Governments

This book summarizes the landmark events and statements that enshrine the ideas and desires of freedom being the foundation of the Founding Fathers and the Citizens when creating America.
It shows that Freedom has always been the guiding light,particularly during times of internal strife or attack by foreign countries.It shows that there is no price that America would be unwilling to pay in defence of Freedom.
Although there is not an author to this book,Sterling has done a great job of putting this book together.Where else can you find these major addresses all in one book?
The speeches in this century by Wilson,The Roosevelts, Eisenhower,Kennedy,King,Johnson and Bush show that the concept of Freedom has been only strengthened by adversity and remains as strong as in the past.What other country compares?
The book is beautifully illustrated and even includes the words and music of several songs.
A reading of President Bush,s Address to Congress on September,20,2001;will show the determination that America will apply to the War on Terror.

This is an outstanding book that should be in the home of every American and read to every American child. It contains the thoughts and ideas that over the centuries has formed the American philosophy, and define what America is. It is next to impossible to find all these historic ideas in one volume, yet here they are, and in a comprehensive manner too.

Simple enough for a young person to read and understand (our ancestor's were great communicators), and interesting enough for adults to savor the meanings of the thoughts expressed. A brief summary places each passage in the context of its times, and the passages are word for word of the original.

This volume will also help non-Americans to understand the United States better, and the ideas that shaped it into the nation that it is today.

Highly recommended for all ages.

This is another boonie dog book review by Wolfie and Kansas. We are chicken-biting happy about "Let's Pave the Stupid Rainforests & Give School Teachers Stun Guns", a collection of essays by Ed Anger. Anger is a columnist for the Weekly World News, a newpaper that is a favorite of puppies everywhere.

Anger addresses many issues of importance to canines. On the issue of dog intelligence, he wisely concludes, "The more tricks a dog will do, the stupider he is." Under this theory, we boonie dogs are geniuses! Anger also recommends that Socks Clinton be defanged and declawed. In a courageous editiorial, Anger suggest testing veterinary medicines on humans rather than testing human medicines on dogs.

Occasiionally Anger misfires, as when he asserts that a certain noncanine actress of primate derivation has an IQ slightly higher than a dog. Perhaps such lapses are only satirical. On the whole Anger is one of the most canine-sensitive columnists writing today.

Ed shoots in all directions, at everyone, at once. Not to be confused with humorless lightweights like Rush Lumbago, Ed Anger's commentary is the funniest stuff I have read in years. Read the book closely enough and you are sure to find yourself mocked and castigated by Mr. Anger. Therefore, the book is NOT recommended for those lacking in the ability to laugh at oneself. I particularly recommend his proposal for a special Women's Driver's License (though I hardly agree with him)

Great read Dr. Borst leads you down the correct path, give you reasons why we are losing our very soul as country.

I found this book to be informative,and well-written. It exposes the narrow-minded thinking of the typical liberal on issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, multiculturalism, feminism and even exposes the liberal poison that has infected some of the Catholic way of thinking. It even critically asses the role of Rush Limbaugh in the culture war. It quotes from hundreds of sources, making it as excellent reference for conservatives to develop and articultae their ideas on a host of different topics. It's all here, the origins, the ideas, the controversies that have defined the culture war that is tearing Americ apart.

This study is a wonderful compilation of the life and writings of Thomas Jefferson. The introduction by Koch and Peden of Jefferson's long and fruitful life is rich and complete. Jefferson's greatness shines forth in the pages of this volume. His Anas, Autobiography, Essay of the Anglo Saxon language, Notes on Virginia, And his numerous public papers and letters show the reader the depth of this great man. Koch and Peden clearly admire Jefferon which is a welcome respite from the sad and anti-intellectual deconstructionist philosophy of modern historians. No PC here. For a student of Jefferson, or someone attempting to familiarize themselves with his ideals, this is a great buy!

