history

Thomas Costain managed to create in one book entertainment, a research source and a book that has pleased people interested in medieval history and the first Plantagenets for quite some time. "The Conquering Family" is not a dry textbook, Costain has given the history a flow which makes the reading more interesting without sacrificing the facts so that the book is a good read for those who are not especially interested in history as well as a good resource for students on the English monarchy from Henry II through Henry III. This and the other three books in the series, "The Three Edwards", "The Magnificent Century" and "The Last Plantagenets", makes a good basis for launching any interest in medieval studies.

the conquering family is the first book in the four book series on the 14 men who became kings of england in the plantagenet line. this first book covers the reigns of henry ii and his two sons richard i and john as well as the influence of his wife eleanor of acquitaine. thomas costain has a breezy style and bring these people to life as few authors can or have. excellent reading and a good introduction to the other three books.

These are some of the words that come to my mind when describing this work, but I am speaking of the entire 4 volume set - not just The Conquering Family by Mr.Costain who is a blest and gifted authorin my opinion. I first bought the 4 Volumes in paperback and after reading them cover to cover, I bought the hard cover set because I feared I wouldn't be able to get them later - they might go out of print or become more expensive. I have reread all of them 3 times and I would advise anyone interested in World History or an Anglophile to purchase all 4 Books because they are a must for your library. Each volume is thoroughly researched, full of dates, characters, events, battles, but at the same they are an easy read - never boring or drawn out and tiresome - you just want to keep reading and reading to learn more.

Jac Holzman has given us a gift with this book, right down to the paper he chose himeself to print it on. If you have any interest in the history of recorded music, the music business, and why we listen to the music we enjoy today, you absolutely must read this book. It's not only a fascinating account of how a major record label came to be, it's a fantastic insight into what goes on behind the scenes in the very quirky world of music business. If you love music and cherish the sounds of the fifties and sixties, from folk to blues, rock to psychedelia, and you haven't read this music giant's first hand account of making so much of it happen for you, you're doing yourself a major disservice. Thank you Jac and Gavan!

"FOLLOW THE MUSIC' is an essential addition to the bookshelves of public and campus libraries, and of everyone in, and around, today's "music industry". This is the musical history tour of Elektra Records, home to The Doors, Judy Collins, Bread, Queen, Tim Buckley, Carly Simon, LOVE, Theodore Bikel, The Incredible String Band, Harry Chapin, Paul Butterfield and dozens of other folk, folk/blues, blues/rock and hard rock acts. Co-author Jac Holzman was the founder and guiding light of this exquisite and unique record label, and he, along with many of his friends, family and associates tell the inside story of the creation and eventual success of Elektra, its classical sibling Nonesuch, along with insights into the artists and folk/pop/music/drug culture of the Fifties, Sixties and early Seventies. This is an extremely well-researched, at times humorous, sad, enlightening, technical and truthful treasure chest of an autobiography. Holzman presents himself a! s an extremely bright, lucid, tasteful and technically talented 'individual', qualities that have made him loved and respected by legions of label honchos, singer/songwriter legends and record album archivists/historians. One of the most entertaining, intelligent and insightful popular music history books of the year, if not the decade.

Once, in the MUSIC business, there were men and women in charge of labels who, with a combination of passion about great music,
and just the right amount of business acumen, were able to nurture the explosion of musical creativity in the 60s. Jac Holzman is just such a person.

The exciting and interesting story of Elektra records is told using an oral history approach; illuminating the story with a fascile balance of viewpoint.

I had never heard the full story of how Love and then, The Doors,
became labelmates at Elektra. There were moments in the telling of that particular story where I felt that I could almost reach out and touch the participants.

FOLLOW THE MUSIC is an entertaining, engrossing, sometimes funny-sometimes tragic account of one of the titans of American music and his lovechild; whose ability to follow his dream to it's fruition has enriched us all. Oh, if we could all be so blessed.

The recent failure of the modern music industry shows what happens when people who aren't committed to music and creativity are in positions of authority. Everything suffers; most of all, the music.

The Europeans' displacement and replacement of native peoples in the temperate zones were more a result of "superior" biology than military conquest, according to Crosby in this book.

Europe held an unassailable biotic mix that some native peoples and ecosystems could not withstand. This biota fucntioned as a team wherever Europeans took it. European germs swept aside native peoples. Europe's cattle, pigs and horses filled native biotic niches. European weeds and agriculture squeezed out native plants. This biological expansion of Europe created "Neo-Europes" which still function today in North America, Australia, New Zealand and southern South America.

