We, the Jury: Deciding the Scott Peterson Case

We, the Jury: Deciding the Scott Peterson Case
Average customer rating:

Not what I thought

Experiencing the Peterson trial through those who lived it

We The Jury

brilliant

Interesting but not news

We, the Jury: Deciding the Scott Peterson Case
Greg Beratlis , Tom Marino , Mike Belmessieri , Dennis Lear , Richelle Nice , John Guinasso , Julie Zanartu , Frank Swertlow , and Lyndon Stambler
Manufacturer: Phoenix Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1597775363

Book Description

In "We, the Jury," the jurors in the Scott Peterson case tell, for the first time, what life was like at the center of this sensational murder trial.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I thought .......2007-09-26

I'm reluctant to write this review, since I just read a bunch of negative reviews which were then bashed in the comments, so I'm going to start with this: I do believe Scott Peterson is GUILTY. I believe the jury got the verdict right. I have read numerous other books about Laci and Scott ... including on which was published BEFORE her body was found.

But I did not like this book. Perhaps it's because I really did think they were going to go more indepth in their deliberations, perhaps because they really didn't mention much of the evidence except in passing. I know I was bored to death when they were describing clothing and looks. Part of me has to wonder after reading this if they didn't vote guilty because Geragos didn't come through on his promise to prove Scott "stone cold innocent". Now I'm sure this isn't the case, but by reading the book I sensed that they were waiting for this proof. I would have liked more information on how they deliberated the evidence.

It is not a horrible book for what it is. But it is NOT a book about deliberating the Peterson case. It's a book about 7 out of 12 people and how the trial affected them and their lives (mostly in negative ways).

Now I hope no one feels the need to bash my review just because I didn't enjoy this book. For someone interested in the case I would recommend Catherine Crier's book. For someone interested in Laci's life and the emotions, I recommend For Laci.

It's just my opinion!

Experiencing the Peterson trial through those who lived it.......2007-09-09

Since I'm still reading the book, I can't give a full and accurate review. The four stars reflects my opinon of the book up to this point. So far so good! If you followed this trial, I would recommed this book to read.

We The Jury.......2007-07-18

It was an interesting book and filled in some of the blank spaces in my view of the trial.

brilliant.......2007-06-10

this was an excellent book,i have read about 5 from this tradegy already, it is very interesting to get a different angle on the story.

Interesting but not news.......2007-06-02

I found this book an interesting read. However, most of the information in the book was information we already knew due to the previous books published on the case and the intense media coverage. There were a few surprises but for the most part the book covers what anyone following the case would have already known.

The Verbally Abusive Man, Can He Change?: A Woman' Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go

Average customer rating:

An Emotional Life Net
I'm not being "sensitive" after all!!!
trying to get inside an abuser's head?
must read for woman in abusive relationships
Finally! Understanding!

The Verbally Abusive Man, Can He Change?: A Woman' Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go
Patricia Evans
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Emotionally Abusive Relationship: How to Stop Being Abused and How to Stop Abusing

ASIN: 1593376537

Book Description

In this groundbreaking follow-up to her bestselling books The Verbally Abusive Relationship and Controlling People, Patricia Evans goes beyond identifying verbally abusive behaviors to prescribing a course of action for both victim and abuser.
Coupling stories of abused women and abusive men from her own case studies, Evans gives you the tools you need to transform your relationship. Most important, she assures you that such a transformation is possible-given the right circumstances. Evans also helps you determine if your abuser really has changed-or if he's merely creating the illusion of change. And if he hasn't changed, Evans helps you decide whether it's time to leave the relationship-and what to do when it is.
Combining practical applications and the latest clinical research with her trademark support and assurance, Evans shows you how to empower yourself, improve your relationship, and change your life for the better.

Customer Reviews:

An Emotional Life Net.......2007-06-02

Thank God for Patricia Evans. I began by reading her previous book: The Verbally Abusive Relationship then found this latest one. Both took me through the leaving of my husband with a relative comfort that I was doing the right thing. I carried them around like a bible that I would consult as I would a therapist. A TRUE emotional life saver!!!!!

