Amazon.com
Shocking as it is, this book--a crucial source of original research used for the bestseller Hitler's Willing Executioners--gives evidence to suggest the opposite conclusion: that the sad-sack German draftees who perpetrated much of the Holocaust were not expressing some uniquely Germanic evil, but that they were average men comparable to the run of humanity, twisted by historical forces into inhuman shapes. Browning, a thorough historian who lets no one off the moral hook nor fails to weigh any contributing factor--cowardice, ideological indoctrination, loyalty to the battalion, and reluctance to force the others to bear more than their share of what each viewed as an excruciating duty--interviewed hundreds of the killers, who simply could not explain how they had sunken into savagery under Hitler. A good book to read along with Ron Rosenbaum's comparably excellent study Explaining Hitler. --Tim Appelo
Book Description
The shocking account of how a unit of average middle-aged Germans became the cold-blooded murderers of tens of thousands of Jews.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-08-23
Very well-done and insightful study on ordinary Germans in the Holocaust and Browning's overall thesis extends to "ordinary men" in many circumstances.
Not for the faint of heart, or the weak of stomach!.......2007-03-26
This book (as described by previous reviewers and the product description) details what the men in the Nazi Reserve Police Battalion 101 went through, specifically during the SS Invasion of Poland.
Browning describes in detail the process of dehumanizing the Jews, and writes at length on the style of execution that the Germans refined and perfected in Poland, prior to the widespread use of gas chambers: the person to be killed forced to lie down flat on their face, and then shot at a particular spot in their neck. The accounts of these executions is not just gratuitous violence -- graphic gore for the sake of shock or horror -- but rather, demonstrates that over time, the police officers involved in the executions worked to make the process of mass killing more humane (an idea that was at the root of the gas chambers, as ironic as that seems). It also serves to drive home the point that after so many hundreds of people were shot, the officers were able to completely dehumanize the people they were killing.
What is unique about this book is that it is not just another historical account; the author takes into consideration what the Nazis themselves had to go through, psychologically and emotionally, in order to carry out their orders. Many other historians have analyzed historical events during WWII while still demonizing the Nazi forces ~ but Browning shows us that the troops really were Ordinary Men, and these men suffered tremendous emotional tolls as a result.
And herein lies the Truth that makes this book so chilling: any one of us could have found ourselves in the very same position, carrying out the very same orders, as the German troops in WWII.
Browning describes the various social conditions and governmental policies that effected how the Nazis were able to so completely dehumanize their enemy and rationalize their own involvement -- in part, because the men were assuaged of their sense of responsibility for their actions, and also in part due to the tremendous number of times that the actions had to be carried out. Repetition bred a sense of normalcy.
In the Afterword, Browning addresses another author who has critiqued Browning's work -- Daniel Jonah Goldhagen -- whose work I feel compelled to mention since it directly relates to this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is studying modern history, sociology / psychology, or WWII, but keep in mind that it is extremely graphic and very, very hard to read -- not because of the language used, but because of the events that Browning so meticulously describes.
from ordinary men to masacre machines.......2006-11-27
In one of the most shocking books that I have ever read, Christopher Browning follows the evolution of a german reserve police batallion during the second world war, battalion which is involved in making several districts in poland "judenfrei" - free of jewish people. The book follows the psychological evolution of the members of the battalion from "ordinary men" to ... masacre machines.
Shocking reading.......2006-08-10
This complete study of an ordinary security unit which perpetrated a shocking attrocity give the reader dark insights into the minds of the murderers who perpetrated Hitler's nightmare upon Jews and others. No pack of nazi fanatics or even anti-semites. Not a group of habitual criminals like Dirlewanger's gang. Just oridnary men who one day murdered thousands of men women and children while sending others to the death camp of Treblinka.
Shocking. Depressing to read but necessary.
Most shocking to me was what these men testifed was the reaction of the Polish population. Many actually thanked them for doing it or baught drinks for them.
HOW DO ORDINARY MEN BECOME COLD-BLOODED KILLERS?.......2006-05-30
"Ordinary Men" chronicles the rise and fall of Reserve Police Battalion 101, one of several units that took part in the Final Solution to the Jewish Question while in Poland. During the course of their stay, they were responsible for the shooting of 38,000 Jews, while also deporting 45,200 to the Treblinka Concentration Camp. The book argues that the men of Reserve Police Battalion 101, and other units like it, were comprised of ordinary men. It begs the question: How did ordinary men become the cold-blooded killers of the Holocaust?
Author Christopher R. Browning does a tremendous job of covering the ground. He also presents a strong case that these people were indeed ordinary men, who came from ordinary backgrounds, only to end up being transformed into the murderers of thousands. However, the book also stresses that some of the men, including several officers, could not be considered "ordinary," as they were trained in Hitler's Nazi organizations from youth. Browning also does something nearly impossible: He humanizes these people without excusing their horrendous actions. Their defense that "they were just following orders" just doesn't fit the bill, as some refused to take part in the actions, and asked to be relieved. If a few men could get themselves relieved from doing the killings, why did so many more not? That is the main question the book gives.
"Ordinary Men" is an extraordinary book that chronicles just one unit that took part in the murder of innocent Jews, while also presenting a good case of how ordinary men can become killers. I highly recommend this book to all students of the Holocaust.
Grade: A+
Book Description
(Foreword by J. Stratton Shufelt) Excellent for devotional reading, sermon illustrations, and bulletin inserts, as well as for historical or biographical research.
