Domestic Architecture and the Use of Space: An Interdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Study (New Directions in Archaeology)

Book Description

This text investigates the relationship between the built environment and the organization of space. The contributors are classical and prehistoric archaeologists, anthropologists, and architects, who form their different backgrounds are able to provide some important and original insights into this relationship. They explore the fundamental role of culture as expressed in technology, symbolism, sociopolitical organization and economics, and draw on case studies from past and present groups in North America, South America, Africa, and elsewhere.

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Always on target but never mean-spirited, Carole Cable's cartoons zero in on the realities and absurdities that confront higher education today. Whether it's the professor who tells a student, "No, really, I am pleased that you called me on your cellular phone from your BMW to tell me your paper will be late," or the publisher who quips, "If we published many books like this, Professor Haskens, we'd perish," Cable captures the quirks and foibles of academia with an insider's sharp eye and sly sense of humor. Long a staple on office doors and bulletin boards, over one hundred of these cartoons are now available in Cable on Academe, the first published collection of Carole Cable's work. Ranging from such thorny issues as multiculturalism and shrinking budgets to the everyday trials of getting a good photocopy out of a bad machine, Cable's cartoons will keep academia in perspective for everyone involved--students, faculty, administrators, parents, and even outside critics.

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Cable on Academe
Carole Cable
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OS2WSG

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This study is a comparative assessment of the regulatory frameworks applicable to dam safety in 22 countries. It is divided into three parts. The first part is a description of the dam safety regulatory framework in each of the 22 countries. The countries were selected based on the availability of information about their dam safety regulatory frameworks. The second part of the study is a comparative analysis of these regulatory frameworks. The analysis attempts to highlight the main similarities and differences in the approaches adopted by the countries discussed in the first part of the study. The third part offers recommendations on what a regulatory framework for dam safety should contain. It lists essential elemetns that should be included in all dam safety regulatory frameworks, as well as elemetns that would be desirable to include in such regulatory frameworks. This part also identifies and discusses a number of emerging trends in dam safety. In tis connection, this part of the study can be seen as providing a tool kit that can be used in formulating a regulatory framework for dam safety. This study has seven appendices. Appendix iv contains a dam safety statute; appendix V is a dam safety regulation; and appendix vi is a sample operations, maintenance, and surveillance manual.

Book Description

In the thirties, those on the political left, Socialists, Communists, artists and writers, educators, and labor movement activists, shared the belief that leisure activities should reflect and promote the interests of working people. Cultural activities should be used to educate workers in bringing about radical social and political changes and to draw people together around shared interests. Workers' theater became a successful vehicle for political education and for involving the audience in the labor movement.

Such plays as "Let Freedom Ring" and "Waiting for Lefty" depicted experiences that paralleled the audiences' own, that entertained and absorbed them, and that showed them the personal, social, economic, and political changes that could be achieved through the struggles of the labor movement.

In clear and moving prose, Hyman traces the history of workers' theater from its grassroots origins to the Federal Theater Project of the WPA under Roosevelt and into unions' recreational programs. Even today, the tradition of workers' theater endures in local and regional productions that reflect current worker concerns or revive significant workers' plays of the Depression period. Hyman shows that the significance of workers' theater lies not only in the plays produced but also in the audiences' experience, in coming together out of common concerns to achieve a solidarity that emphasizes the effectiveness of collective action.

Customer Reviews:

A Rare Treat: Great Analysis, Smooth Prose.......1999-12-03

Colette Hyman's analysis of the topic is insightful and engaging. Her book is tremendouly informative and insightful. What makes her book stand out among the greatest books on the Depression era, however, is the skill with which she presents her argument. Her writing ability is unparalled. She could make any topic seem like the most interesting revelation. I read this book in one sitting, and I don't even care for the subject matter. I was just doing research.