I'm not being "sensitive" after all!!!.......2007-05-17

After reading this book, I am able to understand my "soon to be" Ex-husband instead of loathing him. Many times reading the book it was as if Ms. Evans was reading my mind. At times I felt both naked and relieved that I didn't have to keep the secret of my "seemingly perfect--but not" marriage any more. This book is helping me to heal.

trying to get inside an abuser's head?.......2007-01-18

I felt like this book was trying to understand what they could be thinking, why they are cruel and controlling and how to talk to them in a way they could possibly understand. The authors' previous books talk more directly to the woman, helping her to understand abuse, change her actions and give her a tool to confront the abuser (a written agreement). In contrast, this book talks more specifically about the deadly ways that the relationship works- the toxic interactions, the abuser's wrong thinking and unrealistic expectations and how the abuser's soul was damaged. It's not an easy book to read- it dragged up a lot of pain and anger relating both to "how could he DO this? and "why would someone do this to him as a child?" But it was helpful on the recovery path.

must read for woman in abusive relationships.......2007-01-10

The book is an in-depth look at what verbal and emotional abuse is. Working as a psychotherapist myself I would recommend this book to clients in these type of relationships. Also it was fascinating what type of situations Evans even labeled as abuse, situations I once didn't feel were abusive I now see are, for example even innocent joking can be abusive depending on context and situation. The book really helps the reader evaluate their own relationship and helps differentiate between what is abuse and what is not.

Finally! Understanding!.......2007-01-09

It was difficult to read her book "The Verbally Abusive Relationship" because I cried my way through it. But as difficult as that one was, this one is enlightening. It's one thing to know that someone is abusive, it's another thing entirely to understand why. I actually felt sympathy for my husband instead of loathing - and that is a wonderful start. And with "The Agreement" that this new book centers around, I was actually offered hope. My husband is aware of what he does; he has honestly been working on seeing me in a different light. But it really helps our relationship now that I understand in what light he was seeing me.

The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America

Average customer rating:

Not much new here
The first true world war
A Misunderstood and Poorly Named War
A Superb Introduction
A good popular history

The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America
Walter R. Borneman
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060761849
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

In the summer of 1754, deep in the wilderness of western Pennsylvania, a very young George Washington suffered his first military defeat, and a centuries-old feud between Great Britain and France was rekindled. The war that followed would decide the fate of the entire North American continent—not just between Great Britain and France, but for the Spanish and Native Americans as well.

Fought across virgin wilderness, from Nova Scotia to the forks of the Ohio River, the French and Indian War is best remembered for dogged frontier campaigns to capture such strategic linchpins as Forts Ticonderoga, Duquesne, and Niagara; legendary treks by Rogers' Rangers; and the momentous battle of Quebec on the Plains of Abraham. Here are the stories of Jeffery Amherst, the loyal soldier who did his king's bidding at the expense of his home and family; the marquis de Montcalm, Canada's champion who had to fight his own governor as well as the British; and William Pitt, the man who brashly proclaimed that only he could save England. We also encounter George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William Shirley, Edward Braddock, and, of course, Major Robert Rogers, a legend misunderstood who stands both revered and damned.

Against the backdrop of Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, the forests surrounding Lake George in upstate New York, the Caribbean, and the fall of Quebec, Borneman poses interesting what-if questions, examining controversies that continue to this day: Did the dashing Brigadier General James Wolfe frantically wave his hat to signal retreat or to urge his troops onward to victory? What if Spain had come to the aid of France sooner? What if the affable Lord Howe had lived?

The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America presents the triumphs and tragedies of this epic struggle for a continent, placing them in the larger context of France and Great Britain's global conflict—what Samuel Eliot Morison called truly the first world war—and emphasizes that the seeds of discord sown in its aftermath would give root to the American Revolution.

