Celebrate the Months March

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Celebrate the Months March
Cindy Barden
Manufacturer: Creative Teaching Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Celebrate the Months April

Celebrate the Months May

Celebrate the Months December

ASIN: 1574713043

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Department of Defense celebrates Women's History Month, March 1997 (SuDoc D 2.9:D 36/2/NO.110)
U.S. Dept of Defense
Manufacturer: American Forces Information Service, Dept. of Defense
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010UUZ4

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Mountain Biking in New South Wales

Cycling the Bush: 100 Rides in New South Wales
Sven Klinge
Manufacturer: Hill of Content
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0855722045

Customer Reviews:

Mountain Biking in New South Wales.......1998-03-17

Sven Klinge is the author of the most comprehensive cycling guide books in Australia. By combining cycling with walking treks, he has explored over 300 of Australia's National Parks and State Forests. Born in Sydney and educated at the University of Sydney, Sven now divides his time between accountancy and other writing projects. CYCLING THE BUSH: 100 RIDES IN NEW SOUTH WALES is a fully revised edition, with dozens of new rides, and many others updated to take into account new management policies and conditions. The range of rides includes short one day trips around Sydney to extended overnight cycling/walking expeditions in remote and rugged wilderness areas. Almost all of New South Wales' major national parks are covered, including nearly 50 rides in the popular Blue Mountains alone. Other chapters centre on the wild Morton National Park, the picturesque Barrington Tops, and the great alpine ranges of Kosciusko. From mountain lookouts to secluded beaches, from pristine rivers to limestone caves, from cliff-lined gorges to snow-gum forests, this guide covers 100 of the most exciting mountain and touring bike adventures available to the cyclists in New South Wales and the ACT. Each ride incorporates data on distances, height variation, transport, access, track and rides grades, facilities, map references, and special equipment needed. Extensive information is provided on geological, biological, and historical aspects of natural, Aboriginal, and colonial features along the rides. There are chapters devoted to the development, mechanics, and maintenance of the mountain bike, in addition to sections covering accessories, riding techniques, first aid, food, equipment, photography, and camping. In COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT FORMAT, this guide should be POCKET EQUIPMENT for every cyclist and bushwalker wishing to discover this exciting way of venturing into the most diverse parks system in Australia.

Book Description

In the late 1960's, in the small community of Bethel, Alaska, a beaten teenager named Dove Alexie is in prison. One day, he mysteriously vanishes, and curiously, there is no mention of hi s arrival or departure on the prison records. Four young people in Bethel tell their stories, and the narrative circles around Dove – their unseen companion.

Told with humour and insight, Unseen Companion spins together four unique voices that capture the complexities of human existence and the search for one's place in the universe.

o Based on the author's own experiences living and doing social work in fourteen Alaskan bush villages, which left Orenstein uniquely qualified to write the kind of loss and hopelessness presented in this novel.

o An intriguing and layered narrative structure, unique voices, and a brilliant over–arching metaphor that sums up one's place in the universe make this a unique and resonant book that will stick with readers for years to come.

Ages 12 +

Customer Reviews:

WAAAAA~~~.......2005-03-26

I hav'int read this book but by the way this girl skakes her mini i can tell she been used up a bad bok bt still you should read it, it's GOOD!!

Amazing Book!.......2004-06-08

This book was terrific! It is a must read for all teenagers. It has a quick plot with at least one character that everyone, no matter who you are, can identify with. I'd recommend it to everyone!!!

Unseen Compainon By:Denise Gosliner Orenstein.......2004-05-04

"Bethel, Alska- a small community in a stark landscape where a powerful and richly textured story spins together, one voice at a time.
It is late 1960s as beaten teenaged Dove Alexie sits in prison. One day, Dove suddenly vanishes, and there is nothing in the prison records to mark his arrival and departure. Out of the tundra, four young people step forward with their sotries.
Lorianne Hobbs, a precious loner who brings meals to the prison; Annette Weinland, the local ministers daoughter, who volenteers at the prison; Thelma Cooke and Edger Kwaigly, two yup'ik adolescents orphand and displaced from their native communtites.
At the core of each narriation is Dove - and the mystery of his disaperance.
lIke planets in the solar system, these four young people travel in seperate orbits with an unseen companion,..... Dove! Denise Gsoliner Orenstein's masterpiece of interviewing voices captures the complexities of human exisitence with humor and insight."