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Although the war of 1870–71 has gone down in history as the 'Franco-Prussian War', nearly half of the German troops sent to the frontier were from other German states – both the willing members of the North German Confederation and the southern states who were in some cases more hesitant about accepting Prussian domination. Some contingents had only one or two regiments – though these might be of high quality, like the 'Black Brunswickers'; others provided whole army corps, like Bavaria and Saxony. This book lists and illustrates the organization and varied uniforms of all these allied contingents, most of which fought well when it came to the test of battle.

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Sword Knots and All.......2004-11-13

Although I normally find the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 an interesting subject, I cannot say that Osprey's Men-at-Arms #416, German Armies 1870-71 (1), sparks much interest. This volume on the Prussian armies, by Michael Solka, is so mired in intensely boring detail about Prussian uniforms that I found very little in these pages that was fresh or insightful. If you want to read about the different types of sword knots or what color buttons Prussian dragoons wore, then this is your book but otherwise....

The best part of this volume is the detailed order of battle provided on the Prussian army for 1 August 1870; unfortunately, the author does not list Landwehr or reserve units that showed up for the winter campaigns in France. After that, the author spends most of the rest of the volume describing the uniforms and equipment (with only the barest details on equipment) of the cavalry and infantry. Much smaller sections are provided on artillery and the other support branches. Although the author provides bare outlines of unit organization, there is absolutely no mention of doctrine and the organization provides few details. The author clearly missed a chance here to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the Prussian army. Readers might also note that the cavalry branch gets considerably more attention than any other branch, despite the fact that most histories credit the superiority of the Prussian artillery as the decisive factor in the war. The color plates are adequate, but not particularly informative; of the 25 figures shown, only one is a line infantryman - the kind that bore the brunt of the fighting (why Otto von Bismarck and the Kaiser are included is unknown, but they really weren't representative of field soldiers).

Some of the best notes actually came in the commentaries in the back on the color plates that listed some details of which units were in particular actions. Readers might also note that very few of the photographs or illustrations depict Prussian troops in field or combat conditions. In short, this volume really doesn't address the issue of what the Prussian troops who actually fought the war looked like (why so little on winter uniforms - there was more fighting in the winter of 1870-1 than there was in the short summer campaign), or how they were organized or trained. Instead, the author buries the reader with trivia about different colors of sword knots and other uniform distinctions - all to the detriment of providing anything like a balanced account on this subject. Osprey can do better than this, as evidenced by the recent MAA title on the Russo-Japanese War, but unfortunately the MAA series seems to be increasingly directed toward a smaller and smaller audience.

First Reich: Inside the German Army During the War With France 1870-71

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Well written military history and more

First Reich: Inside the German Army During the War With France 1870-71
David Stone
Manufacturer: Brassey's Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1857533410

Book Description

Because it lasted only seven months, the Franco-Prussian War has sometimes been ignored by historians and yet it merits study for the fact that it was the first deployment of a ruthlessly efficient and superbly organized German Army, a phenomenon that was to be seen twice more in the next 75 years. Indeed, military professionals and history students have long sought a thorough account of this conflict for the very reasons of its significance in both military development and European evolution. The war machine of the expansive Prussians used organizational strength and modern techniques to prevail over the more antiquated French and yet the battles were keenly fought and brought awesome casualties. The lessons learned by both sides, and onlookers, had a mighty impact; the emergence of a dominant German land force, a German nation and a German Empire determined the course of European and world history for a century and beyond. The story of the war is told with vigor and accuracy and will be a significant contribution to military history and to our understanding of the development of Europe as we see it today.

Customer Reviews:

Well written military history and more.......2006-05-13

This is a recent book published in 2002. The author is a retired British Army officer. It is a military history of the 1870-71 Franco-German war, written mainly from the German point of view and giving, as the title says, an " insight" into that army during the campaign. "First Reich" also puts this army in the wider historical perspective of Germany and Europe, both before and after 1870-71.

