Cultural Books

One of the most profound statements in the book was when Mr. Gregory was explaining racism, and I quote "Those old illiterate Negroes were all the White folks had to validate who they were. Could you imagine being a redneck who knew he was an illiterate cracker, and who knew that, as White as he was, he could never be president of the USA? As white as he was, he was never going to drive a Mercedes or go to Paris. So the only thing a redneck had to play with was niggers." and that is why when civil rights workers started educating the black folks about slavery the white rednecks were willing to kill to keep them. Because they were not only taking their niggers they were taking their dignity and self respect.

Dick Gregory's memoir is among the most honest and touching autobiographies available today. From the first page, I was drawn into his experience as if I were actually transitioning through pre-Civil Rights Era, the Movement, and the post-era that has evolved into today. Sometimes the pain of Gregory's experiences was so real that I literally felt the dull pain of sympathy in my gut, the tragic feeling that accompanies love or indignation. Callus On My Soul was a history lesson that will never appear on the pages of American textbooks, and a reality check that I will never forget.

Brother Greg believes O.J. is innocent. That is hard to believe, and there is some paranoia with his thinking. Conspiracy theories make for good fiction, but some of it is enlightening and believable. Mr. Gregory is a great man, and has a lot of knowledge. He is very smart. He is very funny, but he is also obsessed. If he calms down, he would do better. I love him. He is trying so hard to stop world hunger, and wants people to be slim and trim, and not fat as a pig. He wants justice. If people were more like Mr. Gregory, the world would be a much better place.

One word.Riveting!.I loved every word.I never knew how much this man has done for brown people.I have learned so much from him just from reading his memoir.You will learn about how malcom x was really killed,who was the most powerfull person on earth was at the funeral of president kennedy,you could never guess,so don't try get the book and see.One of the most intersting memoirs I have ever read and I have read a few..

With choices come sacrifice, and in Dick Gregory's book CALLUS ON MY SOUL, he tells the story of his life and shares with readers both the positive things he gained and the things he has had to forego as a result of his decisions. He tells of his childhood, which included a life of poverty, racism, and an absentee father. But more importantly, Gregory shares how he learned as a child to use humor as a way to transcend his difficult life experiences and gain peer acceptance. This would serve as an omen for the important role that comedy would play in his later life. As Gregory tells of his developing career as a comedian, readers quickly see the sacrifices that he and his family made in order to achieve the level of fame that he ultimately became known for. A great portion of the book is dedicated to Gregory's experiences and commitment to social causes. He relates to readers his experiences in the civil rights and human rights struggles, and tells of his personal experiences with both noteworthy and little known social activists. He tells of how he and other activists sacrificed their careers, physical safety, and time with family in order to stand up for what they believe in.

Because Dick Gregory has played such an integral role in so many historical events relating to civil and human rights, this book is so much more than a memoir. Anyone who picks this book up receives a new insight into many of the events that shaped the history of the United States. In addition, Gregory shares his own political views and opinions with a boldness and clarity that makes it evident that he is indeed an activist at heart. He also tells of the unwavering support of his wife and ten children as he fasted, went on cross country marathons, and even traveled the world leaving them at home. CALLUS ON MY SOUL is a political, historical, and personal account of a man who has dedicated much of his life to a number of worthy causes.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This book is about the South and northern places in the mid 60's-80's. To be sure it is about a gifted black athlete having to survive a white society that wants somehow to be with him in his quest for greatness. Much more than that, this book is about racism at its core, promise, insecurity, and reluctant goodness, and we should hope that Morris's honest and understandable "sorta" autobiographical dissertation on his homeland Mississippi will compel us to take another look at where we are as a society. We should not let Pete, Willie's mid-life dog, be the best of what we can be.

This is a must read-especially for the young athletes of today. This man was a legend! Hands down the best running back in the country during his era!
Having met him, he's a modest, humble man who loves football and loves his hometown. Would love to see this made into a movie!
Get it, you won't be disappointed!

I recently read "The Courting of Marcus Dupree" and found it to be exciting and spell binding. My entire family was caught up in it. The book is an excellent tale of the birth of a young Black male in a troubling time for the South. The way Willie Morris related Marcus' birth and powerful strength to the struggle of his town and state was awesome, he should be the Mayor of Philadelphia or the Governor of Mississippi. I expected the book to be totally about football but it proved to be much more. It made you laugh and cry at times because of the tremendous pressure on Marcus Dupree, the 17 year old athlete that was blessed with such miraculous skills. The book made you feel like you were at the games when he made some of the beautiful plays. It was so intense that you wanted to get to the next page, but never wanted the book to end. I wish it was reprinted.

