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Reviews
Principles of Pharmacology: The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy
Published in Paperback by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2004-04-01)
Authors: David E. Golan, Armen H. Tashjian, Ehrin Armstrong, Joshua M. Galanter, April Wang Armstrong, Ramy A. Arnaout, and Harris S. Rose
List price: $64.95
New price: $20.32
Used price: $12.92

Average review score:

Excellent textbook for Medical Pharmacology
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-23
Written by a medical student
Comparing this to Lange Pharmacology(Big and Little version), Golan's Pharmacology is a brilliantly written text, well organized, and developed for the Medical student in mind. Its very easy to read with language thats appropriate for the student. All drugs are logically laid out in a organized manner per chapter. Chapters build up a step wise manner: normal physiology section, the pathophysiology or pathology of disease section, finally the pharmacology section. Not a random collection of facts or details like Lange series, that book is extremely difficult to follow. I feel the authors of Lange pharmacology omit a lot of important details, like not writing much about medications' side effects, making it difficult to distinguish between various medications of each group from each other. Golan's Pharmacology thankfully was written to explain the various differences in each drug mechanics, therapeutics, and side effects. Best of all, the the last chapter in each unit has an integrated pharmacology section teaching competently how to utilize combination therapy. Should be the standard text in medical pharmacology courses!

med student
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-06
I HIGHLY recommend this text as a supplement for any pharm class. It's condensed enough so that it's not overwhelming, very well organized, and it covers the fundamental pathophys associated with each type of drug. It filled in the gaps left by my pharm class, and I think it'll prove to be useful in clinic as well.

Huge, but excellent for really understanding material
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-13
Exceptional for learning the basics. I had a few all-important concepts that I just couldn't get: G-proteins, the anterior pituitary hormones, and the alpha/beta/cholinergic agonists and antagonists. After struggling to learn each of these several times from lecture notes and other books, I turned to this book. It worked well for me because it teaches in a conceptual way and helps develop your understanding of the material. It will take a little more time, but if this is the way you learn, it will really help.

I went back to this book many times when I ran into difficult questions reviewing for Step 1 and realized that I didn't really understand the basic concepts.

Not the book to use the night before your pharm exam: for that, I'd use the small Katzung and Trevor.

A unique case-oriented phramacology
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-15
Armen(Tashjian) and others have invented a unique type of pharmacology textbook in collaboration with Harvard Med Stud! Each chapter begins with the short introduction of a case report, relevant to each drug. This may give an easy undestanding of clinical significance of the drug to med stud, interns, pharmacologists and even clinicians. I believe that it will evolve into the classic of pharmaocolgy textbook!!

Just get this book as soon as possible!
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-29
The second edition is usually better than the first one, and the first one was simply excellent! A great book, with a problem-based learning approach in mind, updated and with many new and important chapters (Protein Therapies, Drug Delivery Advances, Pharmacogenetics, among others). The good thing with this book is that any chapter deals with the necessary coverage of anatomy, physiology, pathology and so on before coming to the drugs facts. With the early med student in mind, the book will be useful for any health related career. The book is clear, is concise -notwithstanding comprehensive-, and with a complete set of drug facts tables at the end of most chapters. Simply said, the kind of book I'd liked to write myself.

One more thing: The book is brilliantly complemented by its companion book, "Principles of Pharmacology Workbook", by S. Farrell, a great account of more than 100 clinical cases regarding each chapter of the main book, with no less than five questions -and their corresponding answers- for every one of the cases. The ideal complement to make this couple of books the best pharmacology books in the scene today. I work very actively with both of them in teaching my own pharmacology courses.

Reviews
The Reader's Notebook
Published in Spiral-bound by Grove Pubn (2001-09-24)
Author: Lobi L. Powell
List price: $14.95
Used price: $149.88

Average review score:

I Love This Journal!!
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-07
I would recommend this journal to anyone who loves to read. If you love to discuss books you have read, write reviews, or just plain like to see all the books you have read listed in one place, get this journal. You feel a sense of pride as the pages fill up. I also love the fact that there is a page where you can list you book goals. I used this section to list all the books that I have always wanted to read, but never quite got to. I hope to crossing them off one by one and I read them. I can't wait to fill this book out so I can get another one!

