Amazon.com
On December 31, 1999, after nearly a century of rule, the United States officially ceded ownership of the Panama Canal to the nation of Panama. That nation did not exist when, in the mid-19th century, Europeans first began to explore the possibilities of creating a link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow but mountainous isthmus; Panama was then a remote and overlooked part of Colombia.
All that changed, writes David McCullough in his magisterial history of the Canal, in 1848, when prospectors struck gold in California. A wave of fortune seekers descended on Panama from Europe and the eastern United States, seeking quick passage on California-bound ships in the Pacific, and the Panama Railroad, built to serve that traffic, was soon the highest-priced stock listed on the New York Exchange. To build a 51-mile-long ship canal to replace that railroad seemed an easy matter to some investors. But, as McCullough notes, the construction project came to involve the efforts of thousands of workers from many nations over four decades; eventually those workers, laboring in oppressive heat in a vast malarial swamp, removed enough soil and rock to build a pyramid a mile high. In the early years, they toiled under the direction of French entrepreneur Ferdinand de Lesseps, who went bankrupt while pursuing his dream of extending France's empire in the Americas. The United States then entered the picture, with President Theodore Roosevelt orchestrating the purchase of the canal--but not before helping foment a revolution that removed Panama from Colombian rule and placed it squarely in the American camp.
The story of the Panama Canal is complex, full of heroes, villains, and victims. McCullough's long, richly detailed, and eminently literate book pays homage to an immense undertaking. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Truman, here is the national bestselling epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal. In The Path Between the Seas, acclaimed historian David McCullough delivers a first-rate drama of the sweeping human undertaking that led to the creation of this grand enterprise.
The Path Between the Seas tells the story of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a story of astonishing engineering feats, tremendous medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. Applying his remarkable gift for writing lucid, lively exposition, McCullough weaves the many strands of the momentous event into a comprehensive and captivating tale.
Winner of the National Book Award for history, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, and the Cornelius Ryan Award (for the best book of the year on international affairs), The Path Between the Seas is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, the history of technology, international intrigue, and human drama.
Download Description
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Truman, here is the national bestselling epic chronicle of the creation of the Panama Canal. In The Path Between the Seas, acclaimed historian David McCullough delivers a first-rate drama of the sweeping human undertaking that led to the creation of this grand enterprise. The Path Between the Seas tells the story of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a story of astonishing engineering feats, tremendous medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. Applying his remarkable gift for writing lucid, lively exposition, McCullough weaves the many strands of the momentous event into a comprehensive and captivating tale. Winner of the National Book Award for history, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Award, and the Cornelius Ryan Award (for the best book of the year on international affairs), The Path Between the Seas is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, the history of technology, international intrigue, and human drama.
Customer Reviews:
Another Excellent Historical Piece by Mccullough.......2007-10-03
Very well researched. Good narrative and excellent voice on the audio version. Not a boring moment combined with excellent history. Perfect audiobook, especially for long trips.
The Path Between the SeasVery interesting .......2007-10-01
Very interesting and detailed history. Since I plan on visiting the Panama Canal soon, this book has greatly enlightened me as to all the engineering, building and political problems that went into and preceeded it's construction. I expect it will increase my enjoyment of the canal.
Panama Visitor.......2007-09-07
I am getting ready for my second Panama Canal Cruise. I wanted to read this this book before my first Panama Cruise but didn't get to it. This is a hard read, as there are so many people to keep track of, especially during the French attempt to dig a canal. This is a very interesting part of U S and World History as told in vivid detail by David McCollugh.
The building of the Panama Canal.......2007-07-19
David McCullough's book of the history of the Panama Canal is a well written and researched document on all aspects of the building of the canal, beginning with the French and completed by the United States. One gets a detailed understanding of the political, economic, and social conditions of France and the United States during these years and the people responsible for this engineering feat. McCullough vividly describes the jungles of Panama and the diseases and hardships endured by the workers. He gives great detail on the design and methods used to build the canal. This book offers history at its best.
Details beyond belief.......2007-07-08
As another reviewer wrote, if you're looking for a book to keep you glued to the edge of your seat, this is not like the one for you. ON the other hand, if you really want to learn all the details and power plays that went into this adventure this is the book, although it does drag a bit at times. The reader will walk away with a working knowledge of this period of history and the major players, not to mention many of the minor ones.
Average customer rating:
- Still hooked on the Corps
- The incredibe journey continues
- In Dangers Path
- "IN DANGERS PATH"
- Standard W.E.B. Griffin fare
|
In Danger's Path: Corps 08 (Corps)
W. E. B. Griffin
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
War
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Griffin, W. E. B.
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Paperback
| Griffin, W. E. B.
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
War
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Griffin, W. E. B.
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Paperback
| Griffin, W. E. B.
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Behind the Lines: Corps 07 (Corps)
-
Under Fire
-
CLOSE COMBAT [THE CORPS , BOOK VI (Corps)
-
Line of Fire: Corps 05 (Corps)
-
RETREAT, HELL!
ASIN: 0515126985 |
Book Description
An explosive new package for a New York Times bestselling Corps novel.
In his new capacity, Brigadier General Fleming Pickering sees many of his trusted men called to duty, plus one he never expected: his son. Together, they will venture into terra incognita.