Customer Reviews:
Inquisitive Minds.......2007-02-08
If you ever wondered what prompted a person to write a certain hymn this is the book for you. Great information on each composer.
Eye opening experience.......2006-03-09
Well, I bought this as a gift to a friend of mine. He is our worship leader and I thought he would be interested. I read parts of the book before I gave it to him and it's really great. When I sing some of these hymns, I sing them with a different attitude. It's amazing how God uses many tragedies to bless so many people. If you know any hymns and wanted to know how, when and why they were written, this is the book. My friend loves it and I think you will too.
Great devotional.......2006-02-02
I have read at least one of these hymns and the commentary about them, each day for several years with great enjoyment.
Would suggest more about the hymn writers and less other commentary, and perhaps include the music in the future.
Dennis R. in Pasadena
A little disappointing.......2004-05-15
The book is worth reading for anyone who enjoys hymns. However, many of the "stories behind the hymns" are nothing more than a brief biographical sketch of the author and composer.
The reason for this is legitimate, of course: no one has a written account of the author's intent when he or she wrote many of these hymns, especially the older ones. There are notable exceptions, of course, such as the story behind "It Is Well With My Soul," one of my favorites.
So my recommendation is thus: take the time to read the book. You'll learn some history, and probably some new hymns as well. But, don't be surprised when all you get at times is a background of the author, not of the hymn itself.
Go beyond praise and worship.......2004-01-31
When I first became a Christian about 8 years ago, I somehow got the idea that praise and worship music was the truly "spiritual music" - hymns were old-fashioned, and people who enjoyed them did so because they were hide-bound by tradition. If you're thinking this now, please listen to me.
A year or so ago I heard about well-known and respected Christians like John MacArthur and Joni Eareckson Tada talk about how the old hymns were so meaningful to them and really strengthened their faith. That got me thinking: so it's not just stodgy old 80-year olds who love those old hymns. Maybe there's something to them after all.
So I got this book. And I have been so blessed by it. God has shown me that true worship is so much more than just a feeling. He wants all parts of me - my body, my soul, and my spirit - to be involved in worship. So many in churches today are satisfied with getting only their spirits involved; some want their body involved too (lifting hands, etc.); but the truly mature (I am coming to believe) also get their souls (or minds) involved. Your mind doesn't get involved when you just repeat "Isn't He" fifty times; it does when you sing (and really think about) the wonderful words to songs like "O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" or "Blessed Assurance."
Both these songs and many, many more are covered in this book. Get it, sing the songs, think about what Christ has done for you, think about the circumstances of their writing. And take your worship to another level.
Book Description
Looking for a career in the film business? Look no further.Making it in Hollywood is possible. But only if you have a workable strategy. When author Frederick Levy launched his own fledgling career, he didnt' know a soul in the business. But that didn't stop him and it doesn't have to stop you. Hollywood 101 is a complete game plan for getting your foot in the door of the film industry. With fascinating inside stories and advice from key players, it takes you step-by-step up the ladder of success. Whether you aspire to be a producer, director, writer, talent agent, and any other behind-the-camera professional, this is the one book you need to turn your "reel" dreams into reality!
Download Description
More than simply a technical how-to book, Hollywood 101 is full of inside stories and advice from industry leaders.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect Introductory Book to Hollywood.......2007-05-17
I purchased a number of "get into film/hollywood" books and this one was by far the most helpful. While it doesn't have much of the typical career advice (how to write your resume, cover letters etc.), which are better covered in more general job hunting books, it is the perfect book to read to get a sense for the jobs that do exist in Hollywood. If you're interested in the industry, but find it something of a "black box" or are unsure exactly what type of position to try and look for, this book is the ideal starting point. Levy walks through the entire industry, from agencies to studios, to actors, directors, costume designers etc. Given the wide canvas, none of the positions are covered in too much detail, but I think the book ideally serves as an excellent starting point from which to know where to pursue more information.
Finally, the tone of the book is excellent - one of excitement and encouragement. While it's a small point, dry and depressing hollywood career books abound - it's refreshing to find one that's has an enthusiasm and optimism to match your own.
Wanted: Hollywood film jobs.......2007-03-29
The book is great. If you want to get in the to industry (that's what people call the film industry in Southern California), buy the book. It gives a complete break down of all the people that are required to make any movie. So next time when you watch the ending credits, you'll know what a key grip, best boy, art director, first assistance director does and be able to tell your friends as they walk out of the theater asking, "What's a best boy?"
But it today!.......2006-07-23
It was informative and not at all boring. A must-read for those who are new to the Industy. Explains the steps of advancement for nearly every job in the entertainment industry. Excellent resource for goal-setting/ career management.
A Great Book to get started.......2004-07-25
I am an entertainment buff and I thought this book was great for people who want a survey of jobs they can pursue. It gave an in depth look at a lot of the positions in the film business. If you want a general look at the possible jobs, get this book. If you are more interested in television, this book is a great start, but it doesn't say anything about that since its primarly about film so look for another book for further reading. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to break into the business, it was really helpful for me.
A Optimistic Joy.......2003-03-03
Excellent book about breaking into the "Industry". This book details almost all jobs in the industry and really tells you how to go about securing that job without knowing someone who can help you. You may find that you are better suited for another career within the industry, one you never would have dreamed of. Frederick Levy is a guy who knows his stuff and truly wrote this book to help you succeed with your career in film. He talks about writing a Television 101.......I am waiting!! Although Hollywood 101 was just as helpful! After reading your book, I am more than ever convinced that I shall succeed as well. Thanks Mr. Levy, I look forward to more books on the Industry from you!!
