Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia

Book Description

During the past decade, archaeology in Southeast Asia has forged ahead, with many new discoveries being made in all areas. This new synthesis begins with the early hunters and gatherers, and concludes with the early states, with particular reference to Angkor. It reflects the new maturity of our understanding of Southeast Asia's past, moving well beyond the claims of extraordinary early agriculture, bronze and iron that bedevilled the discipline in the 1970s. New ideas and interpretations abound. The hunter-gatherer sequence now stretched back over 10,000 years, and continues to the present day. Where formerly the transition to rice cultivation was sought locally, it is now documented first in the Yangzi Valley whence, the author suggests, farming communities expanded southwards along the major river valleys into a new, tropical world.

The first knowledge of copper and bronze casting is seen as the southward extension of a process of diffusion that began in the Near East. Crossing the steppes, metallurgy came to Gansu and the Yellow River Valley before spreading into Southeast Asia.

In conjunction with his own excavations in Northeast Thailand, Higham has reviewed the widespread evidence for deep-seated cultural changes with the Iron Age that heralded the transition to early states. This allows for a deeper understanding of the strong local cultural currents found in the civilizations of Angkor, Champa and Dvaravati.

This book stands as the only up to date systhesis of the early cultures of a huge area. Richly illustrated with many previously unpublished color images, it is a unique compendium essential for all those interested in this region.

Customer Reviews:

A good book for new models........2001-11-28

I have worked as a model for 7 years, in different parts of the world. So I have knowledge of the business. Why do I have this book? Well, the book was given to me as a present.

This book will be good for "new faces (a term used to describe a model who is just beginning)".

And Natasha covers everything there is to cover, -as usual.

The reason I only give it 4 stars, is that sometimes in order to understand an explanation, you will have to look up another word.

Product Description

The transition from silent to sound films is a fascinating time in the history of mass entertainment. In the audiences eyes, the halting, stagebound earliest talkies paled in comparison to the fluid, lyrical silents they replaced. Within a few years the technology improved, allowing filmmakers to produce pictures with the added benefits of dialogue, song and sound. However, that five-year period was long enough for careers to have ripened or been ruined and for studio fortunes to have been made or lost. This study of early sound shorts begins with an explanation of the development of sound motion pictures in Hollywood by such influential companies as Warner Bros. and Fox, with an emphasis on short subjects, leading up to the first few months when all of the major studios were capable of producing them. The next chapters discuss the impact on other mass entertainments, the development of audible news reels and other non-fiction shorts, as well as the origins of animated sound subjects. A comprehensive list of pre1932 Americanmade shorts completes the volume. These shorts are organized by studio and type, but for readers starting from scratch, there is an extensive index of film titles and people.

Customer Reviews:

I Wish it Were Better.......2005-07-20

I really enjoyed Mr. Bradley's previous book on the first sound musicals, but this one falls short. Not only is there not enough actual text, but there is no indication of the availability of these rare shorts. Mostly it is a list of the shorts themselves, with a one sentence synopsis, and a credit list. And the lists aren't in chronological order, they're featured alphebetically. Some of the photos have incomplete captions. For the cover photo he only identifies two of the actors featured, and in one glaring omission Mr. Bradley identifies an obscure band leader without mentioning the very young Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey who are clearly sitting on the bandstand. Nice try on this one, but I was largely unsatisfied. The third star is for the exhaustively researched filmography.

Book Description

A rare photographic portrait of the world's greatest band

When the Beatles first incorporated an Indian string instrument called the sitar in the first notes of their classic song Norwegian Wood, they would forever change the sound and direction of pop music. They were beginning a love affair with Indian mysticism and music that would take them on a historic pilgrimage to the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles in Rishikesh is photographer Paul Saltzman's unique and beautiful record of his historic meeting with Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr at this special moment in their musical and personal lives.

Because no professional photographers were allowed in the ashram, Saltzman has captured the only quality photographs of the band during this time period. Featuring 75 original, previously unpublished photographs as well as personal anecdotes of encounters with the hip and beautiful personalities of the 1960s who visited the ashram such as Mia Farrow, Donovan, and Mike Love of the Beach Boys, The Beatles in Rishikesh is an exclusive and intimate look at the world's most influential band. It is the perfect gift book for Beatles fans, pop music aficionados, and anyone fascinated by this historic moment in music.