The author's profession must have contributed to his writing style, which is vigorous, efficient and "to the point". The story relates facts with a good balance of illustrative detail, and the author's analysis, comments and conclusions about these historical events are kept to the appropriate level for the modern reader. He does not get lost in "opinions" on the conduct of various contemporary characters or in a useless heap of detail that do not add to the general understanding of the war, its causes and consequences. As such, it is an excellent overview and very enjoyable to read.
There is a series of appendixes describing the composition of the belligerent armies, and a full index. The two-page bibliography focuses on books available in English ( some of which are translations of French and/or German). Unlike more academic historians, David Stone did not really use a lot of primary sources, except the German army's printed reports and the personal journal of an English reporter, Archibald Forbes, who travelled with the German army throughout the campaign.

Chapter I starts with the (mostly political) reasons behind the declaration of war, i.e. beyond the anecdotal, the struggle for mastery in continental western Europe between the main powers, the fading one, France, and the expanding one, Prussia, busy reunifying by persuasion and force all German lands under its direction.

To finalize this process, Prussia had to defeat France and it had the tool to do it quickly.
Indeed, following Frederick the Great's tradition, in the preceding decades, Prussia had managed to develop the most modern army in the world (subject covered in Chapter II&III).
The innovations were technolgical (needle-gun and steel breech-loading artillery) and organizational (large trained reserve armies based on the general military service, a highly professional general staff, officer corps and specialized branches of service). As Prussia gradually submitted all Northern German states to its will, it integrated their existing armies into this mold. When the war broke out, however, all remaining German states, including Bavaria, were also involved on Prussia's side. This was a war to complete national unity and it was a great success from the start against the more traditionally organized and rather badly-led French army.

The following chapters of the book (IV to VIII included) explain in a clear manner the chain of events and battles that followed, i.e. Spicheren, Mars-la-Tour,Gravelotte-Saint-Privat, Sedan, the siege of Metz (Summer and autumn 1870).They unfolded very quickly and caused the brutal downfall of the French Second Empire.
However, the Republic that rose out of its ashes was determined to continue the war and expel the Germans( Chapter IX and X).
In this, its newly raised armies failed miserably, and after a series of battles lost North and South of Paris as well as in the Jura (in the early months of 1871), they were finally defeated as the encircled capital city was also forced to capitulate after a siege of several months.
This last event triggered Civil War/Class War in France as the angry people of Paris rebelled and proclaimed the Commune.
It was crushed in a bloodbath by the Republican/bourgeois army while the goverment was negociating a peace treaty with the Germans, following the signature of an armistice.

After having proclaimed the German Empire and the Prussian king as its Empereor in Versailles, their army left the French to solve their "internal difficulties" and went home to celebrate victory. However, Germany also forced France to pay a heavy war indemnity in gold and annexed the border provinces of Alsace and Lorraine.

A happy ending for the victors, or so it seemed. Because the French defeat sowed the seeds of the following two World wars in Europe, as the final chapter (XI) of "First Reich" describes. German militarism, overinflated by the belief in the army's and Germany's invincibility, turned to further expansion and finally brought disaster to the nation and to Europe.

Yet, 60 years after WWII, in a subdued and positive form, militarism remains very important in German culture. Its current army, the Bundeswehr, however, now operates within a modern democracy. It is controlled by politicians and does not impose its own agenda on the nation anymore. In the post-Cold War and post-September 11 world, it puts the intrinsic qualities of the German officers and soldiers to good use in peace-keeping operations in Europe and elsewhere.

David Stone clearly admires German military culture and his point is that, unlike in WWI and WWII, it was not always a tool of oppression. In 1870-71, he argues, the German army was simply the most potent military tool of the time, and the one needed to achieve national reunification, that had been waiting since the Middle ages. These were the times of the "Romantic" German rebirth.

The very title of this book, " First Reich", refers to this.
Only, in traditional historiography, the First Reich has actually always referred to the loose confederation of states known as the Holy German Empire. It lasted from about 1000 AD until its formal "death" brought about by the Wars of Napoleon.
According to Stone, however, in truth, the Empire created following the victory in 1871 was the first real German "Reich", embodying the full potential of the German people.

