Events Books

This is worth reading if the problems in Iran, Iraq and the Middle East concern you. It is a tragic tale that shows American foreign policy as the immature outgrowth of US intervention in world affairs during the 1940's. No administration is spared. The author we involved in these events while in the US State Department.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the modern middle east, political Islam, the Iranian revolution, or the Iran hostage crisis.

After reading this book, I am amazed that James Bill is not the most sought-after Middle East commentator in America. His analysis of 20th century Iran leading up to the revolution of 1979 is a clear and concise explanation of part of the puzzle that led to the tragedies of 9/11. This is a MUST-READ for anyone who wants to become truly familiar with Iran's tumultuous history and its rocky relationship with the West. As the Bush administration continues to evolve its policy towards this area of the world, it would be wise for officials at the State Department and at the Pentagon to read and absorb the lessons contained in this crucial analysis of US-Iran relations. Again, this is a must-read.

Far and away the most balanced, well-researched, accurate and thoughtful book on US-Iran relations. Excellent psychographical backgrounds of the key players.

"The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy of American-Iran Relations", is an excellent book by James Bill, who explores the files of history in an effort to assess the series of events that culminated in the worsening and then breaking of U.S. -Iranian links. The author looks at the manner in which the American policy makers handled relations between the two countries. He highlights the uneasy diplomatic contacts between the two countries that date back to 1883 while searching for the causes of the artificiality of the "healthy" relationship between the two countries.

The main emphasis of Professor Bill is on the fact that American policy makers misunderstood those societal dimensions of Iran which play an important part in its foreign policy behavior. For example, the perceptions of the Iranians towards the Europeans or Americans; the sensitivity of the people of Iran towards their religion and culture and the respect that was given to the religious leadership. The writer emphasizes the modes adopted by the American foreign policy makers, especially in the context of delicate situations when ever they arose.

In order to reach a logical conclusion for the "mismanagement," the author is concerned with the deteriorating relations between the two countries, - and for that the book traces out the initial heavy contacts between the Iranians and the Americans.

One must give credit to the Professor for his understanding of Iranian society and his compassionate analysis. This study is a must for the students of U.S.-Iran relations. It is a welcome contribution, not only to the literature on the subject but also to the study of Iranian as well as American decision makers. This is the best book of its genre written by an American author.

Prof.Dr. S. Farooq Hasnat
Former Chairman,
Department of Political Science
Punjab University, Lahore
Pakistan

I read this book in mid 2001. For anyone who wants to know from where the Catholic Church derives its intense sexual pessimism and its antagonistic attitude towards heterosexual love within marriage, then this is the book for you.

Many of the sexual taboos the Church is fixated upon have no Scriptural basis, and as the book incisively points out, no rational basis either. And the Church's extreme negative hatred of married sexual pleasure has been very costly to it over the centuries - even contributing to the Schism of 1054 and later the Protestant Reformation.

One of the conclusions that I was compelled to draw based on the overwhelming evidence of centuries of papal and clerical animosity towards heterosexual love (especially within marriage!) is that such an intense hatred of married heterosexuality is itself an immoral perversion in the same class as the sexual perversions the Church routinely condemns. One suspects, after reading this book, that the celibate clergy talked down marriage, in part, to bolster their prestige both within the Church and society at large.

Another conclusion that became clear was that the Catholic Church hurts its credibility immensely in the modern world by its obstinate clinging to a discredited, pessimistic view of human sexuality. The faithful often times do not listen to the Church on current major issues - issues that the Church is correct on - because the institutional Church has trivialized and abused its moral authority on so many minor or non-issues.

The author points out that this sexual pessimism was not dominant in the very early Church of the first three and a half centuries, but became dominant later. And, most surprising, is that this destructive sexual pessimism has pagan roots! We can hope that, in time, the Catholic Church will return to the more positive and constructive thinking of New Testament times.

This book was a revelation for me. It opened up avenues for research and exploration that I was not yet ready to open on my own.

Did you ever have an intuition that everything was not as simple and rosey as some would have you believe? Did you ever think that there was more to the story than was being revealed? If so, then this book is an excellent resource for you for topics such as misogyny, celibacy, sexuality, family planning and morality.

