Museums of the Mind: Magritte`s Labyrinth and Other Essays in the Arts

Book Description

This book eloquently demonstrates that just as our human relationships change and develop over time, so do our ties to cherished works of art. Such works, with their overlays of perception and projection, exert a lasting influence on the psyche. In the first half of the book, Ellen Handler Spitz guides us through a maze of surreal paintings by René Magritte, with psychoanalytic thought as her beacon. In the second half she leads us on a kaleidoscopic journey through other "museums of the mind," where interrelated works in drama, film, cartoon art, poetry, and opera are illuminated and rediscovered. She analyzes a performance of Chekhov's "The Bear," revisits the 1970s classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance from the perspective of the 1990s, reviews the film "Dead Poets Society," muses on the psychological themes in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, rereads a beloved sonnet by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and reconsiders "Antigone" to discover startling insights into the "twinship of good and evil." Her final chapter, "Music of Hope," looks directly at the power of art to shape the mind as well as to be shaped by it. Here Spitz reflects on the impact of the children's opera Brundibár, written by the Czech composer Hans Krása in 1938 and performed many times by inmates of the Terezín concentration camp.

Customer Reviews:

Richly informed...dazzling.......1998-04-07

"Interdisciplinary consideration of art is nothing new, but rarely has it been accomplished with the stunning breadth of this volume. A psychoanalyst and an expert in aesthetics for children, [she] offers art appreciation, history, and criticism richly informed by psychoanalytic, philosophic, and literary theory. . . . Spitz's writing and insights dazzle the imagination. If one learns to write in part by reading, this volume is a teacher to be treasured by all who value art and ideas." --from my review in the Journal of Aesthetic Education, Vol. 31 (spring 1997), pp. 117-120.

Book Description

The ghost who walks! The man who cannot die! The guardian of the eastern dark! The modern day Phantom continues his quest for law and order in the jungles of Bangalla and beyond in this collection of the first four issues of the sold out on-going series! First, things get personal in "Stones of Blood," as The Phantom breaks up a slave camp in Bangalla where captives are mining a vast diamond field. Then in "Curse of the Phantom," a great evil has haunted the Walker family for hundreds of years: Kua! The seven foot tall devil god stalks Kit Walker deep into the woods of Bangalla.

Book Description

Dirty Words of Wisdom features timeless advice and profound profanity by everyone from Mark Twain and Eleanor Roosevelt to Bernie Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, and Margaret Cho. Complete with inspirational full-color artwork and plenty of uncensored, unexpurgated advice, Dirty Words of Wisdom is a literary heirloom that your family will cherish for generations.

Book Description

Until now, Maya Deren's essays on the art and craft of filmmaking have not been available in a comprehensive volume equally handy for students, film enthusiasts, and scholars. Essential Deren: Collected Writings on Film contains all of Deren's essays on her own films as well as more general essays on film theory, the relation of film to dance, various technical aspects of film production, the distinction between amateur and professional filmmaking, and the famous 1946 chapbook titled "An Anagram of Ideas on Art, Form and Film," which has been reset here for the first time. There are hard-to-find articles written for magazines and art journals, as well as lectures, Q&A sessions, program notes, and manifestoes. This book will be particularly welcomed by the large audience that saw Martina Kudlacek's documentary, "In the Mirror of Maya Deren," during its theatrical release in the U.S. and Europe in 2002. The importance of Maya Deren's films and writings is further evidenced by the American Film Institute having named its highest award for independent filmmaking the "Maya Deren."

Customer Reviews:

Essential Film Art.......2006-03-08

Maya Deren, poet, dancer and independent filmmaker, was interested in the emotional essence of a thing and believed that film was the perfect medium to capture it. "Essential Deren," edited by Bruce McPherson, contains the kernel of Deren's artistic philosophy.

