Book Description
This book pays tribute to the popular Nevada branch mint and the many wonderful coins produced there. True-life stories are told of the Comstock miners near the Carson City Mint who procured the gold and silver used to make the coins. Brief biographical profiles are presented of the men and women connected with the Carson City Mint. This book recently received the Double Crown of numismatic literature and was awarded Book of the Year honors by the Numismatic Literary Guild and the Professional Numismatics Guild.
Customer Reviews:
Six great books in one.......2007-07-06
"The Mint on Carson Street" is the ultimate reference guide for Carson City coins. It provides descriptions, pedigrees, populations, mintages and more on each of the 111 coins in the CC set (plus a few special varieties). It has become my personal reference tool and I find myself using it on almost a daily basis. On that subject alone, this book is unparalleled and while it is all that, it is oh so much more. Rusty Goe's crafty writing virtually takes you on a time machine ride as he recounts the glorious history of those lives and times (late 1860's through the mid 1890's) via both story and pictures. When you buy this book, it is like you're getting six great books in one. It is a fascinating read for everyone. The "Gilded Age"....The "Old West"...."CC Coins"....The Comstock Lode"....If you are a passionate fan on any one or all of those subjects, there is a pretty good chance you have already read this book. If you haven't read it, or you are not one of those persons, pick up a copy today, read it and by the time you are finished, you will be!
A book that demands your attention........2004-08-20
Rusty Goe's new book describing the history of The Carson City Mint and its coinage is a MUST read for collectors of these coins. Rusty tells how to build valuable sets of CC coins and gives a history of their price appreciation. Rarity and pedigree information are included. Great READ!
Weimar White
Book is about much more than coins from Carson City.......2004-05-17
There are books on mint products from the Carson City Mint and there are books on the history of Nevada but there has never been a book that so expertly weaves together the stories of the people who made significant events come to pass, the political climate of the post-Civil War United States and territories that were not yet states, Congressional action and reaction to the economy and the contentious matter of money backed by either precious metals or paper, the trials and challenges of a start-up assaying and coining operation, all in the exciting context of the Comstock Lode phenomenon and the mining industry that changed the west.
This book is written with unmistakable passion for the benefit of Comstock and Carson City enthusiasts. But it will be highly regarded by historians, numismatists, coin and memorabilia collectors, scholars, and every investor who may want to become acquainted with the pleasurable pursuit of a truly scarce and sought after tangible collectible. The book also contains statistical information and insights into surviving populations of coins in relation to the quantities originally minted. It has taken a place of prominence among the books I own.
Great Read and Great History.......2004-05-13
I received this book as a gift and was only expecting it to be a synopsis of Carson City coins. I was not expecting all of the wonderful history! It is a fascinating read as well as being so informative. I really enjoyed reading about so many of the people who influenced not only Carson City and Nevada history, but United States history, as well. In the back is a complete guide to all of the coins minted in Carson City.
The book itself is quite beautiful, inside and out. It contains many pictures of historical people and places. The cover is so nice, you will not want to stash it in your bookcase, but place it on the coffee table for others to enjoy (and envy!)
Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for the beautiful book!
Treasure in a Time Capsule.......2004-03-07
The Carson City coinsthat intrigue us today serve to memorialize the prominent--and not so well known--deeds which occurred between the Civil War and the turn of the century. During this era of giant personalities, the growing pains of the nation created both hardship and jubilant excess in a brand new Nevada (Halloween, 1864).
This phenomenon of the old west is lovingly presented by Rusty Goe in THE MINT ON CARSON STREET. Though little-known outside numismatic circles Rusty has delved into every cranny of the period, all the while becoming one of the supremely knowledgeable and formidable operatives in U.S.coins. His colleagues and trading competitors will attest to his skill and high integrity.
The book (tome,really), Rusty's memorial to an incomparable time and place, is not merely to read, but to dive into and swim around. Some of its delights: recapturing an obscure but haunting part of our exuberant national adolescence, demystifying many of the intricacies in the rare coin market, and serving as a permanent and valuable resource reference. The manner of presentation is that of a veteran of many adventures and well-fought battles lovingly sharing his most prized experiences with those who are disposed to value and appreciate the accounts.
THE MINT ON CARSON STREET has pride of place in my book collection.
Customer Reviews:
Life of a star.......2002-03-01
Extremely enjoyable and interesting book which tells the story of Andre Agassi from birth to the age of 21. Explores the ups and downs of a professionals day to day life and the pressure and expectations placed on the shoulders of a teenage boy. Comments on wins, losses, family, romance and other players. Truly a masterpiece!!!!!!