Book Description
An encyclopedic look at several dozen of the most well known "people" of literature, television, mythology, and film.
From detectives and criminals (Dick Tracy, Perry Mason, and Norman Bates) to the greats of theater (Hamlet, Shylock, Romeo, and Juliet), the book covers and uncovers the history and influences of major characters of fiction.
The three writers use a variety of styles and approaches, (one essay is told from a canine's point of view), and the tone ranges from scholarly to open comedy.
Customer Reviews:
A great concept-- but not particularly well done.......2007-05-19
I read a review of this book in a magazine, and I was intrigued by the concept: Michael Hart's "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History" deals with actual people; wouldn't it be possible and useful to do the same with fictional characters? Yes, it would, but, unfortunately, the authors don't execute the concept very well.
The problem for me isn't the rankings. After, all, they're admittedly subjective, and in the end, they don't matter that much any way. The thing that I found jarring at first-- and then grating as I read on-- was the uneven quality of the essays. I suspect that this was in part due to the simple fact that there are three co-authors. It would be very difficult to coordinate the styles and lengths of the essays.
More seriously, though, they clearly didn't attempt to coordinate the point of the essays. That is, some of them are straight biographies. Some are pop-cultural analyses of the significance of the characters. Some are political screeds. Some are failed attempts to be cutsie, best illustrated by the essay supposedly written by an author's dog. Many of the essays read as though they were responses to homework assignments that were written at the last second by a student hoping that his teacher will mistake generalities and clever wordplay for content.
Now, this isn't to say that I hated the book; in fact, I actually liked it. It's just that it disappointed me. With a little more authorial discipline-- or maybe stronger editorial control-- it could have been a GREAT book.
So, in summary, I think it's worth reading, and it's entertaining, but I believe it could have been so much better.
Okay Bathroom book........2007-03-21
My sister bought me this book and I was really excited to read it because my friends and I would sit around and discuss topics such as this. It appears that a group of people took advantage of an idea most of us have had and did not deliver anything more than essays that remind me of papers I wrote 3 hours before they were due. Sometimes I never understood why they thought the character was influential, sometimes their influence seemed extremely exaggerated and sometimes I was not sure whether they undertsood influence. The only reason I gave the book 2 stars is because it reignited my desire to have discussions a=on topics such as this.
Don't Get It..........2007-02-16
A list that includes such potentially fleeting charactors as Buffy The Vampire Slayer as high as #44 and the demotion of a universally recognised near 70 year old charactor such as Superman to #64 is highly doubtful in its seriousness or its intention.
I don't believe they would write the same list even 12 months from now.
A bathroom is where this book belongs........2007-02-05
I found the book title to be very fascinating and looked forward to reading about people who have shaped our society and ourselves. What I found was self-indulgent humor that was not particularly funny and in fact often times trite. Were the authors drunk when they wrote this?! It's full of side bars and I guess what they consider jokes; though none were funny. The #24 person they listed was Odysseus who they claim tried to avoid the Trojan War by pretending to be insane; that plan having failed, he tried to join the Air National Guard in Texas. The book eventually wound up being a politial satire to slam our government I guess.
Then the authors suggest having a St. Lupercalia'a Day in which we have a day to celebrate orgies to keep the clergy happy. What?! Are you kidding me? This book is completely inappropriate. It would have been a wonderful book if the authors could have kept from drinking while writing it.
Could have been better.......2007-01-09
I had read an article that excerpted some of the essays in this book and loved the concept. It's fascinating that 101 of the most influential people who have shaped our society were not even real people. However, this book was a bit of a disappointment. After reading through 2 or 3 articles, I just skimmed the rest. To be honest, the title was much more compelling than the essays were.
Book Description
Think you know Walt Disney World?
Do you know the backstory of Dinoland U.S.A. that unifies the entire land? Do you know how the former attraction named Dreamflight is commemorated in today's Magic Kingdom? Do you know how Ellen's Energy Adventure mentions the ride which preceded it? Do you know where the references to Horizons and World of Motion are? Do you know how Disney's Animal Kingdom pays tribute to the land it planned but never created? Do you know where the Hidden Kermit is located? Do you know how the four theme parks honor the years in which they opened?
You have probably heard a few "interesting facts" about Walt Disney World over the years. Perhaps you've heard that the windows on the second story of the buildings on Main Street honor individuals of note in WDW history? Or that the company plane Walt used to survey the eventual WDW property from the air now lives at the studios park? It's all true... but these are only two of the interesting facts pointed out in "101 Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World." And those are only two of the best-known examples. Many of these stories deal with much more obscure, yet equally interesting, pieces of history of the theme parks. You haven't heard all these stories before!
Customer Reviews:
Good Book.......2007-10-11
Great book for those who have never been to WDW and for those who have been before. There really were things I never knew.
I want my money back.......2007-08-25
This was an unsatisfactory book. Beyond the lack of content, it was poorly edited with entire paragraphs being duplicated in various instances of the 101 'things'. There was little of value that I gained from the book. I bought this because our family will travel to disney for the first time next year and I can't say I have taken much away from it. This book seemed like the type of content that would be handed out on a promotional flyer which had a map of disney on it.
:(.......2007-08-13
This book contained 101 things I already knew. This book would be great for someone who is going to visit the park for the first time. If you have been studying Disney trivia for awhile you will already know these things
Really Nice Information for the World..........2007-01-10
This is a really good source of cool information for those who wn to add details and depth to their visit to Walt Disney World. Excellent resource for the novice or seasoned visitor.