Customer Reviews:
Still hooked on the Corps.......2007-06-12
I am actually getting sad that I'm nearing the end of this incredible series about the US Marine Corps. Griffin's characters continue to captivate, and he always introduces new ones that you hope to see more of in the future. In this case a Chief Petty Officer called McGuire is one that I certainly want to hear more of. This book takes McCoy and Zimmerman into the Gobi Desert on a very dangerous mission that has a two-fold goal - one to establish a permanent weather station in the Gobi, and the other to rescue a band of US people who have been trying to get out of Japanese held spots in China. We get to see all the planning and preparation work carried out by Flem Pickering's men as they plan this incredibly dangerous mission again behind enemy lines. Griffin's descriptions of the unforgiving Gobi Desert are also unforgettable. What a barren land this must be. Anyway, the book kept me going right from the beginning. I love Griffin's writing style.
The incredibe journey continues.......2007-02-10
This series is the best one I think I have ever read. With characters that have been developed in earlier books coming back in the series with a little back story for those who have not read the previous books. All books in the series can stand on their own, but read in order, they tell an incredible tale. I am always checking to see when the next book will be available and preorder it the day I see it. I devour them, they are so well written and interesting, worthwhile reading.
In Dangers Path.......2006-11-10
The Corps series is one of the best series I have read. I can't wait for him to come out with the next book.
"IN DANGERS PATH".......2005-09-21
This one of my favorite "Corps" books by WEBG. I have read several of the reviews of this book. I find them too nit-picky.
Lighten up! This is fiction!!
Semper Fi,
Hugh W. Davis
Standard W.E.B. Griffin fare.......2004-09-30
Nothing overly special about this book. Griffin stands true the the schitck of his genre, mainly 1) Deflowered Virgins, 2) Rich Playboys in the military service, and 3) Enlisted men who must become officers by the end of the story. If you can deal with that, its no better or worse than the other books in the series.
However, there are serious problems with continuity in this book. Names and events that took place in prior books and are remembered in this one are so inaccurate, I'm seriously starting to suspect that after Book III or so, these things are being ghostwritten.
Book Description
It is widely believed that current disparities in economic, political, and social outcomes reflect distinct institutions. Institutions are invoked to explain why some countries are rich and others poor, some democratic and others dictatorial. But arguments of this sort gloss over the question of what institutions are, how they come about, and why they persist. This book seeks to overcome these problems, which have exercised economists, sociologists, political scientists, and a host of other researchers who use the social sciences to study history, law, and business administration.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-05-24
This is one of the best examples of the analytical study of institutions in history. Highly recommended for courses in political economy and institutional analysis.
Original and engaging.......2007-05-18
This original book draws into historical studies to illustrate the evolution of economics institutions. The application of economics, history and game theory is very creative and a definitely achievement of the book, in the tradition of North's "Understanding the Process of Economic Change" or other recent followers like Acemoglou's "Economic Origins of Dictatorship and democracy".
The book is divided in four main sections and 14 chapters. First, the author explains institutions as systems in equilibria, applying history and game theory. Then, he enlightens institutional dynamics as historical process (focusing on endogenous change or how history affects institutions and cultural beliefs) only to conclude with a method to apply in sociological and historical studies.
This is a seminal work and Greif's is able to clarify how market institutions work and evolve, how control and oversight institutions are created and how this questions relate to economic history and theory. Moreover, he illustrates them with real examples, like the evolution of medieval trade. It is a careful, readable and historical approach to economic development, applying economic and game theory to explain institutional patterns and change. Interesting!
Institutions and the Path to the Modern Economy .......2006-03-25
This is a very good book of historic institutionism, It deserves possession.
Book Description
When it comes to getting ahead in business, The Gallup Organization has led the way with two landmark books: the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers First, Break all the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths. In its latest guide the world's hottest management consulting firm reveals your company's most valuable asset-and, with groundbreaking new findings and methods, shows you how developing that asset can lead to a quantum leap in cost efficiencies and profits.FOLLOW THIS PATHWhat do the world's greatest organizations have in common? They know that their most valuable resource is human-their employees and customers. And the best companies understand two important facts: people are emotional first and rational second, and because of that, employees and customers must be emotionally engaged in order for the organization to reach its full potential. Gallup research not only bears that out, but has uncovered the secrets of creating and managing an "emotional economy" that will provide boom possibilities for your company.FOLLOW THIS PATH shows you how the traditional ways to engage people no longer apply in today's world. Instead, it offers a system it calls The Gallup Path, based on the proven, revolutionary strategies of the most successful businesses. You'll learn the prerequisites of an effective workplace, forge unbreakable bonds between employees and customers with the book's 34 Routes to Superior Performance, know the three crucial links that drive productivity and growth, discover the best employee and customer motivators, and much more.Ignore the emotional economy-and miss out on financial performance. Helping you build relationships one customer and one employee at a time, this important book offers a unique new path for your organization to follow. All you have to do is value and develop human relationships all around you to transform your business-starting today.