Customer Reviews:

Not much new here.......2007-09-25

A couple of years ago I read Fred Anderson's CRUCIBLE OF WAR as well as a few other tomes on these 1760s events in British America - e.g. GUNS AT THE FORKS, A FEW ACRES OF SNOW, Eckert's books, and others - and since reading CRUCIBLE I have continued to wonder why any other author would even bother taking up this subject again, as Anderson (and Eckert especially) handled it all so masterfully and interestingly and in such detail.

Borneman mainly draws upon the work of others and throws it together in a new mishmash not much different. But, while he accorded Anderson some respect, he hardly mentioned Allan Eckert at all, which amazed me as his fascinating 'Winning of America' series of six massive historical narratives of this same period - really it is seven volumes if one counts THAT DARK AND BLOODY RIVER, or eight volumes if one counts his huge biography of the Shawnee Indian leader Tecumseh - is far and away the best series on these events I've yet come across.

So, why bother reading this one? Well, I guess to find some new details, although they are few and far between here. I recommend Anderson and Eckert instead as far greater investments of one's reading time.

The first true world war.......2007-08-20

The French and Indian War, as it was named by the French and Indians' opponent, the British, was part of history's first grand global war. Extending beyond the Ohio Valley and Canada to Germany, India, and the Caribbean, the 1754-63 conflict ushered the rise of the British Empire and the sunset of the French monarchy. Walter Borneman tells us about the North American portion of this world war, with brief forays into the courts and battlefields of Europe as well as the colonial outposts of Martinique and Manila.

Sparked by a border dispute (involving a young, naive George Washington), the French and Indian War quickly grew into the largest war yet waged in North America, with thousands of British and French soldiers battling from the Ohio Forks to Oswego and Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) in New York to Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. The British initially suffered from military disasters (Braddock's expedition to the Ohio Forks in 1755; Abercromby's frontal assault on Fort Carillon in 1758, among others), but under the bold leadership of William Pitt, the British rallied and forced the French from America. Spending unprecedented amounts of treasure and arms, Pitt forged a new world power from the halls of London, and ensured that the French would never again challenge Britain in the colonies and the high seas. For the most part, Pitt succeeded; but in the aftermath of the French and Indian War the seeds for the downfall of Britain's American empire were already sown. Within a few years the so-called Patriots were already fighting British policies, and the controversy from that ultimately led to bloodshed on a fateful April morning at Lexington and Concord.

Borneman tells it all with the clarity and the prose that would keep a reader reading. He knows how to tell the stories, to keep it factually correct while maintaining the reader's interest. A good book for those who wish to explore this not-well known part of American (and Canadian) history.

A Misunderstood and Poorly Named War.......2007-08-19

I had not realized how badly this war was named until I read this book. Borneman describes how this was the first global war, actually an extension of the centuries long English-French conflicts into the new territories they both wanted to claim. In the end, Borneman demonstrates how this war was named for its losers.

Interesting to the modern reader is how poorly the vast lands of North American are valued in comparison to the Caribbean Islands.

While the details of the battles read like a text book, the character portraits of participants are vibrant. I appreciated that Borneman gives the full story of the people, telling of their later careers and situation in life.

A Superb Introduction.......2007-07-29

I would highly recommend this book for those like myself who are just barely acquainted with the history of the French and Indian War, which was formally recognized as lasting from 1756 to 1763. Battles and skirmishes had begun before this time, e.g. General Braddock's march and defeat at the hands of the French and Indian allies in 1755 near the Monongahela River, with a young George Washington also playing a part in this battle. Borneman is an excellent writer whose clear style will make this both an easy and informative read.

This is a fairly compact book that will not take long to read. In essence, Borneman shows how this war could be classified as the first truly World War. Both the French and British had claims over the North American continent (roughly with the British occupying the Atlantic coast and the areas just inland and the French occupying areas along the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River), and it was this close proximity between two ambitious nations that could perhaps only culminate in war. But in addition to these areas and the West Indies (also extremely important for both sides), the author takes us to Europe to show us the war occurring on the European mainland, which the government of France seemed more concerned with than with their possessions in North America.