Only the truth.......2000-07-07
Going deep into the Andre Agassi character, Robert Philip focuses towards his not-well-known difficult childhood, telling the reader almost everything about Agassi's life in Las Vegas, just before introducing us to the all-new, all-different life he would go on living in Florida, playing and training to become the player he is today. Remember the book was written right after Andre's Wimbledon title, his first Grand Slam, so it would not tell the reader about anything that happened after. Beside that, it is a great book.
Book Description
To coincide with the 20th anniversary re-release of the classic film, digitally remastered with new scenes and never-before-seen footage—here is the never-before-published screenplay and story behind the movie in the filmmakers' own words, lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photos. Directed by Steven Spielberg from the Oscar®-nominated screenplay by Melissa Mathison and produced by Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, this landmark film won four Oscars® and grossed $700 million worldwide. The touching story of a lost little visitor from another planet who is befriended and protected by a young boy who, together, find a way to return the young alien home, the film co-stars Dee Wallace-Stone, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore. Published to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary, the Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook includes stories from the makers and stars of the film, how the project was conceived and written, how the alien was drawn and made, how the movie was cast, how anxious the filmmakers were about its reception, the stunning unveiling at Cannes, Spielberg's thoughts as a filmmaker about making films for kids and adults, and much more. 200 color and b/w illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This is one novelisation I did enjoy quite a bit and read more than once. Kotzwinkle did a reasonable job of somehow taking the amazingly ugly but cute at the same time alien and translating that to print, along with the kids.
The D&D scene he threw into the book was fun, as well.
Book from the movie, but better than the movie.......2007-06-01
This book was written from the movie, but I read it in Junior-High well before I saw the movie. What is awesome in this book is that it gives E.T.'s POINT OF VIEW on the whole story. We learn who he really is, why he is here, what he thinks, what he feels, why he does what he does... and to me that was just extremely interesting, to be inside the head of an extra-terrestrial!
Afterwards, seeing the movie was a big disappointment, because it contains none of these deep character developments... I think reading this book truly adds another dimension to the E.T. story, so I recommend it. (But beware: some of the concepts strayed from the movie, so be open to new ideas! For example, in the book, E.T. is not an ignorant baby, but is million-years-old wise).
Okay,but a bit pretentious........2007-03-08
I seem to be different than everyone else.I always seem to like the movie better than the book,unless the writer is skilled and doesn't overexplain or do anything else uneccesary.I thought E.T. was way too cynical and they went off on a tangent with Mary's emotional issues with her husband leaving.Kotzwinkle could have used a better editor...Hell,it'd be better if he didn't write it.I love when a book goes into detail about some things,but it was just too much.I was thinking the whole time,"I get the damn point.I got the damn point when I saw the movie,but the movie didn't go on and on with it."
Also,where is the friendship between E.T. and Elliot?E.T. just seemed cold.He reminded me of these teen to 20 somethings that have just discovered Schopenhauer or some other arrogant philosopher.To put it simply,he seemed like an unlikable know-it-all.
Mr. Kotzwinkle,if you happen to ever read this review,I suggest you read Stephen King's "On Writing" memoir.I know Stephen King has some real bad ideas for stories sometimes,but at least he knows how to write them well.He has some real good tips.
I only say it was okay because I got it from a bargain bin type place and it was short...and I've read worse.
ET Phone Home.......2006-12-15
This book is a scary book. I want people to read it because it is kind of sad. The best part of this story is the fact that the scary thing gets killed. People should read it to find out how this happened. Reading scary books is something I like to do. Buy this book to read and get some information.
ET.......1998-10-19
This book was outstanding in my own mind. There was just not anything that turned me off and made put the book down. Yes, this is science fiction and actually loved it, because the characters were described so well. A person may feel as if they really knew or felt that they may be somewhat alike. I personally do not like science fiction but as much as I enjoyed this, I may just change and widen my reading variety. Considering some fairly difficult words I always stuck with and just tried to understand it. Kotzwinkle has put forth an extraudinary piece of literature and should be recommended for interested readers. To be honest with you this book is not easy and is a little long but in the end I promise that you will be feeling something. This has love, tragedy, and is quite suspensful. It is a wonderful book, and I personally recommend to everyone. joe gainer
Customer Reviews:
ET Phone Home .......2006-12-18
This book is a scary book. I want people to read it because it is kind of sad. The best part of this story is the fact that the scary thing gets killed. People should read it to find out how this happened. Reading scary books is something I like to do. Buy this book to read and get some imformation.
