Masters of Enterprise: Giants of American Business from John Jacob Astor and J.P. Morgan to Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey

Amazon.com

Masters of Enterprise examines the lives of 25 American entrepreneurs, from John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford to Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey, to find the common ingredients of their success. "First, all had good health and abundant energy," writes H.W. Brands, a professor of history at Texas A&M University, "enough for half-a-dozen careers each." The other elements that Brands identifies: all were hungry for success; they were persuasive at getting others on their side; they intensely identified with their work; and each had a burning creative vision. Brands dedicates a chapter to each of the 25, starting chronologically with real estate magnate John Jacob Astor in the late 1700s, and ending with software giant Bill Gates in the late 1990s. He describes the entrepreneurs' background, vision, and major deals, and draws lessons for today's business mavens.

Modern-day speculators might find enlightening the story of Jay Gould's cornering of the gold market in the 1800s, for instance. Brands dramatically describes the maneuvers Gould took to hide his buying and selling--and his underhanded but failed attempts at keeping the U.S. government from flooding the market with gold and driving the price down. And women entrepreneurs of today might find inspiring the lives of cosmetics titan Mary Kay Ash, designer Liz Claiborne, and television and movie star Oprah Winfrey--all overcame obstacles, personal and professional, to become giants in their fields.

Others profiled: industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Ray Kroc of McDonald's, Sam Walton of Wal-Mart, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Walt Disney, cable-television pioneer Ted Turner, and Intel's Andrew Grove. Well written and filled with anecdotes, Masters of Enterprise should be an entertaining read for entrepreneurs and fans of business biography and history. --Dan Ring

Book Description

From the early years of fur trading to today's Silicon Valley empires, America has proved to be an extraordinarily fertile land for the creation of enormous fortunes. Each generation has produced one or two phenomenally successful leaders, often in new industries that caught contemporaries by surprise, and each of these new fortunes reconfirmed the power of fanatically single-minded visionaries. John Jacob Astor and Cornelius Vanderbilt were the first American moguls; John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J. P. Morgan were kingpins of the Gilded Age; David Sarnoff, Walt Disney, Ray Kroc, and Sam Walton were masters of mass culture. Today Oprah Winfrey, Andy Grove, and Bill Gates are giants of the Information Age. America has again and again been the land of dizzying mountains of wealth.

Here, in a wittily told and deeply insightful history, is a complete set of portraits of America's greatest generators of wealth. Only such a collective study allows us to appreciate what makes the great entrepreneurs really tick. As H. W. Brands shows, these men and women are driven, they are focused, they deeply identify with the businesses they create, and they possess the charisma necessary to persuade other talented people to join them. They do it partly for the money, but mostly for the thrill of creation.

The stories told here -- including how Nike got its start as a business-school project for Phil Knight; how Robert Woodruff almost refused to take control of Coca-Cola to spite his father; how Thomas Watson saved himself from prison by rescuing Dayton, Ohio, from a flood; how Jay Gould nearly cornered the gold market; how H. L. Hunt went from gambling at cards to gambling with oil leases -- make for a narrative that is always lively and revealing and often astonishing. An observer in 1850, studying John Jacob Astor, would not have predicted the rise of Henry Ford and the auto industry. Nor would a student of Ford in 1950 have anticipated the takeoff of direct marketing that made Mary Kay Ash a trusted guide for millions of American women. Full of surprising insights, written with H. W. Brands's trademark flair, the stories in Masters of Enterprise are must reading for all students of American business history.

Customer Reviews:

Hagiography more than history.......2007-09-12

Business is a ruthless business. Dog eat dog and all that. Extraordinarily successful businessmen may have the same basic character traits as their fellow men (and women) but often in more extreme forms. Some of these traits are admirable: ambitious, industrious, driven, resilient, clever. Some, not so much: greedy, cruel, ruthless, opportunistic, dishonest.

Don't count on Brands to notice the latter in his subjects. H.W. Brands has written a history of American businessmen as they would like themselves to be seen. If you enjoy this book, you may also enjoy browsing the National Association of Manufacturer's press releases.

Sketches of Great American Entrepreneurs.......2004-01-13

These brief portraits of great American businessmen and women are well written. Brands does a creditable job laying out the basics of each of their lives and presenting it in a highly readable fashion. His purpose is to show the historical development of how Americans have made money in a country where the making of wealth has became almost a divine calling.

