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Southern California psychiatrist William Glasser, the author of Reality Therapy, believes that almost all human misery is caused by people trying to control others. In fact, he says, the only behavior we can control is our own; by the same token, no one can make us do anything we don't want to. It's only when we give up spending our energy trying to force others to conform to our ideas or to keep them from doing the same to us that we are able to live the way we want to. Glasser makes this somewhat difficult material easier to understand with examples and case studies from his own practice. For instance, he tells a man whose wife has left him that his only choices are to change what he wants her to do or to change the way he is dealing with her. While doing these things will not necessarily bring his wife back, Glasser says, it will certainly make him feel better. "When we actually begin to realize that we can control only our own behavior, we immediately start to redefine our personal freedom and find, in many instances, that we have much more freedom than we realize," Glasser writes.
Book Description
Dr. William Glasser offers a new psychology that, if practiced, could reverse our widespread inability to get along with one another, an inability that is the source of almost all unhappiness.
For progress in human relationships, he explains that we must give up the punishing, relationship–destroying external control psychology. For example, if you are in an unhappy relationship right now, he proposes that one or both of you could be using external control psychology on the other. He goes further. And suggests that misery is always related to a current unsatisfying relationship. Contrary to what you may believe, your troubles are always now, never in the past. No one can change what happened yesterday.
Customer Reviews:
Mixed Feelings.......2007-09-13
How do you evaluate the statement: "No successful life exists without a satisfying relationship"? How do you evaluate the statement: "Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by your choosing it"? These are two of many broad and overbroad ideas (or half-truths) William Glasser offers in his very long book. Some ideas made me quite uncomfortable, as when watching a health commercial on tv that is full of gimmickry, particularly when the author offers not one iota of scientific study to back up some of his extraordinary claims. Is choice theory a secular version of Christian Science?
The book does have its positive influences, however. It allowed me to think about myself solely in terms of my Total Behavior and to think well about the assertion: "All I am about is behaving." It also allowed me to consider whether my behavior allows me to be closer to someone I want in my life or whether my behavior is destructive to my desire of being closer to someone. William Glasser's advocacy of a non-coercive, non-manipulative approach to relationships is totally refreshing, and is clear and sensible.
The book itself, despite the ordinary and simple words used, is nonetheless difficult to read from cover to cover. I failed to be interested in all the personal or interpersonal narratives (or case studies) that he presented so as to arrive at the essential strands which comprise choice theory for any given individual. I failed to be interested in how choice theory works in schools, in disputes over Workers' Compensation, in the workplace, and in the community, all of which comprise several long chapters. His writing style is newspaper prose, prolix, plain and garrulous.
According to Mr. Glasser, choice theory works everywhere and anywhere - and at any time. How do you evaluate such a claim? With a grain of salt.
I'm glad I read this book, but everything I wanted from this book was found (finally) in the very last chapter in which William Glasser lists the essential elements comprising choice theory. If this chapter were at the front of the book, it would have given the reader a chance to choose how much of the book he or she would want to read. That, too, ought to be part of choice theory's practicality in the concrete.
Good read so far.......2007-07-29
I have only read a few chapters; but, it has already made a difference in my views toward behavior.
Excellent resource for coaches!.......2007-07-14
I am a family and life coach and focus mainly on coaching parents and teens. Glassers' books is definitely among resources I provide to parents.
William Glasser states that "control can take many forms that can start from a disapproving glance ..." Using control on children and youth does not teach them how to make their own choices. Practicing Choice Theory with children can help them learn to think for themselves and have more confidence in themselves and the choices they make.
Choice Theory brings forward the idea that we are all in control of our lives and that we can attain the freedoms we all want and need. The seeds of unhappiness are planted when we are young and impressionable - when people think they know what is right or wrong for us and then try to force what they know is right.
I found Glasser's book reaffirmed my theory that we do not have to be victims forever and that we have choices to take our experiences - good or bad - and grow from them.
An excellent Choide.......2007-06-27
This is the best self help book that I have found. While the word psychology may scare you off, it is not tough reading. The principals described seem like common sense, once you think about them. This book has proven to be useful in multiple areas of my life and I am actually giving out copies of this book to everyone I see that could use it. You cannot go wrong in spending time with this book. Reality Therapy, by the same author, provides a good example of where choice theory came from. I have read over a dozen psychology books and this is by far my favorite.
Everyone should get a copy!.......2007-03-16
I love this book. Even though it contains so much information we all know, already, it somehow was just what I needed when I needed it.
I give this as a gift to a lot of my middle aged single male friends who cant get past their ex's or cant get on with life as a singleton.
I totally CHOOSE to take responsibility for my life, where I go, what I do, and how I do things. My past is my responsibility and I accept that and embrace it. It is very freeing.
I highly recommend that you read this book and embrace your choices in life. We all have them!
A great read, and even better rule for life.
Book Description
America must make a historic choice: Will it strive to dominate the world, or lead it?
American power and a pervasive globalization are the central realities of today's world, and the source of its most difficult dilemmas. America's historically unprecedented power is the ultimate source of global security, yet Americans feel less secure than ever. Global interdependence and the widespread political awakening of humankind promote American dominance even as they breed anti-American envy, mobilize global resentment, and empower America's enemies through the diffusion of ever more destructive technologies.
