Book Description
In this, his first major book, Mark Steyn--probably the most widely read, and wittiest, columnist in the English-speaking world--takes on the great poison of the twenty-first century: the anti-Americanism that fuels both Old Europe and radical Islam. America, Steyn argues, will have to stand alone. The world will be divided between America and the rest; and for our sake America had better win.
Customer Reviews:
Unfortunately True.......2007-10-14
Every single American should read this book! He explains exactly how the Muslims are conquering the world. More wives = more babies = more Muslims = more terrorism. This is a religion that should nor even exist in the 21st century. They are commanded to murder everyone that refuses to convert to Islam. Most Americans do not understand that the greatest threat to the future of the world (especially America) is the Muslim religion.
America Alone.......2007-10-11
Every person in the USA should read this book. Today in the Dallas Morning news(10/10/07)there is an editorial by Anne Applebaum verifing one of the facts stated it this book. Ms. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who is under death threat because of her comments about the mistreatment of women in the Dutch Muslin community had to move to the US because the Dutch say it is too expensive to protect her and she will not shut up. No free speech for her. Mohammed Bouyeri murdered the Dutch writer, Theo Van Gohg, because he made a film about the oppression of Muslim women.
Funny, but also an important message........2007-10-11
While I cannot say that anybody reading this should have more kids just out of the guilt this book might give you, it is an important message about the sad effects of low birthrates. Mark Steyn has a quick wit and funny tone that is clearly not politically correct (good for him). Anybody who enjoys a good laugh or is concerned about terrorism should read this.
A Must-Read!.......2007-10-10
This book was every bit as good as I had heard. I've always enjoyed Mark Steyn, but hadn't gotten a chance to read this yet because I had a stack of books in front of it. That's my loss, because this was one of the most profound and eye-opening books I've ever read. To be honest, I pay pretty close attention to this conflict we find ourselves in, so most of the individual facts in this book weren't exactly foreign to me. But Steyn pulls all this together and presents it in such a concise, clear and entertaining way that I was able to put the pieces together in a way I hadn't even imagined. His demographic data alone is shocking, and should make every person in Europe and Canada sit up and take serious note - I'll be paying very close attention to what happens over the next few years "across the pond", as they say, for how goes Europe, so will eventually go America. I plan to buy several more copies of this book and hand them out to friends and family. I highly suggest it.
Excelent book. Really crunches the numbers like no other book........2007-10-05
This book really lays out the problems with hard numbers and facts in a way I have never seen and is easy to understand. I recomend this book to anyone who is worried about the muslim issue. People in Europe better read it asap!
Book Description
This comprehensive book encourages future educational leaders to be proactive rather than reactive, and arms them with an understanding of educational policy and the important political theories upon which it is based. Coverage addresses theory, analysis, development, and implementation of educational policy, with the knowledge base of the typical reader in mind. It explores the reasons for change in educational policy, ways to track its evolution, and techniques for influencing its ultimate destination. Includes updated statistics drawn from the 2000 Census and explores economic changes expected from the business cycle downturn and the effect of war. Features new news stories for analysis—related to chapter content as well as key current issues, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; New case studies on the teaching of Darwinian evolution and on parent revolts against state testing programs; An entire chapter devoted to policy values and ideology. Extensive coverage on educational policy at the state level. For future educators and educational leaders.
Customer Reviews:
Good book and service!.......2007-10-19
I ordered this book and it came in excellent condition and in a timely manner.
Fowler surfs the waves of educational public policy!.......2003-05-01
An excellent source of information for the layperson or serious student of American education systems. Dr. Fowler explains in great detail a variety of such substantive areas as the meaning of policy; power and education; a discussion of the policy environment; some types of political systems and culture; ideological and value systems; who sets the stage in the making of education policy; the various stages of the policy process and so forth. Enjoyable! Thorough! Substantive!
Educational Leaders.......2001-03-13
This book was very easy to read and understand. Coming from a teaching background, and not knowing anything about policy making, this book was a true education. I used it in my grad class, and every student commented on the ease of understanding and the interest in the text. This is a must buy if you want to learn anything about education, teaching or being an administrator!
Average customer rating:
- Gienapp Let-Down
- magnificent!
- My Captain!
- Abraham Lincoln And Civil War America
- Abraham Lincoln in one slim volume.
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Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America: A Biography
William E. Gienapp
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This Fiery Trial: The Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln
ASIN: 0195151003 |
Book Description
While the heart of the book focuses on the Civil War, Gienapp begins with a finely etched portrait of Lincoln's early life, from pioneer farm boy, to politician and lawyer in Springfield, to his stunning election as sixteenth president of the United States. We see how Lincoln grew during his years in office, how he developed a keen aptitude for military strategy and displayed enormous skill in dealing with his generals, and also how his strategy evolved from a desire to preserve the Union into one of emancipation and total war. A former backwoodsman and country lawyer, Abraham Lincoln rose to become one of America's greatest presidents. The biography offers a vivid account of Lincoln's dramatic ascension to the pinnacle of American history.
