The Interventionists: Users' Manual for the Creative Disruption of Everyday Life

Book Description

Art made to attach to buildings or to be given away? Wearable art for street demonstrations or art that sets up a booth at a trade show? This is the art of the interventionists, who trespass into the everyday world to raise our awareness of injustice and other social problems. These artists don't preach or proselytize; they give us the tools to form our own opinions and create our own political actions. The Interventionists, which accompanies an exhibit at MASS MoCA, serves as a handbook to this new and varied work. It's a user's guide to art that is exciting, provocative, unexpected, inspiring (artistically and politically), and fun. From Michael Rakowitz's inflatable homeless shelter and William Pope.L's "Black Factory" truck with pulverizer, gift shop, and giant inflatable igloo to the Biotic Baking Brigade's political pie-throwing, the art of The Interventionists surveys a growing genre and offers a guide for radical social action.

The book classifies the artists according to their choice of tactics: the Nomads, who create mobile projects; Reclaim the Streets, artists who act in public places; Tools for Resistance: Ready to Wear, artists who produce fashion for political action; and the Experimental University, artists whose work engages pedagogy and theory. The accompanying text includes essays by noted scholars putting the work in a broader cultural and social context as well as texts by the artists themselves.

Customer Reviews:

Muddy Boots and Ragged Aprons.......2000-06-16

My mom was born in working class Detroit, shortly after the period coved by this book. It literally made her cry. I will bring back lots of memories for natives and give a new generation a glimpse into what life was like for inner city dwellers during this important part of Detroit's history. This book fills a great void. So much of Michigan history is focused on the auto industry, the lakefront or the fashionable "Pointes". This book addresses the visual history of Detroit from the working class point of view. Great factories dominated the landscape. This book finds beauty and passion in the grit.Not only great for Detroit natives, any student of inner city history will enjoy this book. The photographs are beautifully produced and the narrative is well written. The authors' familiarity and great research shine through. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in urban studies, photography and history.

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Campaign: A Cartoon History of Bill Clinton's Race for the White House
Mary Ann Barton
Manufacturer: University of Arkansas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1557282897

Book Description

Ensena como ver la meno-pausia con un buen sentido del humor.

Book Description

Initially British band Radiohead was labeled "the new U2," but after millions of albums sold and multiple awards, up-and-coming bands are now fortunate to be labeled "the new Radiohead." Radiohead: Hysterical and Useless delves into the history and psyche of this often-enigmatic group. Starting with the band's origins in Oxford, journalist Martin Clarke covers the essential points: Radiohead's breakout single "Creep," the pivotal album OK Computer, Thom Yorke's continuing political and artistic evolution, and the band's future. This revised edition includes a close look at how the band escaped the rock straightjacket with Kid A and Amnesiac, as well as their most recent album, Hail to the Thief. Clark also offers an in-depth examination of the outspoken, mysterious Yorke, offering insight into the personal demons the vocalist has battled throughout his career as Radiohead's frontman. An incisive look at one of the world's most beloved, followed musical acts, Radiohead: Hysterical and Useless provides stimulating coverage of a provocative group.

Customer Reviews:

Mystery Revealed.......2004-12-15

I have read 4 or 5 books about Radiohead and this is the that stands out in my mind as being informative and in depth. I might have have gotten my titles crossed on this but one thing I'm sure of, Exit music was the worst of the books I read about them. Which is disappointing being that that song is one of their greatest. So don't let the book title fool you people because that is definitely not on the same level with the song.(In terms of quality)

