Governments

The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy is a uniquely complete book. This is a book very worthy of Oxford, consisting primarily of chapters on royal and political history generally, interspersed throughout with boxed essays on each monarch, special topics, maps, photographs and paintings.

This book begins with the murky beginnings of royalty in Britain, arising out of the chaos of the post-Roman world. Here we encounter names such as Aethelberht, Raewald, and Hywel Dda -- this book doesn't just concentrate as so many do on the English monarchies, but also on Welsh and Scottish clans, lines, and kingdoms. Here we find that King Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking King of York was followed not too many years later by Edgar the Peacable, king of Mercia and the Danelaw.

With the inclusion of this extensive pre-Norman section, the book is a must for any British history library. Apart from that, the history is fairly basic -- well written, interesting, but no grand and new insights, more of an encyclopedia writ as an essay rather than articles on particular subjects (for which I am grateful--nothing so disjointed and unsatisfying in many ways as reading an encyclopedia). This however can make looking up topics a bit more difficult, but I've found as I've sought out one piece of information (using the very good index) I find much more (which is always to be desired).

The final sections include chapters on Royal Residences and Tombs, Genealogies, and Lists of Monarchs, including Scottish as well as English monarchs.

This book is filled with little bits of interest--for instance, an example of 17th century propaganda: 'In the absence of newspapers, radio, and television, other means of representing events and influencing opinion assumed greater importance. A pack of cards took as its unconvivial theme Monmouth's rebellion in 1685. The six of clubs shows Monmouth's entry into Lyme Regis; the seven of spades shows the duke's fate; and the five of diamonds that of his followers.' This caption accompanies pictures of playing cards with scenes of hanged or beheaded men, etc. An interesting means of information dissemination.

A very worthy book, perhaps the only royal book a non-historian would ever need; a definite need for any historian or royal watcher.

This book is a must for those readers interested in the history of the British Monarchy. The authors and editors have masterly created both an historical perspective of the institution as well as a personal viewpoint which is both critical and sentimental. Some may be turned off by the length of this book, but once you begin reading, you'll wonder where the time goes. And the wonderful photographs and illustrations bring their words to life.

I found Palestine a Nation Occupied (Vol.1) and (Vol. 2) in my public library by accident. I checked it out and it sat on the shelve for weeks before I actually opened it. I was blown away. I have been reading comics forever, but I have never seen the medium used as effectively as J Sacco uses it in these two volumes. He covers the Palestinian struggle and suffering in a way that puts you in the heart of the conflict. I have heard story after story of what really happens in Palestine and the cruelty of the Israeli Occupation, and I have seen it first hand, but with this book, I have seen much more than I was ever exposed to before, and began to understand more about the suffering of others.

This is an excellent read, and like all excellent books that are fair to the Palestinian conflict and people, it is out of print.

One does not usually associate the comic form with serious topics, but Joe Sacco draws pictures that are often worth more than the proverbial thousand words. He combines solid historical analysis with a distinctly human view of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. While he clearly is sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians and devotes some of his most dramatic pages to the alleged brutal methods used by Israeli security forces, he also casts his sharp eye at some of the issues that divide the Palestinian community. What Sacco's work provides is a gritty feel and insight into life in towns and villages that flit across our TV screens on the evening news but are no more than names quickly forgotten. Sacco makes them live. His images and his personal voyage of discovery takes us through the back alleys of refugee camps, through security check-points, and into places that most will never see or understand. It is no wonder that several universities in America have asked Sacco to lecture on Middle Eastern politics.

Along with the prominent theologians who have contributed articles to this book, Editor Gary MacEoin has done a great favor to catholics and non-catholics alike who look for a new paradigm for the papacy in the next millenium. The contributors open the reader's mind to entirely new--and workable--approaches to papal ministry that are faithful to the call of the gospel and the tradition of the church. A must-read for anyone who is struggling to understand the future of the church and the place of the papacy in that future. When the next consistory of cardinals meets in Rome to elect another pope, papal candidates should all be required to read this before accepting the job!