In The Choice, Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to the president of the United States, reminds Americans that their preponderance should not be confused with omnipotence. America's well-being and the world's are entwined. Panicky preoccupation with solitary American security, an obsessively narrow focus on terrorism, and indifference to the concerns of a politically restless humanity neither enhance American security nor comport with the world's real need for American leadership. Unless it can harmonize its overwhelming power with its seductive but also unsettling social appeal, America could find itself alone and under assault in a setting of intensifying global chaos.
Brzezinski has been hailed by Samuel P. Huntington for his "clear-eyed, tough-minded...geostrategic thinking in the grand tradition of Bismarck" and by Paul Wolfowitz as one of the world's "most penetrating analysts of international affairs and...one of the leading practitioners of the art of strategy." In The Choice, he identifies America's crucial strategic imperative: America must be both guarantor of global security and promoter of the global common good.
Customer Reviews:
His Idea - Baby Steps - to Simplify His Theory of What to Do.......2006-07-17
I feel like I have been on an overdose of these books having read House of Bush, House of Saud by Craig Unger (excellent book) - the biggest tell all blockbuster, The Choice by Zbigniew Brzezinski, Disarming Iraq, by Hans Blix, Noam Chomsky's Hegemony of Survival, Thirty Days (about Tony Blair) by Peter Stothard, and Price of Loyalty, Paul O'Neill, Why America Slept by Gerald Posner, Against All Eneamies by Richard Clarke, and the Rise of the Vulcans by Mann and Mann. I put together a "listmania" list of the 25 best books - the best books - mainly non political, no strong bias conservative or liberal - a spectrum of opinion when you take them all together.
There is certainly a wide variety of views and all of these books are excellent. I have read and for the most part digested the views and ideas and I would strongly recommend any or all of these books to get a diverse view. One cannot begin to give these books justice in book reviews. In any case there are generally two types of books, i.e: the "gotcha" books which try to show how Bush has made errors or done something illegal such as the Craig Unger book, or the "solution books" like Brzezinski, Soros and Chomsky.
Of all the "best seller" books on the market I would consider this present book by Brzezinski to be one if not the best books that deals with terrorism, the invasion of Iraq, and the future role of the US. Perhaps not the most exciting read (I think Unger's book takes that title) but still this is an excellent book. In this book he is very diplomatic in his comments of the current administration and he presents many well thought out ideas on how to deal with the Muslim countries, American demographics, how the world views the US etc. In some of the other books by say Chomsky or Soros some of the ideas are in fact quite similar to Brzezinski. Here he is also against unilateral action but he manages to calm down the rhetoric plus he suggests that some sort of world government or similar is not realistic and is many generations off. So instead of say going to the UN and supporting the UN or World Court in any absolute way he suggests shorter term goals that are a combination of working much more closely with the Europeans and then expanding that relationship later in stages (my comment baby steps). Also he seems to advocate more support for the Muslim countries to permit them to develop economically and socially.
All in all a well thought out argument, it is well presented, and attempts to make the debate a little more rational.
mostly thoughtful.......2006-07-13
To frame the problem of U.S. grand strategy, Brzezinski emphasizes several frames of reference from which to consider the current dilemma. His emphasis is not only on strategic imperatives but also on the moral, cultural and historical situation.
The only problem I find with the writing is that Brzezinski tends to become diverted into dissections of many what-if type scenarios. This is fine for a strategic studies expert, however, some of these digressions are somewhat far-fetched. Altogether, its a quick read with some interesting insights into how the U.S. and the world might best proceed.
A New Brave Multi-Polar World.......2005-08-29
ZB brilliantly analyzes the choices in front of USA, in its dealings with the rest of the World and the kind of role and status it can achieve and risks and feasibility of various possible policies. He is characteristically far reaching, almost mathematically precise and complete.
Though he is objective and does not promote any particular ideology other than the balanced and realistic welfare of USA, he is after all a man of "Detante". Those "entangling alliences" and the beloved NATO template keeps coming to the forefront. He is no unilateralist. He makes us aware that unless the current emerging powers such as China and India feel secure, and their vital interests secured, there can not be peace and stability for anyone. I think he understands dynamics of "Great Powers" better than most, and that is the World we are moving back to after all. The great polarization of East and West blocs, and to some degree North and South, have dissolved and a new multi-polar World has been emerging. He seems to have dismissed altogether that infamous "clash of civilizations".
It is a good read. There is a unique piece of insight and wisdom in almost every page. Well delivered and smooth. Stands out among many similar works. Highly recommended.
The Future of Hegemony.......2005-06-19
Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor and resident hawk of the Carter Administration, agrues in this excellent book that America is faced with a choice: either lead the world or try to dominate it. The correct answer or course is the former, and the Bush Administration has chosen the latter. Brzezinski is one of the brightest geostrategic thinkers in the firmament, and he offers a very clear and systematic policy statement on which direction this country should be going to achieve national security.
In the era of globalization, especially after 9/11, the link between national sovereignty and national security has been broken. With the growing interdependence of nation-states, our national security is increasingly in the hands of others. It is true, as President Bush claimed in the election campaign 2004 that we do not need permission from others to protect our security; it is also true that we need the cooperation of others in order to have security.