Much of what is contained here is a criticism of general cinema -- both fiction and documentary -- as not fully utilizing the almost endless possibilities contained within the film camera. She describes this tool as almost having a life of its own: "The complexity of the camera . . . can inspire its manipulation on the explorative and creative level simultaneously" (from Deren's "An Anagram of Ideas on Art, Form and Film," page 102 of "Essential Deren,"

Some of her writing, especially that which explains her artistic philosophy, can be difficult but ultimately rewarding reading for those willing to explore the work of a serious artist. But even those who skim this book cannot fail to hear Deren's clarion call to go out and buy a camera and start making art film (and there are practical chapters on camera manipulation included). She was a true independent who felt that anyone with an artistic sensibility and a film camera could create art vastly superior to that of general cinema.

An anthology of writings concerning cinema theory .......2005-03-14

Essential Deren is an anthology of writings concerning cinema theory by acclaimed filmmaker Maya Deren. From the poetics of "Cinema as an Art Form" to tips on "Creative Cutting" to scrutiny of fims in medias res and much more, Essential Deren is a treasury of insight reflecting a life and a professional career dedicated to the highest potential of expression movies can bring. Appendices present Deren's articles in the "Village Voice" as well as manifestoes and program notes; a bibliography, filmography, and list of resources points the reader toward more useful and fascinating discussion of the film as trade and medium. Especially recommended reading for cinematography students, connoisseurs and critics, and college libraries and references shelves.

Average customer rating:
Young at Art: The First Anti Coloring Book for Preschoolers
Susan Striker
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0671496492

Average customer rating:

I'm smarter today for reading this book.

Solid Stuff

Solid Strategies from an industry insider

Great book from a great speaker

Lacks Entertainment Value

ALL Business is Show Business: Create the Ultimate Customer Experience to Differentiate Your Organization, Amaze Your Clients, and Expand Your Profits
Scott McKain
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Communications | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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What Customers Really Want: Bridging the Gap Between What Your Company Offers and What Your Clients Crave

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Indispensable: How To Become The Company That Your Customers Can't Live Without

HUG YOUR CUSTOMERS: THE PROVEN WAY TO PERSONALIZE SALES AND ACHIEVE ASTOUNDING RESULTS

ASIN: 0785206086
Release Date: 2004-07-15

Book Description

Every day your organization-and you-are in the spotlight. Your employees are performing and the audience-your customers-will love the show, hate it, or worst of all ignore it. Scott McKain has discovered wha tthe film, television, and music industries have known for years: to be successful, you must create an emotional link with your audience.

Tell your story well. It will make you a star.
Have a short, powerful, and unique high concept statement. It worked for Jaws and it will work for you.
Practice the eight essential acts your customers want you to perform.
Your employees are the stars of the show. Treat them that way.
Create the Ultimate Customer Experience, and you will acquire amazing loyalty and unlimited referrals.

"No matter what your business," says Scott McKain, "you are always on stage. Make your performance one that leaves your customers with a feeling of Wow!"

Customer Reviews:

I'm smarter today for reading this book........2006-02-28

Scott shows passion for his work and love for his customers. He thought out simple protocols to leave part of himself with each transaction. We should all follow his example. We all need passion and love in our life and we also have a need to show it off to our fellow man.

Solid Stuff.......2004-08-18

If you've read a lot of business books you'll know that it's hard to come across something incredibly new and groundbreaking. This isn't one of them. But it IS a good book. Perhaps the best feature of the book is that it says employees, not customers, should be a company's primary concern. A happy workplace = happy employees = happy customers. It talks about Ultimate Customer Experiences and how the little things make the difference. It's nothing you won't find if you read the spectrum of business books, but it is smart, well written and informative. It's not a "must read" but I'd recommend it. Truth be told, I bought it mistaking it for "There's No Business That's Not Show Business" but I'm glad I read it. It was a happy accident!