Customer Reviews:
Gienapp Let-Down.......2006-11-08
Bill Gienapp was a brilliant historian, and his work "The Origins of the Republican Party, 1852-1856" is a pillar of American political history. Unfortunately, his final work, "Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America," is a tremendous let-down. It is perhaps one of the worst examinations of Lincoln's life, and has almost nothing to do with "Civil War America." Essentially, it is an unqualified love poem to Lincoln, and strives only to prove his greatness -- there is no critical analysis at all. Lincoln is given credit for every political and military success 1861-1865 and is absolved from blame for all his mistakes. In reality, Lincoln was a complex personality and his public career was much more tumultuous than Gienapp proposes. It is disappointing that Gienapp, a man who dedicated his life to exhaustive, nearly flawless historical research would resort to such frivolous, uncritical "pop history" at the end of his tragically short life. Skip Gienapp's Lincoln and, instead, read Stephen Oates's "With Malice Toward None" or Don Fehrenbacher's "Prelude to Greatness: Lincoln in the 1850s."
magnificent!.......2006-06-27
A short, but very well biography of Lincoln. It counts only 250 pages, but it gives an excellent overwiew and superb analyse of the life of AL. The bibliography is also very interesting. One of the best books about the 16th president. A must for a Lincolnhistorian.
My Captain!.......2005-04-04
A good short, solid political biography. While Lincoln and the Civil War is its focus, by no means is this a battle history: Gettysburg is described in one paragraph.
Professor Gienapp has written a book that will introduce one to, or remind one of, the long and trying path traveled by Abraham Lincoln toward ultimate greatness.
Abraham Lincoln And Civil War America.......2002-03-23
William Gienapp's Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America answers a longstanding need for a biography of Lincoln manageable in size, accessible in style, and wise and balanced in content. Lincoln appers on every page of the book and is never lost sight of in the welter of events. He emerges from the text a real believable person, an individual and persuasive assessment of Lincoln's leadership abilities, the finest such appraisal avilable anywhere.
Abraham Lincoln in one slim volume........2002-03-10
This book is a welcome addition ot the already crowded Lincolnia bookself. The author is the presumed successor to the retired David Herbert Donald at Harvard University. Gienapp has produced a highly readable and concise version of a Lincoln biography that can be completed on a moderately long airplane trip(and it's quite portable unlike most hardcover books). While relatively short,this book is a sufficiently thorough treatment of the Civil War Lincoln. I especially enjoyed the author's analysis of the politician Lincoln who mastered his rivals, both Republican and Democrat. This a good book for either a new Lincoln /Civil War "buff" or a good refresher for a scholar of the times.
Amazon.com
Even to those without Marxist sympathies, Che Guevara (1928-67) was a dashing, charismatic figure: the asthmatic son of an aristocratic Argentine family whose sympathy for the world's oppressed turned him into a socialist revolutionary, the valued comrade-in-arms of Cuba's Fidel Castro and a leader of guerilla warfare in Latin America and Africa. Journalist Jon Lee Anderson's lengthy and absorbing portrait captures the complexities of international politics (revolutionary and counter); his painstaking research has unearthed a remarkable amount of new material, including information about Guevara's death at the hands of the Bolivian military.
Book Description
This New York Times “Notable Book of the Year” is the definitive biography on Che Guevara, whose epic dream was to end poverty and injustice in Latin America through armed revolution. Anderson’s biography traces Che’s extraordinary life, from his comfortable Argentine upbringing to the Cuban revolution, from the halls of power in Castro’s government to his failed campaign in the Congo and assassination in the Bolivian jungle.
Customer Reviews:
Simply the Best.......2007-08-28
This is an excellent biography. It shows Guevara from all perspectives; personal, political, and as a historical figure. I can't recommend this book highly enough. As for Anderson, he needs to include better documentation for his sources. This is supposed to be history not a movie script.
Great for a classroom study but not for...........2007-06-03
This book is so full of information it begins to sound more like a step by step account of Che's life. I was sincerely looking forward to reading interesting and historical facts but there are more long winded historical segues and side stories narrated in the third person than one would expect from a biographical book. One example relates to an account of Che's purchase of a gift for a friend which spans 2 pages--was this a major event by normal standards: probably not. At times I felt as if I was reading the report of someone who had too much information but did not want to truncate it under the belief that it would seem dishonest.
However, if you dont mind reading minute details about someone as interesting as Che, then you should buy this book. If you are more interested in getting to the heart of his ideology and political inclinations, look elsewhere.
The Ultimate Book about Che!.......2007-04-30
This book is extremely detailed about Che's life. The author has researched his life so thoroughly. It is also very unbiased, explaining flaws of his character.
A capitalist at heart, this book made me understand the anti-imperialist sentiment in the world, as Che visits Mayan ruins and an American copper mine in Chile. The book also explains the United Fruit Company's presence in Latin America and the politics behind it.
This book also details the Cuban revolution. What an interesting story!! I didn't realize how smart Castro is or that he came from a rich family.
By the time you finish this book, you may not LOVE Che, but you will understand why he fought.
the best book on che.......2007-02-20
This is a balanced, well researched, and easy to read treatise on Che. A good portion of the book details the revolution and you also get to know Fidel well.
thorough.......2007-01-03
Excellent and objective book on Che Guevara. A long read (750 pages) but written in a very readable and chronological fashion. This book is also very insightful regarding the events leading up to and after the Cuban Revolution and provides a lot of insight on Fidel Castro as well. Highly recommended.
Book Description
Legendary auto executive Lee Iacocca has a question for every American: Where have all the leaders gone?
The most widely recognized business executive of all time asks the tough questions that America's leaders must address:
• What is each of us giving back to our country?
• Do we truly love democracy?
• Are we too fat and satisfied for our own good?
• Why is America addicted to oil?
• Do we really care about our children's futures?
• Who will save the middle class?