On a couple of points Brzezinski is in agreement with President Bush. The primary threat to international security comes from rogue or illiberal states - called the "Global Balkans" - that lie between the Suez Canal and the Khyber Pass, a part of the world that contains most of the world's oil and natural gas. The region also contains some of the most religiously inflamed, politically turbulent, and ethnically conflicted people on earth.
And to make matters even worse, they are festering with terrorist and criminal groups searching for weapons of mass destruction. It is in the interest of the civilized and energy hungry world to maintain stability.
America is the preponderant but not omnipotent power. America cannot stabilize the Global Balkans alone, nor with "coalitions of the willing." Brzezinski has a special place in his heart for Europe; he sees a healthy transatlantic alliance as the bedrock of global security. Europe and America are natural allies through shared history and culture. As a team our moral authority and political credibility would be greatly enhanced.
Another point at which Brzezinski is in agreement with the Bush Administration is on the primacy of American military power. Europeans and other allies understand, though they don't openly acknowledge, that global security is underwritten by American power. Brzezinski differs with the administration on how this power should be used. America may have the capablity of overthrowing rogue regimes in a few days or weeks, nevertheless, it still needs to build consensus in order to win a war. If the excercise of military power is not done with legitimacy will fail and backfire. Operations in Iraq (a good outcome is still possible) were executed in such a way that they spawned more terrorist groups, and even emboldened Iran and North Korea to press ahead with nuclear weapons development.
It was even more important to build consensus in the invasion of Iraq because, as we know now, it was a preventative war ( a war of choice), not a preemptive war from some imminent threat. The war in Iraq has given us greater insecurity, not only because it created new terrorists groups, but because our moral authority has been greatly undermined.
The task that Brzezinski lays before the Bush Administration is daunting given the events that have take place. And the European Union, for its part, cannot even agree on a budget and or a constitution, let alone a coherent global security policy. Nevertheless, American hegemony must be a consensual hegemony, not a domineering one. Globalism has brought us more interdependence, and global security can only be achieved through cooperation.
Highly Recommended!.......2005-05-21
The geopolitical landscape evolves so fast that almost any book about global politics ages before the ink can dry. Zbigniew Brzezinski - known as one of the keenest students of American defense and diplomacy since his service in the Carter administration - urges European-American rapprochement over Iraq. He calls for a transition from a war against terrorism to a moral war for global equality and political representation, namely, democracy. No doubt due to unfortunate timing, his book does not account for recent democratic elections in the Middle East or for new transatlantic diplomatic initiatives. Regardless, he uses his laser-beam intellect to show convincingly how globalism, American geopolitical dominance and American cultural imperialism are interacting to create a perfect storm of misunderstanding that leaves Uncle Sam with a tough choice: how to react to terrorism without overreacting and causing U.S. isolation. He concludes that America can choose to lead or to dominate, but not both. We strongly recommend this book to students of globalism and the ongoing experiment of global democracy.
Average customer rating:
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African American History (Magill's Choice) 3 Vol. set
Manufacturer: Salem Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
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ASIN: 1587652390 |
Book Description
America's most notable Middle East commentator imparts incisive views on peace, terrorism, and the continuing role of the United States in the region Could the United States defeat Al-Qaeda but still lose the broader war on terrorism? In The Stakes, Shibley Telhami, one of America's most in-demand commentators on the Middle East, provides a concise and penetrating analysis that explains Arab and Muslim attitudes toward the United States and shows why there is much reason for concern. In an insightful, passionate, yet balanced analysis, Telhami shows why the Arab-Israeli conflict remains central to the war on terrorism and to international stability, and considers the consequences of a post-war Iraq: its effect on Middle Eastern politics and American foreign policy, the recovery of the region, and its future with the rest of the world. The Stakes provides a well-reasoned, calm analysis that will be essential reading for anyone who wonders where America should go from here, amid the dangers and opportunities in the ever-volatile Middle East. Updated with a new epilogue.
Customer Reviews:
A very thoughtful book.......2005-04-25
Sure, America has a stake in the Middle East. And Telhami knows plenty about the region! And he has some good ideas for what we ought to do! And I actually have little idea what we ought to do. How can I have the nerve to give him only one star?
I'll tell you how.
The problem is this. The main issues in the region are truth and human rights. Now, Telhami does give Truth some respect. He shows that many people in the Middle East have a big problem with Truth. And he gives some examples. Unfortunately, he also gives Untruth equal respect. And he basically appears to recommend that the fight against human rights had better be given equal weight with the struggle to defend human rights. Or else!
And that's not enough.
Explains Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S........2004-11-12
An Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and a frequent contributor to TV, radio and print media, Shibley Telhami's cogent mideast political analysis is more accessible to the general public than most. One of the country's most in-demand commentators in the Middle East, his social and political analysis set forth in The Stakes: America In The Middle East clearly and persuasively explains Arab and Muslim attitudes towards the U.S. and why the Arab-Israeli conflict remains integral to resolving the war on terrorism.
Book Description
More than half a century after the advent of the nuclear age, is the world approaching a tipping point that will unleash an epidemic of nuclear proliferation?
