Belarus: A Denationalized Nation (Postcommunist States and Nations, 1)

Book Description

In any assessment and understanding of Belarus, the key questions to address include: Why has Belarus apparently rejected independence under its first president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and sought a union with Russia? Why has the government rejected democracy, infringed on the human rights of its citizens and fundamentally altered its constitution in favor of presidential authority? Has the country made any progress toward market reforms? How have Russia and the West responded to the actions of Belarus? And what is the future likely to hold for its ten million citizens? The author's conclusions are optimistic. Belarus, he believes, will survive into the twenty-first century, but as a Eurasian rather than a European state.

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Upholding the high standard of quality set by the previous edition, this Second Edition, now in two volumes, offers a vast array of new and updated peer-reviewed articles showcasing the latest research and practices in the chemistry, physics, biology, and analysis of soils, soil quality, agricultural and sustainable development, environmental quality, natural resource management, and ecology. It is also available in an online version.

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In 1995, Minnesota schoolchildren at play in a field discovered a strange thing: a pond full of frogs with five legs, nine legs, sometimes no legs, frogs with misplaced eyes and misshapen bodies. Their discovery might well have been overlooked had not Environmental Protection Agency researchers Gary Ankley and Joe Tietge taken an interest in the matter, linking the Minnesota frogs to other amphibian and fish populations that had been exhibiting monstrous patterns of mutation. William Souder, a science journalist, takes us into the workings of EPA labs and government hearing rooms as he traces the story, which quickly became politicized: some scientists sought the origins of the "frog plague" in viruses, others in fungi, others in chemicals; still others maintained that frogs and other amphibians are subject to large-scale mutations for seemingly no cause at all, and a large literature supports their view. Looking at the bigger picture of global warming and environmental change, Souder suggests that multiple causes may be responsible for the Minnesota frogs' misfortune--and for the decline of frog populations around the world. His vigorous, anecdotal narrative is a fine report on scientific detective work and on the politics of environmental science in an increasingly fractious time. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

In the summer of 1995, a group of Minnesota children came upon a pond populated by frogs with nine legs, missing legs, a row of limbs fanning out from their backsides, and eyes in the wrong places. Since then, deformed frogs have been turning up in lakes around the world. Written by the only journalist granted access to secret hot spots where these deformed frogs are tested, and brainstorming sessions among the researchers, this compelling, fast-paced narrative is the first to offer a complete picture of what is quite possibly a global catastrophe in the making.

Customer Reviews:

Cascade and Crash in the Boundary Zone.......2006-01-16

When a Minnesota school field trip in 1995 stumbled across frogs with gross deformities, no one could have predicted the scientific juggernaut that would be unleashed as a result-or the conclusions one could interpret from the data. Through years of research, biologists found essentially four effects in play: some of the frog deformities were natural, some were due to the exposure to pesticides, some to increased UV radiation because of our weakening ozone layer, and some were due to parasitic infection possibly exacerbated by environmental stress brought about by human activity. Curiously, these maladaptive deformities (which have led to population crashes among some species of frogs and other amphibians) occur mostly in geographic zones in which the climate tightly controls the reproductive processes of amphibians: in the short breeding season between winter and fall in the north, or at high elevations where temperature gradients butt ecological niches right up against the edge of survivability. In other words, amphibian populations are crashing in the boundary zones, at the edges of chaos, where one would expect to find the first victims in a cascade of biotic collapse. The lesson to be learned from this interpretation of the data is that each collapse of a boundary zone moves that zone's boundary a little closer to the temperate zone in which we and other organisms thrive, involving more and more species (including us) in a complex, unpredictable cascade of cause and effect.

The frogs are showing us another good reason to take global warming seriously.