Solid Strategies from an industry insider.......2003-07-10

I know and admire Scott McKain. He is Vice Chairman of a business conglomerate and a veteran media personality. His insights into how regular businesses can learn much from the entertainment industry are right on target. Learn, as I have, how to attract an audience, win them over, hold their attention, stimulate word of mouth promotion and gain their allegiance. Build a following for your business like entertainment companies do for theirs.
Not only is this fascinating, it is also fun to read. Scott has visited with John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and scores of other celebrities, many of the stars of the music industry, TV executives, talent agents, business owners and best selling authors to bring you ideas that will create a blockbuster for you!

Great book from a great speaker.......2002-11-29

I heard Scott McKain speak at a meeting recently. Following the presentation, our company gave each dealer a copy of this book. I am now buying more copies for my employees. I think this is one of the better business books I have read. It is one of the few that combines ideas with specific points on how to use them. I don't know that I could give it a better recommendation than the fact that I have read it and now I want the people who work with me to read it.

Lacks Entertainment Value.......2002-11-22

Mr. McKain likes to reference show business in his book. And what makes a movie great is how it develops a tight plot and then keeps its audience engaged. This book contains enough good material to fill 50 pages but then is streteced to 200. Mr. McKain's biographical perspective of himself is also a little too much for my taste.

A couple good concepts, but generally a weak and unengaging read.

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Insightful

Mrs. Ahnold is a smart cookie!

A Good Start

Worth the Read, but Not the Money

A quick pick-me-up.

Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out into the Real World
Maria Shriver
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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And One More Thing Before You Go...

The Right Words At the Right Time

Boys Will Put You on a Pedestal (So They Can Look Up Your Skirt): A Dad's Advice for Daughters

The Right Words at the Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!

What's Heaven?

ASIN: 0446526126

Amazon.com

Maria Shriver's warmth, humor, and wisdom are evident on every page of this little book. Inspired by her commencement speech at the College of the Holy Cross, the book contains stories and insights that will be helpful, entertaining, and encouraging to graduates at every stage of life. The lessons themselves--"be willing to fail," "stand your ethical ground," "marriage is a hell of a lot of hard work"--are nothing new. What makes them interesting are the life stories that accompany them and Shriver's personable, friendly style. Reading this book feels like having a cup of coffee with a wise and funny friend. Tales of her first television experiences are surprising and hilarious, and she takes balancing motherhood and career to new levels--imagine postponing an interview with Fidel Castro to get your daughter to her first day of kindergarten! Each chapter is easy to read and ends with a focused lesson--kind of a bullet point from her original speech--that encourages readers to be ultimately true to themselves and their dreams, while cutting through harmful illusions. The last chapter, on laughter, is one to read again and again. Shriver maintains that without laughter not much else matters, and in life's toughest times it's laughter that gets us through. For anyone starting a new adventure--graduation, marriage, parenthood, career shift, or a milestone birthday--Ten Things I Wish I'd Known brings wisdom, laughter, practical suggestions, and a down-to-earth manner together into one fabulous gift. --Jill Lightner

Book Description

Download Description

· Starting at the bottom--over and over again· Dealing with--and learning from--the Boss from Hell· Giving up the Wedding Delusion, not to mention that one-way ticket to Happily Ever After· Being asked to bend your principles--by your superiors· Wanting to be a high-powered success and super parent· Knowing that children will both exhaust and sustain you· Facing that terrifying question: "What have I been put on this earth to do?" You could call them notes from life's trenches. Maria Shriver's Ten Things I Wish I'd Known--Before I Went out into the Real World gives us her reflections, confessions, advice, memories, and, most of all, hard-earned lessons . . . all the things we wish we knew before we started out, and that few people ever honestly discuss. Here is the truth about: the price we pay for giving in to our fears, as well as the relief we feel when we finally face them; the humiliation of swallowing our ego so that we can learn from an abusive experience; the rewards of taking risks and the pain of failure; the joy of finding someone we can love and the limitations of every relationship; how it's never too late to tap the wisdom of others, even (especially!) our own parents; and the importance of taking what we do seriously without taking ourselves seriously.