We become acquainted with many of the political and military leaders from both the British and French sides, but also some of the leading American colonists, and the Indian leaders and tribes. We learn of the legends that developed around Roger's Rangers and General Wolfe on the British side, the leaders who would emerge in the American War for Independence some twenty years later, and the issues stirring behind the war on the European mainland. It is also worth mentioning that this war perhaps best defined the emergence of the British Empire. For a relatively short book, we learn of much more than what was occurring in the wilderness areas of Canada and the present day United States.

But this account still largely covers the battles that took place in North America, such as those along the rivers and lakes that now form part of the upper Mid-Atlantic States and western New England States, as well as the Great Lakes States and those portion of Canada that border on the St. Lawrence River, notably Quebec and Montreal. The early stages of the war saw more French success in the field, but this changed and eventually ended in Britain's victory. As Borneman also discusses towards the end, the seeds for future revolution were laid by the British in the developing thirteen colonies that hugged the Atlantic Coast. Examples of this include the numerous pieces of taxation legislation imposed by the British Parliament and the quartering of British troops in the American colonies.

As I mentioned earlier, I think this is a most appropriate book for the beginning student trying to become acquainted with this particular conflict. It will, I think anyway, successfully introduce you to the issues surrounding this war, who the players were, and how this war was significant in several ways. Overall, this is a well integrated book that I think rightfully tries to put this conflict into a more global perspective. A good read.

A good popular history.......2007-04-30

To be sure, this is not a scholarly work. It was not written by a professional historian. In other words, it is a pleasurable read for those who would like to gain greater understanding of this war's overall importance in the development of the United States.

Perhaps a harsh criticism of the historical profession, or an endorsement of popular historical works. Take your pick. There are plenty of dry, technical tomes, that for the most part are barely readable, but thoroughly balanced and accurate. Unread books won't educate anyone.

While it is "uneven" in it's treatment of events, the casual reader will gain a good understanding of how this war affected the future of the New World.

Deciding What to Teach and Test: Developing, Aligning, and Auditing the Curriculum

Average customer rating:

Deciding What to Teach and Test: Developing, Aligning, and Auditing the Curriculum
Fenwick W. English
Manufacturer: Corwin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0803968329

Book Description

Foreword by Larry E. Frase

The classic book on curriculum alignmentupdated for the 21 ^st century!

This seminal text on developing, aligning, and auditing curriculum has now been reissued to achieve even greater impact. Since the early 1990s, Deciding What to Teach and Test has been a key component in curriculum alignment and professional development programs across the country.

It is a powerful, up-to-date tool to help teachers become more involved in curriculum planning and practice. The Millennium Edition provides an updated perspective on improving student achievement with a new preface, foreword, and listing of recent research.

Betty Steffy and The Video Journal of Education have joined with Fenwick W. English and Corwin Press to offer this Millennium Edition, a video companion, and a new Facilitator s Guide. Further background and depth to English s work is available in Developing, Aligning, and Auditing Curriculum, presented by The Video Journal of Education. This videotape offers a powerful personal presentation by English as he illustrates how to maximize student achievement by aligning what is written, taught, and tested.

To complete this extraordinary program, Betty Steffy s Curriculum Alignment: A Facilitator s Guide to Deciding What to Teach and Test offers a bridge between these two works. In it, Steffy shows educators how to create learning and staff development activities that apply and extend the ideas presented in the best-selling book and videotape.

It s a valuable time-saving kit for the busy administratorand available in a variety of configurations to fit any program and budget.

Purchase the individual book, Deciding What to Teach and Test, or the complete kit which includes the book, facilitator’s guide and video: the Curriculum Alignment Kit, ISBN: 0-8039-6848-5.