A self-made man who many Americans once wished would run for president, Iacocca saved the Chrysler Corporation from financial ruin, masterminded the creation of the minivan, and oversaw the renovation of Ellis Island. Since then he has created the Iacocca Institute for leadership at Lehigh University and the Iacocca Foundation, which funds research for a cure for diabetes. Lee Iacocca believes that leaders are made in times of crisis -- such as today. He has known more leaders than almost anyone else -- among them nine U.S. presidents, many heads of state, and the CEOs of the nation's top corporations -- and is uniquely suited to share his wisdom, knowledge, and wit about the leadership of America.
Author of the gigantic number one bestsellers Iacocca: An Autobiography and Talking Straight, Lee Iacocca famously doesn't mince words and offers his no-nonsense, straight-up assessments of the American politicians most likely to run for president in 2008, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Mitt Romney, and John Edwards.
Confessing that he has "flunked retirement," Iacocca calls on citizens of all ages to vote, get involved, and choose our leaders carefully. Along the way, he shares stories about the prominent people he's met and known, including the time he smoked cigars with Fidel Castro, what Bob Hope told him about how to live a long life, what Lady Sarah Ferguson said to him as they danced, why Bill Clinton woke him up in Italy, what Robert McNamara taught him about success, how Frank Sinatra sang for him personally, and whom Pope John Paul II asked him to pray for. We learn what he discussed with Warren Buffett, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche, Ronald Reagan, Senator John Kerry, Congressman John Murtha, Prince Charles and Camilla, former Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar, rapper Snoop Dogg, financier Kirk Kerkorian, Ted Turner, Bob Dole, and many more.
Knowing that the times are urgent, the iconic leader shares his lessons learned and issues a call to action to summon Americans back to their roots of hard work, common sense, integrity, generosity, and optimism.
Where have all the leaders gone?
Lee Iacocca has the answer.
Customer Reviews:
Answer: They've gone into hiding!.......2007-10-18
Review: "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"
For the past several years, I have been wringing my hands about the growing dearth of leadership in our nation. I suspect this arises as education snobbery pushes common sense aside in favor of intellectualism. When I learned that Lee Iacocca, one of our greatest contemporary leaders, was similarly concerned and had authored a book on the subject, I was eager to read it. I was confident that he would have some good ideas and would offer some sound advice.
Discouragingly, I was wrong.
Where have all the leaders gone? I wonder if the author chose the title, since the book does not give us a direct answer. On the chance that was because he could not figure it out, here is my answer: They have gone into hiding, Lee, just like you!
According to his memoirs, as documented here, Lee Iacocca had at least three opportunities to serve his country in government and in positions as high as President. His reasons for passing on those solicitations were the same as usually uttered by other very capable people; they are not confident about their ability to participate effectively in the degradingly duplicitous and disingenuous management system that we currently call "politics." That, of course, has left leadership positions open to those who are comfortable in that paradigm. Hence today's situation.
As an alternative, he recommends that we all get more conscientious about voting, and evaluate candidates much more critically before going to the polls. Gee; thank's Lee. We never thought of that!
I'm sorry, but we're tired of rolling up our sleeves and donning our thinking caps to evaluate - as Jerry Brown cleverly put it over ten years ago - "the evil of two lessers." Since people of your caliber choose to excuse themselves, our role defaults to bottom-fishing. Carp, mud puppies and other scavengers; all junk fish with no fight in them, and never worthy of our table. Not worth fishing for! Why bother?
The last sentence in the book is, "Won't you join me?" My first take on that was surprise: 'join you in what?' However, on second thought, I guess my answer is, "Yes." We are all doing the same thing as you. We are bitching and complaining, but keeping far enough away from the mud-wrestling pit that we will not get splattered.
Harry Truman was a lot like Lee Iacocca in many ways - common, practical, decisive, responsible and plain talking. Wonder where we would be today had he felt the same way and let things default to lesser men.
The above notwithstanding, I give Lee's book high marks.
First, because the author is Lee Iacocca, a staunch, real life American icon - someone with a story every youngster should know about. Second, because there is so much more in the book that in conversations with family and friends, no matter what the topic, I currently find myself mentioning what Iacocca had to say. I guess that means I think what he had to say on those things is worth knowing about.
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The Manitou Passage Story
O.K., we get it. You hate Bush. But, what about leadership???.......2007-10-10
This book isn't about leadership - it's a collection of hateful rants aimed at the Bush presidency. Touting the "success" of the Chrysler K car (!?!?!) was laughable and delivering a mean-spirited attack about the president's actions on 9/11 was churlish and really low. I'm glad my president had the good sense NOT to look panicked to the world (kids at school) and to assess his safety before heading back to D.C. This book masquerades as a book about leadership, but it is really an octogenarian's platform for spewing his political dogma and venom.
Thank Goodness I Got This From The Library.......2007-10-02
I thought Iacocca might have some interesting observations on leadership based on his years at Ford and Chrysler. After all, this is the man whose inspired leadership saved the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Instead, Iacocca has done a good job of impersonating a liberal version of Ann Coulter as he splashes his hatred (no other word describes it) of George Bush on page after page.
Iacocca lists his traits of a leader -- he calls them his Nine Cs of Leadership -- then pours out his bile on George Bush by describing the president's inadequacies in each. Here's an example under the "C" for CRISIS: "On September 11, 2001," Iacocca writes, "we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. Where was George Bush? He was reading a story about a pet goat to kids in Florida."
I would agree that President Bush has shortcomings in terms of his leadership skill, especially as a communicator. But I believe Iacocca takes far too many cheap shots in his latest book for it to have any credibility as a learning tool. I'd like to suggest that Iacocca add one more "C" to his list to make it an even ten: CIVILITY. A good leader (and writer) understands the dangers of overkill.