Today many of the building blocks of a nuclear arsenal—scientific and engineering expertise, precision machine tools, software, design information—are more readily available than ever before. The nuclear pretensions of so-called rogue states and terrorist organizations are much discussed. But how firm is the resolve of those countries that historically have chosen to forswear nuclear weapons? A combination of changes in the international environment could set off a domino effect, with countries scrambling to develop nuclear weapons so as not to be left behind—or to develop nuclear "hedge" capacities that would allow them to build nuclear arsenals relatively quickly, if necessary.
The Nuclear Tipping Point examines the factors, both domestic and transnational, that shape nuclear policy. The authors, distinguished scholars and foreign policy practitioners with extensive government experience, develop a framework for understanding why certain countries may originally have decided to renounce nuclear weapons—and pinpoint some more recent country-specific factors that could give them cause to reconsider. Case studies of eight long-term stalwarts of the nonproliferation regime—Egypt, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Turkey, and Taiwan—flesh out this framework and show how even these countries might be pushed over the edge of a nuclear tipping point.
The authors offer prescriptions that would both prevent such countries from reconsidering their nuclear option and avert proliferation by others. The stakes are enormous and success is far from assured. To keep the tipping point beyond reach, the authors argue, the international community will have to act with unity, imagination, and strength, and Washington's leadership will be essential.
Contributors include Leon Feurth, George Washington University; Ellen Laipson, Stimson Center; Thomas W. Lippman, Middle East Institute; Jenifer Mackby, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Derek J. Mitchell, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Jonathan D. Pollack, U.S. Naval War College; Walter B. Slocombe, Caplin and Drysdale; and Tsuyoshi Sunohara, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Customer Reviews:
A study on several countries nuclear choices.......2007-03-07
To build an atomic bomb, you only need 1940s technology. Not only that, but as the book points out to many countries, a nuclear defense is cheaper then a conventional one. Many states like Israel nuclear weapons give it a defense that it could never get from a conventional one. As the book further points out the world does not punish states going nuclear much. So why have so few states gone for a nuclear defense?
It is a fascinating issue. This book takes us though several countries and discussion that they had in this question. The important debates on getting nuclear weapons in most countries is hidden even in democratic countries. For example few people in the US, Britain, France or Israel knew of their country nuclear weapons program until they had a bomb. So many of the debates, I felt were guesswork of what people were likely to say.
Two problems with the book, I though was looking at the physical weapon rather then many states today which are virtual nuclear states. They could have a bomb in a few months if they wanted it. We probably have more nuclear proliferation then they admit.
The second it did not discuss the vulnerability a state has to nuclear weapons for example Egypt with the Nile. A few conventual and nuclear weapon blasts and most of Egypt's water is cut off. Maybe the Egyptians' have sound military reasons to not have nuclear weapons.
Finally the book does not fill me with hope. North Korea has a bomb and it appears that Iran will have one soon. Both from reading the book will cause ripple effects in the neighboring countries if the doubt the US commitment to them.
Insightful !.......2005-02-24
This book stems from a three-year-long collaboration between the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Reves Center for International Studies at the College of William and Mary. Scholars studied eight countries currently committed to nonproliferation - Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan - to determine what scenarios might make them change their minds. The objective was to study how the nuclear genie might get out of the bottle - but it also indicates ways to keep it contained. The book intentionally does not focus on proliferator states, such as North Korea or Iran. Even with that omission, we recommend it for the stark realities its research uncovers. One is that non-proliferating nations all look to the U.S. for reassurance that the world will stay safe for those without nuclear weapons. Another is that the world must stop Iran and North Korea's atomic ambitions, lest a tipping point occurs that would provoke other nations to conclude that their security requires swinging the biggest stick.
more proliferation?.......2005-02-20
In the midst of headlines about possible nuclear weapons being acquired by rogue states, this recent book is quite timely. It addresses what is a slightly puzzling issue. Why, 60 years after the use of nuclear weapons, are there still relatively few nations armed with these weapons? Some projections made in the 1960s postulated that by now, if we hadn't blown ourselves up, there would be scores of nuclear armed nations.
Part of the book explains why this did not come to pass. But the more urgent analysis is devoted to suggesting how in fact it might still come to be. The politics of regional rivalries in east Asia, south Asia and the Middle East is studied. There are knock-on effects of one nation possessing such arms, triggering a frantic effort by its neighbours to also do so.
One thing to note is that the technical obstacles are less than ever before. While still exceedingly nontrivial, the case of Pakistan illustrates how a moderately sized developing country can develop such weapons, given sufficient will and resources.
Average customer rating:
- No "mid-trilogy" fumbling here!
- Be prepared to read the book before and the book after...
- Punish yourself, read this book!
- a goofy read for children
- A good addition to the story.
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Freedom's Choice
Anne McCaffrey
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Freedom's Challenge
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Freedom's Landing
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Freedom's Ransom
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ASIN: 0441005314 |
Book Description
In Freedom's Landing, bestselling author Anne McCaffrey created a new world that human slaves were forced to colonize. In time, this new world became more thatn a home--it became something to fight for.
But now Kris Bjornsen and her comrades have found evidence of another race on thier planet. Are they ancients, long dead and gone? Or could they still exist...to join their fight?