I read this book again recently and it was better than I remembered. It was so interesting to see how one 17 year old boy could dominate one small town's conversations. I expected this book to be a tale of a high school football star and his recruitment, but I got more, much more. Willie Morris examines the importance of football in Mississippi and how Marcus brought blacks and whites together with his play. He had insight in to Marcus that nobody outside of his family and high school coach could have had. Overall, a great read.

As an OU fan and a person who remember Marcus Dupree light up Norman during his brief time, I was very excited to have a little bit more background on this fascinating person.

The book hits several different topics. Obviously his recruitment of many football schools at times take center stage. But much of the book also discusses the effect of a black athlete becoming a state hero in Mississippi and gaining fans of all races. The foil of Dupree's time to that of two decades earlier when three cival rights activists were brutally murdered by the Klan. And the author, Willie Morris, contrasting and comparing his life with what he sees around him while following Dupree.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great personal account that takes you back to 1981 Mississippi, civil rights, and the power of football.

i enjoyed this text- is for a class at local university. easy to read, comprehend etc. great examples.

This book is sort of a handbook for both critical thinking and "real world" applications of cross-cultural psychology. It is an important book for all members of our human race as it illuminates some incredibly relevant issues pertaining to culture.

This book is the answer to people's questions and concerns about everything related to cultural diversity--in the workplace, in the classroom, or in personal relationships!

This book delivers on its promise to provide reviews and research in cross-cultural issues. It also explores various areas of the human psyche, and helps apply critical thinking to every day dilemmas when working with those from a culture other than our own.
Five stars for text and for excellent supporting documentation.

It is imperative as a burgeoning professional to understand the implications of treating clients that are not of my ethic or cultural background. This book provides real insight as well as day to day understandings of the interactions we all share, from our own biases to accepting others biases. As a person, it is imperative upon me to understand those around me. Thinking critically about these issues provided me with startling new insights into myself.

COMENTARIOS A PRIMER CAPITULO DE "DISCLOSING NEW WORLDS" SEGUNDA PARTE (Continuación)

Me queda clara la bondad de recuperar la práctica de articulación del aprendizaje en grupo, manteniendo ahora, la inquietud de mantenerla activa, de no olvidarla por lo menos hasta que adquiera o recupere la destreza. Solo entonces, podré dejar que me sea invisible.

¿Estaré comenzando a comportarme como un potencial atisbador?. Esta fue la pregunta que "me cayó" a continuación. Que me esté reuniendo a esta edad, con otras personas adultas, para conversar acerca de tales temas, me parece algo insólito dentro de mi mundo cotidiano; y como dice el texto, las anomalías no hay que pasarlas por alto. Entonces, de inmediato comencé a buscar otras, para encontrarme con que el Club me había enviado unas recomendaciones para leer este y cualquier otro texto, sugiriéndome que lo considere como una conversación con la lectura. Entonces, tanto mis conversaciones con mis compañeros de grupo, como mi lectura individual, me muestran una característica común: Se trata de una conversación. Advierto entonces, que no estoy memorizando definiciones de nuevos términos lenguisticos, sino que asimilando nuevas distinciones; no estoy en la obligación de aprobar un curso, sino en el compromiso voluntario de aumentar mis posibilidades, dentro de mis capacidades; no estoy estudiando, como antaño, para ser emprendedor, sino conversando acerca de las formas que lo harían posible. En consecuencia, hago una Reconfiguración de mis prácticas de aprendizaje, en la cuál aplico liviandad a mis actividades, les extraigo la gravedad (lo contrario de liviandad), aún conservando la seriedad (hasta el humor es serio, inteligente), del mismo modo en que he llevado a cabo mis conversaciones sociales, las que generalmente son relajadas, placenteras y provechosas. Me cambia entonces mi estado de ánimo y mi disposición a aprender con alegría.

Entiendo que para cambiar mi espacio de atisbamiento, no es necesario recurrir a todos y cada uno de los modos que me lleven a mi hacer-historia, esto es, a través de la Articulación, Reconfiguración y la Apropiación cruzada, pero se me ha despertado el apetito y voy tras esta última. Y la encuentro rápidamente: Me doy cuenta que aquellas cosas que no he olvidado jamás, aún sin utilizar ni practicar por mucho tiempo, como lo es el andar en bicicleta, o dominar un balón de foot-ball, o un determinado aroma, o una poesía que me gustó, son aquellas que han pasado por mi propia experiencia, por mis vivencias.

