Getting Services For Your Child On The Autism Spectrum

Book Description

For parents of a child with an autism spectrum condition, obtaining educational and other services for their child is an ongoing and often intractable problem. This book is a comprehensive "how-to" guide covering the questions and issues that parents may have to deal with in getting these services. It covers how to deal with the initial diagnosis of autism, how to arrange the best schooling and also to get support from the community. Based on personal accounts (both from the authors and many other parents), it provides honest, open, and practical advice.

Customer Reviews:

Inclusion - Inclusion Worked in Favor of this Book.......2005-05-23

When Ryan Foley was born on May 6, 1985 professionals were just starting to recognize Asperger's Syndrome as part of the autism spectrum. Thanks to previous works by Frith and others, by 1985 spectrum behaviors were starting to receive more recognition.

Ryan was first considered autistic at the age of 3. He preferred shifting grains of sand and dirt through his fingers than playing with peers; he loved watching oscillating fans from infancy and had special interests over the years. Some of the special interests, such as the color blue and any object that was blue limited his ability to converse with others; on the other hand, his love for early 1980s club music provided him with a conversational entrance to others. I found it interesting that Ryan said his feelings were not hurt when another child told him she was tired of a subject he had exhausted. I have known many people with Asperger's who take umbrage when told this by others.

Ryan showed high reasoning and analytical skills. When he was in the early grades, another child falsely accused him of breaking a blue ruler. Since Ryan adored the color blue, the idea that he would damage something that color was highly unlikely. Both sets of parents were called in and the culprit confessed. I liked it when Ryan pointed out quite logically that falsely accusing someone to save your own hide is "what you would do to an enemy and not a friend." I thought Ryan's assessment was accurate and well thought out. It surprised me that the adults involved were nonplussed by his response, but I felt it was good that Ryan pointed this fact out to his accuser.

Sensory issues are a large part of spectrum conditions. Ryan, like all people on the a/A spectrum had strong responses to sensory input/stimuli. One glaring example was when Ryan would vomit during luch hour when he disposed of his lunch sack in the waste area. I wondered why Ryan didn't just bring his lunch in a lunch box so he would not have to walk past the trash room and endure the stench. Learning coping methods, e.g. avoiding "bad" stimuli and compensatory techniques is an excellent navigational guide for people on the spectrum.

Ryan was fortunate in that he was more or less mainstreamed from the beginning. He was also very fortunate to know what his diagnosis was. I like the way Ryan's parents told him that he had a different form of autism when he asked why another autistic child was nonverbal. Ryan sounded as if he accepted Asperger's as being a part of his life. I like that.

Ryan's parents fought tirelessly on his behalf and their check lists at the end of each chapter as what resources and options are availabe was invaluable. That is what made this book more helpful and effective.

The only thing I didn't like was the word "perseverate." That is a damning, harmful, judgmental and highly charged word that has hurt many. While many parents and professionals may feel it is a helpful shorthand, it is still an intensely destructive word. "Repetition/repetitiveness; special interests" are much more accepting and much more tolerable. The excessive use of that word cost this book one star.

This book does an excellent job of debunking speculations. For example, when Ryan was 5 he liked sleeping on a low shelf in his closet. The assumption that was made at the time had nothing to do with Ryan's reason - he explained he did this because an uncle whom he loved lived in a small apartment and Ryan used the closet to "play apartment."

Black Cross/Red Star: The Air War over the Eastern Front : Resurgence, January-June 1942 (Black Cross/Red Star)
Average customer rating:

HIGH QUALITY CONTENT, POOR QUALITY PRODUCTION

En excellent book!

Couldn't be better

Couldn't be better

Another wonderful volume!

Black Cross/Red Star: The Air War over the Eastern Front : Resurgence, January-June 1942 (Black Cross/Red Star)
Christer Bergstrom
Manufacturer: Motorbooks International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0935553517

Customer Reviews:

HIGH QUALITY CONTENT, POOR QUALITY PRODUCTION.......2003-10-21

LIKE SO MANY OF THE OTHER REVIEWS, THE QUALITY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS SUPERB; HOWEVER, AFTER REVIEWING 17 COPIES FROM VARIOUS SOURCES, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE PHYSICAL PRODUCTION IS ONE OF THE POOREST I HAVE EVER SEEN. FOLDED AND CREASED PAGES PROIR TO THE PRINTING AND SMEARED PRINTING INK ON NUMEROUS PAGES LOWER THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF THIS BOOK. FOR THOSE WISHING TO COLLECT THIS SERIES: BLACK CROSS/RED STAR, VOLUME II WAS A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT COMPARED TO VOLUME I.