Brands' selection of business giants could have been better. He seems to have picked his membership more for their diversity as people than for their masterful entrepreneurial skills. Why include Berry Gordy, but not Warren Buffett? Brands' choices obviously skew his presentation of U.S. business history, making it seem more diverse than it really has been.

Pure inspiration.......2001-08-03

If you are chasing the, "American Dream," of becoming a successful entrepeneur, this book is definitely a must read! H. W. Brands has compiled a collection of highly enterprising and inspirational people in his book. I not only was encouraged by reading about such great American men, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt and Andrew Carnegie, I was even more impressed with the profiles of such determined business women as Oprah Winfrey and Mary Kay. Their lives and positive, business tactics shed a shining light, leading the way to establishing a successful enterprise.

Rome was not built in a dayý.......2001-04-10

Common beliefs shattered by uncommon men- Henry Kaiser would have taken on the challenge to build Rome in a day!

"Rags to riches" is another common adage; but the route to getting there is what distinguishes the daring from the rest. But the most important factor that has made these great achievers who changed and paved the course of business history is the strong desire to excel against all odds. What else can explain the rise of Andrew Carnegie from the drudgery of working in a dirty shop floor to being the master of one of America's greatest steel company.

Do not read this book in a hurry. Brands has an excellent command on the English language and his style of narration matches the true values that one can derive from the 25 great persons described in this book.

I have recommended this book as the first assignment to my daughter during her summer vacation.

Your search for human excellence ends here.

Masters of Enterprise.......2000-10-10

I found this book very informative and well written. The best quality of the book is that each individual is described well enough to give you insight and from there you can decide whether you would like to read his or her biography, or just be pleased with what you have learned.

I learned quite a bit of intresting facts about many of the leaders of industry and that, I belive, is the purpose of the book.

Product Description

This new series doubles up two shows by the same composer in one folio. Some of the titles from Gypsy are: All I Need Is the Girl * Everything's Coming Up Roses * Let Me Entertain You * Together Wherever We Go * Little Lamb. Titles from Funny Girl are: Funny Girl * Sadie, Sadie * I'm the Greatest St ar * (I Am Woman, You Are Man) * You Are Woman, I Am Man * Don't Rain on My Parade * His Love Makes Me Beautiful * People.

Book Description

Amanda Ford loves to shop, and she exuberantly shares the stories of her most memorable finds — the perfect pink sweater, a set of precious porcelain dishes, and dusty but valuable antiques. But she also shows how shopping allows people to examine deeper truths about their lives and what is really going on when money is spent. Blending her own experiences with life lessons, quotes, and advice, along with illustrations throughout, the message is ultimately about discovering one's passions, taking care of oneself, and being conscious about decisions. Chapters include "The Best Trends to Follow Are the Ones You Set Yourself," "We Never Know How Things Will Turn Out," "Be Thankful for What You Have," and "Some Places We Have to Go To Alone." This is a playful yet wise look at the pleasures of shopping for those who live by the motto When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Shopping.

Customer Reviews:

Stupid chick lit.......2006-09-15

This mindless tripe reduces women to shallow shopaholics. I only hope that this isn't a sign of things to come for women's literature.

Fun and thoughtful! .......2005-06-15

This is a wonderful little book that is fun and different. It keeps things positive and reminds us to have fun but to be careful with our shopping decisions.

Dumbing down America.......2005-02-16

Reading this book after having met the author, I was quickly convinced that America was doomed to continue plodding along a path of utter stupidity. A multitude of ten cent messages and hack phrases about banal themes left me thinking international children drawn to the book's cover would soon find the content, if that is the right word for the words glued to the soft spine, the disappointing Made-In-America fluff feeding a generation of "don't worry, be happy", cartooned existence. Please demand better of your children; be a wise shopper: don't buy this, or, if you have already, buy that complimentary good: a box of matches. This book leaves all children behind.

Concious Choices.......2005-01-22

Thank goodness that young woman are making conscious choices about how they shop and spend their money. I am a teacher at a community college and we use this book in one of the classes. The author is young and as a result my students can relate to her experiences--and she adds a little heartbreak at just the right time. We have had some very lively discussions and hope the author will join our class sometime.

Cute and makes you think.......2004-09-30

This book is fun to read because it is soooo cute on the inside. There are stories that make you stop and think about shopping. I admit to shopping til I drop. I want to make some changings and the way Amanda Ford explains things in a simple fun way really made me think about what I'm doing.

