As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty

As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
Average customer rating:

Good writer, but no paragon

As he saw it

The Life You Want Should Be the Life You Live

GOOD AUTOBIOGRAPHY

As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty
Manufacturer: Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Business | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Rich & Famous | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Oil & Energy | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

How to Be Rich

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie and The Gospel of Wealth (Signet Classics)

My Life and Work (The Autobiography of Henry Ford)

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie

How to be a Billionaire: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth

ASIN: 0892367008

Customer Reviews:

Good writer, but no paragon.......2006-07-08

I bought this book (for full price, should have saved $7 ordering through Amazon) at the Malibu Getty museum, initially to read after tiring before my wife of art-admiring. I read it the following week, and here are my impressions.

The book is very readable, Getty is to-the-point and clear, he wanders a bit, no surprise for an 83-yr-old writer, but maintaining a good train of thought and addresses the topics one would want to hear. The pictures bring some personalities to life, and the large print helps the pages speed by.

Some sections are fascinating, for example, the ways he dedicated himself to business at the cost of his five marriages, his hi-jinks as a youth, conversations with top leaders, Hollywood people and pesky hangers-on as the richest man in the world.

Other sections can be tedious. He often argues that he is not a hermit, not miserly, and had great relations with his parents. Much of this comes across as protesting too much, in fact, I tried to find an unauthorized biography to contrast with his official version, as I suspect some facts don't align with his narrative, but have not yet succeeded. He also assumes a superior vision across the realm of art and humanity, which I do not value as highly as his views on business.

My top gripe is the apocalyptic view of the world falling apart, mainly because there are fewer capitalistic businessman and more leftists than were dominant during his youth. The topic only comes up sporatically, although I thought of tossing the book midstream when his peculiar point of view went astray to the point of assaulting the concept of welfare and advocating capital punishment. He went so far as to claim (p. 172) that the US might well, probably before now, have to flush the unemployed out of the inner cities onto plots of countryside land to fend for themselves.

Overall, however, the book was worth reading, both as an historical document and as an engaging personal history that took a very strong and astute personality to write.

As he saw it.......2006-02-26

I felt kind of lame after reading this book, Getty really lived a full life. Reading the book, you feel like you're having a conversation with him about his life and what's on his mind. He seems very down to earth.

This isn't necessarily a quick read business how-to book though you learn a lot by reading it. You get his life story that includes details on his family, friends, business associates, charity work and art. You also get interesting stories about the famous people he knew, eg his friend the Duke of Windsor that met with Hitler trying to avert WWII. Also there are chapters lovingly discussing his parents, children, and even his 5 ex-wives. He also defends his reputation for being cheap, eg payphone in his mansion. You really get inside his head by reading this book. My favorite chapter is his random thoughts chapter he wrote on Thanksgiving day, less than a year before he died 1976.

The Life You Want Should Be the Life You Live.......2006-01-08

This is Getty's autobiography, written in the 1970's not long before he died. One of the founders of Apple Computer advised me to read this book years ago, and so I did. I've studied many books on finance and business, but this was the first time I had read an account of a billionaire's life (and as I would later discover, the world's richest man).

Getty wrote this book to give the public a glimpse into his very private life; seemingly knowing he was about to die, that he did not desire to die such a secretive/reclussive man. Inside this book, you'll read about how he developed a strong work ethic at a young age -- working hard-labor in the oil fields that he would later own; sneaking out his parents car in the middle of the night to take girls out on dates (hah!); accumulating wealth and looking out for employees; laying everything on the line for great opportunities; the tragedy of his grandson's kidnapping; and a very nice retort for all those people who called him a stingy old man -- that all of his wealth/money was invested in his business.

Oh yeah, and you read about how he hung out with Hugh Heffner back in the day. His original books were published by Playboy Press, including my copy of his autobiography (an original 70's hardcopy). :-) Yeah, Getty lived the life I would like to be living now -- 'cept for all the divorces; poor guy just couldn't keep a lady around and it's depressing to read sometimes. And in a way, reading this book gives me inspiration for staying on track, aiming your sights on what's important in life and not letting go. Getty had a fun life and he was handsomely rewarded for it. Since reading Getty, I've seen the same drive in all the other Billionaires whose autobiographies I've read -- Branson, Dell, Schultz. And also Ray Kroc (although technically I don't think his stock was yet worth $1B when he died).

