Customer Reviews (2)

quite interesting
I would recommnend this title, there are a lot of pictures, and therefore a bit less written information, but on the whole I think this book is worth buying.

Very good
This book is a very good resource for everybody who wants to get informed about lilies in general. It's biggest advantage is it's very accessible language, even beginners won't have a problem to understand. It covers all important topics and is richly illustrated, though it sometimes suffers a bit of the "coffee-tablebook-syndrome".

It is a perfect work for beginners and advanced hobbyists who want to be well informed, but don't intend to use much too advanced techniques. For those it is quite usable and a very valuable source of information. Only experienced collectors and professionals might sometimes feel a bit unsatisfied. ... Read more

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The basic objective of Democracy is to help repair the democratic fabric where it has been rent and to invent and encourage new arrangements that will point the way toward a better society. To do this, dmeocracy will encourage a different kind of understanding, one that tries to combine what is usuall separated. Baldly put, most historical analysis tends to be untheoretical; most theoretical analysis tends to be unhistorical; and most of the ananyses that boast of being pragmatic, tough-minded, and practical are neither historical or theoretical. Our aim will be to encourage the developement of an historical and theoretical understanding of the concrete problems of the present. ... Read more

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The unprecedented military, economic, and political power of the United States has led some observers to declare that we live in a unipolar world in which America enjoys primacy or even hegemony. At the same time public opinion polls abroad reveal high levels of anti-Americanism, and many foreign governments criticize U.S. policies. Primacy and Its Discontents explores the sources of American primacy, including the uses of U.S. military power, and the likely duration of unipolarity. It offers theoretical arguments for why the rest of the world will—or will not—align against the United States. Several chapters argue that the United States is not immune to the long-standing tendency of states to balance against power, while others contend that wise U.S. policies, the growing role of international institutions, and the spread of liberal democracy can limit anti-American balancing. The final chapters debate whether countries are already engaging in "soft balancing" against the United States. The contributors offer alternative prescriptions for U.S. foreign policy, ranging from vigorous efforts to maintain American primacy to acceptance of a multipolar world of several great powers.

Contributors: Gerard Alexander, Stephen Brooks, John G. Ikenberry, Christopher Layne, Keir Lieber, John Owen IV, Robert Pape, T. V. Paul, Barry Posen, Kenneth Waltz, William Wohlforth ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A Historic Tour of the Mind of the South
"Rethinking the South" is a splendid collection of essays by Michael O'Brien looking at the intellectual history of the South. Unlike many scholars, O'Brien does not limit himself to either the Old South or the post-bellum period. O'Brien covers the South from 1800 to the modern age so specialists of a particular period may be less than satisfied with this book. O'Brien is at his best when he looks at individuals and, for all his strengths as an intellectual historian, one can not help but think he missed his calling. No way around it; O'Brien has a knock for biography and looking at the minds of certain individuals. He does that here with excellent sketches of Hugh Legare (who O'Brien did write a biography of) and C. Vann Woodward; a solid look at Edwin Mims; and a blistering look at W.J.Cash that simply fails to do justice to the man and his pivotal "The Mind of the South." Despite the poor essay on Cash (and to his credit, O'Brien seems to recognize the weakness of that piece), "Rethinking the South" is a wonderful contribution to American intellectual history. Even better, this collection of essays ranks as some of the most readable work of intellectual history I have read in way too long. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Fair presentation of a failed presidency
A heavy drinker and trouble-maker while at West Point, Jefferson Davis went on to be a war hero, a U.S. Senator, a Secretary of War and finally first and only President of the Confederate States of America.Thinskinned, proud and convinced his position was the only correct one, he wasunsuited to be in a political administrative position.

Davis'unsuitability did not prevent the founding CSA Congress from electing himto the Presidency. That was the only high point of his term in office.Hefought with his generals (thinking he was better qualified than they),failed to get along with his Vice President and earned the hatred of manySouthern papers.Then the war was lost.The South did not earnindependence.

This was when the Davis weaknesses became his strengths. Convinced he was still right in his firm belief in Southern independence,he kept the fight and government alive long after most men would have givenup.His retreat from Richmond was met by cheering and appreciative crowdsof people who only months before would have jeered him.In defeat he wasfearless, still dedicated and still passonate about the fight.

With outgoing into the long and troubled life of Mr. Davis, Ballard looks at thefinal days of the Confederacy in minute detail.He does not attempt tocover-up the Davis failures or chararter flaws. Instead, he shows how thestuborn leader turned those flaws to his advantage as he endured theretreat, capture and imprisonment.While in popular opinion today, GeneralLee is viewed as the Confederate war leader, President Davis becomes theleader of the aftermath.He never gave up on the Lost Cause, becoming theSouth's spiritual leader for nearly 20 years after the war'send.

Ballard's style takes us through those days smoothly, showing thetransformation of Mr. Davis from revieled President to peace time leader ofa nation that would exist only in the hearts of its inhabitants.