Has some good points.......2007-09-29
I thought this was a very thought provoking book. As always Lee toots his horn pretty loudly but I expected that. His plans for how to get the country back on track and make the USA the world leader again has some good points and some that would never work. I would recommend reading it if you think the present administration is doing a good job but are open minded. If you do not want to hear anything negative about the present admin then by all means do not read it.
Contender For Worst Book of 07' .......2007-09-19
First impressions of the cover are baffling. I knew nothing of Lee Iacocca before reading this which raised so many questions beforehand- What direction will he take with all of his experience and knowledge? What is the book's subject, corporate management? Life motivation? Occurring somewhere in it's arduous chapters you realize it's that guy from the Snoop Dog TV ads. He's also no stranger to leadership; managing one of the largest corporations in the world is no easy onus, so why shouldn't he provide some edifying, invaluable knowledge to us readers?
Hopes of acquiring stimulating, Donald Trump-styled professional wisdom dissipate upon plunging into the first chapter. The bottom line is Lee Iacocca is artlessly fuming about the government. Essentially, the book has nothing at all to do with today's business environment or corporate management. By reading the cover we're led to believe Lee has some rare fresh, balanced views on our nation`s leadership. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Eat your heart out Andy Rooney, there's competition now for the role of mope eternally bitching about every worldly unjustness today.
Iacocca, a former Kerry booster, earnestly aims to capitalize off low presidential and congressional approval ratings compounded with colossal media and pop culture demonization campaigns of Bush's presidency in a platitude of flagrantly throwing every dubious cliché that emulates a run-of-the-mill, freshmen term paper imbued with senior citizen angst and insincerity; a real shame for someone his age. Our esteemed author offers nothing new to a reader but the same old repetitive juvenile fallacies fabricated by Michael Moore films and leftwing blog rants- Bush lied about Iraq, Bush is dumb, Cheney is evil, Iraq was for oil, Saddam wasn't a threat, "powerful neocon conspirators" get rich off of Iraq via Halliburton and other companies, Americans are fat, to we will all soon disintegrate from "Global warming."
Nevertheless, Lee is quick to remind us he is no partisan. His eulogy of officials he exalts definitively tails public opinion polls, kindling a true character of a modern day conformist, revealing a preoccupation with acceptance among mainstream haut monde, not to mention mantra-hungry book critics. Needless to say, he's immured in a prison of inanity. Lee's special affection with calling avid soldier-condemner John Murtha a "true patriot" is utterly joshing. Lee, intentionally or not, manages to fill his jeremiad with flourishing self-contradictions, naïve propositions, rampant pessimism, and groundless "statistics", such as: "Since 1777 there's only been 45 flag burnings."
Among the myriad ludicrousness includes:
-It's solely the US's fault the Cuban people are suffering due to economic embargos and callous diplomatic relations
-Castro is a kindly man who is often misunderstood. The only reason he is despised in the US is because of right-winged-defectors in Fl who will always support Batista. (Which is not only preposterous but downright repugnant)
-Consistently groans the US has "invaded countries which don't pose a threat" before suggesting we should invade our ally Saudi Arabia.
-Declaims the US cold-heartedly hinders illegals from entering America while dedicating a chapter to deploring how the Middle Class is getting screwed today- carrying the heaviest tax burden and losing jobs.
-Spends a great deal of the book deprecating Bush's presidency, which he attributes to an inability to lead; quite ironic for someone who was fired for his own ineptitude in leading Ford, which is seldom mentioned.
The final chapter takes an incongruous turn, as if the whole of the book wasn't anomalous enough. Iacocca further rambles on on everything from retirement, golf, the Pope, Frank Sinatra, to the upcoming election. Finally concluding with a pitch to join his foundation.
In addition to lacking defined objectives and structure, Lee's second book is erratic in subject and more importantly, omits a central theme. Everyone holds passionate opinions in a democracy but if you expect us to pay to hear yours, regardless of persuasion, they should be unique, factual, and ruminative. Simplicity is plenteous in Iacocca's elementary writing style, full of short sentences of puerile thoughts on intricate matters like bioethics, the political economy, and public policy issues. A well-educated scholar's work that exhibits skillful prose and authentic intellect on these subjects would unquestionably be more rewarding than 200 pages of time-consuming, clamorous tirades. In Lee's more familiar business world, if you present a poor, rancid, futile product you lose money and credibility, why should your book be any different?
Book Description
Half a century after brave Americans took to the streets to raise the bar of opportunity for all races, Juan Williams writes that too many black Americans are in crisis—caught in a twisted hip-hop culture, dropping out of school, ending up in jail, having babies when they are not ready to be parents, and falling to the bottom in twenty-first-century global economic competition.
In Enough, Juan Williams issues a lucid, impassioned clarion call to do the right thing now, before we travel so far off the glorious path set by generations of civil rights heroes that there can be no more reaching back to offer a hand and rescue those being left behind.
Inspired by Bill Cosby’s now famous speech at the NAACP gala celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Brown decision integrating schools, Williams makes the case that while there is still racism, it is way past time for black Americans to open their eyes to the “culture of failure” that exists within their community. He raises the banner of proud black traditional values—self-help, strong families, and belief in God—that sustained black people through generations of oppression and flowered in the exhilarating promise of the modern civil rights movement. Williams asks what happened to keeping our eyes on the prize by proving the case for equality with black excellence and achievement.