European imperialism often failed or was considerably delayed in areas where Europe's biota could not prevail. In China much the same biota was already present. Africa, the Amazon and southeast Asia were too hot, too fecund and too disease-ridden for Europe's animals, plants and humans. These areas were among the last to be dominated as a result, and then only briefly, when Europe's technology gave temporary edge to its armies.

'Ecological imperialism: The biological expansion of Europe, 900-1900', by A. W. Crosby, is a cogently argued and well written book. The main thesis of the book is that the expansion by Europeans to the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and a few other enclaves (what Crosby calls the Neo-Europes) wouldn't have succeded if the biota the Europeans brought with them had not suceeded. This biota included not only humans, of course, but pathogens, weeds and grasses, and horses, cattle, goats, and pigs, among the most important. Crosby addresses the reasons why this biota was so succesful in the new territories, and concludes that, in general, the climatic regimes there were sufficiently similar to those of its European origins and the indigenous biota was so 'naive' that 'victory' was almost assured to the invaders. To be sure, this is not an original conclusion, but the wealth of data Crosby uses, along with his synthetic power and sense of humor, makes of this book an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. People interested in searching for the biological causes of the successes (and failures!) of Europeans in the world should read this engaging book.

Cogent, thorough, poignant. Masterful expansive work. Enough adjectives -- it was simply a marvellous trip through history of earth and man, both in large strokes and in small detailed case examples.

Field-Marshal Slim's memoir of the Burma campaign is one of thefinest generals reports from the Second World War. He outlines thebitter and decisive British defeat by the Japanese in 1942, the slow, painful rebuilding of the British-Indian-African Army and its collaboration with the Chinese and Americans in a see-saw campaign against the Japanese in 1943, the decisive battle of Imphal in 1944 and the crushing victories of 1945. In the mountainous and jungle terrain of the Burma-India theater Slim pioneered in the use of airpower for logistical support and the development of airbridges built around air fields. In many ways this under-supported and often neglected theater fought the most modern campaign of the second world war. Slim is a revealing and deliberate author-teacher who intended this book both as a report on a great campaign and as a series of lessons for future students of the art of war. The opening hundred pages are a little slow and the place names are never easy but the book is well worth reading for anyone who would seek to understand leadership and victory in warfare.

British General William Slim commanded English/Indian forces during most of the "forgotten" war in Burma from 1942 to 1945. Slim is now regarded as the finest English general of the Second World War (yes, better than "Monty"). In this book, written some time after the war ended, Slim tells the reader about the early mistakes which lead to the near total defeat of the English army in Burma in 1942. ----- Slim's efforts to rebuild his army and then take the offensive against the Japanese comprise the majority of the book and it makes for a very interesting story. Considering that the terrain over which most of the fighting occured was even worse than Vietnam, I learned a great deal. Contrasting his experiances in Burma with the U.S. war in Vietnam is a good thought experiment. ---- Of most interest to military historians and people interested in the Second World War. As to personal matters the book is almost completely devoid of details. Slim was very much the English Gentleman and all the interesting personal details of his life you will have to find elsewhere. ---- P.S. It contains an interesting side note about the father of the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner: Aung San Suu Kyi. Her father fought against the British in conjunction with the Japanese but later turned against the Japanese when he discovered that they were just going to be new imperial masters, even worse than the English. ---- Colin Glassey

Field Marshal Viscount Slim was one of Britain's greatest generals. He must surely rank as the best British Army Commander of World War 2 and would be in with a shot that the title of Best Allied Army Commander. His memoirs should therefore be essential reading. It is a significant bonus the Slim's memoirs are among the finest memoirs ever written by a soldier.

Slim's achievements were impressive. He took a beaten and demoralised army (a true multi-ethnic Imperial army) and within two years turned it into a force that could take on the very best army units the Japanese could put in the field and beat them at their own game. He did this in some of the most difficult terrain on the planet, while languishing towards the bottom of the list of priorities when it came to handing out any kind of logistical support. He was also, by all acccounts, a genuinely nice person. He is also obscurely famous for being interviewed getting off a plane during the 1960s when Parliament was in the process of decriminalising homosexuality in Britain, when journalists were looking for views on what was then a very contentious issue. His response? "Good idea, very fair. I certainly don't mind it being legal. Just so long as it isn't compulsory."

