The Sicilian Mafia: The Business of Private Protection

Book Description

In a society where trust is in short supply and democracy weak, the Mafia sells protection, a guarantee of safe conduct for parties to commercial transactions. Drawing on the confessions of eight Mafiosi, Diego Gambetta develops an elegant analysis of the economic and political role of the Sicilian Mafia.

Customer Reviews:

Mafia ®.......2007-09-05

What exactly is a mafia? What type of underworld association may rightfully assume the title? Can any criminal group organized along ethnic lines qualify? The answer is "No" according to Diego Gambetta. He argues that criminal activity and ethnicity alone do not justify use of the term; and the popularly held concept about what constitutes a mafia is based on broad assumption, and contains inaccuracies. Gambetta traces the social and economic origins of this much dramatized organization from the 1800s to the present. He establishes authenticity according to a more exacting set of criteria, and explains how the mafia is more than a collection of "clever psychopaths." It is an industry specializing in protection; a group of firms that possess `recognizable trademarks,' `means of identifying legitimate members;' and is successful in `thwarting imposters.' Not every group, therefore, may rightfully be designated as "mafia."

Gambetta documents extensively the history and facts surrounding one of the most successful crime cartels in history, and delves into its myths and mysteries. His account of the creation of such words as mafia, a literary creation actually applied externally, is illuminating. One source he quotes, Leopold Franchetti, reveals the label was originally applied to "a class of violent criminals ready and waiting for a name to define them." Upon reflection, the reader then imagines more examples of `externally applied' definitions: political parties are exceptionally good at conjuring up choice names for their opponents. I strongly doubt that the master of Hell bestowed the title, "Prince of Darkness" on himself. Even the sobriquet "G-men" was first created for the FBI, the mafia's unrelenting foe, by notorious gangster Machine Gun Kelly.

"The Sicilian Mafia" is excellent reading and a superb source of reference. It is marvelously objective in providing information, extensive examination and insightful, in-depth analysis, as it explores the phenomenon of modern-day, organized crime society.

The Sicilian Mafia: the Business of Private Protection

Average customer rating:

The Sicilian Mafia: the Business of Private Protection
Diego Gambetta
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZHYC6

Book Description

Managing Innovation provides readers with the knowledge to understand, and the skills to manage, innovation at the operational and strategic levels. Specifically, it integrates the management of market, organizational and technological change to improve the competitiveness of firms and effectiveness of other organizations. The management of innovation is inherently interdisciplinary and multifunctional and Tidd, Bessant & Pavitt provide an integrative approach to the subject.

Two new perspectives are introduced through which to re-examine material presented in each chapter: sustaining versus disruptive innovation (a greater emphasis will be placed on disruptive innovation) and organizations versus networks (greater discussion of the network issues raised in each chapter).
Provides more treatment of innovation in services.
Greater internationalization of case examples will be provided e.g. more examples will be included from Asia and Latin America.
Introduces discussion of the relationship between innovation and the environment.

Download Description

Managing Innovation provides readers with the knowledge to understand, and the skills to manage, innovation at the operational and strategic levels. Specifically, it integrates the management of market, organizational and technological change to improve the competitiveness of firms and effectiveness of other organizations. The management of innovation is inherently interdisciplinary and multifunctional and Tidd, Bessant & Pavitt provide an integrative approach to the subject. Two new perspectives are introduced through which to re-examine material presented in each chapter: sustaining versus disruptive innovation (a greater emphasis will be placed on disruptive innovation) and organizations versus networks (greater discussion of the network issues raised in each chapter). Provides more treatment of innovation in services. Greater internationalization of case examples will be provided e.g. more examples will be included from Asia and Latin America. Introduces discussion of the relationship between innovation and the environment.

Customer Reviews:

I'd like to give it ZERO stars. .......2006-09-06

Of all the textbooks I've had, from elementary school through graduate school, this is easily the worst one I've ever had, for any course.

First of all, the authors so redundantly use the word "whilst" and the phrase "rules of the game" that it really gets on your nerves. My classmates all agree with me on this point.

Second, speaking of getting on your nerves, half of what these authors say is, "...as we talked about in the previous chapter" or "as we'll talk about in the next chapter". There is so much redundant language in this book that it really could be condensed to about 25% of its size, and hell, it probably could simply be a chapter in the text for some other course.

Third, the authors should win a Pulitzer prize for flowery language. They seem more interested in impressing me than educating me. Their sentences are far too long. They don't know the meaning of clear and concise, and I think they should all go back to English Composition 101. They'd be great politicians, because never have I heard anyone say so much and yet say so little....over and over and over again.
The book is a like an inflated academic paper...and it's BORING. If ever a topic begged for a case-study approach, it's this one, and this book is not the answer. Save your money, and beg your instructor not to use this text.