I first read most of this book when it was serialized in National Catholic Reporter in Fall 1997. Gary MacEoin has done a splendid job in getting esteemed theologians and scholars like Joan Chittester, Alain Woodrow, Bernard Haring, Giancarlo Zizola, et al., to speak on the crisis of leadership within the Catholic Church. The contributors not only describe various problematic aspects of the Vatican, they suggest quite feasible solutions for turning things around. Every Catholic (and other interested students/scholars of religion) would do well to read this book. --Timothy Conway, Ph.D., author of *Women of Power and Grace: Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time.*

Simon P Newman's Parades And The Politics Of The Street focuses on festivities and political connections in early American history, considering how parades were involved in drawing together people of different social levels, and how they influenced politics and opinions about popular leadership. This title would be useful for the college-level course on early American history as supplemental reading.

Simon Newman has given a vivid, fresh and accessible vision of life in early-European America. I'd never given a moment's thought to these matters of public demonstration...A must-read for anyone even remotely interested in colonial, social, even labor history.

Flanner (nom de plume: Genêt), a former New Yorker essayist and who lived in Paris for many years, describes the cultural and social life of Paris in the 50s and 60s. She pens wonderful glimpses into what Parisians were thinking, feeling, and doing -Paris' life, wine, art, literary insights, and ways of thinking. C'est magnifique.

Janet Flanner was amazing in her insights in her own words as well as quoting others. I think one would be hard pressed to find someone with greater perception of the France of that era. This work also is a great help in understanding the France of today.
For example, Flanner quotes Maurice Duverger, a professor at the Sorbonne in an interview in the magazine L'Express on pp. 281-282: "Nothing is stupider than stylish anti-Americanism. But at the base of it all there is, just the same, a real question. America is a very different society from ours. It was built by pioneers who for their cultural baggage had the bible and a sense of adventure." Duverger goes on to compare the Soviet Union and the U.S.A. as two evolving societies and concludes that in the long run the U.S.A. will be the greater threat to the French way of life.
Flanner concludes: "Painful as many of Professor Duverger's conclusions are for many Americans, he has academically touched on basic, alarming truths for many of the French, who, even in their awareness, seem unable to do anything about them except complain--while continuing their American way of life "à la française."
I find that to be true in Paris of 2001. I cannot recommend this book enough. Janet Flanner was truly remarkable.

This is a marvelous book. Some mediation texts teach from a distance, seeming to say "you only get to watch while you are learning", but this book drew me into the learning
experience and made me part of it. Often it seemed to be speaking to me personally. The language and writing style not only make it clear and easy to read, but pull the reader into the essence of the mediation experience. The foundation of the authors' years of experience is evident in the clear and focused organization of this book.

I also thought that Peace Skills helps bridge the gap between concepts and practice by asking questions and offering application exercises which can help one discover one's practice potential. The exercises are extremely helpful for those who want to use it as a teaching manual. The text would stand alone for those who want a reference book, or an introduction to mediation.

I am very enthusiastic about this book. It is very practical and should be useful in conflict situations throughout the world. It is based on the collaborative work of the authors in South Africa during the transition from apartheid. The book is intended to build the peacemaking skills of non-professional community leaders and it succeeds admirably in achieving this goal. The authors approach peacemaking from a religious perspective, but the book can be used in both religious and secular settings.

This is a sine qua non treatise for anybody having to deal with the subject of pensions. Edited admirably by actuarial scholars Mitchell, representing academia, and Hustead, representing private industry, the book covers all aspects of pensions in the private, public and academic sectors. The editors also write several individual chapters on their areas of super - expertise. Actually the most useful and comprehensive chapter, the one on governmental and military pensions, is written by the team Mr. and Mrs. Hustead. Mrs. Hustead is an expert attached to the White Houses' office of the budget. The most interesting chapter, this by Mr. Hustead alone, is the one with his lucubration on the pensions system, sometimes debacle, of the District of Columbia, Washington DC, the capital city of the USA. Although it was not the obvious intention of the author, it shows in a very peculiar and amazing way the vicissitudes of such a political entity that fully justifies the usage of vehicular license plates with the proclamation of "Taxation Without Representation" kindly exemplified by firmer President Clinton in the First Limousine, and, of course, immediately rejected by the Bush's administration. Finally, the selection of the goddess Minerva for the cover, is a master, and artistic, stroke.