101 Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World: An Unauthorized Look.......2007-01-04
This is an entertaining book. Info. contained within is concise and often repeated in other similar titles. Layout is a bit unsophisticated, but if you are a fan of the Parks, it is worthwhile to read.
Book Description
This book provides beginning collectors with friendly one-on-one advice on how to begin a collection and how to recognize good quality costume jewelry. Background information for almost 130 different manufacturers, including the author's recommendations on which pieces from each designer are the most collectible, are provided. Over 750 color photographs of costume jewelry that is within the means of most collectors are featured. There are also tips on how to upgrade a collection by selling to dealers, selling on eBay, and trading with friends; tips on how to catalog a collection using a spread sheet or a notebook; and tips on repairing, storing, and cleaning jewelry. A glossary of jewelry terms and an index of patent and design numbers round out the book. 2004 values. REVIEW: This book is a companion to the Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass, 9th Edition, but can also stand alone as a handy reference guide to take along on your glass searches. Thousands of patterns, from Absentee Dragon to Zip Zip, are included, with all available colors and values listed.
Customer Reviews:
Absolute Beginners.......2007-05-23
Brief Description of Book
This book lives up to its name and is a great gift for someone you may know who is just getting hooked on buying vintage costume jewelry. It would make a great companion gift to a fabulous vintage piece. This book Collecting 101 is a bit basic for absolute beginners only.
The core thesis of the book is G-U-I-D-E an acronym that stands for:
* Is the piece in Good condition?
* Do U Like it?
* Is it a good investment?
* Is the piece designer signed and is it well designed?
* Are there extras that make it more interesting?
These questions are posed to help the buyer select good pieces at whatever price point they are starting to collect at. The author explains her GUIDE concept quite concisely and uses it throughout the book.
The author suggests four designers that beginners should collect Trifari, Coro, Kramer and Weiss. She recounts a little history about each of the companies, shows photos of their marks and recommends pieces to purchase. For example she suggests Trifari from the 50's and 60's because it is plentiful, available in excellent condition and not too expensive. The author uses a lot of photos to illustrate these sections
The next portion of the book is arranged the alphabetically and cameos 130 designers. Each profile contains a little company history, marks, signature look of a designer and recommendations of pieces to buy.
In the next chapter there is a section called "Marked by Style" on identifying unmarked jewelry. A little more than a beginner skill in my opinion but an interesting section to ponder nonetheless. She focuses 75% of her energy on Juliana, the remaining 25% on Eisenberg, Dorothy Bauer, Hattie Carnegie, Goldette, Haskell, Hollycraft, Sarah Coventry, Schauer, Schreiner and Weiss.
The remaining chapters cover:
* Upgrading your collection
* Repairing and Cleaning
* Cataloging a Collection
* Storing and Insuring a Collection
Over all the advice is quite sound, the G-U-I-D-E principle should be followed it will really help anyone avoid unfocused buying.
Quantity of Illustrations:
There are more than 750 total illustrations in Collecting Costume Jewelry 101. There are color photographs, original advertisements in color and black and white. The photos are clear and focused.
Quality of Illustrations:
Comments: The items selected are not riveting I think that they are pedestrian. Maybe that is because this book is pitched at beginners. However I feel that the selections should be inspirational and exciting. This is why the top shelf pieces in a book such as "A Tribute to America" are always fun to look at. I felt the items pictured were what the author could get permission to use. Which leads me to the inclusion of Christmas tree jewelry! There are too many Christmas trees in this book. And I like Christmas tree jewelry.
I have one very pointed example that illustrates my low score on the illustrations. The author devoted 3 pages to Miriam Haskell. In my opinion these are not good representative pieces, they are what was available to include. There is one pair of beaded earrings, a necklace with gold chain and a wood pendant that looks like it was made in shop class to me, several strings of beads, a pearl necklace that is not photographed close enough to generate any excitement and a pair of gilded earrings. I may sound harsh here but the wow factor of buying Miriam Haskell is not expressed in these photos. Feel free to disagree!
As a final note on the illustrations, I am reviewing the first edition of this book. According to the publisher Collector Books a second edition should be available soon. They promise 200 new photos and updates on the price guidelines that are included in the first edition.
Quantity of Information
Range of Information offered:
For the most part this is a good concise book to check for information. If you are looking for in depth information on a particular designer you should probably look at a more specialized book. For example there are entire books on Haskell, KJL, D &E, to name only a few designers.
Is the information thorough?
The information provided seems to be thorough and remember this is a book for beginners.
Values Listed (Prices) Yes
Are they helpful or realistic? The prices are being updated for a new edition
The prices are based on what one might hope to get in an e-bay auction.
Comments: Based on the prices sometimes I want to be buying and other times I want to be on the selling end of the transaction.
User Friendly:
Is the book easy to read and follow? yes
Is there a table of contents and index? yes
Is information easy to find? yes
Is this book a must have? Only for your friends who are just beginning to collect costume jewelry. I think Costume Jewelry 202 is a vastly superior book and I would recommend that (again).
Overall comments
If I had this book many years ago I would have avoided buying stuff I just didn't need. I would have made wiser purchases and would have a better collection today.