Book Description

Math will never be the same again-and you'll love it! Fun tricks, calculator conundrums, brainteasters and other numerical hoaxes will challenge every inch of your brain in the most satisfying way. There are even riddles to get you giggling. Amaze your friends with your psychic powers when you predict the outcome of the "7-11" card trick. Figure out how to cut a pepperoni pizza using only 3 straight lines-and still have a piece of pepperoni on each slice. Solve a series of pencil puzzles...without ever lifting the pencil from the paper. Build a house with 11 toothpicks; then move just one to make the building face the opposite direction. Comical illustrations add to the enjoyment. So sharpen a pencil, get a piece of paper, and start on these mathematical mysteries right away!

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Essentials of Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm and Student Multimedia Edition Package (6th Edition)
Kenneth C. Laudon , and Jane P. Laudon
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
MIS | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0131330055

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Essentials Of Management Information Systems And Multimedia Package
Kenneth C. Laudon
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OIMCRW

Book Description

Marc Rich -- the most wanted white-collar criminal in America -- was one of the most successful metal traders in the world. Before there was Michael Milken or Ivan Boesky, Rich rose through the ranks to amass a multibillion dollar fortune in the halcyon days of high-flying commodities trading. But he did it by cutting corners and pulling the wool over the eyes of his competitors. Eventually his companies pleaded guilty to 38 counts of tax evasion, paying $90 million in fines. Rich fled to Switzerland, where he faced a potential jail term of over 300 years if he ever returned to the United States. This is a story of greed, corruption, and money gone wild, in truly astronomical proportions. Posing as a commodities trader, A. Craig Copetas goes behind the scenes to give us a riveting, true-to-life portrait of Rich's corrupt world and his incredible escape from the law.

Customer Reviews:

Greed and revenge.......2004-06-16

A. Craig Copetas' book gives us a rare insight in the well curtained offices of big metal traders. His story centres on Marc Rich and his companion Pincus Green, who left in disgust their employer Philipp Brothers, at that moment a unit of Engelhard MC, because of the 'meagre' bonuses they received at the end of the year. These bonuses were in fact only a fraction of the revenues the two traders generated for the company.
The new company they created attacked immediately and head-on the core businesses of their former employer.
Craig Copetas shows us how Marc Rich's commodity trading business was based on 'deep' contacts (Henry Kissinger), market cornering, tax evasion, and profiting most of all by circumventing a US oil embargo against Iran.
Attacked in court for unlawful trading and tax evasion Marc Rich's companies pleaded guilty to 38 counts to the tune of ninety million dollars, still a small portion of the amassed fortune. Fines of $50,000 a day were disbursed without the slightest difficulty.
When he was finally condemned, Marc Rich had already settled down in Zug (Switzerland) with a Spanish identity card.
He was ultimately pardoned (he risked a potential jail term of over three hundred years!) by President Bill Clinton (for generously supporting the Democratic Party?).
This book is a keen look behind the curtain of a highly speculative and risky business, where the best informed traders corner the least informed ones. Options should limit the risks.
For interested readers and traders alike.

sounds somewhat biased.......2002-01-31

The book was absolutely intrigueing and compelling just to learn about the inside workings of the metals and oil business. Needless to say, I worked at this company for a short period of time before the ____ hit the fan. I did not see any of the implied [prostituting] of secretaries or traders prostituting themselves for a deal. The author has gathered much information on the sequence of events, but found that he was presenting this story, not as a reporter, but a snotty bitter little man. Marc, did not have shifty eyes, and to say at 6ft, his presence was that of a tall and looming personality, makes me believe that this author is of short stature. There are many good and charitable things this man and his company have catered to, but not once did i see anything listed in this book. The people I worked for and with at this company, were a group of the nicest and most professional people I have worked for. I have since to find a company that performed in such a refined and distinguished manner. They werent the [type of people] Copetas has implied them to be. My being a secretary there, I took quite offense to the [prostituting] of the staff for info. This is business, but just someone working by a different set of rules. Broke some, now cant come to the country whose rules he broke. Unless, the Pardon sticks. And wouldnt that be something to really irk this author a little more than he already seems to be. His being a "journalist", I was surprised by his unprofessionalism in giving the facts. All the facts, and not his opinions.