After reading that I can tell that there are going to be alot of discription, because they way she ties the solar system into the review of the story, I know she has imagination.
So I would really want you to read this book!

Reminded me of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.......2004-02-13

Though it was set in the cold muddy tundra of Alaska, 'Unseen Companion' reminded me of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Dove Alexie is as mysterious and haunting as Boo Radley, though he's a completely different kind of character. The reader is left with a sense of outrage at the racial injustice that takes place, and yet there is humor to lighten the darkness. The characters of Lorraine and her mother are particularly enjoyable. Though the narrators (four of them) are all teenagers, this is not just a book for teens, any more than 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a children's book because the narrator is a child. The narrators speak in an authentic vernacular, and yet the writing is lyrical and beautiful. The images of stars and planets wheel in the background, along with the wonder of man's first step on the moon. I expect this book to become a classic.

Outstanding1.......2003-09-26

This book was recommended by a friend, and I have to say I am eternally grateful to her. I couldn't put it down. Ms. Orenstein writes with compassion and understanding of the complexities which bind and separate people. And in a single paragraph I was often moved to both laughter and tears.

In addition to a compelling plot -- a young man who is jailed and then seemly disappears (the book is also a bit of a mystery story!) -- the author rights authoritatively about Alaska, making you almost believe you have visited the town of Bethel, and have wandered its street, and feel your heart tugged by the relentless poverty and isolation. More than anything, she writes of the terrible toll this takes on the children, who have no escape.

READ THIS BOOK! I hope it finds its way into many hands, and that the author receives the recognition she deserves. Barbara Johnson

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COMPANIONS OF THE UNSEEN
Paul Tabori
Manufacturer: University Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000COBS8

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Companions of the Unseen (Mediums)
Paul Tabori
Manufacturer: University Books, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0250808528

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Companions of the Unseen (The incredible Psychic Experiences of Nine Mediums Authenticated by Scientific Investigation!)
Paul Tabori
Manufacturer: Award
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Wicca | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Witchcraft | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000AN1DBM

Product Description

The incredible Psychic Experiences of Nine Mediums Authenticated by Scientific Investigation!

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Our unseen companions,
Sanchez Quixote
Manufacturer: W. Arthur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Parapsychology | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006FEL5O

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Unseen Companion
Denise Goslinger Orenstein
Manufacturer: HarperTempest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEEUT4

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Unseen Companion
Denise Go Orenstein
Manufacturer: HarperTempest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEICXY

Book Description

". . . dipping into this collection is much like opening a holiday gift and discovering a marvelous little toy that then holds your attention by some curious performance. . . . This book precisely reflects the way science education should be, especially at the introductory level." --From the foreword

Here is a collection of physics demonstrations costing very little to produce yet illustrating key concepts in amazingly simple and playful ways. Intended for instructors, students, and curious lay readers, these demonstrations make use of easily accessible, everyday items: food coloring and glycerine swirled and then "unmixed" in a container demonstrate aspects of the entropy law; raw eggs thrown with full force at a sheet but not breaking illustrate Newton's second law (f=ma); and the reflection off a glass Christmas tree ball is the focus of an explanation on "turning the world inside out." Many of the demonstrations are either new or include innovative twists on old ideas, as in the author's simplified version of the classic "Monkey and Hunter" problem, which substitutes "diluted gravity" on an inclined plane for large apparatus. Each demonstration outlines the objective, the equipment needed, and the procedure, including, in many instances, ways for a teacher to perform the demonstration on an overhead projector. Throughout the book concrete examples are accompanied by enough theoretical background to enhance a reader's basic understanding of physical principles. Lab instructors will find that demonstrations containing a quantitative component work well as mini- experiments and as ways to illustrate the results of calculations. These diverse and flexible demonstrations will serve a wide range of educational levels, from middle school physical science to university physics.