IF A CLEAN COPY OF VOLUME II DOES EXIST , I WOULD BE MOST INTERESTED IN PURCHASING IT, SO AS TO ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION OF VOLUME I.

THIS SERIES IS AN AMAZING WORK OF LITURATURE, AND HOPEFULLY, PRODUCTION OF THE REMANINING VOLUMES WILL NOT ENCOUNTER SUCH POOR WORKMANSHIP.

HANK PUSICH, hank_pusich2000@yahoo.com

En excellent book!.......2002-03-08

The second part in the Black Cross/Red Star series focus on the air war between january - june 1942, perhaps the least know phase of the entire air war on the eastern front.

Knowledge of the air war on the eastern front has always been scarce in the west, and has mostly been influenced by the german point of view. This is a unfortunate result of the cold war, when access to soviet sources was almost nonexistant. But the cold war is over, and the soviet archives are slowly being opened for western scholars.

This book is full of interesting information about the equipment, aircraft, tactics and pilot training of the Luftwaffe and the V-VS (Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, Soviet Military Airforce. The included glossary is excellent!), not to mention the excellent photos and aircraft profiles.

Among the interesting information in this book are accounts of the V-VS and Luftwaffe activity during the soviet winter offensive, the airlifts at Kholm and Demyansk (with some very interesting observations the german leadership ought to have studied closer), the soviet attempt to resupply the trapped Second Assault Army at Lyuban and the air campain against Sevastopol.

The authors tries to give an impartial account on the events from the views of both sides, and I think they accomplish this task well. Few books on the war on the eastern front are so unbiased, and I have read many.

For the student of the air war in the east this book is necessary, as air, as bread.

Couldn't be better.......2002-02-19

Looking at BC/RS as a series, the overwhelming weight of reviewers rate it 5-stars. I heartily agree. The authors are gifted, analyzing the multiple factors relevant to combat and battle outcomes, then expressing their findings in an easily readable way.

The text is authoritative. To see where they got such a boggling mix of information, check the back of the book: their "Sources" fill more than 4 pages. Their approach is even-handed, it relies on facts to give an unvarnished view of true history.

Events are organized by Eastern Front combat zones with the focus on how air battles affected the outcome of major battles. As with Volume 1, the authors continue to illuminate new material and go on to dig into reasons why. A prime example is their thought-provoking chapter on the Demyansk pocket airlift.

Throughout the text, outstanding pilots of both sides get recognition for their exploits and often enough the worthy but lesser knowns also get their due.

In one respect, volume 2 improves on its predecessor -- illustrations. Photos are better. Also, fresh, hi-quality profile art of representative aircraft is abundant. Captions often add interesting detail.

A brief review can not capture all the strengths of this work which breaks new ground and does it so well. I've tried to avoid being redundant with other reviewers and recommend that interested buyers also check into other comments, including those for Volume 1.

Couldn't be better.......2002-02-19

Throughout the text, outstanding pilots of both sides get recognition for their exploits and often enough the worthy but lesser knowns also get their due.

Another wonderful volume!.......2001-11-28

I originally ordered this book in August, but delays in shipping prevented it from arriving in my hands until recently. Let me say that the wait is all the more frustrating because this is a wonderful book!

Volume 2 of Black Cross / Red Star retains the written quality of Christer Bergstrom and Andrey Mikhailov, but adds aviation color profiles done by such notables as Claes Sundin and Tom Tullis. Those in the aviation community are familiar with their excellent work.

When I reviewed Volume 1, I made comments about the quality of the maps and photos. The authors and publisher listened to reader feedback and made the necessary corrections. The maps are outstanding! No blurring and all place names are readable. This greatly assists the reader when following the myriad of battles on the Eastern Front.

