Governments

Ray Scheele does a wonderful job of capturing the life of Larry Conrad, a true public servant. The reader is left wishing that all our elected officials embodied the same qualities that Conrad did, regardless of political affiliation.

This is an outstanding account of the life of one of the thousands of Americans whose public service nurishes and sustains the nation. Raymond Scheel has not only captured the contributions of a good and effective local and state leader, Larry Conrad, but he also places Conrad in context and makes clear why such men are important. Scheele has mastered an impressive amount of material, including extensive personal interviews. This book is an interpretation as well as an account of Conrad's lfe in crystal clear language.

...as is the second volume "Alone". How can anyone allow these books to be out of print? Manchester captures the sense and spirit of a bygone era better than any other historian I've ever read, with the possible exception of Barbara Tuchmann - and even then I'd say he's her equal. This volume speaks volumes about Winston Churchill and how he came to be what he was.

Manchesters biography of WSC is one of the greatest examples of historical biography I have ever read. This first volume effectively captures the age of WSCs upbringing in a way that cannot fail to illuminate and entertain.

This book methodically moves through Peter MacDonald's political life, but offers a biting criticism of the hypocritical nature of American politics. How can it be, MacDonald ask, that congressional people can do what I did, and NOT be held accountable for their actions? This compelling question is often repeated throughout the book & does deserve serious treatment by Indian and nonIndian scholars alike. MacDonald also eludes of "two standards of justice" for American politicians, an undisputed standard that is clearly separated by color! This book is essential reading for those interested in the rise and fall of a modern-day Indian leader and the compromises he has made to maintain his political life.

Great comprehensive look into the making of a Navajo leader. From Peter MacDonald's birth to his incarceration he wanted only to serve his people. The book is also a great historical look at the dynamics of Navajo tribal government and politics. He was truly a leader of his people who had the vision and the foresight to take on the "great" United States. Even 500 years plus, the U.S. is still taking down Indian leaders today! Write U.S. President Clinton for Peter MacDonald's release from federal prison today

The is a most impressive analysis of economic, political, social and cultural life in Latin America. This excellent book offers an holistic approach to understanding these changes, relating them to the wider processes of modernization and globalization. An international group of scholars with impressive credentials and from a wide range of disciplines attempt to contextualize their different disciplinary foci within a broad political economic approach that provides a critical yet balanced view and detailed analysis of the neoliberal policies pursued by almost all countries in the region. They contend that a new political economy is being contructed in Latin America, as national economies become radically reconstructed and transformed, democracy becomes the instituional norm, and new social arrangements are being created. The constestation and alternatives to this new global modernity are also explored. In sum, this excellent book fulfills a much needed market niche for students, scholars, and the educated avid reader, who require an interdisciplinary and contemporary approach to Latin American development.

Roberto Cabello-Argandona

Robert Gwynne and Cristobal Kay have put together an impressive and timely analysis of current trends in Latin American Development. The coverage of the countries of the region is excellent, as is that of their economic, political, and social trends...The range of issues raised and the quality of their documentation make this an excellent text for teaching and for research. Prof. Bryan Roberts, University of Texas at Austin

Excellent book, but know in advance that this book is heavily skewed toward legal topics and lawyer authors. While much of the legal writing is dense for lay readers, it is often well worth the effort. The selections authored by Margaret Montoya, Kevin Johnson, editor Richard Delgado, and non-attorney Gloria Anzaldua were the very best of this remarkably well-written anthology.

This book answers a lot of questions about the Latino culture, experience, past, present and future. Some essays tell stories, while others are plain facts. This book has about 670 pages, yet it is a fast and informative read where you can't put the book down. It is organized by section of topic and gives suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter. A good introductory to Latin American studies, historically, culturally, and sociologically. It gives a lot of information for the price, you will not regret buying this book.

Fenno takes an interesting perspective on the Republican's inability to lead the 104th Congress successfully. After being out of control of both branches of government for forty years, the Republicans were not adjusted to political leadership, that coupled with key (R) leaders unable to learn the art of compromise the (R) were doomed to fail. This book gives an interesting account of the structural and institutional factors that prevented the Republican congress from successful political leadership. A must read!

I read this book in an American Government class and learned a lot from it. It is quick to read and gives a very interesting analysis of the current political scene in Washington. It is especially interesting to read now that Newt Gingrich is no longer there, as this book talks about him extensively. I highly recommend this.

A masterpiece that descruibes the historical context and the motivations of the different groups that participated in the Lebanese civil war. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Lebanon, its 15year civil war, and some of the background behind the conflict in the Middle East.

The author describes the life and culture of lebanese people in a hystorical review. Objective book that explains the political situation in depth.

I have read this book and learned about San Francisco politics in a manner that could only be paralleled by an education at San Francisco State University. Highly informative and highly recommended.

If you are at all interested in the new role of cities in the global economy or San Francisco politics, this is the book to have. The most informative book on San Franicisco politics to date. Theoretically sophisticated and a readable case study at the same time

Anybody with any viewpoint whatsoever on the subject of the death penalty will want, and need, to review the hard anecdotes that are interspersed within this brief but wide-ranging overview. For those of you who oppose the death penalty on moral grounds, you will fine augmentation for the foundations of your feelings. For those who aren't sure but who are afraid that innocent people might be executed under an imperfect system, the authors provide you with frightening evidence that you're right. And for those looking toward a legislative reconsideration of the entire subject, the appendix is invaluable.

This book is outstanding in its analysis of this important issue. Particularly insightful is the work of editors (ghost writers?) Denis Gaynor and John McFarlane. Mssrs. Gaynor and McFarlane outline in glorious, living detail the horrors of a death penalty culture. Highly recommended.

Two to three thumbs up!

This biography is much more than an interesting story. Tony Cliff wrote it as a strategic political contribution when the left sorely needed guidance.

The only volume of this that you're likely to find is the first one, _Building the Party_. (The second and third ones are out of print, and the fourth one might not even exist.) Still, the first volume, covering Lenin's activity from 1893 to 1914, is more than good enough. This era is often ignored by academic studies of the Russian Revolution, but it is vitally important for the socialists of today.

Cliff, a founding member of the Socialist Workers Party in Britain, wrote this biography in the late '70s during a downturn in class struggle. By analyzing Lenin's dynamic party-building, Cliff and his comrades were able to use the downturn to their advantage, building cadres and affiliated groups in many countries. As a result, Cliff's International Socialist tendency survived, and grew stronger, after the '80s and the fall of the Stalinism, and now exists in over 20 nations.

Tony Cliff died early in 2000, and the leaders of IS groups around the world credit his guidance -- especially this book -- for building such a powerful, influential tendency under difficult circumstances. Today's socialists should read this biography not only to learn about their past, but to prepare for the future.

If you want to know the true story of Lenin and how he build the Bolshevik party, there is no better book than Tony Cliffs biography. Cliff examines closely how Lenin became a marxist and his struggle to build a strong revolutionary party. By reading this book it is clear, that Lenin wasn't a ruthless dictator, but a very intelligent man dedicated to the struggle for the rights of the working class in all countries, and that the politics of Lenin had NOTHING to do with the later terror regime developed during the Stalin period. An excellent book.