Customer Reviews:

Insightful .......2007-07-02

This book would make a wonderful graduation gift. I wish I would've read it back when I was eighteen-years-old. Although I purchased this book over three years ago, I still come back to it from time to time. She offers so much insight and wisdom, but she also humanizes herself as a woman and teaches her readers that even she has experienced self-doubt and has strived to reach 'perfection' (something she teaches you not to do). She writes about how important it is to start at the bottom because it's where you learn the most and gain character. I especially liked reading about her husband and children. She and her family are so much more normal than anyone would ever think.

Mrs. Ahnold is a smart cookie!.......2007-01-22

I am 56 and had I had this book to read in 1968 when I graduated high school I might have had the tools to do things a little better through my 20's and 30's. She gives you a rundown on what realistically to expect out of live, love, career and everything in between. I may have even been able to avoid my ex-husband!!!

This is a must gift for any young person, maybe even younger than a high school graduate. It could actually put a kids expectations into the realm of reality without putting a damper on any of the joys of life. This is not a book that a conservative religious advocate would have to avoid. It contains simple comman sense about life and how it differs from what kids would often see on TV, movies, or any other media they would encounter. It doesn't tell you what belief system is best, just what life is most apt to hand you on any given day.

It is easy reading and not very beefy, so even non-readers would benefit. They could use it as a reference book for a specific situation.

Great Birthday or Graduation or Holiday gift and reasonable priced, too.

A Good Start.......2006-06-12

I bought Maria's book "What's Heaven" for my Granddaughter when her Grandmother (my mother) died 6 years ago. Now my Granddaughter will graduate from high school next year and Maria has followed her to college, with her last 2 books. Next I will buy my Granddaughter the Marlo Thomas books. As a Grandmother I believe it does take a Village. My Granddaughter will take 2 real good role models with her to college and now we have to set her free.

Worth the Read, but Not the Money.......2006-01-05

Maria did have some excellent points. The majority of the book is just an autobiography, though, and I skimmed through those parts. My advice would be to stop by the book store and look at the table of contents and then the very end where she gives a list of some other things she wishes she knew, because they explain themselves. A lot of her things I already knew, and she points out that she's not trying to help us avoid those things, just let us know we're not alone. If the great, talented Maria could get through life, then we can too! That was sarcasm.

A quick pick-me-up........2005-11-07

After seeing and admiring the interaction between Maria Shriver and her mother on the Oprah Winfrey show a few months ago, I decided I wanted to read her newest book, "And One More Thing Before You Go." My library didn't have it but they did have this one and so I decided to take it home.

What I appreciated most about this book were the tidbits of wisdom about humility, and the ways we should appreciate ourselves and not allow others to beat us down. I like how Shriver says that humility is about having a realistic self-image-- not beating ourselves up for not being good enough and not settling for mediocrity. I liked Shriver's advice that we are not superwomen (or supermen) and we can not be excellent in every area so we should decide what areas are most important to us and make realistic goals to strive for. It inspired me to think about what areas of my life I'd like to improve in and what areas can wait until a different phase in life.

Ten Things I Wish I'd Known: Before I Went Out Into the Real World

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Ten Things I Wish I'd Known: Before I Went Out Into the Real World
Maria Shriver
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N65S5I

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2005-12-11

U.S. News & World Report was founded in 1933, and has built a reputation for their thorough and evenhanded reporting. This book was compiled by the magazine's staff, drawing on their many resources, and is probably the most thorough treatment of the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War that you are likely to find. The book traces the conflict from Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, through the diplomatic maneuvering between Iraq and the United States, and on to the final Iraqi surrender.