Vuelvo entonces, a leer este primer capítulo, en compañía de mi esposa, conversando con ella e intentando conversarlo también con la lectura, con liviandad, pero además, intentando ahora que aparezcan mis propias experiencias, las que comienzan a fluir con una facilidad que no me hubiera imaginado. Creo estar practicando una Apropiación Cruzada, trayendo a este espacio de atisbamiento del entender la lectura, la práctica que tuvo lugar en otros espacios, el de la distracción, el del deporte, el de las sensaciones y el de la poesía. La lectura comienza a tener más sentido, aún cuando me da la impresión de que si lo leyera mil veces, las mil veces me revelarían nuevas cosas. Cuando llego al acápite en el que precisamente la lectura se refiere a la Apropiación Cruzada, el ejemplo del teléfono celular me calza absolutamente, ya que yo lo uso exclusivamente para asuntos de mi vida familiar y privada.

¿ Será que estoy tomando consciencia de que soy un atisbador o que puedo llegar a serlo? Puede ser, me respondo con liviandad, ya lo sabré más adelante, ¿Para qué apurarme? Mientras tanto, trataré de estar atento a las anomalías. Me doy cuenta que muchas situaciones conflictivas o difíciles de mi vida, las he resuelto comenzando por la observación de una anomalía. Pero estos hechos que pensaba que habían sido resueltos solo por obra de la simple suerte, ahora los atribuyo a la intuición que tuve, de detenerme a observar la anomalía. Mi apetito me pide, que en el futuro, me detenga conscientemente, ya no por simple intuición, a esperar atentamente que las anomalías se muestren en toda su dimensión.

Bueno, ¿Pero qué pasa con el estilo? Aparentemente es uno de los temas importantes de este primer capítulo, y sin embargo, no lo he mencionado en mis comentarios.

En el transcurso de mi lectura, me aparecieron conceptos respecto al estilo, que evité de intelectualizar. Quise ir sintiendo los mensajes que me llegaban, sin intervenir, sin contaminar el flujo de esta conversación, reconociéndome carente de la competencia que me autorizara a participar activamente en la comprensión del tema. Esto ya constituye toda una rareza en mí, y me comienza a resultar simpático.

Por el momento, me quedaré con la idea de que el estilo está muy ligado a la naturaleza de las personas e identidades, por lo que se me ocurre hacer una analogía con la Madre Naturaleza, aquella que nos ofrece tantas bondades, sabiduría y oportunidades, pero que reclama ser tratada con mucha delicadeza, cuando en ella intervenimos. El estilo, al igual que la Madre Naturaleza, tenemos que empezar por conocerlo, aceptarlo en sus virtudes y defectos, cuidarlo, y por sobre todo, utilizarlo y modificarlo de acuerdo a las circunstancias y para nuestro provecho, sin traspasar sus límites, sin alterarlo en su esencia, ni provocarle desequilibrios.

Manteniéndome en esta analogía, me quedo finalmente con una pregunta. La Madre Naturaleza se manifiesta de variados modos, que de hecho lo puedo apreciar en el Trópico, en la Antártica, en los bosques y el desierto, en la cálida y húmeda corriente del niño y la seca y fría corriente de la niña; pero todo esto lo entiendo como distintas prácticas de la Naturaleza, que es una sola. ¿Puedo entonces pensar que mi estilo, aún mostrando distintas prácticas en distintos espacios disclosivos, es también uno solo?

Septiembre 15, 1998

FERNANDO VASQUEZ

La noción de disclosive spaces y estilo nos produce una mayor apertura a otros mundos. Nos permite desarrollar sensibilidad a la manera de ser de cada uno y de los otros. La observación sistemática de anomalías pone más a la mano la posibilidad de innovación, le quita la connotación "mágica" que acarrea para nosotros. El estilo como esencia del ser histórico, y como juega con los disclosive spaces es una noción muy potente para impulsar cambios. Vivir cada cosa como momento único, para lo cual hay que darse tiempo para andar más lento por la vida.