We added this book to our library when I was doing research for a doctoral project on Racism. In one volume, is Jefferson's autobiography, travel journals, essays, biographies of other historical figures, notes and correspondence. It is a wealth of material into a foundation stone personality of our American identity.

Lately Jefferson has drawn fire because of his position on slavery and his philandering activities as a plantation owner. Still, within this volume you can observe the full story historical context provides.

In my favorite passage in connection with the slavery issue he writes,

"And can the liberties of a nation be though secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of thepeople that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever; that considering numbers,nature and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation is among possible events; that it may become probably by supernatural interference! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest." (Notes on Virginia, Query XVIII; p. 278 Modern Library Edition)

I think every family should have a copy of this volume in their library. It is enlightening, powerful and life changing material.

As a grandchild of paternal Lithuanian immigrants and maternal French immigrants, I was always interested in my heritage. Information on French history abounds but my knowledge of my Lithuanian roots was totally dependent on vague stories repeated by my father that were difficult to put in a historic context. This book clarified and totally collaborated the stories that I grew up with and deepened my respect for this amazing freedom-loving country.

This book is important to Lithuanian historiography because this is the only English title I know that deals with Lithuania in the interwar years. Other titles, like von Rauch's book, group the three Baltic states' history together under one title. This book is solely dedicated to Lithuanian interwar history.

The book is well written by prestigious authors who have done their research. The notes at the end are extensive. The book is clearly written. Even a novice in Lithuanian history would have an easy time following this volume.

The book does an excellent job of showing the pivotal role Lithuania had in the eastern European balance of power between Germany and the USSR versus the Polish, French, British alliance. The book reminds of the title 'Lithuania: The Rebel Nation' by Stanley Vardys. The authors do a great job of clearly explaining the plight of Lithuania in this balance of power.

Another interesting note is that some of the authors in this edited book are from Lithuania. It is interesting to see the view of homegrown Lithuanians on this time period in Lithuanian history. They rate high in their objectivity.

Anyone interested in Lithuanian history should own this book.

For too long the public has been denied access to the truth about a place that touches deeply many of us, though in different ways: The Holy Land. World peace movement seems to draw towards centre stage only to provide an alternative to institutionalised human rights bodies that have lost focus as they became increasingly politicised. The legacy of our fellow citizens of the world, such as Rachel Cory, who put their lives on the line for the sake of truth, is quite gratifying. Live From Palestine is the voice of those truth lovers- their work is a promised land where the future may hold hope for those devastated by hostilities for so long. The book includes essays from a divers group of Israelis, Palestinians, and internationals who perhaps have not met in person but most certainly have on the level of consciousness. Live From Palestine intimately tells many stories, but one truth. It "documents the voices of Palestinian non-violent activists who have too often been censored from US mainstream media."

Also recommended: Image And Reality Of The Israel-Palestine Conflict, Norman Finkelstein; The Holocaust Against the Palestinians, Michael Hoffman and Moshe Lieberman.

Live From Palestine is an honest account of peace activists who devoted their energy to find the truth and bring it back home to us. They risked their lives to tell the story that our media will never tell. The book is also a valuable account of Palestinians and internationals, but more significantly of Israelis who are bound by their belief in the Palestinian cause, disbelief in the brutal occupation, and who wish to contribute to a just solution to the longest standing conflict. Live From Palestine brought a new dimension to my understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a well-balanced one. Please invest in this publication.

All right, I only spent 6 months in the city, which is hardly any time at all, but from what I saw and heard, Sally Belfrage's wonderfully ballsy and observant book hits it right on the head. I fell in love with Belfast, and when you read this book, you'll see why. I know a few people over there who swear by "Living with War," - which has none of that partisan nonsense, thank heavens. Finally a book as crazy, funny, sad, thought-provoking and phenomenonally surreal as the city itself!