I must say that I found this to be an excellent book on the Gulf War. The writers of the book go a long way towards being fair and evenhanded, reporting on Iraq's sponsorship of "some of the world's most deadly terrorist organizations..." and yet discussing America actions, including the attack on the "highway of death." Plus, I found the detailed information on the individual battles of the war made the war come alive in the reading.

Overall, I have not read another book on the Gulf War that comes close to this book for overall detail and readability. This is my favorite book on that war, and I give it my highest recommendations!

Least biased, broadest scope.......2001-09-26

Having read several of the many books about the Gulf War, I have discovered that all of them contain (as you would expect) elements that are biased by the author's viewpoint. This book is no exception, exhibiting the bias of the reporter's perspective that the military/politicians un-necessarily restricted access by the public (ie the press corp). However, by a lot hard work in utilizing the extensive resources widely available after the conflict, it does overcome this bias and thereby provide the broadest and most complete overall description of the origins, political manuervering, military planning, and actual execution of the initial defensive and subsequent offensive phases of the war, of any account I have read. And it does so in a very interesting and informative manner.

I am especially impressed with the personalized style of the presentation of both the political and military events, and also with the excellent graphics and tactical/strategic analysis used to explain the overall context of those events. The combination of broad scope, professional graphics, and personal accounts of individual participants placed in the context of overall tactics/strategy really brings the "history to life".

This book has become my "baseline" for understanding / interpreting the other very good (and not so good) accounts of the war. It provides the timeline and outsider "truthline" of the events of the war from which to put into perspective, and base my own opinions of, the accounts of the war by the various individuals with a more personal stake in their presentation. I do not take the "facts" presented in this book as "absolute", but feel they probably contain less "self interest" than other accounts by other authors with "reputations" to foster or protect.

In that respect, this book has increased my "enjoyment" of the other books on the subject as I compare and contrast the "issues" of the war as described by each of the involved individuals who have a particular axe to grind concerning those issues: "a tactical versus a strategic air war campaign", "functional versus by service organization of the coalition forces", "who was responsible for establishing the 'left hook' strategy of the ground war", "did we start the ground war too soon and not give airpower a chance to 'win the war'", "was the progress of the VII Corps too slow ?", "was the progress of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions too fast ?","who stopped the Khafji excursion (airpower, marines, or Saudis)", "did we learn and then utilize the right lessons from the Khafji fight", and - last but most importantly - the key question: "did we stop the war too soon and therefore fail to accomplish the goals established at the outset of the war ?"

Buy this book to get a very interesting, readable, and definitive overview of the Persian Gulf War. Then sit back and form your own opinions of both the big and little issues from the accounts by Schwarzkopf, Powell, Horner, Franks, Boomer, et al

(Bye the bye ... I find it fascinating that the same above issues (as they applied at the time) were hotly contested in accounts of the WWII Central Pacific and SW Pacific campaigns! Truly, if we do not learn from history, we are bound to repeat it. )

The single, best, broad spectrum account of the Gulf War........1999-02-28

Triumph Without Victory is the best account and review of how the Gulf War happened. This book is filled with amazing details and facts that make it a true corner stone in the history of this War. From the international effort to restrict Iraqi weapons access to the planning room of Gen. Schwarzkopf, this book recordes what happened. Having been in the Gulf War I was truelly amazed at the amount and scope of information contained in this book. I read this book when it was first published and will never forget it. The true testament of this book is its recording of many of the important facts that some governments would like to forget. The authors obviously went to great lengths to research, corrolate, and record not only the most famous events but the small and possibly most important events. The secret effort to bomb Saddam Hussein, the US destroyed chemical weapons facility and its toxic cloud, and the CIA computer virus in the Iraqi radar system. The purpose of this book was to record history, it did just that and it did it well.

Triumph Without Victory: The Unreported History of the Persian Gulf War.

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Triumph Without Victory: The Unreported History of the Persian Gulf War.
U.S. NEWS STAFF
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UCU440

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Why, you ask?

all hate, no analysis

Honest reviewing, dishonest elections

THEY STILL DON'T GET IT!