Libro que nos invita no sólo a descubrir, sino que también a inventar nuevos mundos, más emprendedores, solidarios y democráticos. Sin duda una gran ayuda para aquellos que quieren salir de la resignación y el resentimiento. No da formulas, pero si da una gran invitación

Hasta ahora, ser emprendedor me parecía ajeno a mis dominios. Sin embargo después de leer el primer capítulo y hojear el resto, me queda claro que las prácticas emprendedoras están a la mano y nuestra ceguera impide verlas. Es más, logré ver algunos aspectos de mi vida reflejados en la lectura y apareció frente a mi una conclusión: ¡Cuando joven me encontraba más cerca de ser un emprendedor!¿la razón?, muchos miedos se han apoderado de mí. Por consiguiente, debo no solo comprometerme con una práctica de atisbamiento sino que intentar transformarme en un atisbador y al menos a través de una articulación recuperativa explicitar algunas prácticas olvidadas y adaptar mi estilo. ¿Porqué digo una mirada lateral?, la razón básica radica en que aún leo desde un punto de vista cartesiano y este libro me invita a conversar, a observar y a observarme en mi distintos "disclosive space". Hasta aquí la humanidad se ha preocupado prioritariamente de extender sus sentidos. La cuchara es una extensión de la mano, los binoculares son una extensión de la vista, pero que solo permiten un mayor alcance. ¿Y el ser humano logra cultivarse con estas extensiones?. Es un libro con el cuál debo conversar una y otra vez y que me invita a una espiral de crecimiento personal.

Disclosing New Worlds is a philosophical exploration of the fundamental principles that underlie entrepreneurial activity, democratic action and the cultivation of solidarity. Through a number of real-life examples, it shows how excellence in these three domains of social activity is brought about-not with a detached, rational deliberative stance, but with intense involvement in the practices of the culture and critical reflection on the anomalies of everyday life. "Disclosing New Worlds gets to the heart of corporate entrepreneurship. It combines rigorous philosophical thinking with rich descriptions of everyday corporate, democratic and social life. The result is a book that accurately portrays a set of important skills not yet taught in our schools."

Thank you!

This book shows great insite into the history of the firecracker and the intricate artwork involved with the packaging of them. The clarity of the illustrations are wonderful, its hard to believe some of the labels are as old as they are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can remember the excitement of being able to "set off" these firecrackers on the 4th of July, without worrying about breaking the law. Those of you who were not as lucky to experience this thrill, will definitely find this book fun.

My husband was looking for a book on firecrackers and I tried the local book stores, i.e. Barnes and Nobles, Bookmart, Books a Million, but no luck. I browsed the internet and the reviews on firecracker reference materials were few and far between. Finally I came across this book on Amazon and took a chance it would please him.....he's quite picky about his reference library. This soft-cover book is GREAT! It is packed with beautiful, vibrant full color photos of the common labels all the way up to the very rare. The book layout is dotted with photos and the glossary is helpful to even the intermediate collector. The section "Interview with a Collector" gives a nice insightful look into the pursuit of fireworks labels. The history of firecrackers is also discussed, giving the collector a great back-story to the industry. No price guide, but that is fine with my husband, as it tends to date a book after a couple of years. This is an informative addition to the Hubby's library......he's happy and I'm glad.

Excellent beautifully illustrated book well worth the money. The illustrations and layout are extremely well done. This is easy reading that covers some terrtory not well documented anywhere else (Vietnam.) Some historical inaccuracies especially in the history of the manufacture of "Chinese" crackers in the 20th century. Overall an excellent job! Highly reccomended to anyone who has an interest in the subject, or who just likes the imagery of the old labels.

Bright, colorful pages packed with color illustrations and photos chart the art and history of the firecracker, from their construction and advancement to the making of labels and items promoting them. Beautiful drawings pack an illustrated history which invites leisure browsers as much as researchers, and which is very highly recommended for general library collections.

(As noted in the last pages of this book, firecrackers are now politically incorrect, suffering the wrath of do-gooders, safety mavens and law enforcement. For those of us old enough to remember a pre-"nanny state" summer, this book brings back wonderful memories. By the time I was old enough to get real cherry bombs, they were outlawed. But I could tell a few stories...)

I always wondered how even today, firecrackers in their millions could be produced. The answer, documented in his book, surprised me. This book reveals the fate of the companies whose names appeared on the labels I saw in the 1960s. Ever wonder what happened to Kwong Hing Tai? The authors reveal how the firecracker trade developed in China and made its way to the United States. Even some of today's importers are mentioned.

Technically speaking, the book is well printed and the illustrations are crisp and sharp, not bad for paper originals that may be most of 100 years old. Although not exhaustive, there is good reference for collectors. I'd recommend you to get a copy of this book while it is still available. I look forward to many hours of pleasure leafing through my copy.

