AMERICA, WHY I LOVE HER : " United We Stand, divided We Fall, were Americans, and that says it all" John Wayne

Book Description

A perspective on urban culture in the latter part of the 20th century through the lens of the World Trade Center.

When the World Trade Towers in New York City were erected at the Hudson's edge, they led the way to a real estate boom that was truly astonishing. Divided We Stand reveals the coming together and eruption of four volatile elements: super-tall buildings, financial speculation, globalization, and terrorism. The Trade Center serves as a potent symbol of the disastrous consequences of undemocratic planning and development.

This book is a history of that skyscraping ambition and the impact it had on New York and international life. It is a portrait of a building complex that lives at the convergence point of social and economic realities central not only to New York City but to all industrial cities and suburbs. A meticulously researched historical account based on primary documents, Divided We Stand is a contemporary indictment of the prevailing urban order in the spirit of Jane Jacobs's mid-century classic The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

Customer Reviews:

Bland At Best........2007-09-26

If you are looking for the difinitive history of the World Trade Center, like I was when I purchased this book, you will be disapointed. What you will find however is a long, drawn out social analysis and attempted cultrual look at the towers impact prior to the 11th.

excellent, prescient book.......2006-05-11

a fascinating account of not just the history of the world trade center, but of the Big Apple, and replete with special insites into the culture of unbridled consumerism in particular and human nature in general

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you The People's Exhibit #1.......2006-04-02

Such detailed biographical information on the WTC as the exalted 9/11 Commission would never think to request from the public library.

Divided We Stand, with its foreshadowing cover of the Twin Towers seen through a wrecked waterfront structure across New York Harbor; there is a story in this book which must in some way consistently tie in with the buildings' demise, and a story in America, without all the cosmetic, imported henchmen.

I was impressed by this book's stream of detailed consciousness, so many busy parts of a city impinging on the labyrinth of financial and realty concerns, key figures in government, the mayor, the legislature. We learn from the statements of those who went on record when the buildings were conceived and planned at inception, what they amounted to as office buildings in their eyes; and whether they believed it should've been afforded privately rather than through bonds. All very fascinating, yet I never would have sought the information out had 9/11 not happened.

Another curiosity is the story of the $300 Million dynamiting of what is called The Kill, or Kill Van Kull, to a depth of 40 meters--it is a passageway for cargo ships, then later the larger ships couldn't fit through it. New York City must have learned of the expense involved in boondoggles of remodeling.

Jobs, tax breaks, the movement of people, opportunities and billions of dollars. This book also covers the aftermaths of the February 26, 1993 bombing. And it chronicles the selling off of components to what were self sustaining cities built vertically; also the axing of 1,800 NYC Port Authority jobs, the selling off of the Visa Hotel and Port Authority language school and library, "75 years of the preeminent American public corporation's autobiography have, at least for the present, disappeared from view." All these liquidations happened well in advance of 9/11. Where is one word about this in The Official 9/11 Commission Report of Thomas H. Kean, Chair, and Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair--or in the reporting and analysis by The New York Times?

I recommend that the principle figures in orchestrating that sham investigation be summarily removed from office for obstruction of justice, destruction of records, aiding, abetting, colluding and other aggravating offenses to the acts of war on the United States on September the 11th, 2001; under all the titles, including 50, for war treasons.

Further it is required that a forensic reconstruction of the crime scene put back evidence unlawfully removed or never noted for the record, such as the pyrotechnics shockwave analysis, the particulate analysis of explosively pulverized drywall gypsum dust, and the base of wreckage excavation findings of burning metal, and liquid steel weeks later, fueled by a non-atmospheric source of oxygen--most logically thermite metal oxide introduced to the buildings' structures to weaken their support columns prior to detonation as well as source of the suffocating smoke that sent dozens of people plunging to their deaths, where they splattered the mall concourse and lobby windows evacuating survivors had to wade through. Let the record also make budget analysis of the rate and volume of smoke production released into the atmosphere in cross correlation with full conflagration analysis taking into account all fire control systems in the buildings, and the fireball cloud radii on each airliner's impact with the respective Tower structures offset in requisite volatiles of jet fuel with the known fuel tank topped off capacities shortly after takeoff.