SHOULD BE ZERO STARS...

The I Hate Republicans Reader: Why the GOP is Totally Wrong About Everything

Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1560255080

Book Description

Few have the time or constitution to be able to remember the details of every horror story about how the Republican Party has repeatedly attempted to hijack the American dream for its own selfish reasons. For those who want to be sure they’re not left sputtering in an argument they know they should win hands-down, The I Hate Republicans Reader—via a wide range of lively and entertaining essays, articles, speeches, and rants—will be the place to go for the many compelling reasons to detest the GOP. From era-defining scandals such as Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Enron to coldhearted policies on health care, welfare, and race, to their outrageous theft of the 2000 election and tearing down of the liberal democratic ideals for which the Founding Fathers fought, to the isolationist arrogance of George W. Bush, this book has it all. Divided into such easy-reference sections as Greed, Corruption, Malicious Stupidity, and Big Lies, this collection includes appropriate excerpts from the likes of Eric Schlosser, Michael Moore, Joan Didion, Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose, and David Brock, as well as Ralph Nader, Paul Krugman, Hunter S. Thompson, Barbara Ehrenreich, I.F. Stone, Jimmy Carter, James Carville, Christopher Hitchens, Al Franken, and Bill Moyers.

Customer Reviews:

Why, you ask?.......2007-07-18

Why the hate? Because we hate evil. The root of modern Republican ideology is what should be hated, because it has brought so much damage to this country, caused the deaths of at least 100,000 innocents in other lands, and they do all they can to wreck the ideals of the US Constitution. Those who don't speak out against their dark agenda, are complicit in the Republican criminal tendedncies.

all hate, no analysis.......2007-07-16

Many ratings of political books seem based on liking or disliking the claims of the book.
This review is based on more substantial considerations.

I thought it was time for a political book, so I got this one and Limbaugh's "Bankrupt".
In some ways they are similar; each tries to demonize the opposition, and each attacks on
many fronts. Limbaugh's book is mediocre and this one is far worse. In my review of
"Tragedy and Farce: ..." I said there were better "I hate Republicans" books. Even with
the title, this is not such a book.

Right from the start, the book is wrong. The subtitle tells us "...the GOP is Totally Wrong
About Everything." But most of the issues that separate the parties are not mentioned. Instead,
we have personal attacks. An opinion is wrong because the speaker is bald, or is developing
a bald spot or other equally relevant reasons.

The front matter tells us this book will help you win any argument with any conservative.
There are some facts that might help you, and many claims that might help you convince a
really dumb person that does not know what a logical argument is, but there is not much
that will help you with an open minded skeptic. Partly that is because there are few well
constructed arguments. There is mostly a bunch of name calling and accusations. "You're dumb
and your mother wears combat boots and I'm not going to invite you to my birthday party,
so there." Partly it is because you can not find what you might want to use. The table of
contents lists some general areas as chapter titles and gives the names of some of the authors
whose works are reprinted in the chapter. The first page of each chapter supplies the name
of each author. There is no index. There are few references.

There are many anagrams, convincing proof to some readers, I suppose. This book might appeal to
the left wing equivalents of Russ Limbaugh's dittoheads.

The best section is a reprint from The Onion, a spoof of a Bush speech just before the swearing in.
It was funny. The next best was an article from Greg Palast, claiming he had two CDs showing
the evil party had purged the voter rolls of likely Democrats months before the election. It had
charges I had not heard before. It also had some references, but most of them were just to where
he had managed to get the same accusations published previously. I asked for the CDs he said came
from the Florida Secretary of State and proved the evil deed. I got a reply almost immediately,
asking for clarification. I then provided all the details that were in the article. There has been
silence for over two weeks, so I suspect the charge can not be substantiated. I'll try to remember
to post an update if I ever get the "evidence".