It is a lovely notebook however it was not for me
Helpful Votes: 14 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-06
all I really wanted was some place where I could keep track of the books I read and my thoughts on them. This book is wondefully laid out but it is oriented more for people who belong to reding groups or book clubs etc. If you just want a little book diary for yourself then do not buy this book. Do yourself a favor and buy a regular notebook but if you do belong to a group or like to discuss your books then this is an excellent buy.

A bibliophile's must have!
Helpful Votes: 21 out of 23 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-10
This little notebook is an excellent journal for anyone who wants to take notes, keep track of or record the experience of the books they read.

The softcover and spiral-bound notebook offers a place to write down the title of each book, the author, the subject, comments about the book and discussion notes; as well as a place to rate the book read according to a system detailed in the first few pages. There's even a spot for a favorite quote from each book!

I would highly recommend this book diary for book club members as a tool to keep track of a book's plot, important highlights and character analysis to enhance their book club discussions. But, I think it would be just as beneficial to anyone who reads a lot of books and wants to remember certain details about those books.

Another bonus of this adorable book are the reference sections; including, but not limited to, subjects such as Best Coffee Table Book, The Most Useful Book I've Read, I'll Read Anything Written By, etc. These reference sections offer suggestions from other readers and also leave a place to add your own recommendation.

Thinking that writing notes on a piece of paper as I was reading was sufficient, I was hesitant to buy this book, but I'm so glad I did. I was not disappointed!

Perfect Book Club journal!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-23
This is the best! It's so much fun, I can't believe Oprah hasn't picked it up yet. I'm in two book clubs this is a great way for me to keep track of each of the books. Plus it's super cute "journal"!

You can keep track of how much you like each book by rating it. I rate all of the books I read which help me remember how much I really liked!

It's a perfect gift for the holidays!

A MUST HAVE !
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-11
I bought this book thinking it would be an excellent gift for someone but before I gave it away, I started using it for my own needs! I use The Reader's Notebook as a reference tool to suggest books to my friends and it's an excellent way to log the numerous books I have read and want to share with my kids one day. It's a must have for your library.

Reviews
Shakespeare for Kids: His Life and Times 21 Activities
Published in Hardcover by Chicago Review Press (1999-05)
Authors: Colleen Aagesen and Margie Blumberg
List price: $26.85

Average review score:

Shakespeare programs for children
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-10
I am very, very pleased with this book. I found all of the information on Shakespeare fascinating and the activities will be very good for the programs our art organization is offering.

Good, But No Cigar
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-24
I bought this book on the basis of the fine reviews. It is good, glossy, and an easy read. My disappointment is that I did not realize that this book is not geared to high school students. I had hoped to find activities that would spark my students, but --there is, for me, too big a stretch between text and activity. I can see the making a bird feeder and the references to birds in Shakespeare's works at an earlier level, but not for high school seniors. The book is, however, filled with historical references and good pictures.

I highly recommend this book for young and old.
Helpful Votes: 16 out of 19 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-06
It was great to revisit one of my favorite places in the world = Stratford-Upon-Avon = and to learn about London and the theatre in the 16th century. I loved this book and my teenage boys loved it, too. It is beautifully written and well researched and the activities are a lot of fun.

Wonderful introduction to the life and times of Shakespeare
Helpful Votes: 19 out of 23 total.
Review Date: 1999-10-17
If you like Shakespeare and you like kids, you'll love this book. I found this to be an original and colorful introduction the life and times of the Bard of Avon, which can be enjoyed by children as well as adults.

Shakespeare for anyone and everyone
Helpful Votes: 27 out of 29 total.
Review Date: 1999-06-09
Although this book is geared towards children, anyone can learn something new and interesting by reading this extremely informative and fun book. Not only can a younger reader learn to juggle like the queen's entertainers, but he or she can also learn how to write a sonnet or stage a sword fight. This book includes historical and political facts as well as what Shakespeare's life and the theater was like. Give this to any child and they will be quoting "A Midsummer Night's Dream", telling you about life in Stratford-upon-Avon and even staging their own productions!