If a smart lawyer and Senator from New York like Hillary R. Clinton can't write those paragraphs for you, then you need not consider her a politician or lawyer anymore; nor do you need regard the republican party in any other light than a totalitarian organizing in violation against such threats to this country outlined in the statues. The federal government need regard the State of New York as insurrectory under Title 50, and held in suspension until the matter is cleared up, including Florida, where the coup's greatest ease and facility with exploits to steal the 2000 election were hosted, including the training camp for the recruited suicide hijacker pilots. Our troops in Iraq can be recalled to prosecute this, for once being able to do something about the problem on their own turf.

The impersonating rogues in the executive branch do not have permits to murder 3,000 Americans, or one American, or the over 2,000 Americans who have died on their fallacious military expedition. They are fugitives from justice, and for my regard, duly and justly served and processed to completion where they stand, to their natural ends. Impeachment is moot, there are no statutes of limitations; and Censure is only further aggravation obstructing justice. When Republican Senator Arlan Specter, Chair of the Resolution Hearing on Censure said at the end of proceedings on March 31, 2006 he "finds no merit", because he cannot locate any "bad faith", he needs to be removed from office and put on trial as well.

When crook lawyers for The Families of the 9/11 Victims go after trivial details and end up losing in court, the justice system proves its ineffectiveness, yet at the same time how effective it is for highest crimes to escape any prosecution. Why are civil suits being brought when criminal prosecutors and district attorneys should be responsible enough to begin cracking down? Where is the City's lawsuit, the State's, the Port Authority's? Or the FAA's, why are they all such pushovers being used to put on such a stunt? What about the Justice Department, the Supreme Court and their enforceable domain to bring charges; or is it true, this country has been tipped over? Everyone solemnly bow to the autocrat and Senate.

This has driven that wedge dividing this people, again. It has been driving into this country since the end of World War II, taking advantage of warfare exploits such as the denuding of the public education system, attacking Social Security with frauds of misrepresentation; and removing public epidemiological records from the CDC tracking the autism pandemic.

Divided I Sit.......2003-10-03

Part history lesson, part autobiography (in the second person, no less!), part architectural study, part urban planning critique... No wonder my thoughts about this book are fragmented and ambivalent. I wish the book had been written in a few separate complete sections, something like Part One--The History of New York Real Estate, Part Two--The Forces Behind the WTC's Creation, Part Three--The Rockefellers, Part Four--The Builders... You get the idea. Instead, the book, while it does offer several fascinating and provocative sections, they're spread out among so many other topics and diversions, that I lost my patience several times and had to put the book away for days at a time. The only section that was complete was the most effective, and that was the discussion about the now-lost Radio Row and the neighborhood around it. I would recommend the book just for that section, and for its studies of August Tobin and the Rockefeller clan. But I couldn't in good conscience give it a higher rating than the one I gave it. I was that divided.

Rocco Dormarunno, author of The Five Points

Subject Matter Also Divided.......2003-08-28

I would agree with many of the other reviewers here that the author did not give the reader the complete biography of the building. He almost completely focused on a review of New York politics leading up to the build. I wish he had spent time on the construction of the site. One even could get the impression that the author was not happy about the WTC project as a whole. A good amount of time in the book was spent talking about the businesses that had to be relocated or just kicked out due to the full project. Based on this I would say that the book was tilted to a negative view of the creation of the WTC site.

What saved the book for me were both the authors writing style and the interesting view into the politics of New York. The author is truly gifted, his word choice really make you pay attention to the text. He is also great at keeping the flow going through some (at times) rather dull information. He review of the politics behind the creation of the WTC was well worth the time to read the book. It was a who's who of real estate and banking leaders all trying to get in the action and suck up to the governor and mayor. Overall the book was interesting, but not complete.