Book Description
Journalist Ryan Nerz spent a year penetrating the highest echelons of international competitive eating. Eat This Book is the fascinating and gut-bustingly hilarious account of his journey. It's a wild mix of travelogue, history, party journal, and psychological study of the misfits and goofballs whose lives are measured out in chicken wing bones and pounds of matzo balls. Nerz reveals all the facts about the history of the IFOCE (International Federation of Competetive Eating)from the story of a clever Nathan's promotion that began in 1916 on the corner of Surf and Stillwell in Coney Island -- to the intricacies of individual international competitions, the controversial Belt of Fat Theory and the corporate wars to control this exploding sport. He becomes swept up in the lives of the men and women who have a point to prove and have chosen competitive eating as their playground and their pulpit. As Nerz goes on his own quest to become a top gurgitator, we become obsessed with him as he lies awake at night in physical pain from learning to chug gallons of water to expand his increasingly abused stomach. Sparing no one's appetite, Nerz reveals the training, game-day strategies and after-effects of competition in this delectably shocking banquet of gluttony and glory on the competitive eating circuit.
Customer Reviews:
Story-telling at it's best.......2007-01-11
Nerz is a natural-born storyteller, and I'd read anything he puts his name on. So it's no surprised that he could get me interested in competitive eating, a subject I have no inclination towards. Absolutely can't wait to see what he's up to next.
Great Author and Great Person.......2006-09-07
I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Nerz back in October 2005 when my girlfriends and I were vacationing in Phoenix.
What an awesome guy he is. Even in his "lost wallet" frenzy, he remained cool, calm and collected. We happened to be staying in the same hotel and coincidently, ended up all going to the same bar and then had drinks at the hotel after the bar closed. I believe at that time the book was "a work in progress."
I received my autographed copy of "Eat this Book" from Ryan in the mail today and started reading the book. I found it funny, gross, and some of it is just out and out WILD. It's amazing what some people will do for notoriety and the thrill of Victory :) 57 cow brains in 15 minutes? 6 pounds of Spam in 12 minutes? I think I will choose anonymity..
Eva
Chicago
*Note to Ryan: Are there any kind of competitive Tequila Drinking contests? lmao
This is a good eating book........2006-08-23
If you like eating books, this is the book for you. I have been through many eating books, some of them competition-orientated, and I would say this one goes down easier than most. The author is the kind of author you can trust because he was hired by the International Federation of Competitive Eaters, which wouldn't hire someone to write a truthful book unless they thought they could trust them. I give it my highest rating: The Single Star. Read this book if you like eating books and whatnot. That is what I would recommend to you, if I knew you and such.
hysterical...loved it.......2006-04-20
i thought this book was hilarious. at first i wondered if the whole book was a sham, a mockumentary like one of those christopher guest films (best in show, this is spinal tap). but it's all real, almost frighteningly so at times. the characters were great, and the inside scoop on this esoteric american subculture was highly amusing. and i just found out you can see the author's appearance on the daily show...funny...check it out...
[...]
Great read about a fascinating new sport.......2006-04-20
This is a great overview of the fast growing sport of competitive eating. Book goes into the background and inspirations of many different eater/athletes. I found this very interesting, informative and more importantly a very enjoyable read. Anyone can pick this up and have fun with it. Way better then going to the movies.
Customer Reviews:
Book covers all things Coin Operated.......2005-10-23
The book's title might cause you to be disappointed if you're looking for a complete resource on slot machines. There is a chapter devoted to them, but this book is not a half slot machines, half coin-op guide as the title suggests. My guess would be that slot machine collecting was at a peak when this book came out and the book was titled to grab attention.
A more appropriate title might have been "History of Coin-Op Games including Slot Machines".
Besides that, if you want a mini-history of these machines along with some nice color pictures, this book is for you. Time period covered is 1889 to 1988.
There are 9 chapters covering Penny Arcade Machines, Baseball Machines, Gun Games, Bowling Machines, Pinball Machines, One-Armed Bandits, Novelty Arcade Games (part 1), Novelty Arcade Games (part 2) and Owning Your Own.., along with an author's introduction and an index which directs you to every page a particular game is mentioned or a picture is located.