The strength of Black Cross / Red Star has always been the team of Bergstrom and Mikhailov. They intermix dates, times, persons and events with first-person accounts by all protagonists. Using this formula, the numbers and facts are given a human face. Joy, triumph, sorrow and pain all lie beneath all military statistics. For every victor there is a defeated foe. The reader learns about them in their own words from diaries and interviews.

Every day, surviving veterans pass on. Books like Black Cross / Red Star will soon be the only resource by which they will be remembered.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with even a sprinkling of interest in historical aviation.

Black Cross Red Star: Air War Over the Eastern Front. Vol. 2: Resurgence, January-June 1942
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Black Cross Red Star: Air War Over the Eastern Front. Vol. 2: Resurgence, January-June 1942
Christer, and Mikhailov, Andrey Bergstrom
Manufacturer: Pacifica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TCDEQQ

From Being to Becoming: Time and Complexity in the Physical Sciences
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From Being to Becoming: Time and Complexity in the Physical Sciences
Ilya Prigogine
Manufacturer: W H Freeman & Co (Sd)
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0716711087

From Being to Becoming: Time and Complexity in the Physical Sciences
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From Being to Becoming: Time and Complexity in the Physical Sciences
Ilya Prigogine
Manufacturer: Freeman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TQ9RI6

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden
Average customer rating:

Excellent guide to comprehension of bin Laden

Know your facts before reading this book

This Was Good....But Bin Laden's Mistress

Useful study of the terrorist network

Great Book

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden
Peter Bergen
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0743234952

Book Description

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever as more than three thousand men, women, and children lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil. The attack was masterminded by Osama bin Laden and his Jihad group -- an organization that CNN's terrorism analyst Peter Bergen calls Holy War, Inc. One of the few Western journalists to have interviewed bin Laden face-to-face, Bergen has produced the definitive book on the global Jihadist network, revealing:

How bin Laden lives, travels, and communicates with his "cells."

How his role in the crushing defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan made him a hero to Muslims all over the world.

How the bombings of the American embassies in Africa and the USS Cole in Yemen were planned and executed.

What we can expect from Islamic extremists in the future.

Above all, Peter Bergen helps us to see bin Laden's organization in a radically new light: as a corporation that has exploited modern technology and weaponry in the service of global terrorism and the destruction of the West.

Both author and publisher will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Download Description

On September 11, 2001, the world in which we live was changed forever. The twin towers of the World Trade Center came crashing down, one side of the Pentagon burst into flames, and more than three thousand men, women, and children lost their lives in the most deadly terrorist attack on American soil.

As shocking as it was, it had been long in the making: The assault was the most sophisticated and horrifying in a series of operations masterminded by Osama bin Laden and his Jihad group -- an organization that CNN's terrorism analyst Peter Bergen calls Holy War, Inc.

One of only a handful of Western journalists to have interviewed the world's most wanted man face to face, Peter Bergen has produced the definitive book on the Jihadist network that operates globally and in secrecy. In the course of four years of investigative reporting, he has interviewed scores of insiders -- from bin Laden associates and family members to Taliban leaders to CIA officials -- and traveled to Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom to learn the truth about bin Laden's al Queda organization and his mission.

Immense in scope and unnerving in its findings, Holy War, Inc. reveals:

How bin Laden lives, travels, and communicates with his "cells."
How his role in the crushing defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan made him a hero to Muslims all over the world -- and equipped him to endure a long and bloody siege.
How the CIA ended up funding -- to the tune of three billion dollars -- radical, anti-American Afghan groups allied to bin Laden.
How the attacks that foreshadowed the destruction of the World Trade Center -- among them the bombings of the American embassies in Africa and the warship USS Cole in Yemen -- were planned and executed.
The dimensions of bin Laden's personal fortune, and why freezing his assets is both futile and nearly impossible.
The ideology of bin Laden's number two, the man who has influenced him most profoundly in his holy war -- the Egyptian Ayman al Zawahiri.
What we can expect from Islamist extremists in the future.

Above all, Peter Bergen helps us to see bin Laden's organization in a radically new light: as a veritable corporation that has exploited twenty-first-century communications and weapons technologies in the service of a medieval reading of the Koran and holy war. Holy War, Inc. is essential reading for anyone trying to understand tomorrow's terrorist threats and the militant Islamist movements that could determine the fate of governments -- and human lives -- the world over.

