Political Science

Diversity Amid Globalization - World Regions- Environment- Development 3rd Edition

Diversity Amid Globalization : World Regions, Environment, Development (3rd Edition)...
Prentice Hall :: Science & Geography :: Travel - General :: Politics&International Relations :: Political Science :: Globalization :: Geography :: General :: Environmental Science :: :: Diversity Amid Globalization - World Regions- Environment- Development (3rd Edition)

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam And the Crusades

5 stars (Avid Reader) - Sharp, to the point and fearless, Robert Spencer's book is a must read for anyone willing to face the facts about a growing, fanatical threat. For those westerners who have had difficulty reading an English language translation of the Koran, read this book first. 1 stars ("The Protocols of the Bearded Mullahs of Mecca"....) - This book (the so-called "Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam") is purely and unabashedly racist. It should take its place alongside other "classics" of its "genre" (like "Mein Kampf" -- by "Judaism expert" Adolf Hitler.) 1 stars (Since we are going to stereotype people;) - Lets not stop with Islam and Muslims; I believe Roberts' next book should be about the Jewish banking conspiracy. I for one am looking forwards to that one. The Illuminati and the Elders of Zion have been going through my trash for years and I'm sick of it. Then, please someone; write a diatribe on the deplorable state of the Caucasian race, nobody's retirement account or investments are ever going to be safe with those thieves running around. Honkeys are nothing compared to the left-handed, thinking they deserve special learning tools just because they can't use right-handed scissors, it's a shame that we've come to such a welfare state. Speaking of welfare, what about all these babies, crawling around, crying, and expecting everyone to do everything for them. This isn't communism. Get a job for chripes sake. Moreover, while he's at it I hope Robert Spencer writes a tell-all about French people, they're always attacking our way of life and they stink too. Since we are on the subject: what's up with the English and their disgusting oral hygiene? Somebody should write a book outlining everything that's wrong and horrible with the state of dentistry in the U.K. Come on people; a toothbrush is only a dollar! What about those damn Native Americans? Will you go ahead and cease to exist already! If I want to gamble and buy cheap cigarettes, I'll go to ...
Regnery Publishing :: Religion - World Religions :: Politics&International Relations :: Political Science :: Jihad :: Islam - General :: Islam :: General :: Crusades :: Controversial liter :: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades)

The Almanac of American Politics- 2006 Almanac of American Politics

5 stars (A Fix For Political Junkies) - If you love politics - this is your driver's manual. I only wish it was published sooner after the election. You will find nearly everything you want to know about every Governor, Senator and Congressman plus details from their district - voting results for president, demographics, and history. I have bought this book every election cycle since 1984 and I keep going back to each one for information. If you love politics - this book needs to be in your library! Michael Barone is a genius - catch him on Fox News and don't forget to read another one of his books "Our Country: The Shaping of America From Roosevelt to Reagan." 1 stars (A Once Great Series Contiues Its Slide Down the Tubes) - What was once an indispensable guide to US politics has been steadily ruined over the years by the shrill, sanctimonious editorializing of Michael Barone. I used to by new editions of this series every two years but quit several years ago because I was getting less information and more op-ed preaching. I did pick up a copy of this edition at a local book store and spent a great deal of time flipping thorough it and saw that little has changed. Barone is simply a blind apologists for the Bush administration and contemptuously dismisses anyone who does not subscribe to his philosophy as merely being a part of the "feminist left." It is such a shame, as a lot of the information in here is valuable to someone with an interest in US politics and elections. It is too bad Barone's ego has gotten in the way and ruined a once great series. 2 stars (The Red State Guide to Congress) - If everything is going to be divided into red state/blue state this is certainly the red state guide to congress with CQ's Politics in America the Blue State one. Barone disgustingly endorses the swift boat people's campaign against John Kerry but as is noted on the back Barone is a Fox "News" commentator. Barone takes the Republican line on a lot of things. This i...
National Journal Group :: Political Science & Reference :: Reference :: Politics&International Relations :: Politics - Current Events :: Political Science :: Government - U S Government :: The Almanac of American Politics- 2006 (Almanac of American Politics)