William Souder takes what could have been a dry, esoteric topic and turns it into a fascinating exploration of the way science works. Though the data is laced with many environmental conclusions, Souder avoids turning "A Plague of Frogs" into an environmental call-to-arms. Instead, he focuses upon the scientists and the process of science. He follows the deformed-frog investigation from its inception; he observes as rival camps accrete like planets from the swirling mass of data to compete for limited resources and limited funding; as frustrated researchers drop out while others join the cause; as mistakes are made and as moral quandaries are debated. He profiles the scientists one by one, removing their stereotypical white lab coats, handing them beers and dressing them in hip waders and flannel shirts instead.

Though "A Plague of Frogs" becomes a little long-winded in its second half, it remains an excellent documentary about the method of science and is worth reading for this reason alone.

Dont waste your time.......2005-02-11

If I could give this book 0 stars, I would do it in a heartbeat. And just as the title of this review suggests, please do not waste your time on this book. It is possibly the worst book that has ever been written. William Souder wasted his time writing this book, and my time reading this book.

This book is 304 pages of the exact same thing. The only way that this book could be classified as "Horrifying" is for the fact that it was actually written and published. I found it in no way enlightening or enjoyable, all this book could be considered as is a major waste of time and money.

"You only find what you look for.".......2004-03-01

There are some excellent reviews already written on this book;but since none have been written for quite a while;let me do the honor of keeping the flame alive.I, also, found it an excellent read.I read a lot of books in the broad field of Natural History ;but many are written by naturalists and their strongest abilities are often not in writing skills.This book written by someone, more of a journalist, and hence is a much better read.
While centered on the subject of frogs ,it does an excellent job of covering the whole subject of enviromental impact on life on the planet.He gives a detailed look at people involved and how their personalities have so much to do with identifying problems and finding solutions.He does not condem these people for the way they behave but tries to show why and in the end what, we have to expect.I think he has done a better job,being an 'outsider' than any of the scientists involved,could have done.Let the scientists do the reasearch and the writers tell the story!This is not said to criticize the scientists but to praise the writer.
He points out that there are two types of errors that can occur when a problem surfaces:

TYPE I Assume the situation is bad,if it turns out OK,nobody
gets hurt,maybe some just embarrassment or credibility
problems.

TYPE II Assume not dangerous,turns out to be dangerous.This is a tragedy.No one wants to make a TYPE II error.

As in many other books coming out today we are again being warned of the the problems man is creating with the enviroment.
While most thinking people would agree that we are heading towards disaster,they think it is a long way off,the men in the white coats will come up with a solution (don't they always?);
besides I,m not the problem.I still want that SUV;somebody else
can solve the enviroment problem!
Bill McKibben in "The End Of Nature" (1989) gives us lots of evidence that man has now the power to harm the enviroment beyond its ability to recover.It seems the warnings are not being heeded."In our lifetime there is no topic that will matter as much as our planet's survival and every discussion will begin with the premise of The End Of Nature".
Just a couple of thoughts from Sowder's book:

"This world is all we have.We've got no place to go."

"The earth is changing,and the frogs are responding."

"I think there's a lot we can't do anything about.The
earth will take care of itself.Time is on its side.We
don't have to save the world.We have to save ourselves."

Just think about this. Who would have paid $1 for a bottle of water 25 yars ago ? Where will we be in the next 25;or is it 15,or maybe 10?
To quote a line from Laurel and Hardy;

"Now look at the mess you've got us in."

Give this book a read,it's a warning for us all!

;

Fascinating!.......2002-11-24

After being urged by my wife to read this book, I picked it up and found that I couldn't put it down. I hadn't anticipated a reaction of this sort to a book about frogs. Mr. Souder's writing style is conversational, and is easy to grasp for the non-scientist. Regardless of causality, Mr. Souder makes a good case that environmental difficulties for lower forms of life should be of a concern to all of us.

I did not observe the type of overt bias suggested by some of the other reviewers. Certainly, the author believes that the issue of frog deformities is worthy of our attention, and makes every effort to draw us into the story as he sees it. Is there bias? Probably. Fact is, its been a long time since I've picked up an unbiased non-fiction read. I've come to believe they don't exist! Go in with your eyes open, and enjoy this read. It will make you think, and that's what it's all about.