Both author and publisher will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to United Way's September 11th Fund for the relief of victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent guide to comprehension of bin Laden.......2006-01-31

This is the third book I've read on terrorism and was the best by far. Not only does it take the reader through the important points of bin Laden's life and the historical events that surround them, but the author also analyzes the larger context within world politics. I particularly enjoyed the analysis of the strategic importance of Stinger missiles in the past and the future.

I found Bergen's account of Ali Mohamed very unnerving. Here was an Egyptian-born man who served in the American Special Forces and was highly valued because of his middle-eastern language skills. After he was honorably discharged, Ali Mohamed took the explosives skills that he'd learned, went to bin Laden's Afghanistan training camp, and shared his knowledge with scores of terrorists. Scary.

Although an excellent book, I don't believe the "Holy War, Inc." paradigm works very well. Bergen uses multi-national corporations as a model for how a group like Al-Qaeda functions. Aside from surface similarities, the parallels between these organizations are few and far between. The head or CEO of a terrorist group has no absolute control over the cells. There is no profit imperative or other objective measures. The fragmentation and factionalization of these groups has no equivalent in the corporate world. The multi-national corporation isn't an effective map for understanding the terrorist network terrain.

This book was written before and shortly after the 9/11 attacks. One of the most encouraging aspects of the book is Bergen's assertion that the single most important blow to strike against terrorism is elimination of the training camps in Afghanistan. Since the war in Afghanistan has done just that, the book definitely ends on an up note.

Know your facts before reading this book.......2006-01-24

Warning, before reading this book make sure you are well schooled in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, US involvement with Somalia, the Persian Gulf War, and Islam. The more you know about these subjects the more you will realize that Bergen interjects his political opinions throughout the book with side comments; by selectively adding some facts and leaving out others; and by the clever arrangements of facts. Bergen is biased against the US and eerily; the net affect is some sort of weird admiration for OBL.

Bergen falls for some of OBL's twisted, misrepresentation of the Koran. See page 99 and note the Bergen's equalization of the words infidel and idolater. He also defends OBL's rants against the US by clarifying for the reader that UN sanctions killed 500,000 Iraqi children. Of course Bergen leaves out Saddam Hussein's role in starving his own people.

Bergen's account of the murder of Abdullah Azzam (Bergen calls him OBL's mentor) follows right after discussion with former Pakistani Prime Minister so this arrangement implies that somehow they are connected. Other scholars suspect OBL of murdering Azzam. This Bergen ignores.

In his discussion of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan he spends all his time talking from the side of the rebels. He gives no background as to events leading up to it, nor the poor military practices in the Soviet army which contributed to its own defeat. The Soviet Union published an after action review, The Bear Went Over the Mountain, that points out individual combat leaders and mistakes they made that were grievous enough so that any band of rebels could have beaten them. Bergen only presents OBL view that he brought down a super power. He does mention the US made Stinger missile, but spends more time talking about how clumsy the US was to let some of these go unaccounted for; rather than mentioning that without the Stinger the Soviets would not have pulled out.

In Chapter 4, he mentions Desert Storm and out of left field adds the fact the Timothy McVeigh was one of the 500,000 US troops there. He adds that before 9-11 OK City was the worst terrorist activity in US. The subliminal message is US Army is an equivalent terrorist organization as Al-Qaeda. Later he outright says training in an Al-Qaeda camp is better that basic training in the Army.

In discussing Somalia, he makes sure the reader is aware George H Bush got US involved. He leaves out background information about the UN and Boutris Boutris Ghali role in tribal conflict. He claims at "least 500" Somalis died when more respected accounts put the number at 3000. He says US "tried" to capture and never mention they did capture two bad guys. In all he makes the US look foolish and A-Qaeda's cause of serious blow against US. He doesn't mention the decision by Les Aspin to hamper the mission by denying the US its own armor-protected vehicles.

While recounting OBL's case against the US (like the reader is suppose to take this seriously) he adds his opinion that for two thousand years Christians don't follow the teachings of Jesus.

I'm not half way through the book and I'm sorry I bought it. I was hoping for a documented history about OBL. Instead I got the CNN view of the world - OBL is a deeply religious man, a great military leader, a successful businessman, and has a legitimate case against the US, which by default is guilty.