Customer Reviews:

A MUST For Any Beatle Fan!!!!.......2002-10-28

I went to Rishikesh, India in the fall of 2000. I realized why George was so amazed of this northern India town where the Ganges turns down from The Himalayan Mtns. I was blessed to have visited such a beautiful place, as my 94 year old grandfather from Delhi and my dad (Who's originally from northern India) took me to some amazing spots in Rishikesh. I felt so free. I felt the 'magic' The Beatles experienced. This book illustrates the journey of the fab four's 1967-68 visit for 'relaxation & meditation' and the outcome (Many of the songs recorded for "The White Album" were written while hanging and meditating at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram) The pictures (taken by the author of this book) are large and will grab you - This book is for The Beatle fan in you or someone you know. JG "The Bear"

Disappointing.......2001-04-27

I found this book to be more filler than substance.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR TO INDIA.......2001-03-26

The photographs in this book are truly a treat for any Beatle afficionado as well as anyone who comes across this book.

Although there is little in the way of fresh factual material, the pictures, text and recreating the 1967-1968 period in the Beatles' career is sure to delight any reader.

I like the way the author describes the sitar, an Indian stringed musical instrument that Ravi Shankar and George Harrison popularized in Western music. This book shows the cultural blending, the introduction to the western world at large a musical instrument that was, for many years, not well known outside of the middle east. George, under Shankar's tutelage masters the sitar and the Eastern influence can be heard in many of his later works as well as post-Beatles works.

John Lennon, of late 1965 "Norwegian Wood" fame is not as entranced with the eastern world and eastern philosophy as his bandmate. John, from all accounts, keeps an open mind, yet maintains his own established values and beliefs. His approach to the Eastern experience appears to be that of an intellectual curiosity; he does not appear to embrace it on a personal or philosophical level. He seems to remain outside, yet looking in with the idea of learning more about what he is witnessing.

I think most Beatles fans will appreciate the book. It does a rather thorough job of covering the Beatles' 1967 trip to India and the influences their trip east had on them for the remainder of their careers together as a band. It is, in some ways a refreshing peek behind the Eastern curtain into a part of their lives that many other works do not cover as fully.

A visual treat but no new secrets revealed........2001-03-03

Visually, this book is a treat. Thick pages similar to the recently released Anthology, great graphics and font. The photographs of the Beatles, who are relaxed and acting like themselves are intriguing. I was disappointed, however, that I sat down and read this book in its entirety in a little over an hour. While Mr. Saltzman's casual chats with the Beatles are interesting there's no great revelations here that many fans won't already know. The photos are good but are pretty repetitious, most of them having been taken in about three different sessions. This book makes a great "coffee table" book and a good conversation starter but don't buy it expecting to learn anything new - it's just not there.

Beautiful and interesting but a bit short on written content.......2000-12-29

I just read it last night. The pictures are beautiful, intimate, and candid. Everyone looks so relaxed. But there was not actually that much content in the written part of the book. I was surprised because it looked like a long book with lots of info from the outside, but has huge print. It was more like an essay than a book.

What makes it great is to hear from someone that was there, and to see the Beatles in unrehearsed moments. I loved it!Beautiful!

Customer Reviews:

Not very sophistocated crimes.......2004-11-23

I image most people who buy this book will do so because they are interested in sophistocated crimes that rob the casinos of huge amounts on cash. This book is written by a security officer who details all the petty crime he pbserved while working at the casino, like employees selling restaurant supplies out the back on the sly. Not very interesting...

Casino Crimes and Scams.......2004-06-08

I have been in this industry for almost 20 years, and in my position always on the lookout for the scammer. However, you don't find many people who rival Ralph Taylor's knowledge in this field. His apprehension and understanding of the gaming industry enabled him to always be two steps ahead of the scammer.Every day there are more crimes and scams sucessufully attempted in the casino's. It's too bad Ralph retired we don't have enough people with his expertise. He was truly the sentinel of Crimes and Scams in the Casino Industry.

A real inside look at casino crimes and investigations.......2004-04-10

I like to watch CSI and Law & Order on TV. While I was reading about how each crime occurred I learned from begining to end how actual thefts were committed and the process used to catch the bad guys which was just like episodes from my favorite TV shows.
I highly recommend to anyone that ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes at casinos.