ho hum..........2004-02-20

It is obviously a bit premature to be writing a biography on a band while they're at the height of their career, but you would expect the story to date to be a little more consistent...
The only interesting information the book offers is in the beginning, which describes a little bit of back history and childhood info on Thom Yorke. From this point on its a slapdash of misquoted interviews and half-truths... The book is overladen with mispellings and mistakes (he says at one point that the fan club is called Wasted... ugggg).
What is perhaps most disheartening is how the details seem to peter off towards the middle of the book... He goes into exhaustive detail talking about the making of Ok Computer (all the while offering his own assinine interpretations of the songs) and then almost immediately transforms his writing style into a quick summaration of events. He also blatantly LIES to try to make his point at times... For instance, he tries to claim that KID A was rated poorly by both the American and English press, using a quote from the Rolling Stone review to prove his point, while failing to mention that the very review he was quoting from gave the album 4 Stars... Indeed, the book is entirely composed of half-truths and selective interpretations of events... I think I've met fans who seem to have a better understanding of the band and their songs than this author does...
The book also seems to focus almost entirely around Thom Yorke, as though he were the only reason the band were interesting at all... I'm rather glad that this book is not the only source from which I had gathered information about the band, otherwise I probably would have walked away feeling unimpressed with their story. He fails to capture on every level just why this band is such a phenomenon, missing every point or example that would solidify their brilliance. I would suggest hunting down a copy of the NME collection of interviews (even though that magazine is pathetic) instead of this book, as it shows a much clearer portrait of how the band progressed and got to where they are today. Sad to say, but the interviews seem to be the only glimpse we have at the moment as to what is going through the band member's minds... I think we'll have to wait until their music making carreer is over and the the totality of their work has made its impact before a book such as this one can be complete and worthwhile. Don't waste your time or money on this reader's digest summary of this great band.

could be better.......2002-04-02

this book is "good looking". it has many interesting pictures of the band and it has good cover. it's lovely. but this is not for the die hard fan. most of what mr clarke wrote is what we know already, almost nothing new. and a lot of mistake. a lot of misquoted sentences and stuff. spend your money on better book. but if you're still new to radiohead, this book can give you basic information about the band just fine.

Uh, what can I say..........2001-04-05

If your curious about radiohead...well you might learn something. And of course noone expects these things to be great literature. So you pretty much know what you're getting into here. This book was poorly written, sort of trite. Not much to say about it. Just don't expect much and you'll be fine.

This book is fantastic!.......2000-05-11

I've been a Radiohead fan since 1995 and this book is great for any long-serving fan. I really like Clarke's writing style and his research is spot on. This book is probably the best thing to come out on Radiohead while we wait for the new album.

Book Description

In The Corporeal Turn, political theorist John Tambornino offers a thorough rethinking of ethical and political theory by emphasizing human embodiment, and the primacy of passion and need, in response to the neglect of these matters in much of conte

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Very Good Information

Valuable advice for LDS couples. More examples, though!

What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds
John Bytheway , and Kimberly Bytheway
Manufacturer: Bookcraft
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Mormonism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment

ASIN: 1573456497

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Information.......2000-08-01

This book was filled with all kinds of information and suggestions to keep the "Honeymoon" in your marriage. The honeymoon never has to be over. There was a lot of useful information for the first year of marriage. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Valuable advice for LDS couples. More examples, though!.......2000-06-27

My fiancee and I, in hopes of avoiding the pitfalls of many newlywed couples, read this book with the hope of better preparing ourselves for our upcoming life together. Do we feel better prepared after doing so? Yes. The Bytheway's advice is based on well-accepted principles which lead to a happy marriage (communication, understanding, patience, overlooking little annoyances, etc.). Perhaps more importantly for their audience, they present these principles in an LDS context, complete with quotes from church leaders.

But, like any good church talk, we wanted more personal examples, more specifics! The title ("What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds") implies that the Bytheways are about to tell us about the challenges they had early on in their marriage, and how we can avoid them. To be fair, there were examples, but we were craving more! They write about a few "crisis" talks they had, but what were these about, and how did they solve the problems? The reader is left hanging.

We can understand their hesitancy in sharing specific info. about their personal lives, especially since their friends and family will probably read their book. But isn't that a risk one has to take when writing such a book? The chapter on intimacy was representative--they essentially refer the reader to other sources for details. We (with parents who were afraid to tell us ANYTHING about intimacy, esp. DETAILS) are looking for an LDS source for such information. It's hard to come by.

Overall, we loved the Bytheway's attitude toward marriage--that it can be great! That's what we want. Like them, so many people have told us how hard marriage will be. While realistic, we are getting tired of hearing that lamentation, and choose to MAKE things work. Thanks, John and Kimberly Bytheway, for your help in our endeavor.

