Masterpieces of Painting from the Portland Museum of Art: 24 Full-Color Postcards (Card Books)

Book Description

24 full-color postcard reproductions reflect the Portland Museum’s rich and varied holdings of paintings by American and European artists. 8 of the paintings are by Winslow Homer. Other Americans included: Hopper, Wyeth, Marin, Bellows, Hartley, Davis, Sargent and Bierstadt. Among the Europeans: da Vinci, Monet, Matisse, Magritte and Chagall.

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Not what I expected.

The Big 40!: Are You Ready to Face . . .The Best Age Ever
Joshua Albertson , Lockhart Steele , and Jonathan Van Gieson
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Turning 40 : Wit, Wisdom, and Whining

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What You Don't Know About Turning 40: A Funny Birthday Quiz

You Know You're 40 When...

On Women Turning Forty: Coming into Our Fullness

ASIN: 1400050146
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Book Description

Do you know someone turning the Big 40?

Are you approaching the age yourself and worried about being “over the hill”? Are you looking for the perfect birthday gift? Featuring everything you wanted to know about your 40s—and a few things you probably didn’t—The Big 40! offers a chance to reflect on past accomplishments, look ahead to future successes, and completely freak out—all at the same time. Use it to find out how you stack up against other 40somethings, or adapt it into the ultimate trivia party game.

For instance, did you know that turning 40 means you are now older than 58% of America, and that you’ve lost 10% of your muscle mass in the last decade? And that almost 90% of 40-year-olds are in debt? But don’t despair—at 40, Lucille Ball’s television career was just beginning, Gandhi’s plan for civil disobedience was just an outline, and John Glenn’s career was about to go into orbit. Chances are you own a home (71%), you feel you’re in good or excellent health (87%), and you are happy (51%). About 91% of women and 88% of men have been married, 82% have children, and, best of all, you’re still gettin’ it on—1.8 times a week.

These are but a few of the factoids, demographic stats, quotes, biographical sketches, and sage and not-so-sage observations in this illustrated celebration of this landmark birthday and the decade that follows. Do not panic! The Big 40 could possibly be the best age ever.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected........2007-01-19

I was looking for a funny gift for my girlfriend's 40th birthday...this one was a bit too serious for her.

Book Description

This book is a wide-ranging introduction to the long history and provocative debates about the interactions between film and literature. KEY TOPICS: Film and Literature: A Reader presents essays from a variety of cultures that address the major issues in the exchange between film and literature since the beginning of the twentieth century. The book provides landmark discussions of different genres and practices (such as poetry and movies or film scripts as literature) through writings by such figures as Vachel Lindsay, Walter Benjamin, and Alexander Astruc. It presents a concise, but detailed history of film and literature and the critical terms and techniques used in film and literary analysis as well as a detailed history of the bond between film and literature, from theatrical narratives of the silent film era to recent blockbuster adaptations of Shakespeare and Jane Austen. It also features introductions to each essay and suggests how the essays may be used to analyze works involving film and literature. An essential resource for every reader interested in film.

Customer Reviews:

An Engaging Intro to "Film and Literature".......2007-09-20

In the preface to his book FILM AND LITERATURE, Timothy Corrigan notes the "enormous scope" of the topic. Wisely, he subtitles the book "An Introduction and Reader."

Part I, "Film and Literature in the Crosscurrents of History," comprises eight brief and lively chapters, beginning with the silent era of theatrical depictions to the adaptations of novels. Among the problematic adaptations dicussed are The Grapes of Wrath, The Shining, and Lolita.

Part II, "Critical Borders and Boundaries: Analytical Categories for Film and Literature" introduces basic concepts in Film and Literary Studies.

Part III, "Major Documents and Debates," more than two-thirds of the book, is an anthology of essays on cinema excerpted from the writings of influential scholars such as Walter Benjamin, Sergei Eisenstein, Andre Bazin, George Bluestone, and Kristin Thompson.

The book makes very engaging reading.