I love this book! If you're a fool in love and searching for Mr/Mrs Right, this book will do it for you. Read it, I'll betcha you enjoy it! It's funny, witty and romantic and it will give you some interesting ideals for your next date!

I didn't want to put this book down! I appreciate the nostalgia found in Mr. Ivory's descriptive childhood stories. Each about his mother and friends were particularly endearing.
I expected his adult romantic recollections to be graphic, but was pleased that he was able to convey his memories without the use of totally explicit language. At times, however, I needed to skim a paragraph to avoid feeling uncomfortable. I recommend this book for it's humor and good-natured stories, but would discourage anyone offended by occasional explicit language.

Admittedly I'm a Steven Ivory fan. I've read his column in Electronic Urban Report from the beginning. This book exceeded even my expectations and leaves me looking forward to the next one......

Steven Ivory took me on a journey that satisfied my hunger for intellect and served me humor for dessert! What a joy to read such an honest and poignant work on love and relationships from the male point of view. A secret window through which to gaze upon the masculine spirit, Ivory offers a rare treasure for a women everywhere; as well as a "What, you too?!" for the men. Write on my brother, write on.

My husband gave me this thing for my birthday and I have to say it is one of the best gifts he ever gave me. I have always been a Steve Ivory fan. I read his weekly column every week on the EUR website. However, recently, I had a bad experience with laser eye surgery and I haven't been able to see clearly let alone read for the past four months. My doctor gave me the okay to read again after my last visit and Mr. Ivory's Fool in Love was just what a girl needed to welcome sight back in her life. I love this book, it is so funny, and every story is about him, something he should write about more in his weekly column.

I had this book for five years before I finally picked it up to read and to my surprise, it was magnificent...an exciting verbal exchange between a politician whose knowledge regarding people is neglegeable and a porter whose knowledge of people is extensive. The two strike up a conversation first as servant to customer then ending as teacher informer to student learner. Its very passionate, engrossing and will keep your interest.

This is historically the best book I've read since, "Sister outsider". In only 129 pages you will find the history of the world. Historians will truly enjoy this witty and humorous text. It reminds one of the teachings of Fanon. What I would like to know, if anyone can answer this question for me. Who is the M. Finot that J.A. Rogers often quotes in the book? Thanks Sincerely.Jm

While cleaning out a closet full of books at the community center where I serve as its Educational Director, this book falls off of the shelf. It has been the most enlightening book I have ever read! The previous reviewers have spoken ever so eloquently, I will simply say, given the psuedo-intellectual, "we have overcome" times we live in, J.A. Rogers' work should be manditory reading for all. At home and abroad. This book keeps it "real.

This book was given to me by a good friend. I've read it at least 3 times. The clever way the author used this fictional story to illustrate that genotype among the human race is unilateral and how differentiating us by phenotype is ridiculous, is brilliant. "Prejudice is the reason of fools."-Voltaire. This book should be required in all areas of sociology and cultural studies. Again, a must read.

Hands down this book should be a MANDATORY read of all young African Americans. If BET were to share just a fact a day with it's viewers; that would single handedly change the state of todays youth, which would entail a more productive renasiance-esque future for all!!! Please read this book!! And share with all!!

Imagine growing up not knowing who your real parents are. Would you wonder who you resemble in the family tree? Could you deal with being ignorant to your family's medical history? And most importantly, would you wonder where you belong? In a new book from Craig Hickman, the author takes readers on his journey of discovering his true roots.

In the new memoir "Fumbling Toward Divinity" from Harvard graduate Craig Hickman (Rituals), the author takes readers into his journey of the search for his biological parents. Along the way, we learn of the African American writer's homosexual lifestyle that includes a marriage to his Caucasian partner. The apprehensive author not only worries about finding his biological family but if they will accept his alternative lifestyle.

As the story unfolds, readers are right there with Hickman as he researches his roots in libraries, government buildings, and online and treks along U.S. highways with help from his adoptive family, his husband Job, and his newly discovered Uncle James. By the time he meets his religious, biological mother in Georgia, readers will come to know him and cheer him on as he takes on the task of finding and getting to know his real family.

"Fumbling Toward Divinity" is a well-written and unique book. Written in third-person format, Hickman meshes a poetic, scriptural-like, and a journal-like writing style that is quite interesting to read. Many readers will feel a kinship with the author as he shares his trials, triumphs, pain, and joy of self-discovery. However, the meticulously written memoir, which almost reads like a diary, is so detailed that it may turn off readers who do not know him intimately. "Fumbling Toward Divinity" is still well worth the effort and will be received with open arms.