Customer Reviews:
Philip G. Trent.......2007-09-11
What a great book! Simple, straight-forward, and relevant to sales managers today. Follow This Path was recommended to me by a friend and fellow manager. Like most managers, I've read dozens of books on management and leadership so I didn't expect any new revelations. However, this one surprised me. It gets right to the heart of what makes a great organization and why its people are key to any competitive advantage. Much of this book has been described as plain common sense, but the authors incorporate extensive research from the Gallup Organization to support their conclusions. If an organization isn't as productive as it should be - according to Gallup approximately 75% of employees in most companies are not engaged - then the number one goal is to get people engaged. The challenge is to figure out what people are good at, align those skill sets with company objectives, and focus more on outcomes instead of the process. That's where Follow This Path can help. The book offers a practical, sensible guide to maximizing individual strengths and talents in order to gain a competitive advantage - focusing more on heads and hearts and less on hands and feet! When you're working with people who are engaged and truly enjoy their work, managing them can be very rewarding. I highly recommend this book to managers who need a simple, yet proven approach to motivating employees and helping them reach their potential.
interesting theory.......2006-12-18
Like most management theory books this theory will probably be replaced by yet another but it does provide an interesting thought for human resources and management alike. The idea that you can unlock human potential by helping your employees maximize their work experience should be common sense. This book gives some great suggestions on how to start out along that path but like most business you will have to find your own. If you are interested in academic management this is probably a book that you will enjoy otherwise I would not waste your time.
Subtitled "Hire Gallup".......2005-03-15
We use Gallup at my workplace. Gallup is an excellent organization and we're better for working with them. However, this was too much. It's not a book. It's a brochure. Their Engagement Index is brilliant, but you can skim the other 260 pages without missing anything important.
Manifesto for a Revolution.......2003-08-16
Review of "Follow This Path"
The central thesis of this valuable and highly readable work can be summed up in three words: Feelings drive actions.
This book from The Gallup Organization focuses on applying that briefest but most fundamental truth to business success. The authors' conclusion can be simply stated: The feelings of your employees influence the feelings of your customers, and that drives their buying behavior and your profits.
It works like this: Understand your employees so that they are assigned to do work for which they're really best suited at the deepest personal level ('cuz they'll do that work better than any other). And treat your employees in ways that encourage them to be fully engaged in their work ('cuz that gets you more loyalty and productivity at no extra cost). And then, in turn, your employees will treat your customers in a way that makes your customers feel good about your company ('cuz that leads them to spend more with your firm for a longer time). And, voila!, your company makes more money with less effort.
At this point you might feel compelled to release a loud exclamation of, "Well, duh!"
But hold on.
The premise of "Follow This Path" seems deceptively simple for two reasons:
1) It contrasts markedly with the "rational" model that still shapes most interactions with both employees and customers in most organizations; and
2) It stands in direct opposition to the assumptions underlying most business initiatives that are supposed to improve quality, productivity, or even customer satisfaction. Most, if not all, of those projects are aimed at mechanistically tweaking operational processes. And they don't positively affect the people on either side of the transaction: employees or customers. And so they have little to no effect on fundamentally improving the business. (But they sure do suck up a lot of time, create many distractions, and generate healthy fees for consultants.)
MORE THAN A REHASH
While tempting, it is misguided to characterize this book as a mere rehash of its predecessors from the Gallup Organization, "First, Break All the Rules" and "Now, Discover Your Strengths." Candidly, when first flipping through the book, "rehash" was my impression, too.
However, "Follow This Path" is a significant contribution in its own right. It integrates and extends Gallup's two previous works. This book's insights derive from an expanded data set supplied by Gallup's massive survey-based research, and the book also (as is all the rage in business tomes these days) draws on much of the historical and current research into the origins of behavior from both psychological and biological underpinnings. A smattering of readable anecdotes from real people help to bring the principles to life. (The end notes also are worth reading as the text there is written as a narrative and adds worthwhile insights. In addition, this work contains an appendix of what likely will strike most readers as mind-numbing statistical mumbo-jumbo, aimed, no doubt, at quieting critics who question the validity of the data underpinning Gallup's claims and conclusions.)
The effect is to validate sound, albeit somewhat non-traditional, perspectives on what really lies behind the elusive, mercantile holy grail of successfully competing in today's crazy, cut-throat marketplace.
THE UPSHOT
The good news is that these principles are easy to grasp and make intuitive sense (after reconsidering traditional biases).
The bad news is that for organizations to take advantage of these simple truths, they must unlearn much of what their managers "know" about how business works. The challenge is to move managers from the realm of the rational, definable, and controllable --- the hallmark characteristic of virtually every manager in virtually every corporation (perhaps with the exception of those strange and intrepid folks populating the marketing communications department).
The new reality: To compete effectively, managers must migrate to the still largely uncharted domain of the emotional, psychological, and personal in order to affect both employees and customers. In a gross understatement, this imperative represents a frighteningly major shift and no easy undertaking.
Making such a dramatic and fundamental change in both mindset and behaviors implies considerable adaptations at two levels: In the minds and hearts of individual managers, and in the policies and systems of their employing organizations.
All exaggeration aside, we're talking social revolution here. Undoubtedly, it will keep Gallup's consulting organization, and firms such as my own, very busy for many years to come.
But what if your boss or CEO is a Neanderthal and "doesn't get it"? Press on. Start with yourself and your very own work group. As the research from Gallup and many others makes clear, that's the only level at which real change actually occurs anyway.