Risk: A Practical Guide for Deciding What's Really Safe and What's Really Dangerous in the World Around You

Average customer rating:

The antidote to media scares
great for browsing
Easy to read and comprehend
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
An Interesting Read, But Has Some Shortcomings

Risk: A Practical Guide for Deciding What's Really Safe and What's Really Dangerous in the World Around You
David Ropeik , and George Gray
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618143726

Book Description

An indispensable and timely guide, Risk is the authority for assessing threats to your health and safety. We continually face new risks in our world. This essential family reference will help you understand worrisome risks so you can decide how to stay safe and how to keeps risks in perspective. Expert authors David Ropeik and George Gray include information on: - 50 top hazards - your likelihood of exposure - the consequences - ways to reduce your risk They cover topics such as: - cancer - biological weapons - indoor air pollution - pesticides - radiation

Customer Reviews:

The antidote to media scares.......2007-05-27

Though its prose style is deliberately dry, this wonderful reference work is the perfect antidote to the "scare of the week" that the media continually inflict upon us. Has short sections on each of 48 risks (e.g. indoor air pollution; pesticides; firearms; X-rays; caffeine; breast implants) containing data and the relevant scientific knowledge, summarized by two scales of "likelihood of being affected" and "seriousness of being affected". Even those who consider themeselves knowledgeable about risk will learn something; I recommend it for my undergraduate seminar course at Berkeley.

great for browsing.......2006-10-07

I thought this was a really fun and interesting book to read, and it is great for learning to think about things from a public health perspective. It also introduces a wide variety of scientific terms and concepts in an interesting and easy to read way. While I believe that the general conclusions on specific risks are valid in a general sense, I also feel as though the heavy reliance on population data makes this less of a practical guide on the individual level. For example, looking at the risk of developing health problems due to air pollution for the U.S. population in general is interesting and informative but may not accurately reflect my individual risk in New Jersey. Because of the complexities involved in risk assessment, I thought the risk meter presentations (although very interesting, and truly a browser's delight) were too general and simplistic. In the author's defense, the narratives often give more practical detail, identify modifiable risk factors and acknowledge some limitations of the data and assessments. While at times I took issue with the validity of generalizing the data and the practicality of some conclusions at the individual level, I recommend this book highly for those interested in how public health risk is evaluated.

Easy to read and comprehend .......2006-04-01

This publication brings more complex concepts of risk management to a common level of understanding for many college students. It helps create a foundation for proper risk communication and arms students with the knowledge to address a large variety of issues affecting our lives today.

MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT.......2005-08-24

I recognize the authors to be significant scholars capable of important work, but this book is downright deceitful in that the title and subtitle suggest that it is a scholarly effort when in fact it is a pop culture "digest" or collection of superficial lists. There is very little discussion worthy of the researchers and you should save your money for a real text if they do one. You can find ALL the information quite easily on the internet.

An Interesting Read, But Has Some Shortcomings.......2005-06-28

I've been interested in the topic of perceived versus real risks for quite some time. When I bought this book I was hoping for a source for comparisons of data that would be useful to someone with such interests. While this book addresses many common risk situations with practical advice regarding them it lacks much really hard data or statistical analysis. No specific references are provided (footnotes, end notes, sources) for teh materials in the book. However, sources for further investigation do appear regularly at the end of each chapter.

Also, despite publication in 2002, after the "9/11" attack and all of its attendant fall-out it fails to address even at a superficial level the preceived risks of terrorism in the US. In the index the word terrorism is noted "see biological weapons (bioweapons); perceived risk." In my opinion, this lack of coverage is glaring. Granted the book was doubtless in the works before 9/11; still, had I been the author or publisher, I'd have delayed publication until a relevant section could have been added.

This is a handy book, a relatively easy read, and probably a decent introduction to the basic concepts of relative risk assessment. As long as one understands this is a basic layperson's text and not a serious look at risk assessment, this may be a good book for you.