Average customer rating:

A "must" for every History teacher

A Great Resource for Social Studies teachers

A must for teachers of American history

A must read for all thinkers!

Divided We Stand: Teaching About Conflict in U.S. History
James A. Percoco
Manufacturer: Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Social Science | Specific Skills | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Engagement in Teaching History: Theory and Practices for Middle and Secondary Teachers

The Teaching for Understanding Guide (Jossey Bass Education Series)

Life Work

Escape on the Pearl: The Heroic Bid for Freedom on the Underground Railroad

Rethinking Globalization: Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World

ASIN: 0325003297

Book Description

Our students face conflict every day, and one of the best opportunities to help them make sense of it is in the study of American history. Here we find conflict of all kinds, most often as an agent of change. By focusing on the roots of conflict, we can help our students develop a more mature view of their world. By encouraging an empathy for people from the past, we may even be able to promote compassion and tolerance in the future. That's James Percoco's aim with the publication of Divided We Stand.

Divided We Stand was written to assist you in dealing with sensitive and controversial topics in secondary U.S. history classes. Using firsthand accounts and student words, Percoco explores the kind of issues we should be discussing if we are serious about making a better future for successive generations, topics such as gender issues, race, Vietnam, and civil rights. He provides a virtual handbook for teachers, describing specific lessons you can use to study conflict. All manner of resources are explained, with an emphasis on how to access those resources and use them effectively in instruction. There are also templates for the activities as well as critical-thinking worksheets, film synopses, and other tips.

All the sources described are current, and the book reflects recent scholarship in both the arena of pedagogy and methodology, as well as a broader vision of American history. One of Percoco's skills as a teacher is his ability to raise questions with students that challenge their assumptions. Divided We Stand will enable you to do the same.

Customer Reviews:

A "must" for every History teacher.......2001-06-19

Divided We Stand is a wonderful companion to Jim Percoco's A Passion for the Past. It provides a thoughtful and fresh viewpoint toward teaching some of the major conflicts in American History, such as the American Revolution, the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the Civil Rights movement, Gender issues, and Vietnam. Each unit presented covers clear and specific ideas for building the unit, as well as suggestions for extra-textbook sources, such as poetry, videos, fiction, field trips, primary sources, and re-enactors. The writing is engaging and filled with enthusiasm, which you will undoubtedly take with you to your classroom. This source is so full of ideas and practical information that you will find yourself reading it over and over and keeping it on the top of your desk for daily reference. Thanks, Jim, for providing such a terrific source - full of lessons I always hope to develop, but never get to in the rush of the school year.

A Great Resource for Social Studies teachers.......2001-06-10

A must for teachers of American history.......2001-05-23

This is a thoughtful and useful guide to teaching about conflict in the American history classroom. Written in a very personal style, "Divided We Stand" provides everything a teacher needs from inspiration to lesson plans. The author hopes his book will make a difference. In the hands of teachers, it will!

A must read for all thinkers!.......2001-05-04

Jim Percoco has done an outstanding job of showing how creative and exciting teaching leads students to explore their own lives as well as those in the US regarding conficts in all aspects of our history.Well written and stimulating, the book gives clear detailed examples of how teachers can make history come alive in real and meaningful ways that relate to daily reality all around us.From the Vietnam War to Civil and Women¡s Rights, the book takes us on a journey of discovery. Highly recommended.

Divided We Stand: American Workers and the Struggle for Black Equality (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)

Average customer rating:

Divided We Stand: American Workers and the Struggle for Black Equality (Politics and Society in Twentieth Century America)
Bruce Nelson
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Discrimination & Racism | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0691095345

Book Description

Divided We Stand is a study of how class and race have intersected in American society--above all, in the "making" and remaking of the American working class in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Focusing mainly on longshoremen in the ports of New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, and on steelworkers in many of the nation's steel towns, it examines how European immigrants became American and "white" in the crucible of the industrial workplace and the ethnic and working-class neighborhood.

As workers organized on the job, especially during the overlapping CIO and civil rights eras in the middle third of the twentieth century, trade unions became a vital arena in which "old" and "new" immigrants and black migrants forged new alliances and identities and tested the limits not only of class solidarity but of American democracy. The most volatile force in this regard was the civil rights movement. As it crested in the 1950s and '60s, "the Movement" confronted unions anew with the question, "Which side are you on?" This book demonstrates the complex ways in which labor organizations answered that question and the complex relationships between union leaders and diverse rank-and-file constituencies in addressing it.

Divided We Stand includes vivid examples of white working-class "agency" in the construction of racially discriminatory employment structures. But Nelson is less concerned with racism as such than with the concrete historical circumstances in which racialized class identities emerged and developed. This leads him to a detailed and often fascinating consideration of white, working-class ethnicity but also to a careful analysis of black workers--their conditions of work, their aspirations and identities, their struggles for equality. Making its case with passion and clarity, Divided We Stand will be a compelling and controversial book.

Divided We Stand: Watertown, Massachusetts, 1630-1680

Average customer rating:

Divided We Stand: Watertown, Massachusetts, 1630-1680
Roger Thompson
Manufacturer: University of Massachusetts Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

Emigration & Immigration | Administrative Law | Law | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Sex in Middlesex: Popular Mores in a Massachusetts County, 1649-1699

ASIN: 1558493042

Book Description

Established in 1630, Watertown was among the original six towns of Massachusetts. Its early history was marked by frequent disputes, a penchant for questioning authority, and an atmosphere of tension and discord. In recounting the story of Watertown's formative years, Roger Thompson examines how the community managed to avoid descending into anarchy. He also explores the ways in which English settlers preserved their habits of behavior in a new-world environment, even as they were obliged to innovate and embrace change.

Thompson describes Watertown's early government, its relations with Native Americans and neighboring communities, its religious and economic affairs, and the day-to-day experiences of its people. Conflict occurred over a wide variety of issues: land allocation, administrative accountability, religious orthodoxy and exclusivity, generational and gender differences, livestock and fencing, haves and have-nots.

Thompson brings these disputes to life through a series of vivid case studies drawn from the unpublished Middlesex County Court Records. Among others, we meet John Sawin, who despite his best efforts at subterfuge was convicted of stealing and selling a neighbor's horse; Susanna Woodward, whose pregnancy resulted in a fiercely contested paternity case; and Edward Sanders, whose punishment for child abuse was both a whipping and a ruling that when in public he must "wear a rope round his neck openly to be seen hanging down two feet."

Book Description

Just before Election Day 2000, Al Gore figured the presidential race was his to win or lose. In the end, he did both. How did this happen?

Bestselling author Roger Simon provides the first complete look at America's most bizarre and most explosive presidential campaign — not just the final thirty-six days, but the two-year, three-way battle between George W. Bush, Al Gore, and, yes, Bill Clinton, to see who would dominate American politics.

Simon reveals how the two candidates struggled to contend with the long shadow cast by Bill Clinton and the endless psychodrama of his presidency. Both studied Clinton's precision use of politics and his beguiling employment of stagecraft, avoiding hot-button issues and trying to become, as Clinton had been, First Friend to the nation. However, while Al Gore viewed the presidential race as a job interview, George Bush viewed it as a date.

Divided We Stand is a book that makes news. Simon provides never-before-revealed details of the rift between Clinton and Gore, including Gore's secret plans if he had replaced Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal of 1998. Simon also reveals how Clinton tried — and failed — to pick Gore's running mate in 2000 and offers new details of how Joe Lieberman snared the spot on the ticket.

Simon further exposes new and shocking details about how the dirtiest politics of the 2000 race — the deplorable smear campaign in South Carolina — kicked off a campaign of open warfare between John McCain and George W. Bush. Readers will also learn:

* How Ralph Nader affected the outcome of the race and how he feels today about his role.

* How Al Gore lost his home state and why George Bush did so poorly with African American voters, even after wooing them so hard.