Book Description

Canadian Barry Gough's new work makes an important and long-awaited contribution to our understanding of the struggle for domination in the Upper Great Lakes and the American heartland during the War of 1812. A critical time for both the old northwest and the peoples who lived along the U.S.-Canadian border, it was also a time when the territories that became Wisconsin and Minnesota were formed, the fur trade was established, and the Indian nations attempted to preserve both their homeland and their independence. It is a unique study in that it goes far beyond the Battle of Lake Erie, where traditional historical accounts end, adding new chapters to the history of Detroit and Michilimackinac.

This comprehensive, chronological account exposes the reader not only to the naval and territorial consequences of the era but also to the plight along the way. It is the story of shipbuilding, of the limits of sea power, and of the men and women who succeeded in traversing unknown water and land. The author details such events as Commodore Arthur Sinclair's disastrous U.S. naval expedition to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in 1814 and describes how British forces captured unsuspecting U.S. naval schooners. Supplemented with excellent maps and illustrations, the text also provides information about hydrographic surveying and the search for useful naval bases. This book will appeal to everyone interested in the age of fighting sail, Native American history, and early American naval pursuits.

Customer Reviews:

A Much-Needed Account of the War of 1812.......2003-09-12

The extent of sea power on the interior Great Lakes, the ebb and flow of the fighting around and thereon, and how the struggle between the Americans and British ultimately shaped the boundaries of the USA and Canada, are dramtically captured in Barry Gough's excellent work.

"Fighting Sail on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay" ably presents the little-known campaign---a campaign that greatly intensified after the battles for Lakes Champlain and Erie. Recommended for those who want to know more about the War of 1812 on the northern waters.

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Fighting Sail on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay: The War of 1812 and Its Aftermath.(Book Review): An article from: The Historian
David Curtis Skaggs
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

War of 1812 | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000B9DVP6
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2004. The length of the article is 554 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Fighting Sail on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay: The War of 1812 and Its Aftermath.(Book Review)
Author: David Curtis Skaggs
Publication: The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 66 Issue: 2 Page: 351(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

While most Americans remain politically moderate, American politics has careened to the right over the last two decades. Why? What can be done? This book helps make sense of recent political changes and explains how popular will is deliberately being subverted. The authors propose important reforms to strengthen our democracy and return American politics to the center.

"The most illuminating book on contemporary American politics to be published in over a decade. Every political journalist in America needs to read and heed this brilliant book."—Eric Alterman, author of When Presidents Lie and What Liberal Media?

"Closely argued and very readable. . . . This book should become required reading for anyone interested in the triumph of the neocons or worried about where they are leading America."—Publishers Weekly

“Hacker and Pierson shrewdly assess the new structures of political power in our country and the success of conservative Republicans in mobilizing resources and framing political choices. This book is innovative, it’s important, and it will open many eyes. It is the book Karl Rove would wish he had written–if he were on the other side.”—E. J. Dionne, Jr., author of Stand Up, Fight Back and Why Americans Hate Politics

Customer Reviews:

Interesting but I can't unreservedly recommend..........2006-08-14

...purchase...if you're unfamiliar with the mechanics of politics this book will enlighten you as to how it all works...but basically this book does little more than describe how Republicans have managed their political activities more adroitly than Democrats in recent years...good writing but nothing particularly exciting or enlightening.

The True Science of Extremism.......2006-06-25

You can ignore some of the more vitriolic reviews of this political science treatise, ranting either for or against, just because it criticizes the Republicans. Such reviews are from pundits who read a lot of popular commentary, and think they understand real politics. There is a very large difference between political commentary, which is the sloganeering of popular observers ranging from Michael Moore to Ann Coulter, and political science, which is backed up by solid academic theory and scientific evidence. Those of us familiar with academic dissertations in this field will be pleasantly surprised by the readability of this one. If you're also exasperated by the continually lowest-common-denominator jingoism of today's political discourse, then you'll also be surprised by the strength of this book's positions.