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

4 stars (Wonderful and informative) - I read this book for a Religions course, but this is definitely something I would have read on my own. If I hadn't had any background on hunting and gathering cultures I think I would have had hard time understanding things like dabs. But already knowing helped me put my knowledge in persepective and appreciate it more now. I gave it only 4 stars because I enjoyed the story about Lia and her family. The parts about the war, although I understand there importance (on how Hmong didn't really want to come to America to begin with, and how the CIA used them for the war), I got a little tired of reading. I especially enjoyed the tales about the spirits like Shee Yee and Nyong. This is a good cultural book that will put you in your place the next time you encounted someone of another culture and judge them. The best/worst part was the end (the shaman going into the realm of the unseen). It was the first time I really got into the book in a sense I wouldn't have heard a fire alarm going off next to me. Fadiman wrote it beautifully. But it just stopped. I wish I knew the outcome of Lia. 5 stars (A Story of Unconditional Love) - There are many themes in this book-unconditonal love, cultural clashes and misunderstandings. The author does an excellant job of telling both sides of the issue-the medical establishment's frustration at what they perceive as noncompliant parents and the parent's frustration at what they perceive as people trying to take their child away. Fadiman alternates between the story of a family trying to do what they believe is right for their child and the medical care the child receives, and the history of the Hmong. The history is very well done, as is the entire book. 4 stars (WOW!) - This is quite a true story, which incorporates the history of the Hmung people's past in SE Asia to their relocation to the U.S. The book creates a feeling of frustration because of the Hmungs refusal to assimilat...
Farrar- Straus and Giroux :: Political Science-International Relations - General :: Medical-Ethics :: Medical & Nursing :: Health - General :: Anne Fadiman :: :: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

It Takes a Family - Conservatism and the Common Good

1 stars (Lacking Respect for Others) - In forty brief chapters Santorum speaks about conservatism, marriage and the American family through the lense of his Catholic faith. He describes Americans as "stewards" whose "task is to secure and increase this patrimony [our inheritance] for our children". What is this patrimony? It is social, economic, moral, cultural, and intellectual "capital". Santorum believes that the family "is at the center of all the types of capital". But his is a rigid and exclusive definition of family - there can only be one mother and one father. Nor is it the family found in the Bible since those often included multiple wives and concubines. It is subtitled, "Conservatism and the common good". The difference between liberals and conservatives is their concept of freedom. Santorum says liberals, or, as he derogatively calls them, "village elders", want "the freedom to be and to do whatever [they] want - freedom to choose, irrespective of the choice, freedom without limits (with the obligatory caveat that you can't hurt anyone else directly)." Opposed to this is the conservative view of freedom. "Properly defined, liberty is freedom coupled with responsibility to something bigger or higher than the self. It is the pursuit of our dreams with an eye toward the common good." The question is who gets to define what is meant by the common good? My guess would be conservatives. Further, "the foundational social unit that instills a devotion to such liberty and that stands against [often sexual] No-Fault Freedom's toxic effects is the traditional family." "Village elders" view human nature differently than conservatives. Santorum believes "conservatives follow the traditional Judeo-Christian worldview, which includes the concept of original sin .... A view of human beings as fallen creatures given to sinfulness." And later, "the truth is that human beings are not born naturally inclined to do the right thing." Is he still livin...
Intercollegiate Studies Institute :: Religion & Church & State :: United States :: Politics&International Relations :: Politics and culture :: Politics - Current Events :: Political Science :: Politi :: It Takes a Family - Conservatism and the Common Good

Over a Barrel - Breaking the Middle East Oil Cartel

1 stars (Don't get me started...) - As the author of two books on Peak Oil, I admit to having a bias. Even so, I'd be happy to discuss Learsy's book in an even-handed way, questioning his arguments by stating counter-arguments, and supporting those with data. However, it is impossible to do this because Learsy makes no real effort to mount a scientific case in favor of his cornucopian assertions about plentiful oil for decades to come. Instead, what he offers in his chapter "debunking" peak oilers is logical fallacy upon logical fallacy, with nary a fact to break the monotony. His favorite form of fallacy is the straw man: he attacks geologists like Hubbert, Campbell, and Laherrere for predicting that global oil production will follow a smooth bell curve--when NONE of them does so. He also says that most of the Peak Oil authors work for the oil companies or for oil-producing countries. How about some examples? I know just about every significant Peak Oil author (except Hubbert, who is deceased) and I can only think of one out of maybe a dozen who fits Learsy's description--which, if it were accurate, might lead the reader to think that Peak Oil authors have ulterior motives. These are just two examples out of many. It is really frustrating to see what should be a scientific discussion brought down to the equivalent of name-calling--evidently because the author has no actual evidence with which to argue his case. Now to the author's primary assertion: that OPEC is gouging the world by imposing high oil prices. In fact, for most of its history OPEC has bent over backwards to supply oil at prices agreeable to Washington. The Saudis even let go of billions in potential earnings in the 1980s in order to flood the world with cheap crude so as to help bankrupt the USSR (it worked)--all to cozy up to George H. W. Bush and friends. Yes, OPEC countries could be spending more on production capacity, but the real reason for high oil prices today is that 33 out of 48 producin...
Nelson Current :: Political Science & General :: Religion :: Politics & State :: Politics&International Relations :: Political aspects :: Political Science :: Petroleum industry an :: Over a Barrel - Breaking the Middle East Oil Cartel

