The Subtle Beast: Snakes, From Myth to Medicine (Science Spectra Series)

Book Description

Among the many different creatures that live in the world around us, snakes occupy a special place, almost always inciting a visceral response. Through the ages snakes have inspired fear or love, have been cast as gods or devils, as living representations of good or evil, and have even been used as fantastic medicinal tools. Many of the supernatural beliefs concerning snakes have been dismantled over the years by a number of great scientists, many of whom are described in this volume. The Subtle Beast introduces the reader to the complex and absorbing world of snakes, tracing a fascinating journey from the macroscopic features of snakes to the molecular components of their venom. As the book progresses, the reader will bear witness as the snake sheds its mythical skin to emerge in the full splendor of its true self.

Book Description

My Malawi Journal is a travelogue in which the writer narrates her rich experiences of Malawi, a small landlocked country in east central Africa. As a Peace Corps volunteer, the author lives with her adopted village family and gains first-hand knowledge of the hard rural life. A simple and chronological account, of the day-to-day activities of the narrator, gives the reader an insight into the widespread poverty and hunger that exists amongst a large population of the world.

Customer Reviews:

Very Poor Account.......2004-08-28

This book badly needed editing once the inexplicable decision was made to publish it. Buckley does not give us a sense of the history of the country, the political situation, environmental problems or anything else connected to Malawi. Most of the text (laden with exclamation points tagging the most trivial observations) is concerned with the author's intestinal problems; thus the claim that the book is about Malawi is misleading and the title should have been "My Truncated Experiences with the Peace Corps in a Generic African Country." Truly a squandered opportunity.

Peace Corps Failure.......2003-12-19

Bea Buckley's approaches her Peace Corps experience with trepidation and a kind of self-imposed ageism. Though no doubt well-intentioned, she worries and whines during her few months in Malawi concerned with toothpaste and clean underwear. Only once--this when she is waiting for a ride to the airport to go home after qutting--does she allow herself to see the beauty and possibilities of the country. Whether the Peace Corps failed her by not screening its candidates properly or whether Buckley failed herself hardly matters. Overwhelmed by depression and worries about physical illness, she cannot continue. Her family, for whom she claims this book is written, should never have allowed her to pubish it. The writing is atrocious, needs editing, and the product is not what it claims to be--about the poverty and hunger in a Third World country. It is about a woman who is so self-involved that she cannot see beyond her own minor discomfort (on a bus, with the food, outhouse, darkness, even Athlete's foot!) to allow herself the compassion necessary to identify with those more needy than she. As a reader older than Buckley, I resented her ageism. As a person who has frequently traveled to impoverished countries, I found her desperation (She brushed her teeth with perfumed soap, for heaven's sake!) pathetic.

Book Description

Winner of the Colbert Award for the best adult book about dinosaurs

Louis Jacobs reopened paleontologists' eyes to the African continent when he uncovered a major fossil site in the hills of Malawi in the 1980s. During five digging seasons in Malawi and three in Cameroon, Jacobs found the remains of two meat-eating theropods, two herbivorous sauropods, an odd crocodile about the size of a Chihuahua, and rare early mammals. Now in paperback, Quest for the African Dinosaurs includes Jacobs' new introduction, which discusses recent developments in paleontological research in Africa.

Customer Reviews:

The Crocodile's Nose??.......2003-08-14

A enterprising editor might have boosted sales of this fine book using a different title. Steve Gould's Panda's Thumbs and Flamingo's Smiles do well. Jacobs' depiction of his search for African dinosaur fossils deserves no less. Along with a fine account of his field work in Malawi and Cameroon, Jacobs' assessment of fossil composition and what it tells us about past life is illuminating. As it happens, the structure of a crocodile's nose tells us whether it lived on land or water. This seemingly dry fact relates to how our own skulls are organized, and why. Deftly woven into his story of seeking dinosaur fossils, tracing the movement of continents over the face of the globe and the status of Malawi's culture in today's world, are the threads of his research. Evolution's had a busy time of it, and Jacobs explains how to read the record of its workings.