Unlikecurrent historical works, Ballard does not write as if he is being paid bythe word.Each word has a purpose.Details are not told and then retoldseveral times.He tells the story, pure and simple, and tells it well. This is a most book for any student of the Civil War, the South, JeffersonDavis, or the Reconstruction period. ... Read more

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Seeking a different response to one of the most volatile and controversial topics facing the church today, this book attempts to move the abortion debate from the framework and language of American politics to that of the church and to uncover theological ground on which the church might approach the issue. Contributions by Ruth S. Brown, Michael J. Gorman, Stanley Hauerwas, and William H. Willimon. ... Read more

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China's relentless economic growth in the 1980s and 1990s heralded its emergence as a great power in world politics. As its economy expanded, China seemed poised to become the second-largest economy in the world. At the same time, it modernized its military and adopted a more assertive diplomatic posture. Many observers have begun to debate the international implications of China's rise. Some analysts argue that China will inevitably pose a threat to peace and security in East Asia. A few even predict a new cold war between Beijing and Washington. Others claim that a powerful China can remain benign. None believes that China can be ignored. The essays in this volume assess China's emerging capabilities and intentions, debate the impact that China will have on security in the Asia-Pacific region, and propose polices for the United States to adopt in its relations with China.Contributors: Thomas J. Christensen, Erica Strecker Downs, Avery Goldstein, John Wilson Lewis, Xue Litai, Robert S. Ross, Phillip C. Saunders, Gerald Segal, David Shambaugh. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Expecations and Disappointment
Most of the authors regurgitate pretty much the same "cautious-optimism" material that currently dominates the China field.Among the authors, Christensen and Ross deliver their typically good arguments.But since the work brings little fresh to the table and its clear tilt (without much counter-arguments, other than self-hedging from the authors), I had to rate it poorly, given the intended audience... probably students seeking balanced viewpoints.

Solid material for anyone intersted in Chinese Foreign Polic
This collection of articles from International Security (an IR journal) has a good collection of solid articles about a topic of much dispute, the Rise of China. This is good material for a Chinese Foreign Policy class, although it maybe somewhat preoccupied with military affairs. ... Read more

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The American welfare state is often blamed for exacerbating social problems confronting African Americans while failing to improve their economic lot. Michael K. Brown contends that our welfare system has in fact denied them the social provision it gives white citizens while stigmatizing them as recipients of government benefits for low income citizens. In his provocative history of America's "safety net" from its origins in the New Deal through much of its dismantling in the 1990s, Brown explains how the forces of fiscal conservatism and racism combined to shape a welfare state in which blacks are disproportionately excluded from mainstream programs. Brown describes how business and middle class opposition to taxes and spending limited the scope of the Social Security Act and work relief programs of the 1930s and the Great Society in the 1960s. These decisions produced a welfare state that relies heavily on privately provided health and pension programs and cash benefits for the poor. In a society characterized by pervasive racial discrimination, this outcome, Michael Brown makes clear, has led to a racially stratified welfare system: by denying African Americans work, whites limited their access to private benefits as well as to social security and other forms of social insurance, making welfare their "main occupation." In his conclusion, Brown addresses the implications of his argument for both conservative and liberal critiques of the Great Society and for policies designed to remedy inner-city poverty. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Description of the Welfare State
I read this book in Michael Brown's class on the relation between Capitalism and State at UC Santa Cruz during the Sping of 1999. This book is an incredible look at how the American Welfare State developed. Brown'sargument is that while their were institutional features that shaped thecreation of Welfare State, the two most important factors are notstructure, but race and money. Brown takes the reader through the New Dealand Great Society, finally ending up with the retrenchment policies ofRonald Reagan, and explains that the policies of the Welfare State createda racially stratified society because the policies were not universalistic.The combination of means-tested programs and a Social Security program thatwas not all inclusive while also being regressive in its taxing policy,creates what Brown describes as truncated universalism. His work is anexcellent addition to Welfare State literature. Additionally the book is apleasure to read. Brown's writing is very fun and he includes manyinteresting quotes from the main players of the twentieth century. A greatbook. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Chief Executive (U.S.), published by Chief Executive Publishing on June 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1459 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Recession? What recession? Southern gentleman John Brown achieves 20 percent earnings growth annually--no matter what. (Profile).(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
Author: Michael A. Verespej
Publication: Chief Executive (U.S.) (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2002
Publisher: Chief Executive Publishing
Page: 45(3)

Article Type: Company Profile, Statistical Data Included

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
8.5" x 11.25" two-staple journal. 14 articles including the S.C.O.W. being launched, The American Merchant Marine Museum, and The Ultimate Violence at Sea. Cover shows photo of the John W. Brown being towed out of NY Harbor, bound for the James River in Virginia where she would join other 'reserve' ships. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Truly an entertaining book
Many of us at one time or another played in a band and had high hopes of becoming famous. Michael White's relections of his time with The Thompson Twins when they first hit it big with "Quick Step and Side Kick" was really entertaining. I actually dug out the dusty video I have of that tour and had a watch. I found his writing flowed with a nostalgia that is honest and real. Cheers. ... Read more

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Whether you are a government attorney, an internationallawyer, or corporate counsel involved in foreign trade, here is theguidance you need to cope successfully with the effects of the numerous(and multiplying) current U.S. economic sanctions programs on import andexport transactions. Malloy draws on his years of experience in the U.S.Department of the Treasury to provide the context essential tounderstanding the practical problems that arise under these programs.

His incisive analysis of general issues includes:

* The legal limits (both domestic and international) of sanctions
* The types of materials blocked under various programs and statutes
* Criteria for determining the effectiveness of sanctions
* Recommendations for the administration of sanctionsYou'll find in-depth analysis of the programs presently in operation against such countries as Cuba, South Africa, Libya Iraq, Haiti, Yugoslavia.

...PLUS details of the Rwandan Arms Embargo, the Terrorists AssetsBlocking, and unblocking negotiations currently under way. ... Read more