Get the book and read it with a scientific mind, skeptical but open. Then get busy charting your own course through the new frontier of what Gallup aptly terms The Emotional Economy.
Chances are, you'll feel better...with rising productivity and profits...because customers feel better...because your employees feel better.
I agree, it's a great book.......2003-08-08
I really didn't want to like this book. It just sounded too much like some new age, pop psychology dribble on how to feel good. I couldn't have been further from the truth. Although this isn't a great book, it is a very valuable book, not only for the businessman, but for leaders of nonprofits as well.
The premise of the book is simple. In an age where prices have been cut to razor thin margins, and businesses have become commodities, the only way to profitably survive is to unleash the human potential among your employees and customers. The authors ask this simple, but profound question: Why would a customer drive past your competition and pay a higher price to purchase your product? The answer: You have an emotionally engaged customer.
The authors demonstrate the world's greatest organizations connect with their customers on an emotional level. When this happens customers return because of the way they feel- they become emotional engaged. The businesses manta for the last century has been based on reason- if you build a better mousetrap, offer it at the lowest price, people will buy. Studies have shown that people are more driven by their emotions when it comes to purchase and repurchase than they are by reason. The same holds true for employees. The Gallop organization also has shown that emotionally engaged employees produce more, stay longer, have less accidents, etc.
Any problems? Maybe one. When hiring, the authors tell us again and again to commit to talent above education, experience, willingness to work hard, and the usual resume items. Inborn talent produces engaged employees; but what they did not address was the integrity issue. Jack Welch points out that the most dangerous employee is not the rude, insensitive, actively disengaged employee; but the one with the talent who does not hold to the values of the corporation. The actively disengaged employee will hurt the company, and yes, if you have enough of them they will destroy the company, but the real danger lies with talented, engaged employees who love their work but who do not hold to the company's values. These are the ones Welch would immediately get rid of.
All in all, it's a valuable book. For a pastor of a small church, or a midlevel manager, the Q-12 (Questions developed by the Gallop organization which identify the conditions of a great work space) are invaluable. By unleashing the human potential in staff, volunteers and members the leader of a nonprofit can build a great organization.
Book Description
According to Native American tradition, walking the Red Road is a metaphor for living within the Creator's rules—a life of truth, friendship, respect, spirituality, and humanitarianism. For centuries, Native American elders, parents, teachers, and spiritual leaders have handed down their wisdom and values from generation to generation, leading others down the path of self-discovery and enlightenment.
365 Days of Walking the Red Road captures this priceless ancient knowledge and shows you how you can live your life to the fullest through integrity, compassion, and brotherhood. By reading the daily messages in this compelling work, you will discover yourself inside and out and move positively down your personal road without fear or doubt.
Special highlights:
·Inspiring quotations from Native Americans, such as Tecumseh, Black Hawk, Geronimo, and Chief Joseph
·A monthly Red Road ethical principle
·A monthly Red Road spiritual lesson
·Instructions on what to do at a powwow
·The proper uses of dreamcatchers and other symbols and crafts
·The twelve moon names that tribes use to track the seasons
·Important dates in Native American history
This superb collection of Native American philosophy and culture helps you on your path along the Red Road in your quest for truth, light, and love.
Customer Reviews:
Not what I expected.......2007-10-01
I bought this book expecting it to be spiritual and some of the statements were, but they were not backed up with anything that relates to how the Indians incorporated those thoughts into THEIR daily lives. I just got an unrelated history lesson. For example, Feb. 10th-"To clothe a man falsley is to distress his spirit..." Then the next information on that page is about a Native Day in American History on "Feb 10th 1763 The French ceded the North Americans territory to England in the Treaty of Paris, ending the French and Indian War (1754-1763)." Now, what do the two have to do with each other? Or at least put something in about how Native Americans dress or something related to the spiritual quote of the day. The format bugged me. There is some good information, but very poorly organized.
365 Days of Walking the red road.......2007-07-16
This is a nice book for any year or every year. Helps you through each day of the year spiritual. I love this book.
A Special Native American Daily Read & Meditation.......2006-11-03
For those of us who take the time to get up extra early, open our front doors, and listen to the birds calling as the sun is rising, this book is so helpful to start your day off just right. The Words of our Grandfathers remind us to live with our hearts and pay attention to the old ways in our every day lives.
The author, Terri Jean, has had the foresight to add in History notes to remind us of what heppened in the past, reminding us of seasonal thoughts, and so much more.
This book is dynamic and meditative. A worthwhile present for someone special who is a Native American.
Good Book.......2006-06-01
Though the book is designed as a daily meditational, I read through the Red Road Ethics beginning to end. Full of wisdom, but I felt a couple of the quotes were inacurate (paraphrased).
Native American treasure.......2006-03-27
When I bought this book I was waiting something difficult to read for but I was so surprised how wonderful and easy this book is! It gives me lots of hope and joy every morning when I read each day's part! IF you value these Native people's thoughts - this book is MUST to own!