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies

5 stars (A book for the 21st century) - Niven is one of the best authors on BSC. If this administration and communications tool has been hailed as one the best new concepts in the business world, in nonprofit and government administration it can have even more impact. It is a great general introduction, but even seasoned experts will find enlightenment and a great very updated bibliography. Works very well as a textbook for nonprofit management with HBS cases. 5 stars (Clear, informative and highly implementable advice) - Although the Balanced Scorecard has taken over performance mangagement thinking in business, its linkages and adaptability to public and non-profit organizations has remained extremely challenging. I currently am resposible for leading planning and strategy development for a large social services provider in Canada. Being a strong proponent of Balanced Scorecard theory, I anxiously waited two months for Paul Niven's latest book to hit the shelves in hope that I could adapt the balanced scorecard approach to evaluate our organization's strategy. Long story short >> Balanced Scorecard for Government and Nonprofit Agencies was an incredible investment, and we are now on the way to better measuring and reporting on our organization's progress with the help of this book's advice, tips and proecess design steps. Paul Niven's writing style provides a clear and informative description of the balanced scorecard approach to performance planning and measurement - and presents easy-to-follow steps for designing and implementing performance systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of nonprofit and public sector programs. I highly recommend this easy-to-read book to anyone interested in understanding how the world's leading approach to performance measurement and management can be successfully incorporated into your organization. 4 stars (Good & Practical Book on Balanced Scorecard) - I've read most of the literature on the Balanced Scorecard and the previo...
John Wiley - Sons Inc :: Public Affairs & Administration :: Political Science-Public Affairs & Administration :: Nonprofit Organizations & Charities :: Management - General :: Busines :: Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies

The Prince

2 stars (Finally on CD, but needed a better reader! Bring out Nelson Runger's version!) - This is a great book to study, and I have looked forward to it on CD. I had an old cassett with another reader, a male actor, and translation by Bull, that was just wonderful to listen to. He brought out the force of Machiavelli's ideas - drove them home. He read it like the serious stuff that it is! Unfortunaely this reader (and some of the translation) does not bring out the power of this book. Rather bland, I have to say. Read like trying to get through it fast and all of it on the same level. Nothing really highlighted. Comentary and historical supporting evidence Maciavelli uses is read in the same tone as a passage like this: "For this can be said about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, dissembling, anxious to flee danger, and covetous of gain. So long as you promote their advantage, they are all yours, as I said before, and will offer you their blood, their goods, their lives, and their chldren when the need for these is remote. When the need arises, however, they will turn against you." Now that is good stuff! And it deserved a better reading. 5 stars (A Classic) - This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in politics. A short and interesting book about how people are governed. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book that trancends time and place. 4 stars (How to get ahead in politics.) - This little book is packed with details. For anyone that wants a true understanding of politics this book is a must read. Things are not much different today. The ends still justify the means. ...
Bantam :: Political Science-History & Theory - General :: Political Science :: Literature - Classics & Criticism :: History & Theory - General :: Fiction-Classics :: Clas :: The Prince

Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations- A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining O

4 stars (Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, 3) - This is a great strategic planning text book for government employees. If you are an executive officer in your organization this can bridge the corporate theory and application of strategic planning with how public organizations operate. 5 stars (finance organization) - I ordered this book for finance staff vp's at the request of the Exec VP. They have rated it highly 4 stars (Wonderful Strategic Planning Tool) - I found this text to be a useful tool in understanding the strategic planning process. It was especially helpful due towards the public/nonprofit focus. ...
Jossey-Bass :: Political Science-Public Affairs & Administration :: Business & Economics & Finance :: Business & Economics-Strategic Planning :: Business & Economics-Nonpr :: Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations- A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining O