John Gray Books

Friedrich von Hayek has had perhaps the most profound impact of any political theorist in the last half-century. John Gray's book is a superb analysis of his ideas. Where other studies can be confusing or convoluted, Gray's always maintains its ability to lucidly recreate Hayek's arguments from their intellectual roots upwards.

Understanding the intellectual foundations of Hayek's work, can be a minefield of inaccessible terms and confusing statements. Thanks to John Gray, however, these matters are clearly and intelligently explained. The result is that the reader is provided with a rich insight into how Hayek's political economy functions. More than just a critique of socialism, Hayek's thought is also a profound intellectual statement combining the epistemological insights of Hume with Kant's categorical imperative. An understanding of its philosophical basis allows a fertile gaze into the prism that is Hayek's thought. Only Gray explains these aspects of his writngs clearly.

"Hayek on Liberty" is, moreover, refreshingly objective, despite the controversy which Hayek's ideas generate. Gray seeks to explain rather than to refute or praise. The reader can therefore take the insights Gray offers in a number of directions. Although Gray clearly admires Hayek, he does not feel the need to indulge in the monotonous hero-worship to which we have become accustomed. There is much to be found here for Hayek's critics too. Especially since it is doubtful that Hayek's use of Hume does not undermine many of his more positive political statements.

Gray's work is thus an invaluable guide to one of the Twentieth Century's intellectual icons. One only has to observe the saint-like worship Hayek has received in recent months, surrounding the centenery of his birth, to appreciate that his legacy is an ongoing phenomenon of global proportions. Academic, student, and interested observer will find Gray's study immensely helpful as a platform for approaching more general disussions of Hayek's ideas, of which many fine examples now exist. Anyone attempting a detailed appreciation of Hayek should thus keep Gray beside them at all times.

The shear volume of work completed by Hayek over a publishing career that marked more than fifty years makes it quite difficult to grasp the interlocking system of ideas he advocated. Gray has done an exceptional job of synthesizing this work. He presents the philosophical roots of Hayek's thought, the unique 20th century context in which Hayek's ideas competed with others, and a magnificent critique that anyone interested in Hayek should study.

Essentially, Gray reduces Hayek's contribution to that of a critic of socialism. Hayek's assertion that socialized central planning was an "epistemological impossibility," while historically evident, provides an inadequate justification for the 19th century form of capitalism Hayek advocated. The post-communist 21st century must deal with competing capitalisms, not rigid centrally planned economies, and Gray considers Hayek inadequate on this score.

Gray believes that Hayek missed an essential aspect of free market capitalism, that is, the power of progress. Free markets demand change, even change for change's sake, and the metaphor of a "spontaneous social order" arising in some sort of social evolution is not adequate to provide support for the traditional values and institutions for which Hayek had regard. Personal autonomy will always present a danger to social cohesion. In Gray's view, the free market advocated by Hayek prefers the former to the latter.

To Gray this weakness in Hayek's thought is fatal, and I tend to agree.

This book came out in the mid 1990s right when the biggest debates were dealing with cultural diversity and affirmative action. No book not even this one can capture the essence and writings of Berlin's writing that expanded nearly six decades yet it provides a fresh analysis of his ideas to those who aren't familiar with the 'history of ideas' and unleashed in the public debate about what to do about the remnants of liberalism and multiculturalism in this day and age. I recommend buying this highly.

For some reason, the other reviews, with one exception, are not reviews of John Gray's, "Isaiah Berlin;" they are instead reviews of a compilation of Berlin's writing, "Four Essays on Liberty." I don't know how this happened, but I will review Gray's book, ISBN 0691026351.

Gray presents a compact (168 pages) intellectual biography of Berlin, an affectionate, fair, yet critical survey of his thought and works. It is an excellent resource, and it provides the reader with the background and context necessary for understanding Berlin's rather voluminous and disparate writings. This is especially valuable, as Berlin was a loquacious and sometimes untidy writer, circling around, over, and back through his ideas in way that some may find confusing more than clarifying. In fact, his key ideas were not that many, and not that difficult to grasp, when set out as carefully as Gray sets them out.

If you want more narrative of Berlin's very interesting life, you should consider Michael Ignatieff's, "Isaiah Berlin: A Life," which is also superbly done. Gray concentrates on Berlin's ideas, summarizing the whole of his life in one paragraph in the Introduction.

I have found this book most helpful. The articles written by the various contributors is worth the price alone. The illustrations are satisfactory as most of these works are about texture.This book will be a friend for a long time.

I hesitated before ordering this book. I already own 5 books about Jasper Johns and was thinking to myself that owning one more would not add much to my appreciation of this great artist. I was wrong. This book, the catalogue for an exhibition held at the Chicago Art Institute in 2007, is full of marvelous illustrations (of some recent works like the Catenary series) and brilliant essays on the importance of this most difficult of colors, gray, in the work of Johns. The quality of the illustrations is such that they enable the reader to see all the nuances of the artist's palette as if we were standing in front of the paintings (or drawings, or prints, as a matter of fact). In this respect, all the photographs were taken by the same photographer using one type of material only so as to show the works in the same light and shade. Johns's gray is like Hals's black: he has hundreds of different grays and the book reveals this perfectly.

Highly recommended.

This book is beautifully written, but easy for young readers to follow. The descriptions are enough to make any child want to learn more about marine biology and nature. Also the illustrations are wonderful and add so much to the story. I would recommend this book as a bedtime story or a good read for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

This is a beautifully-written book with illustration that perfectly accompany the story. It's a great way to get children interested in nature, but adults will enjoy it too.

When I bought this book, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed reading this book because it's full of lists which made semse to me and gave me a perspective on what is important to me. The lists are valuable with meaning. The book was also easy to read and understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading lists.

I rec'd this book yesterday as a birthday present from my friend! I love this book!! It puts me in a good mood and it has great tips to live buy!! I will be buying one for several people as christmas presents!

I've always harbored a subconscious guilt whenever I thought about wolves in North America...I knew we'd trumped-up the danger they presented to us, in order to rid the wilderness of their threat to our fat, stupid livestock. Meanwhile we systematically slaughtered their age-old prey, leaving them to starve or become criminals. The clear, poignant and often beautiful writings collected in this book helped me understand consciously what that universal guilt is...and what I feel I must do to redeem my part in it. I must support programs to preserve what Wilderness is left, and return to it the species we have so ruthlessly extirpated. (Wait 'till you read what we did! And for how long! Yipes!) And while teaching me all this, John A. Murray reminded me how wonderful a writer, say, Aldo Leopold is...or introduced me to Edward Hoagland (WOW...thought he was a painter or something. He sure can write!) or Farley Mowat (Knew he wrote. Never knew how well!) Well worth reading!

Out Among the Wolves combines writings from some of the best known contemporary writers on wolves in one book. Every essay combines facts with great writing. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about wolves, for the love of them, or knowledge

Robbins has done it again. The Power Talk series is well known for providing interesting insights by top authorities. Dr. Gray is well known for his unique perspectives on relationships. The combination is electric. This is three hours of pure insight into how men and women relate, and how to make the relationships you have into the relationships you want. As if that wasn't enough, these guys are hilarious. You will enjoy this tape, and you will learn from it. Buy it!

On Creating Extraordinary Relationships is a 3 hour tape series on how to make relationships work better through better communication, understanding and listening. The tapes talk about some basic differences between men and women and what to do about it. I had a lot of fun listening to it with my then girlfriend (now my wife!). We were laughing so hard because it was so funny yet so true! After listening to the tape we learned so much more about ourselves and each other. What makes it very valuable is Tony Robbins and John Gray cite so many examples and situations in our everyday life where conflicts arise and give practical insightful tips on how to improve the situation. Some of the words used also act as positive trigger devices that just by mention of the words during more challenging situations it makes the moment lighter. I love this so much I have to date bought 22 sets of this to give to friends! This is something I recommend highly!

This is the story of Captain Voss who circumnavigated the globe in 1901. He was the first to circumnavigate in a canoe as well as the smallest vessel at the time. The voyage took 3 years, 3 months and 12 days. It's informative, educational, exciting and loaded with humour. This is one of the finest books I've read and I guarantee you'll enjoy it.

The story of the Tilikum (a 38 ft dugout canoe) that sailed around the world from 1901-1904 is one of the most interesting stories you will ever read. Captain Voss makes his journey easy to read with lots of humour and adventure. The book features 3 stories but the most interesting is that of the Tilikum. Order the book, you won't be disappointed. The Tilikum can now be found at the Martime Museum in Victoria Canada. There is another book out of print by Norman Luxton's daughter that is currently not available. I have one of the few copies. The original manuscript written by Norman Luxton can be found in the museum archives at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Happy reading!

The author of this book, Larry McCabe, is re-releasing books that have gone out of print for one reason or another. This particular book is an old friend. After I received it, I went into my library and found a copy. It has been in print in one form or another for 25 years. Most instruction books don't last anywhere near that long. First, this book (as the author warns) is not for beginners. You need to be familiar with the movable blues scales we all use. If you are playing out, and feel comfortable with the whole neck, get this book. The style of lead is closer to Gatemouth Brown and Freddie King than anyone else. If you don't know who these men are, buy their CDs. You are in for a treat. Please read the author's introduction. There is a lot of good info there. The Tab system is the older style. It should take about 30 seconds to adjust. It's actually easier to read than the current form. If you consider yourself a Rock guitarist instead of Blues, you really could use this book. If you use these solos as a "how to", instead of just memorizing them, they will give you some new weapons. You know, for scaring the heck out of other guitarists.

John Gray relates the exciting story of the 8th Air Force's 55th Fighter Group in this nicely produced book by John Lambert's Specialty Press.

Gray has clearly done his research, interviewing many 55th FG veterans and their German adversaries along with combing through old microfilm records to produce a comprehensive, nicely written record of the "Double Nickel" Group. Along the way he has assembled a wonderful collection of photos of group personnel and their P-38 and P-51 mounts, Luftwaffe aircraft and gun camera images. To that was added some nicely done color profiles by John Valo. Great value for the price!

The 55th Fighter Group, created in 1940, flew its first missions with the 8th Air Force in October 1943. At that time the American B-17 and B-24 formations were suffering crippling losses due to the lack of fighter escort. Despite problems with the P-38, the Group valiantly provided that protection, saving many U.S. bombers from attack but suffering losses in return.

The Group really hit its stride once it re-equipped with the P-51 in July 1944. Along with scoring air kills, the 55th took to strafing with a passion. By war's end, thanks to efforts of Group pilots like Jack Jenkins, John Landers, Bob Buttke, Ed Giller, Bob Welch and the great strafer ace "Eager El" Righetti, the 55th had racked up 303 air kills and 283 ground kills.

If you are interested in 8th Air Force fighter groups, you should pick up a copy of this book. It's a winner!