He takes particular aim at prominent black leaders—from Al Sharpton to Jesse Jackson to Marion Barry. Williams exposes the call for reparations as an act of futility, a detour into self-pity; he condemns the “Stop Snitching” campaign as nothing more than a surrender to criminals; and he decries the glorification of materialism, misogyny, and murder as a corruption of a rich black culture, a tragic turn into pornographic excess that is hurting young black minds, especially among the poor.
Reinforcing his incisive observations with solid research and alarming statistical data, Williams offers a concrete plan for overcoming the obstacles that now stand in the way of African Americans’ full participation in the nation’s freedom and prosperity. Certain to be widely discussed and vehemently debated, Enough is a bold, perceptive, solution-based look at African American life, culture, and politics today.
Customer Reviews:
Is more than i was expected.......2007-10-17
Hay! Is more than i was expected. Thank you amazon and sender.
Take care
A Thought-Provoking Critical Analysis Of Black Culture.......2007-10-13
Juan Williams has eloquently and courageously put to words thoughts that I've had for many years. I find it interesting that it took a speech from famed comedian / actor Bill Cosby to spur Mr. Williams to take center stage in the culture battle within the black community.
Nevertheless, this book exposes to the world the mindless rhetoric and failed strategies of many of the so-called civil rights leaders that are just as much a drag on the ability of American blacks to successfully pursue the American dream as slavery and racism ever was. I would even go so far as to assert that self-appointed civil rights leaders practice an entirely new brand of slavery, economic slavery, designed to keep a noble and proud culture chained to the failing polices of past radicalism and confrontation that had their place in the 60s but are woefully inadequate today; and which only presently exits to serve the self-interests of those who promote them. While Mr. Williams hints at such, a bolder, more clearly articulated statement would have been a welcomed addition to his work. My only other disappointment with Enough was the lack of footnotes and source citations for many of its claims.
Minor criticisms aside, this is a well written book. Mr. Williams presents his ideas in a smoothly organized fashion that rivets the readers' attention in a vice grip of paradigm shifts, provocative ideas, and conservative thought that the black community would do well to consider. Its been said as a political force the black vote is taken for granted by the Democrat Party and written off by the Republican Party. Many of the reasons are revealed in this book. How can either party consider blacks to be politically relevant when the emerging leadership in politics and pop culture debase and disrespect their own people and the rule of law?
As so well stated by Mr. Williams, the key to ending black poverty and lack of social progress lies within the black community itself. Government can throw billions more dollars at the problem with equally meager results as seen these past 30 years, or blacks can rise above the crass, degrading, demeaning, and enslaving icons of rap artists, self-serving civil rights leaders, tolerance of neighborhood crime, and lack of moral courage to propel the race to unimagined prosperity. Enough is certainly a step in the right direction.
Speaking For Us!.......2007-10-06
It took one speech by one man at one moment frozen in time to set off a barrage of discussions on the Black community's progress post-civil Rights era.
Bill Cosby, famed doctor of the Cosby show, stood in front of the crowd as if he was a preacher standing at a pulpit speaking truths from the Bible instead of having a congregation of the willing eagerly anticipating his every word the crowd was members of the NAACP who expected a simple congratulatory speech from the non-controversial celebrity. The event that Mr. Cosby made his infamous speech was deemed, by him, to be appropriate--it was the commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court ruling (this ruling prompted the eventual integration of public schools across America--making the "separate but equal" policy unconstitutional). Irregardless of how you felt about Cosby's speech, you have to admit that it took immense courage on his part to risk his reputation and long-standing alliances (both political and social) to draw from his wisdom that he has gained over the years as an actor, activist and as a black man.
The author, Juan Williams, of "Enough....", is an accomplished commentator (known from his correspondent work on NPR and Fox News) exceptionally delved into Mr. Cosby's argument about the downturn and complacency of the Black community after the Civil Rights Movement. He took each hard-hitting point of Bill Cosby's speech such as the lack of importance on education leading to increased drop-out rates, social failures as result of deteriorating family cohesion, the long-term effects of criminal elements within neighborhood of all economies--especially poorer areas, lack of credible leadership to further carry-on the torch of the movement, cyclical poverty effecting the economic wealth of the community, and the ill-conceived plea to seek reparations from the federal government for the crimes against our ancestors.
Mr. William's approach to analyzing Bill Cosby's argument for change was reminiscent of a college professor that taught one of my "art of argument logic" courses--he presented a theory, dissected it, built it back up, presented opposing views and brought it all full circle!
As I read this book, I realized that it was justified for Cosby (or anyone else) to point out the shortcomings within the black community to invoke change. Why should we continue to go on with our lives being disillusioned? Everything is not okay! Cosby's speech is simply a rally call to everyone, in particular, those that will take heed to his battle cry. We are not at war with this mystical force out there to get black folks (aka "the man"), we are at war with "crabs in the bucket" weighing down on the community making it appear to the world that we are a community who continues to fail whether in education, economic advancement and social imagery. I know that Cosby wasn't speaking to everyone--not all blacks are dropping out of school! Not all blacks are unaware of the sacrifices that our ancestors went through so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today! Not all blacks are accepting of the negative images and buffoonery that is in the media! Not all blacks are accepting of anything that sets us back to a period prior to the civil rights movement!
People within the Black community should not dismiss Bill Cosby as just some old, rich man with nothing better to do than to nitpick at the "wrongs of the young generation". His speech had validity and needed to be heard and what better venue than at event celebrating a freedom that some black people take for granted--the right to an equal opportunity to a quality education under the eyes of the law.
Enough by Juan Williams.......2007-10-05
This was an awesome book that should be mandatory reading for Liberal Arts majors and just the general public. The author describes a realistic pathway for both blacks and whites in the search for racial harmony.