Recomendo com certeza!.......2005-10-29

Excelente referência para a pesquisa e para o estudo preliminar visando a implantação de processos de inovação. É completo, abrangente, de fácil leitura. Um livro que não pode faltam na estante de quem se interessa pelo assunto, tanto em termos acadêmicos quanto de interesse gerencial.

Brilliant read!!.......2004-06-02

Used this book for the 'Managing Processes and Products' course on my MBA. Found it quite interesting and illuminating with plenty of examples to bring the subject to life. Would definitely recommend it.

Not for the faint hearted........2003-11-10

This book is very difficult to read. The sentences are so long that you will struggle to make sense of them. The author goes out of his way to use long complicated words. This is not a good book to read to introduce yourself to the subject.

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, the Second Edition of Specialty Corns includes everything in the first edition and more. Considered the standard in this field, significant changes have been made to keep all the information current and bring the references up-to-date. Two new chapters have been added to keep up with the latest trends: Blue Corn and Baby Corn. Access the latest methods in developing specialty corns with this standard-setting reference. Edited by an expert in the field who has spent his professional life working with corn, Specialty Corns, Second Edition discusses the genetic variation inherent in corn, genetic materials available, breeding methods, and special problems associated with the development of specialty corns. Hallauer has assembled a team of international experts who have contributed to this work.

Customer Reviews:

a great follow-up to "Practical Jung".......2006-10-04

This book is another excellent volume by Dr. Wilmer, published about 7 years after "Practical Jung." In this book, Dr. Wilmer amplifies some of the earlier material and there is more material on dreams and their meaning as well as psychotherapy from the perspective of Analytical Psychology. I was privileged to work as a medical student and later as a psychiatry resident with Dr. Wilmer so it is somewhat difficult to be objective. But Harry Wilmer probably had more impact on me than any professor or supervisor from my training and I will always be deeply appreciative of his humor, his wisdom, and his empathy. He later founded the Institute for the Humanities in Salado, Texas and worked there for many years before his recent death.Carl Jung himself said that he "never wanted to be considered a Jungian" and Harry took Jung's concepts and applied them in his work with schizophrenic patients, PTSD patients from Vietnam, patients with AIDS, and his earlier work in San Francisco with young adults who had "dropped out." He was a great mentor and author.

Book Description

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology--both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.

Customer Reviews:

This book has a volume number.......2004-03-18

This book has a volume number - it is one of a series of monographs that have been published. I am looking volume 231, but since you don't mention the volume number I don't know if this is the volume I'm seeking. I will go elsewhere for my purchase.

Average customer rating:

Another gem ...

It Speaks To The Heart...

Wonderful Reading...

Required reading for the serious martial artist

With A Teacher's Wisdom

Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways (Tuttle Martial Arts)
Dave Lowry
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0804834326

Customer Reviews:

Another gem ..........2007-01-11

I always enjoy Mr. Lowry's collections of essays. His work is always enlightening and thought provoking. I would enthusiatically recommend this book to anyone involved in the traditional Japanese arts, or anyone that is thinking of becoming involved.

It Speaks To The Heart..........2006-05-09

This wonderful book speaks to the very heart of any serious martial arts enthusiast. This is the kind of book that will be read and re-read over the years. A truly wonderful book!

Wonderful Reading..........2005-03-28

I recently purchased this book that was recommended to me by my sensei in Uechi/Shohei-ryu and I have to say I thouroughly enjoyed these great essays by Dave Lowry on different aspects of traditional budo.I read the entire book in three days and at the end wanted to read more so I plan to get other books Mr. Lowry has written..I love the respect for the arts shown and talked about in this great book and it's nice to see the traditional martial arts presented in the way they deserve to be and should be presented.In short this is wonderful book full of great and honorable lessons and I would recommend it to anyone who cares about preserving and honoring traditional ways...five stars for sure..

Jeff Miller
Greensburg, Pa

Required reading for the serious martial artist.......2004-12-12

As part of my preparation for promotion to ShoDan in Shiho Karano, I started looking for good books to broaden my overall knowledge about the martial Way. I wanted quality materials, so I took my time and searched for works by legitimate practitioners. One book I skimmed through was "Traditions", and after reading some chapters decided it was worthwhile.

