Party The Books

The book proposes a number of sophisticated theoretical statements on the sources of the protraction or partial failure of Russia's transition so far. One of its basic claims is that Russia has entered the road of democratization without yet being a fully "modern" state. This implies that it does not yet have a rule of law, an effective civil society, and mechanisms to hold politicians accountable between elections and even through them. The positive effect of the introduction of electoral procedures - though being by themselves more or less meaningful - is thus diminished by the context in which the candidates and voters interact. That is what is meant by "Russia's challenge to Vladimir Putin." Such a proposition constitutes an adequate and lucid diagnosis though I doubt that the term "modern" is the most appropriate one to conceptualize the issue at hand here. ("Modernity" is, in general, such a diffuse concept that it might be better to avoid it in focused social analysis.) Still, the substance of Rose's and Munro's argument is certainly relevant. One would wish Putin, his assistants and Russian politicians in general would read the book because it so refreshingly clearly states what Russia's major problem today seems to be.
This is one of the general advantages of this text. The authors' opinions are stated explicitly, and their critique of Russian practices sometimes borders to what Russians might consider "politically incorrect." For instance, the authors affirmatively quote S.E. Finer who judged Ivan the Terrible's rule to have been "the most extreme example of arbitrary and capricious despotism to be found anywhere" (as quoted on p. 17). When Rose and Munro deal with the pathologies of the post-Soviet Russian political structure by way of not lamenting the absence of a real party system, as is often done, but introducing the idea that there are four party systems producing "a system of floating parties" they can be envied for finding original ways to decipher one of the major paradoxes of post-Soviet Russian politics.
I found reading Rose's and Munro's thus to be fun and a challenge at the same time. We learn a lot about Russia. The opinions of the authors on many issues in her politics and society are well-informed. But the range of issues dealt with is too broad, and the amount of numbers and percentages sometimes overwhelming (at least, for those among us not trained in memorizing and computing large amounts of numerical data). A narrower focus of the study, presentation of less survey results, and use of more qualitative data might have made the argument clearer.

Bogad has managed to rise far above the usual deadening clap trap of academic discourse in writing a book about performative politics that conveys the passion and excitement of protest politics itself. Electoral Guerrilla Thaetre is smart, inspiring and even pretty funny in places. The author's own experience as an activist, performer and scholar really pays off.

Stephen Duncombe, New York University

Mayhew offers a much needed critiqe of this the realignment literature. Many of us were subject to great works of Key, Burnham, E.E.S., Sundquist, ect... and Mayhew challenges each of their theories piece by piece. A monumental work challenges others to take up the great task of creating a new method to think of partisan change.

There aren't enough reviews online about Elsie's Christmas Party! I hope this review will be helpful to others.

The appearance alone is something most "A Life of Faith" fans would find exciting, because unlike the series books, it is in beautiful full color.

The book begins by explaining the history of Christmas traditions during the Victorian era, accompanied with Victorian clip-art (15 pages). Some of the information is quite surprising, including that people like Elsie would have had to have made their own decorations! The next section (39 pages) tells how to host a party--how to plan, how to invite guests, what to wear, and homemade decorations. Following that are recipes (24 pages) for a few different meal/party themes, such as a "Sugar Plum Tea Party." Some of the recipes veer off the Victorian path (such as pizza), but they're all fun ideas. The final section (14 pages) explains games and activities for several-guests-sized parties. All the while, the book reiterates the true meaning of Christmas, how to incorporate it into the party, and how to accept the Gift of Christmas.

A way in which this book could be improved would be a more in depth contents page and/or index; as it is, it is somewhat difficult to find recipes, games, and crafts when needed--especially since the pages aren't numbered. The book also states "as fact" a myth about the origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Despite these two minor faults, the book is a must for A Life of Faith fans who want to have some good, old-fashioned, Elsie-inspired fun with their friends. Hopefully Mission City Press will make many similar activity books.

A well written book on a very important episode of Bangladesh. With appropriate reference, this book elaborates the events and analyzes the events carefully. Of course one may argue that the author uses leftist methods or portrays the events in leftist observations. However you cannot totally deduct the presence of the historian himself from the equation which he is laying out. One problem - the author uses long sentences, reminiscent of the old Indian English writing style, and the reader grapples with the meaning at the end of the long sentence. Thats irritating.

This is a fascinating critique of how North American scholars have interpreted revolutionary movements in El Salvador and, by implication, neighboring Central American countries. The "dominant paradigm" is the idea that injustice + reactionary governments = revolution. Why have Latin America scholars lagged behind others in studying revolution in terms of culture, ideology and agency? Grenier's focus on the role of the Salvadoran universities and political-military organizations suggests an answer. The dominant paradigm removes the revolutionary vanguard from scrutiny. Not being a specialist on El Salvador, I hope to see Grenier's approach taken seriously and debated by other Central America scholars.

A wonderful story of Emily the rabbit that fits well in a girls young life. A way to experience and learn while having fun.

Encyclopedia of American Political Parties & Elections is a reference work which will appeal equally to high school and college-level collections: part of Facts on File's 'Library of American History', it provides all the info needed to understand the American election process and its parties. An A-Z organization lends to easy topic access, while people, events and terms as well as history receive plenty of description. Black and white photos even pepper the account. It's a 'must' for any comprehensive collection on American history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

We have a problem, as the judiciary is not properly checked. Very good discussions on the problem.

Apart from having read this great, informative work, I had this man in an Integrated Liberal Studies class at the UW-Madison, where he teaches. I have never experienced the level of communication, passion or knowledge that Booth Fowler can exude.