Juan Williams -- The Black Radical.......2007-09-28
I used to think that people like Mr. Williams were sellouts. Now, I know better. When you look at what he is saying...he is saying the same thing as Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. (Farrakhan just has a slicker approach.)
That is, the Nation draws you in with their "hate whitey" message, but when you join they slowly flip the script. When you attend the meetings, buy the tapes, and read the there books, the message is the same:
1. Eat good foods (How to eat to live).
2. Take care of your responsibilities. "Every brother needs a job. If he doesn't have a job, then the brothers need to get together and create him one." -- Farrakhan
3. Don't buy things (cars and homes) you can't afford. - F.O.I. meetings
4. Educate your own children. - If they won't treat you right, they won't teach you right. N.O.I slogan
What more needs to be said? Juan Williams is as pro-black as you can get!
Book Description
Creating civic will by engaging citizens on the toughest public problems helps break legislative and bureaucratic gridlock and restores trust in public institutions. This book shows you how to do it.
--The Honorable Federico Pena, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
The leaders who are most effective in addressing public issues are those who have the credibility to bring together the right people to create visions and solve problems. Drawing on their extensive research, as well as on the advice and guidance of the leading scholars and practitioners in the field, David Chrislip and Carl Larson show how elected officials and other civic leaders can generate the civic will to break through legislative and bureaucratic gridlock, deal with complex issues, and engage frustrated and angry citizens. They also describe how to design, initiate, and sustain a constructive, collaborative process. This groundbreaking book provides insight and answers to the major challenges facing communities today.
Book Description
Arguing that the power in America is concentrated in large institutions, this book studies the people at the top of these institutions—who they are, how much power they wield, and how they came to power. Tom Dye has chronicled the national leadership since the Nixon-Ford years, each edition featuring the current president and his staff. The seventh edition focuses on the new Bush administration and the contrast it will bring to Washington following 8 years of Clinton dominance. The commentary is supported by years of data analysis involving more than 7000 institutional elites, which includes governmental and corporate leaders. This edition describes the return of the Bush dynasty to power. It includes a new chapter on “The Money Elite”, describing the power of the banking and financial community as well as the Federal Reserve Board; Chapter 7 now covers important issues concerning elite interlocking, recruitment, social characteristics, class, and factionalism; the discussion of “How Institutional Leaders Make Public Policy” has been expanded greatly in Chapter 8; several discussions have been added, including “The Globalization of Economic Power,” “The Battle for IBM,” “Alan Greenspan: Ruling over Money,” “Hillary Clinton: Power and Ambition,” and “Liberal and Conservative Factions among Elites”.
Customer Reviews:
Elite View of American Politics.......2003-05-04
Pretty good book about political elites in the United States. Its strongest point is its empirical discussion of personalities and of groups that have a lot of power in America. Even though the book has been through seven editions, including one following election 2000, some information needs to be updated. This is true, for example, of the discussion about the richest people in America.
The theoretical model I found a bit tangled and not one hundred percent persuasive. I am on the side of the author as far as the major thesis, but I think theoretically this is not the last word on the elite theory of American politics, nor is the book astonishingly creative from the theoretical standpoint.
I also needed more persuasion as far as some specific hypotheses. For example the role of endowments and foundations was presented as a truly major role. Most textbooks on American politics do not even mention endowments and foundations that support academic and scientific research. Much less do most textbooks on the subject consider endowments and foundations to be key players.
Nevertheless, it is a clear no-nonsense book and easy to read, especially if you are interested in politics. I thought it had a nice introductory chapter, paying homage to some of the early great elite theorists, such as Vifredo Pareto, Robert Michels, and Gaetano Mosca.
I recommend it to undergraduate students in American politics and political theory.
Average customer rating:
- John Adams
- Grand. Historic. Inspiring.
- Our Mis-understood President
- One of the Best Books I have read
- A "good book" but "distracting" in use of quotations as a storytelling "device"
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ASIN: 0684813637
Release Date: 2001-05-22 |
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Left to his own devices, John Adams might have lived out his days as a Massachusetts country lawyer, devoted to his family and friends. As it was, events swiftly overtook him, and Adams--who, David McCullough writes, was "not a man of the world" and not fond of politics--came to greatness as the second president of the United States, and one of the most distinguished of a generation of revolutionary leaders. He found reason to dislike sectarian wrangling even more in the aftermath of war, when Federalist and anti-Federalist factions vied bitterly for power, introducing scandal into an administration beset by other difficulties--including pirates on the high seas, conflict with France and England, and all the public controversy attendant in building a nation.
Overshadowed by the lustrous presidents Washington and Jefferson, who bracketed his tenure in office, Adams emerges from McCullough's brilliant biography as a truly heroic figure--not only for his significant role in the American Revolution but also for maintaining his personal integrity in its strife-filled aftermath. McCullough spends much of his narrative examining the troubled friendship between Adams and Jefferson, who had in common a love for books and ideas but differed on almost every other imaginable point. Reading his pages, it is easy to imagine the two as alter egos. (Strangely, both died on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.) But McCullough also considers Adams in his own light, and the portrait that emerges is altogether fascinating. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot -- "the colossus of independence," as Thomas Jefferson called him -- who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who rose to become the second President of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was learned beyond all but a few and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the moving love stories in American history.
Like his masterly, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Truman, David McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. It is both a riveting portrait of an abundantly human man and a vivid evocation of his time, much of it drawn from an outstanding collection of Adams family letters and diaries. In particular, the more than one thousand surviving letters between John and Abigail Adams, nearly half of which have never been published, provide extraordinary access to their private lives and make it possible to know John Adams as no other major American of his founding era.