I am a Roman Catholic and a religious educator, but far from finding the book to be shocking or full of "dirty words," I found it to be an insightful challenge to the church to return again to the central teaching of Jesus and to turn away from its obsession with genitalia and what people do with them. There is more to faith than that. And only by embracing the truth of our past can we grow beyond it.

This is a book of gloriously passionate and meticulous scholarship. Why, Ranke-Heinemann asks, did the church turn from forbidding priests the right to divorce their wives at the Council of Nicea (in 325), to requiring all priests to dump their families in 1074? Why did this demand arise in the Latin Church, and not in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, or in Judaism?

Sometime around the year 1000, the Latin Church hierarchy shifted from trying to end sex in clerical families, to a goal of ending the families period. The question of how to do this was both practical and moral. Because speaking directly on the issue of divorce, Jesus said that if a man and woman really loved each other unconditionally, they would never find reason to end their relationship. Taking these words legalistically, the Western Church had long taught that the only moral justification for divorce was adultery. And if that was their doctrine, how could the clergy justify divorcing their mainly loyal wives en masse?

When Christianity became Rome's official religion, most clergymen still believed that having wives was a good thing, and marriage helped prepare a man for religious leadership. As the Jews expected their rabbis to be married, so most Christians expected the same of their priests. If a priest was not married, most adults in the community would assume there was something wrong with him. A bachelor priest seemed immature. Marriage was a school of life, and if a man had not learned its lessons, how could he teach those who had?

Ranke-Heinemann traces the movement for enforced celibacy through an ecclesiastical struggle lasting over 700 years. Her presentation of the arguments pro and con is so revealing, that these chapters alone are well worth the price of the book. Then she documents the measures taken to enforce the great divorce - and they were horrific, including punishments of whipping, prison, banishment, or sale on the slave markets for the offending priest's wives. With their backs to the wall, many priests grew violent to defend their families. In the Paris Synod of 1074, Abbot Galter of Saint Martin demanded that the flock must follow its shepherd in celibacy. A mob of outraged priests and bishops beat him, spit on him, and threw him into the street. In the same year Archbishop John of Rouen threatened protesting priests with excommunication, and had to flee for his life under a hail of stones. In furious debate, the celibate party denounced its opponents as fornicators trying to prostitute the church. Married priests hurled accusations that their foes were sodomites, whose obvious preference for homosexuality rendered them hostile to married families. For decades church synods regularly broke into riotous fistfights, with monks and priests actually smashing each other's faces in the church aisles. In 1233, protesters murdered papal legate Conrad of Marburg, who was touring Germany partly to enforce chastity. (p. 109)

Beyond this, Ranke-Heinemann surveys the impact of this policy on the church over centuries to come, showing what it took for the parish clergy to live without wives, or what it took to train future priests, if no priest could train his son. And last she shows the history of resistance across Europe, in which love between priests and churchwomen survived despite all attempts at "sundering the commerce between the clergy and women through an eternal anathema".

Finally, this book of protest becomes a testament to the power of love, which proved stronger than all efforts to control it.

--author of "Different Visions of Love"

This book is incredibly well referenced and insightful. I was amazed by the amount of reference materials that were also included throughout the book. I was also amazed by the information set forth in the book. If you have ever wondered where some of the practices and ideas in the Catholic church originated, this is a very helpful book. It's not just limited to a female audience either - it's also quite helpful in understanding some of the requirements placed on men by the Church. I gave it four stars instead of five because it can be a very difficult read -- not a great book to read after a long day at the office!

This books simply unmask the horror,perversion and insanity of Catholic Church.It is important people live the pleasure and freedom as a sin,because companies need them for work.It is important to maintain and consolidate socio-economic domination-see Marx and Freud-and the SEXUAL dimension of the man and of the women is FUNDAMENTAL for this.Church and rich and powerful makes an invisible alliance.
Do you want to understand Columbine massacre,american psycophats and so on...? Start on this book,on Freud and on Marx.