His memoirs do not disappoint. He covers the planning and execution of the Burma campaign in exhausting detail and provides valuable insight into what went on at 14th Army HQ. He provides interesting glimpses of the other big names in the area too - Wingate, Stillwell, Mountbatten but never descends into gossip. He is invariably generous in his praise and tactful and constructive in his criticism. The book is refreshingly free of self-justification and rewriting of history, not something that could be said of the memoirs of some other generals.

Slim (probably understandably) harboured a great animus against the Japanese and this comes through in the book. He is... decidedly uncomplimentary. However, this can be contrasted with his generous and unpatronising praise of the various colonial troops under his command and his extreme irritation at the casual racism to which they were subjected by some newcomers.

Defeat into Victory is valuable on a great number of levels. Anyone interested in World War 2 in general or the Burma campaign in specific should, of course, read it. It should also be required reading for anyone who expects to command men in uniform, at whatever level. The book is full of priceless, gemlike insights into military leadership and motivation. Forget "Infantry Attacks", if there's one book to carry in your pack across deserts, over mountains and through rice paddies, this is it. Quite aside from the human aspects and frontline command, it is also valuable for drawing attention to the unglamourous but essential area of logistics (without which the British victory would have been impossible). It's also a wonderful memoir in its own right.

Look, just read it. Buy it, read it, treasure it. Seriously.

James Watson's book, DNA: The Secret of Life, describes the history of DNA and genetics from a scientist who was an eyewitness to the revolutions in genetics. Watson helped discover the 3D structure of the double helix, and led out as a director of the Human Genome Project. There are three main aspects to this book: 1) the recent and on-going history of scientific discoveries in the exploration of genetics, 2) the mechanics of how things work (such as how DNA replicates or is cloned, or how genes are linked to diseases, etc.) and 3) the author's perspective of how life evolved.

Prior to the discovery of DNA, people have been playing around with heredity and the role of inheriting traits in breading animals and agriculture since the beginning of history. But with the developments of science, the study of genetics has brought more light to the subject. Watson talks about the people who contributed to the emerging field of genetics, from Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin, through the "eugenics" movement of the early 1900's, to the Human Genome Project. By telling the stories of the struggles in science, with the author's frankness, honesty and wit, Watson gains authority and authenticity in the presentation of his information. This book is illuminating and will arouse an interest in the subject of genetics in every reader.

My only personal problem with the book is that the author presents his opinions and perspectives within the text as if his opinions themselves were facts, while in truth there are many issues that are still debated. Watson starts with the founding assumption, or presupposition that life is the result of chance. He makes some unfounded assertions or conclusions that might have other alternate viewpoints. For example, he goes from talking about the chemical properties and processes of DNA replication, jumping to how life began in an "RNA world." He also implies that Arthur Kornberg had created "life in a test tube," while Kornberg himself has written that he did not, in fact, create life. (Journal of Bacteriology)

Watson also asserts that, "The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself would ever have dared dream." But on what basis can he say this? The HGP merely sequenced and mapped DNA and cannot prove anything by itself. Watson employs circular thinking to support evolutionary claims: "proofs" that are founded on the presupposition that humans are results of evolution. The primary argument for evolution is the similarity between all biological systems. But, what if all biological systems were designed similarly on purpose? If something works well in one place, why redesign it? Watson believes that the "grandest mission" of molecular biology is to answer questions about ourselves and our origins as a species. But, as long as scientists start with the presupposition that humans are the result of evolution, the results will always be interpreted that way. So my only caution is that you should distinguish what is actually fact and what is merely the author's speculation.

Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the subject of genetics. Watson presents almost every aspect of the subject in clear detail, and he is frank about the ethical and social implications of the discoveries that are sure to challenge traditional ways of thinking.

Fifty years ago author and scientist James D. Watson helped launch an investigation into the phenomena of human DNA with publication of his now-famous "Double Helix" book: today he gives the first history of the genetic revolution from Mendel to human genome sequencing. Individual chapters consider the rise of molecular science, provide explanations of DNA processes and emerging new sciences surrounding genetics, and provides general-interest readers with a fine blend of science and social issues. This is an important survey and a "must" for school and community library Science and Biology collections.

Oakland schoolchildren can have their DNA tested. They are pleased at the surprising news abour "race." Every human being can be traced to Africa; there never was a master race, a slave race or a foreign race. No more name-calling. No more excuses. The pill may be a little bitter, but science has made humanity better, and equal.