But my curiosity was peaked after reading Mr. Avery's review of this book. Mr. Avery clearly sees something in it that I did not, or did not fully appreciate. With a couple of key strokes, I came to learn that Mr. Avery is the author of "Saving the Planet With Pesticides and Plastics: The Environmental Triumph of High-Yield Farming." That explains alot. I'm sure in reading Mr. Avery's book, I'll find the sort of unbiased scientific analysis that I have been yearning for!

Hiroshima of The Frogs.......2001-01-04

This book is another in a series of books written about the subject of frog deformities. This book sheds an urgency on the problem in a dramatically written narrative, that hopefully will inform and concern most readers. While many people make light of the fact that the world has a frog problem, no one can dispute that global changes are affecting these animals at an increasing rate. Even if the problem is a "natural" one as some reviewers suggest, people should still be concerned that the world is rapidly loosing animals that have managed to survive for millions of years- certainly we should be doing something to change this; whatever the cause. I applaud the author for trying to get readers to see the problem as a global one, and a serious one. I would urge people to read this book, and come away from it prepared to do battle with the naysayers that have little concern for the future of frogs, the planet, and human life.

The Case of the Deformed Frogs.(Review): An article from: American Scientist

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The Case of the Deformed Frogs.(Review): An article from: American Scientist

Manufacturer: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

Since the Maastricht Treaty of December 1991, Europe has experienced rising nationalism and regionalism--both centrifugal effects working against union--and above all scepticism toward the Union concept itself. As certain of the member states fragment, or turn inward, a turning-point in history has been reached: it is the end of the post-War Europe. As such, is it even necessary for Europe to be united at all? Is the unification ideal too large a political concept? Is the ideal of European unification dying, and have the concepts enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty become museum pieces? These are among the incisive questions asked by writer-economist Noriko Hama, in Disintegrating Europe. This approach is dramatic, readable, and compelling, and represents the first time that so qualified an economic commentator has attempted a 'big picture' view of the future of the European unification project. Predicting that the crumbling cornerstone of unity makes the present course untenable, the author provides an alternative vision for 21st Century Europe resting on the market mechanism as seen in East Asia. This, she argues, would serve as an 'engine of growth' to replace the now-faltering engine of the newly-united Germany, which instead will continue to wrestle with its deflationary absorption of East Germany.

Origins of the Crisis in the USSR: Essays on the Political Economy of a Disintegrating System

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Origins of the Crisis in the USSR: Essays on the Political Economy of a Disintegrating System
Hillel Ticktin
Manufacturer: M E Sharpe Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Production & Operations | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Disintegrating Europe
Noriko Hama
Manufacturer: Praeger Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORD0I8

Disintegrating Europe: The Twilight of the European Construction

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Disintegrating Europe: The Twilight of the European Construction
Noriko Hama
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OREMUI

Book Description

In today's telecommunications services industry, rapidly changing technologies and a decline in growth are creating intense competition where the customers' quest for value is of paramount importance. Offering you a survival strategy based on customer-centered marketing, this forward-looking resource helps you assess your company's market potential and target desirable segments successfully. You gain practical insight in evaluating your present customer base and learn the best ways to adjust your marketing strategies to eliminate unprofitable customers and attract high-value replacements. Moreover, the book helps you become attuned to customer demand and present a service portfolio with a high potential for success.

Customer Reviews:

"light".......2006-11-10

From the description, I expected more. This book is a simple application of basic marketing concepts to the telecommunicacions industry
But it has no deep analysis of the concepts. Examples are shown without detail.

Book Description

Finding "streams in the desert" has never been more urgent for the peoples of the Middle East. Rapid population growth and a rising standard of living are driving water demand inexorably upward, while the natural supply has not increased since Biblical times. Ensuring a fair and adequate distribution of water in the region is vitally important for building a lasting peace among the nations of the Middle East.