sounds somewhat biased.......2002-01-31

The book was absolutely intrigueing and compelling just to learn about the inside workings of the metals and oil business. Needless to say, I worked at this company for a short period of time... I did not see any of the implied pimping of secretaries or traders prostituting themselves for a deal. The author has gathered much information on the sequence of events, but found that he was presenting this story, not as a reporter, but a snotty bitter little man. Marc, did not have shifty eyes, and to say at 6ft, his presence was that of a tall and looming personality, makes me believe that this author is of short stature. There are many good and charitable things this man and his company have catered to, but not once did i see anything listed in this book. The people I worked for and with at this company, were a group of the nicest and most professional people I have worked for. I have since to find a company that performed in such a refined and distinguished manner. They werent the whores Copetas has implied them to be. My being a secretary there, I took quite offense to the pimping of the staff for info. This is business, but just someone working by a different set of rules. Broke some, now cant come to the country whose rules he broke. Unless, the Pardon sticks. And wouldnt that be something to really irk this author a little more than he already seems to be. His being a "journalist", I was surprised by his unprofessionalism in giving the facts. All the facts, and not his opinions.

fascinating look below the surface of events.......2001-06-28

The brevity of Copetas' book allows it to be mercifully readable. On the other hand, Metal Men is so condensed that federal prosecution of Marc Rich (who managed to become a Spaniard in order to avoid extradition) and Pincus Green (who became a Bolivian for the same reason) is difficult to follow. The best sections of the book are the juicy nuggets that leave the reader whetted for more information. This is especially true when Marc Rich's relationship with Henry Kissinger and Kissinger Associates is discussed. Marc refers to the good doctor as "K", perhaps an allusion to Franz Kafka's narrator in the book Schloss. How appropriate. Clearly there was, and perhaps still is, much mutual benefit in the relationship between two master players who operate at the same level in their respective games. Copetas would not be faulted if he enlarged on this particular topic. One might wish for more background on the peculiar relationship the wholesome country of Switzerland has had with mobsters, white collar crime of a certain calibre, and kleptocratic despots over the past decades, if not centuries. The enchanting Canton of Zug emerges as an especially infested banana republic within a national governmental system that sees all money as created equal, and equally welcome into its banking system, regardless of provenance. This is a far cry from the Switzerland of alpine cheeses, pure air, teutonic ski bums, and clinics for the super rich. More the Gnome Switzerland of secrets and Croesus grade wealth and grey teflon coated bureaucrats. Then there hints at generally unreported connections, such as a strong, if not well known, presence Swedes in Thailand. Swedes in Thailand ? We would like to know more. Perhaps additional insight into the underworld of international arms trade, which figured in some of Rich's dealings, as with the Ayotallah Khomeni. Somewhere in here we expect to find the thread of Iran-Contra, but that subject, too, is left to mere suggestion. Considering what Mr. Copetas appears to know, but has edited out for the sake of brevity or marketability, there is a much larger and more enlightening book waiting to be composed from his files. One doubts that such a work would be welcomed with open arms by much of the political establishment, but by golly it would make eye opening tome.

Trading With The Enemy?.......2001-05-19

Mr. Copetas has written a highly readable and informative book. No doubt much of the information is true; however, the author appears to rely heavily on government documents for the prosecution of Mr. Rich when it come to writing about Marc Rich himself. Without Mr. Rich's input much of the book is open to speculation. The U.S. "justice" system is notorious for magically changing allegations into facts and hearsay and second-hand information into evidence.

I also noticed the copyright dates and found it interesting that the same political party was in office both times and that members of both of these administrations, privately, have a vested interest in the oil business. Which prompts me to ask: Is Marc Rich a corporate criminal, did he defraud the country and evade the law, or is it a case of sour grapes with a private vendetta being carried out in a public forum? I question, too, the fact that Mr. Rich was indicted while Oliver North ran for public office after committing virtually the same "crime".

It's mentioned that greed was a huge motivator and this I don't agree with. Profit is simply the by-product. Currently, I'm paper trading and honing my skills. Last December I placed a June DJIA put option costing me 2,100; in March, when the Dow fell I liquidated my option for 263,000. The excitement that's felt while everyone else is wringing their hands is incredible and the money was plowed right back into trading. Money is a marker, and trading is a test of skill and competition against yourself more than anything.

Mr. Rich, in his business dealings, reminds me of J.P. Morgan when he started out; and I would willingly relocate to Switzerland and become a lehrling, so persuasive is Mr. Copetas' writings.