Reviews
Sherlock Holmes on Screen
Published in Paperback by B.T. Batsford (1999-09-30)
Author: Alan Barnes
List price:

Average review score:

An excellent companion for any avid fan
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-03
Sherlock Holmes was the first pop icon of modern times, and Sherlock Holmes On Screen provides the most comprehensive filmography of his career, analyzing the Holmes movies and television shows, and including 60 photos as well as a guide to Doyle's original stories. An excellent companion for any avid fan.

Great reference book
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-18
If you are a fan of more than the Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes episodes, this is a great item for your bookshelf. Barnes has written the most comprehensive guide to Holmes in film and on television. The amount of information is amazing. Boookend this with David Stuart Davies' graphically gorgeous Starring Sherlock Holmes and you'll have a fantastic reference library on Holmes on screen.

Bob Byrne
Sherlock Holmes on Oxford Lane

It's elementary, dear reader....
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-12
Being a Sherlock Holmes fanatic induced me into purchasing this for my collection in the hopes of obtaining some new images of Rathbone, Richardson, and other Holmes actors. I also had an interest in learning the up-to-date status of each Holmes film ever produced. In that, this is a wonderful book, filled with pages upon pages of information, cast listing, and comments, as well as some rare images of aforementioned actors.

The personal bias of the writer is the only thing that dampens a wonderful experience... namely because I tend to disagree with his assessments of certain Holmes films, particularly those of Basil Rathbone in his later career. I wished there were more images of Ian Richardson and Nicholas Rowe, but all together it's a wonderul purchase to add to any true Sherlockian collection.

Essential reading for film buffs and Sherlock Holmes fans
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-17
This book has yet to leave my bedside table since I purchased it a few months ago. It's not only an extremely well researched book but a very entertaining read as well, packed with information that is revealing (eg, how Jeremy Brett's personal problems impacted upon the Granada tv series) and sometimes surprising (eg, Peter O'Toole and Peter Sellers were the original choices for Holmes and Watson for Billy Wilder's 'The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes').

Alan Barnes and his fellow contributors go into great detail about the films and television shows they cover, and give their personal opinions about each entry. You may not agree with all of the views expressed, but they are well written and certainly give the reader food for thought.

The book is well illustrated with black and white photographs. This is important as it's likely that many people will never get to see the films they are taken from, particularly some of the early silent films that are lost or older and more obscure films and television shows that have yet to get a video or DVD release.

This book has proven invaluable to me as it has introduced me to tv series and films that I previously knew little or nothing about like the Arthur Wontner films and the Douglas Wilmer and Peter Cushing BBC tv series. I also gained an insight into the little known Ronald Howard tv series from the 1950s. It was also great to read of the BBC 4-part presentation of The Hound Of The Baskervilles starring former Doctor Who star Tom Baker as Sherlock Holmes. I saw this when it was first shown on tv in Australia and it hasn't been screened again, so it was quite nostalgic to read about it and see a photo of Baker in his Holmes costume.

This book is an essential addition to the library of any Sherlock Holmes fan or film buff. You won't find another book that covers Sherlock Holmes history in film and television so thoroughly.