Emanuel Carpenter
[...]

This book is an awesome read! I could feel Craig Hickman's passion and emotions. His voice really came through because of his mixture of dialogue and precise detail of people and places. His word choice was fabulous! I loved the pearls of wisdom, quotes, and insights that he included. Upon reading Fumbling Toward Divinity, readers should begin a journey of self-reflection that leads to healing and/or growth. This book is a must read for those who, in some way, have gone (or are planning to go) through the adoption process, who are struggling with self-identity and/or self-worth, and/or are having problems with family relationships. While this book is a record of Mr. Hickman's life, it is so powerful that it can serve as a therapeutic tool as well. Fumbling Toward Divinity can help many people reflect, reevaluate, regroup, refocus, heal, and grow.

Craig Hickman, an adopted child, decides he wants to know who his birth parents are. After a long and arduous search, Craig locates his mother Jennifer who was forced by her mother to give him up at birth. Craig discovers that he has twin sisters, aunts, uncles and a grandmother who rules the clan. At various functions, the adopted family, the birth family and Craig's husband, get together to learn more about each other.

Mr. Hickman has written a stunning memoir about what it means to be an adopted child searching for his roots. He uses many styles of writing to help us not only understand his feelings, but to be there with him. In one chapter, when he has finally discovered his birth family and is going to contact them, he uses stream of consciousness very effectively so that his angst, fear and happiness shine through as his thoughts meld onto the page. Poignant poetry is another method used by Mr. Hickman to bring readers into his world. Letters written to his new family also give us an inside track to his real thoughts and feeling.

While discovering his roots is the main thesis of the book, Craig also covers many other subjects such as homosexuality, marital issues, problems with in-laws and family love, as well as family discord. It is a book well worth reading more than once.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

This is one of the very best books that I have ever read. I had the pleasure of reading some of the manuscript before Fumbling Toward Divinity went to print. I knew then what I know now, this book is mind blowing. Craig Hickman can write circles around the best. I love it when a writer can conjour up all kinds of spirits, get my heart pumping, and leave me wanting more. I laughed, I cryed, and I am still jumping for joy! Craig Hickman really shows us the recipe for life is... one cup of love, a tablespoon of trust, throw in some forgiveness and hope, and a heep of honesty and then, only then, can we really begin to live. Because, are'nt we all just Fumbling Toward Divinity anyway? Thank you Craig for this tasty treat! Peace, Ife Franklin.

That Craig Hickman is a very bright man, well schooled, a fine investigator, and a man with a mission is obvious from the moment you open this excellent book. Given his credentials as a performance artist, poet, cultural activist and author it is apparent he has the courage and conviction to write this book about the agonies, frustrations, and of course the joys of adoption, of gay relationships, of the search for identity when that identity is locked away with unknown birth parents. The crown of this input is that this book is actually a memoir, a shared body of information that required more diligence and investigation than the toughest of PhD dissertations.

For this reviewer Hickman's FUMBLING TOWARD DIVINITY: THE ADOPTION SCRIPTURES is uneven. The first portion of this memoir is inundated with names, histories, paths, and intricacies that make the reading a bit tedious. Yes, it is written well, the language works, but it is the placement of the narrator in the third person (a time honored if beleaguered tradition of writing memoirs) that subtracts the immediacy of the information to the story - and it is the story here presented that is the fascinating aspect of this book.

Once Hickman connects with all aspects of his families (birth, adopted, partner's family) then the grace of the writing is secure, the development of the avenues of the journey become warmly fascinating, and the book jumps into the welcome arena of entertainment. I'm not sure if the substance of the book could have been altered in any way to make the entire volume as interesting as the latter half, but to the casual reader of literature (not those with whom ready identification with any of the multifaceted aspects of the author invite identification) the telling gets a bit trying at times.

Hickman's prose is up with the best of writers. If he occasionally calls attention to scripture-like verbiage, if key thoughts are repeated every other sentence for effect, if information is revisited a bit too often, then that is a style that Hickman may be in the course of developing. Future books (and it would seem there WILL be future books) will finesse some of these sidebar distractions.