As he has with stunning effect in his previous books, McCullough tells the story from within -- from the point of view of the amazing eighteenth century and of those who, caught up in events, had no sure way of knowing how things would turn out. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, the British spy Edward Bancroft, Madame Lafayette and Jefferson's Paris "interest" Maria Cosway, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, the scandalmonger James Callender, Sally Hemings, John Marshall, Talleyrand, and Aaron Burr all figure in this panoramic chronicle, as does, importantly, John Quincy Adams, the adored son whom Adams would live to see become President.
Crucial to the story, as it was to history, is the relationship between Adams and Jefferson, born opposites -- one a Massachusetts farmer's son, the other a Virginia aristocrat and slaveholder, one short and stout, the other tall and spare. Adams embraced conflict; Jefferson avoided it. Adams had great humor; Jefferson, very little. But they were alike in their devotion to their country.
At first they were ardent co-revolutionaries, then fellow diplomats and close friends. With the advent of the two political parties, they became archrivals, even enemies, in the intense struggle for the presidency in 1800, perhaps the most vicious election in history. Then, amazingly, they became friends again, and ultimately, incredibly, they died on the same day -- their day of days -- July 4, in the year 1826.
Much about John Adams's life will come as a surprise to many readers. His courageous voyage on the frigate Boston in the winter of 1778 and his later trek over the Pyrenees are exploits that few would have dared and that few readers will ever forget.
It is a life encompassing a huge arc -- Adams lived longer than any president. The story ranges from the Boston Massacre to Philadelphia in 1776 to the Versailles of Louis XVI, from Spain to Amsterdam, from the Court of St. James's, where Adams was the first American to stand before King George III as a representative of the new nation, to the raw, half-finished Capital by the Potomac, where Adams was the first President to occupy the White House.
This is history on a grand scale -- a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.
Customer Reviews:
John Adams.......2007-10-17
This book should be required reading for school kids, newly naturalized citizens, and those who take freedom for granted. John Adams gave his life to making the Revolution's concepts become a reality. He was
"truly" the founding father of all fathers.
Many today profess to being a patriot but they are not!
Grand. Historic. Inspiring........2007-10-04
JOHN ADAMS is a fascinating portrayal of one of America's most influential founding fathers.
With this book and his other best-selling historical novels, John McCullough has clearly emerged as the nation's storyteller, reminding Americans of their founding principals, the formative issues and defining struggles of the day as well as the courage and sacrifices of the men and women whom history called, blood and bone.
The story of John Adams begins in the colony of Massachusetts. Son of a preacher, Adams graduated from Harvard University, became a lawyer and married his lifelong friend and partner, Abigail. Despite his devotion to his wife, hearth, and home, he was soon thrust into the political debate of the day and would spend most of his public service away from those he held most dear. With a handful of patriots, Adams would become the voice of democracy and its republican government. As Adams said, the "American Revolution" occurred long before the war in the hearts and minds of his countrymen.
Adams played a central role in defining, delivering and defending the government of the confederation and later, the United States of America. He wrote the Massachusetts Constitution (which would serve as a guide to the United States Constitution years later) and defended the Jeffersonian draft of the Declaration of Independence. His towering intellect, articulate speech, and unshakeable integrity made him a powerful, compelling, and key revolutionary character. If Jefferson was the pen, Adams was the voice of the revolution and the new republic.
Adams served as ambassador to France, Netherlands, and Britain providing leadership, guidance and treaties at critical junctures in history. In due course, Adams served as Vice President to George Washington and as the second President of the United States.
John Adams comes to life in the pages of this historical novel. We experience his victories and failures, exultation and depression, certainty and uncertainty. Adams emerges heroically, yet humanly, as a man for his time.
Our Mis-understood President.......2007-09-25
Many of us will accept any book by McCollough, but this is his best. Thankfully it does not go into avery detail of his life, it rather brings him to life. We see bith John and Abigail as warm human beings who made major sacrifices for their beloved country. As the story moves along we gain insight into other revolutionary leaders, e.g., Thomas Jefferson, George Washington et. al.
This is the perfect book for the person who lovesAmerican history and the one who thinks it might be fun to learn something about it. Scholar and casual reader will benefit from this work.
One of the Best Books I have read.......2007-09-16
While I agree this book is not a complete history of every aspect of John Adams life, I do acknowledge the fact that it is the very book that got me interested in History. After reading the book I have started to read and develop my own history Library. It is not fair to expect this book to be all things to all people but rather one tool in the toolbox of the History of this great American, John Adams. While I am glad there are History buffs/nerds out there to let us know every shortcoming of this book and which books to read to fill in the gaps, I am very Greatful for David McCullough and his contribution to our Great Country. His books are written as Novels and make it possible for us to imagine how life actually was in these times. Go ahead and buy the Hardback version as you will want this to be a permanent part of your library.
A "good book" but "distracting" in use of quotations as a storytelling "device".......2007-09-04
I found the excessive use of quotations so tedious and irritating that I had to put it down after reading the first hundred pages or so. It reminded me of a high school book report where all of the interspersed quotations are intended to show the teacher that the student really read the book and did the research to support their thesis.
McCullough obviously did do a lot of research in writing this book and my guess is that he intended to use the characters' own words as a way to bring them and the time that they lived to life for modern readers. Unfortunately, he overdid it and all but destroyed the narrative in the process.