Here is a textboook which every child - on earth - should read. But where do we find teachers?

DNA is fascinating. John Kerry's prominent jaw is a genetic trait.; he's not an alien but a fellow African. An ancestor way back had a mutated gene, that's all. I inherited my dad's bushy eyebrows. If you have freckles - well?

Charlize Theron might have 100% perfect genes, but genes aren't everything. She and her mother speak a German dialect which is not genetic. Watson's book mistakenly implies DNA explains languages. The ability to speak is genetic , but thousands of separate languages evolved by usage; a prominent linguist suggests they all came from a common ancestral language. Out of Africa.

Another mistake in Watson's book is asserting we will never know why humans created "culture." He's not an economist. I would love to explain how foraging tribes got into the art business, but Melinda Gates scoffs at my funding application. Microsoft, mysteriously, owns a chunk of the DNA action.

The fundamental problem with this astounding book is that Watson and other DNA scientists cannot shake off the "Hitler problem" - extermination of genetically "inferior" people. Eugenics was a moronic American movement which led to vast horror - the Holocaust. Warson should be able to get his science off that hook, but doesn't.

Can any teacher use this textbook without preaching eugenics?

The Food Journal of
LEWIS & CLARK FOOD:
Recipes for an Expedition

By Mary Gunderson

If you're a history buff and into food, this book's a "gotta have."

This Journal is not simply a cookbook. It's a chance to learn more about the people these explorers encountered, how they dealt with hardships, get to take a look at their provisioning and read actual quotes from Lewis and Clark, themselves.

Perhaps Gunderson's chapter titles tell the most about her careful research:

Jefferson's Vision, Washington, D.C.
Lewis Receives Instructions and Buys Provisions
Anticipation and Preparation, Down the Ohio to Camp Dubois
High Spirits, Up the Missouri
Buffalo! Diplomacy with the Yankton and Teton Sioux
Sacagawea, Charbonneau and Jean Baptiste Join the Expedition
Another Beginning, the Upper Missouri & Great Falls
The Journey Hangs in the Balance, Over the Mountains
Wild Roots, Elk and a Whale, Ft. Clatsop & the Pacific Coast
Down the Yellowstone - The Nez Perce Help Again

Return to St. Louis & The Long Welcome

The book is detailed account of their careful preparations, tools necessary, foods hunted, foods gathered and foods they traded for. A partial list of Philadelphia provisions spread the course from 32 tins, or 193 pounds of portable soup, assorted fish hooks, kettles, a corn mill, hatchets, a whetstone, gun powder and castile soap.

Thomas Jefferson, widely known for his food and agricultural expertise, not only wanted detailed maps and topographical reports about the Louisiana Purchase, he asked that the explorers extend every courtesy to people they met but to record how they grew crops, fishes and hunted. He asked them to observe their "food and domestic accommodations."

"As they made their way west, the pair and their trailmates sampled everything from Indian corn and buffalo tongues to camas roots and dried salmon," noted an author and filmmaker, Dayton Duncan. There is a good deal of information on Portable Soup or Pocket Soup, the fine at of making Hoe Cakes, building a special fire to cook a bear, making hominy with corn, lime and wood ashes and the making
of William Clark's Birthday Fruit Salad. Other crafts of the trail included Spoonbread, dishes like Roasted Buffalo, Turnip and Berry Ragout also Pemikan made with Juneberries and buffalo berries. Other hearty meals were Hazelnut Cornmeal Pancakes, Roasted Parsnips with Pine Nuts and Fort Clatsop Salmon Chowder with fennel and sourdough biscuits.

Named the Official Cookbook for the National Council of Lewis & Clark Bicentennial, the author states, "History is as close as a bite of buffalo jerky or a taste of hominy." This attractive, well-indexed book with deckle-edged pages, helpful maps and pleasing sketches, contains over 80 authentic recipes faithfully tested and re-created for today's kitchens. Gunderson includes a generous bibliography, suggested further reading suggestions and a handy, educational website list. In her Mail-Order Sources section, she lists mail order sources for preparing her updated recipes...