Wonderful Vintage Costume Jewelry beginner guide.......2007-04-02
I actually bought her 2nd book (202) before buying this one (101) and while I treasure my 202 guide much more than this first one (because I'm not a beginner) - I think it is a fabulous book to have for those starting out. With a lot of fake WEISS and other great designers' jewelry being reproduced and sold as the real thing today (especially on eBay), it's a good guide to have that shows a fair amount and variation of these favorite popular designers' pieces. This will help the beginner collector possibly know a fake when they see it. Not all that shines and sparkles means it is the real thing or that it's collectible. I believe both her books should be bought together but the 202 Guide is definitely the very best there is (because it shows so many patents). I particularly like the fact that both of these books are done in sturdy paperback because if they were hardbound, they would be so heavy given how big they are. Lots and lots of colorful pictures! Well done!!
JUST LOVE THIS BOOK.......2007-04-01
Found this book to be very helpful at my jewelry shows. Has lots of pictures and information on vintage jewelry and numerous designers. Does not go into great detail, but gives enough good information to be helpful. Because the information is listed in alpha order, my customers find it helpful when looking up specific designers or styles. This book is great for beginners and old collectors alike.
My Costume jewelry reference book.......2007-03-16
This book along with the "202" book by the same author are "must have"s for costume jewelry collectors, buyers and sellers. I can't rate them highly enough.
Great overview of costume jewelry.......2007-02-25
I learned many of the basics overtime and searching the internet. It is great to have so much information in one book. The photos are excellent and I would recommend this to anyone starting a collection. Great do's and don'ts.
Customer Reviews:
Playwrights, in particular, will want this survey of what influences transform an ordinary scene to a great one........2006-11-07
Writers and readers alike will find much to love in 101 BEST SCENES EVER WRITTEN: A ROMP THROUGH LITERATURE FOR WRITERS AND READERS. Here works by Hemingway, Jack London, Steinbeck, Twain and other notables are surveyed with an eye to providing examples of some of the most memorable writing approaches in modern history. Playwrights, in particular, will want this survey of what influences transform an ordinary scene to a great one.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Amazon.com
This neat little book gives you enough practical knowledge of European art history to make your trip to the great museums and churches a lot more enjoyable. It connects yesterday's Europe with today's sights -- art, museums, buildings, and people. An essential tool for any traveler's backpack or suitcase.
Book Description
Rick Steves' Europe 101 gives you a practical grounding in art history to thoroughly enrich your sightseeing experience. Throughout the book you'll find handy lists of sights that allow you to use your newly acquired knowledge to plan your upcoming trip. Rick's unique approach, along with maps, timelines, and illustrations, makes this "professor in your pocket" an essential tool - whether you're a first-time visitor to Europe or a seasoned art traveler. Organized chronologically from prehistoric Europe to the modern world, this new edition is completely updated with new illustrations, photos, and maps. "Humorous and historical perspective covering a mere 5,000 years of Western civilization." - Boston Globe
Customer Reviews:
Excellent resource.......2007-09-12
If you plan to travel Europe this book is a must have, especially if you are interested in history and the museums. It gives tips on how to get tickets without standing in long lines and other tidbits a tourist would not know. I found it to be very time saving and helpful. It definitely will increase my enjoyment while I'm on vacation.
Rick Steves' Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler.......2007-07-30
I love reading the Rick Steves' travel books and was very pleasantly surprised by my new understanding of European History and how it relates to art after reading this book. Rick Steves puts everything into perspective and connects art and history in a clear and concise manner. As someone who didn't appreciate European History as a student, I have found this book to be a great tool to re-educate myself and feel I now have a better understanding of the art I will see while traveling in Europe!
You should Buy it!!.......2007-06-09
I was searching for a book like this for months. Already a fan of Rick Steves, I picked this book up and was more than happy with my purchase. This is a fantastic book to learn history or to learn about art. I used it to read while traveling Europe, but would read it as a leisure read as well. The photos are impressive, but more impressive are the diagrams and timelines to help meld it all together.
A touch of culture and history.......2007-05-18
Yes...if you want to travel to Europe, you should know what is written in this guide.
I found it very usefull and interesting, I am not a guy that are used to read about history and art.
Could Have Gotten 5 Stars, Except..........2005-10-04
If the entire book had been written like the first half I'd have given this book 5 stars without hesitation. Unfortunately, as others have observed, when he got to the Modern World Rick blew it.
The book is subtitled "History and Art for the Traveler." For the first 2/3rds or so of the book Rick stuck to the subject and the information was great. A wonderful overview of the early history of Europe and the evolution of art and architecture from ancient Egypt up until WWI. You don't get a lot of details, but as an overview it is well-written and fascinating. Just the sort of background that a traveller needs to really appreciate what he is seeing.
Once he got past WWI, though, it seems that Rick just couldn't stop himself from tossing in his personal political observations. Of course, politics and history are closely tied, so some political information is useful and necessary to understanding history. Good historians always include some political information. Sadly, Rick does not provide us with some political information. What he does is infuse all too many passages with his personal politics. At one point he includes a several-pages long dissertation that is nothing but a political rant--completely out of place in a book that is SUPPOSED to be about history and art for the traveller!
My other complaint about the book is that in some ways he is a bit of an art snob. He basically says that you don't have a right to criticize art if you don't understand it. He offers an analogy, saying that you can't appreciate the beauty of a '56 Chevy if you don't know a Volvo from an Edsel. I'm sorry, but that is simply not true. It is quite easy to have a deep appreciation for a '56 Chevy without know anything about Volvos or Edsels, or any other cars for that matter!
If no other car had ever existed, the '56 Chevy Belair would still be a thing of beauty. And you most certainly don't need to know anything about engines or transmissions to see that.
