Oliver Books

The essays in this topical collection provide a thorough discussion of that question. Drawn mostly from contemporary philosophy, the collection nevertheless begins a bit further back: with Gottlob Frege's "Function and Concept," two contributions from Bertrand Russell, and F.P. Ramsey's "Universals."

More recent selections are included from W.V.O. Quine ("On What There Is"), Frank Jackson, Michael Devitt, D.M. Armstrong, Donald C. Williams, Keith Campbell, Chris Daly, David Lewis, Sydney Shoemaker, and co-editor D.H. Mellor.

The volume will be of special interest to readers looking for sources on the problem of universals. Naturally each contribution deals with the problem to some extent, but particularly interesting is an exchange between Michael Devitt and D.M. Armstrong. Nominalists and realists sometimes talk past each other about this problem, and sure enough, much of the exchange between Devitt and Armstrong has to do with (a) why nominalists don't think there really _is_ a "problem" of universals and (b) why realists think nominalists are being all but willfully blind.

In a spirited but cheerfully sporting verbal tennis match, Devitt responds to Armstrong's complaints (in _Universals and Scientific Realism_) about "ostrich nominalism" by attacking "mirage realism" instead. Armstrong offers a rejoinder which he thinks improves on his earlier discussion. The two part friends, with no injuries.

There is also good discussion on trope theory and "abstract particulares," as one might expect from the inclusion of essays by Williams, Campbell, and Daly. This is an excellent collection both overall and in detail.

It will be of interest to readers of D.M. Armstrong's _Universals: An Opinionated Introduction_, and it will also fit well alongside Andrew Schoedinger's topical collection _The Problem of Universals_. (There is surprisingly little overlap between Schoedinger's volume and the present one. Ramsey's "Universals," Russell's "The World of Universals," and Quine's "On What There Is" are the only essays common to the two collections.)

Where has Anthony Oliver been all my reading life? His succinct and finely tuned observations about humankind zero you in on his
lead characters and protagonists and yet he leaves you in suspense.
Det. Inspector John Webber, arthritic & retired, with his friend, but not lover, the unfashionable, Mrs. Williams, of Welsh acuity, try to enliven their retirement to a charming village in England
with laconic Webber reining in the determined Mrs. Williams in their preoccupation with the evil effects of very human residents' drive to fame and fortune and they act with regret for
the inevitable outcome.

Through a progression of historical anecdotes and logical demonstrations, this book leads the reader to unsettling conclusions. Do not read "Prophets and Frauds" if you cherish your complacency.

This book fills in a huge gap in available material in English regarding Prussian Napoleonic Infantry. The book includes excellent photos, and graphics (both of the period and of re-enactors in the field) the author includes many contemporary eyewitness accounts that provide additional "color" to enhance his factual information. The author avoids the overused typical "Waterloo" related information and goes deeper into source material for the 1808-1815 period. Oliver Schmidt holds to the theme of the series in describing the "experience" of the individual soldier. Why did he enlist? How was he equipped? What was typical of the leadership, motivation? etc. All German language terms are left in the text where they are needed. Highly recommended for anyone studying the period.

This book deals with the founding of the Colonies. It has a great theme and wonderful black and white photos/illustrations. I was impressed with the author's inclusion of the Quakers. Excellent historical book and will recommend it for the 6th grade students.

This is a brilliant book, which is well worth investing into- lots of pictures, even early colour pictures, interviews with the surviving aces of when it was first published, lots of info... its really fantastic- and I was especially pleased to find a substancial amount of info on Denis Crowley-Milling, (of Bader's 242 Squadron, The Tangmere Wing, and Typhoon Squadrons), as it is very hard to find info on him!

So do go and get this book- its so worth it! :)

children will love reading this book over and over agian!
It's christmas in rainbow land but murky and lurky want to stop all the fun. When the color kids loose there christmas cheer and rainbow land turns grey only rainbow brite can save the day with a gift of kindness! this is surely to become a christmas classic!

Very practical and timely book for any Christian parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher...anyone involved in kids' lives. The authors are very much in tune with the dynamics of Christian families and they touch on every important point that you will want to know. You will grow in your own walk with Christ and will be a living, breathing example to your kids after reading this book and following its guidelines. Very inspiring book, very thought-provoking, and a wonderful "handbook" for anyone desiring to lead little ones to Christ. I highly recommend it both as a mother and as a Sunday school teacher.

Oliver Wendell Holmes describes Emerson as an intellectual mystic, as opposed to an emotional one. This probably places Emerson very much in line with Holmes' own temperament -- this Holmes is the father of the famous and intellectually accomplished Supreme Court justice; Holmes, Sr. was himself a medical doctor and man of letters in New England. What Holmes describes as intellectual mysticism as opposed to emotional mysticism shows that Emerson never lost a realistic grounding of his beliefs, and always kept a firm grasp on things such as common sense and self reliance.

Joel Porte introduces the text, written in 1885, talking about the odd choice the rationalist Holmes must have seemed to the Transcendentalist canonisers who would have wanted a more sympathetic character. However, Holmes' overall personality made him an ideal biographer, with much more credibility in the end than a true-believing disciple of Emerson would have had in a similar biographical effort. Both Holmes and Emerson were seekers after truth, and in such had a similar spirit; both also had a good sense for the ridiculous, and managed to remain level-headed among otherwise unstable environments.

Holmes identifies Emerson as belonging to the New England 'Academic' race -- Emerson is a name that is common among academics and ministers generation after generation. This kind of inheritance is more than just cultural in Emerson's view, and in Holmes' view, who before addressing his subject, looks at the several generations back of Emerson's forebears.

Emerson finds inspiration in the things about him -- in nature, in society, and in himself. Emerson has a deep and abiding concern for the transcendent unity of all things, and that there is a spirit in the world that keeps the world together. Emerson was born into a society at a unique period, a coalescing of the first truly American generation of thinkers. While Emerson was not a particularly outstanding student in college, he nonetheless developed ways of writing, thinking and speaking that made him a prominent intellectual figure in his own time, and a mystical/religious figure as well.

Holmes had the advantage of having known Emerson enough to be able to render some personal and candid observations. After giving a general historical narrative of his life, complete with extracts from writings and correpondence, Holmes reflects on various aspects of Emerson's life, including his general personality and habits. Emerson's voice had charm both in personal conversation as well as in lecture and pulpit settings. Emerson often spoke with hesitation, according to Holmes, prefering the momentary silence to find the right word over using the wrong or less-appropriate word. These kinds of observations make Holmes' volume one of real value.

In discussing Emerson's mystical side, Holmes rarely has sympathy, but does not denigrate Emerson's own belief system. 'The knowledge, if knowledge it be, of the mystic is not transmissible,' Holmes states. It cannot be compiled and built upon by others, but is created anew in each seeker. Emerson's view of science is probably similar to Holmes' view of mysticism.

Overall, this is an excellent biography of Emerson, great at giving insight into the author, Holmes, as well.

The Random House Book of Birds by Elizabeth S. Austin was a lively encyclopedia of of birds that delight every member of the family. From among the 8,650 species, Elizabeth selected those birds that most people often know and see.