Jabobs' travels and observations demolish the image of the austere scientist who cares only for his research and status within his guild. The title isn't "The Dinosaurs of Africa" - he's done that before. Here, he's relating his journey to make those finds, updating information on what he's found. The broader approach means learning of the travails experienced in locating the fossils, what it's like to work a dig, and how he and his team dealt with their host countries. He leaves a valid image of a broadly caring person, untrammeled by his own cultural heritage. Jacobs is adept at bringing the reader into his world. That world has a long time span, with unceasing change the only constant. He traverses millennia more easily than countries. Justly so - there're no border guards at century boundaries.

African dinosaur fossils are elusive in popular science writing. The notoriety given "the Bone Wars" in 19th Century North America have kept interest and funding largely curtailed to that region until recently. Jacobs was among the first to bring the African fossil picture into view. Although finds are being announced from that continent with increasing frequency, few of the scientists have produced a record as readable as Quest for the African dinosaurs. Nor has there come to light other examples of the follow-up in developing local expertise Jacobs has undertaken in Malawi. It's an inspiring story and one of interest far beyond fossil analysis. The final chapter, "The Good of Dinosaurs" demonstrates how a serious scientist can express awareness of his host country and act to improve desperate conditions, even if only marginally. "One small step . . . "

As a reissue, this book requires an editor for more than just a title. Jacobs has a propensity for short, choppy sentences, or else some editor has betrayed him. As it stands, many of these random statements break up the idea he's conveying. Perhaps it's a trick to get the reader to review the prior material. Sometimes it works. Fortunately, it doesn't detract from Jacobs efforts to convey a picture of a shifting, changing Mesozoic world and its inhabitants. He covers ground [more than geographical] rarely addressed by others. He's a good read and a valuable human being. More of you should learn about him from this book. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Where's the dinos?.......2000-11-18

I was really excited to find this book had been rereleased, and grabbed it the minute I saw it. It has a good reputation, and I had liked Jacob's "Lone Star Dinosaurs". Unfortunately, only about half the book is actually about dinosaurs.

A person writing about dinosaurs may have a scientific duty to make the point that dinosaurs were not alone in their world and a moral obligation to discuss the indigenous population if they're describing a dig in a third world country. I can even sympathise with the fact that Jacobs found the giant crocodile and early mammals his expeditions found as fascinating as the dinosaurs but knew that he'd have less of an audience if he didn't push the dinosaurs. But he (or his publishers) should have bitten the bullet and been more honest with the book's title once these other considerations were given as much paper as they were.

That being said, a chapter about Malawisaurus is currently the best source for the general public about Titanosaurid sauropods. As for African dinosaurs in general, this and Phillipe Taquet's interesting "Dinosaur Impressions" are our choices at the moment unless and until we get a book about the turn-of-the-century German expeditions or - more likely - Paul Sereno's recent work. A good, up-to-date work on the dinosaurs of Africa has yet to be written.

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QUEST FOR THE AFRICAN DINOSAUR. THE ANCIENT ROOTS OF THE MODERN WORLD.
L. Jacobs
Manufacturer: Villard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WPAH0G

Book Description

Many problems in celestial mechanics, physics and engineering involve the study of oscillating systems governed by nonlinear ordinary differential equations or partial differential equations. This volume represents an important contribution to the available methods of solution for such systems. The contents are divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 presents a study of periodic solutions for nonlinear systems of evolution equations including differential equations with lag, systems of neutral type, various classes of nonlinear systems of integro-differential equations, etc. A numerical-analytic method for the investigation of periodic solutions of these evolution equations is presented. In Chapters 2 and 3, problems concerning the existence of periodic and quasiperiodic solutions for systems with lag are examined. For a nonlinear system with quasiperiodic coefficients and lag, the conditions under which quasiperiodic solutions exist are established. Chapter 4 is devoted to the study of invariant toroidal manifolds for various classes of systems of differential equations with quasiperiodic coefficients. Chapter 5 examines the problem concerning the reducibility of a linear system of difference equations with quasiperiodic coefficients to a linear system of difference equations with constant coefficients. Chapter 6 contains an investigation of invariant toroidal sets for systems of difference equations with quasiperiodic coefficients. For mathematicians whose work involves the study of oscillating systems.

