prominent Stockton family might have been the best choice to nail down her long term possibilities of a political career.

Linking with the right people is demonstrated over and over, and Joan's affirming these persons' special contributions is a clear key to a politician's success.

In a further bigraphical vein, Joan must be incredibly proud of her high achieving three children. They are contributors in the best possible sense of the term. Joan combines the best aspects of being a mom and wife with the conviction of being the best possible mayor.

Rauch's book exposes the sad truth about interest groups and their impact on the federal government.

He makes two basic arguments. First, that each interest group is only concerned about their survival and prosperity. And second, that the federal governemnt in unable to get rid of these groups due to their expansive powers as a whole. The fed he says is unable to fight these groups because there are too many to fight at once and because so many of these groups have powerful friends on the other two rungs of the iron triangle.

The consequences of these actions is that the federal government is forced to fund outdated/ineffective organizations that do no good for the public. Also, worthwhile programs are under-funded. And lastly, the problems that have yet to be addressed have a small chance of being solved because too much of our resources are spent on these entrenched dinosaurs.

I recommend this book to anyone trying to learn about what's really going on in the federal government beneath the non-analytical levels of todays news reports. Rauch provides many examples to back up his claim but doesn't get bogged down in political/economic jargon. The only critique I have abotu the book is that he tends to repeat his sub-arguments a little too much but it may help in underscoring the main points to his claim as a whole.

If you're trying to understand why the federal government is deaf to the needs of its citizens, this book will tell you why. Further, if there is any question why John McCain strikes such a chord with the American people, the answer will be found in here. Yes, the economy is doing great (and the polls say Americans agree). Yes, our position in the world is dominant (and Americans agree). But when it comes to the performance of the government, you can see the vein bulging on the average American's forehead. Washington has "stopped working," in Mr. Rauch's words and in his book, he explains why. The culprit is an explosion of special interests who seek to exploit political and finiancial gain from our nation's capital. The myth of the "national interest" has been quietly put to rest. In its place is the roar of special interests who sap the nation's economy, stifle legislation, and stir public cynicism. Mr. Rauch is a bit too cynical about the prospects for reform; I do not share his belief that government has "ended." Hopefully, the next generation of political leaders, heeding Rauch's warning, will prove him wrong.

It is hard to express how good a job Rauch does at putting forward his view of Wahington. He paints a vivid, believeable, coherent picture; he is fair-minded and nonjudgmental to a fault (truly - he is much too kind to many people); his pronouncements on, and advice for the future are measured and realistic, and not completely unconvincing; and on top of this the book reads very quickly. Greider's "Who Will Tell the People" is comparable in message, but, while very well done, that much larger book fails to present as clear a testament to what has happened to Washington in the last 40 years. Though people who are interested in politics should already have come to grips with Rauch's thesis, the fact is that most have not, while the average, relatively apolitical American would no doubt find this book quite an eye-opener. As the other reviewers note, Rauch is a consistently fine writer; here is a good place place to start reading.