Sally Belfrage is an American who lives in London and attempts to unscramble the obvious, intricate dissenion that exists in Northern Ireland. An almost impossible task for anybody. I was therefore sceptical at first when picking up this book and wondering how anyone, who has spent a fragmented year in Belfast (which is a short time) to write a book on this very complex problem. I was pleasantly surprised as she handles her topic in a professional, unbiased, journalistic approach. For the novice that knows little of the Northern Irish conflict, she summarises in brief but accurate detail the origins of each group and then progresses into introducing the different points of views, fears, anger of the various groups. She does this by introducting you to everyday people and their lifestyle, not limiting it to any one particular section of this multi-faceted area, always trying to show as many angles as possible. Her style of writing is swift and visually descriptive so that the reader is able to obtain a very accurate description of what it is like to actually be in Northern Ireland. It is filled with horrific stories but at the same time with inspirational reflections. Her stylistic tempo never wavers or slows down. I realised after reading this book, that it is often an outsider who will give a reader the broadest and most unbiased story of all if they have researched their topic sufficiently, which she has

Senator Paul Simon's forward to this important guide for effective lobbying says it all. "If you are interested in a book that spells out the ways that you can help libraries, and in the process, help our society, you've come to the right place." (p. iv)

Supporters of libraries of all types and sizes greatly need the practical wisdom of this gentle but hard hitting memoir-manual from an unadulterated radical librarian. Chapter 3, "How to Lobby" and Chapter 5, "Who Is to Be Lobbied?" Should be required reading for every library board member and library administrator.

This "inside the beltway" true view of how US Government Information law and policy got done and undone during the 1970 - 1990 decades is a scary yet optimistic read. The book does not answer the question, "Who is fighting the good fight for access to government information now?" But this book reminded this reader that, "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

The U.S. Army Infantry Officers School in December 1970 didn't leave me much time to listen closely to peace rioters like Abbie Hoffman. Hoffman was in the Cook County Jail, penning the introduction to "Steal This Book." Then and there he wrote, Repressive tolerance is a real phenomenon. To talk of true freedom of the press, we must talk of the availability of the channels of communication that are designed to reach the entire population, or at least that segment of the population that might participate in such a dialogue. Freedom of the press belongs to those that own the distribution system. Perhaps that has always been the case, but in a mass society where nearly everyone is instantaneously plugged into a variety of national communications systems, wide-spread dissemination of the information is the crux of the matter. To make the claim that the right to print your own book means freedom of the press is to completely misunderstand the nature of a mass society. It is like making the claim that anyone with a pushcart can challenge Safeway supermarkets, or that any child can grow up to be president." Hoffman then closed with a yippie proverb: "Free speech is the right to shout 'Theater' in a crowded fire."

I thought about "Steal This Book" as I read "Lobbying for Libraries and the Public's Access to Government Information," written by Helena's own Bernadine Abbott-Hoduski and just published by Scarecrow Press. I'd say Abbott-Hoduski is a professional boatrower of the fine tradition that says, "If the boat's not rocking, nobody's rowing." She's yelling "theater" in a crowded fire.

I don't plan to steal her book, but I won't offer to give it back. The book is one of a handful I expect to keep permanently for future reference. Citizen activists who feel a bunch of ignorant and arrogant talking heads control our government just because they can shout more loudly than the rest of us, investigative reporters, coalition builders, lawmakers and public administrators (to include librarians) who take to heart the trust we have given them, should read this book. The title doesn't convey that there's much sex and scandal enclosed, but there is. The scandal is the backroom kidney-punching that goes on as private interests maneuver to make money off public subsidy under the veil of "privatization." The sex is experienced by the public as corporate interests succeed.

This book is written by a person who knows how the intricacies of Congress, trade associations, coalitions and information in the electronic age actually work. You could read from back to front starting with the index, more than half of which contains names and acronyms you've never heard. You could read it from front to back, returning as your time permits to subject areas that will pump you up as an effective citizen in the same way as a few minutes with an old mentor would.