I bought the book because I found out my great grandparents were deaf and that my great grandmother was from Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard. The book was very interesting although I didn't learn much about my particular relatives.

This is the right attitude toward the deaf people in Martha's Vineyard back in the 17th and 18th centuries. I only wish it was true in USA and elsewhere today but it isn't.

This book also talk of people that aren't deaf, were using sign language to talk to each other - for example, from one boat to another or from the cliff down to the beach or because the high wind was drowning out their voices. I can think of many examples that people can use sign language today. Scuba diving sign language is so limited so why not use ASL? A person can tell a minister of an emergency problem quickly from the back of the church without having to go up to whisper in his ear. One could 'talk' to another person in the next building without opening windows. (Windows can't be opened in some office buildings) I could go on and on.

Today, parents are using sign language with their babies (not deaf). Some researchers are saying that it enhances language, cognitive, and social-emotional development. However, I am sure that at the same time, there are some parents of deaf babies, are being told not to use sign language. There are few schools that are pro-oral. Those deaf babies need sign language even more. Where are their language and social-emotional development?? This is irony and sharp contrast to this book. This book prove that all deaf babies need to be exposed to sign language everyday by comparing the Vineyard Deaf people to the Mainland Deaf people.

I am keeping this book to show others because it does support my view of point on the education for the deaf.

I read this book a couple of years ago after reading Oliver Sack's book "Seeing Voices". I read many books each year and I must agree with the other readers here in stating that this is one of the books that has stuck with me. The sense of community and integration encountered by the deaf people on Martha's Vineyard are truley lessons to us all on acceptance and normal treatment of disabilities. I only wish it had a follow up edition.

There are about 10 books I've read in my life that are vivid years later. This is one of those. We're given the chance to see what it might be like to live in a place without prejudices about people being different because of something like deafness. I learned a tremendous amount about deafness, sign language, and life on a New England fishing island community in bygone years. Don't miss this wonderful book.

"Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language" is a look at the effect of a large deaf population on Martha's Vineyard. Though a dry read at times, this book gives an interesting look at how for once in the history of deaf culture the *hearing* adapted for the deaf instead of vice versa. While most people might assume that the large deaf population would force a hefty amount of deaf people to adapt to hearing life, the opposite was actually true; the brilliance of Martha's Vineyard was that nearly all hearing people knew sign language to some degree.

The book analyses cultural impact of the large deaf population within the Vineyard's communities, which was biologically caused by the genetic predisposition for deafness. The book, largely written like an anthropological study, focuses on both physical and cultural aspect of the deafness in the communities. However, the most interesting implications within the book are those discussing deaf and hearing interrelations.

Es un libro interesantísimo que nos da un recorrido por las diferentes rutas que han llevado a latinoamerica a la decadencia de hoy en dia.
Le recomiendo este libro a todo aquel interesado en saber mas allá de lo obvio sobre el origen del subdesarrollo y la miseria en nuestros paises.

I know a lot of intelligent people whose ideas never change and think that determinate regimen is the solution to sweep away poverty. But they never attend the facts in their effort to maintain their beliefs. If you think you are a smart person you must agreed William Blake's quotation "The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind". No matter what kind of ideas you profess about underdevelopment, this book surely is going to confront a lot of them and will provide you with a wider view. Give it a change to understand why Latin America is so poor.

This book shows everything that has gone wrong n latinamerica and it not only shows one side. It talks about the bad things that corporations, unions, dictators, politicians etc. have done and why thanks to all of them and also the peole latin america is as bad as it is today.

Brilliant! An excellent book for those really concerned about the social and economical future of Latin America...For those who want to make a change.

excelent book, I really enjoy it because tell the true history of Latin America

After the Bush years are over and those Congressmen and lobbyists who have benefited from their party's patronage go to jail, (1994 was the real year of inception with the GOP takeover of Congress) it will be interesting to see who is left standing. Certainly not among them is Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the pride of the air war in Vietnam. Pin a medal to his chest and watch his life unfold.