Book Description

This is an engaging account of the six most-read Austen novels. It provides a detailed critique of Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion, linking the significance of the works from the past to the present day in the light of contemporary attitudes to women, tradition, and innovation. The book explores the influence of art, architecture, music, literature, theology, philosophy, history, and politics in the novels, and discusses both traditional and contemporary literary theory, examining Austen's use of wit and irony, and the nuances of her vocabulary.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyed.......2007-04-20

I enjoyed reading the book and felt like I was right there with the family going through this crisis. I rooted for Will all the way through and couldn't wait to hear of his improvements. But, in the end I was a little frustrated though at the fact that he never does appreciate all his parents do. They spent $5,000 a month on a therapy school only few can dream of. I was hoping to see in the end that he truly saw a light and I guess I just felt like the book ended with him still being depressed and immature.

Read this because our children are reading it.......2006-05-25

What separate this story of a family's struggle with a son's suicidal depression are the son's and his girlfriend's own first-person accounts of their psychological torments. Maybe these accounts, together with author Griffith's lucidity, explain why so many young people seem to be seeking this book out. They certainly make the lack of mental health support this family found all the more shocking.

Worthy of a Nobel Prize for Brilliance and Generosity .......2006-01-12

Reading this book was one of the most affecting entertainment experiences I have ever had. I venture to say that not since the 12-hour 1973 TV documentary, 'An American Family', has there been -- in print or on video -- as fully realized a portrait of a family in crisis as is portrayed in this astonishing work. The story begins with the highest possible drama in recounting the near-fatal suicide attempt of an exceptionally bright, seemingly well-adjusted 17-year-old boy in the bedroom of the upper middle class D.C. home he shared with two loving and dedicated parents. In fact, at the time of his attempt, Will was actually being raised by four remarkable parents, as both his mother (author Gail Griffith with whom he was living when he overdosed on anti-depressant drugs intending to die) and his father (with whom he was also extremely close) had each acquired a second spouse; not only had the respective step-parents embraced Will as if he were their natural child, but the four adults had achieved unusual harmony amongst themselves, beautifully integrating their extended families. No post-divorce rancor or other trauma, no major drug or alcohol problems, few dark clouds of any kind appeared to have unleashed the violent storm that nearly destroyed a promising young man. Partial answers to the riddle of why Will crashed are suggested by Griffith's history of her own lengthy depression and hospitalization, as well as her painfully detailed portrait of Will's girlfriend, Megan, who was also suffering from severe depression as well as an addiction to cutting her skin with razor blades and knives. Indeed, Griffith, in securing the right to publish contemporaneous letters and diary notes from young Megan Mathews (interspersed with those of Will and many other family members) tells a story of a second deeply-troubled self-mutilating teen, who, like Will, eventually manages to regain her mental health; not only does the quality of Megan's writing add an excellent further dimension to Griffith's story, but I feel certain that the excerpts from Megan are our introduction to an uncommonly talented writer -- whose own books I eagerly look forward to reading. As Will rallies from a 2-day coma, his family confronts their fears that he might attempt a second try, as well as guilt and anger over the mystery of what led to the first attempt. Griffith ably stitches together the story of Will's earlier years and then recounts the intensive family effort to locate what proves to be a rare and remarkable institution, Montana Academy, which accepts Will and shepards his year-long recovery to where he regains a strong will to live and resume normal life in the 'real' world. Griffith pauses throughout her narrative to alert parents to what she learned from this excruciating experience -- how to foretell suicide threats, how to diagnose and deal with depressed children, how to work with psychiatrists and other doctors, how to evaluate and manage anti-depressant drugs, and many other insights into preserving family mental health. Virtually no names are fictionalized in this book, which adds to its authenticity and underlines the courage of the many family members, friends, and others who cooperated in this supremely generous offering -- which no parent should miss the opportunity to learn from.