Customer Reviews:
No "mid-trilogy" fumbling here!.......2007-07-22
The middle volume of a trilogy often has problems. This one does not. That's high praise, indeed, for Anne McCaffrey's writing skill. (Yes, I know there's a fourth "Freedom" novel. But I'm told it's a sequel to the trilogy, not part of a four-book series as I first assumed, by other reviewers who ought to know.)
What are the problems of a trilogy, usually? Pacing can be a big one. None of that here; this story has its own beginning, middle, and ending, and it moves along at good clip even when it's not in the midst of an action sequence. Character develpment can lag, but there's none of that here,either. We learn a lot more about the Catteni "dropee" Zainal, including exactly why he actively embraces being dropped on Botany along with a load of slaves. It's not just for love of human Kris Bjornsen, although that relationship matures and deepens. Zainal has an excellent reason for his emphatic, "I dropped, I stay!" attitude, and it's a fascinating one. By the book's end, we know a great deal more about the mysterious "Farmers" who have tended this planet for centuries (unknown to the Catteni, who dropped their slaves there to test its suitability for colonization). We also know a great deal more about the Catteni, who are finding the native species of their latest conquered world - Terrans - a disruptive influence on their entire empire.
All in all, "Freedom's Choice" is another old-fashioned space adventure with McCaffrey's trademark brand of romance supplying integral plot elements. I was alarmed, though (as has all too often been the case for me in reading McCaffrey!), by the author's absolute inability to grasp what constitutes rape. I'm old enough myself to remember when women were expected to hold the views her characters do on that subject ("It was really my own fault," "He did it because loving me made him crazy," etc.), so I can accept that I'm reading an author who simply hasn't caught up with the times on this subject; but I do hope no other woman or girl comes away from this book with a lingering belief in those dangerous old stereotypes subtly reinforced.
Be prepared to read the book before and the book after..........2006-06-01
It's not that Freedom's Choice is a "bad book"... it's just that, for this book to make sense, you really have to have read the prior book (Freedom's Landing), and, since the story continues, the book after.
I like stand-alone books. Freedom's Choice is not one.
In Freedom's Choice, the survivors/colonists dumped on the planet Botany by the Catteni work at developing a structured society, fight back against the Catteni (and their overlords, the Eosi), and try to uncover the identity of the "Farmers," who have "colonized" the planet with machines for harvesting grains and meats (it is a bad thing to be captured during these meat-hunting expeditions... you get turned into sausage).
Stll, Anne McCaffrey treats the reader to interesting social and personal dynamics. People are such entertaining creatures!
Punish yourself, read this book!.......2005-10-21
After reading the first book of this series, I don't know why I felt inclined to read the second. Probably because I liked the story line, even though it was horribly executed. Whatever pathetic reason I had for reading this, take my advice and avoid at all costs. Reread one of her excellent Pern books.
To summarize: the colonists overcome all challenges with minimal effort, no setbacks, all the while managing to joke around with each other the entire time. However, most of the book is simply spent reading about one boring meeting after another. Which makes sense of course; if you were ripped from your home planet, family, and friends, watched your species get slaughtered and turned into slaves, then get dumped on an empty planet, that's what you would do, right, have a meeting? I hate meetings I have to attend, reading about other people in meetings is simply tedious, especially when the dialog is as banal as it is in this book.
It is obvious that Anne was trying to liven up the book with humor. She can not write humor. The characters are always laughing or grinning or winking or elbow nudging each other to let the reader know that Anne was trying to write a joke. It is basically a book with a laugh track. All the characters are CONSTANTLY winking at each other while making jokes. Anne, if you need to tell the writer you have written a joke, then it was not very funny.
a goofy read for children.......2005-04-14
This is a story written so far out in left field that it is kind of entertaining. It is a space romance that is as hard hitting as a soap bubble.
What made the first book in this series so interesting is pretty much lacking here. By this I am talking about the surreal dream like quality that pulled out unusual though inspiring visions to dawdle over. Instead we are presented with a story that follows the most predictable 'read it before' plot lines that seem to float by without struggle.
This might be a good series to read with your kids, but you can find better books in that regards as well (Pullman, Harry Potter, Narnia, and Watership Down).
A good addition to the story........2005-02-15
While I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first in the series, I still found myself staying up too late reading because I just couldn't help getting drawn into the plight of the unwilling colonists. Zanail and company really start taking control and affecting their own destiny in this instalment of the story. Although some of the book seems a bit like old news and I couldn't help feeling bored with parts, the overall story continued on strongly and the stage was set for an exciting conclusion to the story in which the people of Botany may play a crucial role in events that could change not only their own new world, but Earth and the rest of the Universe. Hopefully (as seems likely) the Eosi/Catteni and the Farmers will come head to head in a conflict that would be entertaining to say the least. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Product Description
Many Americans think of their country as a welcoming nation of immigrants, yet our communities have a long history of ambivalence toward new arrivals and racial minorities. This is often expressed through segregation by race and income. In this book, some of the nations leading analysts and advocates show shy segregation persists and how it undermines education, job prospects, and even health and safety for millions of minorities and low-income families. Calling housing the most important invisible social policy issue in America, the book outlines and agenda to expand the geography of opportunity and assesses the political promiseand limitsof the movement for regional solutions. This project was sponsored by the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University in collaboration with Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies at the Brookings Institutions Metropolitan Policy Program.