-- C J Singh

Film and Literature: An Introduction and Reader

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Film and Literature: An Introduction and Reader
Timothy Corrigan
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KXZDEU

Average customer rating:

Excellent

A Unique Understanding

So Helpful

Entertaining and Interesting

Not the book you need

Making and Marketing Music: The Musician's Guide to Financing, Distributing, and Promoting Albums
Jodi Summers
Manufacturer: Allworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Recording & Sound | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Billboard Guide to Music Publicity

This Business of Music Marketing and Promotion, Revised and Updated Edition

Start and Run Your Own Record Label, Revised and Expanded Edition

Making It in the Music Business: The Business and Legal Guide for Songwriters and Performers

All You Need To Know About the Music Business: 6th Edition

ASIN: 1581153872

Book Description

This industry-savvy guide will help musicians of all levels make the album that best complements their skills and meets their career objectives. Revealed here are the who, what, where, when and how of album making, and the tools to sell and prosper in the business. Included are interviews with P. Diddy, Ozzy Osbourne, and members of Linkin Park, and other top industry professionals.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-05-20

Great, great great! That just sums all there is to be said about this book. With a step by step structure and structured reading this book takes you through the steps of recording, getting the album into the stores, booking concerts and managing the finances. Good title for managers and musicians alike, but songwriters and producers will love it too because ti opens up lots of closed doors and gives a lot of unseen information. Recommended for novices and experienced people alike, do not miss.

A Unique Understanding.......2001-09-15

Ms. Summers demonstrates a unique understanding of the inner-workings of the
music industry. Her insights are often pithy, helpful and even humorous. This
tome should be assigned reading for anyone wishing to make a career within
the oft-confusing walls of the contemporary music world.

So Helpful.......2001-09-15

I have own a marketing company in Portland, OR,and after "Almost Famous" came out I decided to branchout into the music business and have found everything Jodi has written to be so helpful.

Thank you
Pennie Lane

Entertaining and Interesting.......2001-08-07

It's obvious why Billboard Magazine gave Making and Marketing Music such a great review. It's full of interesting stories on how so many different platinum bands from so many areas of music succeeded.

If you're looking for step-by-step instruction on how to market and promote your album - this book is incredibly helpful!

Not the book you need.......2001-02-07

This is not so much a book... more a collection of magazine cuttings. There are far too many short stories about other bands, mainly used in my opinion as a name-dropping exercise. There is very little actual information of any practical value, other than a few obvious references to writing better songs and presenting them to the right people. There was no indication of how to write a better song, or who the right people are, or even how to go about finding them. So much for marketing information.

The writer goes on to explain that someone DID market their own album successfully. May as well have said that someone DID land on the moon, but no indication of HOW to go about preparing your music (or your spaceship) to do the same.

Very disappointing all round, or maybe my expectations were a little high, which is also possible, isn't it.

Average customer rating:

Old to New

Better than the original

Liscensing/pay to play policy recinded

New Take on Vampire

Mind's Eye Theatre: The Requiem (Vampire the Requiem)
Ari Marmell , Dean Shomshak , C.A. Suleiman , Andrew J. Scott , Alex Teodorescu-Badia , and Peter Woodworth
Manufacturer: White Wolf Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Mind's Eye Theatre (Minds Eye Theatre)

The Invictus (Vampire)

Ordo Dracul (Vampire: The Requiem)

Carthians (Vampire)

Changeling: the Lost

ASIN: 1588465233

Book Description

There's Music in the Night
As the sun fades into memory and the world falls into darkness, the haunting notes of the danse macabre echo, calling the undead to play their nightly games. From turf wars in the streets to cutting remarks at society parties, old grudges spill fresh blood as vampires vie for power and prominence. It's a world without pity, a world of predators. Now that you're one of them, it's your world too.

Won't You Join Us?
The Requiem provides all the information necessary to bring the mysterious existence of vampires to your Mind's Eye Theatre(tm) game. Secret histories of the undead, the clans and covenants that make up the danse macabre, rules for the mystic Disciplines -- it's all here. Discover the nocturnal world as you've never seen it before. Requires the Mind's Eye Theatre rulebook for play.

Customer Reviews:

Old to New.......2006-06-06

I was one of those hardcore Old World of Darkness players - I swore that I would NEVER touch the NWoD. What a mistake!

I have begun playing in the new system. The new system I have found to be fast, effective, and fun! The LARP system for NwoD is far more effective and easy to use with more depth and dimension than the orginal LARP system.

Also, this book is hardcover, meaning it can survive the abuses a LARP can dish out even better.

