France Books

Corsi's book made me change the way I teach the history of evolutionary theory. I had accepted the Darwin-centric account, which says that modern theory begins with Charles Lyell and Darwin. Yes, Lamarck originated `transmutation' of species thinking and Cuvier was an outstanding paleontologist. But Lamarckian inheritance doesn't work and Cuvier was a bitter opponent of evolution.

Thanks to Corsi's painstaking research we know that English evolutionary thought was time-lagged about a half century behind the French. The uniformitarianism vs catastrophism interpretation of earth history, which I had thought was due primarily to Lyell, was intensively debated by French geologists by 1800. The geologist Philippe Bertrand, proposed, in 1797, the marine origin of life and gradual evolution of all organic forms. Terrestrial plants and animals are descended from original marine species. Julien-Joseph Virey proposed (1816) that the term `evolution' be used to denote the transmutation of species. `It is thus plausible that, thanks to such evolution, nature has risen from the most tenuous mold to the majestic cedar, to the gigantic pine, just as it has advanced from microscopic animals up to man, king and dominator of all beings.' In his Histoire naturelle du genre humain (1800) he stated the principle of sexual selection, which assured the optimum adaptive state through elimination of the weaker: "Nature resembles the law of Sparta, which let weak and sickly babies die, but took extreme care of strong, muscular individuals. Thus it is that women submit more easily to the most ardent males, seek the strongest ones, prefer the most untamable." We seem to hear Darwin speaking when Virey writes: "Nature initially produced only one very simple plant and one very simple animal, which it then varied to infinity, with gradual increases in complexity, to produce the most consummate species." The geologist Louis-Constant Prévost proposed that the evolutionary descent of each organism might one day be traced from the fossil record, from "the creation of the simplest beings to that of man himself."

Corsi summarizes his findings: "In the late-eighteenth-century Parisian scientific community, there was extensive discussion on the origin of life, on the possibility of explaining vital-function characteristics in physical terms, and on interpreting the success of life forms on earth in evolutionary terms. Far from being an isolated thinker, Lamarck took part in a far-reaching, momentous debate that aroused the curiosity and concern of many of his contemporaries."

This book is a must-read for all those teaching history of science.

Despite his fame and authorial fortune, the place of Darwin in the history of evolutionary thought is an anomalous one, and the standard histories tend to reinforce this imbalance. The real birth of the idea of evolution was at the end of the eighteenth century, with Lamarck in many ways the first great theorist on the subject, with a definite plus in the camp of Erasmus Darwin, Charles Darwin's grandfather. Lamarck is too often taken in terms of his more well known, but less successful idea of adaptation, but this is a secondary question. In the depiction of Soren Lovtrup in _Darwinism: Refutation of a Myth_ Lamarck really produced several theories of evolution, among them that of the fact of evolution, as opposed to theories of the mechanism. Darwin ended up taking credit for what was really Lamarck's breakthrough, in part because the times were ripe, and because of the changes in social thought by the mid-nineteenth century. The idea of evolution was born and then passed under the spectre of Jacobinism, and the period of Restoration created a long delay in the idea's acceptance. We can still see that nervous reluctance to even broach the topic in Darwin himself.
Many of the first to assess Darwin's theory saw immediately that Darwin was really proposing Lamarck's first theory and grafting natural selection onto that, and they could see a problem there at once, undoubtedly one of the factors in the onset of debate and the confusion over evolution as fact and theory that became associated with Darwin's formulation. If the record could ever be set straight, this book might help.

Corsi's book made me change the way I teach the history of evolutionary theory. I had accepted the Darwin-centric account, which says that modern theory begins with Charles Lyell and Darwin. Yes, Lamarck originated 'transmutation' of species thinking and Cuvier was an outstanding paleontologist. But Lamarckian inheritance doesn't work and Cuvier was a bitter opponent of evolution.