You will love reading this account of Getty's life if your aim is to: have fun in life, be wealthy, learn from others, have a personal mentor from the grave, accomplish great things, and read autobiographies.

Getty, thanks for sharing =)

GOOD AUTOBIOGRAPHY.......1999-04-27

Good book out of print Amazon copy received was in near mint condition. 351 pages,30 pages of photographs. Not as mean as he was portrayed yet it is evident the author was a bit vain. he is obviously an interesting read. You learn "what makes him tick". If you are looking for a guide to riches this is not for you but if you are interested in learning about the richest man of his time then read this.

RANKING OVERALL 7/10 BIO INFO 8/10 USEFUL INFO 5/10

As I See it : The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
Average customer rating:
As I See it : The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KWD6W2

As I See It, the Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
Average customer rating:
As I See It, the Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IE9P4A

As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
Average customer rating:
As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OCQ78S

Book Description

This is the fourth book in the successful series of Total Encyclopedias.

Customer Reviews:

the best tennis book, period.......2003-12-25

For diversity, quality and quantity (960 pages), "Total Tennis" hits winner after winner. Past and present stars from Sears to Sampras and from Suzanne to Serena are covered with in-depth and fascinating features, either from SPORT magazine or by Bud Collins himself, the encyclopedia's distinguished author. The careers of hundreds of other players are described in engrossing profiles and bios. Collins' superb knowledge of tennis shines brightest in year-by-year stories of the greatest players at the greatest venues, as well as in discussions of important issues, from 1919 to 2002. The most memorable matches come to life with intriguing prologues -- before Lenglen's 1926 showdown with Wills at Cannes, France, she told a friend: "This girl must be mad. Does she think she can come and beat me on my home court?" -- riveting match coverage, and incisive epilogues. Comprehensive registers of both the pre-1968 amateur era and later pro era provide abundant statistical information
about leading players and Grand Slam and other prestigious events, such as Davis Cup and Fed Cup, to keep even the most fanatical follower happy. To settle "Who's Better?" and other arguments, this compendium provides world rankings going all the way back to 1913. For fun trivia, did you know: King Gustav V of Sweden learned to play during a visit to Britain in 1878, founded his country's first tennis club when he returned home, and entered tournaments under the pseudonym, Mr. G? Dazzling color photos of the greats on and off the court complete the picture. As a reference book, "Total Tennis" is unsurpassed. But as an enjoyable read, it's equally valuable because the content is so authoritative and complete, and the writing style so entertaining.

Great Tennis Book.......2003-12-10

I've read a lot of tennis books and this one is great. Except...Collins describes each season beginning with 1919...and leaves out stuff from the late 1800s and first two decades of the 20th century. Great picture of Leo Tolstoy on a tennis court though. Terrific book...and cheaper to purchase it on Amazon.com (which I did not do!)

The Ultimate Book For Tennis Fans.......2003-08-31

The best book by far when it comes to tennis; past present and future. Everything you have ever wanted to know is in this book. The pictures are outstanding. If you are a tennis lover, this book is definitly for you!

Book Description

A celebration of maverick directors and the offbeat, quirky, innovative, enigmatic, and outrageous movies we call cult films. From films like Young Einstein to Annie Hall to Vampyros Lesbos, and including such directors as Woody Allen, Tim Burton, and David Zucker, this compelling compendium features more than 300 of the greatest triumphs of cult movie history. Each entry includes a comprehensive film review, with plot synopsis, cast and credits; details of its cult following and the reasons for its cult status; trivia and memorable dialogue, along with notable soundtrack information; video and DVD availability; and illustrations of key scenes. All this, plus its profiles of renowned cult directors, make this encyclopedic treasury a must for all movie lovers.

Average customer rating:

A-Z of Cult Films and Film-makers

Manufacturer: ANOVA (CHRYSALIS)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GYUT10

Average customer rating:

A-Z of Cult Films and Film-Makers.
Steven Paul Davies
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UYAEBQ

Average customer rating:

A-Z of Cult Films and Film-Makers.
Steven Paul Davies
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UG7GWO

The Dalelands (AD&D/Forgotten Realms Accessory FRS1)
Average customer rating:

Greatest compendium ever for truly epic campaigns

Classic overview of the heartlands of the Realms

The Dalelands (AD&D/Forgotten Realms Accessory FRS1)

Manufacturer: TSR Hobbies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1560766670

Customer Reviews:

Greatest compendium ever for truly epic campaigns.......2004-01-28

Forget your average dungeon crawl - this book lets you in on the secrets of the Dalelands. Epic campains will never bee the same.