Duke Cunningham should never have gotten even remotely high up in power as he did. Author Seth Hettena paints a "not so glorious" view of the man who came to represent the beginning of the downfall of ethics problems in Congress over the past years. Cunningham was neither cunning so much as he was a ham. His mouth got him into constant trouble and the author points out how easily a man with war hero credentials, given to emotion rather than reason and easily bought, is otherwise reduced to pulp on a national scene. At least retiring Senator Larry Craig makes Cunningham look good.

Hettena's narrative is better at the ends. The initial sting operation to get Cunningham bookended by the eventual outcome is told in gripping manner. The author knows how to write. Yet, the middle of the book sags under the weight of facts and figures. The case against Cunningham is made, but to say that he is the "most corrupt Congressman" in Washington? Ever? Certainly Tom DeLay will receive that mantle. Or others about whom we don't know. It's still early.

Seth Hettena's book is good, but not great. It fills in some pieces along the corruption puzzle line and a title less blaring would have made for a more solid read. I hope this talented author writes another book about Congressional life in Washington before long. Go higher up, this time!

Our country is in trouble. Big trouble. The amount of greed and corruption that is being allowed to run amuck these past seven years is staggering. With all of the terror mongering going on, many will turn the other way not wanting any more bad news. Do not make that mistake.

Hettena has masterfully taken a complex, convoluted and just plain confusing history and woven a fascinating and comprehensible story which helps us understand not only what happened in the case of Randy "Duke" Cunningham and his contractor cronies, Wade and Wilkes, but skillfully illuminates the reasons why.

Perhaps some of you will say they're unethical - so what? The amount of corruption and the web of complicity throughout our government and industry have reached record breadth and depth. It will not improve until the American public pays attention, understands, and demands that it be stopped. Each of us has a part in this drama. A good place to start is reading this book.

"Spoils" paints not only an amazing story of corruption but a fascinating character study in how the sense of entitlement and greed can take over the human spirit. You really can't make this "cast of characters " up and the story reads like an unbelievable true-crime novel.

The other scary part is, Duke and his "friends" really didn't try to hide any of their corrupt actions and it went unchecked for years. It makes you think what our "smart" politicians are doing to keep their secrets from coming out?

The author, in a very vivid language, tells us a lot about what is happening in Washington.
I wish every American could read this book to realize what really is happening to our tax dollars because of all the political corruption that exists.

Great work Seth Hettena! I really enjoyed reading this book. I lived in San Diego during the "Duke" era and was shocked when all of this corruption scandal unfolded. Seth did a great job in describing the events of this crime. He also paints a very different picture of the "Duke" we all knew. The great Vietnam fighter ace was able to defeat his enemy, but was not able to fight off his own addiction to fame, money and status.

It was very clear to me after reading this book how our culture of materialism and consumerism has gotten out of control. The "Duke" got caught up in this and loses site of what is important in life and his purpose as a father, husband and congressional representative. Seth paints a very clear picture of a man caught up in his own ego unable to distinguish right from wrong. This book reminded me about the frailty of human beings and the necessity to show how bad it can get when we lose site of our purpose. This timely book should not only be a must read for every politician....but everyone.

Like most people that lived through the JFK assassination I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of his death like time stoped. I never believed what the United States government passed off as factual rationale, for the cause of this tragedy. The Warren Commission report did not make sense. I read it in the 1965 and could sense that something was not right. A friend of mine recommended this book to me she knew I was like a majority of people alive, thinking that we would go to our grave not knowing what really happened to JFK. It was her husband a career law enforcement official that convinced me to read this story; it was the best documentation surrounding the crime he claimed. Mr. Hemingway takes you on a trek that only he and JFK traveled while presenting new facts that I have never heard and would have never thought of. I would have never imagined that murdering someone over a political mistake could have caused the turmoil it did. So much of the story sounds like what is going in the United States today, it borders on surreal. The book made me livid. When I was finished; there was a lot of corruption exposed. Truly I can accept this research as fact and this gives me a sense of closure to this grave incident in United States history. Some minor editing changes could be made but it did not overshadow the ground breaking content and earthshaking ideas made this incredible.