Average customer rating:
- Over my head
- Omni-important
- Good thoughts, poorly written
- "bucky" buckmaster IS "the man"
- How the world should be
|
Critical Path
R. Buckminster Fuller
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Early Civilization
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Civilization & Culture
| Historical Study
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
| Class
| Communities
| Culture
| Death
| General
| History
| Leisure
| Marriage & Family
| Medicine
| Men
| Occupational
| Race Relations
| Religion
| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
| Urban
| Women
Similar Items:
-
Grunch of Giants
-
Buckminster Fuller's Universe: His Life and Work
-
Guinea Pig B: The 56 Year Experiment
-
Bucky Works : Buckminster Fuller's Ideas for Today
-
Only Integrity Is Going to Count
ASIN: 0312174918 |
Book Description
R. Buckminster Fuller is regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century, renowned for his achievements as an inventor, designer, architect, philosopher, mathematician, and dogged individualist. Perhaps best remembered for the Geodesic Dome and the term "Spaceship Earth," his work and his writings have had a profound impact on modern life and thought.Critical Path is Fuller's master work--the summing up of a lifetime's thought and concern--as urgent and relevant as it was upon its first publication in 1981. Critical Path details how humanity found itself in its current situation-at the limits of the planet's natural resources and facing political, economic, environmental, and ethical crises. The crowning achievement of an extraordinary career, Critical Path offers the reader the excitement of understanding the essential dilemmas of our time and how responsible citizens can rise to meet this ultimate challenge to our future.
Customer Reviews:
Over my head.......2007-06-18
I have to tackle this book in small chunks. I would agree with the review that said the book is not very well written, but the ideas contained are phenomenal. How can you judge something like this? material in the book is 5 stars the ease of reading is 3 stars. I am a forward thinker and a college grad and a fan of Bucky, but it really isn't anything you can just sit down and read. Lots of time for ponderance between reading chapters, to allow comprehension and digestion. This is a must buy for fans of Fuller.
Omni-important.......2006-03-13
This is a tremendous book. Frankly, I am only writing this review to criticize those who didn't like it. (didn't get it more likely) First, one must understand that Bucky was a very unique thinker. As far "slapping on" a word like "omni" in order to sound more intelligent... well that just shows how ignorant the reviewer is. First off, Bucky used his own vocabulary ( that is explained in the book). There was another person who did that once.... Oh yeah I remember SHAKESPEARE!! The word "lonely" didn't exist before Shakes. Pass over this book if you a mediocre person with low intellect.
Good thoughts, poorly written.......2006-02-20
This book was a struggle to read and enjoy. The author, though he has decent ideas (albeit very outdated), takes so many tangents, his point is never clearly made. It's like listening to Grandpa rant on about everything and nothing. I consider myself a very logical "scientifically minded" person. Much of Fuller's ideas of history of humanity are logically thought out based on his understanding and experience although it is not all necessarily based on sufficient scientific/ archeological evidence. So it's difficult to differentiate between which is credible mainstream theory and personal philosophical thoughts. I think the book has some wonderful ideas that apply especially to today's society. It's just a shame that the book was written so poorly and the train of thought was poorly organized. By the way, the Dymaxiom house is a horrible, unsustainable invention. That's why only a couple were built.
"bucky" buckmaster IS "the man".......2005-11-29
The book---CRITICAL PATH by the late Dr.R. Buckmaster Fuller,
has many fine concepts, and potential realities in it.
DR. Fuller had designs for the Dynamaxion House, and this would
have offered to even our "working poor" the golden opportunity
to afford a house--and establish credit while being on the way up. This is called physiocracy.
Fuller, like other misundersttod geniuses like Nikola Tesla,
Preston Tucker, and others, was NOT lacking vision.
The lack of vision occurred, and still occurs, when the
INDIVIDUAL reduced to being a "number" and NOT appreciated for
the Future of Humanity.
The only difference between the late Howard Hughes and Dr.
Fuller--IS BIG MONEY to "make it happen".
Progress MUST be contingent on the initiative of the INDIVIDUAL,
NOT extreme monopolism.
Also:
We can be Patriots and Internationalists--at the same time.
As Fuller points out, ALL nations are being "de-sovereignized"
gradually.
However, Fuller does NOT believe automatic "world government".
With Fuller;
"Air-headism" is NOT the "name of the game".
Fuller shows, in chronological order, Humankind's progress.
Men and Women MUST understand this truism.
Fuller book--CRITICAL PATH--is a " REAL MUST READ"!!
Fuller warned us in CRITICAL PATH that we were wrecking our
environment.
Fuller designed Dynamaxion Cars, and aircraft.
READ the book CRITICAL PATH: You might, just might, learn
something.
Leave the pseudo-intellectalism for the nightly media "talking
heads" and the other blow-harded dullards.
Amen for CRITICAL PATH!!
from;
Dr. Nick Stage--PHD.
Your intellectual who likes using my John Deere tractor
in Hoosierland.
I am going to build my "second home" as a Neo-Dynamaxion
dwelling.
Bye, y'all.
How the world should be.......2005-11-04
First off, do not even attempt to read this book if you are not planning to finish it and you plan on studying it. It is more of a textbook for humanity than anything else.
It is by far the best, most thought provoking book I have ever read.
Book Description
David Duke's riveting autobiography.
Customer Reviews:
An Autobiography with an Engaging Presentation of Research.......2007-04-20
MY AWAKENING is a captivating book that exemplifies how a student is to do a research [theme] paper. Dr. Duke used autobiography to structure his awakening that was thoroughly researched, cross-checked and referenced. His writing engages and draws you deeper into each of two topics using the facts and evidence; while his multiple sourced examples test the credibility of his sources. Here you will see how racial differences evolve in geographically separated populations; and you will see how influential zionist leaders can maintain their culture of excusiveness while directing others to multiculturalism. The author studied, awoke and was surprised by the discoveries.
