Understanding Diverse Families: What Practitioners Need to Know

Book Description

Today's mental health practitioners face a rapidly changing clientele. Divorce, remarriage, multiracial marriages, different types of adoption, openly gay and lesbian relationships--all have significantly altered the nature and composition of families. An indispensable classroom text and an important resource for clinicians working in private practice, managed care, and other settings, this book insightfully examines a range of healthy families with creative family structures.

Book Description

The Russians were wrong-footed from the start, fighting in Manchuria at the end of a 5,000 mile single track railway; the Japanese were a week or so from their bases. The Russian command structure was hopelessly confused, their generals old and incompetent, the Tsar cautious and uncertain. The Russian naval defeat at Tsushima was as farcical as it was complete. The Japanese had defeated a big European power, and the lessons for the West were there for all to see, had they cared to do so. From this curious war, so unsafely ignored for the most part by the military minds of the day, Richard Connaughton has woven a fascinating narrative to appeal to readers at all levels.

Customer Reviews:

An Rich, Detailed Military History.......2007-06-18

There are not a great number of modern histories of the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War, but Richard Connaughton's Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear is clearly the best. The author, with 30 year's experience in the British Army and access to British official records on the war, brings a richer and more detailed military account than Denis and Peggy Warner's The Tide at Sunrise (which is also very good, but less detailed). While the author leans toward admiration of the Japanese war effort - at one point, describing the Japanese army as "a well-oiled machine with high morale, confident, well practiced and undefeated" - he is more than fair to the Russian side as well. This book is marked by superb detail, superior organization and insight derived from sound military judgment and experience.

Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear consists of 15 chapters, with a conventional chronological structure based upon major topics. The author also provides 15 sketch maps, which are a bit skimpy but adequate. Connaughton provides a succinct but excellent background chapter on events leading up to the war, followed by an even better chapter on opposing forces. In addition to excellent detail on both ground and naval forces, the author cites the main Russian weakness as an over-abundance of elderly, ineffective leaders. In the sections on early ground and naval actions, the author notes that a British correspondent reported the attack on Port Arthur as it was occurring- a first in journalism. Throughout the book, the author makes the point - and supports it with evidence - that Japanese operations were facilitated by a superb intelligence effort, while Russian efforts were hindered by awful intelligence support. Despite the fact that the Russians usually had numerical superiority on the ground and at sea, they continually thought they were out-numbered.

Although many historians have been very harsh on the Russian war effort, Connaughton notes that Russian strategic plans were usually sound, but poorly executed. On the ground, the Russians were also hindered by commanders who adhered to outdated tactics, such as volley firing and attacks in mass formations across open ground. The Russians did enjoy some advantages, such as a superior logistic capability based upon the China Eastern Railway and new quick-firing artillery pieces. Russian infantry units were also quite good at building defensive positions integrating machineguns and barbed wire, intimating conditions that would soon appear in the First World War. The author also notes that the Japanese were unsuccessful in following up after their victories, with pursuits being hindered by inadequate cavalry and weaker logistics. I also noted from this account, that the Japanese made the mistake of using landmarks such as rail lines as boundary markers between their formations - which usually leads to no one really controlling the rail line.

The sections on the siege of Port Arthur are particularly interesting since they allude to the slaughter that modern weapons could inflict on infantry. The author is equally harsh on General Nogi's wasteful attacks (which Allied generals would repeat in 1914-16) and the self-defeating behavior of General Stoessel. Interesting details include the Russian use of naval torpedoes on land and the Japanese mistake in making their assault ladders too short. Russian heroes, such as Smirnov, Tretyakov and Kondratenko do get their due in these pages, as well. Amazingly, the author notes that the Japanese prepared the surrender document two years before the war began (talk about prior planning!). Japanese success in blasting the Russian defenders off the vital 203 Meter Hill with heavy artillery may have convinced European military observers that firepower could break any defense.

In a few cases the author overstretches himself. At one point, he states that "an approach march at night culminating in a dawn attack was a new phenomenon of warfare." Didn't Washington teach the British that lesson at Trenton and Princeton in 1776? At another point, he notes the appearance "for the first time in modern warfare [of] the construction of opposing lines of trenches.." which ignores the appearance of trench warfare at Petersburg in 1864. However, these omissions are not that for a British military historian, since they rarely acknowledge or utilize examples from American military history. In a few cases, the author may have used `facts' that were unconfirmed, such as Japanese heavy artillery consumption at Port Arthur (the figures sound unreasonably high) and the infamous Samsonov-Rennenkampf brawl (which probably didn't happen).