I discovered that Sensei Lowry has been writing about the martial arts for more than twenty years. He's been a longtime contributor to various magazines, and has authored a number of books as well (after finishing this one, I ordered three of his other books from Amazon). In addition, he began practicing the martial arts back in the late sixties, so he's seen and experienced a lot in the intervening years. "Traditions" is a collection of excellent essays that reflect his hard-earned and well-learned budo lessons.

"Traditions" is well written, and each short chapter clearly reveals many crucial martial arts insights. Indeed, even a non-practitioner would find it to be an accessible introduction to the martial Way. As for budo participants, anyone from white belt to seasoned veteran will learn something new or gain a different perspective on what they already know. Topics include proper etiquette between sempai and kohai, thoughts on learning, the reason martial artists practice barefoot, and the "why" behind the kiai. Sprinkled throughout the book are tales of legendary Japanese bugeisha that demonstrate important budo principles and character qualities.

Now that I've passed my ShoDan exam, I'm particularly impressed by one of Sensei Lowry's quotes: "When you get a black belt ranking it doesn't mean you've gotten a foot in the door. It means you have learned how to find the doorknob (pg. 144)." I'm glad that the black belt is a beginning instead of an end. This is the kind of martial arts wisdom that you'll find in "Transitions." If you're serious about growing in budo knowledge as well as technique, then this book will help you along that path.

With A Teacher's Wisdom.......2004-06-02

Dave Lowry's earnest love and respect for the martial arts shine brightly through this collection of short essays that could serve as your dojo encyclopedia. Never dull nor preachy, Sensei Lowry speaks with the wisdom of an old teacher--inspiring with every breath.

Book Description

How does a mainstream elementary classroom teacher with little or no specialized ESL training meet the challenge of teaching linguistically diverse students? Pauline Gibbons suggests how: integrate the teaching of English with the content areas of the regular curriculum. What's more, she shows how in this practical resource book.

Gibbons begins with a strong theoretical underpinning for her practice, drawing on a functional model of language, sociocultural theories of learning, and current research on second-language development. After supporting her view that the regular curriculum offers the best language-learning environment for young ESL students, Gibbons demonstrates the ways in which content areas provide a context for the teaching of English, from speaking and listening to reading and writing. These in turn are treated not as discrete skills, but as ones that can also be integrated in the learning of diverse subjects. Gibbons illustrates this with a wide range of teaching and learning activities across the curriculum, supplemented with programming and assessment formats and checklists.

Language learning is not a simple linear process, but involves the ongoing development of skills for a range of purposes. Gibbons sees this development as largely the result of the social contexts and interactions in which learning occurs. By focusing on the ways in which teachers can "scaffold" language and learning in the content areas, she takes a holistic approachone that appreciates the struggle of students learning a new language, while simultaneously developing subject knowledge in it, and the challenge for teachers to address these needs.

Given today's culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, ESL students can no longer be thought of as a group apart from the mainstreamthey are. the mainstream. This book describes the ways to ensure that ESL learners become full members of the school community with the language and content skills they need for success.

Customer Reviews:

Better for elementary teachers.......2006-12-03

Gibbons does a good job of balancing theory and practice in this book. Although some of the practice can be applied at middle school level, the book is most useful to elemntary teachers. The 6 period day common at the secondary level does not lend itself to the integrated curriculum that Gibbons recommends. This is still a good read for ESL teachers of all levels. It is a book an elementary ESL teacher or ESL coordinator should read in order to set up a good ESL program at the elementary school level.

Short and to the point!.......2006-03-16

If you are a teacher, you know there are a lot of crappy teacher "resources" out there. This book is NOT one of them. I bought it as a requirement for a class and devoured it in a couple of days.
As other reviewers have stated, it's great because it talks about the theories behind learning a second language through content in the classroom, but it doesn't go so in-depth as to bore you to death. Gibbons also has a great balance between talking about the theories behind her work and giving teachers concrete examples and activities to try out on our own. If you follow the SIOP method (or are trying to) this book supports much of the content of the SIOP book, but in more accessible language and organization.
This book covers teaching speaking, writing, reading, and listening to ESL students, in homogeneous groups as well as in an integrated classrooms of native and non-native speakers. It also made me aware of aspects of my teaching that can either facilitate language learning or create a roadblock for ESL students.
Overall, great book!

excellent.......2006-02-25

The book I recived was brand new as stated by Amazon. I also recieved it in a timely manor.

Big help for National Board Assessment Center!.......2005-03-04

This book was recommended to me as a good resource for preparing for National Board Certification in the area of English as a New Language. I found the book to be easy to follow and informative. It provides suggested activities that are applicable to various grades at the elementary level. My students enjoyed several lessons based on suggestions from this book.

[...]