There is every reason to believe that Hickman may evolve into another James Baldwin (a personal favorite author of mine), but it will take some forays into fiction to test those waters thoroughly. So why only 4 stars for this book? It is out of optimism that Craig Hickman has more to say and more talent with which to say it. I think he is a fine writer and certainly is deserving of our attention. The 5 stars seem destined to come. Grady Harp, April 05

Fundamentalism is the movement arising among Christians in the early 20th century who fervently defended the fundamental doctrines of Christianity while opposing modernist liberalism. In his Fundamentalism and American Culture, George M. Marsden investigates the historical context and ideological roots of what came to be American fundamentalist Christianity, recognizing complex influences from nineteenth-century traditions like revivalism, holiness, and patriotism. Marsden says, "Fundamentalists were evangelical Christians, close to the traditions of the dominant American revivalist establishment of the nineteenth century, who in the twentieth century militantly opposed both modernism in theology and the cultural changes that modernism endorsed" (4). His interpretation of the phenomenon of fundamentalism treads a middle ground between those who reduce it to a purely social reaction to the emerging trend of modernist thought, and someone like Ernest Sandeen who views fundamentalism as essentially theological (201). Some evaluations from observers of the height of the fundamentalist frenzy saw it as hollow and brief; the Christian Century said in 1926, "it is henceforth to be a disappearing quanitity in American religious life, while our churches go on to larger issues..." (192). Marsden does not relegate fundamentalism to the position of a short-lived radical sect, but sees it as a significant movement with deep roots and continued relevance to today's American evangelicalism. As a result, he devotes about half of his book to in depth account of late 19th and early 20th century currents of Christian thought.

Marsden focuses on three major themes. First, he highlights a tension within fundamentalism--the tendency at times to preserve the perceived identity of American culture (viewing America as Israel), and at other times to take on the identity of a separatist minority sect (viewing America as Babylon). Second, he studies the prominent movements of Christian thought in American evangelicalism before the emergence of fundamentalism. He sees deep roots in America's revivalism, pietism, the popularity of holiness, and middle-class Victorian values. Third, Marsden observes a wavering stance among fundamentalists regarding science and the intellect. On one hand, the scientific "common sense" type of principles of 17th century philosopher Francis Bacon allowed the average person clearly to see the plain facts of God evident in Scripture. On the other hand, this same scientific approach allowed proponents of Darwinian evolution to discard the unrealistic, supernatural, miraculous accounts found in the Bible. Naturalism and evolution were powerful enemies of Christians who wanted to maintain the fundamental supernatural tenets of the faith. Increasingly over the years, anti-evolution became a more unifying passion than even adherence to Christian orthodoxy. Marsden comments, "Many people with little or no interest in fundamentalism's doctrinal concerns were drawn into the campaign to keep Darwinism out of America's schools... The more clearly [fundamentalists] realized that there was a mass audience for the message of the social danger of evolution, the more central this social message became" (170).

After chronologically recounting the origins of fundamentalism, its peak in 1920-1925, as well as the subsequent gradual growth of fundamentalist ideology through denominations and universities, Marsden shares his interpretation of the movement. Fundamentalism was initially a religious assertion against the threat of modernism, but the event of World War I gave fundamentalism crucial characteristics. War-related crisis provided an occasion for paranoia and militant defense of religious views. Marsden compares evangelicals experience of encroaching modernism to the "traumatic cultural upheaval" of cross-cultural immigration (204).

I find quite helpful Marsden's reluctance to paint the fundamentalist movement as either purely theological or purely social. By resisting extremes, Marsden's eyes are open to the great and sometimes even contradictory complex issues informing fundamentalism. He says it is "a mistake to reduce religious behavior to its social dimensions" and admirably acknoweledges the power of spiritual forces and deep-seated convictions (203). I wish he had made some value judgments, even if tentative and qualified, and used a biblical standard to grant the reader practical ideas for how to move forth with knowledge of historical fundamentalism. What traps and misconceptions did fundamentalists fall into that contemporary evangelical may be vigilant to avoid? For what elements of fundamentalism can we be grateful and which can we even strive to emulate? This desire of mine, though, is just because I'm more interested in ideas than events. I prefer philosophy to history. People who love history may have more fun reading this than I did. Marsden's objectivity seems appropriate to a scholarly book in the genre of history.

Good reading. It presents a good review of the culture and the strengths and weaknesses that religion can play in forming it.

George Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards was so well written that I decided to read more of his stuff. This book on fundamentalism is a classic. Many scholars of Christian fundamentalism paint with too broad a brush, often lumping evangelicals into the fundy camp. Marsden avoids this mistake. He also acknowledges what many do not, that the fundamentalism of the post WWI era took on a much harsher and more separatistic tone.