* How Republican Congressional staff members were so angry about union and black turnout for Al Gore and other Democrats that they held a secret meeting after the election to study ways of depressing black and labor voter turnout in the future.

* Why the race was so close and what it means for the future of America.

* Why, for better or worse, Bill Clinton continues to dominate our political landscape.

Divided We Stand is the story not just of a campaign, but of a country. Simon's account will make you ask yourself what you might have done differently had you known what lurked in the corners you could not see.

"Gore turns from the car and heads quickly down the passageway, a Secret Service agent preceding him. . . . 'Sir,' David Morehouse, his trip director, says, trying to match him stride for stride, 'we need to go to hold.'

"Gore gives him a look that could toast bread. 'I'm not going to hold,' he says. He picks up his pace. Morehouse has been having trouble with a stiff knee and now he is hobbling after the vice president. 'Sir, we need to go to hold!' Morehouse says, praying the vice president does not ask him why. In point of fact, Morehouse does not know why. He just knows that moments ago his cell phone rang with a frantic call saying that the vice president should not, could not, must not go out to the plaza and concede defeat.

"Over his shoulder, Gore now explains to Morehouse why there will be no delay. 'I just talked to the governor,' Gore says. He already conceded to Bush in a telephone call a few minutes ago back at the hotel. . . . 'He's waiting on me, and I'm going straight to the stage,' Gore says.

"With Gore now almost at the bottom of the steps and Morehouse running out of any option he can think of, he limps quickly in front of Gore and blocks his way. Just blocks it. Just like that. Morehouse is six-foot-one and solidly built, and now he is blocking the path of the vice president of the United States. Gore is six-foot-two and a weightlifter, but if it is still possible to have something beneath your dignity after running for president for eighteen months, then wrestling one of your own aides to the ground is beneath his dignity.

"Gore stops short and glares at Morehouse. Both of them can now hear the crowd noise from the plaza. The words tumble from Morehouse's lips. He isn't even sure what he is saying, but it goes, 'Sir, you need to get to the hold for five minutes. Daley has to talk to you. It's going to be fine; it's going to be fine.'"
— from Divided We Stand

Customer Reviews:

Nice presentation not a lot of meat.......2002-05-28

Roger Simon provides a nice narrative of the campaign in the 2000 election; however, the real story of the Election was the Florida recounts. On this subject Mr. Simon does not provide much detail at all.

Also, the stories about the campaign are very heavy on Al Gore's campaign. This makes it apparent that Mr. Simon had much more access to the Gore - Lieberman campaign than the Bush - Cheney campaign. To me this questions Mr. Simon's objectivity.

All in all I would say the book is certainly a good insight, but pretty heavily skewed to the left. To be fair I would not say that Mr. Simon hides this fact too much considering the title of the book is "How Al Gore Beat George Bush..."

An On The Scene View of History in the Making.......2001-12-07

Roger Simon was assigned by U.S. News and World Report to cover the 2000 presidential election, which was ultimately shrouded in so much drama and controversy. Simon's tome on that fascinating campaign is reminiscent of Theodore White's groundbreaking work on the equally dramatic 1960 presidential race between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon, "The Making of the President," which netted White a Pulitzer Prize and launched a series.

What makes book such as White's and Simon's so intriguing is that the art of politics is revealed through a series of portraits in books which read like rapidly paced mystery novels as events and the characters who shaped them are analyzed with fascinating precision. The centerpiece of Simon's work is the nail-biting election night, which culminated in Bush being declared a winner by the major networks, followed by a concession by Gore, then a retraction in the face of additional information based on updated returns. The dramatic second Bush-Gore conversation was tense, edgy, and caustic.

Political professional Simon does a superb job of analyzing major players Bush and Gore, along with revealing how their organizations were comprised and operated. The operations and their styles demonstrate the contrasting natures of the two presidential candidates.