This Was Good....But Bin Laden's Mistress.......2005-12-10

This book had a lot of technical stuff, but I still really enjoyed it.

I'm more excited by the new book by Osama Bin Laden's mistress, Kola Boof--"Diary of a Lost Girl". I've read an advance copy and it was absolutely stunning.

I think her portrait of Bin Laden and his inside world should be widely discussed by the Bin Laden experts. She really shows a new side of him and his friends and family. I just found it so fascinating and detailed and marvelously written.

Useful study of the terrorist network.......2005-08-05

This is a good study of Al Qaeda, a criminal organisation whose modus operandi is the murder of innocent civilians. Some relevant background: in the 1980s, the Thatcher government allowed the mujehadin to open recruiting offices, under the name Al Kifah, in London. In 1994, Osama bin Laden took advantage of Home Office laxness to use London as a base for his terrorist operations.

London-based Abu Hamza, who openly supports bin Laden, is head of the `Supporters of Shariah'. He tries to recruit young British Muslims for terrorist training and operations.

The Hizb Ut Tahrir organisation claims to be peaceful, yet one of its recent leaflets said, "The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer and its highest peak is Jihad." Another said, "That the world should end is less in the sight of Allah than the killing of a Muslim." And "The Hizb can see the Khilafah on the horizon, by the will of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala). At that time no Kafir colonialist would dare to attack the Muslims' lands, let alone occupy them. Rather, they would not be able to prevent the Muslim army from bringing the Light of Islam in their homeland, by Jihad and the clear conquest." (Kafir is Arabic for infidel.) But the Blair government has made no attempts to ban its publications or to question any of its senior officials.

Last year's head of the Islamic Society at Kingston University, when asked why he did not inform the Students' Union or the University about Hizb Ut Tahrir's activities at the University, replied, "What could we have done, tell me? You're telling us to go to the Kafir against a Muslim, is that what you are saying we should have done?" This identification with the co-religionist as against the infidel puts a value only on the lives of believers. It is at root inhuman.

The atrocities committed by Al Qaeda and its sympathisers are not acts of war, not retaliation for the war on Iraq, as their apologists claim. Al Qaeda's acts are acts of terror, of murder. They are anti-human and fascist.

Great Book.......2005-03-25

Holy War, Inc. What a good book! I loved the humorous sarcastic jokes that dot the book ever so strategically placed. The book is a good source of basic information about Osama bin Ladin and Al Qeada. I found the book to have no bias spin to it, Bergen is a true tell it as it reporter. Over all I recommend this book to all who are interested in this subject. I would read any book by Peter L Bergen after reading this one.

Holy War, Inc, The: Inside the Secret World of Osama Bin Laden

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Holy War, Inc, The: Inside the Secret World of Osama Bin Laden
Peter Bergen
Manufacturer: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0297829122

Book Description

Peter Bergen, conducted the first TV interview with Osama bin Laden, `the most significant financial sponsor of Islamic extremist activity in the world today',after the US government had accused him of running terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and Sudan. In August 1996 bin Laden issued his first call to Muslims to attack U.S. targets. Since then his name has been linked to every major anti-American terrorist act by Muslims. For this book Bergen draws on ten years of `bin Laden watching'. The book will reveal the Islamist militant's unsuspected previous links with the West, and why he has proved such a force throughout the Muslim world. Bergen's personal experience of bin Laden and his secret world helps make this such a powerful and well-informed book that is unrivalled by anything already published or announced..

Holy War: Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc. (Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc., Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc.)

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Holy War: Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc. (Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc., Inside the secret world of Osama Bin Laden Inc.)

Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000DZEJ4K

Customer Reviews:

Minnesota in the CW is a home-run example!.......2000-12-31

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS)hit a home-run with this book. I first read Kenneth Carley's Minnesota in the Civil War when I was twelve years old back in the early 1970s. The book, though a nice overview, remained untouched on my shelves ever since. It was just that, a fine overview.

MHS could simply have continued to reprint the book in its original, almost child-like form, but instead, they decided to use it as a framework to showcase their collections. And the result is nothing less than lavish.