The author asks two key questions: why were the Japanese able to consistently defeat the Russians and why were the lessons of this war not understood before World War One? As for the first, the author believes that the Japanese had a distinct advantage fighter closer to home, which led to higher morale. The Japanese military also benefited from a leadership structure based more on merit and ability, rather than political connections. As for the second, the author notes that different observers took home different lessons from the war and often drew diverging conclusions, often in line with their own prior biases.

Good Background but often confusing and tendious.......2006-11-01

Chapters One and Two were extremely interesting. However, the author often allowed the story to become bogged down in the tactical minutia--Regiment X advanced on Hill Y to attack Brigade Z. Connaughton demonstrated very little ability to convey the wider importance of individual engagements or make the reader care. Despite maps included at the beginning of almost every chapter, I rarely understood who a particular engagement fit into a larger battle. Thus, chapters five through nine and parts of nine and ten were painfully dull. If Connaughton was intent on writing a comprehensive tactical history of the Russo-Japanese War, it needed to several times longer to adequately explain events. Given how well this book started, I was very disappointed with the final product.

On a side-note, the chapter in this book on the Russian Fleet's journey around the world seems to be more-or-less a summary of The Fleet that Had to Die, by Richard Hough. At times he even uses similar phrases! Also, the absense of citations was bothersome.

Good book with significant flaws - regarding a very important war !.......2005-11-15

There aren't NO footnotes to this Cassell edition of this important book. It is indeed sad - and very unprofessional - that an otherwise very good book of this level of narrative detail would omit its reference sources. Additionally, the narrative detail is degraded by the poor quality of maps provided. The maps in this book are of such extremely poor quality, they provide barely enough detail to orient yourself to the flow of combat. As a result you cannot adequately envision a lot of of important details regarding the conduct of operations. If you can locate some independent maps, the narrative detail is much more meaningful. Most people are highly ignorant regarding the importance of this war in regards to the military operations througout the 20th Century. Both of these significant inadequacies (no sources and poor maps) in this edition only exacerbate our lack of knowledge regarding this important war.

Excellent Book.......2005-10-14

This is a very informative book on the Russo Japanese war! A very straight forward and fact filled book. A very well researched piece of work. I enjoyed it very much.

Good account of an obscure war.......2005-06-12

This is one of two serious-length books on the Russo-Japanese war available in English. There are two shorter books (the Osprey "Essential History" and an "Illustrated History). The other book, "The Tide at Sunrise" by Denis & Peggy Warner, is longer and from a less military point of view, Denis Warner being a journalist. The current book is written by a retired British soldier, and consists of a "substantial revision" of a book he wrote in the late 80s after winning a silent auction and becoming the proud owner of a large library on the subject from the staff college he taught at.

The Russo-Japanese War is one of the stranger wars of history. The two opponents *looked* well-matched for one another, with the larger and more experienced Russian army handicapped by the length of their supply line along the trans-Siberian railroad. In actualy point of fact, however, the Japanese were pretty much universally aggressive and resourceful, while their opponents seemed to be able only to come up with excuses for failure, as opposed to ways to succeed. As a result, there were no major battles during the war that the Japanese actually lost or that the Russians were able to claim to have won. Russian soldiers were stolid and brave, and given some time skillful in battle, but the Japanese only rarely gave them a chance to learn anything and exploited every weakness they could find.

This is a good military account of the campaign, with some flaws. The various battles are examined intelligently, the character and actions of the various commander dissected dispassionately, the course of events recounted clearly and concisely. There aren't any notes to the text, however, and at times this is maddening. It's my firm belief that any work or person quoted in the text of a book should be attributed *somewhere*. If you don't do it in the text itself (something like "a British observer says..." isn't enough) then it should be in a footnote or something. The maps are only adequate, and don't do much to convey the movement of the troops or their dispositions at various times. There's also a reference to Takano Isoroku, who later changed his name to Yamamoto and became Japan's senior admiral at the beginning of World War II, but since the author makes no mention of the name change, most won't recognize Takano-san as anyone other than Admiral Togo's aide. The index is useless, failing to list entries that should be listed, and not citing places where the subject does appear. While the text of this book is worthwhile, the finishing touches are rather shoddy.