Well written book with lots of pictures to remind you of times past and games you have long forgotten about. If you're over thirty, you will have many "oh, I remember playing THAT one" moments.
You'll be glad you added this one to your game-room collection.
slot machines?...where?.......2003-05-29
the title starts with slot machines. well there's only ten pictures of slot machines and three are blurry and two are drawings.i went through it in two minutes. don't buy for the slot machine part.
A great review of all the machines you've forgotten.......1999-12-06
Kurtz had done a beautiful job documenting many of the other arcade machines. Not slots, not pins (though both are covered) but the fortune tellers, strength testers, helicopter simulators, safe-cracking games, baseballs and bowlers that were in the rear corners of the arcades of my boyhood.
The photography is first rate. He's gone to a lot of trouble to light and photograph terrific examples. There's the usual brochure copy as well. The copy is well written, but this book is really about the pictures and captions.
A great item for your gameroom!
Customer Reviews:
Companies on the right road........2001-08-18
Exceptional book describing the background of the Natural Step process but more importantly provides evidence that companies who embrace sustainabilty in every aspect will be well rewarded for their efforts. Well done with loads of detail.
An excellent applied reference on The Natural Step.......1999-07-11
The authors provide a real service with this book. So far much of the published work on The Natural Step framework has remained conceptual, without a lot of practical examples of the model in practice. The case examples of IKEA, Collins Pine, and Interface provide valuable references for organizational managers and consultants who are working to build more sustainable organizations. I highly recommend this book.
The Natural Step in action - great practical case-studies!.......1999-06-27
This is a terrifc book in that it not only lucidly explains the framework of the Natural Step but also gives some excellent practical examples of major corporations starting down the path towards sustainability. This will give them a great competitive edge. With examples like the Natural Step model being applied by the likes of IKEA and Interface one can remain optimistic in the face of the torrent of negatives about the degenerating nature of the world environment. I hope that this book will encourgae others to look nto what the Natural Step has to offer..
A clear, wonderful book........1999-04-29
This is a clear and wonderful book that makes a compelling case for a new environmental awareness in business and industry. The style is graceful, the chapter organization is easy to follow, and there are many charts and diagrams that enhance the book. I was extremely impressed, and I recommend the book highly.
Average customer rating:
- Four-Minute mile...slow?
- True Perspective on Life & Running
- Fascinating
- Bannister was the epitome of a great man.
|
The Four-Minute Mile, Fiftieth-Anniversary Edition
Roger Bannister
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies
| Sports
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| Books
Running & Jogging
| Individual Sports
| Sports
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| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Running & Jogging
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
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Accessories:
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Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
ASIN: 1592285813 |
Amazon.com
Forty-some years after the barrier was broken it's difficult to imagine how daunting a challenge the four-minute mile once was, but for a generation of world-class runners it represented the impossible dream. Roger Bannister, the British middle-distance runner who finally achieved the epic quest in 1954, wrote this stunning memoir of his life as a runner a year later; intelligent, analytical, dramatic, and graceful, it remains a sporting classic. Though two introductions have been added in years since, it's a shame that Bannister, a remarkable man who graduated from Oxford to a distinguished medical career, has never penned a more complete memoir. Still, his achievement as a young man remains one of the pivotal moments in 20th-century sports, and his account of that achievement is as good a glimpse into a runner's race toward greatness as has ever been written.
Book Description
"Bannister writes in much the same fashion as he runs-with rippling smoothness, eye-catching grace, and spectacular effectiveness." -The New York Times
"It is strange that the intrinsically simple and unimportant act of placing one foot after another for 1,760 yards, as fast as possible, should become such an important sporting achievement. I think the appeal lies in its simplicity-it needs no money, no equipment, no particular physique, no knowledge, no education-and in a world of increasingly complex technology, it stands out as a naive statement about the nature of man. A man can, with his own two feet, overcome severe difficulties to reach a pinnacle upon which he can declare, 'No one has done this before.' " -Roger Bannister, from the Introduction
All sports have pivotal moments, single events that change perceptions forever after. For the sport of running, such a moment occurred on a blustery May afternoon in 1954, when Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile. This is the story of that epic run.
Today, fifty years later, lovers of the sport--runners and non-runners alike--will be moved by this modest but impassioned story of one of sport's true heroes.