Moving and Inspirational.......2005-06-03

The circumstances of Gail Griffith's story are too familiar to many of us who have shared the suffering of family members with mental illnesses. Congratulations to Will, Gail and their family and friends for finding a way out of the darkness and for their courage in showing others that it can be done.

Read This Book!.......2005-06-01

There are no perfect families and there is no child without problems. When and how do we react as parents? Thank you Gail Griffith for sharing your story with us. This is an exceptionally poignant account of how a family deals with depression and teen suicide.

We, as parents, are not prepared or professionally trained to handle such sensitive issues. More importantly, each individual child is unique and will react differently to alternative therapies. We must listen closely to those who have made the passage and learn from their experience. You will not regret reading this book!!

Will's Choice: A Suicidal Teen, a Desperate Mother, and a Chronicle of Recovery

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Will's Choice: A Suicidal Teen, a Desperate Mother, and a Chronicle of Recovery
Gail Griffith
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEM2T4

Book Description

For the Allied armies fighting their way up the Italian boot in early 1944, Rome was the prize that could only be won through a massive offensive. Military historian Mark Zuehlke returns to the Mediterranean theater of World War II with this gripping tribute to the Canadians who opened the way for the Allies to take Rome. The book is a fitting testament to the bravery of soldiers like the badly wounded Captain Pierre Potvin, who survived more than 30 hours alone on the battlefield.

Customer Reviews:

Good introduction.......2005-06-24

This series was an excellent introduction to Canada's contribution in Italy. I highly recommend it and especially enjoyed the quotes from veterans who were there as their stories are now preserved.

book reviev.......2004-08-30

Liri Valley, by Mark Zuehlke provides a balanced and comprehensive overview of the canadians role in the Italian campaign specifically re: Monte Cassino as part of the 8th British army push. This particular battle was one of the hardest fought during WW2. Mr Zuelke deserves credit in the work he does re: canadian history. If mistakes have occured re: facts then hopefully he can acknowledge and correct them. Maybe a forum on the authors part would be helpful re: correspondance with fans,facts and feedback etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and currently I'm reading his most recent work, Juno Beach, also excellent. Life is not perfect and errors etc. do happen if so let the readers know if none occured then fine. I believe Mark's work is only getting better and the awareness he is bringing to our generation re: these Canadian soldiers is commendable. Continue the good work, hope to see more material on the Canadian's in North Western Europe WW2 especially something pertaining to "Operation Varsity".

A wonderful approach to Canadian military history.......2004-08-09

I purchased this book the same day I finished "Ortona". Zuehlke's writing style is very story-like, while not glazing over important historical facts and details. He does an excellent job of placing the reader at the scene. I was happy to find that I enjoyed this book as much as Ortona, and that it was more of what I liked about the first book. I really enjoyed this book and I don't understand the negative reviews left previously. I've read a lot of military history and I no longer have any use for a dry, history text type approach that so many authors seem to be married to.

A Good "Popular" History.......2002-03-25

While I'm exceptionally pleased to see a resurgence of interest in WW2 subjects, particularly as they apply to the experiences of our veterans, I remain a trifle dismayed at the lack of depth of much of the historical writing which has flourished in the wake of this renaissance. THE LIRI VALLEY is no exception.

In contrast to superb works such as Donald Graves' SOUTH ALBERTAS, this book seems to try to cross a non-man's land between history and tale, accomplishing neither very well. While I will be the first to say that Zuehlke's style of writing is very easy to read and flows well, in this case, the substance contained therein seems suspect. I'm afraid I have to agree with the prior reviews in that credibility with respect to attention to detail is lost pretty much from the beginning; although I suspect the fault lies more with an incompetent editor than with Mr. Zuehlke himself, his puzzling attack on Mr. Dorosh unfortunately tends to diminish his own credibility as a historian, rather than to support his case. This day and age, there are simply too many well-read people out here, and neither technical nor typographical errors can be easily excused.

I would recommend this book for someone who is already familiar with the Liri Valley campaigns - it is indeed easily read and understood, and complements other noted works on the subject - but am hesitant to do so as a primer on the campaign.