I enjoyed this book, and unless you can find a used copy of the Warner book this is the only account of the Russo-Japanese War available that I'm aware of. It also has the virtue of being shorter than the Warner book by a couple of hundred pages, if I remember right. So my recommendation, while qualified, is largely positive, because there are so few alternatives.

Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear: Russia's War with Japan

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Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear: Russia's War with Japan
Richard Connaughton
Manufacturer: Cassell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OSJLSA

Customer Reviews:

The benchmark for texts on West coast Euro-Native relations........1996-05-15

Since the publication of the first edition this text has been the basis for all later works on the subject. This edition also includes an new preface in which Fisher argues against most of the criticism that this book has received. Nonetheless there is no more complete book that surveys the issue available

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Simple yet eloquent

Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah

An adventurous book!

Inspiring and Fun, with a Message

Good Book

The Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah
Derek Acorah
Manufacturer: Element Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Channeling | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Ghost Hunting with Derek Acorah

The Psychic World of Derek Acorah

Most Haunted: The Behind-the-Scenes Official Guide (Living TV)

Haunted Britain

Derek Acorah: Extreme Psychic

ASIN: 000718347X

Customer Reviews:

Simple yet eloquent.......2006-03-18

Having watched Most Haunted on The Travel Channel, I have always been fascinated with Derek Acorah. This book truly does open your eyes to what it is like to be him everyday: from being stopped while on vacation to perform readings for people he does not know to seeing time and places which no longer exist while simply getting coffee. Acorah writes in a simple format which does not take away from his passion or eloquence concerning the subject of the spirit world. Definitely a very interesting, entertaining read!

Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah.......2006-02-25

Loved the book - read it in an afternoon.
Derek has a tremendous gift, and lovingly shares it with others.
A real pleasure to read about someone so talented!

An adventurous book!.......2006-02-24

Anyone who is a fan of The Travel Channel's "Most Haunted" and "Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns" will enjoy getting to know Derek better through his series of books. He's a charming man with an easy writing style who considers his gift "just a normal part of my everyday life" and he doesn't feel the need to try and shove paranormal dogma down anyone's throat.
"The Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah" begins with a brief history of who he is and how his introduction to the psychic world came to be, then chronicles many of his adventures within the UK. Some of the stories, like his encounter with Mary Queen of Scots and a malicious spirit who attacked his energy field are fascinating, while others, like his chapter on bereavement are heartwarming and informative.
I read the book in one sitting, immediately ordered his two other books, and have already pre-ordered the latest offering, Haunted Britain, which should be available the end of March. If the Most Haunted and Ghost Towns DVD's were available for American audiences, which sadly, they are not, I'd truly be a happy camper.

Inspiring and Fun, with a Message.......2005-11-16

What a treasure of a book, and of a man. Fans of Derek Acorah will lap this one up like kittens to cream.

For the uninitiated, Derek Acorah is a renowned medium and psychic in the UK who is now quite appropriately making his mark on the world stage. A former pro footballer, he now devotes his life to spirit and "the real work of helping others through the use of my mediumistic gifts, just as my grandmother had done before me". Mr. Acorah is assisted by his spirit guide Sam. In addition to conducting his private practice he appears on the hit television documentary show Most Haunted (now viewable in the States on the Travel Channel), as well as numerous other shows in Britain.

This book details many of Derek's anecdotal experiences both in the UK and the US. He describes readings he has done for individuals, and as part of his radio and television work, including shows like Most Haunted, Predictions, and Antiques Ghost Show. His stories are at times poignant, sad, amusing, and side-splittingly funny. Whether encountering the spirit of a past English monarch, a Jack the Ripper victim, or an audience members gran, Derek shows us that the personality survives the physical death process. The sweet remain sweet, the belligerent remain difficult, and certain spirits who like tobacco seem determined to get Derek thrown out of his non-smoking hotel room!

While I have both the paperback and tape version of this work, the audio book featured here gives the added treat of hearing these tales in Derek's own voice, which is very friendly and engaging. The nightmare of congestion that is the SoCal freeway system is greatly soothed by having Derek ride shotgun in the tape player!

Whether you are a believer, or a sceptic, this book is highly enjoyable. If you are interested in spiritualism, hauntings, or the paranormal, you should read this book. (Aside to DA: consider releasing some DVDs in the US market!)

Good Book.......2005-06-26

I loved this book, i never usually read but i read this and i could not put it down, i found it interesting. Derek is and amazing person and this was a good book.