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Marlborough as military commander
David G Chandler
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
General | England | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
18th Century | England | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough

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The French Wars 1667-1714

ASIN: 0684133148

Book Description

The detailed analysis of the Duke of Marlborough as a commander; informed, dispassionate, and erudite, set in the context of the military realities of the Eighteenth century.

- Classic treatise on the subject, first published in 1973 and updated in 1979 and 1989.

- Descriptive and analytical of Marlborough's qualities.

- Details the battle of Sedgemoor, Marlborough's first engagement in which he played a leading role.

- Art of War in early eighteenth century warfare: the movement, support and armament of field forces.

- Discusses formalized patterns of attack and defense in the sieges.

- Explores Continental campaigns: Donauworth, Hochstadt, Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet.

The author: Dr. David Chandler, previously Head of the Department of War Studies at the R.M.A. Sandhurst, has published 20 books on the 17th, 18th and 19th century warfare and is the leading world authority in these fields.?

Lives of the most eminent British military commanders (Cabinet cyclopedia)

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Lives of the most eminent British military commanders (Cabinet cyclopedia)
G. R Gleig
Manufacturer: Longmans
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B000872T9K

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Marlborough As Military Commander
David Chandler
Manufacturer: Spellmount, Limited Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ONHDJO

MARLBOROUGH: The Hero of Blenheim (Great Commanders)

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MARLBOROUGH: The Hero of Blenheim (Great Commanders)
John Hussey
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0297846868

Book Description

John Churchill was born in 1650, the son of a defeated Cavalier captain, in a household which had been ravaged and rendered almost destitute by the English Civil War. Yet by the time of his death in 1722 he was among the richest men in the country, with a dukedom, a palace and a principality to call his own.

His rise to power came through a combination of good luck, astute political maneuvering, and a brilliance on the battlefield that made him easily the most successful general of his time. In this concise biography of the man and his military genius, John Hussey describes in detail the campaigns that made Marlborough famous: the 1704 campaign to save the Austrian empire, which culminated in the great victory of Blenheim, and the audacious invasion across Louis XIV's Ne Plus Ultra lines in 1711.

These campaigns are put in the context of the times, to create a portrait of a man who is still celebrated as one of the world's greatest ever military commanders.

Great commanders of modern times and The campaign of 1815

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Great commanders of modern times and The campaign of 1815
William O'Connor Morris
Manufacturer: W.H. Allen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Marlborough As Military Commander
David Chandler
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NQ61DG

Product Description

To the author, Marlborough is the greatest British military commander in history. This book is both descriptive and analytical in content, sketching Marlborough's career in depth, including his early years, all battles he fought in, and his qualities as a commander.

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Marlborough As Military Commander
David Leon Chandler
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OOUATS

Marlborough as Military Commander (Penguin Classic Military History S.)

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Marlborough as Military Commander (Penguin Classic Military History S.)
David G. Chandler
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ9ZIA

Customer Reviews:

A highly recommended compendium of essays.......2001-08-12

Burying The Past: Making Peace And Dong Justice After Civil Conflict is a highly recommended compendium of essays drawn together by Nigel Biggar (Professor of Theology at the University of Leeds) and focusing the problems of establishing democracy after a transition from brutal, oppressive regimes -- and often violent civil, prolonged conflict. The problem is to reconcile the populace so that reprisals and revenge does not undermine or subvert the newly establishing democratic principles, procedures, and compromises. Very highly recommended reading for students of political science and international studies, here are to be found outstanding contributions by Donald Shriver, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Tuomas Forsberg, Martha Minow, Hugo van der Merwe, Marie Smyth, Brandon Hamber, Alexandra Barahona de Brito, Rachel Seider, Charles Villa-Vicencio, Stef Vandeginste, Terence McCaughey, and Nigel Biggar.

Justice and Reconciliation: After the Violence

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A sobering, meticulous analysis

Justice and Reconciliation: After the Violence
Andrew Rigby
Manufacturer: L. Rienner Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Social Policy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Political | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1555879861

Customer Reviews:

A sobering, meticulous analysis.......2001-12-13

Andrew Rigby is the director of the Centre for the Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at the University of Coventry. In Justice And Reconciliation: After The Violence, Rigby provides a compelling, thought-provoking analysis of government sponsored domestic terrorism against its own people in South America, Europe, and South Africa, the populations of whom have searched for justice and a way to reconcile the unspeakable crimes. Amnesty and amnesia, ethnic cleansing, and a worst-case scenario for Palestine are all considered in this sobering, meticulous analysis. The last chapter is of especial note, for it depicts the characteristics of a culture of reconciliation - the peace, truthfulness, justice, and forgiveness that can truly allow a nation to transform itself for the better. Highly recommended for international studies and political science reading lists and reference collections.