On the 4th of July, while the rest of the nation grilled hot dogs, I sat down to finally read my copy of The Food Journal of Lewis and Clark. The saliva started to flow, from page after page of Ms. Gunderson's creative, while authentic, recipes for foods served during the expedition. The author has thoroughly researched the history of the expedition, the ingredients available in the 1800's in the regions of the journey,and the taste preferences of those who travelled together. I found the historical tidbits delightful enough to read out loud to my husband. Now I know why my niece, who homeschools in North Carolina, likes to use Ms. Gunderson's books to teach history to her children!

While reading the cookbook cover to cover (I couln't put it down!),I found a recipe for New Potatoes with Hazelnuts and Fennel. The simplicity and possibility of good taste in that dish compelled me off to the kitchen, on a holiday, to test it. It bailed out my 4th of July menu!

A very interesting historical book, "The Food Journal of Lewis & Clark" has a lot to offer. The recipes are based on the way things were prepared during the early 1800s and include some very good dishes like lemon meringue pie and pan-fried potatoes and some much less common recipes that might include ingredients like a pound of buffalo meat.

Along with these recipes the book contains various pieces of information from the trip journals. The additional information includes provisions lists such as the one from Philadelphia where they purchased 176 lbs of gunpowder and 193 lbs of "P. Soup". A "P. Soup" follows and it takes only a cursory reading to figure out that this is basically the precursor to bouillon cubes. Throughout the book there are small quotes from the journals that indicate what they were doing at the time and also several passages that give general information about the trip.

This is a book that will prove interesting to anyone interested in the Lewis & Clark Expedition or recipes of the time. "The Food Journals of Lewis & Clark" is a recommended read for any audience interested in American History and covers an area generally overlooked in other Lewis & Clark works.

I debated for a while whether this book deserved four stars or five. There's a lot of very interesting material here: if there's one thing this book does--perhaps better than any book I've read in quite some time--is show just how interrelated far-flung mathematical concepts can be (how are the prime numbers related to pi, for example?).

My one complaint about the book--and the reason for giving it four stars instead of five--is that there are times when the formulae and notation get so dense that it's extremely difficult to follow the author's train of thought: I can think of a number of places where diagrams would have helped immensely. Likewise, since there's no list of symbols or formulae, it's not a book that you can simply browse through, in the sense that you can browse through, say, "A Brief History of Time."

Finally, let me reiterate that this book assumes that you already know a fair amount of math: if you don't know what a capital pi means, for example, you're probably going to have a hard time understanding this book. But if you *do* know what that symbol means, though, then by all means, give this book a try.

After reading Paul Nahin's lovely book on i, "An Imaginary Tale" (also published by Princeton University Press), I could not believe it when the same publisher produced a book on gamma. Gamma seems to always have been one of the neglected constants in mathematics (by the general public). e, pi, and i seem to capture the imagination more, my guess is because the mathematics required to understand them are more elementary (I use the word "elementary" completely tongue in cheek), and you can quickly see the dazzling results they are associated with.

Gamma is different. While you can understand the theory presented in Julian Havil's book if you stayed awake during second semester calculus, you definitely have to work at it. The requisite analytic number theory presented may turn away the average reader if they are not prepared to make the commitment to stay on the roller coaster for the full ride.

You will be rewarded if you can break through the initial 2 or 3 chapters introducing us to the logarithm and the harmonic series. To be fair, as a previous reviewer has noted, the material on Napier and the logarithm has been done in a more satisfactory manner by Eli Maor in his book on e. But this is only a minor drawback. As long as you are comfortable with the natural logarithm, you can omit Chapter 1 with no loss.

Chapter 4 starts off with the zeta function, arguably the most enticing and mysterious function in all of mathematics, despite approximately 150 years of analysis by the world's best mathematicians. This one function alone could arguably be said to be the genesis of analytic number theory (even though Dirichlet's work on primes in arithmetic progressions has typically been given credit for that role). All the familiar material is presented, including Euler's product formula, the "trivial" divisors of the zeta function, the infinitude of primes, Euler's evaluation of the zeta function for positive even integer powers, etc.

Of course, the gamma function makes its obligatory appearance. After having read Nahin's book on i, I was initiated into the math connecting the gamma and zeta functions. But Nahin of course could not use Euler-Maclaurin summation or the familiar inequality arguments as this would have taken him too far afield. After having read the traditional fare, such as Hardy-Wright, Apostol, Hua, et al., it was nice to see a more conversational approach to the material. I literally felt like I was sitting in Havil's office while he dissected the material for me, on a level I could comprehend.