Classic overview of the heartlands of the Realms.......2000-06-09

By far one of the most elusive supplements for the Forgotten Realms, this wonderful sourcebook details the heartlands of the Realms - the Dales! The lore includes: an overview of the region, its power, cultures and influence, history, political relations, and classic chapters on each Dale that cover customs, secrets, magic, monsters, adventure hooks, trade, law and order, temples, ruins, heroes, cities, maps, and more. Some of the best chapters include Shadowdale (home of Elminster himself), Tarkhaldale (the Lost Dale), the realm of Randal Morn, and much more! One of the best compendiums of Realmslore ever printed, and very hard to find.

The Patterson Principles of Selling
Average customer rating:

Interesting and Inspiring

ITS NOT MUCH and you dont even get what you pay for!

Gitomer RULES - but his head is one size too large in this go-around.

Who Else Wants To Learn Master Salesmanship?

Principles that encompasses marketing strategy and sales...

The Patterson Principles of Selling
Jeffrey Gitomer
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Techniques | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Little Red Book of Sales Answers: 99.5 Real World Answers That Make Sense, Make Sales, and Make Money (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books)

Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless: How to Make Them Love You, Keep You Coming Back, and Tell Everyone They Know

Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude: How to Find, Build and Keep a YES! Attitude for a Lifetime of SUCCESS (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books)

The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource, Revised Edition

Little Black Book of Connections: 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships

ASIN: 0471662623

Book Description

More than thirty proven sales strategies from John Patterson, the father of American salesmanship
People don't like to be sold, but they love to buy," Jeffrey Gitomer likes to say. And he's been saying it for years. When Gitomer began his research for this book, he discovered a quote by John Patterson, founder of National Cash Register, that was amazingly similar-"If the prospect understood the proposition, he would not have to be sold; he would come to buy." After discovering the similarities in their philosophies, Gitomer developed 32.5 principles of selling based on Patterson's ideas. These principles capture the essence of what Patterson preached 100 years ago, with twenty-first-century adaptations and concepts for implementing his sales strategies. Patterson was the first to write a sales book on dealing with objections, the first to create and use a sales training tool, and the first to refer to prospects as "probable purchasers." And it was Patterson who created the demand for a receipt, now one of the most powerful pieces of paper in the world.
Each principle includes a quote from Patterson, one quote from Gitomer, and an occasional quote from another relevant person. Icons after each principle help readers understand how to think about the concept and adapt it to their needs, and how to turn that concept into action. The Patterson Principles of Selling are easily understood and just as applicable today as they were when Patterson developed them to sell cash registers. They offer a proven, commonsense approach to the sales process that will give salespeople the key to success today, tomorrow, and forever.
Jeffrey Gitomer (Charlotte, NC) is a leading authority on sales and customer service whose clients include BMW, Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, and Hilton Hotels, among others. He is also the author of the popular syndicated weekly column, "Sales Moves", read by more than 3.5 million people across the United States and Europe.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and Inspiring.......2007-01-03

Fact is often stranger than fiction. This biographical account of the founder of National Cash Register is an inspiring story about hard work and ethics and proven sales techniques. It's as easy to imagine oneself back in time as it is to imagine Mr. Patterson running present-day NCR. Mr. Gitomer interlaces his own techniques, updated for the world of email and internet, into an interesting and motivational read.

ITS NOT MUCH and you dont even get what you pay for!.......2006-06-05

A quick 136 page read is not all bad, however the author Jeffrey Gitomer, keeps telling us of Patterson's principles and then sends us to his (Gitomer) website to register for the anwser. I contend this is unauthentic marketing and a contradiction to Jeffery's claim of giving value. GIVE US WHAT WE PAID FOR AND THEN TRY TO SELL US. This is the perfect example of what not to do in sales. He assumes I have read his other books and that what he says is gold. Please give me what I pay for next time, if there is one.

Gitomer RULES - but his head is one size too large in this go-around........2006-03-03

I am a HUGE Gitomer fan. NO question about it. But every now and again, everyone needs a reality check. The Gitmeister resurrected the ASTONISHINGLY TIMELY (albeit 100 year old) work of John Patterson of National Cash Register, arguably the "father of modern salesmanship". But he seems to have found it necessary to attach his cart to Patterson's horse. Or should I say, attach Patterson's cart to a horse named Gitomer.

