Humanities Books

I teach 7th grade language arts. I was a bit surprised by how complete this lit plan is (about 160 pages in PDF). The author has produced questions and study guides appropriate for both advanced students and those who need a little more help. Everything you need is on this disc. She includes vocabulary, word games, thoughtful questions, great writing topics, and a crossword puzzle. Simply wonderful.

This is the most up-to-date book on Cambodia and Cambodian politics and includes information on the controversial July 1998 elections. This is a must read for both students of Cambodia and long term Cambodia watchers.

Brown and Zasloff help the reader navigate the often turbulent and violent peace process in the 1980s, the U.N.-sponsored elections, the pre-coup period of 1994 to 1997, the July 1997 coup d'etat, and the July 1998 elections. Using a variety of sources, they present an objective account of modern Cambodian (and international) efforts at peace and current day politics.

The Cambridge Companion to Renaissance Humanism provides readers with a useful collection of essays that discuss humanism from its origins in late medieval Italy up to its impact upon the literature of Elizabethan England. In essence, this is a remarkable and insightful compendium on Italian humanism; and it will be supremely beneficial to impressionistic students and accomplished scholars alike. The only fault to this volume is that it does not sufficiently handle northern humanism. True, it rightfully pays a particular respect to the grandiose surge of English poetry during the 16th-17th centuries. However, everyone knows that Northern Humanism was a far greater phenomenon than that, for it was a movement that touched every facet of European society and then molded it. So it is sad to say that these essays only offer minimal lip-service to northern enthusiasts like Erasmus, More, Colet, Melanchton, Rhenanus and Estiene, whose vision of humanitas was just as clear as Pico's, Petrarch's, or Valla's. Regardless of this, it may be estimated that the chairman, the committee and the worthy scholars who wrote, edited, and compiled these essays had viable reasons for leaving much of northern Europe's role in humanism untold, as it is a subject in itself that calls for a complete volume of its own.

Good resource for the advanced student. This is full of excellent essays about Lear. However, the basic student might find them over-the-top and hard to read. Students interested in Shakespeare for major purposes will find that this is a great reference to keep on hand.

Wonderful positive instuctional & motivational article. Very interesting ideas and sources. Not your "quick read," requires some digestion.

The hands-on projects in this book are designed for parents, educators, scout leaders, camp counselors and any other caregivers of youngsters. There are over one hundred experiences described, with step-by-step instructions. Art terms are defined, evaluation pointers are included, and there are recipes for art materials, too. It's a valuable resource!

Philosophy has an interesting reputation for being a very difficult class for college students. I suppose this is because it combines the agonizing aspects of history with the frightening notion of critical thinking and argument analysis. However, "The Canon and its Critics" is an excellent step towards making philosophy clear to the average college student. The book is very broad and complete, and a reader could easily feel as if he's grounded himself in every aspect of philosophy. From metaphysics, artificial intelligence, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy, The Canon and its Critics attacks the most pressing problems which plague today's perception of philosophy. This book is excellent for the intelligent student who wishes to learn philosophy as it should be learned: in a complete, detailed, and historical as well as modern aspect.

The book can be difficult to read; but this is through no fault of the authors. The styles of some of the great philosophers can be overwhelming at times, which is why the book may be difficult as a stand-alone source of knowledge. In a classroom setting, it is invaluable. A student can be content with his teacher's explanation of the text, or he may read further to truly grasp the material as an expert would. The book has much depth, and much can be learned from it. I have had the pleasure of attending Dr. Furman's classes, and can assure anyone that the book was written by a very talented, intelligent man who seems to genuinely enjoy teaching and helping others to understand. I highly recommend this book as a teaching tool.

If I were in a position to change this book to better fit my tastes, I believe I would enjoy more writing from the authors, Furman and Avila. Most of the book is a necessary compilation; however, the authors are so talented that I would enjoy a fresh perspective on the information in the form of philisophical commentary. Nevertheless, it stands that the book is excellent as is; no book can completely satisfy the thirst for philosophy. The Canon and its Critics acts as the first, crucial sip.

As a teacher teaching five completely different literature and writing classes to all ages of students, finding Litplans has been a life saver! Preparing literature studies is extremely time intensive and I am working from ground zero this year in a non-public school setting. What I have really enjoyed about the Litplans is the versatility of the material. I am able to pick and choose exactly what I need for the different levels I am teaching. I am also able to insert my own personal material into the Litplan material if we have covered some aspect not addressed in the Litplans. The material is extremely thorougb ans set up in such a way that it may be modified with every subsequent presentation.
I have even visited the website for this product and purchased more plans. I highly recommend this product to anyone faced with the challenge of developing quality literature curriculum for their classes or simply wishing to supplement what they are currently using.

If you must read only one book from the Modern Latin American Literature (and this certainly would be a great mistake, if not a crime), then it should be this one. Canto General is a single poem, and yet it is a collection of poems. It is a historical epic, a social analysis, a political pamphlet, and a love sonnet. It is a song of Love and a song of Revolt, a personal song as well as a universal one; a song which whispers tenderly in your ear, and a song that screams against injustice with a loud forceful voice. It is Pablo Neruda's song and it is Chile's song, but it is truly America's song, North and South.

Written in Neruda's lyrical and mellifluous style, Canto General speaks with passion, lucidity, and even premonition of the heavy burden of social injustice and the brutality of tyrannical rule. But it also speaks with overflowing sensuality of love (for women, for the people, for his country). It would be unconscionable not to absorb and understand this book in its social and historical context, yet it would be a great mistake to view it uniquely as a political work of expression.

Read it to understand the Americas. Read it to revel in the beauty of its language. Read it to feel proud and to feel ashamed, to laugh and to cry. Read it in English (good), in Spanish (much better), or even in French (why not?)

I first read Canto General in French at the age of 15. I may since have forgotten some of the words in this book, but its impact and its spirit will probably remain with me for the rest of my life....

This overview of Caribbean geography opens a door to a wonderful and varied area of the world. For the serious student of geology or the traveller, this book provides technical information and excellent descriptions of the islands. It also illustrates the geological differences in the region. Excellent!