William Hare

Insightful and entertaining.......2001-07-25

Simon has done a great job at positioning the two presidential candidates their challengers in the primaries and the challenges they faced as the election campaign got under way. A quick read, with just the right amount of background detail into the behind-the-scenes jockeying to shape the candidate and set the tone for the campaign. Simon seems equally fair (or unfair) to both the Bush and Gore team, as well as to the "phantom" personality who often overshadowed decisions throughout the primaries and the election, Clinton of course. An overview of the ballot counting mess in Florida is offered, but Simon does not go through all the monotous details as other authors have, which is a relief. Instead, the focus remains on the politicians, their handlers, the media and the decisions that generated one of the most dynamic and interesting presidential campaigns in history. Finally, the author leaves the reader with some telling lessons for the future of American electoral politics, complete with the dirt, the spin, the hypocrisy and the honour that we have come to expect.

South Bend Tribune Book Review.......2001-07-19

Rain falls on the folks still waiting for Al Gore at what was to be a victory celebration in Nashville on election night.

Gore strides down a passageway, heading for the lectern at which he plans to concede an election he hasn't lost. Well, he hasn't lost yet, even though the bumbling TV networks have proclaimed prematurely that he lost Florida and George W. Bush thus is president-elect.

Gore won't stop his march to concession, despite the pleas of David Morehouse, his trip director, who has received a cell phone call saying Gore must not go out on the plaza to give his concession speech. He must talk first with campaign chairman Bill Daly.

Morehouse, winded and hobbling on a bad knee, finally blocks Gore, giving the vice president a choice of stopping or wrestling his own aide to the ground. Gore, furious, stops and agrees to hear first what Daly has to say.

Daly says the networks have it wrong again. First they declared Florida for Gore. Then they declared Bush the winner of Florida and the election, resulting in Gore's early morning decision to concede.

Now, Daly says Florida is too close to call, which it is and will continue to be for weeks to come, with a recount certain.

That minutes-away concession speech is not delivered.

This is just the first of behind-the-scenes accounts of the 2000 election campaign in a book by journalist Roger Simon , who was granted access to Bush, Gore, their strategists and John McCain as well during the presidential primaries and general election, with agreement not to use the inside info until after the election.

The book title is "Divided We Stand: How Al Gore Beat George Bush and Lost the Presidency."

I rarely have written a column about a book. But this one merits attention and will be fascinating for anyone interested in the inside strategy of the presidential campaign and the personalities of the candidates.

Don't get the impression the book is pro-Gore. Sure, it tells about how Gore beat Bush in the popular vote and maybe could have won a Florida recount if Katherine Harris and the U.S. Supreme Court had acted differently.

But throughout is a theme of how Gore just can't come across as likable. There are accounts of Gore blowing a lead and probably the election by performing poorly in debates -- especially the first "sighs and lies" debate.

Simon writes about that first debate disaster: "Gore foolishly believed his aides when they told him to be himself. What they really meant was: 'Be yourself, but much more likable.' "

Nor is it pro-Bush. He comes across as likable but not prepared for the rigors of a presidential campaign and more at home talking about inside baseball than details of national issues.

Bush, however, exceeds expectations in the debates, and Daly, Gore's own campaign chairman, tells Simon, "I think most people would say we lost all three debates."

While Bush is likable, Simon describes how Bush also got down and dirty to defeat McCain in the South Carolina primary.

He relates that McCain never forgave Bush for the smear tactics there and the Bush side never forgave McCain for his primary challenge.

Bill Clinton overshadows all.

Both Gore and Bush want to be like Clinton, Simon observes, speaking of course of style in reaching the voters as their friend, not of personal conduct and ability to lie convincingly.

Contrary to the conventional portrayals of Gore and Clinton as working together smoothly and liking each other, at least up until the Monica admission, Simon relates that they weren't ever really that close, with Gore annoyed at times by Clinton's treatment of him.

The final break was when Gore found that Clinton had lied to him and indeed the nation about the Monica affair. Although Gore, out of vice presidential loyalty, defended Clinton at impeachment time, the rift was there and was to grow much wider.