Customer Reviews:

Great detailed demos.......2001-12-16

This is definetely the best Ehrlich book I've read. The demos are great because he puts alot of thought into making them classroom friendly (there's alot using overhead projectors)and detailed. Most of the details should only be used with high school level and up, but most of the experiments are good anyways. He uses sound, detailed physics - not the vague or sometimes incorrect explanations you find in the lower budget books. There's also a great organization scheme that makes everything easy to find and indicates which experiments are appropriate for certain situations.

Not as good as its title.......1999-12-30

When I saw the title of the book, I thought it would be a good aid for me in my highschool physics teachings. Some of the demos are not explained in detail, and it is hard to find (at least for me)some materials that are listed by the author for the demo. However, the ideas have been serving as the starting points for me, after some modifications (and spending a few minutes to understand the setting) I could use them in my class. Alright, it is not a tough job, even may be helpfull, but be aware of the fact that you might find some demos hard to implement.

Book Description

The Literature of California is a landmark publication--unmatched by any existing collection and distinguished by its breadth, variety of sources, and historical sweep. The editors have been refreshingly inclusive and imaginative in their selection: some of the writers are internationally known, others are anthologized here for the first time. The richness of material, ranging from Native American origin myths to Hollywood novels dissecting the American Dream; from the familiar voices of John Steinbeck, Jack London, and William Saroyan to the less-well-known narratives of Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton, Josephine Miles, and Jade Snow Wong--all of it captures the spirit and scope of the state itself.
This first volume of the comprehensive two-volume anthology is divided into four parts. The first includes stories, legends, and songs of the indigenous tribes. The second section comprises letters, diaries, reports, and travel narratives that trace a century of exploration, discovery, and conquest. Part III includes Mother Lode tales by Mark Twain and Bret Harte, the first signs of California poetry, the rise of narrative by California women, the nature writing of John Muir and Mary Austin, and some of the earliest prose from writers of Asian background, as well as the maturing fiction of Jack London and Frank Norris. Part IV traces the period between the World Wars, when California literature came fully into its own.
A lively introduction contextualizes each section, and concise biographical material is included for each writer. Volume Two, to be published in 2007, concentrates on the second half of the twentieth-century, during which California became one of the most active literary regions in the world. A colossal contribution to the culture of the state, The Literature of California broadens our sense of this region's richness, both past and present, offering new ways of perceiving history, community, and oneself.

Customer Reviews:

California, End of the earth.......2001-03-02

I'm taking a class from one of the guys who compiled the book, and for starters let me say twenty bucks is a damn good deal for a textbook. This one is meaty too. Very interesting prefaces for each selection of writing, as well as essays about each period. A must for anyone curious about Mythic California and the writers who, well, wrote about it. Great stuff by Twain and other biggies. My favorite pieces are those giving a glimpse into Californian mining camps. The one downfall of this book is that it would have been difficult interpreting the native american stories had I not been takeing a class concurrently. The essays written by the editors about the decimation of the native population, the subsequent eviction of Mexicans were much more insightful than the native pieces themselves. There are also pieces by descendants of native peoples, which give insight.

Book Description

Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are the most serious threats to the United States in the contemporary world. Yet, until now Americans knew very little about Mr. Bin Laden. How can they defeat this very formidable enemy if they know nothing about him? As the 4th Century Chinese military thinker Sun Tzu taught, one can defeat an enemy only if one knows the enemy.