Abbott-Hoduski knows what she is talking about. Lobbying is about personal relationships between people. It's about gaining understanding about basic rules of organizations that effect the public interest, then applying patience and leadership in collaborative initiatives to make important change happen. A huge realization from this book is that our first mistake is letting corporate special interests occupy the competent ground of lobbying "the government." People just like us can make "our government" work for us and this book shows how.

In the same group with "A River Runs Through It," there's another essay by Norman MacLean called "The Packer, the Cook and the Hole in the Sky." In that story, MacLean tells of watching a barroom fight in Hamilton from underneath a poker table. From seeing the much larger numbers of logging and cowboy boots lined up against the wall, he learned that, "To be a good fighter, you first have to want to fight." The ratio of watchers to fighters is even worse now in Montana and U.S. politics. But, who knows? There may be some fighting hearts still pumping out here.

This book tells you how to organize a good fight in the chaos of our democracy. The first ingredient is the "will to fight" for our rights as citizens. If you decide you have that will, a means to fight and the ability to discern wrongs worth fighting to correct, then get a copy of "Lobbying for Libraries and the Public's Access to Government Information."

I neglected to mention one thing about this book. Jolley sees himself not just as a student of what Locke said but as if he is in philosophical interaction with Locke and his critics. He presents many common criticisms of Locke and responds to them. He also leaves Locke stranded in places where he really seems to have gotten himself into trouble. This book does a great job not just approaching the issues but also in trying to clarify them in the terms of contemporary philosophers and in defending Locke against the all-too-quick criticisms he often receives.

Nicholas Jolley has produced a great resource for students first encountering Locke or for those who are familiar with Locke but would like to get more into the details of his philosophical views. This book is intended as an introduction to his thought and is directed at advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. It gives enough details to begin work on any of the diverse topics covered in it, with references to direct the reader elsewhere for further discussion. Unlike most books on Locke by philosophers, this one also includes his political theory and shows its relation to Locke's other views by tying together threads of his thought from one topic to the next. I thoroughly enjoyed working through it in a graduate seminar taught by the author, but I can see that it would be quite valuable just as a resource or as an accompaniment to someone's trying to approach Locke's thought in detail but without much background.

As the title of the book suggests, there is a logic to Japanese politics, just as there is a logic, a coherence, to other social phenomena and behavior. This will no doubt disturb those students of the Asian "mind" who are prone to boil down Japanese "national character" to some sort of ahistorical essence. As Professor Curtis says, he hopes he "will leave the reader with a sense of the culture of Japanese politics. It is not a book that argues that culture explains Japanese politics." This is revisionism operating in a healthy sense. There are a couple of specific points I would like to make. In dissecting electoral reform, he does not mention recent play given to direct election of the prime minister, an idea first raised by Nakasone in the 1960s. Of course, the conservatives are betting this would benefit the election of a strong right-wing leader in the mold of Shintaro Ishihara, the present governor of Tokyo. Secondly, in speculating on the direction Japanese politics may take, he mentions only briefly what he terms the New Right and the implications for U.S.-Japan relations. The drift to the right in Japanese politics is unmistakable, which in its worst form would lead to remilitarization and indeed pose a problem for Far East security. Already, the national anthem and national flag, replete with their war-time associations, have been officially recognized. This past February both the upper and lower houses of the Diet formed committees to study revising the Constitution. The New Right, or neo-nationalists, if you will, see this as an opening for revising Article 9, the anti-war article. Just one small error to point out in a name: read Taku Yamasaki vice Yamazaki. All in all, this is a tremdously valuable study.

I have lived in Japan for a few years in the 1990s and have always assumed that (at least for now) the politicians there don't really matter. And compared to American politics, Japanese politics seemed dry with one party rule until 1993. But Curtis shows how exciting it all is under the surface. I read this book very slowly, wanting to absorb every detail; however, Curtis writes well and will keep you moving through the events of the 1990s.

So if you are a student of Japan and are trying to piece together some of the highlights you already know, read this book. Curtis has done us a great service.