Book Description
From The New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Vulcans, an exploration of Chinese authoritarianism and Western capitalism
In The China Fantasy, bestselling author James Mann examines the evolution of American policy toward China and asks, Does it make sense? What are our ideas and hidden assumptions about China? In this vigorous look at China's political evolution and its future, Mann explores two scenarios popular among the policy elite. The Soothing Scenario contends that the successful spread of capitalism will gradually bring about a development of democratic institutions, free elections, independent judiciary, and a progressive human rights policy. In the Upheaval Scenario, the contradictions in Chinese society between rich and poor, between cities and the countryside, and between the openness of the economy and the unyielding Leninist system will eventually lead to a revolution, chaos, or collapse.
Against this backdrop, Mann poses a third scenario and asks, What will happen if Chinese capitalism continues to evolve and expand but the government fails to liberalize? What then and why should this third scenario matter to Americans? Mann explores this alternate possibility and—in this must-read book for anyone interested in international politics—offers a startling vision of our future with China that will have a profound impact for decades to come.
Customer Reviews:
stretched out magazine article, but some excellent information.......2007-09-04
I have read over a dozen books on China recently, and Mann goes into detail on one important aspect that no one else mentions: how our own government officials are being bought out and corrupted by China. He names names and dollar figures on the many American political leaders who have left office and gone directly onto the payroll of China as 'consultants' paid to use their US govt contacts to made introductions. No wonder our government is unwilling to take action re China's hold on our Treasury Bills and economy as a strategic threat or do something about all their predatory economic practices. For example, their economic miracle is based on undercutting the prices of their competition - but China has falsely set their currency exchange rate below actual market values. We complain and do nothing. Why? Could it be because every China expert in the State department retires and becomes a consultant in the pay of China? Some famous names who now work for China as 'consultants' - Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, Clinton's national security advisor Sandy Berger, William Cohen (Clinton's defense secretary), Republican Carla Hills (the US Trade Rep), REpublican Brent Snowcroft (national security advisor to Bush senior).
Other than this very interesting insight, I found Mann is a lazy researcher and this books largely reads like a padded magazine article. He tends to make assertions without going into the facts in enough detail to make them persuasive -even when he is correct. For example, he mentions China's harmful role in international politics, but doesn't give the actual stories - that they are the suppliers of missile technology to Iran for example, and are aggressively pursuing oil stakes in the Middle East by arming every despotic regime that more responsible nations are shunning.
If the thesis of China becoming neither democractic nor falling apart interests you, there is a highly intelligent in-depth analysis called China's Trapped Transition. The Limits of Developmental Autocracy.
Good for Chinese to understand American policy.......2007-09-04
I like reading articles of James Mann at Los Angeles Times, and this book gives me more understanding of American policy towards China.
Recently, the mayor of Pasadena, California used almost exact words as James quoted in his book to respond to the criticism by the human rights groups for his invitation of Beijing "Olympic float" in Rose Parade 2008.
I wish that Mr. Mann could have also commented on a new wave of movement in China of denouncing Chinese communist party which was trigured by an article in Epoch Times, "Nine Commentaries on Communist Party".
This book is high recommended.
serious food for thought.......2007-08-25
Mann's worry of an enduring repressive Chinese Communist Party leadership is well supported by his arguments and analysis. It is a must read for anybody with serious long-term interest in China.
My quibble is Mann's simplistic usage of the term democracy. I wish James had dived deeper into what he exactly means by "a democratic China". Even if China were embracing democracy today, it is a *tremendous* challenge to implement a democracy at China's scale and under the current somewhat fervent social conditions.
Concise Analysis of China's Future Direction.......2007-08-05
Author James Mann served as Bureau Chief for the LA Times in Beijing, China from 1984-87. With the China Olympics coming, this book is a timely, concise (112 pages), anlaysis of why we should beware the myth that commerce will eventually lead to political change and democracy in China from one who has lived there. Mann (The Rise of the Vulcans) has hit another homerun!
An extremely rationalized opinion without substance.......2007-06-23
This book begins by stating:
"This is not a book about China itself. It is about the China I have encountered outside of China."
And it delivers just that: after rationalizing "the views of China that prevail in Washington and the other leading capitals of Europe and Asia and in corporate headquarters around the globe" in just 144 pages, we are told that the single most important thing that Western decision-makers should do is push for democracy in China.
Indeed, you get the impression that the author cannot bear for China not to have an American-style democracy for a single day.
Is there anything new in his message? Absolutely not because every American knows that democracy is the most wonderful ideal for mankind.
But should we abandon other forms of engagement with China and simply tell the Chinese leadership, every time we meet them, that they should implement democracy immediately? Absolutely not because it is simply a recipe for disaster not only for the Chinese themselves but also for the world.
Read Roger Osborne's book Civilization: A New History of the Western World, you will understand why "the fundamental western belief that there are rational ways of organising the world which will bring benefit to all has been at the root of every human-made catastrophe that has overtaken us; yet many of us still believe that we have a bounden duty to bring our simplistic, universalizing, 'progressive' systems of government, economics, education, policing, judiciary and morals to every part of every society on the planet. The uncomfortable truth we need to face is that this belief is as dangerous to humanity as military conquest."
So, The China Fantasy is a cheap book offering a cheap message.
To begin to develop a sense of how we might move forward together with China, I recommend Will Hutton's The Writing on the Wall, which will give you a lot of useful background knowledge on both China and America. But above all, it demonstrates why a bilateral approach is so crucial to our policies toward China.
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- Borges: Collected Fictions
- Breaking Through
- Breaking Through
- Breaking Through
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