Some of the claims are true. Bush had some dealings that reminded me of Hillary's cattle futures
trading. Some are likely to be true, but unprovable. How Bush and Dan Quayle got into the
National Guard smells like string pulling, for example.

The book is an anthology. The editor selected previously published material that the owner was
willing to have included. Many of the articles are opinion pieces from newspapers or magazines.
Those typically select some facts to stress and ignore others. Consider the Bush tax cuts. Democrats
say the rich saved millions and the poor got nothing. Republicans say everyone that paid income
taxes saved ( the really poor pay no income tax) and the top few percent paid a bigger share of
the total after the cut. Both are correct. Different people attach different values to the facts.
But this book is not about different opinions about the significance of certain facts. It is about
hate. Those with the wrong opinions are not just wrong, but evil. Some times they are simultaneously
stupid and evil, criminal geniuses.

Those that want a daily fix of hate can read this book or visit some blogs. Those hoping for
information about issues should look elsewhere.

Honest reviewing, dishonest elections.......2006-10-14

Giving a book one star because you are upset with its title is a waste of time. I don't like rodents but I don't complain about "Of Mice and Men."

Now, for a review of the book. I believe the talking points on the "I Hate Republicans Reader" are fantastic. They are well researched, many of the facts are documented (some are individual accounts, which obviously cannot be readily verified) and each has a running theme of disappointment with the GOP which I always approve of. It displays the horrors of the Reagan Administration to the "A-Okay with racism" style of Bush. I'd like to note that it differentiates between republicans (everyday GOP members) and Republicans (republicans in office). This is an attack against the capital "R" and it should be read as such.

However, what it has in information it lacks in style and use. Clearly its title scares away any curious moderate who wants to see what liberal leaders have to say and why (not to mention all the republicans - small "r" - who at least should read it so they know what to discuss with us). But that is not all - it is written in a style that is defeatist. It tells of great horrors but not action, when this is obviously a book that is attempting to promote political action. Therefore, it falls short of its goals. I also think it was a poor choice to put Michael Moore as the first essay, because he is barely respected among democrats (for all those curious why I said that, his facts ARE facts, but his inferences are unprovable which makes him lose credibility).

I encourage republicans to read it, even if you disagree, so you at least know how to discuss it in a civilized fashion. Really, I recommend this book, but it receives three stars because it falls short of its purpose.

THEY STILL DON'T GET IT!.......2006-02-23

The party of hate just don't get it. Their obligation to preserve, protect, and defend this nation takes a backseat to their personal and political pursuits.... they foolishly and relentlessly attack and undermine the very policies and institutions that have made our country a beacon of liberty and prosperity. They've wasted decades vehemently slandering conservatives as "extreme" and "dangerous"-conservatives who make it their life-long mission to stand up for the rule of law, a growing economy, small government, and a strong "@$$ whipping" military... This author still dosn't see (because he's blinded by HATE,) the true danger-or what we need to do about them... I already know what needs to be done to protect the future of this country, for my children, my children's children, and yes, you libs'... You may not want to admit it but since September 11, 2001, it was clear to the world: AMERICA IS AT WAR... so get out of the way and AT LEAST let the military protect us from your stupid interferences and terrorist who want to harm us... you are doing more harm than good and it is clear (crystal) that we have not been attacked since 9/11 thanks to our troops... (Do you think you can go about your days if the war was here, right now? Think about that one.) Quit trying to tie the President's hands with pointless, pathetic, political arguments. It's a lot of talk, but you ain't sayin' nothin'.

SHOULD BE ZERO STARS..........2005-11-17

This is everything that is wrong with party politics in America. My party - right or wrong. Forget what is in the best interest of the nation. Much of the writing and the ideas expressed are roughly equivalent to a junior high school understanding. Way too much emotion and ranting, with, as I said before, not enough real analysis of what is good for the country. These people (party politicians) are what is going to destroy America. And it is happening, at a far faster rate that even Rome fell.

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