Book Description
With a new preface by the author.
In the tradition of Backlash and The Morning After, and in a political climate where Roe v. Wade is in serious jeopardy, a young activist reveals that the Pro-Life Movement's real agenda is a war on contraception, family planning, and sexual freedom.
Customer Reviews:
This pro-choicer thinks this book is garbage........2007-07-28
You have to be mentally ill to think a movement based on killing children is saving America. Furthermore, what liberal thinks America is saved in the first place? All they do is complain about how horrible it is. Sadly, the abortion racket is nothing more than a money-making scheme and a political tool. If you are pro-choice like I am, you need to stop being so selfish and think about what abortion is. It's killing a child. This is horrible. Let's just face the facts. You are killing a living being with a beating heart. The question is, does the government have the right to decide what a women does with the baby in her body? My answer is no. So, abortion should be legal. But let's get all the lies and political garbage out of it. Stop fooling yourselves and admit that what you want to for a women to be able to have a doctor tear an unborn fetus from her body. So in order to improve the abortion system, the truth must be spoken about it. No more should organization like planned parenthood be able to spread lies about what abortion is. The absolute truth and only the truth must be spoken about what this practice is. Finally, the mother does not have sole rights to her child. Therefore, the mother's parent's as well as the father of the baby must sign sworn testimony that they authorize the mother to murder this baby, as they are the baby's grandparent's and father they have as much right to the child as the mother does. Only under these circumstances should abortion be legal.
Well written, informative and factual literary piece.......2007-07-02
First of all, I want to say that this book opened my eyes even more to the horrors that the radical pro-life movement imposes to human and reproductive rights of women around the world. This piece will make any pro-choice feminist to become furious like me as I have devoted my life to do my best to defend the rights of women despite my parents' disapproval. This book discuss every issue with compelling arguments backed by credible scientific FACTS and reading this book is a must. It should be read by any american pro-choice or pro-life because I believe that in the end, the horrible consequences of pro-life movement in america will affect the vast majority of the citizens pro-choice or not. To Miss Christina Page, I applaud you for the a job well done. In my eyes, you are a real modern hero fighting for justice and women's rights.
Saved America?.......2007-04-27
Though well written and interesting I did not enjoy this book. It saddens me that this country constantly attacks pro-lifers. No, being pro-life isn't about "saving pweshus baybeez", it's about how much we honor someones (anyones) right to live. Killing the child in your womb is the same as killing the child you have. Worse because the one in your womb cannot defend itself. Many women complain that they can't afford another child and wouldn't be able to give it the life they would want to. However there are so many childless couples who are very willing to adopt so why abort when you can give your child a better life? Did you know that only 1% of abortions are cause of rape or incest? So why are there 1.6 million abortions per year in the U.S. alone? One of the leading causes is because the mother simply does not want more children. Again they can give the child up for adoption since they don't want it. Last but not least the parts concerning a pro-life "hidden agenda" and criminal rates dropping are (with all respect) simply ridiculous. There is no such thing as a "hidden agenda" and I think that criminal rates dropping is (if not stupid) possible but there might have also been future presidents, activists, missionaries and leaders that have been aborted too.
Great Book!.......2007-02-22
This book is wonderful. It is a definite eye opener and provides great information for anybody concerned about the important issue of Women's Right to her own body.
This author is AMAZING.......2007-01-30
I had the honor of meeting Christina Page at NH NARAL's 34th anniversary Roe v Wade event. Let me tell you that this lady puts her money where her mouth is! she spoke at our event for the price of her plane tickets to fly her to NH.
I love this lady, I love this book, America needs to read this book. She is a work of art and an amzing feminist. I will treasure my signed copy forever!
Book Description
What is the difference between right and wrong? What does it mean to lead a good life? How binding is the marriage vow? What are your obligations to an employer? To your friends? To yourself? Is it always immoral to tell a lie? "[A]n alert and knowledgeable social critic," Alan Wolfe asked Americans around the country such questions in "his intriguing exploration of our collective character, testing prevailing notions of the culture war" (New York Times Book Review). Focusing on the traditional virtues of loyalty, honesty, self-restraint, and forgiveness, Wolfe "strips away ulterior agendas to give us a look at the raw material of the American conscience" (New York Observer) and discovers that "Americans...have not so much left traditional morality behind as they have redefined it in ways that suit their individual tastes, purposes, and situations" (Washington Post).
Customer Reviews:
Worth your time.......2007-06-22
This would be a great book to read with a book club or a couple friends. The content makes for great conversation. It is also written in a way that makes reading easy.
Exceptional Assessment of American Values.......2004-03-09
Wolfe provides a litmus test of where we are in America today as we move towards greater moral freedom. He does not provide personal pronouncements of what should be considered right or wrong. Rather, he interviews people from varying social backgrounds to get their views on matters ranging from indulgence of the self to forgiveness of others. Wolfe captures Americans' search for a moral compass in world that has drastically changed from their parents' time. He shows how individuals are trying to cultivate their own sense of morality while trying to balance allegiance to one's self and to society as a whole. In the face of monumental change, American conversation regarding our values has been polarized between two competing, and extreme, dogmas. Wolfe provides a balanced framework to assess where we're headed. "Moral Freedom" is a must read for anyone wishing to find solutions that work for mainstream America.