Average customer rating:

Thorough and enlightening
I am buying a second copy
The logical theory of probability is not the classical th.
Decisions, decisions, decisions
A great introduction to Decision Theory

Thinking and Deciding
Jonathan Baron
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521650305

Book Description

Thinking and Deciding has established itself as a required text and important reference work for students and scholars of human cognition and rationality. In this, the third edition, Jonathan Baron delves further into many of the key questions addressed in the previous editions. Baron has also revised or expanded his treatment of topics such as risk, utilitarianism, Baye's theorem, and moral thinking.

Customer Reviews:

Thorough and enlightening.......2007-08-08

Although exceeding five hundred pages of dense text, this book was hard to put down. Baron surveys a wide variety of research concerning human thought processes. It is written from a psychological perspective, rather than a neurological one, which makes it more practical.

Baron draws together the descriptive (how we think), normative (how we would ideally think), and prescriptive (the best practical path to achieving good thinking) models of thought. He discusses the pitfalls people commonly make in areas such as assessing probability, or choosing short-term gain over the long term. He covers a broad range of topics, including: probability, decision-making, utility, moral thinking.

The book is loaded with examples, and thoroughly footnoted with current research. In reading it, I became more aware of some of my own problem thought patterns, and learned new ways to model decisions. This book feeds the reader's need for both the abstract and the practical. I don't believe one can come away from it unchanged.

I am buying a second copy.......2005-10-19

People vote with their wallet --particularly when they do it a second time, when they REpurchase. Those who believe in the "revelation of preferences" should note that there are books one buys again when a copy is lost --particularly when they are read cover to cover.
I am buying another copy of this book as mine was lost or misplaced. That should speak volumes.

The logical theory of probability is not the classical th........2004-07-02

This book is badly marred by the author's failure to carefully differentiate between the classical theory of probability,which was founded in the 17th century,and the logical theory of probability,which J M Keynes started early in the 20th century.Rudolph Carnap made additional contributions in the mid-1950's to the logical theory of probability. In this reviewer's opinion,pp.93-103 contain so many errors of both omission and commission that a novice reader will come away from reading this book with serious gaps in his understanding of what probability means and how it is applied in the real world.The fact that Baron is a strong supporter of the Ramsey-de Finetti subjectivist approach does not justify the very misleading appraisals of the relative frequency and logical theories of probability in his book. Contrary to Baron,Carnap's approach makes use of all the available evidence,including statistical data and relative frequencies.Carnap's approach also makes use of the betting quotients technique used by subjectivists.It simply is not true that"Likewise,the logical view is ordinarily useless as a justification for making probability judgments,except in textbook(or casino)cases of"fair coins"....".The second major draw back of this book is the author's strong belief that all probabilities are precise,exact,definite point estimates.Baron apparently believes that there is always sufficient information to represent the probability by a unique single number . (see Baron,pp.94-96). Baron appears to be completely ignorant of J M Keynes's interval valued approach or of the work of Walley ,Levi,Kyburg and The Society for Interval Valued Probability Theory and Application(SIPTA) in reviving Keynes's long dormant approach.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.......2002-12-15

This is a _very_ impressive book. I can't imagine a more thorough overview of the study of human judgment, decisionmaking, and rationality.

It's hard to find a good single volume in this field. For the psychology of judgment and decisionmaking, there's Scott Plous's excellent book of that title. For the heuristics on which we seem to rely and the biases they seem to generate, there's the modern classic _Judgment Under Uncertainty_ by (the late) Amos Tversky and (recent Nobel prize winner) Daniel Kahneman. And there are other books devoted to special topics and subtopics.

But so far as I know, this is the only broad, general introduction to the entire field of thinking, how we do it, how we probably ought to do it, and the sorts of things we do it about.

The book is divided into three broad sections. "Thinking In General" covers just that: what thinking is, and the nature of rationality and logic. "Probability and Belief" introduces not only probability theory (including, importantly, Bayes's Theorem) but the various theories about what probability _is_, as well as hypothesis testing, correlation, and "actively open-minded thinking." The largest section, "Decisions and Plans," is eleven chapters long and covers everything else: uncertainty, utility, decision analysis, theories of morality fairness, and justice, and risk.