Customer Reviews:
Four-Minute mile...slow?.......2002-04-18
A great story about a great runner! You keep reading only wishing that he had put more about his career. It reads really slow and much of the book could be skipped over. I recommend the book if you are looking for a background of Bannister starting from birth. I was looking for something about his running.
True Perspective on Life & Running.......2002-01-25
Roger Bannister sets about telling the story of his historic record 4 minute mile but in the process he reveals that there is more to life than just running. This book is quite unlike most running books I have read in that Bannister strives to keep things in perspective amid spectacular and historic events. It could just be his British demeanor, but I found narrative rather enjoying.
Fascinating.......2000-06-22
This is a very interesting bk but maybe he should talk more about the running (after all it is the 4 min mile) and introduce his characters before he starts to talk about them.
Bannister was the epitome of a great man........1998-09-15
Bannister not only was the greatest runner of his time, he also was a incredibly thinking and balanced man. He was an amatuer because he understood running was only a means to a better life.
Book Description
This is a new revised version of Dr. Laslett's standard edition of Two Treatises. First published in 1960, and based on an analysis of the whole body of Locke's publications, writings, and papers. The Introduction and text have been revised to incorporate references to recent scholarship since the second edition and the bibliography has been updated.
Download Description
Sec. 40. Nor is it so strange, as perhaps before consideration it may appear, that the property of labour should be able to over-balance the community of land: for it is labour indeed that puts the difference of value on every thing; and let any one consider what the difference is between an acre of land planted with tobacco or sugar, sown with wheat or barley, and an acre of the same land lying in common, without any husbandry upon it, and he will find, that the improvement of labour makes the far greater part of the value.
Customer Reviews:
Not to be trusted.......2007-08-23
This guy is a hallucinator. He's had bouts of rage and depression. He head butts people. He thinks the island talks to him. He blows up submarines. Beware of this guy and his crazy woo woo beliefs!
The Second Treatise and the American Founding.......2007-01-02
John Locke's major work of political philosophy is often referred to as a major source for the Declaration of Independence, The Second Treatise of Civil Government. This work, authored in 1690, is a major statement of liberalism. Like Thomas Hobbes, Locke begins with humans living in a state of nature, a situation before the development of the state and government. The Lockeian state of nature was not an unpleasant place. Human reason led people to tend to leave one another alone in their respective pursuits.
Natural law guides people's actions in the state of nature and their reason allows them to apprehend the essence of these laws. Thus, Locke expressed great confidence in human reason. However, inconveniences did result in the state of nature. If disagreements rose between people, it was not always easy to resolve these. If one person stole something from another, it was up to the victim to redress the injustice. And these shortcomings in the state of nature made individuals ultimately, rationally, decide that they should give up some of their freedom in order to secure order and protection of the fruits of their labor. Locke said: "[T]he enjoyment of the property he has in his state is very unsafe, very unsecure. . . . The great and chief end, therefore, of man's uniting into commonwealths and putting themselves under government is the preservation of their property."
As a result, people contract with one another to form civil society and government in order to preserve their rights under natural law, with the dominant right being termed property. And what happens if government does not protect rights under natural law? Revolution is thereby allowable. For instance, Locke notes one justification for suspending an existing government: "Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience, and are left to the common refuge which God hath provided for all men against force and violence. . . .[I]t devolves to the people to have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of a new legislative, such as they shall think fit, provide for their own safety and security, which is the end for which they are in society."
Locke's work well illustrates basic tenets of liberalism, among which are:
1. Individualism (and its concomitants of limited government and certain rights, such as the right to property and to certain freedoms, and equality);
2. Materialism (material incentives are important; acquisition and enjoyment of material goods is altogether proper);
3. Faith in human reason;
4. Faith in the market as a way of distributing wealth and goods.
Is Locke the philosopher of the American Revolution? Probably not. But he well articulated many of the major themes accepted by the Founders of the revolutionary movement in the 1770s.
Most Representative Thinker in Anglo-American Tradition.......2006-08-24
John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690, it was the main political philosophical source that our "Founding Fathers" went to in writing the "Declaration of Independence" and in forming our government. I think you should know something of Locke to understand what influenced his thinking. His father was a small landowner, attorney, Puritan and his political sympathies were with the Cromwell Parliament. Like Hobbes, Locke attended Oxford Univ. and did not think much about the curriculum or his professors. Most of his education came from reading books in the Univ. library. Renee Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton's writings greatly influenced Locke. Like Hobbes, he took a tutoring job teaching the son of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and traveled Europe. His friendship with the Earl was beneficial in obtaining government appointments. During the political unrest in England, (1679-83) he fled to Holland because his liberal notions put him at odds with the government.