Thanks to Corsi's painstaking research we know that English evolutionary thought was time-lagged about a half century behind the French. The unifromitarianism vs catastrophism interpretation of earth history, which I had thought was due primarily to Lyell, was intensively debated by French geologists by 1800. The geologist Philippe Bertrand, proposed, in 1797, the marine origin of life and gradual evolution of all organic forms. Terrestrial plants and animals are descended from original marine species. Julien-Joseph Virey proposed (1816) that the term 'evolution' be used to denote the transmutation of species. 'It is thus plausible that, thanks to such evolution, nature has risen from the most tenuous mold to the majestic cedar, to the gigantic pine, just as it has advanced from microscopic animals up to man, king and dominator of all beings.' In his Histoire naturelle du genre humain (1800) he stated the principle of sexual selection, which assured the optimum adaptive state through elimination of the weaker: "Nature resembles the law of Sparta, which let weak and sickly babies die, but took extreme care of strong, muscular individuals. Thus it is that women submit more easily to the most ardent males, seek the strongest ones, prefer the most untamable." We seem to hear Darwin speaking when Virey writes: "Nature initially produced only one very simple plant and one very simple animal, which it then varied to infinity, with gradual increases in complexity, to produce the most consummate species." The geologist Louis-Constant Prévost proposed that the evolutionary descent of each organism might one day be traced from the fossil record, from "the creation of the simplest beings to that of man himself."

Corsi summarizes his findings: "In the late-eighteenth-century Parisian scientific community, there was extensive discussion on the origin of life, on the possibility of explaining vital-function characteristics in physical terms, and on interpreting the success of life forms on earth in evolutionary terms. Far from being an isolated thinker, Lamarck took part in a far-reaching, momentous debate that aroused the curiosity and concern of many of his contemporaries."

This book is a must-read for all those teaching history of science.

I love this book, and I love Jack, the mule. The story of a month long trip by mule cart from central Florida to the mountains of North Carolina by a woman who made the trip with her husband, not in the nineteenth century, but just a few years ago, "Ain't You Got No Cah?" is a delight. It's a journey through the rural southeast backroads and back in time, at a particular point in a marriage. Whether you'd never do such a thing or would love to do it yourself, reading this book makes you feel as if you were with the travelers every step of the way. It's a wonderful view of America's astonishingly hospitable people who live by the side of the road. If you are like me and never loved a mule before, you have a treat in store. A book for everyone, it will especially charm armchair travelers who would really like to sleep outside or see the world from a slow, meditative pace, and sturdily withstand danger from unexpected sources, but who don't have the time, ability or mule and wagon. "Ain't You Got No Cah?" is a treasure, well written and vastly readable.

What a wonderful adventure story; to think a couple would travel from Floriga to North Carolina in a mule drawn buggy in this day. We loved it.

Jerold Hilton History Professor Emeritus Western Montana College

Mule and wagon journey: what a trip! "Charming" best describes my initial reaction. This tale of a Ann & Roy's 600+ mile mule & wagon journey from their central Florida home to the North Carolina mountains. Yep, they did it for the adventure of it, just for fun. Should you be feeling "down," or discouraged by unkind people, here is the antidote! Almost without exception the people they found were kind and generous beyond their imaginations. Meador manages to write vignettes of these encounters without the repetitiousness that can dull interest in travel writing. The Meadors (both 60+) are invited into the homes of total strangers, they find lovely places to pitch their tent, they take careful care of their mule and gain spiritual insight. The writing is simple, straightforward and full of good humor. I am a nurse. Over and over I think: " What a great gift for someone who is sick."

I have purchased the book for every new child I know. The pictures have enough detail to involve the young ones and the simple question of the book instigates interaction from the older audience(including myself). I debated giving the books away. Very refreshing compared to most books that have the same stories hashed out over and over again.

Albert is one of those rare books that is both fun and thought-provoking. After I read it to my boys, my younger son wanted to build a cardboard-box rocketship and my older son wanted to talk about our place in the universe. At every level, this is a satisfying book.

I was lucky enough to find this great little book on Amazon. We usually let our kids pick the books they want us to read when they go to sleep, and Albert has been selected quite often in recent weeks. And every time we finish reading Albert - we are bombarded with questions. They are falling asleep a bit later than usual - with a lot of unanswered questions in their heads. I can highly recommend Albert.

In addition to his familiar sculptures, this book has quite a few drawings and paintings of the master. What a painter!

Giacometti well expressed the alienation and estrangement of the human condition in his sculpture.

Surprisingly enough, there are comparatively few quality publications on Giacometti, one of the greatest artists of the XXth century. This catalogue for an exhibition that was held at the Moma and at the Kunsthaus Zurich, draws on the extensive Giacometti holdings of both museums for a comprehensive survey of his career. From his surrealist period to his trademark elongated figures, from his numerous drawings which served as studies both for his sculptures and his paintings, to his lesser-known oils, the whole career and output of the artist is very well illustrated in a book that I highly recommend.