Theory and Practice all in one!.......2004-10-21

So many books on teaching are either all theory or collections of activities loosely connected by a theme. This book explains and illustrates reasearch on second language learning while at the same time describing and explaining numerous activities that put that research into action. I disagree with the person who wrote, "I've seen better." This is a high quality, useful book (Although, I'd be happy to read at anything people think is better).

Book Description

The True Meaning of Christmas

No other time of the year is filled with as much excitement and gleeful expectancy as Christmas, and no one seems to enjoy the season more than children. Christmas is a time for making memories. And musical memories are one of the most precious gifts we can give the children we love.

Authors Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth offer some of their favorite Christmas carols in this collection for children to cherish. This treasure book will give your children a special vision of the true meaning of Christmas.

Let the children you love celebrate the joy and warmth of Christmas with heartwarming stories and singing along with Joni, Bobbie, and the children on the enclosed richly orchestrated CD.

Passing along a favorite Christmas tradition has never been easier or more fun. This yuletide collection features twelve timeless and traditional Christmas carols with delightful stories from the Bible, devotionals, simple piano music, guitar chords, and beautiful original illustrations by Sergio Martinez.

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
—2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

In this third volume of Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth collaborate to help you teach twelve classic Christmas carols to the children you love. With richly orchestrated music, true stories, prayers, and Scripture, Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart will feed your child’s soul during the Christmas season.

KIDS WILL:

Be inspired by the true stories of the songwriters.
Connect with tenderly written devotionals.
Learn to sing twelve classic Christmas carols.
Practice piano and guitar with printed music.
Understand more about God’s character and grace.
Memorize a Bible verse with each hymn.
Learn to pray along with their singing.

ADULTS WILL:

Give children a lasting musical treasure.
Experience the pleasure of filling young hearts with joy.
Be equipped with the tools to teach children twelve classic Christmas carols.
Enlighten young people with an understandable theology.
Enjoy prayer and Bible memorization along with kids.

Includes a fully orchestrated CD with children’s voices singing along with Joni and Bobbie, and simple piano music with guitar chords.

Listen to Excerpts from the CD

Angels We Have Heard on High
Joy to the World
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem
The First Noël
Away in a Manger
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Silent Night
Once in Royal David’s City
While By My Sheep
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen (full song)
O Come, All Ye Faithful (full song)

Problems? Download the newest version of Windows Media Player free.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Advent Devotional.......2005-12-11

I have used this book throughout the Christmas season as our morning devotional with my four kids ages 8, 6, 4 & almost 3. We have all thoroughly enjoyed the stories that enhance the carols and singing the carols themselves. The kids continue to sing throughout the day with the CD. (I especially love listening to my almost 3 year old singing Glo-o-o-o-o-o-RIA! in excelsis deo!-it's a riot!) What a joy!

Not only do the authors cover the content of the carol in the reading, but also share a brief history of the composer/lyricist. We have used the other books in this series (and highly recommend them too) and were happy to revisit some favorite composers like Isaac Watts. In contrast to the other books in the series, this book has only one reading where Volumes 1 & 2 have two separate readings: one about the composer, the other a more personal application. I have found that these books are not only helpful in encouraging us in our faith, but they are also an excellent resource for music appreciation, and music history.

The length of the readings are just right for the ages of my children and the content is interesting and inspiring even to me as an adult. It's a great way to spend time as a family together growing to love these wonderful Christmas carols.

As a side note- this series is my kids' first introduction to co-author Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic, and they have been inspired by her own story as well!

A really nice book, CD is not so great.......2005-01-02

I was pleased to find this book, and we are happy to include it as a part of our family holiday devotions. There are 12 songs, so we read and sing one a night. I especially like the section that explains the meaning of some of the phrases a child might have trouble understanding, such as "born to raise the sons of earth" from "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". In fact, a lot of adults could stand to read this book, too!

It loses stars on the CD. The kids sing well in tune (which is sadly refreshing for today's day and age), but quite frankly their tone quality, while also sadly better than most of today's CDs, is lacking and it's due in large part to their poor vowel pronuciation. Children can be taught to sing better than that. I get a little weary of people who market CDs with so-so children's choirs when there are better ones out there.

The adult women's voices are not really to my taste (which I understand is just a matter of personal preference), and the arrangements sometimes lean toward the goofily dramatic. My husband and I can't listen to the first cut on the CD with a straight face for that reason.

All told, I would have rather just bought the book and paid less. I prefer for my children to have better vocal models to listen to. We can sing the songs ourselves, anyway.

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The True Meaning of Christmas

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” —2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

Listen to Excerpts from the CD

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
—2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)