Simon relates that Gore was adamant that he would not have Clinton campaign for him, even though Clinton wanted to be out making appearances.

He says Gore believes Clinton's sleaze cost him the 2000 election.

Simon relates that Daly found in polling throughout the campaign that use of Clinton, though the president still had good job approval ratings, would have hurt, not helped Gore in the states that counted.

"Show Me the Money" is the title of a chapter on the horrible way money is raised for elections -- by both parties and by the politicians who find they must use the tactics they deplore and want abolished.

The selection of Joe Lieberman and an amazing suggestion by Clinton of another choice for vice presidential nominee are described. Also discussed is the selection of Dick Cheney by Bush, who characteristically didn't do a lot of detail work on the choice.

Toronto Sun Review, June 17, 2001.......2001-06-29

BYLINE: YVONNE CRITTENDEN. DIVIDED WE STAND By Roger Simon. This short but compelling book by distinguished reporter Roger Simon, chief political correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, looks at the recent American election campaign and its historically close finish. Simon, an insightful analyst and a very readable writer, provides new information about the rivalry between Bill Clinton and his chosen successor, Al Gore, some new and shocking details of the smear campaign in South Carolina, where the George W. Bush forces beat back John McCain's challenge, and other fascinating tidbits. But it's Simon's overall analysis that is so interesting. Calling Al Gore a "flounder" to Bill Clinton's "shark," he notes that Clinton changed the political dynamic in America with his hands-on, empathetic style. Making an emotional connection with strangers was, in essence, what campaigning in America has become. Clinton made it look easy, Simon notes. He had the actor's ability, like Ronald Reagan, to believe utterly in the role he was playing, and the words he was saying. "Al Gore was a serious and committed man who had to learn to be more charming and casual in public. George W. Bush was a casual, charming man who had to learn to be more serious and committed in public. In other words, the presidential campaign was about seeing who could be Bill Clinton." Read this for an understanding of what happened in the 2000 election and why. (Random House)

Average customer rating:

Divided we stand
Wiley M Burton
Manufacturer: Brown's Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Divided We Stand: Redefining Politics, Technology and Social Choice

Average customer rating:

Divided We Stand: Redefining Politics, Technology and Social Choice
Michiel Schwarz , and Michael Thompson
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 081221319X

Divided We Stand: A History of the Continuing Anglican Movement

Average customer rating:

You Can't Tell the Players Without a Scorecard
Interesting but Not Surprising
Finally something to make sense of the Alphabet Soup
Continuers Get Their Day In The Sun

Divided We Stand: A History of the Continuing Anglican Movement
Douglas Bess
Manufacturer: Apocryphile Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1933993103

Book Description

The Continuing Anglican Movement is made up of those who strive to "continue" in the way of traditional Anglicanism, which many feel the American Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada have abandoned in their Prayer Book reforms, policies regarding the ordination of women, the full inclusion of gays and lesbians, and other issues. This is the only full-length history of the Continuing Anglican movement in the United States and Canada, an engaging, fascinating, and often painful ecclesial saga-available once again in a new edition from the Apocryphile Press.

Customer Reviews:

You Can't Tell the Players Without a Scorecard.......2007-03-18

This is a very interesting book, but gets overloaded with so many players that it is difficult to keep track of who is who! I suspect that this is a "First Edition" and that the second edition will be forthcoming at some point, as the continuing Anglican movement is still playing itself out and how its end state will look is far from certain right now. But with The Episcopal Church's descent into what can most charitably be called "non-orthodox Christianity," this is a story that is far from over.