Marsden does a nice of discussing some of the towering figures of the movement: D.L Moody, R.A Torrey, Arno Gaebelein, J, Gresham Machen, Jonathan Blanchard and Charles Blanchard (the President of Wheaton College). He shows how early fundamentalists like R.A Torrey and W.H Griffith Thomas thought that evangelical zeal should be coupled with social concern. Marsden also highlights the fundamentalist disdain over the more liberal Social Gospel, which jettisoned evangelism completely.

We also get to see the fundamentalists like Billy Sunday and William Jennings Bryan, who were concerned about people coming to know Christ, but not quite as concerned about people coming to know more about the doctrinal content of Christianity. This was a major concern of the evangelical Princeton theologians (BB Warfield, Charles Hodge, and J. Gresham Machen).

There is also a newer chapter in this edition that traces the development of fundamentalism from 1980 to the present day. In this chaoter, Marsden also takes himself to task for not discussing how the relaxed mores of the "Roaring Twenties" alarmed the fundamentalist community, nor did her mention the role of women in the fundamentalist movement of 1871-1925.

But these criticisms duly noted, I still like the book very much and commend it to those interested in religious movements.

Rev. Marc Axelrod

I have read the 1980 edition of this book.

How to use the word miracle in one's vocabulary, but not accept the signs and wonders of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Birth, the ressurection, any event recorded in the Old Testament that goes against the laws of Nature. To accept the premise that God on rare occasions does something beyound the laws of Nature or the existence of God entirely, A modernist may use may use the word miracle to describe the unexpexted or an event happening despite the mathematical odds- but not an act by a supernatural being overruling the laws of Nature.

To not believe in such a Being, means to deny the facts described in the bible. These scholars do not accept the Lord God as described in the Bible. This type of Theologian albeit University instructor or Pastor of a church was quite prominant in Europe before 1870, but not in the United States until later. This book is a debate among those who accept the bible as true as it is and those who deny the word of God as valid.

The date of the book is not arbitrary. Since the author cites the end of the Civil war and Darwins theory of evolution as major cataylist to bringing the debate to the forefront in the United States. This includes the University, the pulpit and in the American Culture. This book is a narrative about social change in American society, theological thought, and the major players in Christian Revivals and Theology. Not just the scholars in the Universities. The book touches on changes in the Universities(1980 edition), but its main focus is on society. Is the Bible sufficient to show how God interacts with the created.

I found the reading interesting and easy to understand.

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I used this book to get insight in background of R.A. Torrey, and it helped wonderfully. Espescially for me as a European theologian, it helped to get insight in history and society of the States, especially concerning the relation between pre-millenianism and cultural atmosphere and impact on theology, especially on the question of the personhood of the Holy Spirit!

For European theology it gives an insight in the background of the more and more popular evangelical and pentecostal churches and their theology, that has its roots there, where this book is al about!

Stefan R Timmerman

Being new to gardening, this book has been the most valuable tool. Every page has pictures of the plants that are being described and there are symbols to quickly identify plant properties. I would definitely recommend this book for everyone.

This is the book I go back to over and over again. It's organized, well written, and most of all, RIGHT. I've had it for a couple of years. When I picked it up again last night to see which birches will grow well in Ohio, I decided to write a review here on Amazon to encourage others to get this book, too. It's worth every penny.

I have had this book for years, have loaned it so many times it's not funny! Finally, just started ordering several copies at a time to have on hand for gift giving. I have 16 large flower beds, and most of the plants ideas have come directly from the advice I have found in this book. These are also the plants I have the most success with, AND the ones asked most about when people come to visit my garden. Also, for the most part, these selections are relatively easy to find in our nursery's. [Seibentahaler's and Knollwoods are excellent places to look]. I hope he continues his writings, and I will be ordering his new book also. Centerville, Ohio

Ohio is not the most hospitable place for gardening. With cold winters and hot often dry summers, gardening can be a balancing act. This book is a terrific guide for selecting and cultivating plants in this area. This book has helped me improve my black thumb to almost green. Recommended for all Ohio and surrounding areas.

If your grandma were an expert gardener, this is like having all her advice right in one place. I have used this inexpensive, thorough gardening book much more than my expensive hardcover gardening books. This book is great for a novice gardener, and also for more experienced gardeners. He gives a full 2-pages for each plant, telling where to plant, when to trim, when to plant, varieties/cultivars, and much more. He answers pretty much any question you could have about a certain plant. I take this with me when I'm shopping for my plants, because he tells you lots more than the plant tag will. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who likes to garden! Too bad he doesn't cover vegetables or herbs, though.