Moral Anarchy.......2003-03-14
The subtitle of Alan Wolfe's latest social study is "The Impossible Idea That Defines The Way We Live Now." Professor Wolfe purports to study the idea of moral freedom and its applicability to the brave new world in which we live. This is a highly literate, reasonably well-designed popular study, the general conclusions of which are,insofar as Prof. Wolfe's interviews and surveys extend, no doubt generally accurate. For Prof. Wolfe tells us, in essence, that ours is a secular society in which relativism, materialism, subjectivism, and hedonism are displacing Christian humanism. That will come as no surprise to anyone. These isms, corrupt as they are, have led to a long train of sorrow and suffering: abortion, drug abuse, rampant crime, mass murder, and ethical confusion and chaos. When the idea of the sacred disappears, it will be replaced by a new god, and his reflection can be seen daily in our bathroom mirrors. One's complaint about Prof. Wolfe's study does not concern the question of its accuracy but rather the issue of whether he has even the foggiest notion of what "moral freedom" really is. He defines it as the idea "that individuals should determine for themselves what it means to lead a good and virtuous life" (p. 195),which, of course, means that we should, much as Charles Reich once told us, "build [our] own philosophy and values" (p. 216)and re-define or re-design our own god (because the "old" one just isn't accommodating enough [cf. p. 226]).
But of course this is not moral freedom at all; it is, rather, licentious and libidinous anarchy. Prof. Wolfe's (selected?)interviews of often well-meaning but inarticulate Christians unfortunately do not make the point one finds presented so powerfully in Pope John Paul's 1993 letter "The Splendor of Truth": "People today need to turn to Christ once again in order to receive from Him the answer to their questions about what is good and what is evil" (#8). Moreover, the idea that freedom means the opportunity to "serve one another through love" (Gal 5:13; cf. 1 Pt 2:16) and the notion that freedom is selfless devotion to God (Mt 22:37)--and that therein lies the source of human dignity--Prof. Wolfe and a number of his readers would no doubt perfunctorily dismiss. Consider that one of his interviewees says of Mother Teresa that she was a "[vixen] on wheels" (p. 194). How can one react in the face of such stunted moral "vision" except to feel, not anger, not disgust, but pity? To think, even for a moment, that such a person (the interviewee) has a glimmer of "moral freedom" is to misunderstand both "moral" and "freedom." For the source of "morality" is not to be found in our appetites and urges; and the meaning of "freedom" is not to be found in the seven deadly sins (pride, envy, lust, anger, gluttony, sloth, greed), but in ordering our lives so that we live as we should, in the service not of the one we design to approve the indulgence of our urges, but of the One who designed us (cf. Rom 6:15-23, 12:2) to know His peace (Phil 4:7) in eternal life (1 Jn 5:13).
Grave New World?.......2001-05-23
You've got to hand it to Alan Wolfe. Building on "Whose Keeper" and "One Nation After All," Wolfe's latest book "Moral Freedom" is a tour de force which examines Americans' views of morality in the age of expressive individualism and rampant consumerism. Using a methodology similar to the one he employed in "One Nation After All," Wolfe interviews a random selection of 200 Americans in 6 geogrphical locations ranging from the Castro district in San Francisco to a small midwestern town in Iowa.
Coupling these interviews with a nationally representative telephone survey conducted with CBS, Wolfe gets down to cases fast. Asking eternal moral questions, e.g. what is virtue, what is vice?, Wolfe comes to a startling conclusion: Americans have for the most part jettisoned traditional teachings of religion in favor of a looser, more pragmatic situational ethics. Although some of Wolfe's respondents hew to very specific religious beliefs, even these individuals are loathe to cast the first stone against those who might not agree with their beliefs.
In terms of narrative strategy, Wolfe uses the gay and lesbian population of the Castro district as one end of the moral spectrum, the small town folks in Iowa as the other pole, and finds they have a lot in common with all the other folks in between. He does stop and point out differences along the way, of course, but in the main, finds considerable agreement. The extended quotes from Americans to whom Wolfe and his colleagues talk demonstrates how smart and thoughtful the average American really is -- as Wolfe showed us in "One National After All." But there is something troubling about their articulateness, too. Some of it sounds like "Oprah-speak" -- there's lots of forgiveness, lots of psychologizing mixed in with the strains of good 'ol American pragmatism.
His main thesis is that we have now arrived in a brave new world of "moral freedom" but have not descended into moral anarchy, a fear espoused by moral philosophers from the Greeks onward is a tad overdone. (His short survey of moral philosophers' views on the question is illuminating -- but for his real thinking on these questions look at "Whose Keeper"). It may be that Wolfe is given to seeing the new era of "moral freedom" because of a kind of teleological necessity induced by his earlier works. I mostly buy it -- it makes a good story -- but I'm a little skeptical that the diverse voices he captures here really add up to proving his thesis.
Still, thought-provoking, insightful, using empirical social science in conjunction with his theoretical speculations, with "Moral Freedom" Wolfe has pushed his exploration of morality into a new and invigorating space.