Interesting but Not Surprising.......2007-01-17

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. My first observation is that I know nothing of the credentials of the author. This is very important when dealing with (reading) such a book. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that it confirms much of my understanding of what has and is still taking place in the Continuing Anglican Movement south of the 49th. As a priest within the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada I am aware of how much of what goes on in the U.S Church gradually enters Canada. Not all of this is good, sadly. I cringe at the description of devious and deceitful behaviour. I realize it is in Canada too and it appears to be growing. The author has done us a great service and I pray that his sincere efforts awake those who seem to be content to sleep on, regardless. Thank you Mr. Bess.
The Rev'd., Fr. Richard S. Mowry, TSF
(a.k.a The Rev'd., Bro. Cuthbert, TSF)

Finally something to make sense of the Alphabet Soup.......2003-02-25

As a minister in the Reformed Episcopal Church -- not technically one of the Continuing jurisdictions -- I've found myself encountering and working with members of the Anglican Continuum. Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of the Continuum is sorting out the different groups and what they represent. This book does exactly that and if you're looking for some help to sort out the various jurisdictions and where they've come from you'll find your answers here.

The book is rather poorly edited and would be greatly improved if it had an index, but on the whole I found it very informative. The greatest problem with this book is stated by the author in the introduction: there is no comprehensive source of history and documents for the Continuing Anglican churches, and those sources that are available are frequently biased and sometimes unreliable. If you read this book, remember that some parts are rather biased and many parts include a good bit of speculation.

If you are interested in the Continuum -- where it's come from and where it's going -- you'll find this book fascinating. Just remember to read between the lines and don't accept everything at face value.

Continuers Get Their Day In The Sun.......2002-08-28

This book was a pleasant suprise. As an Episcopalian, I was expecting it to basically trash the "mainstream" Episcopal Church, and to glorify the "dissidents" who make up the Continuing Churches. Although the book is certainly sympathetic to the Continuers, it is also brutally honest about the weaknesses of certain groups and figures within the movement.
Perhaps the book's greatest strength is that it tells the story (and tells it with a fresh writing style) of a group of conservative Epsicopalians that (to the best of my knowledge) have never had their story revealed before. There are some fascinating and quirky tales: of the early Continuing bishop who was an influential member of just about every radical right-wing political group in the 1960s; of a leading bishop in the movement who seems to have been a habitual "jurisdiction hopper," ecclesiastical coniver, and womanizer; and my personal favorite - the "brawling bishops" incident.
However, besides these juicy tales of strange and erratic behavior by some leaders in the Continuing movement, the book is basically a serious examination of the problems that committed "traditionalist" Episcopalians and Anglicans encountered when they were isolated in jurisdictions of their own creation. The old problem of "High Church" and "Low Church" interpretations of Anglicanism seems to have reared its ugly head with renewed force within the Continuing churches. Having left the Episcopal Church in the 1970s because it was alleged to have been politically radicalized and taken over by "secular humanism," the Continuers discovered that their commitment to "orthodoxy" led to more problems than they had imagined.
A warning is in order. The book does have its weaknesses. Idealogically, many Episcopalians may not take kindly to the author's description of female priests as "priestesses," or to his descriptions of Episcopalian political activism in the late 1960s as "foolish" and "naive." Also, the book could have used a more thorough editing job. There are quite a few typos. Perhaps most frustrating is that the book does not have have an index (although it is well footnoted). Despite these flaws, the book was much more interesting and informative than I was expecting it to be.

Divided We Stand: The Rejection of American Culture since the 1960's

Average customer rating:

Simply, one of the most important books I have read.

Divided We Stand: The Rejection of American Culture since the 1960's
John Harmon McElroy
Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Islamic Imperialism: A History

ASIN: 0742550818

Book Description

In tracing the roots and impact of the counter-culture's rejection of historical American beliefs, McElroy powerfully defends the bedrock principles of responsible individualism, practical improvement, and equal freedom under God.

Customer Reviews:

Simply, one of the most important books I have read........2007-09-21

This is the most scintilating analysis of our cultural dilemmas I have come across. In short, the book blew me away by its depth and comprehensive grasp of the changes to American culture brought on by the 60's. Others have written many volumes on the crucial issues of our time which Dr. McElroy outdoes in slightly over 200 pages. If you care for the well being of our nation, buy and study this book. I'm only sorry that I didn't have the opportunity to study under Prof. McElroy . He is a true educator in an age of indoctrinators. Well done.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books