Taking Sun Tzu's lesson to heart, this book offers the reader twenty statements from Osama Bin Laden translated into English. It is the first book of its kind to be published in English. The statements were released by Mr. Bin Laden between 1994 and 2004 and are best described not only as a litany of his complaints but also as his plan of attack. For the first time, people whose primary language is English can read the full text of Mr. Bin Laden's 1996 "Declaration of War on Americans" and his frightening 1998 Fatwa (a religious decree) in which he calls for the killing of American civilians wherever they are found. Americans and English speakers everywhere can also read the transcript of the famous "smoking gun" videotape discovered in November 2001, in which he admits his role in the 9/11 attacks. They can also read the infamous October 2004 statement which presidential candidate Senator John Kerry believes helped the reelection of President George W. Bush.

The book is sobering reading. Mr. Bin Laden's statements comprise not only a litany of complaints but also offer hints at his plans for future attacks against America. As the editor, Randall Hamud, points out, the only people who were not surprised by the 9/11 attacks were those in the United States government whose primary job had been to find Mr. Bin Laden. If Americans had known more about Mr. Bin Laden in the late 1990s or in early 2000, the perhaps they could have pressured their political and military leaders to have done more to stop him before it was too late.

The book is also thoroughly documented with over 900 endnotes. For the first time, English-speaking readers can read and understand Mr. Bin Laden's words in their cultural and historical contexts. In the Introduction and Forward, Mr. Hamud chronicles the life of Mr. Bin Laden, the history of Islamic political thought, and Mr. Bin Laden's place in the lineage of Islamic political thinkers. Mr. Hamud also addresses relevant elements of Islamic history and the Islamic religion so that the reader will have a full understanding not only of Mr. Bin Laden's words but also of the roots from which Mr. Bin Laden grew. Especially enlightening is Mr. Hamud's discussion of Mr. Bin Laden's brand of Islam: Wahhabism, the dominant Islamic sect in Saudi Arabia. To Wahhabis generally, and to Mr. Bin Laden in particular, Jihad (holy war) is the lifeblood of Islam. Wahhabi creed pulses throughout his statements and gives them deep traction in Saudi Arabia and other venues throughout the Islamic world.

Written in understandable English that conveys the spirit and intent of Mr. Bin Laden's eloquent Arabic, the book is also organized so that Mr. Bin Laden's statements can be read in any chronological order without sacrificing any knowledge necessary to a full understanding of each particular statement. Moreover, the Table of Contents summarizes each statement and puts them in their respective historical contexts. From Saudi Arabia, to Sudan, to Afghanistan, the reader will learn how Mr. Bin Laden was transformed from a rich playboy into the one of the world's most dangerous men.

In the Epilogue, Mr. Hamud again draws on the lessons of Sun Tzu and uses Mr. Bin Laden's own words to fashion a prescription for victory in the war on terrorism. Mr. Bin Laden does not hate freedom; rather, he hates discrete policies of the United States and the West that have alienated the vast majority of the Islamic world. Mr. Bin Laden plays to that alienation in his statements. If the policies can be changed, then Mr. Bin Laden's messages, and ultimately Mr. Bin Laden himself, can be discredited.

Mr. Hamud fears that if his prescription for victory is not filled, then the global war on terrorism will morph into a global holy war between Christianity and Islam - a holy war that Christianity cannot possibly win. This book is a must read for anyone interested in defeating Osama Bin Laden and winning the global war on terrorism.

Customer Reviews:

Know your enemies.......2007-08-11

Somewhere, Mao said that it was critical to know your enemies. Such knowledge is an important step in defeating them. Hence, as Osama Bin Laden has named himself an enemy of the United States and many other countries, we ought to know him. The author, Randall Hamud, emphasizes that we need to be pretty hard eyed about this man. In his words (page 196) ". . .he is neither a nihilist nor a madman." To think along those lines is to ignore his strengths--and weaknesses.

This volume does its job well, even though readers may well disagree mightily with the author's conclusion in his "Epilogue." His disappointment with American policy toward the Islamic world--and especially Iraq--is manifest. He notes that he is (page xxx) ". . .very pessimistic about the prosecution of the war on terrorism."