You learn something new everyday.......2004-04-09

I have worked in the gaming industry for over 10 years ,but until I read this book I was completely in the dark about the complex goings on everyday in my workplace. I now think of my casino as a small town.I have a new respect for the security folk whom I once though were just there to expel an unruly drunk.I realize a casino provides a criminal mind a new playground with visitors from all over the world with money to spend and the only thing on the tourist mind is having a good time and therefore have their guard down.The mere fact that the average Joe sees none of the this is a true attribute to the men and women who provide us protection as we enjoy our gaming experiance.This book opened my eyes and I learned something on every page.Great work Ralph Taylor

Wow!.......2004-04-07

On the day I received the book, I started reading it and had to stay up and finish it that night. It keep my interest and left me wanting to know more. I found myself trying to guess about the outcome of each situation. You don't realize how many "insiders" try to cheat and scam the casinos. Many people think that it is the so called "customer" doing the cheating. Excellent, easy reading. I highly recommend.

Average customer rating:

Not up to his original book --- There are more helpful books

Business Development Excellence

An experienced view of reality.

An essential 21st-century updating of the classic VITO selling system

Parinello Turns the Sales Game into an Art Form

Getting to VITO (The Very Important Top Officer): 10 Steps to VITO's Office
Anthony Parinello
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Techniques | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Business & Investing | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Selling To VITO (The Very Important Top Officer)

Secrets of VITO: Think and Sell Like a CEO

Getting the Second Appointment: How to CLOSE Any Sale in Two Calls!

Stop Cold Calling Forever

The Power to Get In: A Step-by-Step System to Get in Anyone's Door So You Have the Chance to... Make the Sale... Get the Job... Present Your Ideas

ASIN: 0471675199

Book Description

The author of the bestseller Selling to VITO returns with a 10-step plan for getting to the Very Important Top Officer's top of mind, top of wallet, and top of their "to-do" list
Anthony Parinello's Selling to VITO introduced salespeople everywhere to the Very Important Top Officer-and taught them the precise steps of how to sell to the person with the ultimate veto power. Now, Parinello returns with Getting to VITO, a one-of-a-kind sales resource that offers proven, best-practices advice on how-to get into VITO's head, get into their budgets, and get on their team as a "trusted advisor."
Based on Parinello's own extensive sales experience-as well as the experiences of the more than one million salespeople who've studied his VITO process-Getting to VITO shows salespeople how to:
* Find and pre-qualify the real VITO
* Establish real value in VITO's eyes
* Cut to the chase with seven different correspondence modalities
* Disarm every first-call objection a salesperson may encounter
* Deliver the show-stopper "elevator" pitch for every industry
* One-on-one coaching from Parinello's own professional coach!
Anthony Parinello (San Diego, CA) is the country's foremost expert on selling to top officers. His bestselling book and audiotape program Selling to VITO (The Very Important Top Officer) has sold more than 500,000 copies. Parinello's Secrets of VITO: Think and Sell Like a CEO was a Wall Street Journal bestseller and his most recent book Getting the Second Appointment has been accepted by his following as the new sales process of "choice."

Download Description

The author of the bestseller Selling to VITO returns with a 10-step plan for getting to the Very Important Top Officer's top of mind, top of wallet, and top of their "to-do" list

Anthony Parinello's Selling to VITO introduced salespeople everywhere to the Very Important Top Officer-and taught them the precise steps of how to sell to the person with the ultimate veto power. Now, Parinello returns with Getting to VITO, a one-of-a-kind sales resource that offers proven, best-practices advice on how-to get into VITO's head, get into their budgets, and get on their team as a "trusted advisor."

Based on Parinello's own extensive sales experience-as well as the experiences of the more than one million salespeople who've studied his VITO process-Getting to VITO shows salespeople how to:
* Find and pre-qualify the real VITO
* Establish real value in VITO's eyes
* Cut to the chase with seven different correspondence modalities
* Disarm every first-call objection a salesperson may encounter
* Deliver the show-stopper "elevator" pitch for every industry
* One-on-one coaching from Parinello's own professional coach!

Anthony Parinello (San Diego, CA) is the country's foremost expert on selling to top officers. His bestselling book and audiotape program Selling to VITO (The Very Important Top Officer) has sold more than 500,000 copies. Parinello's Secrets of VITO: Think and Sell Like a CEO was a Wall Street Journal bestseller and his most recent book Getting the Second Appointment has been accepted by his following as the new sales process of "choice."

Customer Reviews:

Not up to his original book --- There are more helpful books.......2007-07-07

I found value in the author's first book: "Selling to VITO" but I've been disappointed with his books since then. It seems that subsequent to his first book he has spent his time learning to market books rather than focusing on writing great books.