Doesn't take Holmesian intellect to know this is a must-buy
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-13
There are no words which seem to adequately describe just how good SHERLOCK HOLMES ON SCREEN: THE COMPLETE FILM AND TV HISTORY by Alan Barnes is: The word "comprehensive," while accurate, just doesn't seem to go far enough.
A lifelong Sherlockian I purchased this handsome 288 page hardback updated edition with high hopes and I was not disappointed. Barnes decision to take an A to Z organizational approach may not be everyone's ideal, but he does provide a film and television chronology towards the end of the book to appease those of us who prefer that type of listing.
As the title indicates every film and television appearance by the Sherlock Holmes character including a number of which I was previously unaware. Barnes gives more behind the scenes production notes, details of the mysteries and the solutions and in some cases these are quite extensive. For example I found the details behind the Peter Cushing television series of Holmes adventures fascinating and entertaining and his notes on what it took to bring SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DEADLY NECKLACE to the screen, entertaining and revealing. Who knew that the movie had been intended to be the start of a franchise - with the script for the second planned movie eventually being filmed as A STUDY IN TERROR with John Neville in the Holmes role.
Barnes even includes movies and television episodes with more questionable ties to Sherlock Holmes. He gives high praise to Disney's animated THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE but the Spielberg produced YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES fares less well. In addition there are entries for the two STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION episodes that featured Prof. Moriarty and even THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN gets a mention for its Holmesian references.
With listings that include not only alternate titles for the movies, but also surprisingly in depth cast listings, running times and some very rare photo's, this volume is a must-own for any self respecting Sherlock Holmes fan, and anyone with even a mild curiosity about the character.

Reviews
Slam
Published in Paperback by Grove Press (1998-10-01)
Author:
List price: $14.00
New price: $2.75
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $25.00

Average review score:

Stratton never had an original thought
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-18
I have read the book. I do not know for sure but I would bet that Mr. Stratton had nothing to do with this book.
Why?
Because I knew him in prison and he never ever had an original thought in his life..ever.

Squeezing
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-08-19
How powerful. It re-questions me how to be myself as a human being in reality. What is freedom, what is a life, what is "the time"? It keeps questioning me without elicit answer that I must have been seeking by myself.

The Power Of Presence
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-04-06
I must say I was pleasantly surprised after viewing this film. It truly captured the power of presence, how the power of words can change ideals and touch emotions. This is one of the best products of poetry in movies I've seen in a while not to mention the demonstration of strength in creativity. If you like the artistic feel of Loves Jones with the power of Soul On Ice, this is the film for you. I only wish we could get more of these films out to a broader audience.

Outstanding, unexpected, poetic excellence on film.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-05-13
I had searched and searched for movies that would expand my imagination and give me some sort of hope for tomorrow that there are people that still strive to make quality movies and write quality books. Thsi is definitely one of them. I read the book and then I saw the movie that went far beyond my expectations. What a sensory pleasure.

a Collaborative Effort
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-04-23
I read this screenplay, and interviews with the author, and learned that this wasn't written solely by Richard Stratton. Instead the story was formed in a collaborative way in a ninemonth workshop and then during filming, by the movies stars, Sonja Sohn, Bonz Malone and others. I think this is what helps to make this such a powerful screenplay, the fact that many people, some who had experienced events similiar to those portrayed in the movie, were all putting their collective energies together. I really enjoyed this screenplay and was inspired by it. It made me feel like art and artistic endeavor really do matter and can make a difference in the world. I'm grateful to all the authors for that.

Reviews
Slayer: The Totally Cool Unofficial Guide to Buffy
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Virgin Publishing (2000-03)
Author: Keith Topping
List price: $7.95
New price: $4.94
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

This Book is Awesome
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-12
It gives Pop Culture References, such as "Authority Sucks!" and "It's a Designer Label." This book a "must" for all fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It covers season 1 through 5 in great detail. Its a good read for everyone.

great reading for buffy fans
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-19
this review book is unlike others out there, while it admittedly has a british bias, i found it to be easily readable and refreshing. it offers a lot of information not found in other buffy books- such as fashion critiques, pop culture references, etc.

There are a few problems like lack of pictures, not covering the full 7 seasons of Buffy and no coverage of Angel the series. But these few problems do not detract from how great fans will find this book.

while this may be too much for a casual viewer, i'm sure all buffy fans would want to add this to there collection!

Great, but before you buy
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-30
Note that there's a new edition coming out in March, 2002, and if I were you I'd wait for it.

But otherwise, it's great. This is my favorite guide to BtVS, and I've looked at all of them.

It slays me (Corny, I know....)
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-21
This is a really good guide to Buffy. I just started watching the show at the end of last season and this book helped me catch up with the seasons I missed plus explained the episodes I saw. It also gives descriptions of the novels, the movie, and the unaired pilot episode that was used to bring advertisers to the show. I highly recommend this book to any and all Buffy fans.