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Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah
Derek Acorah
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8PSC8

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Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah
Derek Acorah
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N6KK9C

Book Description

Only two obstacles stand between Napoleon's mighty army and its seemingly certain conquest of Portugal: a land wasted and stripped of food at Wellington's orders . . . and Captain Richard Sharpe. But perils from within and without threaten the bold captain of the Light Company -- the hatred and incompetence of a superior officer, the vicious treachery of a false ally, and the overwhelming numbers of a fierce, determined enemy -- combining to make Sharpe's escape a near impossibility.

Download Description

It is 1810, and in Napoleon's determination to conquer Portugal -- and push the British back to the sea -- he sends his largest army yet across the Spanish frontier. But between the Portuguese border and Napoleon's seemingly certain victory are twoobstacles -- a wasted land, stripped of food by Wellington's orders, and Captain Richard Sharpe.

But Sharpe is in trouble. The captain of the Light Company is threatened from inside and out: First by an incompetent British officer, who by virtue of family connections is temporarily given Sharpe's command. An even greater danger is posed by two corrupt Portuguese brothers -- Major Ferreira, a high-ranking officer in the army of Portugal, and his brother, nicknamed ""Ferragus"" (after a legen-dary Portuguese giant), who makes no claims to respectability, preferring instead to rule by crude physical strength and pure intimidation. Together the brothers have developed a devious plot to ingratiate themselves with the French invaders who are threatening to become Portugal's new rulers.

Sharpe's interference in the first stage of their plan earns the undying enmity of the brothers. Ferragus vows revenge and plots a merciless trap that seems certain to kill Sharpe and his intimates -- battle-tested ally Sergeant Harper, the Portuguese officer Jorge Vicente, and a prickly but lovely English governess. As the city of Coimbra is burned and pillaged, Sharpe and his companions plot a daring escape, ensuring that Ferragus will follow on toward Lisbon, into the jaws of a snare laid by Wellington -- the massive lines of Torres Vedras, a daring and ingenious last stand against the invaders. There, beneath the British guns, Sharpe is reunited with his shattered but grateful company, and meets his enemies in a thrilling and decisive fight.

Customer Reviews:

Cornwell continues his betrayal.......2007-07-28

I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books including the excellent Redcoat as well as his nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurrected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

Sharpe And The Battle For Poutugal.......2007-06-04

Captain Sharpe is a tough "rough" officer in his majesty's forces. Having risen through the ranks, unlike some of the refined officers. Resourceful, a bit crude, and a heck of a commander, he has the respect and loyalty of his men and seems always to get into, and out of a scrape.

The story is set in 1810 Poutugal, with the French advancing on Lisbon to drive the English from the peninsula. In between dealing with the drunkard Lieutenant Slingsby taking over his battalion, he also manages to get into a scrape with the Portuguese Major Ferreira and his brother Ferragus, as they attempt to circumvent the British scorched earth strategy by hoarding food to sell the French.

What I found especially interesting Cornwell's work is the detail he puts in to describing the ins and outs of the various battle scenes throughout the book. Very detailed and puts you right in the heat of the battle.

Also, even though this is one of a number of books in the Sharpe series, it is certainly possible to read this without reading the others first.

Richard Sharpe.......2007-03-18

Sharpe's Escape: Richard Sharpe and the Bussaco Campaign, 1810
by Bernard Cornwell. I like all of cornwell's books I like the Sharpe's series!

Another Sharpe adventure worthy of the name.......2006-10-11

At some point, I'm going to have to stop reviewing the books in Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series. Each book is an enjoyable thrill-ride through various battles and clashes for the British Army, and Sharpe and his cohorts change very little from book to book. Cornwell mastered the battle scene early on, and his skills show no signs of flagging. And so there is very little to distinguish one book from the next.

Sharpe is a lethal killer and leader of the lethal bunch of ruffians the Brits employ as skirmishers. He's also an uncouth seducer of women and despiser of (most) officers. One of Sharpe's charms is that he never changes - he is a cuss, but a reliable cuss. And while this charm works well with fighting men and with damsels in distress, it does little to endear him with the officer's corps, so Sharpe's position in the army is rather tenuous. His achievements merit advancement, but his rough edges deny him that opportunity.