Having offered my complaints, I still give it three stars, because there is still a lot of useful information here. I would read up until the section on the Modern World. From there, skip to the description of Britain. Then read the section on art appreciation.
Even with its short-comings I think this book is worth the cover price. It's a good book. If Rick had stuck to the subject it would have been a great book.
Average customer rating:
- ROTC as it is, not as you'd like it
- An unbiased, insightful look into the trials and challenges facing America's "civilian soldiers"
- Great Subject - Disappointing Results
- Brisk Read, Terrible Opinions
- Is this about my ROTC unit?
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Army 101: Inside ROTC in a Time of War
David Axe
Manufacturer: University of South Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1570036608 |
Book Description
Undergrads with guns. That is how war correspondent David Axe summarizes the bifurcated existence of some thirty thousand cadets currently participating in Reserve Officers Training Corps programs at 270 U.S. colleges and universities. In Army 101, Axe takes readers inside an Army ROTC program in his investigation into the training and lives of student-cadets being hardened into the next generation of volunteer citizen-soldiers.
Drawing heavily from candid interviews conducted with cadets and trainers of the Gamecock Battalion at the University of South Carolina, Army 101 traces the experiences of a representative mix of students--freshmen to seniors of both sexes and many races--essentially minoring in the military while also pursuing regular undergraduate degrees in diverse fields. Axe invites us along to witness the quagmire of confusion in a nighttime training exercise, the immersion into procedures and jargon of the classroom, and the high aspirations of candidates at Airborne School. Replete with a vivid account of the annual Ranger Challenge--the varsity sport of ROTC--and a campus visit from the commander in chief, George W. Bush, Axe's narrative follows the unit through the exercises and experiences that are designed to recast the cadets as junior officers in America's long war on terrorism. Not all guns and marches, the volume also explores the rivalry and revelry that define the cadets' off-hours as much as they characterize the lives of all college students.
Respectful of his subjects' motivations and achievements, Axe is also critical of the training they receive. ROTC is an uneasy marriage of civilian and military existence and, according to Axe, produces officers who can demonstrate the best and worst aspects of both worlds. His investigation exposes chinks in the armor and draws attention to program weaknesses, from the physical and emotional strain of dual lives to sexual harassment, war protests, disheartening morale, and other reasons why cadets wash out. Axe also interrogates military and government policies that unequally distribute the rewards and responsibilities of service.
Army 101 is an insider's look at the current state of training and the cultural values being taught to those who will soon join the ranks of nearly ten thousand ROTC graduates already serving in activity duty around the globe. This is the story of the USC Gamecock Battalion--undergrads with guns.
Customer Reviews:
ROTC as it is, not as you'd like it.......2007-05-15
I honestly don't understand the points of view of those rating this book with one star. Having gone through ROTC in a Pittsburgh college, I found his book very reminescent of my experiences, down to the amateurish ambush exercise to the "Advanced Camp" (mine was at Ft Bragg). This is a good book, short, but illuminating as to the ROTC culture in many universities, with the addition of the Iraqi conflict looming over them. This book is not intended to be an in-depth discussion of ROTC and its pros and cons, but rather a snapshot of the experiences of one class. I think David Axe has written this book well and I recommend it to both ROTC grads who want to smile at the stories and those wondering what it's all about.
An unbiased, insightful look into the trials and challenges facing America's "civilian soldiers".......2007-05-08
Written by freelance journalist and war correspondent David Axe, Army 101: Inside ROTC in a Time of War is a straight-talk look at the state of the modern Reserve Officers Training Corps, and the lives of the college students who participate in them - in effect, minoring in the military while pursuing degrees in other fields. Drawn largely extensive interviews with ROTC recruits, Army 101 touches on everything from nighttime training exercises to the procedures and jargon of the ROTC classroom to the annual Ranger Challenge, a.k.a. "the varsity sport of ROTC". Of special note is how the war in Iraq affects ROTC recruitment and graduates; deployment in Iraq is sometimes even used as a punishment for egregious offences. "In 2004, when the situation in Iraq begins to turn south and the media start asking questions, Cadet Command issues 'public affairs guidance' to all ROTC units. The twenty-eight-page document advises cadets and cadre to be wary of reporters and even provides stock responses to potential questions [such as] Q: Should the US have taken military action against Iraq? A: Our national leaders must decide the question of whether or not the US should take military action. It would clearly be inappropriate of me to attempt to second-guess them." An unbiased, insightful look into the trials and challenges facing America's "civilian soldiers", especially recommended for anyone considering joining the ROTC.
Great Subject - Disappointing Results.......2007-05-04
As a current ROTC Professor of Military Science, I was very excited to learn that a book had been written about Army ROTC. I ordered a couple of copies and I and the staff read on, hoping to incorporate the book into our Freshman course. I will say that the book is at least written at the high school / college freshman level, so it has that going for it (and that it can be read in a couple of hours). Unfortunately, Axe does a woeful job in accurately portraying a "Year in the Life" of an ROTC program, and too often intersperses expletive-laden descriptors as color commentary, and throws in the occasional Political-Military opinion into the mix, disrupting the flow of the narrative and turning off many readers in mid-stream.
This book did not do its theme and subjects great justice, and I hope a better book on the Reserve Officer's Training Course does surface in the near future - particularly in these times our nation deserves a better appreciation as to what its sons and daughters do to adequately prepare them to be junior leaders in this ever-changing Contemporary Operating Environment.