The voice of tolerance.......2006-12-14
At last, a book which explains the most important issue of modern times in a way which will help rather than hinder the cause. Most racially-conscious writers are full of such spleen and venom that they overplay their hand and turn off those they wish to convert. Duke doesn't. He has clearly thought deeply about this issue and holds no hatred for anyone. He just demands the same rights for his own people that non-white "community leaders" demand for theirs. If every American read this book, Duke would be the next president.
Freedom of Speech Begins Here.......2006-04-25
I read David Duke's semi-autobiographical "My Awakening."
This is 3 books in one:
1)the Duke story
2)a study of race and society
3)a study of the Jewish question, including their dual code of morality, the non-Semitic origin of the Ashkenazi Jews, reasons why the accepted Holocaust story may be wrong, and the Jewish role in communism and the New World Order.
The portion on race and IQ cites the same experts as "The Bell Curve," but is nowhere near as dry or boring. This is easy reading because of the conversational tone of the book, and the very well-presented charts.
So, is Duke synonymous with hatred? Yes, because if you believe him, powerful people will hate you.
Enlightening.......2006-01-19
This book is probably the most important I've ever read. It is very difficult to find, a testament to the type of suppression that has followed the auther David Duke throughout his entire life.
The book jumps back and forth between details of the author's life and research on sociology, anthropology, history and genetics; all of it is carefully referenced. The transformation of the American media is shown clearly and factually. Foreign influences with nefarious purposes have been shown to exist at the heads of all major newspaper publications in the entire country. Most of the legislation which has brought down the national average IQ, school systems and neighborhoods are exposed. It was all blurry before I picked up this book and it is now frighteningly clear. Everybody should read this book if we are to survive.
Those who have sought to discredit and bash the author have been shown as the criminals they are. David Duke has never commited a violent or criminal act in his life, yet he was almost murdered on three occasions. Why? There is not a racial slur or virulent phrase in this entire book. The message is purposeful, positive and redeeming. Open your mind and give it a read, it's well worth it.
Read and perish.......2006-01-03
Warning this book will cause your IQ to drop by several points. Mr Duke using flawed and false research and broken reasoning to make the same old tired racist claims of superiority of the white race. The views being no diferent than when he was spouting them as a member of the KKK, same old pig but with new lip stick. what magazine/comic book did he apply to for his PHD? The only people who will find this book useful will be those wishing to re-enforce the same point of view.
Book Description
The cloak-and-dagger secrecy of Yale University's secret society known as Skull and Bones has prompted people worldwide to attribute to it some of the most staggering conspiracies in modern history. From the society's neaarly windowless crypt in the middle of the Yale campus, the Bonesmen, it is said, plot to dominate the world. In this widely acclaimed book, Alexandra Robbins slips through the veil of myth to reveal the truth about Skull and Bones' operations and influence, and explains why this old-boy 19th century throwback still thrives in 21st-century America.
Download Description
The Ivy League is full of societies and clubs, some public and some very private. But none is as secret as Yale's Skull and Bones, a tiny, mysterious society that has spawned three U.S. presidents, including William H. Taft, George W. Bush, and his father. Skull and Bones' cloak-and-dagger secrecy has prompted people worldwide to attribute to it some of the most staggering conspiracies in modern history-as well as events including the drop of the atom bomb, the rise of Hitler, and the invasion of the Bay of Pigs. From their nearly windowless crypt in the middle of the Yale campus, the Bonesmen, it is said, plot to dominate the world. In Secrets of the Tomb, acclaimed journalist Alexandra Robbins slips through the veil of secrecy to investigate, through society documents and interviews with dozens of members, the truth about Skull and Bones' influence and operations. She also explains why this old-boy 19th century throwback, a product of another time, still thrives in 21st-century America.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Book !!!!.......2007-06-08
This book is a wonderful read! If you are not from the Northeast and don't know much on the Ivy Leagues and their past, it's a great book to get an understanding on the subject. Somewhat Cloak & Daggar, but very intersting indeed!
Just as others said - quite the disappointment..........2007-05-29
I was looking for some interesting insight but found very little in this book. It provides the basics of the society and what I'm sure is public knowledge but no insider information... Generally disappointing.
Either a fantastic work of disinformation, or an incredibly boring read.......2007-05-07
This book is either great or awful. Great if my longshot hunch is true: Alexandra (herself a secret society member) merely leads readers off the path and convinces them that there really is nothing to Skull and Bones. Awful if this is the real boring truth of the club. If it is the truth, then it doesn't really warrant a full book. A mere few pages stating: Skull and Bones: an average fraternity that happened to survive for many many years and have a few third-tier Presidents, sleazy CIA agents, and a handful of Congressman.
Is the book believable? Who knows.
I'd like a book written by a true outsider, and not someone who attended Yale herself as well as joined a secret society.
I say its a coin-flip: the society is either incredibly boring as this book attempts to tell you, or this book is just what they want you to believe. Either way, its dull and a very slow read.