Locke writes the "Second Treatise of Government" to justify the Revolt of 1688 and the ascension of William of Orange to the English throne. The book argues against two lines of absolutist ideas. The first is Sir Robert Filmer's "patriarchal theory of divine right of kings; secondly, Hobbes argument for the sovereign's absolute power in his book "Leviathan." Locke argues that government emanates from the people. Locke's treatise rests like other political writings on its interpretation of human nature. He sees our nature opposite the way Hobbes did, decent and not as selfish or competitive. Man is more inclined to join society through reason and not fear. Man prefers stability to change.
His very important contribution to "law of nature" theory was his bias toward individualism. In state of nature, before government, men were free independent, equal enjoying inalienable rights "chief among them being life, liberty, and property." Where have you read that before? Property rights receive much attention in this treatise. Locke argues that government based on consent of man can still preserve freedom independence and equality.
His political writing had immediate influence in the world and influenced our founding fathers in their struggle against tyranny. He is an excellent writer and his theories are easy to understand by the laymen. As a graduate student of political philosophy, I recommend if you have an interest in politics, philosophy, or government then you must read Locke's "Second Treatise of Government"
Essay: The Illusion of Supreme Legislative Power.......2005-02-19
The Illusion of Supreme Legislative Power
Classical Political Thoughts
The legislative power in a society that allows for money can not be reconciled with individual natural rights because the legislature is bound to compromise the property of minority for the interest of the majority. Thus, despite Locke's assertion that his legislature is supreme, it can not be, since according to Locke's own definition, the foundation of the legislature's supreme power only lies in the complete protection of the people's property by the legislature.
Locke asserts that the Legislative power is supreme in the commonwealth (Chapter 18). This legislative power, however, is only supreme because it protects the life and property of the people. He says,
"And thus the Community perpetually retains a Supream Power of saving themselves from the attempts and designs of any Body, even of their Legislators, whenever they shall be so foolish, or so wicked, as to lay and carry on designs against the Liberties and Properties of the Subject. For no Man, or Society of Men, having a power to deliver up their Preservation, or Society of Men, having a Power to deliver up their Preservation, or consequently the means of it, to the Absolute Will and arbitrary Dominion of another." (p367)
The key here is that "no Man" can give up the right to protect his property and liberty; this means the legislative power does not gain its supreme power by protecting some people's person and property, but everyone's person and property. Sadly, despite Locke's genuine efforts to establish a government that was not "so foolish, or so wicked", his supreme legislature will not protect everyone's person and property. This is not caused by the corruption of the members of the legislature or their promotion of secret laws; instead, Locke's system is intrinsically flawed because the legislature acts according to majority vote.
Locke believes that the interest of the majority vote is the interest of the whole, and the majority vote in a commonwealth must decide the actions of the commonwealth. Locke writes of the necessity for majority rule as follows,
"It is necessary the Body should move that way whither the greater force carries it, which is the consent of the majority: or else it is impossible it should act or continue one Body, one Community, which the consent of every individual that united into it, agreed that it should." (p332)
Locke makes no mistakes here-a government will never be able to function if every action it takes must obtain the consent of every citizen. Nevertheless, although for most of the time, the differences between majority vote and minority vote merely show differences in opinions about how best to achieve a common goal, it is unavoidable that sometimes the differences of opinion will represent fundamental split of interest. With this unavoidable fissure, the laws selected by the majority vote are bound to hurt the person and property of the minority.
America before the American Civil War is an example where a fundamental fissure in society appeared. In the United States of the late 19th century, there was a clear difference of interest between the slave owning plantation economy of the south and the free labor industrial economy of the north. The Yankees, through the legislature, was enforcing economic laws such as high tariff and low silver excavation that protected northern manufacturing industries but hurt the production and exports of southern farming produces. Since the legislature of the United States was controlled by the more populous northern states, the south felt that its interest was always trumped by the majority. This fissure made the legislature no longer a source of supreme power in the eyes of southerners, and it was the cause of the Civil War.
The American civil war is an extreme example, but lesser examples of differences in interest abound. In one case of the 1980s, the conservative British PM Margaret Thatcher recognized that it was not in the interest of the majority of the British people to keep on subsidizing coal workers with billions of tax money, and decided to let the market determine how the coalmines should be ran. Margaret Thatcher was justly representing the interest of the people who gave her and her party power to sit in the House of Commons. The coalminers, a minority interest group, however, were extremely upset because they would lose jobs if Thatcher succeeded since their high-cost mines could not compete in a market economy. The government and the mineworkers battled on the streets for a year before the issue was resolve.