Cornwell explores this element of Sharpe in great detail in "Sharpe's Escape." Colonel Lawford, Sharpe's comrade since the early days, must promote the advancement of his brother-in-law, Cornelius Slingsby. And so he gives Slingsby Sharpe's command - a slight that earns Slingsby Sharpe's undying hatred and Lawford some of Sharpe's contempt. Cornwell, true to form, makes Slingsby into a comically reprehensible character - almost the anti-Sharpe. But the reader, along with Sharpe, gets to experience the infuriating classism that permeated the British Army.

Slingsby isn't the only villain of the piece. As the French Army marches south toward Lisbon, the last bastion of the British Army on the Continent, the French must starve through a wasteland created by Lord Wellington. Two Portuguese brothers, Major Ferriera and the brute merchant Ferragus, conspire to feed the French Army and negate Wellington's brilliant, desperate strategy. But Sharpe catches them at their game and stops a preliminary transaction, thereby incurring the brothers' undying hatred.

Most of Cornwell's villains are mustache-twisting noblemen of great panache. Ferragus is a surprising creation, a demon of a man who loves nothing more than money, unless it is beating another man to death with his bare fists. A giant who towers over even the Sharpe's close friend Harper, Ferragus plans to hear Sharpe whimper for mercy as he pounds his bones into powder.

All in all, between Slingsby, the traitorous brothers, and the French Army, Sharpe has his hands full as he finds himself caught in various traps behind enemy lines. That Sharpe solves the problems by using his bulldog tenacity and his cunning mind should be no surprise. It should also be no surprise that Sharpe once again finds a beautiful woman in dire need of rescuing. But the lack of surprises doesn't mean that this is anything less than a vintage Sharpe expedition. Check it out.

Wonder audiobook reader. Perfect for the Sharpe series........2006-08-17

I've been working my through the audiobooks for the Sharpe series (written by Bernard Cornwell), and when I got to Sharpe's Escape, the reader changed from Frederick Davidson (who died in 2005) to Patrick Tull. Mr. Tull is wonderful and he hits the comic elements beautifully. I hope he reads the unabridged audiobook for Sharpe's Fury, due out September 2006. M. Tull also reads the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey Maturin series (Master and Commander, etc.), so I've also begun working my way through that series.

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Sharpes Escape Portugal 1810
Bernard Cornwell
Manufacturer: HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WU6Y7G

Book Description

The rise of the Religious Right is one of the most important political and cultural stories of our time.  To many, this controversial movement threatens to upset the nation's delicate balance of religious and secular interests.  To others, the Religious Right is valiantly struggling to preserve religious liberty and to prove itself as the last, best hope to save America's soul.  In With God on Our Side --the first balanced account of conservative Christians' impact on post-war politics--William Martin paints a vivid and authoritative portrait of America's most powerful political interest group.

Although its members now number between forty and sixty million people, the Religious Right has not always carried the tremendous--and growing--political clout it enjoys today.  A hundred years ago, scattered groups of conservative Christians worked fervently to spread the Gospel, but their involvement in politics was marginal.  Early in this century, however, a series of charismatic and ambitious leaders began transforming the movement; by the election of John F. Kennedy as our first Catholic president, the Religious Right had found its voice.  Politics and religion began mixing as never before.  From Richard Nixon's strategic manipulation of Graham's religious influence in the 1970s, to Ronald Reagan's association with Falwell's Moral Majority in the 1980s, to the Christian Coalition's emergence as a slick, sophisticated political machine, the line separating the pulpit from the presidency became increasingly blurred.  Now, preachers such as Graham, Falwell, and Pat Robertson preside over ministries so vast and well organized that most politicians can ill afford to ignore their views--or lose their votes.

In recent years, the Religious Right's political influence has propelled it into spheres beyond pure politics.  Race relations, abortion and reproductive rights, school curricula, the nature and role of the family--conservative Christians have embraced all of these socially charged issues, and their activism has irrevocably altered the way America confronts its thorniest problems.  How does a free society draw the line between Church and State without removing religious conviction from public life? What motivates individual Americans to do battle in the culture wars? Most importantly, when politicians and religiously motivated activists join forces, who holds the reins?