Maybe the only way i will know for sure is if i disappear and my bank accounts are frozen after i post this...
Can you trust a 322 and Scroll and Key collaboration? .......2007-04-22
There is a lot of interesting stuff in this but you have to ask yourself how much the information in it can be trusted because for one the author gets a good portion of it from anonymous Skull & Bones members who talked because they claimed they were tired of hearing so much weird speculation about them. So for one, how can you be sure what they told her was accurate and not intentional disinformation. For another even if what they gave her was true, its still information that they chose to let out but not the whole story. Another big factor that has to make you wonder is it turns out that the woman who wrote Secrets of the Tomb was her self a member of another elitist secret society at Yale, Scroll & Key.
This book is worth reading if your researching S & B but you just have to wonder how honest it is. The best book on the Skull & Bones is Fleshing Out Skull & Bones which was edited by Kris Millegan. Antony Suttons work on the 322 cabal is also highly recomended.
Not the revelation I expected.......2007-03-09
While this book was reasonably entertaining and readable, it tended to get repetitious and did not deliver the "secrets" as advertised. The underlying consipracies were only old school bonds that anyone could expect from a frat house.
Book Description
This book combines study of the dynamic historical development of each religious tradition with a comparative thematic structure. In this way, the book helps readers to explore each of the major religions as a unique and integral system of meaning and life. At the same time, readers are encouraged to discover and explore the nature of religious experience by comparing basic themes and issues common to all religions.
Covering the religions arising from India, China, and Japan, this book introduces the key dimensions of religious experience, outlining the basic human concerns that give rise to religious experience, such as origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life.
For anyone interested in exploring the origins and development of the diverse religions of the world.
Customer Reviews:
A great introduction of Eastern thought........1997-05-10
This book is used in our class, Religions of the East, and I find it quite in-depth and thought-provoking. In fact, the book helped me to identify my personal beliefs with a particular religion in China. This book would be good for anyone interested in such things, but even moreso for a person in the process of "finding themself."
It is an eye-opener and contains truly heavily researched material. Excellent job.
Book Description
Rashid Khalidi_s powerful book examines the record of Western involvement in the Middle East and analyzes the likely outcome of our most recent incursions into the area. Drawing on his encyclopedic knowledge of the political and cultural history of the entire region, Khalidi paints a chilling scenario of our present situation and yet offers a tangible alternative that can help us find the path to peace rather than Empire. Additionally, Professor Khalidi contributes a new introduction to this paperback edition, covering recent developments in Iraq and the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election.
Customer Reviews:
Not "Fair and Balanced", But...........2007-07-16
Other reviewers are certainly correct that Professor Khalidi has a very obvious and largely one-sided agenda which I doubt he would deny. (He does teach at Columbia, after all.) Having said that, I don't believe we Americans are sufficiently exposed to that "other" agenda, and the book serves that purpose if no other. Khalidi, moreover, does a superb job of briefly and compellingly describing colonial involvement in the Middle East by way of supporting his contention that, in brief, we had no idea (but should have) of what we were getting ourselves into in Iraq. In the course of this discussion, he admirably minces no words in describing the failings of the indigenous Middle East regimes and, among other things, their indifference to their peoples' sufferings and refusal to use their oil wealth to alleviate them.
The book understandably suffers from its topicality. Last released in 2005, the author's castigation of the neo-con's and their theories reads like ancient history. Also, it would have been interesting to get the professor's views on what has happended since in Iraq and more generally in the "war on terror". Neither here, nor, I suspect, in such a commentary, does he address the very real, if quixotic, undertaking by Muslim fundmentalists to impose their theocracy on the world. By way of example, Fox News in mentioned (unfavorably!) four or five times while the word "sharia" appears, if I'm not mistaken, once.
Having said all this, the book is well-written and thoughtful, and if you have any lingering doubts about how "Operation Quicksand" is likely to turn out, it will certainly exacerbate them.
So we are left with picking up the pieces in the metaphorical Pottery Barn, forever wondering why we (i.e., our leaders) didn't know better. Perhaps it was too much to expect that they would ponder the history so ably discussed by Khalidi before making their move. I've always thought they could have learned as much by re-screening 1962's "Lawrence of Arabia" in which Peter O'Toole's Lawrence upbraids Omar Sharif's Sherif Ali at the Harith well just after Ali has killed Lawrence's guide because he was a Hazimi and thus could not drink from it. Lawrence says to Ali: "So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people, greedy, barbarous and cruel, as you are." Yes, indeed.
vibrant argument.......2007-03-02
I enjoyed reading Resurrecting Empire. The argument of the book is precise, informative, and thorough. It is valuable to learn that before finding ourselves into a long bloody war with another nation, we should explore the past, learn its history, and find better ways of dealing with the situation. This book explains not only the importance of history, but also how to learn from historical events and not commit the same mistakes over again.