What can be done to help public sector pension plans perform more efficiently, and thereby enhance old-age security? In much of the world, public sector pensions are in deep trouble, undermining economic policy and threatening retiree well being. By and large, North American public pension systems have performed better, boasting tremendous assets and offering reasonable retiree benefits. Even here, however, military and civil service systems are not doing as well. This volume takes stock of public pensions in the US and Canada, offering lessons and highlighting challenges these financial institutions will face in the coming decades.

The first Pension Research Council study of public pensions in a quarter-century tackles these topics with an impressive group of international experts from the actuarial, legal, and economic fields. Contributors illustrate how reform options vary across uniformed employees, teachers, legislators and the judiciary, municipal and state employees, and military personnel. This study will be invaluable to taxpayers and their representatives, and those responsible for both public and private sector pensions.

Olivia S. Mitchell is the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor of Insurance and Risk Management, and Executive Director of the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School. Edwin Hustead is Senior Vice President in charge of governmental actuarial and benefits consulting at the HayHuggins Washington, D.C. office.

the starting point for analyzing the war that now consists of 50,000 names on a wall.

the starting point for analyzing the war that now consists of 50,000 names on a wall.

In this very concise book (only 130 pages), Rubinstein gives the reader a great introduction to the average Palestinian refugee's attachment to the land of Israel. If you want a very easy to read, informative introduction to the attachment of Palestinian refugees to their homes this is the book to read. I highly recommend it!

That this book is out of print is unbelievable to me. It could help so many, today and tomorrow, to understand the Palestinian culture in a way I've never read about in any other book. Mr. Rubinstein is a revered Israeli columnist for Ha'aretz News and acknowledged as the leading Israeli "Arabist". Though his columns are information, this book is truly alive with visual images no where else to be found, with insights so critical for Americans and Israelis. How Random House allowed this timeless book to have only a short shelf life is really astounding and upsetting to me. Try and get it Used and then add your review to mine. You won't be disappointed; this book is a true gem.

Frank McKetta, a former Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Commissioner,writes of the department he once headed. While much of the book relates past events in which the author does not have direct knowledge or participation, it is fascinating to read an expose researched and written by the person who was at the top of the organization. It is clear Colonel McKeeta deeply cares about the proper roles police should have.
Colonel McKetta is especially critical of local police departments throughout Pennsylvania history. He notes that local politicians determine police budgets, hire Police Chiefs, and decide which laws should be enacted and guide the degree to which existing laws should be enforced. What results are highly politicized police forces that are sharply influenced by local leaders. Unfortunately, criminals have learned to become forces within local politics and then guide police investigations and enforcement away from areas they don't want the police to notice.
Decades ago, it was official state policy that PSP officers could not investigate local crimes. Thus, gamblers and racketeers operated in parts of Pennsylvania with the local police in their pockets and without fearing the PSP. In the 1960s, Reading, Penna. hosted the largest gambling operation east of Las Vegas, according to the author. The PSP had its own problems, as Colonel McKetta claims several people achieved leading PSP positions with sponsorships from politicans with organized crime connections.
The author describes his efforts to clean up the PSP. By informing state legislators of his efforts, they turned deaf ears to politicans who argued for continuing to keep the PSP out of investigations in their political areas. The PSP thus was able to make significant progress in destroying racketeering operations, according to the author. This book provides great descriptions into how these changes were achieved. Students of state and local politics and of Pennsylvania history should find this book exceptionally useful.

After 25 years in law enforcement I know whereof Col. McKetta speaks in his book. The general public is woefully unaware of what goes on in the political sphere regarding police and the exposures by Col. McKetta of past history in this area as well as more recent situations, personal and public media facts, is something to ponder for anywone interested in such matters. I was especially intrigued by his personal story about the gambling and racketeering involvement of the Allegheny County District Attorney and his attempt to use politics to quash State Police efforts in that area. The more recent questions that McKetta brought up about recent Governors in their relation to the police situtation suggests that perehaps the solutions he offers at the end of his book should be recognized as being feasible to correct a serious problem.