Representatives Books

Norton seeks to show how Americans' political theory interacts with popular culture. For example, she sees in mass reproduction of art a commitment to egalitarianism; in our consumption of ethnic food is our acceptance of foreign cultures. In fact, she argues that we express our freedom through consumption, and that consumption functions to provide us with powerful signs of our freedom and individuality. Hence the absence of consumer goods in the Soviet Union was one of the most memorable aspects of communism for Americans, who see in an absence of consumer choice an absence of freedom, since you could no longer use the signs of consumption to express yourself.

Looking at consumption is for her, though, only one way to look at ways that we represent ourselves. Other ways are by speaking,voting, and through texts such as the Constitution. Norton discusses the particularities of each of these sign systems and how the forms of sign-giving intersect with freedom and authenticity.

The book is extremely provocative. After reading it I found myself constantly analyzing *everything* according to her schema, trying to figure out what kinds of values are manifested in different political and non-political acts. I recommend it to anyone interested in looking deeper into popular and political culture.

The Buntus Cainte books and tapes are an easy way to learn some basic Irish vocabulary and simple sentences. The series is designed to be "first steps in spoken Irish," and the steps are easy to follow. The tapes and pictures are helpful and make the course fun, for adults as well as children.

Fascinating, and objective recount of when the two sides of the aisle were forced to work together. Great moment capturing photos by David Trumpie. All around great reading for political and non-political junkies. I highly recommend this book for state legislators and their staffs!

Berinsky's book, a slender volume that is much weightier than its length suggests, is an important contribution to how we think about elections. Looking at the value of polls, their influence on our thinking, and the factors that influence them, the author has written a remarkable work to guide everyone involved with the democratic process. The book describes numerous, non-partisan studies to place public opinion in the broader context of social movements. Further, it challenges both the cynics and the adherents of polling to rethink the foundations of their positions. Admittedly, it's not the easiest read, but it is well worth the effort.

Widely acclaimed in academic circles when it first appeared, to read it again is an intellectual pleasure. A masterpiece of scholarship, it craftfully couples in-depth knowledge of the subject with most insightful theoretical schemae.

The discussion about the possibility of British judges invalidate statutes is surrounded by a vast complexity of questions. According the theory of its sovereignty, the British Parliament has unlimited legislative power, despite the fact that it also happens because of the legal flexibility of the unwritten Constitution. Written by Professor Goldsworthy, "The sovereignty of Parliament" is an outstanding book about this extremely important doctrine. Here, Goldsworthy has contested many recent critics about the doctrine of the parliamentary sovereignty, which have claimed that it is a recent invention of academic lawyers and, furthermore, that it is based in a misunderstanding about the real nature of the British Constitution. Then, the author magnifically pointed out that this doctrine, as a matter of fact, has been present in the English constitutionalism since the thirteenth century. Discussing many legal and political thinkers, including Fortescue, Locke, Hobbes and Blackstone, he has empirically proved that British judges have never had authority to invalidate statutes, and, what is more, that this doctrine of the parliamentary sovereignty is much older than usually imagined. To conclude, Goldsworthy observes that the traditional English concept of the sovereignty of Parliament is morally defensible, as well as the judicial review is not essential for the protection of human rights and democracy, even though judicial control of the legal constitutionality could improve the protection of human rights and democracy.

I have always been an avid learner about the holocaust, and this book helped to know more about the man that started it all: Adolf Hitler. This really gave me insight into his ideas and philosophy, a definite must buy for all World War II buffs.

Compared to Dr. Birch's two main collections of Chinese literature, this work is smaller and more focused, but no less fun. Here he presents translations of works that appear in Feng Menglong's great collection. I've often heard complaints from peers when Chinese literature courses offer stories in translation, but it is a brilliant introduction that a student needs to propell him to further sinological pursuits; to learn language well enough so he can read the original. This work provides that source of inspiration well.

I have a tremendous interest in Asian culture, and bought this book for myself on a whim. It turned out to be a lucky choice. Oda Sakunosuke wrote in the period prior to and during WWII. He was one of the "Hooligan School" of writers in Japan and his stories are perhaps too revealing and unflattering for the times in his country. This book has an introduction by the translator, Burton Watson, which, while brief, is highly informative. I loved this book.

This book is an outstanding addition to the small but growing canon of literature on term limits. Carey clearly and successfully limns this complex issue. This is a rigerous academic book with important real world conlcusions: a good read for serious scholars and politicos alike.