Addressing water needs from a geographical perspective, the contributors to this book analyze and assess the impact of scarce water resources in the Jordan River basin countries and territories (Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria) as these long-time antagonists work toward peace. After geographical and historical overviews, the authors envision the future-what the water issues may be when Israel and Syria begin negotiating, the "hydro-security" needs of each nation, and the difficulties of planning for uncertainty. Without proposing any one ideal scheme, they discuss the possibilities for cooperative sharing of water resources, while honestly acknowledging the political constraints that may limit such projects. The final essay speaks to the needs of the one party so rarely represented at the negotiating table—the Jordan River itself.

Integrated Water Resources Management and Security in the Middle East (NATO Science for Peace and Security Series / NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security)

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Integrated Water Resources Management and Security in the Middle East (NATO Science for Peace and Security Series / NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Water Supply & Land Use | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Water Supply | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Water | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 140205985X

Book Description

Integrated Water Resources Management and Security in the Middle East brings together diverse voices relating to the critical issue of water management in one of the world’s most politically volatile areas: the Middle East. The book brings together Palestinian, Israeli, Jordanian and international expert opinions on creating a holistic and comprehensive view of water management challenges and strategies in an area of conflict and resource scarcity.

The book takes security studies to the next level beyond military preparedness to address the security implications of the most fundamental of resources, that of water. Indeed, the book delves deeply into the underlying ideological underpinnings of various water regimes and possible opportunities for new decision-making models and regional cooperation.

This book serves an important place in the scholarly literature on this topic for its breadth of participants and perspectives and its concrete steps forward. It moves the academic discourse beyond pointing fingers and toward constructive solutions and dialogue.

Water Resources in the Middle East: Israel-Palestinian Water Issues From Conflict to Cooperation (Hexagon Series on Human and Environmental Security and Peace)

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Water Resources in the Middle East: Israel-Palestinian Water Issues From Conflict to Cooperation (Hexagon Series on Human and Environmental Security and Peace)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Urban Planning & Development | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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

ASIN: 3540695087

Book Description

This book presents various approaches to the resolution of the severe water resources shortages and issues of the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian water conflicts. The authors include leading Palestinian, Israeli and international water experts who have worked together for a number of years, many in joint research projects and dialogs, aimed at building up mutual understanding and respect, in an effort to help resolve these conflicts and enable the nations of the area to live in peace and cooperation. The studies consider the various geopolitical, environmental, legal, economic and water resources management approaches to improve cooperation and solve the problems arising from conflicting interests.

Water, Peace and the Middle East: Negotiating Resources in the Jordan Basin (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

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Water, Peace and the Middle East: Negotiating Resources in the Jordan Basin (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

Manufacturer: I. B. Tauris
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

War & Peace | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Human Geography | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Water Supply & Land Use | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Water is a key issue on the agenda of peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours. The circumstances in which Gaza gained its autonomy leaves it in a disadvantageous position with respect to water, and a deal on the hotly contested issue of the West Bank aquifers will be a protracted process.

This book brings together the work of individuals involved directly in the negotiations and experts from various disciplines who have devoted their professional lives to the study of water and its management in the Jordan Basin. It looks at the issue from many different perspectives, offers new ideas and presents a realistic picture for the future.

Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace.(Review) (book review): An article from: Middle East Policy

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Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace.(Review) (book review): An article from: Middle East Policy
James Hudson
Manufacturer: Middle East Policy Council
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008J5VDE
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Middle East Policy, published by Middle East Policy Council on October 1, 2000. The length of the article is 2330 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace.(Review) (book review)
Author: James Hudson
Publication: Middle East Policy (Refereed)
Date: October 1, 2000
Publisher: Middle East Policy Council
Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Page: 190

Article Type: Book Review

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Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace

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Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace

Manufacturer: Univ Texas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GR7GTA

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Water in the Middle East: A Geography of Peace
Hussein A. Amery
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORFYRI

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