Reviews Books

this book is a cultural treasure, but then i am a long-time admirer of russell page, his sensitivity to site and his knowledge as a plantsman. while he tried to make good garden design accessible to more people conceptually, aesthetically, and financially, there remain some recommendations that are clearly out of reach of the ordinary person. however, his approach can be adapted to any any size of garden and any budget. recommended for its beautiful prose alone, i will read this book again and again for its depth of understanding of all aspects of garden design.

There's been no better book written about the art of designing a beautiful landscape, IMO. While few of us can relate to mansions on the Riveria or expansive town gardens in Paris, the principles Mr. Page talks about are an accessible distillation of a lifetime of intense planting, looking and thinking. If nothing else, experiencing this rigorous and disciplined artist is an incredible inspiration.

This book is the only collection of Du Bois's major thoughts and insights on the role of higher education for African Americans. Oddly enough no publisher would print these essays during Du Bois's lifetime. However, Herbert Aptheker was able to have them published after Du Bois's death. This book is the most comprehensive thinking of Du Bois on higher education. The essays primarily cover the role of Black colleges as well as the importance of financial and intellectual independence of Black education institutions. He makes it exceedingly clear that education for full social equality and Black uplift must be the hallmark of Black educators and education institutions. His essay on "The Field and Function of the Negro College" makes an excellent institutional blueprint to accompany his TWO essays on the talented tenth (1903 AND 1948)which outlined his views on individual responsibilities of educated Blacks. As African American higher ed institutions and op! portunities are on unstable ground (in light of anti-affirmative action policies and the financial distress of HBCU's) the current generation of Black educators, policy makers, and scholars would do well to harken to the sage advice offered by the greatest African American scholar-activist that ever lived. There is much to be found in these essays that has relevance to the challenges we face in the coming century. As an African American doctoral candidate in higher education I find comfort in knowing that I have Dr. Du Bois's words, insights, and legacy at my fingertips. As this book is out of print, I would suggest that others who do not own this volume petition the publisher to renew it. It's a treasure to be cherished.

Thankfully this book has been reprinted, along with a new 2001 introduction by Herbert Aptheker (who puts in a gentle "slam" of David Levering Lewis's two Pulitzer Prize winning biographies for good measure). The picture of Du Bois on the new cover is another one of those "I am God and You are not worthy" type of pictures. I've gone and made it one of my screen savers.

Du Bois's prescient and practical advice is, as usual, pretty much on target. It is also interesting to observe the evolution in his thinking in the fifty-four years covered in this slim (you can read this book in a couple of sittings) volume. He answers some eternally debated questions: To whom should college presidents and administrations be ultimately accountable? (Alumni) What is the point of a liberal education? (character) etc.

This book goes far beyond the "Booker T vs. W.E.B." educational debates that dominated 100 years ago (and that most people remember). It provides specific pedagogical advice and is written in the typical Du Boisian style; lucid, straightforward, inspirational. The man lived longer than most, and did a whole lot while he was alive. In its own way this little book is just as important, if not more so, than the other little book for which he is justifably famous, "The Souls of Black Folk."

Bruce I know that you keep tabs on this link, contact me at tewebob @aol .com Roberto Gallegos in Seattle

IT WAS NICE TO SEE HOW MY FAMILY CAME IN TO THE STATES. JUST KNOWING HOW THEY LIVED AND WHAT THEY DID, HOW THEY WERE TREATED AMOUNG OTHERS. I MEET MR.JOHANSEN AND MR.MAESTAS AFTER THEY WROTE THIS VERY FINE BOOK.THE ONLY WAY I READ IT WAS A FAMILY MEMBER LET ME READ IT. IF YOU WANT TO READ A REAL LIFE TRUE STORY AND HOW IT WAS.THIS IS THE ONE, YES IT'S OUT OF PRINT BUT IF YOU COME ACROSS THIS ONE YOU BETTER TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AND RELAXE ON THE COUCH IT WILL SURPRISE YOU. GREAT JOB TO BRUCE AND ROBERTO, THANKS FOR WRITTING ABOUT MY FAMILY. CHRISTOVA J. GALLEGOS SR.

Along with his "Answers To Objections," Mr. Nichol has written two volumes of work that have withstood the test of time. Most of the same old criticisms of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Ellen G. White being rehashed today, were answered by this gifted apologist years ago. Read for yourself, then decide. Excellent material. And check-out his "The Midnight Cry" when you get the chance. All about the "Millerite movement" and the so-called "fanaticism" surrounding it. Even "Kingdom of the Cults" author Walter Martin changed his thinking on that, after reading Mr. Nichol.

This is one of the best books written to tell the truth about Ellen White's writings and help people understand what the truth of the matter is.

Marie D. Glass

Most of us have taken ACLS by the time we get to 3rd/4th year rotations and end up in the ER. Most of us aren't comfortable participating in a code at the beginning of the ER rotation. This book takes ACLS and runs with it, but slowly! It provides you with a great EKG review while addressing medications needed to treat each condition in a clear and concise manner. It provides essential information on how to recognize and manage non-cardiac codes such as airway emergencies, seizures, etc. You will be much more comfortable in a code setting after reading this book! Check out the other books in the Emergency Management series - they are pretty good as well.

This book revolutionized the way I think about ACLS. I was stunned by how easy things are to understand when laid out in a straightforward, evidence-based manner. I used to walk very slowly to codes in fear that I would be the first one there. I was ashamed that I didn't know how to manage coding patients. Since reading this book, I have been able to sprint full-force knowing that I am well-equpped to handle any situation.

I have found every BRS review to be the best around, and usually it's all you need for the USMLE. Dr. Latha Stead's book is no exception. She has written an excelent review on a broad and heterogeneous subject, with great questions at the end of every chapter. Thank God for BRS! I just wish there were more titles for the step 2...

This title, part of the very popular Board Review Series, is a concise review of emergency medicine focussed toward medical students doing an emergency medicine clerkship and 1st year residents from all services rotating through the ED It is a concise review of EM that one can read easily in a 1 month block.The book features 20 chapters divided by organ system representing the most common complaints seen in the ED. Every topic is divided into:

1. Clinical presentation which covers symptoms & physical exam findings

2. Diagnostic tests which includes labs and imaging studies. The most relevant or crucial labs are highlighted in bold. Others are listed with findings that further support the diagnosis but are not required. For imaging tests such as radiographs and CTs, the specific findings one may note are described.

3. The Treatment section covers theABCs, pharmacological therapies, patient comfort maneuvers, and which consults to call.

4. The Disposition section covers which patient to observe and D/H, which ones toadmit to floor, which ones warrant ICU, and discharge instructions. Many topics have subsections on definitions, risk factors, and prognosis.

Every chapter has 10-20 USMLE-style multiple choice and matching questions at the end, with detailed explanations of the correct answers. The end of the text has a comprehensive examination consisting of 200+ USMLE style questions, none of which are repeated from the end of chapter questions. In total, the book contains 400+ questions. The book is a recipe-style book intended to be carried around in the ED, packed with tables and figures one so often wishes they had at their fingertips. (For example, the ACLS algorithms, the Rosenbaum Eye chart, a chart contrasting cardiac murmurs, toxicology anitdote chart, bhCG correlation with gestational age, table of male GU emergencies, etc...)

In contrast to other EM review books, this one has both adult and pediatric dosages for all drugs listed, makes extensive use of charts, tables, illustrations and figures (key for studying!) and includes unique sections on bites & stings, biological warfare, and occupational (needlestick) injury.

Highly Recommended!