My last comments on this book are the extras. As expected, Riemann's hypothesis and complex analysis make extended appearances. I appreciated the fact the Havil resisted the temptation to take the Riemann Hypothesis beyond the traditional mathematical lore and float off into the ethereal. This happened with John Derbyshire's otherwise excellent book "Prime Obsession", which devoted a little too much time to the psychoanalysis of Riemann, who after all, only scratched the surface of this problem. Derbyshire's book is highly recommended though for more material on the Prime Number Theorem, and some of its uses to formulate modern permutations of the Riemann Hypothesis.

He presents the usual anecdotes on Riemann and Hardy (who had a major love affair with the Riemann Hypothesis), but these are sidelines only, as they should be. Also, the material on residue integration and analytic continuation in the appendices is enormously helpful to understand the post Riemann attacks on the problem. In addition, well, it's just pretty mathematics.

The introduction by Freeman Dyson is quite impressive. How many books of popular mathematics get endorsements like that from world-class physicists? The praise is well deserved. This book belongs on every math enthusiast's bookshelf!

There is more mathematics in this book, more interestingly explained than any other of its type that I have read. What is its type? Well, I guess it comes under the category of 'Popular math' or in the jargon 'trade books' but don't be fooled by that; to get something out of it you need some math knowledge-and more than that, some math ability. There are symbols everywhere. The constant Gamma just had to be the next single number to appear as the subject of a book and with the books on e and i under their belt I guess that Princeton would be the obvious publisher. Havil, a first-time author, could easily have made the grave mistake of writing a gritty book on analysis with gamma as its focus but he didn't do that. He decided on a historical approach and to divide his attention between the harmonic series, logarithms and gamma itself. As a result the book really is a mathematical odyssey (publisher's blurb)which embraces a huge number of ideas, each of which has a natural place in the development. For the first time I really understand Napier's approach to logarithms and how it relates to what we now define them to be. For the first time I understand that wakky Benford's Law. For the first time I understand the Riemann Hypothesis. There is stacks more stuff too. The Continued Fraction chapter has really got me into that cool idea, which I had only vaguely heard about. Euler was for me the man who solved the 7 bridges of Konigsberg problem-I had no idea just how fantastic he was.

They tell us that Havil is a math teacher at Freeman Dyson's old high school. What a school that must be-I wish I had gone there and I would like to have been taught by a teacher who is so clearly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his subject! Dyson wouldn't put his name to the book just becaause he is an alumni. He rates it and its real easy to see why.

Every so often you come across a winner...for me this is the first this year.

A book for all dog and cat owners. I liked the way she organized the photographs between the children's letters. Some of the children's letters had drawings that my grandchildren enjoyed. I thought Buddy's Bio and Socks Stats where clever, and we tried the same idea to describe other pets. My children grew up with pets, but my grandchildren do not have room for pets. So we read this book about Buddy and Socks whenever they want to know more about having pets. Usually it leads to drawing a picture or writing a story afterwards.

In this predictable knockoff of the Presidential pet book series pioneered by several Republican administrations, Diet Roosevelt's cat and dog ("Socks" and "Buddy," respectively) are hagiographically profiled. Author Lady Diet Roosevelt relies largely on letters purloined from a swarm of unsuspecting child correspondents for the body of the text, much as her husband's administration largely appropriated the watered-down policies of his predecessors in running the nation (even his philandering was a watered-down take on Camelot days!). Intelligent Diet Roosevelt watchers who buy this book hoping for hidden political insights should look elsewhere, as this is a fairly straightforward profile of the first pets, targeted solely at small children and Democrats. The one curious exception to this is the unconfirmed rumor - suspiciously unrefuted in this volume - that the Kremlin's most popular occupants in Lenin's day were his cat and dog Ïðèÿòåëü and Íîñêîâ - Russian for Socks and Buddy, respectively. Coincidence?

You don't have to be an animal lover to love this intimate look at the Clintons and their pets, Socks and Buddy. "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Kids' Letters To The First Pets" is a great match of childrens' engaging letters to the President's cat and dog,with the First Lady's stories and facts about not only their pets, but former White House furry residents. The wonderful photographs throughout the book give the reader a look at what life inside the White House is for the First Dog and the First Cat. This is a "feel good" book that will put a smile on everyone's face, regardless of age, political affiliation or animal preference. The point of this book is to encourage children to write letters, whether the letters are meant for the President or for a four-legged creature that chases tennis balls all day. In addition, this book will bring attention to the importance of treating animals with love and respect. Five meows, five barks and five stars for this great holiday release.