Staked Gold.
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-12
A refreshing change to stuffy old Guides to T.V show. I especially loved the fashion reports on each episode listed. It was well written, and achieved a funny, interesting, information packed guide to the worlds greatest T.V. shows! (Except for Angel)The only thing I could fault(and I am very, very picky) was the lack of pictures.

Reviews
Sobotta Atlas of Human Anatomy, Version 1.5: 13th Edition in English
Published in CD-ROM by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2001-05-01)
Authors: R. Pabst and Andreas H. Weiglein
List price: $109.00
Used price: $95.94

Average review score:

No doubt, it's the best!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-17
It's the best atlas I've ever seen, it has clear images (sometimes, I think I'm seeing a photo, not a drawing), its "boxes" with information about muscles, etc. are very well done. And its "naming" of the organs, bones, etc. it's not as confusing as Netter's. I own Sobotta and Netter and, Sobotta, for me, simply defeats Netter in every single detail. A must have if you're a medical student.

The best of the best
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-27
I am prenursing student and I love this book.The pictures are great, explanations are wonderful. This is a bible in anatomy. I have a chance to see the other anatomy books in my class but this is the best. You donot need to work on the actual bone, the book is wonderful.

Exelent to gain an above-average level in human anatomy
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-28
With this CD-Rom you can easily learn the most important concepts of human anatomy without having to read much, it's all a visual process. Then you test yourself on the same picture. It takes no time at all to learn anatomy with Sobotta's. It's a "must have" for every "student" of any age.

A must-have for medicine students
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-15
It is an almost flawless book. I love it... If you are really passioante about medicine and are planning or actually are studying medicine you must have it... It's a real help

A "Must Have" For Anatomy Study/Review.
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-17
Awesome!! I highly recommend Sobotta (Book/CD-ROM) whether used alone or as a supplement to Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy. I am a physician assistant graduate student at Marquette University and I find the illustrations & references to be very useful when studying for my gross anatomy lecture & lab. Sobotta provides modern imaging diagnostics, endoscopic images, color photographs of surgical views, etc. not found in Netter's. The CD-ROM has all the plates found in the book, but gives you the option to quiz yourself which is very useful. It also allows you to display/hide markers on illustrations, also useful for study purposes. Indexs, tables etc are cross-referenced. If you are looking for a tool to help you maximize your anatomy study/review & you have easy access to a computer/laptop with a CD-ROM, get the Sobotta CD-ROM. You'll find it a great resource!!!

Reviews
Student Advantage Guide: The Internship Bible, 1997 Edition (Annual)
Published in Paperback by Princeton Review (1996-09-09)
Author: Princeton Review
List price: $25.00
New price: $29.00
Used price: $0.82

Average review score:

It's real good
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1997-06-05
Yeah, this was a good book. Very complete. Kinda fun too. Especially for a guidebook

I could kiss them!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1996-10-21
When I graduated from college, I had NO experience and NO job. And then I found the Internship Bible. What an amazing resource! After applying and being accepted to two internships in my field, I now have a job I love...and all thanks to the Internship Informants, Oldman and Hamadeh. If they were here right now, I'd kiss them! Thanks guys..

My son got 6 internship offers.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1996-10-04
I purchased Internship Bible for my son last year and he found it very helpful. It's the only complete internship guide out there. He got 6 internship offers.

BULLSEYE!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1996-10-04
A hot book! Really useful! Helped me get internships at Microsoft and Late Show with David Letterman

A helpful book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1997-12-01
I'm a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal -- and I used this book to land an internship at WSJ -- which subsequently led to my permanent position at WSJ Interactive. The book was quite helpful, well organized, and a fun read, too. It's the standard bearer for its field.

Reviews
The Tempting Of America (The Political Seduction of the Law)
Published in Hardcover by Free Press (1989-11-15)
Author: Robert H. Bork
List price: $29.95
New price: $0.77
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $29.95

Average review score:

If You Read Only One Book This Year . . . a Must-Read for Law Students and those who care about the law
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-05
Complaints? This book is a heavy, intellectual read, not for the faint of heart. It merits attention and study--but it will reward your efforts ten-fold.