The Introduction is quite important. It provides a brief biography of Osama Bin Laden the man. As many readers would know, he was the son of a major figure in Saudi Arabia's construction industry. When he went to Afghanistan to take part in the resistance against the Soviet involvement there, he became ipso facto an American ally. Bin Laden became hostile toward the United States as that country became more involved in the Middle East, positioning soldiers in Saudi Arabia itself, in the first war against Iraq. The chapter discusses his perspective within Islam (he is a Wahhabi, who sees jihad as part of (page li) "the lifeblood of Islam."

The "Forward" does a nice job of laying out the history of Islam, from the time of the prophet Muhammad. It describes the split between Sunni and Shia. It discusses the actual nature of the classical Caliphate (which Bin Laden indicates that he wants to reinstate). There is a nice discussion of the origins of the Wahhabi perspective, linked to the Saud family, and its creation of religious schools (Madrassas) that teach a specific version of Islam, one that is not so friendly toward the interests of the West as it plays out today.

There follows the heart of the book--a number of documents from Bin Laden himself. Of special interest is a 1996 "Declaration of War against the Americans." This, of course, was long before 9/11. The message is pretty clearcut--he has condemned the United States and calls for Jihad. Another very brief essay is a useful counterpoint, the 2002 "Call to Jihad." There are a number of other writings by Bib Laden. Whatever the reader may think of these, they do tell us something about his mindset, his world view, and what actions he is calling for.

The book concludes with an "Epilogue," in which the author excoriates American policy toward the Islamic world. Many will disagree, but the epilogue does suggest alternative approaches to addressing Bin Laden and his allies.

All in all, not an easy read. But a valuable book to provide insight into Osama Bin Laden.

A Valuable Contribution to Understanding Bin Laden.......2006-03-24

Having been written by a native-born, Arab-American lawyer and Muslim who's a nationally known civil rights advocate and an outspoken critic of governmental repression I braced myself for the worst, but was pleasantly surprised. Reading Bin Laden's complete statements was a refreshing experience and provided valuable insights into his and radical Islam's mindset. Mr. Hamud's commentary on Islam, Islamic history, and prescription for getting back on track in going after Bin Laden is also invaluable in the debate over the conduct of the "war on terrorism." Unlike a number of other books out there: Bruce Lawrence's Messages to the World: The Statements of Osama Bin Laden, Robert Marlin's What Does Al-Qaeda Want: Unedited Communiques, and Brad Berner's Jihad: Bin Laden in His Own Words, this is one book that must be on the policymakers' and college students' bookshelves. But don't just take my word for it - if you're interested in OBL and the "war on terrorism" - READ THIS BOOK!

Islam is not the enemy!.......2005-12-22

Having read Randall Hamud's article "Diary of a `Terrorist's' Lawyer" a few years ago (California Lawyer, April 2002), I recognized immediately a fair and honorable man of courage and determination.

When I learned only recently, then, of OBL: . . . In His Own Words, I placed my order with amazon.com and looked forward to more of Mr. Hamud's excellent writing and exceptional insight. He didn't disappoint me.

Excruciatingly researched (in fact, after a while I found myself skipping the endnotes, notes almost as lengthy as the text) with a most extensive bibliography, OBL: . . .In His Own Words not only enlightens readers with background unavailable through daily newspapers and weekly and monthly magazines but educates them in the ways of Islam and Mideast politics.

Mr. Hamud makes clear from the very beginning that Islam is not the enemy.

However, Osama bin Laden, in his own words, is. As a consistent, unwavering, scholarly, aware, brave, righteous, and dynamic man, OBL has formidably declared open war on the United States and expresses, without diplomacy, his rancor and loathing of particular US policies as they affect Moslem countries. Rigidly adhering to the teachings of the Koran, he cites Islamic scholars most liberally in justifying his attacks on the United States.

Nonetheless, the Koran is not the enemy. OBL's use of it is.

Mr. Hamud states, "Although Mr. Bin Laden's statements in this book appear in chronological order from earliest to most recent, they may be read in any order." In turn, I suggest a particular order in reading Mr. Hamud's commentary and analysis.