Before I read this book, all I ever hear of Derrida is that he is so hard to read. Upon reading this, I realized where this could be true. This beginners book is very well written and made Derrida's work simple to understand. Although one may need a basic knowledge in linguistics and Sassure, one does not need it all together to comprehend some of Derrida's work. Author Jim Powell gives a concise look into the dense writings of the linguist which I not only found easy, but exciting - enough to make me want to go out and read some of the material that is written about. Along with an explanation of Derrida's work is also a brief biography which gives on an idea where he is coming from. Highly reccomended! One of the best beginners book to date.

Derrida is my favorite philosopher. I don't think that his 'Deconstruction' is holistic necessarily but the gist of it explains the inherent problems of doing philosophy better then anything else I've read.

Unlike the greats of Science who simplify complex ideas (i.e..Stephen Hawking, Richard Feynman), the guru's of philosophy take fairly straight-forward ideas and shroud them with such mysterious sounding proprietary language that their work becomes nearly impossible to decipher. Derrida is no exception. This is a shame because his underlying message is brilliant...and really not not all that abstract.

So until philosophers realize that less words does not directly translate to less intelligence, we should be very glad to have commentators like Jim Powell around.

"Derrida For Beginners" concentrates on developing the key concept of "differance" and defining the necessary Derridian terminology used to communicate its meaning. The book clearly defines, "binary opposites", "texts", "logocentricism" etc.. and has plenty of diagram's to help you get the idea. While I can't say the artwork did much for me, the cartoon setting does force the message to be carried accross succinctly...no babling. The first book I read after failing miserably to tackle "Of Grammatology" was "Derrida" by Christopher Norris. While his was an excellent introduction..I will say that after I read "Derrida for Beginners" I went back and read most of Norris' book again and got a lot more out of it. Try this: read "Derrida for Beginners" as many times as needed until you have all the words in bold print at your fingertips..then, read Norris' book "Derrida". With this few hours of investment, do some online searches and read some of the commentaries and criticism of Derrida. You will be surprised at how badly he is misunderstood by so many who have studied him a lot more then you, and should feel good about your knowledge in comparisom. Of course you then need to get humble again so start reading "Of Grammatology". :)

If you are beginning to read derrida, this book will be very helpful. Now if they only made one for Judith Butler! (Skip the Foucault, his theories are not that complex.)

This is an excellent book,very well written. Anyone who has seriously studied demomology, or the paranormal, will know this book is true to the facts, from the bangings in the walls, to the terrible odors, to the physical and mental abuse that inhuman spirits put upon their human victems, to horrible manifestations. This family suffered greatly under the hand of a true inhuman spirit, but yet survived it toegether as a family because their faith in God did not falter. If you have followed Ed and Lorraine Warrens teachings, this book is a must read...

NOT VERY OFTEN DOES A BOOK ABOUT A TRUE HAUNTING GIVE YOU A TOTAL FEELING OF BEING THERE. "THE HAUNTED" GIVES MANY DETAILS OF THE ACCOUNTS THAT EACH FAMILY MEMBER GOES THROUGH. THIS BOOK IS SURE TO GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMBS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS SCARY, BUT BECAUSE YOU WILL BELIEVE EVERY HORRIFYING WORD OF IT IS TRUE. YOUR ATTENTION WILL BE CAPTURED AS ED AND LORRAINE WARREN ASSIST THE THE SMURL FAMILY IN RIDDING THE HOUSE OF THE MANY GOHSTS AND DEMONS THAT INHABIT THEIR DWELLING. READ FOR YOURSELF TO FIND OUT THE OUTCOME OF THIS TERRIFYING TRUE ACCOUNT OF A HAUNTING

I rarely read books, but this one caught my attention (possibly because of the fact that it is a true story). I just could not put this book down. I had read for several hours the first night. I did, however, have to turn on several lights because I kept hearing strange noises in the dark! (And the slightest creaks had really startled me!) After I could no longer keep my eyes open (after three in the morning), I did have to try to get to sleep (not completely in the dark, though). As soon as I got up less than six hours later, I picked up the book and I didn't put it down until I was finished. I was so hoping for a happy ending after all of the torment the family had endured for so long. Their story is completely believable and extraordinarily written!
I would give this book a lot more than just five stars. Superb!