Now for the good stuff: After I read Bork's book, I told fellow law students there were few law school courses I would not trade for it. I only wish I had read it before sitting through Constitutional Law.

Yet the book would be worth the reading for anyone interested in the law. It is likely the most complete and well-reasoned statement of the conservative position (and arguably the historical "American" position) on judicial philosophy, legal practice, and several key political doctrines, including the separation of powers, federalism, and the Madisonian system. He begins:

"In the Past few decades American institutions have struggled with the temptations of politics. Professions and academic disciplines that once possessed a life and structure of their own have steadily succumbed, in some cases almost entirely, to the belief that nothing matters beyond politically desirable results, however achieved. . . . It is coming to be denied that anything counts, not objectivity, not even intellectual honesty, that stands in the way of the `correct' political outcome."

He goes on to describe the greatest threat to the law today:

"In the law, the moment of temptation is the moment of choice, when a judge realizes that in the case before him his strongly held view of justice . . . is not embodied in a statute or any provision of the Constitution. He then must choose between his version of justice and abiding by the American form of government. Yet the desire to do justice, whose nature seems to him obvious, is compelling, while the concept of constitutional process is abstract, rather arid, and the abstinence it counsels unsatisfying. To give in to temptation, this one time, solves an urgent human problem, and a faint crack appears in the American foundation. A judge has begun to rule where a legislator should."

Bork argues that these result-oriented decisions have moved holdings steadily to the left for the last half century. As a result, many Americans do not like those outcomes and are no longer "deceived by the claim that those results are compelled by the actual Constitution." Soon the law may go the way of the press, Bork fears, losing legitimacy with a large part of the public. And conservative activism would only make it worse.

"Conservatives . . . may decide to join the game and seek activist judges with conservative views. Should that come to pass, those who have tempted the courts to political judging will have gained nothing for themselves but will have destroyed a great and essential institution. . . . There are only two sides. Either the Constitution and statutes are law, which means their principles are known and control judges, or they are malleable texts that judges may rewrite to see that particular groups or political causes win."

Bork answers a likely question: "What does it mean to say a judge is bound by the law?" It means he is bound by the only thing that can be called law: the principles of the text, whether Constitution or statute, as generally understood at the enactment." He notes that the lay reader may wonder at this statement. Isn't that obvious?

"Of course, the judge is bound to apply the law as those who made the law wanted him to. That is the common, everyday view of what law is. I stress the point only because that commonsense view is hotly, extensively and eruditely denied by constitutional sophisticates, particularly those who teach the subject in law schools."

Here, Bork argues, commonsense is sound. He quotes Justice Story. "A constitution of government is addressed to the common sense of the people; and never was designed for trials of logical skill or visionary speculation."

Bork resumes: "Story might have been addressing today's constitutional cognoscenti, who would have judges remake the historic Constitution from such materials as natural law, conventional morality, prophetic vision, the understanding of an ideal democracy, or what have you. No matter the base from which they start, they all wind up in the same place, prescribing a new constitutional law that is much more egalitarian and socially permissive than either the Constitution or the American public. That, surely, is the point of their efforts."

Some of my most engaging law school professors saw everything as relative, and the law as an evolutionary force, changing the times and changing with the times. Any appeal to original intent is an appeal to something not only irrelevant but also unknowable. (Of course, the original intent of a contract is evident from the four corners of the document, right? But that's not possible with the Constitution apparently, nor are the numerous speeches and ratifying conventions any help.) Here Bork concedes a distinction. For hair splitters, sure--original intent "calls for speculation." But the ORIGINAL UNDERSTANDING is not at all hard to determine. The reason so many are unhappy with the doctrine of original understanding is not--as they claim--that they have philosophical questions about epistemology. Activists deride appeals to original understanding because they fear such a rule would never have won for them the great civil rights cases of the late 20th century--and those they hope yet to win.