Colors of the German and French armies in the war of 1870-71,

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Colors of the German and French armies in the war of 1870-71,
Gherardi Davis
Manufacturer: Privately printed
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0008BR1NU

The feeding of fighting armies: Franco-German War of 1870-71, vol. 1

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The feeding of fighting armies: Franco-German War of 1870-71, vol. 1
Thomas Augustus Le Mesurier
Manufacturer: Harrison and Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00088ZMIE

Book Description

The American Jewish community is in transition. This book describes in detail how American Jews changed from living in a religion-oriented community to living a secular life. Falk discusses how Jewish Americans were greatly influenced by the secularization of Western civilization in general and by the Christian community in Europe and America specifically. The secularization of American Jewish institutions is analyzed by discussing changes in the Jewish religion, Jewish education and Jewish organizations during this century. Special consideration is given to the issue of Jewish survival in America with specific emphasis on the Jewish-Christian intermarriage rate. Contents: Part One: The Present Condition of Judaism in America; The American Jewish at the End of the 20th Century; Part Two: The Development of Secularization in the Western World; The Influence of Jewish Philosophers on the Secularization of Judaism; The Influence of Christians and Other Philosophers on the Secularization of the Western World; The Secularization of the U.S. before 1900; The Influence of Scientific Thinking on the Secularization Process; The Influence of Some European and American Writers on the Secularization Process; The Secularization of the United States in the 20th Century; Part Three: American Jewish Institutions at the End of the Century; The Secularization of the Jewish Religion in America; The Secularization of the American Jewish Family; The Secularization of American Jewish Education; Organized American Jewishness at the End of the 20th Century; Part Four: Jewish Continuity in a Secular Society; The Secular Life in America; Jewish Survival in America.

Customer Reviews:

Vital for anyone interested in American Jewish survival........1996-09-25

This is a book as remarkable as it is disturbing. The author traces, in a scholarly, objective manner, the increasing secularization in all of American life, with an emphasis on the special dangers for Jews and Judaism. Detailed, eye opening proof is offered that even the Jewish religion itself is, in America, becoming secularized. There has been great controversy about this book in both Jewish organizational circles, due to its unfortunately frank description of the practices of Jewish organizations (including listing the salaries of officers of ostensibly charitable organizations) and in the religious community, owing to the recommendation that Jews proselytize for converts.

The transition from Judaism to Christianity (American Institute of Sacred Literature, Biblical literature essays, New Testament series)

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The transition from Judaism to Christianity (American Institute of Sacred Literature, Biblical literature essays, New Testament series)
Clyde Weber Votaw
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Judaism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008BI0US

Transitions in Judaism: The Jewish American woman through the 1930's

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Transitions in Judaism: The Jewish American woman through the 1930's
Norma Fain Pratt
Manufacturer: American Studies Association]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006YRJ2M

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Audubon & His Journals Volume 1
Maria R Audubon
Manufacturer: DOVER PUBLICATIONS +
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000X1MQZI

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AUDUBON AND HIS JOURNALS
John J. AUDUBON
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L6OXRE

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Audubon and His Journals
John James Audubon
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Pub (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ornithology | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0877541744

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Audubon and His Journals --2 vols--
Maria R., Editor Audubon
Manufacturer: Peter Smith
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RLX06I

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audubon and his journals volume I
AUDUBON
Manufacturer: chelsea house
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V8VVNQ

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Audubon and His Journals Volume One
John James Audubon
Manufacturer: DOVER
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OKCIFG

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Audubon and His Journals, 2 Volumes
Maria R. Audubon
Manufacturer: PETER SMITH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TM52TI

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AUDUBON AND HIS JOURNALS. TWO VOLUMES
J. & M. Audubon
Manufacturer: Dover Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WPXSRU

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Audubon and His Journals: Volume One
John James Audubon
Manufacturer: Dover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UT05YW

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Audubon and His Journals; Vol 2
John James Audubon
Manufacturer: Dover Publications, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NWVWUW

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