Hacker and Pierson explain, from a true political science perspective, the inordinate power of the ultraconservatives in today's political environment, and how this is possible when they espouse policies that are so far from the ideological "center." The authors provide convincing evidence that the Republicans' true success has arisen not from connecting with voters on real issues, but by consolidating power from within the party, and by manipulating governmental rules and procedures. The far-Right Republicans have also bullied their more moderate colleagues into taking more extreme stances, thus leaving ultra-Rightists as the only choice for more moderate voters who lean naturally toward the Republicans or don't wish to vote for the Democrats. Therefore, the far-Right has succeeded in advancing an extreme economic and military ideology that is far from the Centrist view of the vast majority of Americans. The political science evidence is solid, and goes very far in realistically explaining what's wrong with modern American politics, without stooping to slogans and epithets. Another advantage of this book is its very plausible ideas for solutions (except for a rosy request for the re-empowerment of labor unions), which deal in real political tactics and making change from within the existing political structure, and these are far beyond the utopian idealism of the popular commentators. Those with a real understanding of real politics will appreciate the scientific strength of this book.

However, there are a few rather large gaps in Hacker and Pierson's methodology, especially with their neglect of American voter behavior. They dabble occasionally in issues of low voter turnout and lack of effective media information. However, they avoid the severe modern problem of American voters choosing candidates based on thin and hyperbolic moral issues, and actually believing that such candidates will deliver comparable economic and sociopolitical policies. When a citizen votes for a politician who is likely to export his job overseas and wreck his local economy, just because that candidate is against gay marriage, this is a destructive trend that Hacker and Pierson overlook (they also miss the related issue of the complete aimlessness of the Democrats in recent years). Also, Hacker and Pierson base their fundamental arguments on the sanctity of "the center" in American political history, and how prior trends of extremism have been reined in by natural moderation in the electorate and the constitutional political structure. Unfortunately, the authors pretty much take this concept as a given, and this beloved "center" may actually be an overly wishful view of the past. [~doomsdayer520~]

Excellent Description of the Problem, Miss the Solution.......2006-05-02

This is a tremendous book. It joins "The Cultural Creatives," "The Radical Center" and "Breach of Trust" (by Tom Coburn, about how the "Party" turns elected representatives into slaves to the party line and against their constituencies). When combined with the latter books and Ralph Nader's long-standing complaints about "the system," these authors can take credit for adding useful new insights as to how extremist Republicans (who can indeed be likened to Hitler's movement in the efficacy of their take-over of a Nation with limited numbers--and I say this as a moderate Republican furious over the loss of MY party's reason) have pulled off the theft of a Nation and the looting of the middle class through the working poor.

I am especially taken with the authors' examination of how the extremist Republicans have been able to systematically lie to the public and get away with it. Their discussion of "backlash insurance" and how they have managed to coerce the moderate Republicans (such as my favorite moderate Republican, Congressman Rob Simmons, R-CT-02) into going along is a very helpful contribution to public understanding of how we got so far off center.

The authors conclude with a fine review of the four major obstacles to political reform.

Where they fall short is in failing to develop a solution. A number of us in the Greater Democracy movement have in fact developed a solution, and in the next three lines I hope you will see our solution as a fitting epilogue to this five-star book:

1) Accept that the Democrats cannot beat the Republicans base on base, issue on issue, or even on leadership, nor do we want them to. Instead, we need to create a Citizens Party that is a non-rival (this is important--NON-RIVAL) "second home" or "dual membership" party with wings for each of the existing parties--Democratic, Republican, Green, Reform, Libertarian, etcetera. This coalition of moderate Republicans, conservative Democrats, and all others can indeed beat the extremist Republican base if it aligns with the left of center but at least not lunatic Democratic base.

2) Accept that there is one issue and one issue ONLY where we can all agree: that the government is out of control and we need to restore representative democracy through a National Electoral Reform Act of 2007.

3) Finally, focus in 2006 on getting every incumbent and every challenger to join the Citizens Party and testify in writing that they will support the National Election Act of 2007 or face recall. Agree, or retire.

This is not rocket science. With the Internet where it is now, and the ground-breaking work of Joe Trippi (see also my review of his book, of Bill Moyer's "Doing Democracy, and of "Crashing the Gate"), we can do this.

The authors help make the case for WHY we have to go for broke this time around--it's all for one and one for all time. We stick together on this one, this time, or we surely will go nuclear, fascist, and broke.

the new party in power.......2006-03-21

Very informative. i don't necessarily agree with every point made, but it certainly makes you think about the whole picture and how are government is really being run, as opposed to what we are allowed to see.

Hacker and Pierson argue that Politics has become seriously `off center' and more so in the direction of the Republican Party. "The transformations of the Republican Party...the increasingly conservative (and increasingly Southern) leadership of the GOP has reflected and refracted the growing power of the base in its successful quest to reshape the party it heads." (H&P, 2005, p.111). The Republican Party have reorganized their whole organization, starting from the Base, going back to grass roots, and focusing on a whole new type of game plan included with insurance policies if all else should fail (backlash insurance). The new Republican Party, to this point, has been successful because of its strong alliance to the Base, the enforcement and commitment of all of its members, and especially the discipline and coordination that is constantly displayed among them. The Republican Party has come to thrive on the "...increased inequality of resources and organization between the rich, the radical, and the rest." (H&P, 2005, p.111).

Must read guide for protecting Democracy.......2006-03-18

Democracy has generally had a leveling effect that pushes most politicians to the center. Historically extremists in politics are squeezed out as their values and agendas diverge from the general public. So how is it that the Republican Party has managed to increasingly move further away from the center and continue to be elected? How do you sell snow to Eskimos? It seems that there is a growing disconnect between the desires of the electorate and their voting.

I look back fondly on the days when I only disagreed with the Republican Party on general policy issues. The truth is that the current Republican Party is literally tearing Democracy apart at the seams. It starts with the primaries where the GOP consistently throws its support behind right leaning ideologues creating a swarm of like minded sycophants willing to tow the party line. Candidates are controlled by their purse strings thanks to the ballooning cost of elections. They find themselves indebted to those with the biggest pockets and to the GOP itself thanks to a dramatic increase in campaign funds coming from the party itself. Lower and middle class voters are left with almost no voice in Washington. After being elected, Republican politicians are constantly monitored for ideological purity by groups like Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth. Stray too far and next election you'll find yourself with a strong challenger from the GOP itself. The increasingly irrelevant `moderate' Republican's seem to have taken their position in stride voting against party lines only when the votes are irrelevant. It creates a lock step mentality following the lead of the increasingly powerful Executive Branch. "In 2003, [voting along party lines] reached the highest levels in the five decades in which they have been tallied" There is a breakdown in the separation of powers and marginalization of the opposition party as debate is stifled by a Republican Party that seems uninterested in hearing opposing ideas.

Meanwhile the GOP has worked to become the puppet master over lobbyists with Congressman like Tom DeLay DEMANDING support and cash from lobbyists for congressional bills that have yet to be presented like the Social Security reform bill. Companies have to pay for a seat at the table and in the case of the pharmaceutical industry the authors write that it, "now contributes 80 percent of its money to Republicans. PhRMA has essentially become an extension of the GOP."

The authors write, "voters have proved no match for a mobilized and coordinated conservative movements capable of managing the agenda and shaping and distorting the flow of information to citizens." Perhaps nothing is more important to the Bush administration than controlling the flow of information and their mendacity is legendary. From Cheney's blatant lie saying the energy bill contains, "...no new financial subsidies of any kind for the oil and gas industries" to the monumental $135 billion dollar lie about the cost of Bush's Medicare `reform'. The authors quote despicable GOP pollster Frank Luntz who advises that, "A compelling story, even if factually inaccurate, can be more emotionally compelling than a dry recitation of the truth" There is such an endless laundry list of egregiousness committed on the American public from government sponsored propaganda to selective leaks to press intimidation.

The authors close with some insight from James Madison who said that "parchment barriers" were not sufficient to protect democratic freedoms. Rules can be rewritten, un-enforced or re-interpreted to their breaking point. The Bush administration has shown even American democracy can be a very brittle thing when those in charge have the desire to usurp it and it's up to the electorate to right the wrongs that have been committed.

Perhaps nothing sums up the current GOP like this quote from Tom DeLay to reporter Elizabeth Drew, "You've got to understand, we are ideologues. We have an agenda. We have a philosophy. I want to repeal the Clean Air Act. No one came to me and said, `Please repeal the Clean Air Act.' We say to the lobbyists, `Help us.' We know what we want to do and we find people to help us."

Off Center: the Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy; With a New Afterword

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Off Center: the Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy; With a New Afterword
Jacob S. Hacker
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7CCWO

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Off Center : The Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy
Jacob S and Paul Pierson Hacker
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OSH90C

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