But Bork disagrees. Here his book becomes a tremendous resource. He examines the history of the Court and most of the great cases, explaining that many revisionist cases could have reached the same results through an appeal to original understanding and would have strained logic less in doing so. BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION is the most stunning example Bork cites of a case in which the Court felt compelled to look outside the original understanding of the Constitution when it did not need to. The result is that the century's most immediately, even dangerously controversial decision was based on an argument few could accept. It need not have been this way. Bork's discussion of the this point alone will be worth the price of the book for some.

Bork has no raging desire to see the poor cases overturned, however. Out of respect both for stare decisis and the integrity of the Court itself, Bork would not even reverse the most badly reasoned case of the 20th century, ROE V. WADE. To be more precise, Bork places Roe in a group of cases "so embedded in the life of the nation, so accepted by society, so fundamental to the . . . expectations of individuals . . . that the result should not be changed now." (*I believe he has since modified this position.)

This brings up another interesting issue. Bork makes the case for judicial integrity, the most important commitment of any judge. The temptation to fudge the law to help bad facts is one the judge must resist, because any time the law is compromised, it is weakened. The judge's task is simple:

"In a constitutional democracy the moral content of law must be given by the morality of the framer or legislator, never by the morality of the judge. The sole task of the latter--and it is a task quite large enough for anyone's wisdom, skill, and virtue--is to translate the framer's or the legislator's morality into a rule to govern unforeseen circumstances. That abstinence from giving his own desires free play, that continuing and self-conscious renunciation of power, that is the morality of the jurist."

WHO IS ROBERT BORK TO TALK ABOUT A DISCIPLINED JUDICIARY, ABOUT PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY, some will ask. The second half of his book addresses just that. He describes in detail the nomination process he endured and the lies told about him in the campaign to keep him off the bench. For example, his position in a number of cases was exactly the opposite of the way it was described in the hearings. He received a ringing endorsement from the ABA before taking a seat on the D.C. Court of Appeals. Once there he decided a number of cases in favor of women and minorities. But in the Senate confirmation hearings he was asked, "Why are you against women?" He repeatedly directed Senators Kennedy, Biden, and others to the pages in the opinions proving he had in fact held exactly the opposite. But as they say, a lie told often enough begins to seem true--and such was the case with the lies told about Bork. During one private moment of peculiar candor, Ted Kennedy shook Bork's hand and said, "Nothing personal." Then they vilified him.

Bork's book then, is his public defense. In that it is unique. Not only did the Reagan administration do little to defend him, so unprepared were they for the unprecedented campaign to destroy a judicial nominee, but Bork himself made no public defense.

"The public interest generated by the enormous campaign against me caused dozens of reporters to seek interviews, and television and radio talk programs repeatedly asked me to appear. Despite the unanswered hostile campaign, I decided that it was improper for a judicial nominee to wage a counter campaign by discussing his views on substantive issues anywhere before the Senate, even if it meant letting slanders go unanswered."

Toward the end White House strategists plead with Bork and his wife to appear on a Barbara Walters special. "But . . . we decided we would rather go down than compromise ourselves with what would be, in effect, a personal media appeal." White House advisors thought this a serious mistake; some thought it cost him a seat on the bench. "However that may be, I continue to think that was the right decision.

"The entire process of a judicial confirmation was politicized more than ever before in America's history, but at least I did not contribute to that."

Read this book to understand the Supreme Court
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-31
In 1987, President Ronald Wilson Reagan nominated Judge Robert H. Bork to the United States Supreme Court. Leftist pressure groups immediate launched a strident attack on Judge Bork and his record, including such tactics as printing his video rental history in newspapers. The ensuing firestorm gave the American lexicon a new verb - to Bork.

In 1990, Robert Bork first published this book as an explanation of his judicial philosophy, attempting to clear his name. The book has three parts. The first part gives a history of the Supreme Court, showing how the use of judicial activism (judges ruling based on the biases of their own class, rather than on the wording of the Constitution) has been a part of the Court since the early days of the Republic. The second part of the book deals with various theories of Constitutional practice. And, the third part is Judge Bork's memoirs of his nomination battles.