One would hope that Mr. Zuehlke will have the services of a 'knowledgeable' editor for his next volume in the series.

Reviewer should check his facts first.......2002-01-29

Please note that I've only filled in the book rating because it's required to post this message. [An author shouldn't rate his own book.] As an author, I generally don't respond to reviews. Michael Dorosh's review, however, requires a respons--notably because it is, as his title infers, "riddled with stupid errors." I do not, for example, mis-identify "Patton's 7th Army as the 5th." Neither Patton nor the 7th saw action in Italy proper. They left that theatre after Sicily, as any military historian worth his salt would know. The Perth Regiment's badge was as described during World War II, a fact thoroughly noted by Brigadier George Kitching at the time under whom the regiment served. The RCR's pipe and drum band is described in detail in the regiment's war diaries for 1944. In fact the band's instruments were smuggled to Italy against orders by the band members, a fact recorded at the time by the regiment's long-standing 2 i/c Major Strome Galloway. It would behoove Dorosh to get his own facts correct before he starts slinging mud.

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Progressive America at its most eloquent

a shame

A Pleasure To Read

a useful, thought-provoking book

Humane, broad-minded

Politics : Observations and Arguments, 1966-2004
Hendrik Hertzberg
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000GG4GH6

Amazon.com

These are rich times for writers of Hendrik Hertzberg's political persuasion. The stalwart political commentator has plenty of qualified company on the left when it comes to critiquing the conservative revolution, notably Lewis Lapham, William Greider, and Paul Krugman. But the former New Republic editor and current New Yorker executive editor has a voice that is particularly suitable for an on-the-outs observer. Hertzberg seems almost delighted to pinpoint hypocrisy, inconsistency, greed, and masked cynicism. At his best, he makes indignation fun. Politics gathers dozens of Hertzberg's editorials and essays in one hefty volume, organizing them in loose subdivisions ("The Wayward Media," "Wedge Issues," "2000 + 9/11"). The former Jimmy Carter speechwriter isn't above lancing those on the left who fail to match their ideals with their actions, but, naturally, he's at his best when scrutinizing those on the right. The Reagan and Bush II administrations proved to be particularly inspirational. Keen, pithy, and daring (if not always right; in 1988, he ruefully forecasted a Dan Quayle administration), Hertzberg ranks with the finest political writers of his era. The proof is in this wide-ranging and smartly edited compilation. --Steven Stolder

Book Description

Here at last are Hendrik HertzbergÂ's most significant, hilarious, and devastating dispatches from the American scene he has chronicled for four decades with an uncanny blend of moral seriousness, high spirits, and perfect rhetorical pitch. Arranged thematically, each section contains the choicest, most illuminating pieces from his body of work and begins with a new piece of writing that frames the subject at hand. A tour of the defining moments of American life from the mid-Â'60s to the mid- Â'00s, Politics is at once the story of American life from LBJ to GWB and a testament to the power of the written word.

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"Cause for jubilation: At last, one of America's wisest and most necessary voices has distilled what he knows about politics, broadly speaking, into one magnificent volume. Imagine if the Rolling Stones were just now releasing its first greatest hits album, and you'll have some idea of how long overdue, and highly anticipated, Politics is. Here are Hendrik Hertzberg's most significant and hilarious and devastating and infuriating dispatches from the American scene-a scene he has chronicled for four decades with an uncanny blend of moral seriousness, high spirits, and perfect rhetorical pitch. Politics is at once the story of American life from LBJ to GWB and a testament to the power of the written word in the right hands. In those hands, everything seems like politics, and politics has never seemed more interesting. Hertzberg breaks down American politics into component parts-campaigns, debates, rhetoric, the media, wars (cultural, countercultural, and real), high crimes and misdemeanors, the right, and more-and draws the choicest, most telling pieces from his body of work to illuminate each, beginning each section with a new piece of writing framing the subject at hand. Politics 101 from the master, Politics is also an immensely rich and entertaining mosaic of American life from the mid-1960s to the mid-2000s-a ride through recent American history with one of the most insightful and engaging guides imaginable."