Brisk Read, Terrible Opinions.......2007-04-12
This books was a fast and very brisk read. I finished in roughly an hour. My initial reaction to his writing style was amusement: the writing is amateurish, and the diction is unoriginal.
However, I was deeply offended by his opinions on both ROTC and the current administration. Disrespect to any person in uniform is disgusting. The military men and women put their lives on the line everyday for people like David Axe to have freedoms. Regardless of personal beliefs on the War on Terror citizens should never sacrifice their patriotism in order to disrespect the nation's protectors.
David Axe was just an observer and a journalist therefore totally unqualified to disseminate any opinion on this subject. Furthermore, he only observed one school. Biased and opinionated, his book was more of a farce than a true addition to Military literature.
Overall */***** for poor writing, critical opinions, and a unqualified approach to his subject. I did not like his post on this page either.
Is this about my ROTC unit?.......2007-04-01
When I heard that a book had been written about my ROTC unit during the time that I was a cadet, I was intrigued. I was also curious, how I never really knew that anyone was working on such a project, especially when I should have known. I was for all intents and purposes a cadet who was in the center of things within the unit, including its Cadet Battalion Commander in the fall of 2005. All I remember was reporter coming to a couple of our field exercises and taking pictures while hardly talking to anyone. David Axe's Army 101: Inside ROTC in a Time of War is a biased and consistently inaccurate portrayal of the Gamecock Battalion during the time that I was cadet.
To start with, Army 101 is ripe with inaccuracies about the ROTC and the Army in general. Axe quotes graphic running cadences that I have never heard, and he talks about cadets using M60 machine guns in training at Fort Jackson. Not once do I recall having M60 machine guns on any field training exercise. He makes several attempts to interject cadet lingo, but gets it terribly wrong. For instance he mentions that the cadet in charge the Ranger Challenge team was referred to as the "Ranger Daddy." As a four year Ranger Challenge team member during the period covered in the book, not once do I remember that term being used seriously. My favorite thing is the contention that most of the Cadets belonged to fraternities or sororities. There were a few cadets who participated in Greek organizations, but as I recall most did not. In fact, I would argue that "frat guys" were looked down on amongst the cadets with a few notable exceptions.
I will admit that The Gamecock Battalion had its faults. I remember the old Sergeant that was sexually harassing the female cadets. The man was a pig. The thing is, he was exposed, and he got what was coming to him. I also readily admit that the training exercises were not precision examples of infantry tactics, but poorly orchestrated gaggles of people. The thing is, the real infantry soldiers conducting raids in Iraq started out learning how to patrol by walking in poorly orchestrated gaggles. Axe hints at this, and begins to make that point that ROTC uses infantry tactics as its training vehicle to teach leadership. The problem is that he doesn't emphasize it well. The point of those exercises literally was to see how the cadet leaders reacted when things went bad, and not to prepare them for conducting the perfect raid on an insurgent bomb making factory in Fallujah. New Lieutenants coming out of ROTC still have a great deal of full time training before they get sent out onto the battlefields.
Furthermore, Axe seems to have cherry-picked the cadets that he interviewed to back up his obvious anti-war and anti-Army bias. He for the most part bases his book the few cadets who failed, had doubts about the program, felt persecuted, were sub-standard, and or were not respected by the majority of the cadet battalion. I would not argue with wanting to present that side of the story if he had based his book on the majority of cadets. The majority of young men and women were there to learn how to be leaders so that they could simply go and serve their country.
My question is this, why wasn't I interviewed? Why weren't the majority of fellow cadets like me interviewed? The answer comes when I look up that the wall as I write this review. On the wall above my desk are the framed mementos of my time in ROTC. I look up and see my diplomas from Airborne School and Air Assault School. I see my Commission. I see the things that would in Axe's eyes, made me one of those "hardcore" cadets hell bent on getting to the "sandbox" so I could start killing savages. To him I would be a blood thirsty killer, because I was a "squared away" cadet, and not one of the minority of cadets with a chip on my shoulder. Thing is, if he had taken the time to ask me or the majority of my fellow cadets some questions he would have not been able to write this book the way he did. He would have had to write a story about young men and women who joined up to serve their country, have an adventure, be leaders, and do their part despite all the hardships. He would have to write a book about people who see that there is a job to be done, and they figure that it might as well be them leading in its completion. Army 101: Inside ROTC in a Time of War was written about the University of South Carolina's Army ROTC, but it was not written about the USC Army ROTC that I served in, and led.
- 2LT Samuel T. Brown
United States Army, Aviation
Book Description
A recent Maritz Poll reported that 60% of Americans are interested in their family history. And with good reason. Through genealogy, you can go back into history to meet people who have had more influence on your life than any others -- your ancestors. And the better you get to know your ancestors, the better you will get to know yourself: the who's and what's and why's of you.
Barbara Renick, a nationally-known lecturer on genealogy, tells the uninitiated researcher the steps needed to find out who their ancestors really were, and brings together for even the more experienced genealogical researchers the important principles and practices. She covers such topics as the importance of staying organized and how to go about it; where and how to look for information in libraries, historical societies, and on the internet; recognizing that just because something is in print doesn't mean it's right; and how to prepare to visit the home where your ancestors lived.
Genealogy 101 is the first book to read when you want to discover who your ancestors were, where they lived, and what they did.