My point is that Patterson's work can - and should - stand on its own. Footnotes or endnotes would have sufficed, but Git's added bits come-off as being at least a wee bit adolescent with a "nyah, nyah... TOLD you so / see... I was RIGHT" air. Still, you should NOT let that stand in the way of Patterson's stunning work. If you're in Sales, you MUST read this book. Like other Git material, it won't take long to get through it, it WILL make you smile, and it could make you RICH.

Who Else Wants To Learn Master Salesmanship?.......2006-02-05

I'm thankful to Jeffrey for taking the time to research Patterson's work - it's invaluable for today's sales professional.

What I liked best about this book was how Gitomer got to the essence of what Patterson was all about as a salesman, and later business leader, and boils it down into easy-to-understand and use principles of master salesmanship.

It's absolutely inspirational to me as a sales trainer to see examples of how Patterson got fitness and sales process parts to be successfully standardized across a huge sales force, and how well it worked to boost sales quickly, and permanently.

Hats off to Gitomer, he did it again, in this excellent foundation/sales insights book that's easy to read and priceless to own. Get it now - fun stuff, and helps you become a better sales pro, too.

Ken Calhoun

Principles that encompasses marketing strategy and sales..........2005-12-11

My reason for not giving a five star rating, is an emotional one, Mr. Gitomer is trying to become Mr. Patterson, using this book to make a parallel of ideas that blurs each man's ideas in such way that looks like Mr. Gitomer invented the same concepts again.

As for the book, it is a good book to inspire one to prepare himself for selling and also to manage a sales effort. The ideas and concepts presented may have to be adapted to the culture of the community to whom you want to target.

Average customer rating:

The Patterson Principles of Selling
Jeffrey Gitomer
Manufacturer: Lito Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9719468092

Book Description

Laurence Leamer, author of three Kennedy bestsellers, presents the definitive biography of Arnold Schwarzenegger, his rise to fame and power, and his marriage to Maria Shriver T he life of Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most extraordinary success stories of our time. An immigrant with a heavy accent from a village in Austria, he became the greatest bodybuilder in history, the number one movie star in the world, the Republican husband of a Kennedy princess, and the governor of the greatest of American states. Fantastic shows how and why this man of willful ambition and limitless drive achieved hisunprecedented accomplishments. Leamer has had exclusive, intimate interviews with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, his closest associates, including his elementary school friends in Austria, his mentors, bodybuilding competitors, lifelong friends, first serious girlfriend, political rivals, agents, publicists and producers, many of whom have never been interviewed before. Leamer captures the public and private Schwarzenegger, a political/cultural figure unlike any other, who could change the face of politics in our country. This intimate book is studded with news-making revelations: -The untold story of Arnold's traumatic relationship with his father -How Arnold's first mentor, a Jewish partisan in WWII, helped shape the youth -The intimate story of Arnold's first great love and the five years the couple lived together -Why Arnold married Maria Shriver and the startling story of their wedding day -The star who hated Arnold and tried to ruin his career -How Arnold overcame sordid sexual revelations and prevailed politically -How Maria took over management of her husband's campaign -The game plan that may bring Arnold to the White House.

Customer Reviews:

boyfriend loves it.......2007-03-20

my boyfriend is a huge arnold fan so he loves this book that i bought for him

a very good book.......2007-02-06

this book is an objective and complete biography of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
it tells the rise to fame and power from his childhood to his first year of governorship. After reading it, one must observe that succes in life depends not on luck, as many believe so, but on discipline, wilful ambition,drive and
positive thinking followed by action.
i recommend this book not only for arnold fans (it should be mandatory for them :) ) but to anyone who wants to get an insight into one of the most extraordinary success stories of our times
Please excuse any language mistakes, i`m not a native english speaker

A Real Page-Turner.......2007-01-10

Larry Leamer's 'Fantastic' is fantastic. I couldn't put it down. It is amazing to learn that one human being, Arnold Schwarzenegger, built such an amazing life. Leamer catalogues this life in a readable, entertaining, objective way. If anyone wants to know what makes Arnold tick, this book will tell him.