Customer Reviews:

Progressive America at its most eloquent.......2006-05-24

Hendrik Hertzberg, speechwriter of President Carter and editor for The New Republic and the New Yorker, has collected the best of his essays in this book. Describing a variety of subjects and experiences, Hertzberg consistently takes a fiercely progressive and compassionate position, while at the same time never stooping to the level of the mud-flinging political 'books' so often published by Beltway insiders.

The book's essays are about a great variety of issues, both inside and outside the United States. Notable are his experiences as speechwriter to Jimmy Carter, his activities as election observer in Nicaragua and Pakistan, his work as a journalist during various presidential campaign candidates and his brilliant and insightful essays on the structural flaws in the American political system, in particular the elections.

Personally I do not agree with Hertzberg on many things (I'm more on the left than he is), but this book will appeal to any reader regardless of his or her political position. As long as you have even a passing interest in American politics, you will find this book provides some very pleasant, eloquent and humane reflections on the workings and effects of Washington and its policies. Despite the anecdotal nature of this collection, Hertzberg never loses sight of the bigger picture. It is hard to find a more intelligent and responsible defender of the weak and downtrodden in the United States today.

a shame.......2005-08-15

Others have drawn attention to Hertzberg's civil tone. We have all become accustomed to discourse via amplified insult; measured voices such as Hertzberg's are refreshing indeed. Having said this, it amounts to nothing more than a shame. When a leftist advances his argument with the typical manic lunacy, we may simply dismiss him as a fool. Hertzberg, however, cannot be so dismissed. He is bright and learned. Unfortunately, he's got it all wrong. All the facts are on the table, and the judge appears to be fair. Yet the judgment is random and chaotic - the judge has added it up as if following a different arithmetic altogether. After reading Hertzberg's work, one has the queasy feeling one gets watching news coverage of the person dragged off to the asylum, leaving puzzled neighbors in his wake saying "he seemed so normal." Something's gone wrong, and no one can quite figure out how it happened. A shame, indeed.

A Pleasure To Read.......2005-05-03

One of the finest nonfiction titles I've ever read. I can't recall having derived so much enjoyment from a book since Brave New World.

It's a must-own, especially in times where most politically oriented "Non-fiction" titles are so abysmal both in prose, substance, and veracity. Regardless of whether your passion is history, politics, or cadence and style (he is a former speech-writer), the book should prove fascinating (all the more if you're passionate about all of the above). The pieces on the 1988 election were especially well written.

Just an all-round pleasure. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

a useful, thought-provoking book.......2005-02-25

There is no better way to be introduced to a piece of writing than hearing its author discuss his work. In January, I attended a lecture entitled "Politics and The New Yorker," given by the magazine's senior political editor. In a calm, earnest, reflective manner, Mr. Hertzberg spoke about writers of previous generations and about enduring relevance of the issues they raised. He talked of his hopes and his vision for the country. A book by this logical, articulate, sensitive person should be a worthwhile read, I thought. Too bad I could not get a copy right then and there, and have it inscribed - the organizers did not accept credit cards, and I did not have enough cash on me.

The next day I was at Borders, and found the book. It promised to be a real treat - the first impression that was fully confirmed as I kept reading. All of a sudden, my daily commute became both short and interesting. As an ex-Russian, I appreciated the breadth of the subject matter of this collection of essays, and its vivid writing. I learned a lot about recent American history; an American-born reader who is too young to remember Kennedy and Nixon, hippies and weathermen, will reap a similar benefit.

It is a given that a book by someone of Mr. Hertzberg's standing should be a brilliantly polished piece of literature. Poetics, irony, wit, sarcasm and plain lucid logic are masterfully employed, and perfectly fitted to the subject matter: an interview with John Lennon is pure poetry; passionate, argumentative language is used to convey dismay over the flaws in our political system. Descriptive passages are brilliant; and the punch line is always sharp and unexpected.