"Value Forward Selling," by Paul DiModica is the book to buy if you are wanting help selling up the food chain.

Business Development Excellence.......2007-02-11

Tom Peters gave us "In Search of Excellence" many years ago for developing well-run companies. This is my second "VITO" book from Mr. Parinello, and it eclipses the first one which I used very successfully. This is the guidepost for anyone who sells into Fortune 500 and global companies on finding and practicing Business Development Excellence. If you are serious about selling success, this is your "magic bullet!"
E.R.G MBA/TM
Vice President of Business Development
International Software Productivity and Engineering Institute
Kiev, Ukaine

An experienced view of reality........2007-01-11

Parinello speaks with many years of exeperience. The formula he presents actually makes the often daunting task of sales a lot of fun, because it actually places YOU in a position of control through understanding the process much more clearly. This book along with Parinello's other books have become my primary source of sales reference (and success). Andtheonline support and training is sensational.

An essential 21st-century updating of the classic VITO selling system.......2006-06-10

When Parinello's first book came out in the mid-nineties, e-mail was a novelty, the World Wide Web had barely been spun, and line managers had a heck of a lot more independent spending authority than they have today.

The massive changes in communications and business philosophies that have taken place since then have made Parinello's take-it-to-the-top selling approach all the more relevant for contemporary sales forces. This book is required reading for anybody who's ever had to stare a quota straight in the eye. If you have to buy one of Parinello's books, it should be this one.

Parinello Turns the Sales Game into an Art Form.......2005-03-14

Anthony Parinello is at it again. The sales training guru and author of several sales-related books, including the excellently written "Getting the Second Appointment" leads the way once again into the office of Very Important Top Officers (VITO). In his latest book, "Getting to Vito," Parinello elaborates even more on why it is important to reach and sell to VITO.

In this new book, the author stresses the importance of pre-planned calling, prioritization, correspondence, and many other topics that are designed to get salespeople talking with and selling to executive level officers. Not only does the book serve as a must-have reference guide but also as a motivator to all salespeople who go through the rigmarole of sweet talking gatekeepers, leaving tons of voicemail messages, and making sales presentations, and getting no results.

The chapter on how to leave voicemails (The Art of the Voice Mail Message) is a humorous and inspiring treat. Though the method he suggests requires energy, tenacity, and above all, courage, readers should expect to notice a higher number of returned calls in no time after using this technique.

Though the book contains lots of material from some of Parinello's earlier work, it should still be a useful tool for anyone who reads it and wants to sell to executives, especially those who have never read his previous books. This book is a must-have for sales folks who want to get out of the rut of performing below quota and want to make a powerful impact in sales. Parinello turns the sales game into an art form.

Recommended.

Emanuel Carpenter
[...]

Average customer rating:

Hilarious book

We thought you would be skinnier

A must read for any grown up woman!!!

An Important Thinker

Laughing Out Loud!

We Thought You Would Be Prettier: True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive
Laurie Notaro
Manufacturer: Villard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell: A Novel of Sewer Pipes, Pageant Queens, and Big Trouble

ASIN: 0812969014
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Book Description

She thought she’d have more time. Laurie Notaro figured she had at least a few good years left. But no–it’s happened. She has officially lost her marbles. From the kid at the pet-food store checkout line whose coif is so bizarre it makes her seethe “I’m going to kick his hair’s ass!” to the hapless Sears customer-service rep on the receiving end of her Campaign of Terror, no one is safe from Laurie’s wrath. Her cranky side seems to have eaten the rest of her–inner-thigh Chub Rub and all. And the results are breathtaking.

Her riffs on e-mail spam (“With all of these irresistible offers served up to me on a plate, I WANT A PENIS NOW!!”), eBay (“There should be an eBay wading pool, where you can only bid on Precious Moments figurines and Avon products, that you have to make it through before jumping into the deep end”), and the perils of St. Patrick’s Day (“When I’m driving, the last thing I need is a herd of inebriates darting in and out of traffic like loaded chickens”) are the stuff of legend. And for Laurie, it’s all true.

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious book.......2007-05-29

At least according to my wife. She has a couple of Laurie Notaro books and loves them all. Her books have become the default option for gift giving times (Mother's Day, Birthday etc) as they are a fast and fun read.

We thought you would be skinnier.......2007-05-16

Laurie Notaro is my hero. She has a great writing style. Her stories are hilarious. I suggest every woman who has ever struggled to fit in and do the right thing to read her books.