Marc H. Rudov
Author
The Man's No-Nonsense Guide to Women
(ISBN: 978-0974501710)

A good read.......2006-11-07

As a big fan of Arnold I couldnt wait to buy this book.
However as he is now a politician I feared it may be nothing but pro Arnold propangada as there is a future possibility of this man running for president. Instead I found a well written, interesting and honest account of the man who was born with nothing material but had bucketfulls of determination, ambition and confidence. The early accounts of Arnolds life are facinating and the book gives an honest account of how Arnold was far from the perfect man providing details of his gamesmanship and arrogance in bodybuilding contests and his days of womanising.
Some people only knock this book because they despise the fact that Arnold won California. The facts are he is the greatest bodybuilder of all time, his movies while not oscar winners sold millions of cinema tickets and he did win California which was incredible. Love him or loathe him the mans a winner. My only knock against this book is that it contains too much political stuff and as I am from Spain im not very interested in American politics.

A Fantastic Book for a Fantastic Man .......2006-04-25

I read this book last summer, and it is just that...Fantastic. If you are a fan of Arnold, you will realize how this human being started out with nothing but dreams and ambition and the will to succeed, and how he was able to build a Fantastic Life.
Several black and white pictures of him and his family and friends are also included.
This book will hopefully shed some light into Arnolds biography and have people realize that he just didn't become Successful overnight, but he actually built his own road to success.

Fantastic: The Life Of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Average customer rating:

Fantastic: The Life Of Arnold Schwarzenegger
Laurence Leamer
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTKXJA

Brilliance Audio.(Dangerous Ground)(Dead Run)(Shadows Of Yesterday)(Sullivan's Justice)(Superstition)(Pendragon Book 2: The Lost City Of Faar)(Genevieve)(Lie ... Review) : An article from: Library Bookwatch

Average customer rating:

Brilliance Audio.(Dangerous Ground)(Dead Run)(Shadows Of Yesterday)(Sullivan's Justice)(Superstition)(Pendragon Book 2: The Lost City Of Faar)(Genevieve)(Lie ... Review) : An article from: Library Bookwatch
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Online Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000ATRMVQ
Release Date: 2007-07-11

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Library Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2005. The length of the article is 771 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Brilliance Audio.(Dangerous Ground)(Dead Run)(Shadows of Yesterday)(Sullivan's Justice)(Superstition)(Pendragon Book 2: The Lost City of Faar)(Genevieve)(Lie by Moonlight)(The Starter Wife)(Texas Rich)(Julie and Romeo Get Lucky)(Fame)(Never War)(Fantastic: The Life of Arnold Schwarzenegger)(Book Review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Library Bookwatch (Newsletter)
Date: August 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Fantastic: the Life of Arnold Schwarzenegger
Laurence Leamer
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N6B6P4

Lincoln, the South and Slavery - the Political Dimension (The Walter Lynwood Fleming lectures in southern history)
Average customer rating:

It ought to be worth 5 stars, but . . .

Lincoln, the South and Slavery - the Political Dimension (The Walter Lynwood Fleming lectures in southern history)
Robert Walter Johannsen
Manufacturer: Louisiana State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Civil War | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Slavery & Emancipation | World | History | Subjects | Books
Federal Government | Levels of Government | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Slavery: History and Historians

Slavery in American Society (Problems in American Civilization)

With Charity for All: Lincoln and the Restoration of the Union

Celia, A Slave

Racial Equality in America (Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, Vol 1976)

ASIN: 0807116378

Customer Reviews:

It ought to be worth 5 stars, but . . ........2006-10-10

Robert W. Johannsen's dislike of Abraham Lincoln comes roaring through in these four lectures put into print. It is the work of an experienced, thoughtful professional historian who uses sources that are many and wide-reaching, most of them primary. All that is worth 5 stars. However, if the only thing that someone knew of Lincoln came from Johannsen's fourth lecture "Lincoln and the South," he would have to conclude that it was a miracle that Lincoln was elected in 1860. According to Johannsen, no one except for a few radical abolitionists had anything good to say about him. He also believes that Lincoln never did much right except pull the wool over the public's eyes. Johannsen is a Stephen A. Douglasphile, and it shows. He wrote a near 1,000 page biography of Douglas and here even uses some of Douglas's conjectures about Lincoln as if they were facts. While not a Lincolnphobe in the awful sense of Thomas DiLorenzo, Johannsen isn't too far from it, although his arguments are much more noteworthy than those of the historically-challenged DiLorenzo. Johannsen's principle point is that Lincoln was a consummate politician and ambitious, as if we should all be shocked to hear that. Perhaps Mr. Johannsen would care to name the one person who ever ran for president who had no ambition and who never engaged in politics. He thinks that Lincoln's anti-slavery stance was almost entirely political in nature, which is to imply that Lincoln really didn't mean anything he said about slavery the 175 times he spoke of the subject between 1854 and 1858. If so, Lincoln was the bravest and shrewdest pure politician of all time, because he expressed a principle with which the majority of U.S. citizens did not concur but won anyway. Johannsen spends page after page lambasting Lincoln for not saying something soothing to the South after his election, only to finally and honestly conclude that there wasn't anything Lincoln have said anyway. By all means, read Johannsen's four lectures but follow up with James McPherson's work on Lincoln for a more balanced viewpoint.