Amazon.com
No job, no home, no money and pregnant. Fleeing from the horror of a back alley abortion clinic, one woman became embroiled in one of the biggest court battles in US history. The final decision came three years too late for her though it changed the lives of many other women. Nearly 20 years later, Norma McCorvey stepped from the shadows and revealed herself as Jane Roe. This is her story.
Customer Reviews:
Freedom, Happiness and an Aborted Fetus.......2004-05-03
This self-serving ghosted autobiography of the "real" Jane Roe does immense harm to the cause of women's reproductive rights. The decision to end a human life - and a growing human fetus is unquestionably a form of life - needs to be taken with the utmost integrity and responsibility. Both qualities are entirely antithetical to McCorvey-Roe's character.
Frequently portrayed as a "hero" and even a role model, Norma McCorvey nee Nelson is or was, by her own admission, a liar, a thief, an ingrate, a bawd, a drunk, a drug addict, a drug dealer and a leech. She told the lawyers who fought Roe vs Wade that she had been raped when her third pregnancy, like the second, was in fact the result of one of her numerous casual affairs, during which she evidently took no contraceptive measures despite their wide availability at the time (1968).
Is it any wonder that her mother, whom she excoriates, adopted McCorvey's first child (of her short-lived marriage) then acted to keep McCorvey at arm's length? The wisdom of this decision may be seen in the fact that the child, a daughter, apparently grew into a fine, responsible adult.
Parts of the book are a pro-abortion (as opposed to pro-choice) polemic. Some of this is well presented and is presumably the contribution of McCorvey's co-author; on the evidence here it seems doubtful that she has the intellect to understand let alone voice such arguments.
However, some unthinking phrases are no doubt vintage McCorvey. How about: "... the Roe decision ... was the beginning of a glorious era of women's reproductive freedom and happiness." Or her disdain over the fact that some people opposed to abortion as "a last-chance form of birth control" (in her own case it was first-chance) seek to regulate this commerce in feticide by having a wife require the acquiescence of her husband, and a minor that of her parents.
In McCorvey's view, all opponents of unbridled abortion on demand are "fanatics ... trying to inflict their own religious views on others, still trying to hide their anti-women feelings ..." What about all the women, and there are millions, who hold human life to be important, even sacred?
And how's this for sheer unadulterated, breathtaking hypocrisy: "If anti-free-choice forces are allowed to impose moral agendas on our society, we will lose the right to freely accept the responsibity for ourselves and our children."
Many today accept that there is a case for abortion under certain circumstances. But this squalid, vicious, whining harangue by one who appears never to have taken responsibility for anything in her entire life, including her own three children, utterly fails to make it.
Intriguing reading..........2003-07-22
Only becoming familiar with Norma McCorvey after her conversion to Christianity, I wonder how she was so able to make a 180 degree switch regarding some of the things she said in the book. As I read more about her life after the book was written, I will probably understand.
The book was well-written. Everyone has a story, and McCorvey's story is not an uncommon one. Some parts of the book made me hurt badly for her, while others just made me angry at how she was so self-destructive and cared very little about those around her who did care (her father, for example). In light of her recent petition against the Roe decision, the conflicts between her and her well-intentioned lawyers are especially relevant. I think, to some extent, they knew that McCorvey would not have enough time to abort legally; had McCorvey had a little more anatomical and political savvy, she would have understood the same thing.
I suggest anyone who is interested in reproductive rights--regardless of their beliefs--to read this book. Check it out from the library.
No surprises here........2003-04-29
The real message of this book is that no matter what you do, you don't have to take responsability for it. Ms. McCorvey fought for this right. Even if you use drugs for most of your life, get pregnanat and leave other people with the child, it's okay. Now, if you get pregnant, you can have an abortion. If you have a problem, and you work hard enough, no matter what it is our system can be changed just for you. Isn't it wonderful?
Freedom of Choice.......2002-01-23
The idea of the book is to get across the nation that in some cases abortion is ok. If you don't want to have the baby, then use protecton. When you have abortion that kills the baby, abortion is a hard decision for all women to have to go through. Think wisely about your decision. You could always consider adoption. The book also talks about her childhood, it tells how her mother didn't want to have her, but hse did anyways. It says that her mother abused her and didn't care about her. Her father left the family a lot. Her mother had an affair with other men. She did not have a good childhood at all, she was raised up very poorly.
My true opinion about this book is, that I actually didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It is a good book for older women and some men maybe. It's not necessarily a bad book, it just isn't one I would reccomend. The theme of the book is why Roe (Norma McCorvey) did what she did, to have to take it all the way to court. I actually changed the mood I was in throughout the entire book. An example for instance is that I was sort of dissapointed in her when I found out she had her first baby at sixteen years old. Another example is that in one case in this book made me think she was stupid to do drugs. Also I felt sorry for her when she was born, because her mother abused her. That is just my opinion, of some of the moods I was in throughout the book.
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- Daughter of the Empire
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- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames))
- Dragon Wing (The Death Gate Cycle, Book 1)
- Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies)
- Dragonwings: Golden Mountain Chronicles: 1903 (Golden Mountain Chronicles)
- Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2)
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