A must read for any grown up woman!!!.......2007-03-21

I laughed all the way through it, even though some of it is so true it hurts.

An Important Thinker.......2007-03-12

The book, like her previous ones, consists of humorous anecdotes, set in Phoenix (with excursions to San Francisco and New York) and slightly linked together with autobiographical detail. At the end she is moving to Oregon. She doesn't tell us why.
Notaro is an important thinker. Her work addresses the problem of the link between self-esteem, physical appearance and female sexuality. There has always been self-deprecating humor, and even feminist self-deprecating humor, but Notaro takes self-deprecation one step further, into the fearlessly confessional. She is a prose Anne Sexton. A background peaks through, but is never allowed to depress us, of childhood physical abuse, adolescent alienation, alcoholism, obesity and poor physical health. I may be over-analyzing but I found deep meaning in the story were a trapped rat suddenly arouses her compassion.

Laughing Out Loud!.......2007-03-09

I really enjoyed this book. The author had me laughing with her and I read it in a couple of days. I look forward to reading her other pieces. Would love to meet this author in real person - def. could be best friends with Jen Lancaster of "Bitter is the new Black..."

Average customer rating:

Not great, but good enough

Words fail me...

3/2 Marine

Spectacular

An Nasiriyah : The Fight For The Bridges

An Nasiriyah: The Fight for the Bridges
Gary Livingston
Manufacturer: Caisson Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Iraq | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books
General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah

ASIN: 1928724043

Book Description

NEW EXPANDED 2ND EDITION AVAILABLE WITH 20 PAGES OF PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY CAMP LEJEUNE MARINES! This is both a harrowing and a heroic account of the actions of American military fighting men on the deadliest day the War in Iraq, March 23, 2003. On that day, 18 Marines and 11 Soldiers of the Army's 507th were killed in an attack along "Ambush Alley." The Marines died when their unit the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, secured two vital bridges in the city of An Nasiriyah that allowed the 1st Marine Division to punch through, unhindered, on their way to Bagdad. If Bagdad was considered the jewel of the war, then An Nasiriyah was the key to the jewel room.

One account describes five trips up and back through "Ambush Alley" by a group of Marines to rescue fellow stranded Marines in the city.

The Marines also describe their horror of being attacked by a US Air Force A-10 that killed up to ten of their fellow Marines.

The fighting around An Nasiriyah flared for weeks before the Iraqis were totally subdued.

This account of the fighting is the compilation of stories told by the Marines who fought for the bridges.

Customer Reviews:

Not great, but good enough.......2006-12-12

While Mr. Livingston's book is full of grammatical and other writing errors, the story he tells is an important one. My cousin, Tim, served with the 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Iraq and specifically at An Nasiriyah during the invasion of Iraq. I am proud of him and his service to our country and it was great to read about his fellow Marines and how they accomplished what they did. It was also wonderful to see a photo of Tim and his crew manning their mortar and preparing to fire upon an enemy position. This book and its images are something I will show my child someday and tell them that the people being written about are to be respected and honored.

Words fail me..........2006-09-17

First, everyone even considering buying this book should be aware that IT IS SELF PUBLISHED. It was also written and published before most of the actual veterans of the battle had gotten together, conducted an after action review, and published their findings in Marine Corps Gazette.

The writing is weak and would be much improved by the use of Spell Check. Easy to confirm facts are glaringly incorrect. For example: The Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion 10th Marines was Lt. Col. Glenn T. Starnes. Not Colonel Pace! Colonel Pace was the commanding officer of 10th Marine Regiment which for the most part remained at Camp Lejeune during OIF-1.

Furthermore, a definitive or analytical recounting of a battle is impossible without the point of view of the officers who were in overall command. I don't think anyone can get a feel for the big picture of a battle when the men interviewed were the ones kicking in doors and staring down the sights of their M16A2s. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with telling the story of the young, Marine Riflemen who fought so bravely that day, but this book is supposed to be the story of the entire battle. Nobody can understand that without the voices of the Company Commanders, the Battalion Commanders, the Regimental Commander, or even the Division Commander!

I am a proud veteran of Task Force Tarawa and the battle of An Nasiriyah. I was the Artillery Forward Observer for Alpha Company 8th Tanks. The first time I saw this book, it literally made me sick to my stomach. Tell our story, if you must, but tell the Whole Story and tell it Right!