Unbecoming of a scholar with such a pedigree.......2007-02-23
Rashid Khalidi begins Resurrecting Empire with a brief discussion about why he wrote the book. He describes the public speeches he gave during the process and found, believe it or not, that everyone who came to hear him agreed with what he had to say. He wonders if these people are just a marginalized group of malcontents, but he quickly brushes that notion aside. Surely he, and his audience, must be right. This type of arrogant approach sums up the rest of the book. The supreme irony here is that Khalidi is guilty of nearly everything he blames others for. At the end of his introduction, he has faith that his book will "initiate a more informed and more rational debate," but he has unfortunately produced little more than a rant that preaches to the choir. According to Khalidi, Resurrecting Empire's purpose is to shed light on how America is viewed in the Middle East. This is a worthy goal, certainly deserving of much analysis and debate. Instead of actually doing this, Khalidi presents a hodgepodge of watered-down chapters that do not do the subjects justice.
The 2003 war against Iraq is primarily what inspired the book, but there is not much discussion of the war itself. Khalidi does not completely butcher the analysis of foreign policy under the Bush administration, but there is a serious misreading of the motives behind the invasion. He puts way too much emphasis on the neocon conspiracy theories without bothering to go beyond what was an oversimplified and lazy set of arguments so many others were making. Khalidi uses language like "the war party" when referring to people like Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, not the type of language that inspires "informed and rational" debate. Also included in this discussion is the hypocrisy of the U.S. when it comes to democracy promotion. He accurately points out that the U.S. still gives support to the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, but demonstrates a double standard when dealing with countries like Iraq and Syria. He acts as though democracy promotion for the U.S. only includes overthrowing people like Hussein, when in fact there is much more to this policy than Khalidi admits. An excellent overview of these policies can be found in a book edited by Thomas Carothers and Marina Ottaway called Uncharted Journey: Promoting Democracy in the Middle East.
Khalidi presents a very selective and misleading set of arguments. Others are certainly guilty of the same thing, but Khalidi acts as if he's setting the record straight here. To take one example, he grossly misrepresents America's role in Iraq during the 60s. He makes it seem as if the U.S. were allied with Hussein and the Baath party all along. He even states that the U.S. was involved with the Baath takeover in 1968, but the footnote he provides mentions nothing about that particular coup. On top of that, no other Iraqi scholar implicates the U.S. in this coup. Khalidi is presenting what he wants his audience to believe, not what actually happened. These types of problems of selectivity run rampant through the book. The other main chapters deal with Oil and the Arab/Israeli dispute. While he makes a convincing argument in some respects, Khalidi does nothing more than tell a partisan and one-sided story.
What is most disappointing here is that Khalidi should be capable of producing rational and thoughtful debate. Resurrecting Empire does not even begin to reach that threshold. He teaches at Columbia University and has impressive academic credentials, this is not the type of person that should be in the business of producing rants. The book only makes sense if one takes the view that the real goal was to merely produce a book that Khalidi knew would sell, not something that really contributed to the debate over current Middle Eastern events.
The book Bush should have read.......2006-12-21
Khalidi's knowledge on the Middle East is beyond evident in this book, but his distortions and views can be at times somewhat misleading. The information and knowledge given to us from the view of someone within is phenominal. His thoughts and views on why the war in Iraq happened and what should have been done before we went in are fantastic. My problems stem from the obvious bias within that seems to point all the problems in the region on the US and other Western countries.
Strongly Recommended.......2006-11-05
The reviews by the standard troupe of Israel apologistas and Judea-Samaria crowd aside, this is a great book for the novice reader of contemporary Middle-East history. It is not exactly an easy read, perhaps due to language barrier issues, but with a little patience, the Westerner who has only been exposed to drivel from mainstream media has a lot to learn from this book.
To those who fault this book, and many like it, for being "one-sided", I have to say, I wonder how you would write a book about a murder or a rape? Validate both sides equally? The obvious point being, there do not exist two equally valid sides to all human conflicts, and to admit to that is the first step to find a workable remedy.
And to the other few who have trashed this book and other works by Khalidi, I have seen from your other reviews that even works by Israeli Zionist foreign ministers (Shlomo Ben Ami) and pro-Israeli historians (Benny Morris) don't please your taste, since any criticism of the State of Israel is tantamount to an unforgivable sin to you. People like Ben Ami and Morris, despite being strongly pro-Israel and unabashed Zionists, have the couraged to admit that many massacres and atrocities were committed by the Yishuv and later Israel. Their justifications may not appeal to the non-Jewish non-Arab outsider (Morris' famous line: "You have to break quite a few eggs to make a good omlette"), but at least they do not try to deny all historic facts. But to some, mere mention of such facts is a deal-breaker. Let the silence go on ...
Books:
- The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Third Reich (Hist Atlas)
- The Peninsula and Seven Days: A Battlefield Guide (This Hallowed Ground: Guides to Civil Wa)
- The Robe
- The Vietnam Reader: The Definitive Collection of Fiction and Nonfiction on the War
- The Wisdom of Crowds
- The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
- Theories of Personality (with InfoTrac )
- To Begin Where I Am: Selected Essays
- Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies
- Visions of Politics
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Paul Revere's Ride
- Devices and Desires
- The Four Books of Architecture
- Theories of evidence: Bentham and Wigmore
- A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery
- Economic Capital Allocation with Basel II: Cost, Benefit and Implementation Procedures
- Beyond Suspicion
- The Farmhouse: New Inspiration for the Classic American Home
- The Power of Vastu Living: Welcoming Your Soul into Your Home and Workplace
- Guide to Great Lakes Coastal Plants
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
The Johnstown Flood
Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt
Truman
Brave Companions