MR. HEMINGWAY SHOULD FIRE HIS PROOFREADER!!! ASIDE FROM THE TYPIGRATHICAL ERRORS THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!FINALLY SOMEONE IS GIVING IT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC STRAIGHT. THANK YOU MR. HEMINGWAY IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW. THIS IS A MUST READ.

This is a whole new twist on the JFK assisination. The writer presented some very interesting facts which I think should be looked into further. Possible movie plot???

It is becoming more and more clear that the US Government has not be honest with the masses. This book helps the reader draw a FACTUAL conclusion of what the US Government has been up to using strong and organized evidence. While the first edition has some typographical errors, it remains that Hemingway delivers a strong case.

This book reveals a highly plausible theory as to why JFK was eliminated. It is a fascinating theory full of detail and research on why JFK was killed. A must read for anyone who doubted the Warren Commission findings. This book belongs in our Universities and all JFK buffs' collections.

Anne Firth Murray has created a marvelous and engaging text for anyone who is teaching about women's health, global health issues, or just the issue of how social change happens. I have used this book in my own women's health advocacy course at Suffolk University, and the students all loved it. They were especially inspired by the examples of how women across the world are working to improve their lives. --Judy Norsigian, Executive Director, Our Bodies Ourselves

As someone who has given lectures in the area of global health and women, I found this book a tremendous contribution to understanding how poverty and gender inequity contribute to the starting line of the anne firth murray's prologue- "being born female is dangerous to your health." She takes you through the cycles of life,--birth, childhood, adolescence, midlife and aging and walks you through all the preferential demographic imbalances and injustices that can occur to vulnerable women. I will use this book often as a reference and an assigned mandatory reading for my classes in global health. I hope to meet the author one day soon and thank her.
Michele Barry
Professor of Medicine and Global Health
Yale University

Occasionally a truly inspiring work comes along. Anne Firth Murray's, From Outrage to Courage, Women Taking Action for Health and Justice is such a book. In spite of the rigorously documented grim state of women's health worldwide, this comprehensive book offers hope that things are changing in powerful ways. Readers will be inspired to contribute to the positive change being achieved by the multitude of organizations profiled on nearly every page. These women are doing something about the injustice.

Tracing the stages of life we all go through from birth to aging, each chapter is a powerful juxtaposition of outrage provoking description of where we are today with examples of the courage to confront it. Anyone in public policy, private philanthropy, or in just being more human will find this book helpful. I highly recommend it.

From Outrage to Courage: Women Taking Action for Health and Justice

Anne Firth Murray's lastest book, From Outrage to Courage, is a comprehensively researched work that examines critical issues of global health and justice concerning woman. The book reflects a lifetime of action and research by one of the world's leading activists in the area of health and women's rights, and is a clarion and inspriring call for action with its probative analysis and compelling presentation. I recommend this book highly.

"From Outrage to Courage" is a remarkable book that should be a must-read for all of us. Beautifully written and extremely well-researched, Anne Firth Murray takes you on a journey into the challenges and inequalities faced by women throughout our world. This book is filled with many important facts and figures, providing a specific context within which we can better understand the enormity of this situation. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the way in which Anne is able to weave in personal stories of women with whom she has met and spoken. These examples provide an identity and a face for the millions of women and girls living in oppressive, violent, and unequal situations.

It is impossible to read this book and not become emotionally invested. However, though much of the information is horrifying, the overall feel of "From Outrage to Courage" is that of hope and perseverance. Every chapter contains information about specific groups throughout the world that are working to combat the challenges discussed. You finish this book with the understanding that we can all do something to help, no matter how small or how large our gestures may seem.

I truly loved "From Outrage to Courage", and I will be sharing it with as many people as possible!

I was lost. I had just read Al Gore's book, Earth in the Balance, and, of course, I was shocked at what we are doing to the earth, and how it is being destructed. I decided that I wanted to start an advocacy organization. But where to start? I was troubled. In a Las Vegas, Nevada bookstore I found answers to my problems. A book on how to cope with the woes of starting an advocacy organization, that gave tips on anything ranging from student rights to lobbying. This book is highly informative, yet Seo talks about everything with such a great blend of comic satire, that the hard facts never became lectures. All of these tips coming from a master protester and veteran of the business. As a thirteen year old who is highly concerned about the environment I would give this book five stars. As a learned scholar who has read many texts, the rating remains five stars. Whether kid or adult, you are sure to love this Seo "thriller".