3/2 Marine.......2006-01-24

As like my fellow Marine posted up above, I too was there and was roughly 10 hours behind 1/2 C Co. when that all erupted. I was very eager to purchase this book. As for the people who are doubting this authors reviews, who are you to judge/say anything about it? Were you there?? Have you ever bothered to ask a Combat Vet. what happened?? If your answers are no, I highly suggest that you do, of course this mans explanation isn't going to be the same that you read in your local newspaper or heard on your local news. You hear/read/see what they want you to. Carry on Mr. Livingston.....Semper Fi

3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division
W. Co - 0311

Spectacular.......2005-07-29

The book gave me an insite into what our Marines went through in Iraq from a very unique perspective. Reading about the thoughts and feeling of our heros and how they conducted themselves was heart warming and fascinating. Gary Livingston should be commended for the hard work and effort he put into interviewing these Marines and bringing us their stories. The book comes accross as a labor of love. For me at home, the book took me to the war in a way that other media could never do. I learned a lot from the book. Hats off to Mr. Livingston.

An Nasiriyah : The Fight For The Bridges.......2005-07-29

As a Vietnam vet with the 1st Marine Division,I wanted to read more than what the media had to say. I was very impressed.Iwas proud to be a marine then and as well as the more proud of our Marines today.Thanks to mr.Livingston for taking the time for bringing out the feelings and thoughts as well as the stories of our marines.We were great then but they are greater today.
Thank you, Semper Fi....

Book Description

Political Science/Critical Theory

An essential reevaluation of the proper role of politics in contemporary life. A critical rethinking of the categories of politics within a new sociopolitical and historical context, this book builds on the previous work of the distinguished political philosopher Giorgio Agamben to address the status and nature of politics itself. Bringing politics face-to-face with its own failures of consciousness and consequence, Agamben frames his analysis in terms of clear contemporary relevance. He proposes, in his characteristically allusive and intriguing way, a politics of gesture-a politics of means without end.

Among the topics Agamben takes up are the "properly" political paradigms of experience, as well as those generally not viewed as political. He begins by elaborating work on biopower begun by Foucault, returning the natural life of humans to the center of the polis and considering it as the very basis for politics. He then considers subjects such as the state of exception (the temporary suspension of the juridical order); the concentration camp (a zone of indifference between public and private and, at the same time, the secret matrix of the political space in which we live); the refugee, who, breaking the bond between the human and the citizen, moves from marginal status to the center of the crisis of the modern nation-state; and the sphere of pure means or gestures (those gestures that, remaining nothing more than means, liberate themselves from any relation to ends) as the proper sphere of politics. Attentive to the urgent demands of the political moment, as well as to the bankruptcy of political discourse, Agamben's work brings politics back to life, and life back to politics.

Giorgio Agamben teaches philosophy at the Collge International de Philosophie in Paris and at the University of Macerata in Italy. He is the author of Language and Death (1991), Stanzas (1992), and The Coming Community (1993), all published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Vincenzo Binetti is assistant professor of Romance languages and literature at the University of Michigan. Cesare Casarino teaches in the Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature at the University of Minnesota.

Theory Out of Bounds Series, volume 20

Translation Inquiries: University of Minnesota Press

Customer Reviews:

on the way to..........2006-11-26

This collection of occasional pieces from the nineteen-nineties can seem slight and derivative by comparison to Agamben's major works of the same decade, coming on the heels of Homo sacer, The Coming Community, The Man Without Content, and The Remaining Time. Means without ends is supercilious about dance, and shows unexpected pietism in the hope for rights "Beyond Human Rights": how meaningful are rights without the conjunction of law and enforcement, i.e. something resembling the state? And there's a puzzling reference to "Beckett's Traum und Nacht" (p. 55). But Means without ends also contains some pearls close to the persistent heart of Giorgio Agamben's uniquely disquieting train of thought: how is it possible to think politics today, in the wake of the Holocaust on the one hand, imposing the heritage of extermination camps that incorporate the state of exception as the essential model of state sovereignty? Agamben's bracing paradoxicalization of politics remains incisively challenging in the "Marginal Notes" on Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle, in the dialogue on "The Face" (whose unidentified interlocutor is presumably Emmanuel Levinas), and in the deeply personal reflections on contemporary politics, especially in Italy. Curiously, the initial words of a passage repeated word-for-word on pages 81 & 95 suggests the absent totalization, and perhaps the subtitle of a major new Agamben in the offing: "an integrated Marxian analysis..."

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