Book Description

An international policy issue awash in myths, moral inconsistencies, social prejudices, and political rhetoric, it's no wonder students find the international drug trade an alluring topic to study and discuss. With his brief and engaging new book, David Mares explores the reasons why there is so much disagreement among nations about which policies are most appropriate to address drug production, distribution, and trade. From the more tolerant "coffee house" style policies of the Netherlands which focus on public health concerns, to the United States' just-say-no "drug war" approach, nations frame and seek to resolve these issues in very different ways and with different levels of success. This variation creates a host of global cooperation and policy coordination problems, making Drug Wars and Coffee Houses an ideal supplement for giving students an opportunity to apply the larger themes of any political economy course to a substantive policy area.

A compelling framework--focusing on political economic ideas and analysis--shows students how leaders and policymakers need to understand the drug trade as a full-blown commodity system if they are to impact its different segments. As he discusses drug production, consumption, distribution, and money laundering, Mares carefully shows what insights micro political economic, realist, constructivist, and social deviant perspectives each bring to bear on the problem. And, through the book's use of extended case studies, this text offers students an inside look at a complex and fascinating policy area, from Sweden's attempts to enforce drug-war style policies, to the UK's movement towards decriminalization, to the responses of such international organizations as the United Nations and the European Union.

A comprehensive bibliography of websites, articles, and book length studies point to further research on the topic, while class-tested research and study questions for each chapter will jumpstart class discussions and projects.

Customer Reviews:

many aspects of the drug trade.......2006-08-24

Mares takes us into a dispassionate and analytic dissection of the narcotics industry. He studies consumption, production and distribution. The latter two are viewed much as one might look at any other industry. For some countries like Afghanistan, there is little other viable economic alternative to opium growing. Which has led to it being one of the major underpinnings of the entire country. And making eradication very difficult for the foreseeable future.

An important related topic is money laundering, something also very germane because of terrorism. The money laundering is a crucial part of the entire drug trade, enabling large scale traffickers to extract and inoculate their earnings.

Various legislative measures in the US are described, along with assessments of their effectiveness. Typically, not very is the answer. Other countries' strategies are compared, somewhat favourably, with the US. Notably Sweden and Holland.

The Pantanal of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay : Selected Discourses on the World's Largest Remaining Wetland System
Average customer rating:
The Pantanal of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay : Selected Discourses on the World's Largest Remaining Wetland System

Manufacturer: Hudson Macarthur Pub Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Pantanal: South America's Wetland Jewel

The Pantanal: Understanding and Preserving the World's Largest Wetland

ASIN: 096759460X

Book Description

The Pantanal of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay is an edited volume, which includes 29 scholarly papers from leading authorities on the Pantanal or related topics. The Pantanal of South America is one of the most immense, pristine and biologically rich environments on the planet. Often referred to as the world's largest freshwater wetland system, it extends over 140,000 square kilometers of central-western Brazil, eastern Bolivia and northeastern Paraguay. With its extraordinarily concentrated and diverse flora and fauna, and a landscape spanning a variety of ecological sub-regions, the Pantanal remains one of the world's great natural wonders.

This collection of papers and presentations on the Pantanal represents perhaps the most comprehensive English-language work on this vast, relatively unknown region, in that the entire Pantanal (Brazlian, Bolivian and Paraguayan portions) is examined. This work stems from the first and second World Conference on Preservation and Sustainable Development in the Pantanal, held in 1999. While this work is a conference editon, and is due to be revised, expanded and published by Paragon House in 2001, it nonetheless remains one of the best works in English on the Pantanal. Many of the world's foremost authorities -- from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and other nations, and from key international and intergovernmental organizations -- share their knowledge of the Pantanal and their insights on the socioeconomic challenges confronting this unique treasure.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books