"OTHER TITLES OF INTEREST FROM MOSBY
Rosen, Barkin, et al.:
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, 4th Edition

Barkin: Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, 2nd Edition

Barkin and Rosen: Emergency Pediatrics, 5th Edition

Rubin: Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Self-Assessment and Review, 2nd Edition

Rund, Barkin, Sternbach, and Rosen: Essentials of Emergency Medicine, 2nd Edition
[from the back cover of the book]

Emergency Medicine Self Assessment and Review is a must to bring out the important clinical teaching points on the very factual and sometimes verbose chapters of the book it reviews: Rosen's Emergency Medicine Textbook. The explainations that are provided explain not only why the correct answer is correct, but also why the wrong answers are incorrect. The book enables emergency medicine attending physicians, residents and interested medical students a feedback mechanism to insure the most important points are understood, and not just memorized.

"The Empire Reloaded: Socialist Register 2005" by Leo Panitch and Colin Leys (editors) brilliantly explores themes pertaining to finance, culture and the impact of U.S. imperialism around the world. The penetrating analyses offered by the sixteen outstanding writers in this collection makes a powerful statement about the Socialist movement's continued relevance in our increasingly fractured world.

The first two articles describe how globalization has been constructed through U.S. imperialism. Varda Burstyn's article draws inspiration from the works of several great Socialist writers from the past to find their ideas operative in the present. Burstyn connects President George W. Bush's shifting political alliances and doublespeak with the work of George Orwell; similarly, Burstyn finds that the bioscience and pharmaceutical industry's work towards engineering and pacifying the privileged classes had previously been imagined by Aldous Huxley. Stephen Gill explains how U.S. military and political power has been used to control international trade but believes that deficits resulting from imperial overstretch and growing negative public opinion might signal a turning point against the U.S.

Two works focus on the U.S.' domination of the post-World War II financial system. Interestingly, both Panitch and Gindin's and Christopher Rude's articles find that crisis has served as an integral component in the financial system's ability to discipline both labor and recalcitrant governments. Contrasting the institutional protections that have been built for financiers with the insecurities of the working class, the authors believe that increasing inequality and political illegitimacy may open the door for popular anti-capitalist movements to emerge.

Several articles explored the relationship between the media and ideology. Scott Forsyth suggests that the Hollywood action film's promotion of the U.S. engaging in a 'good war' is becoming an increasingly difficult idea to sell to the rest of the world. Yuezhi Zhao traces the Chinese State's embrace of corporate news and entertainment to the class alliance between transnational capitalists and China's ruling elite, which in turn has led to a culture of consumption that has left vast numbers of Chinese citizens impoverished.

Three articles addressed the topic of development. Harriet Friedmann highlights the myriad shortcomings of the industrial agriculture system and makes a case for indigenous rights and self-determination. Vivek Chibber's history of developmentalism shows how capital used the state to first repress labor and then take control of the state itself, whereupon subsequent development has benefited mostly private interests at the expense of the public. Gerald Greenfield discusses how nationalism has been exploited by leaders in the global South to restructure their states to meet capitalist requirements, suggesting a need to confront both class and capital and not merely U.S. imperial ambitions.

A collection of very interesting articles about the European Union (EU) challenges the idea that the EU might provide a more attractive alternative to U.S. leadership. John Grohl writes a history of the EU that stresses its economic and political domination by the U.S. and the subsequent nurturing of a pro-corporate legal system, the repression of labor, and a decline in the quality of life for many people. Dorothee Bohle points to the EU's exploitation of Eastern Europe as evidence that the EU is keen to implement an extreme neoliberal agenda and, in the case of Yugoslavia, is incapable of political leadership in the absence of U.S. military power. Frank Deppe critiques Jurgen Habermas' manifesto for an EU that embraces U.S.-style neoliberalism while wishing itself independent from the U.S., arguing that Socialism remains the best hope for distinguishing the EU if it hopes to lead the world towards a sustainable and just future.