But aesthetics of writing is not the only attraction of this book. Its discussion of our political system, and suggestions for fixing its flaws are of no lesser interest. Not that one necessarily agrees with everything, but the book sure does make the reader think. For example, I cannot possibly agree with a suggestion to reserve some Senate and House seats to represent minority views of those who, while sufficiently numerous to potentially have seats in the House, are spread too thinly across the country to be able to win actual representation on the Hill. To give them representation in a way suggested by Mr. Hertzberg would be to institute in Congress a genuine inequality. One congressman would arrive at Washington shackled hand and foot by all manner of obligations to his local constituents; for him, to vote his conscience would be to risk political demise. The other one, sent by a constituency so vague as to be indefinable, would be beholden to no one, and at full freedom to vote his conscience. That's a huge inequality. And the very idea of a congressman or a senator voting his conscience is hugely problematic in itself; it goes against the very grain of representation. My representative should vote my conscience, not his. A representative who votes his conscience embezzles delegated power. But many of Mr. Hertzberg's points are very well taken indeed. He is perfectly right in criticizing the internal rules by which both chambers of Congress operate. His attack on the legality of filibuster makes perfect sense, as does his analysis of pernicious side effects of seniority. The most important effect of Mr. Hertzberg's criticisms and suggestions, of course, is having us realize that our political system does have room for improvement, and that improvement is indeed possible.

All in all, "Politics" is a superb book, a joy for a one concerned with the future of the country and interested in observing the sometimes tragic, sometimes amusing interplay of human ambitions, vanities, and interests that is called "politics."

Humane, broad-minded.......2005-02-01

Unlike Christopher Hitchens whose prose screams "Look at me, look at me," Hertzberg is a more modest stylist: the words he uses are meant to carry his ideas and to explain them simply and clearly. He's an avowed liberal and makes no bones about it, but he is not strident or offensive in any way. Conservatives: If you find HH offensive to your sensibilities, it is unlikely that you are capable of holding a serious, rational, and thoughtful conversation. This is not "talk radio" or "cable news" fodder, both of which he discusses. And he is critical of both cowardly Clinton as well as the amnesiac Reagan. It is engaging from start to finish, though it gets a little confusing on Proportional Representation (but I'm not good with numbers). There are many short pieces written for The New Yorker and The New Republic making it easy to bounce around and read in short spurts; I didn't see any real need to read it in order from beginning to end. Inspiring Idea: Stop revering the Founding Fathers and start emulating them. Great quote I hadn't heard before: When told that George W. Bush said he sleeps like a baby, Colin Powell replied: "I sleep like a baby, too. Every two hours I wake up screaming."

Politics : Observations and Arguments, 1966-2004

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Politics : Observations and Arguments, 1966-2004
Hendrik Hertzberg
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJD0PO

Customer Reviews:

Know Where We Stand, Then We Know Where We Are.......2002-03-16

My understanding and practice of landscaping is limited to the home and garden variety. Even at this level of home maintenance my skills and interests are limited. And I should be vacationing at a national park, say, the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, I would be as Moses standing on Pisgah taking in the general effect of the scenery from a distance. It comes as an entirely new revelation then, for one to be connected to or be part of a landscape takes more than Scott's fertilizers for the lawn, bordered fences, or sightseeing the Yosemite Valley.

After accepting a teaching position at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the author and her poet husband make their home in the Finger Lakes Region at upstate New York. There, the author begins her interrogative journey on this vast landscape of terra incognita and eventually finding herself (and does her family) to belong to the land(scape) and not merely as a transient trampling through it with indifference.

The book is repleted with historical anecdotes, myths, and local interests. It's is not a technical tome about geography, history, and anthropology of the Finger Lakes. Rather, this is the author's journal of how she strives to be with the land upon she dwells. As the author discovers, the landscape is the embodied lessons of the past for the present, and instructions for the future. The scenery of a place is only a prop. Without a landscape there can be no scenery. And that what makes this book rare and instructive.

Deborah Hall's work has filled a void in my understanding of our culture. I now think more about the history, the town, and the neigbhorood (including neighbors) where I live. Perhaps too, I will come to know the land where I stand, and not just my own lawn.

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