Whether the PM or the mineworkers had more justice on their side is topic for another essay, but it is clear that fundamental differences of interests between different interest groups exist.
Reading Locke, nevertheless, one might come to the conclusion that the above kinds of conflicts of economic interest only arise from people's greed for obtaining what they do not need-the northern capitalists and the southern plantation owners were only fighting for ever more slaves and mills, and perhaps there should have never been any coalmines if only there was not so much economic development which only produce excess and corruption. One might say that in a true Lockeian society, there will never be such battles for money, and as evidence, one find Locke saying,
"God has given us all things richly, I Tim. Vi. 17. is the Voice of Reason confirmed by Inspiration. But how far has he given it us? To enjoy. As much as any one can make use of to any advantage of life before it spoils; so much he may be his labour fix a Property in." (p290)
The above idea on the outset seems to put a tremendous limit on the property one can obtain, and this limit promotes a form of simple agricultural society where everyone has moderate property and happiness.
If Locke really does believe that all industrial and expansionary economics are bad and does limit his Commonwealth to the moderate agricultural form, then the legislature could be supreme because when everyone has similar land and make similar produces, there can not be fundamental differences in interest. Nevertheless, Locke is not against industrial and economic expansions since he is not against money, which is the bloodline of economic developments.
Despite the gross inequality that comes with money, Money is acceptable to Locke because it accumulates imperishable goods. Locke believes that although a person should not try to hoard a hundred bananas a day for his own consumption, he should be able to obtain and keep what will be of lasting preservative value. In fact, he sets no limits on such imperishable goods; and the accumulation of imperishable goods is exactly what money accomplishes. Locke writes,
"They having by a tacit and voluntary consent found out a way, how a man may fairly possess more land than he himself can use the product of, by receiving in exchange for overplus, Gold and Silver, which may be hoarded up without injury to any one, these metals not spoileing or decaying in the hands of the possessor." (p302)
As this passage shows, Gold and Silver do not perish, and therefore, they do not represent wastes. Although they cause inequality, they are "fair" in that they are the "overplus" of
one's labour that do not take away the interest of others.
One with Gold and Silver might purchase a nice English country estate, some nice carriages, or even a Cotton machine. Locke, by accepting these imperishable goods procured with money strips away the supreme power that the legislature could have had in an equal agricultural state. This accumulation of imperishable goods is bound to create differing classes in societies with the capitalists having one interest in the law and the poor having another and also create further interest sub-groups. Since the legislature is bound to pass laws that have majority vote (even when the group represents the minority population), the property and liberty of the minority group will always be compromised.
One might argue at this point that although it is clear that the interest of the minority might be deprived, but when people united together to form civil society, they made the contract with each other that each will be governed by the choice of the majority (P331). They are right, however, this contract is conditional. To understand the conditionality, the rationality for coming into civil society must be clear. Locke writes,
"To avoid this State of War (wherein there is no appeal but to Heaven, and wherein every the least difference is apt to end, where there is no Authority to decide between the Contenders) is one great reason of Mens putting themselves into Society, and quitting the State of nature." (p282)
The above quote and Locke's ideas about majority rule together show that Locke is offering two choices for living: either one joins the society or he stays in the "State of War". If he chooses the latter, he keeps intact the whole of his property and rights, but must embrace the danger that there can be no "Authority" to protect his property and rights. If he joins the commonwealth, he will have to pay a "fee", which is the cost of the damage to his property majority action might do, however, this loss will be recuperated overtime from the long term security offered by the Commonwealth. Citizens, therefore, only gave up their irrevocable right to property in order to keep their property.
The balance of benefits changes, however, when one is only getting properties taken away by the society, but receives nothing in return. As the groups support different laws in the legislature through their representatives, the minority will not be paying a "fee" for long term security but will be simply be constantly suppressed by the majority. This dictatorship of the majority is no better for the minority than the state of nature when they still kept the right to punish others in their hands.
In any Commonwealth that uses money as the medium of exchange, there must arise differences of interests that make the legislature a place where majority interest will trump minority interest. Thus, individual liberty for some will be preserved, but for others, it will not be. The legislature will never be able to protect the interest of everyone, and therefore can not have supreme power if the source of the supreme power is truly, as Locke claims, the people.