Book Description

Chad Kister takes you on a riveting 700-mile journey by raft and foot. See the Arctic Refuge beauty first hand through the dangers Kister survives. A broken backpack-repaired with caribou antlers-pales against the spirited chase by security guards trying to stop his discovery of what big oil is doing to this fragile land.

"I was grabbed from the first page. Few young whippersnappers can pull off an adventure this thrilling with such charming and refreshing naivete and later write about it like an old pro. His masterful story telling ability riveted me to the book. But by the end I realized I had gained so much insight into the politics of oil exploration in this contended wilderness. I can't wait to see what's next from this new young writer."-Bernd Heinrich, -author of The New York Times bestseller Ravens in Winter and A Year in the Maine Woods

After the 700-mile journey through the Arctic Refuge in 1991 that is the subject of this book, Chad Kister lobbied the U.S. to do more at the Earth Summit with a week-long fast in front of the White House, and went on a speaking tour about the environment throughout Japan in 1993. He returned to the Arctic in 1993 to climb Misty Mountain. Kister organized numerous political walks from 70 to 849 miles long, and is now the coordinator of Dysart Defenders, a group working to save one of the last ancient forests in Ohio. He is also the coordinator of the Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign and has personally lobbied Senators and Representatives with his first-hand experiences of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and thousands of petition signatures.

Customer Reviews:

Get the Arctic Quest CD to see much more about the quest.......2006-02-10

Two of the reviews were likely from oil industry bought-off paid liars. The last one, questioning my books facts demands my response. Anyone questioning any facts in the book need only talk to one of the scores of people I encountered, interviewed and included both the first and last names of.

If anyone further doubts any fact, they should order my CD,which has hundreds of photos of my journey, documenting unquestionably the adventure I went through. The CD goes along well with the book.

And as to showing that I am an amazing person rather than dealing with the issue of drilling in the refuge, the idiot Shep in his review forgets to mention the naivete I showed as I nearly burned down a cabin and nearly died several times by making poor decisions (being 20 and 21 years old, I thought I could survive anything).

But it certainly does not make me look the best as I make poor decisions that threaten my life. Also check out my second book, Arctic Melting and my new film, Caribou People. I also tour near constantly around the North America continent doing powerpoint presentations and taking thousands of questions. So if anyone questions any fact, just let me know (chadkister@gmail.com or (740) 707-4110))

Chad Kister
chadkister@gmail.com
www.chadister.com
www.arcticrefuge.org

Self-indulgence, thy name is Chad.......2004-08-04

Make no mistake, this book is not about the Alaskan wilderness. This book is about Chad Kister. The sole purpose of this turgid tome to demonstrate what an amazing person Chad is. If you believe any of these tall tales, I've got some beachfront real estate in Arizona that you might be interested in.

Arctic Quest.......2004-06-09

Kister has written one of the best travel/adventure books I have had the pleasure to read. I believe it to be as good as Eric Newby's, "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush." Looking beyond just his writing, his adventures in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are inspiring to all of us who wish to be better friends, caretakers, and participants of the environment. We will hear much more from this talented young man that is working determinedly for a better tomorrow.

A thrilling adventure tale - exquisitely written.......2004-04-12

This book is remarkably written - I couldn't put it down. While some may disagree with the environmental message, it makes you keenly aware of the fragile ecosystem in the Alaskan wilderness. Prior to reading the book I did not have an appreciation of the beauty of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. Chad Kister's survival skills are incredible. His ability to navigate flood-stage rivers, find food - cooking lousewort, and fish were amazing. His night of hypothermia after his raft overturned and how he overcame it is a lesson for all who who might have a wilderness experience.

The first couple of pages are good, the rest is rather bland.......2004-02-25

The author shares his haughty opinions on the following:
1. How the Alaskan wilderness is dying off.
2. How the US government and oil companies are such evil monsters.
3. How to disobey authority in any given place, especially ecologically-threatened places.
4. How to live in your own little unrealistic world and write a book about it.

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