First, read the Acknowledgments--yes, the Acknowledgments. Skip the Table of Contents with its chapter outlines. Rather, go to the Preface, the Introduction, and the Forward. Then skip to the Epilogue. Now you're ready to return to the Table of Contents where you'll read each chapter's précis before you read each chapter. Don't bother reading all the abstracts at once. And when you have finished all the chapters, reread the Epilogue.

Such a restructuring will not diminish your understanding of bin Laden, but it will certainly enhance, I suggest, your appreciation of Randall Hamud and the service he has done by publishing this important book.

More and More Information is coming.......2005-12-10

5 Stars
Annette Golden
Syracuse N.Y.

While this book did not make me like Osama Bin Laden--it did do an excellent job of making me understand him and the public aims that he has.

I still see him as a vicious terrorist and killer, but I applaud Randall B. Hamud for making me see that Bin Laden is a man of nobility in his own culture.

Also, Hamud's writing style is very efficient and accessible. I loved having an Arab man write about Osama for a change instead of the countless White journalists.

In February, Bin Laden's former mistress Kola Boof gets to tell about the "personal, interior" Osama Bin Laden in her autobiography "Diary of a Lost Girl" and I can't wait for that book. I've already ordered my copy and I only wish that she had more than the 90 pages that she's written about being with him. I understand that she details his hunting expeditions and his frienships with the rulers in SUDAN.

I think it's wonderful that we're starting to get so much information about what makes this man tick!

The Story Behind The Man In Afghanistan.......2005-10-20

Having been in New York during 9/11, I began doing research into Osama bin Laden and what led up to 9/11. Most authors & books fail to address the behind the scene issues that caused Osama to turn on the U.S. This book does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to see Osama's words and thought process first hand. Hamud did an excellent job in compiling bin laden's speeches to give the necessary background about the most infamous man of the century. A must read for any person interested in the Middle East and the modern era of terrorism.

Book Description

On February 23, 1945, an Associated Press photographer captured the image of six brave men raising the American flag at the windy peak of Mount Suribachi on the coveted island of Iwo Jima. Little did the photographer or the men in the photograph know that they were immortalizing themselves as part of a national icon. To millions of Americans, that image has become the ultimate symbol of American victory and patriotism. To the men who fought amid the volcanic ash and clandestine caves of Suribachi, this inspiring image has become tainted by embellished stories, distorted realities, and nagging questions about the flag-raisings. Why were there two flag-raisings? Who were the men who raised the flags? What were the battle conditions really like for the Marines as they climbed the pinnacle of Suribachi? Were the flag-raisings intentionally staged propaganda ploys designed to pacify a hungry press and soothe an anxious American public on the home front? At last the myths of 50 years are dispelled in Shadow of Suribachi, the only comprehensive, accurate account of the flag-raisings on Iwo Jima. The men who conquered the mountain tell their story through letters, interviews, and poignant recollections. For the first time in decades, Joe Rosenthal, the Associated Press photographer who took the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo offers a detailed account of his experiences on the island. Rare photos by other photographers, some previously unacknowledged, lend further credibility to this study of an event that became part of a classic World War II battle. In bringing truth to a momentous historical event, Albee and Freeman give long overdue recognition to the gallantry of thousands of unheralded men who made the flag-raisings on Suribachi possible. Of equal importance, this book inspires a new appreciation for an image forever emblazened in the minds of millions.

Customer Reviews:

Setting the record straight........1997-04-21

(The numerical rating above is required by the new Amazon format. It is offensive to this reviewer and explicitly disavowed.)

Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of the (second) flag-raising on Suribachi was such a singularly powerful allegorical image that it became a sort of Rorschach Test of attitudes, with viewers assigning values to it that have had more to do with their own prejudices that the event itself.

Albee and Freeman carefully reexamine the history and controversy to show that while the "Sands of Iwo Jima" movie version of history is not accurate, accusations of staging the famous photo are baseless and a slander on Rosenthal, a modest and honest man.