'Democracy in America' was a smash hit in France when first published in 1835, an expression of their intense desire to create a democratic society based on the example of Americans.

Americans still love the Tocqueville idea; it is the strongest proof by a European aristocrat that "democracy" was invented in America. Epstein writes, "Americans didn't have a history to rewrite. Setting out very nearly as a tabula rasa, they charged themselves not with changing an existing society so much as with making an entirely new one."

Alexis de Tocqueville wrote the ultimate 'Do-It-Yourself' guide to freedom, a superb portrait of Americans, their quirks, habits, ideas and attitudes. These are also basic English qualities. In America, far from the daily rule of lords, ladies and other layabouts, this natural decency and innate distrust of authority blossomed into an unparalleled freedom.

Epstein understands Tocqueville wrote an astute portrait of how Americans use democracy. But, it didn't inspire the French to copy and improve upon the American precedent. Tocqueville rejected Montesquieu's idea "that forms of government engender modes of behaviour (monarchy, honour; aristocracy, moderation; republicanism, virtue; despotism, terror). Tocqueville showed that things often work the other way around, with modes of behaviour just as likely to engender forms of government."

In other words, the naturally rebellious English flourished in America and created a decentralized government with constitutionally limited powers (see Amendment X to the US Constitution). American democracy is due to evolution, not immaculate conception. It is still evolving and improving, as seen in the change from Dred Scott to Brown vs. Board of Education.

These books, both Tocqueville and Epstein, are a valuable balance to 'Vice' by Lou Dubose and Jake Bernstein which describes how Vice President Dick Cheney schemed to give the presidency unimpeded power to conduct foreign affairs and declare war on their own whims and falsehoods. Epstein cites Tocqueville's strong opposition to centralized authority that has been a feature of France for at least 1,000 years and is now an obsession of the Bush administration.

Anyone who wants to understand democray in America should read this brief but astute insight into the mind, character and nature of Tocqueville. The nature of the imperial presidency changes, from respect for democracy to worship of power. As Epstein shows so clearly, it is the basic decency of Americans that keeps their democracy alive, well and growing. Democracy is what people make it and what they are comfortable in living with; it is not a gift of government or any other paternalist.

Like a great guidebook to a city or country, Epstein has written a great guide to the genius who came, saw and understood the exceptional nature of Americans. In these times, it is an invaluable resource to understand the current debate between a president who thinks "I'm the decider" and the rights of Americans to make the vital decisions about their lives, well-being and destiny.

Joseph Epstein has written a very useful brief (205 pages) biography of Alexis de Tocqueville, author of "Democracy in America" (1835). This is one of two new Tocqueville biographies--the other being the long-germinating volume by Denis Brogan. The author strikes a very nice balance between covering Tocqueville's life, while also devoting some attention to his major writings. So while there is a discussion of "Democracy in America" it is not as extensive as if the book were a commentary on it alone. Other Tocqueville writing efforts, especially his book on the causes of the French revolution and uncompleted second volume on the actual revolution itself, are discussed as well. But basically, the book is a fast paced review of Tocqueville's life, political career, and relationship to various French governments (including his service for a brief time as foreign minister). Several times the author touches upon Tocqueville's central dilemma--the relationship between democracy, liberty and equality. The discussion of Tocqueville as an aristocrat commenting on democracy and equality is quite interesting. The book has no notes, bibliograpy or index--but does have a brief note at the end regarding the most valuable sources the author found on the topic. The author's writing style is quite pleasant and enjoyable. Quite a lot of info packed into a relatively short book--enough of a taste to let the reader know whether it is worthwhile to invest in one of the longer treatments of Tocqueville's life.

The editors of the Eminent Lives series chose well when they selected Joseph Epstein to write this brief biography of Alexis de Tocqueville. His research and writings about Envy, Snobbery and Friendship have served him in his task of "getting at the quality of mind" of his subject. Tocqueville was an ideal friend, loyal, generous and abiding. Born an aristocrat at the beginning of the inexorable advance of equality, he knew about envy and snobbery from both sides of the fence. While Equality was the "idee mere" from his observations of democracy in America and the revolution in France, his sympathies favored Liberty although he recognized the dynamic tension and irreconcilability between them. He wrote that democracy and equality discourage both brilliance and great crimes while fostering mediocrity and comfort. Liberty allows the means to excel but few benefit and many suffer. A spectrum of political opinions find confirmation in his books. Epstein projects a clean, sharp picture of the man and his ideas. Informed by Tocqueville's works and other biographies, this is not a digest but a distillation enlivened by Epsteinian wit.