Customer Reviews:
Good Starting Point, I Hope.......2006-02-21
I am getting into geneology to see if we are related to Cotton Mather, the famous 18th century preacher involved with the Salem witch trials. There has always been a unproven rumor in my family that he is a cousin through my maternal great grandfather Mather's side of the family tree. As a result, knowing nothing about geneology, but being retired and having time to do research, maybe now is the time. I therefore bought a book with the most logical title, Geneology 101, written by an accomplished and enthusiastic geneologist of her own family, Barbera Renick, to get some general idea of how to proceed and what the ground-rules are.
Barbera Reneck has spent the last 30 years looking into her family history and seems almost like an evangelist for geneology. As a result,I found that her book was more information than I was looking for; but, then again, I need the lay of the land, and too much information might not necessarily be bad. She cautions us how important it is to cross-check and analyze information; for example, it is a good idea to double-check dates to make sure a person's age at birth, marriage, first child, and death flow and coordinate properly. Also, one should analyze the relative accuracies of the sources. A case in point is a death certificate, which is likely to be more accurate than an article in the paper covering the death, or a note in the family bible covering the death. She also recommended hooking up with a geneology society, reading geneological articles and newsletters, taking classes, and doing whatever you can do to get connected with the subject matter you are seeking.
I was a little surprised that she seemed to want to find every distant cousin and great great uncle in every branch of the family tree. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but now I am just interested in tracing my heritage back in time in a focused way, just going after direct ancestors. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind later, and expand my research.
Since I hope to do most of my research online, I was pleased for the websites she recommended, and especially for recommending a follow-up book called Online Roots.
The book seems like a good starting point for someone new like myself. I'll let you know later.
Possibly the best thing of its kind.......2004-10-16
Because genealogy is possibly the most popular hobby or avocation in the U.S. today, there is no shortage of how-to books aimed at the novice - though very few of them are really useful. Still, anyone publishing a new basic textbook faces stiff competition. The more expert and experienced the author, the more accurate the information presented is going to be, and Renick is certainly a widely-known and respected author and lecturer, as well as an experienced teacher. Moreover, she combines attention to the most essential lessons in fundamental genealogical instruction with an easy, informal style, successfully walking the narrow line between textbookishness and superficial offhandedness. She expects her audience to include not only complete novices, but those who attempted unsuccessfully to carry out family research without foreknowledge of methods and sources, and also those who have picked up bits of information on the Internet and don't quite know what to do with them. Of course, any well-written text can also serve as a refresher for the experienced family researcher.
For all these classes of reader, the author makes her key points early and often: Start with yourself. Record everything you find, and everything you don't find. Cite your sources for all of it. Don't throw anything out or disregard information that might be useful later, or to someone else. Don't make assumptions about names or dates or places, or anything else. There are excellent chapters on basic method (including answers to such beginners' questions as "How far back can I go?"), interviewing relatives (because Renick assumes you're interested primarily in researching your own family first, not someone else's), assembling your results in a logical way that identifies your next set of questions (organization is everything), and why and how to profitably use computers in keeping track of your research (without taking sides over the question of "best" software, though she uses Legacy for examples). She tends to spend less time on the best genealogical use of Internet resources, referring the reader instead to Online Roots, another volume in this series which is reviewed below. She'll show you in detail how to begin what she calls the Survey Phase and how to progress through it to the Research Phase, including how to document your search, how genealogists prefer to handle dates and abbreviations (and why), and goal-setting as a research tool. She covers libraries of all types, writing and reading queries, commercial electronic databases (though I wish she hadn't mentioned Brøderbund's World Family Tree series so uncritically), and the evaluation of compiled sources and published family histories. Then comes the Evaluation Phase, including how to properly evaluate data and construct hypotheses for testing, and how to recognize success when you experience it. (It's not always obvious.)
Finally, she addresses the questions of publishing what you've discovered (not just to stroke egos but to preserve your labors for future researchers), preserving photographs and fragile documents, whether or not you should consider joining lineage societies, and the role of serendipity, which genealogists learn early never to underestimate. You may need to consult a professional at some point, perhaps to carry out research for you overseas, and she provides excellent advice on all aspects of this complex subject. You may even want to become a "professional" of some kind yourself. And throughout all of this, Renick strews carefully targeted, tightly drawn anecdotes, taken mostly from her own diverse family, as illustrations of what she's saying.
So: Is this the "best book available"? It may well be. It's certainly a very strong contender. Anyone teaching a basic genealogy class could do far worse than to adopt this as their textbook. If you have a younger relative you're trying to interest in taking up the family's history, give them a copy. If you think you're too experienced to need a book with "101" in the title, read it anyway. You won't regret it.
A handy and practical guide.......2003-12-13
As a member of the board of directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Barbara Renick brings a special expertise to Genealogy 101: How To Trace Your Family's History And Heritage. This handy and practical guide covers all of the steps of learning more about one's family, ranging from the tools available to a novice genealogist; to dealing with issues such as culture shock; and the good and bad aspects of using the internet as a resource. Genealogy 101 is strongly recommended as being a superbly organized and presented beginner's instructional manual. Also very highly recommended for the genealogical instructional reference shelf and published by Rutledge Hill Press is Online Roots: How To Discover Your Family's History And Heritage With The Power Of The Internet, the expert and collaborative effort of professional genealogists Pamela Boyer Porter and Amy Johnson Crow.
Genealogy for neophytes.......2003-05-15
This is a great book!! And a must-have for beginning and intermediate genealogists. I wish that it had been in the bookstores when I started working on my family history two years ago. Not only the rudimentary basics of querying family members are covered but also strategies for searching online--databases, library catalogs, and repositories.
Renick assists readers in developing a research strategy and tutors in the importance of accurate documentation. Get this book!!
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