Rarely do you find a book that talks about ACTION instead of PROBLEMS. Danny Seo's "Generation React" provides inspring ideas and practical information on how to change the world around you, whether you are an activist or not. The author shows that everyone can make a difference, no matter how old you are. The amazing truth is, what Danny has done can be and could have been done by anyone else. To quote Danny's description of starting Earth 2000 at age 12, "Sure, we couldn't drive -- heck, we couldn't even cross the street -- but we had the three things every great activit group needs: dedication, enthusiasm, and tenacity." It's simple. Everyone can do it. So read it, be inspired, take action, and make the world a better place.

This book is for anybody who wants to make a change in their global or local world, not just teens. Though Danny's only 20, he knows more from his time as an activist than most people three times his age. If you are unhappy about anything from a problem with your town or school to the nation's environmental policies, this book gives the nuts and bolts of how you personally can make a change. It's wonderful to see someone who cares and is doing something about it. Danny should be a role model for any concerned citizen of any age - and his book should go on to become THE reference guide for a generation.

I was lost. I had just read Al Gore's book, Earth in the Balance, and, of course, I was shocked at what we are doing to the earth, and how it is being destructed. I decided that I wanted to start an advocacy organization. But where to start? I was troubled. In a Las Vegas, Nevada bookstore I found answers to my problems. A book on how to cope with the woes of starting an advocacy organization, that gave tips on anything ranging from student rights to lobbying. This book is highly informative, yet Seo talks about everything with such a great blend of comic satire, that the hard facts never became lectures. All of these tips coming from a master protester and veteran of the business. As a thirteen year old who is highly concerned about the environment I would give this book five stars. As a learned scholar who has read many texts, the rating remains five stars. Whether kid or adult, you are sure to love this Seo "thriller".

I saw Danny Seo on an old re-run of Leeza during a summer-camp break. (We never watch day time TV) & called my daughter to come listen. We then bought the book & read it together. Reading of this book should be a school project or requirement...it will produce softer, gentler more caring kids & transform them into bright young active citizens. I will send this book to school for her second grade class teacher to have a peak at & hopefully she can do something & perhaps create a "learning-sharing project" for the kids....maybe near Thanksgiving or Earth Day??

Mehta transcends all barriers between people with this book. He speaks of many different scriptures and yet doesn't single any one out. We shouldn't base ourselves on what others want us to be or have set up for us, "before the youth becomes a young adult, his life script is written by others." We have to break those molds to see the bigger picture. Everyone is an individual with different needs and this book is a step forward in the direction of accomplishing that goal.

"Metaphysics is the knowledge of transmuting, transforming and transcending negative emotions into positive emotions or the negative ego into the positive ego." This is just one of the many parts of metaphysics that Mehta lists. He described all the ways we could change something negative into positive. Someone stubborn, which is a negative emotion, can become determined, which is a positive emotion. In turn, someone completely negative can become positive and transcend to an even better person. I like reading about simple ways to dissolve negativity, even if it's the smallest bit at a time.

My favorite part of this book was towards the end when Mehta began talking about fate. Some things are decided for us like who our family is, but we have our own will to choose everything else. "I am the master of destiny, and not a victim of fate." Though this is not what the whole book is about, it does generally sum up the key thought of change. We can't sit around and expect things to get better, but have to do it ourselves.

Metaphysics and spirituality aren't just for the older folks anymore; I, along with many of my friends, like to read up on this subject as well. I'm glad to say Global Healing was a book for all ages. It spanned topics not based on who you are, but what you know about yourself, and the world you're in as well as what you can do to create a world of yoru choosing. If more of the younger generation was to read this and gain the insight of how the mind works, they could progress in their lives much faster and more elegantly. We have the rest of our lives to implement these metaphysical practices and even see the change it can bring about. "A wise man is always alert and aware of the priorities of the future, present, and past."