Drawing on over 100 new interviews with key figures in the movement, William Martin brilliantly captures the spirit of the age as he explores both sides of
this dramatic debate.  Written in conjunction with the producers of the public television series of the same name, this landmark book is essential reading for all Americans--conservative and liberal, fundamentalist and atheist--who care about the spiritual health and political future of our country.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive Overview of the 20th century.......2007-09-05

Martin's book is a fairly comprehensive review of the politics of the right - religious and political - in the twentieth century. It stands separately, but as a good companion to the PBS series of the same name. With God on Our Side has extensive tracts of information (mostly from interviews) on Billy Graham, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition, as well as Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority. It seems fairly objective in its presentation. I highly recommend it for those wishing a deep and fairly well-balanced account of the Christian Right (it is better as a review or prep book for a professor or graduate than for an undergraduate text). The book's detail declines after the first Bush Administration. It has less information on the Clinton era, and almost none on the Presidency of Bush Jr. Overall a good work, rooted in what seems to be a solid review.

An excellent overview and reliable place to start........2001-10-17

This book is pretty solid in documenting the history of the religious right in America. Although much of the focus is on the last half of the 20th century, the introduction and the epilogue give some background on the interaction between Christianity and government in the previous period.

I haven't seen the PBS television series that this book accompanies, so some things in the book probably impact a little differently than seeing video or audio accounts, especially so in a movement that makes so much use of oral speeches and broadcasts. But at least in the written account, the balance is kept between fair treatment and criticism of the different elements of the movement. This is no easy feat, given the sometimes inflammatory rhetoric both by the Christian right and against it.

The chapters of the book appear to reflect an episode format, with varying types of focal points telling the story in a roughly chronological order. One chapter profiles a person (--Billy Graham) while other chapters highlight in depth a local conflict (such as the battle over sex education in Anaheim and the school book battle in West Virginia), while others talk primarily about the formation of the major activist groups (Moral Majority, and then later the Christian Coalition). One trend appears to be that as the Judeo-Christian culture lost its monopoly in the political process, the struggle has been for the Christian right (in whatever form it took at the time) to keep its place at the table while keeping to its core values. Even at the end of the book (which ends with mid-1996), this conflict was not resolved.

The book also focuses on personal profiles of the individuals in the involvement, which also provides some more depth about what many people might lump together as monolithic. The differences between Jerry Falwell's background (the rural son of an alcoholic father) and Pat Robertson (the son of a U.S. senator) are pointed out in light of the interaction (or lack thereof) at certain points when they would be considered natural allies on the surface. And at a time in the 1980s when most Christian preachers and conservative commentators were considering the possibility of quarantining or tatooing AIDS patients, one televangelist said:

"How sad that we as Christians, who ought to be the salt of the earth, and we, who are supposed to be able to love everyone, are afraid so of an AIDS patient that we will not go up and put our arm around them and tell them that we care."

The televangelist? Tammy Faye Bakker.

For those seeking to learn about the movement without the whitewash or the ridicule that accompanies most assessments of the Christian right, this book is the best place to start.

Helpful, but be careful!.......2000-06-10

William Martin's With God on Our Side is a good and detailed history of Conservative Christians' attempt to involve themselves in American politics. This is only one dimension of the movement, and his focus on this dimension leaves one feeling that the movement is primarily political. I also did not find the book as objective as other reviewers or as clear. While the depiction of events is objective, Martin's commentary is not. He does not believe that religious groups should involve themselves in politics. In many ways, the book is a warning to future generation of Conservative Christians. It provides many examples of how the attempt has blown up in Conservative Christians' faces. What is unclear in the book is the line between social conservatives and religious conservatives. While the line is fine, Martin's approach is at times simplistic. The groups often work together and share common causes, but they are ultimately different and have different views of America's future. To his credit, Martin usually makes this clear when discussing the involvement of radical groups like the KKK. If you keep the above in mind, the book can be rewarding!

Crucial to an objective understanding.......1999-11-29

William Martin's With God on Our Side offers a sympathetic yet objective look at the evolution of Christian fundamentalism in America over the last 50 years, culminating in the rise of the Christian Coalition and the Religious Right. Written in conjunction with a PBS series of the same title, Martin's book contains both a detailed overview and plenty of first-hand accounts of events that have transformed what was once a politically non-existent group into one of the most important voting blocs in America. No matter which side of the fence you fall on, this book is a must for students of both religion and politics.

An objective treatment of the rise of the Religious Right........1997-11-19

William Martin presents an outstanding background of the rise of the Christian Right. With his thorough research, the reader has a complete objective history of the movement of evangelicals into politics.

With God On Our Side - The Rise Of The Religious Right In America - The Companion Volume To The Public Television Series..

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With God On Our Side - The Rise Of The Religious Right In America - The Companion Volume To The Public Television Series..
William Martin
Manufacturer: Broadway Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000X575KA

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