Artifacts ranging from corn pone found in the bottom of a haversack to a suit of cotton clothes made by a Minnesota soldier while a prisoner of war at Libby Prison are liberally sprinkled through the text. Similarly, Carley's original narrative of Minnesota's involvement in the War is almost lost, covered by many excerpts from diaries, letters, and memoirs of participants.

A potential buyer might think this would only interest students of Minnesota's Civil War history. THis if far from the truth. This book, filled with artifacts that are understandably identified to Minnesota soldiers, are typical of any Civil War combatant. This book rivals the great 3-volume Time-Life ECHOES OF GLORY.

The shortfalls are few. The foreword by Richard Moe (author of THe Last Full Measure)is appropriate, whereas the introduction by Brian Horrigan seems labored and forced. Someone, somewhere in the bureaucracy of MHS must have felt a "context" was necessary, so the text of an old exhibit about pre civil war Minnesota was forced between the covers. This isn't horrible, because along with it, are some interesting, though not civil war-related, photos. As for the rest of the images, very few are of the tired, oft-seen, Library of Congress origin, but rather, from the bowels of MHS itself. This book SHOULD stand as an example to other museums. MHS DUG into its collections to find a vast myriad of related artifacts, accounts, and images. Too many museums are content to "protect" and "Preserve." Too many forget to "share," "show," and "provide." Kudos, MHS. The only concession to "museum practices" is an obvious lack of the tools of war in this book. Very few uniforms, muskets, rifles, swords, and the like are included. One spread on pp. 108-109 depicts a musket, bayonet and revolver. The design of the spread belies that it must have been an afterthought concession. I would tend to believe that the collections hold the Austrian Lorenzes, Prussian Muskets, varieties of Springfields, and carbines issued to Minnesota soldiers. So why were they left out? Pity.

BUT, the book IS packed full of photos of personal items, like the contents of one soldier's haversack, the ship's bell from the USS Minnesota, and sketches made by a participant in the Sioux Uprising of 1862. Very cool indeed.

All in all, a very Fine book and a worthwhile addition to a Civil War library, whether concentrated on Minnesota soldiers or not. This book should be included in any library that focuses on the daily life of the average soldier.

Civil War Sleeper of the Year!.......2000-12-28

I first read Kenneth Carley's original edition of Minnesota in the Civil War as a twelve year old boy back in the 1970s. The book remained on my shelf, but rarely, did I refer back to it as I continued my exploration of Minnesota's role in the Civil War.

Well, the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) has hit a home run! Using Carley's good overview as a framework, the Society dug deep into its collection to cement a wonderful history of the State's participation in the Civil War. Using very professionally composed photographs of state soldier-identified artifacts, excerpts from diaries and letters, and a limited amount of standard-fare, Library-of-Congress photography, MHS has issued a book on par with the very desirable Time-Life Echos of Glory series.

Actually, MHS has cemented SO much material around Carley's original overview, that it is actually a bit hard to recognize any similarity to the Carley's original work. This is not a bad thing, just an interesting sidenote. The person who buys this book will be busy reading the first-hand accounts, looking at the fantastic artifacts, and enjoying all the great wartime images of Gopher-soldiers.

I applaud MHS for this effort. Other institutions should take note of this work. Too many museums are bent on "protecting" and "preserving" their collections causing them to overlook the very worth of "presenting" the collections. Someone at MHS dug DEEP into the collection to find dynamite relics, accounts and photographs. Items ranging from corn pone found in the bottom of a haversack to a cotton suit of clothes made by a Minnesota prisoner of war while in Libby Prison fill the pages. The welcome, underlying message in this book is "ALL THESE ITEMS ARE FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE SOCIETY." That means, for researchers, these are all, more-or-less, accessible. This is where other books in similar styles fail. Private collectors are so eager to show off, but not so often, willing to share. So, whereas the Time-Life books are a great treat to the eye, as an effective document for future scholarship, they can be rather frustrating. Minnesota in the Civil War: An Illustrated History will stand as a fine catalog and finding aid for future historians.

Criticisms of the book are few. The foreword by Richard Moe is appropriate and adds to the book. The Intro by the Curator of a not-too-closely related exhibit seemed like a labored addition, but does not detract. The objects illustrated concentrate on personal objects and very few "tools of war" seem to have made the final cut for inclusion. Clearly lacking in the book are uniform items (forage caps, frock coats, blouses, etc.), identified weapons (there is one 2-page spread that has a design element that belies that it quite possibly was a concession), and identified accouterments. Surely, the Society has these items in their vast collection, so it left me wondering why they chose to downplay this very fundamental aspect of the State's participation in the war. Nevertheless, there are great groupings of items like one soldier's haversack, fry pan and boiler, and many personal items. My criticisms are minimal and should not deter any Civil War fan from buying this book.

In closing, it is important to recognize that this book is for a fan of the Civil War and NOT just a fan of Minnesota in the Civil War. The artifacts, accounts, and photographs reflect the Nation's involvement. It just worked out that the medium chosen for this reflection, was the young state of Minnesota--the first to answer President Lincoln's call for volunteers in 1861. Civil War fans, both north and south, will appreciate this book for its very fresh, personal depiction of common soldiers at war.

Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition
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Classic of political science that is still relevant today

Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition
Robert A. Dahl
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies

The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century (Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture Series, Vol 4)

Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and Post-Communist Europe

Political Order in Changing Societies (The Henry L. Stimson Lectures Series)

Democracy And Development: Political Institutions and Well-Being in the World, 1950-1990 (Cambridge Studies in the Theory of Democracy)

ASIN: 0300015658

Customer Reviews:

Classic of political science that is still relevant today.......2003-02-11

Dahl's work, which has been cited by countless political scientists since it was first published, provides a useful framework for the examination of democracy (which is not quite equivalent to what he terms 'polyarchy'; democracy consists of a bit more than a polyarchal system). The book is particularly concerned with the two main variables of political orders: 'competition' (public contestation among various political actors) and 'participation' (defined with regards to the right to participate). Using these variables, these systems can graded based on whether they possess these qualities to a greater or lesser degree. While most modern political systems fall in a 'gray area' (they are neither perfectly competitive nor inclusive), Dahl believes that all should strive towards the ideal type, or polyarchy. Dahl goes on to outline the benefits of a polyarchal system and the various ways in which such a system can be achieved. Yet, Dahl also recognizes that the transition to polyarchy is neither inevitable nor invariably desirable. Certain conditions are needed in order for the full benefits of a polyarchy to be realized. Thus, the minimal nature of Dahl's conception allows flexibility in its application. This is why his notion of democracy, as defined through polyarchy, has been adopted time again by those engaging in the debate over democracy, including such luminaries as Samuel P. Huntington and Larry Diamond.

La Poliarquia / Polyarchy: Participacion Y Oposicion / Participation and Opposition (Ciencia Politica / Political Science)

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La Poliarquia / Polyarchy: Participacion Y Oposicion / Participation and Opposition (Ciencia Politica / Political Science)
Robert Alan Dahl
Manufacturer: Tecnos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Democracy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Polyarchy; participation and opposition,

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Polyarchy; participation and opposition,
Robert Alan Dahl
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORWJ76

Bird Walk Through The Bible
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Bird Walk Through The Bible
Virginia C. Holmgren
Manufacturer: The Seabury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RPTHV6

Average customer rating:

O.K. book

A delightful and informative look at the birds of the Bible.

Bird walk through the Bible
Virginia C Holmgren
Manufacturer: Seabury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0816402337

Customer Reviews:

O.K. book.......2002-01-06

This book is good in the area that it does cover all of the birds of the Bible. One thing I didn't like was the lack of illustrations. Palestinian birds are different than American birds, maybe not a huge amount, but enough so that no illustrations can lead to a warped view of a bird. Since at school I have to draw and color every bird found in the Bible for a parent's night project, that is why I bought this book. No pictures were disappointing, but the information was helpful towards learning what the birds looked like.

A delightful and informative look at the birds of the Bible........1998-02-16

This book looks at all of the birds of the Bible in a easy-to-read and interesting manner. North American similarities are given and the significance and symbolism of each bird in its Bible usage is discussed. A must for anyone interested in nature and the Bible. The writing style is such that it is easy to overlook the amount of scholarly research that went into this volume, it is such a joy to read. Useful both as research resource and an entertaing read, I highly recommend this one.

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