As you might imagine, Baron doesn't leave too many stones unturned. Heck, his bibliography alone is thirty-odd pages long.

The book is eminently readable. The third edition is aimed mainly at graduate students but I gather Baron still uses it in his undergraduate courses. If you're a lay reader interested in this field, you'll be able to read it on your own with no difficulty.

A great introduction to Decision Theory.......2001-08-29

This is the first book I recommend to anyone interested in learning how to think and decide better. It is both an exploration of the usual way we think (and the mistakes we make) as well as a contruction of a toolkit for better thinking. It's well written and is at the level of an advanced undergraduate liberal arts course. Not too technical and mathematics oriented, but covers the concepts with rigor in an intuitive way. A good preparation for more technically oriented investigations of the subject.

Dallas: The Deciding Years - A Historical Portrait

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Dallas: The Deciding Years - A Historical Portrait
A. C. Greene
Manufacturer: Encino Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0884260348

Deciding to Decide: Agenda Setting in the United States Supreme Court

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good insight into the cert. process

Deciding to Decide: Agenda Setting in the United States Supreme Court
H.W., Jr. Perry
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

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Supreme Court Decision-Making: New Institutionalist Approaches
The Supreme Court and the Attitudinal Model Revisited
Crafting Law on the Supreme Court: The Collegial Game
The Puzzle of Judicial Behavior (Analytical Perspectives on Politics)
The Choices Justices Make

ASIN: 0674194438

Book Description

Of the nearly five thousand cases presented to the Supreme Court each year, less than 5 percent are granted review. How the Court sets its agenda, therefore, is perhaps as important as how it decides cases. H. W. Perry, Jr., takes the first hard look at the internal workings of the Supreme Court, illuminating its agenda-setting policies, procedures, and priorities as never before. He conveys a wealth of new information in clear prose and integrates insights he gathered in unprecedented interviews with five justices. For this unique study Perry also interviewed four U.S. solicitors general, several deputy solicitors general, seven judges on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and sixty-four former Supreme Court law clerks.

The clerks and justices spoke frankly with Perry, and his skillful analysis of their responses is the mainspring of this book. His engaging report demystifies the Court, bringing it vividly to life for general readers--as well as political scientists and a wide spectrum of readers throughout the legal profession. Perry not only provides previously unpublished information on how the Court operates but also gives us a new way of thinking about the institution. Among his contributions is a decision-making model that is more convincing and persuasive than the standard model for explaining judicial behavior.

Customer Reviews:

good insight into the cert. process.......2000-04-27

Perry uses extensive interviews with former clerks and Justices to gather his data on the cert. process in the United States Supreme Court. He presents the information in a very readable format that provides brings to light why some cases get heard and others don't. Ultimately he presents a decision making model that takes into consideration both the individual justices, the factors influencing cert., and the purpose of the Court. This book gives the reader a good look at the cert. process from the inside and from a non-legal perspective. It is a must read for any attorney thinking of writing a cert. petition. This book would be interesting for anyone interested in how the Supreme Court functions in our system of government.

Deciding: Moral decision making for Catholics (Fullness of life)

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Deciding: Moral decision making for Catholics (Fullness of life)
Michele M McCarty
Manufacturer: Brown Publishing - ROA Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

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Excellent Book
Democrat National Committee: PLEASE PAY ATTENTION
AMAZING!!!!!
What is wrong with the Democrats
Leveling the playing field

The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation
Drew Westen
Manufacturer: PublicAffairs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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WORDS THAT WORK: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HEAR
The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
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ASIN: 1586484257

Book Description

This groundbreaking investigation by a renowned psychologist and neuroscientist proves it: We vote with our hearts, not our minds.