With maps, bibliography, index, and a remarkable series of photos with analysis, which when carefully examined unmistakably support the author's narrative of the events, and in no way disparage the courage of the men on that bleak and windswept mountaintop.

Book Description

Creating civic will by engaging citizens on the toughest public problems helps break legislative and bureaucratic gridlock and restores trust in public institutions. This book shows you how to do it.
--The Honorable Federico Pena, U.S. Secretary of Transportation

The leaders who are most effective in addressing public issues are those who have the credibility to bring together the right people to create visions and solve problems. Drawing on their extensive research, as well as on the advice and guidance of the leading scholars and practitioners in the field, David Chrislip and Carl Larson show how elected officials and other civic leaders can generate the civic will to break through legislative and bureaucratic gridlock, deal with complex issues, and engage frustrated and angry citizens. They also describe how to design, initiate, and sustain a constructive, collaborative process. This groundbreaking book provides insight and answers to the major challenges facing communities today.

Customer Reviews:

Bird watching and civil war.......2005-11-30

A little anger isn't bad. When you think of the collection of knaves, brutes, and simple ^$%@#s who rule many of the world's countries, you can get pretty steamed up, especially if you happen to see some of the happy results in person. What would be weird is if you didn't get angry. OK, Jonathan Maslow did go to Guatemala to trace the fate of the quetzal, a long-tailed bird that is not only the national symbol of that troubled Central American nation, but also gives the name to its currency. The quetzal has been important to Central Americans perhaps for thousands of years. Their great green tail plumes of the male bird were traded up and down from New Mexico to Peru. Indian armies believed that the quetzal flew overhead and blessed their endeavors. To kill a quetzal merited the death penalty. Just as the Maya people survived (despite all attempts to wipe them out) in Guatemala and make up more than half the population today, so the quetzal survived as a symbol. There's even a Quetzal Restaurant right near here, in Lynn, Mass., run by Guatemalan immigrants.

But Maslow did not just let it go at that---a trip into the forests to find the quetzal. He took note of what was going on around him and got angry. Good for him. The vulture was more of an apt symbol for the brutal, even crazy military rulers of Guatemala in the 1980s, unhappy country. He went to check out the vultures too, in a hellish dump. Massacres, executions, assassinations, disappearances, torture---these were the norm in Guatemala. When it was all over, some years after Maslow left, it is estimated that 200,000 people had died. Nobody will ever really know. At the same time, the country's poverty (in a rich land with hard working people !) meant that Indians had to keep on cutting the forest to make more cornfields, which, thanks to total lack of care by the government, would erode quickly. Maslow paints two sides of the picture very clearly---the beauties of nature, the general kindness of the local people (quetzal)---and the suspicion and disinterest of the official class living in gated luxury coupled with the signs of war all around (vulture). Such an approach could be simplistic, but it is very effective. One man, a rich landowner named Don Alfredo, who owns part of a mountain where quetzals live, seems to straddle the two groups, trying to protect his property at the same time as preserving the quetzals and treating the local peasants fairly. BIRD OF LIFE, BIRD OF DEATH is a good book because besides being well-written, it doesn't hesitate to go beyond its orignal objective---birds---and portray with considerable ironic or sarcastic anger the ugliness of a society at war with itself.

Captured the time and place.......2002-03-07

Maslow makes the reality of Guatemala in chaos both achingly plain and somehow funny at the same time. His political views are a subtext to a panorama of human and natural history. Very acute observations by someone who had to be crazy to pursue the quetzal into the Highlands and survive. One of the best books I have read in a while; I couldn't put it down.

the tragedy and wonder of Central American birding.......2001-03-01

Maslow does a fine job of presenting his quest for the the magnificent quetzal, legendary bird of the Mayans. The book chronicles not only his search for the bird and aspects of its natural history, but presents encounters with many other birds of Central America as well. Home to some wondrous birds in the almost magical rain forests, Maslow shows though that the avifauna and the land they inhabit is threatened by instable politics, unchecked population growth, and deforestation. A must read for any interested in birds south of the border.

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