Overall, even after all these years, I still found this to be a fascinating book. In particular, his history of judicial activism was highly enlightening.

What I couldn't help but wonder is how things have changed since this book came out in 1990. The recent firestorm of criticism of the Supreme Court's radical expansion of the power of eminent domain in the case of Kelo v. City of New London, have produced no great groundswell of support for reigning in the Court's activism. Indeed, after the initial criticism, most Americans accepted the new rules of eminent domain as the new law of the land. The activism of the Court was accepted.

So, was this a highly influential book? I suppose that only time will tell. But, I must say that as a history of the United States Supreme Court, and as an explanation of the theories of reasoning used by judicial thinkers, it is absolutely excellent. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Slouching Towards Gomorrah
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-02-21
Judge Bork is a brilliant thinker. Book is a masterpiece of brilliant deduction and understanding of critical political, educational and judicial issues in America, and provides the reader with a foundational grasp of why there is such volatile division between political ideologies in America. We need more thinkers and writers like Judge Bork.

Brilliant book shows why the far Left feared Bork so
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-30
The Tempting of America is the finest book ever written in defense of the judicial theory known as 'original understanding.' In this brilliant tome, Bork enunciates the dangers and abuses (by activist judges of the Right as well as the Left) inherent in rejecting the original understanding, shows the logical impossibility of constructing an unbiased alternative and shows that the original understanding is not only what the Founding Fathers intended, but is the only safe and non-partisan way to allow a free people to govern itself.

Required reading for every American voter.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 1998-04-23
This book may be heavy going in places, but this is because the author deals with a complex and important subject. The single most compelling lesson is how an intellectual elite has become forced to rely on the least democratic element of our government in order to negate the results of free elections, all in the name of "liberalism"! It should be a basic text of any American Government class.

Reviews
TV Guide: TV on DVD 2006: The Ultimate Resource to Television Programs on DVD (TV Guide: TV on DVD)
Published in Paperback by St. Martin's Griffin (2005-10-01)
Author:
List price: $17.95
New price: $23.48
Used price: $16.65

Average review score:

Credit should also go to www.tvshowsondvd.com!
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-03
A fantastic book about the fastest growing area of DVD releases at the moment, TV series! With breakdowns of cast and guides to the best episodes and releases I only hope enough credit goes to the website [...] who helped TV Guide put this book together!

informative tome for tv-philes
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-01
Fantastic resource for anyone who likes watching reruns and is interested in contemporary tv culture. There are loads of forgotten facts in this book for all the classic tv shows and new ones for current programs. This is an inheritently readable book that belongs next to everyone's tv!

Buy it for everybody on your gift list.
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-31
The descriptions of the shows are priceless--they brought back so many memories! And the guide covers a lot of shows that are new or still running, like 24 and ER. I'm not even a serious DVD collector, but the book gives great trivia about all my favorite shows (when they aired, what the names of the original stars were, which episodes went down in TV history). This book is really a history of TV in America, and it covers so many different categories that it really does solve the gift problem for just about everyone on my Christmas list. They won't be able to read just one or two of the listings; once they start in, the trivia will have them hooked. It's organized like a reference book, but It reads like an entertainment magazine.

If you love TV...
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-24
If you are a tv junkie like me, this book is a blast. It's a handy offline reference to all the shows now available on DVD, and it's filled with lots of trivia and lists. Be ready to shop because the book will make you want to buy even more DVDs for your home library...

A good off-line reference to keep near the TV
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-12
This book isn't perfect (I'd rather have more pictures of DVD set covers than old TV Guide covers, for instance, and the descriptions are a bit dry in places), but it IS cool to have a handy-dandy reference like this to use when you can't get online to look up the info. Good to take to the store or keep next to the TV. And if you read the fine print, you'll see that this book was made with the help of data from TVshowsonDVD.com, which is the best place I've seen online for that sort of info. Cool 'dat, and maybe for the next edition of the book TV Guide will work more with that website's staff to talk more about what's new, what's not out (any hints as to why), and what's expected to come soon. You know, show more of the TV-DVD enthusiast in this book...there's a lot of us out here!


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