Drew Westen, a Professor of Psychology at Emory University, is the lead investigator on a team of neuroscientists who have been studying how the brain processes political information. For two decades he has been advancing a theory of the mind that differs substantially from the more "dispassionate" visions held by most cognitive psychologists, political scientists, and economists. In this book he shows, through a bravura tour of American political leaders and how they have appealed to the electorate, that Americans don't vote with their heads but with their hearts, or guts, or neuroses.

The Political Brain is a serious and groundbreaking investigation into the role of emotion in deciding the life of the nation. It looks at data across several Presidential elections from the 1950s through 2000, examines the evidence for the role of emotion in driving voting behavior, and provides a "clinical" view of a number of campaign ads, debate lines and personal profiles of the candidates who have sought to win our hearts. What's the matter with Kansas? Kansans are overemotional. And here's why...

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book.......2007-10-11

Definitely worth your while to read and understand how we think about politics.

Democrat National Committee: PLEASE PAY ATTENTION.......2007-09-28

Thank you, Drew Westen. I hope the Democratic leadership will pay attention. I beg my party, PLEASE, dump Shrum and run some candidates who act like human beings. If only Gore had given that speech, or had embraced the positives of the Clinton legacy; if only Kerry had answered the Swift Boaters... think how much better the world would be today. So WAKE UP, DNC!!! Everyone who cares should read this book.

The negatives were putting the footnotes on the web (a royal p-i-t-a), and the somewhat lame policy proposals. And the copy I read had the page signatures glued together in the wrong order. Typical democratic incompetency. Sigh.

AMAZING!!!!!.......2007-09-17

This guy is Brilliant! Why hasn't anyone thought of this before?? If the democrats pay attention and use this info they can win, win, win. Fabulous author, written with wit, wisdom and skill.

What is wrong with the Democrats.......2007-09-09

I highly recommend this book book to anyone interested in politics. It will especially appeal to Democrats who have been scratching their heads, wondering why their party consistenly loses. Not to be missed

Leveling the playing field.......2007-09-06

It is a not so tightly held secret that the Republicans know how to manipulate emotions for political advantage; with this book Drew Westen levels the playing field by not only providing insight into how emotions are evoked and taken advantage of politically, but also provides evidence-driven suggestions for the Democratic party to follow. The question, of course, is will the Democrats change their electoral strategies taking Dr. Westen's suggestions to heart, or will they follow the failed tactics of the Gore and Kerry campaigns, which relied on consultants following a rational-choice model of politics that prefers watered down political positions and milquetoast candidates in hopes of taking the "center".

While some may argue that this book is unethical by advocating the targeting of voters' emotions, instead of their "rational thought process", and thus is supportive of public manipulation, a very strong counter-argument might be made that putting this information in the public domain will help voters inoculate themselves against current Republican strategies which rely on scaring the public and arousing their anger against others using a range of techniques that border on the illegal. Specifically, the "RATS" subliminal advertisement used by the Bush 2000 campaign to attack Gore is, on close scrutiny, a very astute and professional advertisement that takes advantage of knowledge in the academic sphere that humans process information outside of conscious awareness. Specifically, a 1986 article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology by Fazio et al. provided evidence that not only did the term "RATS" have a negative effect on peoples' evaluation of items presented afterwards, but that further, the term "Reagan" had a weak positive effect. Likewise, both Westen and colleagues and Stewart and Schubert(in Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 2006), in separate studies, suggest that the term "RATS" is an effective subliminal.

Furthermore, the use of fear/anxiety by the current administration is well established, with studies showing a correlation between changes in the Homeland Security color-coded threat indicator and political tactics. While one might argue over the timing of the Iraq invasion, and whether it was carried out for short-term political expediency, or to address a perceived threat in the region, one cannot argue with the rally effect that bolstered President Bush's ratings to over 90% immediately after 9-11 and over 70% after the Iraq invasion. Knowing that humans respond in predictable ways when different emotions are evoked allows not just politicians, consultants, academics and wonks to understand human behavior, but also will give the average citizen greater awareness of how the emotions evoked affect their decisions and responses. In other words, a more intelligent population may come from a more emotionally astute population.

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