I'm an optimistic person, but after reading so many self-help and 'spiritually uplifting' books you could say they all seem to say the same thing. Too many books say wonderful things, use wonderful words and phrases, but their content is one of two extremes: either very basic and commonsensical or very deep and over the top. So when my friend suggested for me to read "Global Healing", I originally thought it was not too different from the others, but I ended the book thinking completely the opposite. This isn't exactly a self-help book, but more of a scientific perspective on how your mind and emotions work and how it affects everything around us including our world. Furthermore it showed us how we can use the mind as a tool to 'create' our reality. It was a nice contrast to the rest of the books in this genre with some tangible applications which I'm already using!

Hi, everyone. I'm the author of The Hangman's Knot. I'd like you to know that "remaindered" copies of the book (those with a small mark along one end of the pages) probably have a faulty index. A press run of these was released by mistake. If buying a used copy, please check that the index entries send you to the right page. Thanks to those who have bought the book, and special thanks to those reviewed it or sent thoughtful questions and responses to my website!

Eliza Steelwater writes clearly, consisely and not without humour on a subject that most people choose not to think about, providing us with the historical context which allows us to understand how Europe and America came to be divided on whether legal execution is the most appropriate action to be taken as a response to a serious crime. As Ms Steelwater confirms, execution has never been proved to be a deterrent. More worringly it is a punishment which is almost exclusively meted out to minorities and to the poorest in society. As the history of legal execution and lynchings in the US unfolds the case against the death sentence is strengthened. However, this is not the main purpose of the book, rather that we understand the context for and the discrepancies in applying the death sentence in the USA. Whether you are interested in history or in social justice, this book is an excellent read that will keep you thinking long after you have finished turning the pages.

This book is well researched so that the reader can have a high level of confidence in the facts presented. You can be assured that the facts are startling and shocking. The book points out that half of the prisoners in the world are in the prisons and jails of the USA. It just gets worse from there. There are too many errors and too much lack of justice in our justice system.

John Lamb killed one person and was executed for his crime. Sammy "The Bull" Gravano killed 19 persons and was given a soft sentance. In the USA there are about 22,000 homicides each year and only about 300 defendants are advanced to death row. They are almost all poor, have bad attorneys and are 99% male. Getting the death penalty is kind of a backwards lottery. If everything goes wrong, much of it out of the defendants control, such as your lawyer falling asleep in the courthouse, eyewitnesses lying (very common occurance), being born poor and being born the wrong gender, then the defendant may very well end up on death row. In order to "win" this horrific backwards lottery it helps to be on trial in Texas which has the most executions of any State. The law in texas is so punitive toward the defendant that at least one person was executed after he was found to be innocent by new evidence not allowed to be even considered due to an arbitrary 30 day time limit on bringing in new evidence.

Excellent book, but not a book that is easy to read. Facing our country's history in this area makes us look at our past and often gives a different slant on what we have accepted as history. The information in the book is so well researched and documented. The author does not rely on personal opinion to make her points, but cites numerous sources. She presents evidence and allows the reader to form their own opinion. Anyone with an interest in history and the social conscience of America would find this a worthwhile read.

This book's importance reaches beyond the debate over the death penalty as it demonstrates and explains the relationship between power, money and punishment in America. It is a fascinating story, representing years of research by one of the best and most original minds in the country. Dr. Steelwater's examples brilliantly illustrate communities' and the State's involvement with capital punishment within the context of the contemporary events that shaped American attitudes toward community vigilantism and State supported and regulated legal execution. From the frontier experience to industrial labor unrest, from the racial violence of the Deep South to the mayhem of Western boom towns (and much more), violent historical events have shaped our attitudes about the need for and right of the community and the State to take life as retribution and/or deterrent. The Hangman's Knot is immensely readable with a bibliographic essay for each chapter. It should be included in the library of anyone who has an opinion about capital punishment. American history, social theory and economic geography are elegantly merged in this deeply intelligent and humane book.