Better than the original.......2005-09-22

An excellent reset of the LARP system. Most of the book is essentially reprinted from the sit-down book, but there are some subtle changes. Transferring characters from RP to LARP is essentially effortless, as very little changes. A few disciplines change how they work, such as Vigor, but the dots on the paper don't change. I love the new Status system; it'll create even more political unrest and machinations than before. In some ways, Status might be the most important of all the stats in the live-action. Combat is less deadly by comparison; it's difficult to kill anyone now, which is probably a good thing. Poison their friends against them though...which to me is more what Vampire should be about.

I know there are always going to be those that cling desperately to the old ways; gamers are often the worst of the lot when it comes to this, still playing 1st edition Dungeons & Dragons or whatever. But if you approach this with something of an open mind, you will be impressed. I know I was.

Liscensing/pay to play policy recinded.......2005-07-18

White Wolf has responded to customer criticism and shelved the proposed liscensing policy mentioned in a previous review, so don't make your decision based on that information...

New Take on Vampire.......2005-07-09

If you are interested in old style world of darkness vampires, this game is not for you. If you enjoy party based games like D&D on a smaller scale, then this game is for you. Of course, I wish a shorter version of this book existed.

Average customer rating:

Excellent for homeschooling moms!

Great read for Catholic home schooling moms.

Wonderful Read

broad audience will benefit

Great book, helpful ideas

A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul
Holly Pierlot
Manufacturer: Sophia Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Inspirational | Catholicism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Temperament God Gave You: The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with Others, and Growing Closer to the Lord

The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith

Parenting With Grace: Catholic Parent's Guide to Raising Almost Perfect Kids

Holiness for Housewives: And Other Working Women

Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime: The Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids

ASIN: 1928832415

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for homeschooling moms!.......2007-07-08

What an awesome book! This book helps put any stressed mother's life into perspective using her 5 "P" method, regardless of whether you're homeschooling, a stay-at-home mother, or work outside the home. Holly's solutions regarding stress reduction, scheduling, and remaining flexible have changed my ideas about how to organize and run my own home and family. Highly recommended for any Catholic (or Christian) mother who wants to serve God and her family with peace and love.

Great read for Catholic home schooling moms........2006-12-31

I really enjoyed reading Holly's book. I would def. reccomend it to anyone wanting a pick me up when feeling overwhelmed with home school and motherhood in general.

Wonderful Read.......2006-12-05

I think that this book is a must read for moms who are trying to balance family christianity and self. I plan to read again!

broad audience will benefit.......2006-08-24

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even return to re read parts of it. I am not Catholic ( I am Protestant) have teen agers and work outside the home as well and I found it so encouraging and am so blessed to have found it. For any women trying to get advise and inspiration on getting a mess straightened out as a tool to opening themselves up to the special blessings the Lord has for you. Susanna

Great book, helpful ideas.......2006-05-24

I enjoyed reading this book. I have used some of her suggestions in regard to starting a routine for my children and sticking with it. For example , schedule clean up before something fun or mealtime so the children have something to look forward to. This may be common sense to alot of people but it is something I have not thought of before.
In addition, she mentions Mother Theresa and how her schedule or Rule of Life inspired her to make a Mother's Rule for her family.

Books received from Catholic publishers.(Book notes)("Come and see Catholic Bible Study": Prophets and Apostles)(Catholic for a Reason 111: Scripture & ... Review): An article from: Catholic Insight

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Books received from Catholic publishers.(Book notes)("Come and see Catholic Bible Study": Prophets and Apostles)(Catholic for a Reason 111: Scripture & ... Review): An article from: Catholic Insight

Manufacturer: Catholic Insight
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00084BQME
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Catholic Insight, published by Catholic Insight on October 1, 2004. The length of the article is 497 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: Books received from Catholic publishers.(Book notes)("Come and see Catholic Bible Study": Prophets and Apostles)(Catholic for a Reason 111: Scripture & the Mystery of the Mass)(Faith Facts II: Answers to Catholic Questions)(A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul)(A Faith for Grownups: A Midlife Conversation About What Really Matters)(In the Arras of Angels: True Stories of Heavenly Guardians)(Book Review)
Publication: Catholic Insight (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2004
Publisher: Catholic Insight
Volume: 12 Issue: 9 Page: 44(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

A Mother's Rule of Life: How to bring order to your home and peace to your soul.(Book Review) : An article from: Catholic Insight

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A Mother's Rule of Life: How to bring order to your home and peace to your soul.(Book Review) : An article from: Catholic Insight
Camilla Gunnarson
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Catholic Insight, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1088 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: A Mother's Rule of Life: How to bring order to your home and peace to your soul.(Book Review)
Author: Camilla Gunnarson
Publication: Catholic Insight (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 13 Issue: 7 Page: 42(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

For over forty years much of the world was held captive by a conflict between two wholly incompatible economic ideologies—capitalism and communism—and the two primary superpower countries who practiced them, the United States and the Soviet Union. Written in accessible language for readers with little or no previous knowledge about the subject, this work is first a general history of the Cold War, with an overview of its root causes and the policies and theories that were in place from 1947 through 1990. A thoroughly annotated chronology of important Cold War events follows. Short biographies of some of the major United States political figures and world leaders conclude the work.

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Bullseye- Right on - a sobering, yet accurate, assessment

This book shows how vulnerable the United States is

We Are Sitting On A Time Bomb

Practical Security

The First Stone in the Foundation for Protecting the Homeland

America the Vulnerable: How Our Government Is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism
Stephen Flynn
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
International Security | Freedom & Security | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Terrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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The Edge of Disaster: Rebuilding a Resilient Nation

Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe

Open Target: Where America Is Vulnerable to Attack

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The Next Attack: The Failure of the War on Terror And a Strategy for Getting It Right

ASIN: 0060571292
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Amazon.com

The most gripping portion of Stephen Flynn's examination of America's defense shortcomings in the war on terror arrives early. The entire second chapter imagines an elaborate but feasible dirty-bomb attack that brings the nation's transportation system to a halt and presents the President with two dreadful options: reopen borders closed by the emergency and risk further attack, or inspect everything that comes into the country and accept the cataclysmic economic consequences. Flynn, a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations and veteran of the George H. W. Bush and Clinton administrations, paints a picture of a government that is flailing in its efforts to protect its citizens. We are, Flynn argues, hamstrung by entrenched intelligence bureaucracies and ideological power centers on the right and left, and he isn't optimistic about the near-term likelihood that we'll meet our greatest challenge: "identifying how to formally engage the broader civil society and private sector, not just the federal government, in a national effort to make America a less attractive terrorist target." America the Vulnerable isn't as powerful or contentious as the bestseller Imperial Hubris; Flynn is a practical government veteran who keeps his outrage largely in check. It's clear he aims to have an impact with this expose of a national defense he compares to France's in the days of the Maginot line. And we know how effective that "impenetrable" defense stood up in the face of an unconventional opponent. --Steven Stolder

Book Description

In this powerful and urgently needed call to action, national security expert Stephen Flynn offers a startling portrait of the radical shortcomings in America's plan for homeland security. He describes a frightening scenario of what the next major terrorist attack might look like -- revealing the tragic loss of life and economic havoc it would leave in its wake, as well as the seismic political consequences it would have in Washington. Flynn also shows us how to prepare for such a disaster, outlining a bold yet practical plan for achieving security in a way that is safe and smart, effective and manageable.

In this new world of heightened risk and fear, America the Vulnerable delivers a timely, forceful message that cannot be ignored.

Customer Reviews:

Bullseye- Right on - a sobering, yet accurate, assessment.......2007-07-22

This book, like Stephen Flynn's "Edge of Disaster" succinctly dissects the problems we face in warding off terrorism at home and exposes our vulnerabilities. They are large - ports, shipping, energy infrastructure, chemical plants, food processing facilities, for openers.
Flynn describes the problem only too well,

At the root of the problem is the Department of Homeland Security's secrecy, lack of internal coordination, turf battles, and incompatabile data base systems. Equally problematic is the complacency of the AMerican people, who are being shielded from the realities by a patronizing government.

Flynn ascribes the current situation to be comparable to the "phony war" between the time of the nazi attack in Poland in 1939, and the invasion and capitulation of France in the SPring of 1940 because of failure to consider, plan and consider new battlefield tactics. In short, the French (and also the British, were using WOrld War I tactics to fight new German panzer tactics. The parallels of today's attitudes and the last days of the Roman EMpire also are, indeed, chilling.

The government is not the only culprit that lulls our citizens into complacency. In my personal opinion, the news media does not help with its focus on the trivial, a hiding of coverage of the war on terror, and seldom reviewing the vulnerabilities Flynn covers so well and rallying our citizenry to the realities of what's at stake.

The solutions?: Active involvement of citizens; Active involvement of government with relevant private industry; open communicatioan with all relevant players in state and local government; making infrastructure sufficiently resilient that terrorists no longer find a potential target attractive.

WHat is needed, and implied, is a revival of an approach pioneered by NASA in the early 1960's when they had to establish operational paradigms and procedures for which there was no precedent. It's called 'conceptual blockbusting'. FLynn's book will help us get there, if everyone reads it.

Flynn quotes Abraham Lincoln concerning new paradigms:

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with uncertainty, and we must rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."

It's as relevant now in the war on terro as it was in 1962.

BUY this book, and buy extra copies for your loved ones and closest friends.

This book shows how vulnerable the United States is.......2007-02-19

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the short comings of our Homeland Security Department. I initially bought the book after thumbing through it and finding a section on the lack of security with our cargo containers, a specific worry of mine.

This book not only breaks down where we are vulnerable, it explains why and offers workable solutions as to how to reduce this vulnerability. The book is a bit frightening in a way, when you read and realize how vulnerable we really are, even after 6 years of security measures. Why isn't more being done? What are the government officials covering up?

What makes this book hit like a sledgehammer is the credentials of the author. He was a Coast Guard Commander for 20 years, an expert in National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been on Congressional Task forces studying the problems in homeland security as well as serving in the White House Military Office during President George H. Bush administration and director for Global Issues on the National Security Council during the Administration of President Bill Clinton. Stephen Flynn is obviously an expert on this issue and his words should be given their due weight.

Bottom line, insightful, a bit frightening, definitely a book to read if you like current events or really want to know how safe we actually are.

We Are Sitting On A Time Bomb.......2006-05-20

That is how one of the chapters starts. It's a matter of when the next terrorist attack will happen, not if it will happen, according to the author, Stephen Flynn.

With absolute simplicity, common sense logic, and an irrefutable argument, he demonstrates how and why our government is failing to protect us from the terrorist threat. Industry and government are not willing to take the time and the money required to provide greater security for a war on terrorism that will never end.

Our water and food supplies, our chemical plants, and our ports are alrmingly unsecure from terrorist attack. Flynn creates a terrorist scenario demonstrating how the terrorist threat can become reality. He asserts our enemies are willing to spend the time to create the act of terror, while we are not willing to spend the time defending ourselves to foil it.

He blames industries which see no benefit in spending the money on security which will be passed on to their consumers, while non-security minded companies will maintain lower prices and take business away from the security-conscious ones.

This means that congress must act. It must set security standards that will be implemented across each industry thus spreading the cost to everyone. So far, congress, not wanting to offend their million dollar contributors have done nothing. Flynn also suggests that Americans must be willing to make the sacrifices necessary for this security.

We are operating on a World War II mentality i.e. the best defense is a good offense by taking the fight to their countries. That is not what Flynn recommends. Terrorists will always be able to get into this country. We must strengthen our security at home which will take years of dedicated preparation and action.

The author's book is a siren song. The beginning of his fourth chapter bears repeating as a end to this review. "When it comes to dealing with the new security agenda, Americans need to grow up....Terrorism is simply too cheap, too available, and too tempting ever to be totally eradicated. We must have the maturity both to live with the risk of future attacks and to invest in reasonable measures to rein in that risk."

For those who use the argument that we haven't been attacked since 9/11, remember, it took five years of planning. 9/11 is now more than five years ago. Truly, American apathy and complacency are the terrorists' greatest allies.

Practical Security.......2006-04-03

This is a clearly written, well reasoned book on how to provide real security for the U.S. homeland. To his credit, its author Stephan Flynn wastes no time either in partisan bashing of the current administration or in dissecting the many faults of the Department of Homeland Security. Rather he immediately shares his analysis of why domestic security in the U.S .is such an elusive goal. In the course of a number of chapters he builds a pretty strong case that in spite of all the talk, the U.S. is just as vulnerable to terrorist attacks as it was in 2000 before the 9/11 catastrophe. Flynn provides some specific examples what these vulnerabilities are and is especially effective in his analysis of shipping port vulnerabilities as a result of the exponential growth of containerized shipping. He also provides what appears to be a sensible and more importantly doable plan to actually reduce our vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks. He is an advocate of applying that long held business concept of `risk management' to the practice of homeland security. Like Richard Posner (Preventing Surprise Attacks - amazon.com) he points out the impossibility of making the U.S. completely immune to any terrorist threat and argues that it makes far better sense to rationally and logically identify which potential targets in the U.S. would cause the most loss of life and economic or social disruption if attacked and build a dynamic and multilayered defensive system to protect those targets.

Of course, Flynn is a former Coast Guard officer so his prescriptions for protecting America are practical not theoretical. Having spent twenty years protecting U.S. interests in our coastal waters, his thought on how to protect this country is based on a realistic understanding of the threats we face and a knowledge of what actually can be done to mitigate those threats. It is a shame that the Department of Homeland Security has not seen fit to follow his example.

The First Stone in the Foundation for Protecting the Homeland .......2006-02-14

This book focuses practically entirely on the vulnerabilities of the American homeland, and offers some suggestions that could begin to lay the foundation for protecting those vulnerabilities. The book does not talk about the war on terror in the terms of the offensive operations such as Iraq, Afghanistan, intelligence matters, and targeted killings of Al-Qaeda at all.

The author's cogent argument rests on the concept of defense in depth. In addition to offensive operations to route out the terrorists, we also need to make our homeland less susceptible to successful attack and more resilient to the aftermath of the inevitable one that slips through the net.

The homeland is defined not just as American territory, but extends to include the global commercial, transportation, trading, and financial networks that are central to our way of life and our economy. This represents a rich field of targets for terrorists, with successful attacks being able to ripple through the networks and cause continuing and ongoing damage. Flynn opens his book with a scenario of an attack on shipping containers, and transportation links with radiological devices. The hypothetical comes off as very plausible and sobering.

The remainder of the book talks about what the major vulnerabilities of America are, such as chemical plants, food distribution, overextended medical systems via biological or chemical attacks, etc. He shows that we currently lack the capabilities, organizational structure, and practices to adequately secure these vulnerabilities.

He provides what are really "glimpses" of possible solutions to these problems, including RFID tracking of cargo containers and food shipments with embedded WMD sensors, government security standards for critical and hazardous infrastructure (nuke plants, water treatment facility chlorine gad tanks, etc.) continuing reorganization at the federal, state and local level to focus on security, insurance measures, and a particularly innovative concept to enlist private company participation patterned after the Federal Reserve system.

However at the length of this short and easily readable (if not pleasently readable) book Flynn cannot go into detail. The cost and time of implementing such systems are not gone into in a satisfactory manner, but that's not the point of the book.

The point of the book is that the government needs to do more to protect our homefront. Flynn convincingly makes his case, and provides reasonable guidelines about how to improve upon the situation.

A good read for American citizens who want to ensure that we are doing the best we can to protect our civilization.

America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism.(America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us ... review) : An article from: Military Review

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America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism.(America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us ... review) : An article from: Military Review
James (American investment banker) Craig
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Terrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Military Review, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2006. The length of the article is 511 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: America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism.(America The Vulnerable: How Our Government is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism)(Book review)
Author: James (American investment banker) Craig
Publication: Military Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 86 Issue: 1 Page: 123(2)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

America the Vulnerable : How Our Government Is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism

Average customer rating:

America the Vulnerable : How Our Government Is Failing to Protect Us from Terrorism
Stephen Flynn
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF6T6U

Book Description

Volume 4 of HANZAB covers 119 species, of which 107 breed in the region. They include some of the most spectacular birds found in HANZAB, such as cockatoos and cockatriel; parrots, fig-parrots, rosellas and lorikeets; cuckoos and koels; owls; barn owls; frog mouths; nightjars; goatsuckers or nighthawks; owlet-nightjars; swifts; kingfishers; bee-eaters; dollarbirds. The information is presented in sections; field identification, habitat, distribution and population, movements, food, social organization, social behavioura, voice, breeding, plumages, and external morphology. The accounts include black and white illustrations of behavioural postures and plumage features, maps showing breeding and non-breeding distribution, sonograms of calls and songs, and diagrams of timing of breeding and moulting. The accounts conclude with a full list of references.

Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds : Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbirds (Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds)

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Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds : Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbirds (Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds)
Peter Higgins
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MUFLRA

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