Other articles discuss South Africa, Columbia, Russia, and Latin America. In each case, the authors stress the critical role the state plays in promoting corporate interests at the expense of people and the environment. Yet struggles for justice persist, suggesting that public discontent can develop into a broad-based movement that can successfully challenge capitalism.

As the legendary Tony Benn states in a profound interview in the concluding chapter: "...you can't hold people down, and that has been the lesson of history".

This is arguably the best Socialist Register yet -- the issues covered have never been more pertinent or provocative. The lead article by Varda Burstyn, "The New Imperial Order Foretold", frames the whole volume and is a pleasure to read. It is organized around Orwell and Huxley and their relevance today, and ranges from Orwellian war to Huxleyan "militainment" to nano-technology to mind conditioning to advertising techniques to artificial procreation to criminalizing dissent: a wild, and ultimately chilling ride. The next three articles lay bare the fundamental role of neoliberalism in the shaping of the global order today. Next, Scott Forsyth's "Hollywood Reloaded" is a wonderful discussion of the new order's characteristic film genre: the action blockbuster. Harriet Friedmann's "Feeding the Empire" is a fundamental historical treatment of a critical topic that is simply not talked about enough: food. The regional articles on China, SE Asia, S. Africa, Russia and E. Europe are all good, but the one that boggled my mind was the one on "counterinsurgency" in Columbia -- a mind-bending expose' of the so-called war on drugs, which is in reality a war of terror against popular forces in order to protect forest and oil resources in Venezuela. The book closes with an interview with the "grand old man" of the British left, Tony Benn, focusing on the Bush-Blair relationship: a fitting end to an extremely thought-provoking volume. And all this in just over 300 pages!

I began to learn Spanish 11 years ago as a 9-year-old when I moved to Madrid with my family. We stayed there for two years and then moved to Asuncion, Paraguay for another two years. So that was a good 4 solid years of classes and daily exposure to the language. Since returning to the U.S., my Spanish stopped improving despite taking high school Spanish courses each year. Then I came to college, and for 3 semesters I took no Spanish. But last semester I took a course on grammar and composition, and the first part of the course was just going through En Breve.

I loved it. So many little questions and doubts that had been building up in my mind concerning Spanish grammar and idiomatic constructions were answered. If you thoroughly read this book, your control of the Spanish language will dramatically increase.

I recommend this to anyone who knows a decent amount of Spanish but who isn't very confident in their grammar. Don't misunderstand me, my grammar wasn't bad; in fact it was better than most of my peers since I had the advantage of four years of exposure to native speakers. But I knew that there were tons of things that I didn't know how to express clearly, which I now know how to express.

Some of the most useful things I learned in this book were how to correctly express ideas such as...
"Strong as they may be, they never win."
"The more you buy, the more popular you are."
"She bought more books than she can read."

As simple as those ideas are, relatively few non-native speakers of Spanish seem to know how to express them correctly. The book of course also contains the more obviously necessary discussions on direct and indirect object pronouns; the tenses and their uses; the subjunctive mood and its uses; what prepositions are necessary after what verbs under what conditions; et cetera. This book is incredibly useful and surprisingly comprehensive.

I only wish this were a series so that there were parallel versions for French, German and Russian, for example.

I'd just like to advise that it is not worth the amazon price of $93.95 to have it new, as it is just a medium-sized paperback book. Just buy it used for a third of the price.

This book is the best book I have found to help you review and expand your knowledge of Spanish. It is meant for someone who already has a basic command of the language. There are short, easy lessons in practical grammar and vocabulary that are combined with exposure to Spanish literature. The lessons are followed by brief quizzes with the answers provided in the back of the book.

This book evaluates the work of a great many film artists (actors, directors, editors, etc.) and lists their every movie chronologically. I refer to my 1991 edition constantly, but we need a new edition. What are chances we'll see one?

This is the best movie guide we've found (and we're on our 3rd).You can look up information by actor. It puts Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide to shame (which is weak on information by actor). I wish the author would come out with an updated version. We'd be first in line to buy it.