Long winded and largely out of date.......2003-12-29
Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is altogether a long read. The first treatise is largely a rebuttal to an earlier book by Robert Filmer. It is filled with many biblical references denouncing any connection between the throne and God. In his diatribe he does manage to point out that the bible does not raise man over woman with regards to family. He gets the point across that father and mother are to be honoured and given respect, perhaps a first step on a long road to women's rights.
The second treatise could probably been reduced by a quarter if he would only make a point and move on. Unfortunately he seems to like repeating himself, as if we won't get it the first time. This treatise is the one which has influenced many western governments, the U.S. in particular. Locke, however, like many philosophers of his time, makes his mistake early on in describing humans in a state of nature as mostly solitary and caring only for themselves. This anthropologists now know to be false. We are by nature a social animal living in bands of large extended families. He makes another mistake early on, a mistake that concerns the very foundation of his philosophy when he says that the laws of nature need enforcement. Maybe it's just my modern view of a "law of nature", but I feel that if it needs enforcement it can't be natural. In fact many times when he refers to nature, he gets it wrong.
This said, many of his ideas are good common sense ideas; Like having the government power bounded by agreement, or a constitution; having an independent judiciary; and many of his property rules and how one can defend their property. It even seems like Locke would support Bush in his actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, not for the so called "anti-terrorism" theme, but simply for taking out a tyrant and helping the people install a responsible government of their own.
Book Description
This reader complements GREAT IDEAS/GRAND SCHEMES. Together, the text and reader provide students with a comprehensive and systematic introduction to political theories and ideologies in the 19th and 20th centuries. This reader provides introductions regarding the context and basic ideas of twelve ideologies and the nature and importance of ideologies in general and the author of each article and his or her concerns and contributions.
Average customer rating:
- A Very Basic Overview
- beautiful
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Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife & Protected Areas
Meryl G. Rose
Manufacturer: Bess Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Islands of Samoa: Reference Map of Tutuila, Manu'A, 'Upolu, and Savai'I
ASIN: 1573061115 |
Book Description
The Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas is an outstanding reference book featuring descriptions and beautiful watercolor illustrations of approximately 500 species of marine (fishes, sea turtles, marine invertebrates, marine mammals, etc.) and terrestrial fauna (flying foxes, birds, skinks, geckos, land snails, etc.) that constitute the wealth of biodiversity found in the ecosystems of Samoa's coral reefs, ocean waters, sea grass beds, rain forests, mangrove forests, and wetlands. In addition it contains a chapter describing the "protected areas" (parks, reserves, and biodiversity conservation areas), as well as highlights wildlife, highlighting the critical environmental issues facing the archipelago. The only available field guide to the area, the book is a compact, colorful, easy-to-use reference, essential for visitors to the Samoan Islands
Written to enhance the archipelago's overall natural resource management program, to heighten public awareness and support for ecosystem protection and stewardship, and to further environmental education in local schools and learning institutions, the Field Guide is an informative guidebook for tourists and other visitors to the archipelago. It is a readable reference for anyone interested in natural history and the biodiversity of the Samoan Islands, as well as an authoritative, accessible text for Samoan students.
Customer Reviews:
A Very Basic Overview.......2005-04-22
This book might be a fine purchase for you if you have no idea about Samoa's fauna and just want a small, compact, and basic overview.
However if you already have good, comprehensive field guides to the birds/fish/mammals of the region, and hope to find more specific information about the species in the Samoas, you will be sorely disappointed!
The bulk of this book is a guide to randomly selected species (far from all occuring in Samoa) with minimal information and rather poor drawings of each. I found this completely useless as more species are covered in other regional field guides I have.
As for descriptions of protected areas, that was another disappointment! :-(
The book devotes a mere 20 (small) pages to listing these, writing no more than a few sentences of each one. There is no information on trails, facilities, likeliness of seeing certain species... in fact general travel guides to Samoa or the South Pacific offer more info!
Maps?
There isn't even a decent one of the entire Samoan archipelago (for a laugh, I have uploaded here a scanned image of the only one in the book), let alone of individual islands or nature reserves!!!
Buying this book was a complete waste of money, and if it wasn't for the fact that I am in Europe and postage costs more than the book itself, I would send it back! :-(
beautiful.......2003-01-11
Beautiful pictures. Alot of effort and time went into this book.
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