Anyone who wants to understand the history of "French theory" would be well advised to start with Philip Watts's important study of French writers and intellectuals (Sartre, Celine, Duras, Blanchot, and Eluard) caught up in the period known as the Purge, when some 350,000 French citizens were judged for acts of collaboration with the Nazi occupier. Sartre calls for a commited, responsible literature, while Celine clings defensively to style over ideas, and so the stage is set for a debate over the role of the writer that is still raging. Watts reminds us that the literary and philosophical classics we read today were born in a period when words could cost you your life. This is a brilliant essay, elegant and probing. I recommend it not only to students of France but to anyone interested in the interplay of politics, literature, and justice.

A clearly written work on the difficulty of separating art and literature from reality. How far should "art for art's sake" be allowed to go? How far can anyone distance himself from reality? Watts has done an excellent job of analyzing the works of four authors in relation to the reality of the postwar purge, and of dealing with the difficulty of remembering that in this century, in a democratic country, authors could be - and were - executed for their writings. Allegories of the Purge is a very intelligent, well-written work which gives the reader a new and important view of post-war France.

This remarkable study explores the complex interaction which took place in France, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, between the purge trials and literary theory. As French collaborationist writers were tried for treason and intelligence with the ennemy, prosecutors and defenders debated over the role of literature, and the role of the intellectual, in modern societies. After presenting and explaining the stakes of these debates, Phil Watts analyzes how novelists and poets have echoed (and sometimes anticipated) either side of the arguments in their literary works. Celine, Sartre, Blanchot, Eluard are interpreted in a new and powerful perspective which also offers the reader invaluable insights into the literary and intellectual debates held in France during the 1960s and 1970s, all the way to recent events like the Paul De Man affair.

Should civilized nations kill their poets? Certainly not. Should these poets be above the law for the sake of the autonomy of literature, even after they fed and led the anti-Semitic hysteria? "Allegories of the Purge" raises a whole set of fascinating questions at the crossroads of history, literary theory, politics and ethics, without ever succumbing to the temptation of providing oversimplified answers, but avoiding with equal mastery all the traps of escapism. A brilliant and stimulating book!

I bought my copy of this cookbook at a yard sale in the early 80's and have had it ever since. When looking for simple things, like roasting meat, sauces, or boiling eggs no cookbook comes close. Simple and easy to follow recipes that always turn out great. No kitchen should be without this book.

I bought this book in 1966, when it was first published, and it has been a mainstay in my kitchen, even though I have over 100 cookbooks. The end papers in the front and back have such useful information as food equivalents, equivalent weights and measures, substitutions and helpful hints for garnishes and decorations. I always use their roasting tables for meat and poultry, and I have many favorites among the bread and cookie recipes.

Seventeen years ago, when I went off to college, my mom gave me an already dog-eared, threadbare copy of the American Home All Purpose Cookbook. After a 10 year career in the restaurant industry, and a huge collection of cookbooks, it is still the cookbook I turn to for authoritative and traditional recipes, menus, and entertaining advice. Finding out that this book is out of print is awful news and I will have to take my copy to someone for some restoration / repair. If you can find a copy of this book, in any condition, scoop it up.

Christmas 1998 I recieved a copy of An American Treasury of Heirloom Fruitcakes and Puddings by Frances E. Strayer Hanson. I truly enjoy this cookbook, it has so many good reciepts. Now to find a another cookbook by Frances E Hanson, An American Treasury of Heirloom Sweets and Sonnets. It is more then just a cookbook, it has wonderful stories of the authors life and her family. What a delight to find these Heirloom reciepts and how good they taste! I hope Volume 3 will be coming soon.

An engaging cookbook filled with heirloom recipes from yesteryear sprinkled liberally with the histories of particular candies and sweet sonnets! A wonderful gift for any cook!

Rarely have I read sonnets with recipes. Even more rarely have I found a cookbook among my collection of nearly 100 that has food for the soul, as well as the body. Casperite Frances Hanson's latest work, "An American Treasury of Heirloom Sweets and Sonnets--The Language of Romance," follows her Christmas offering of heirloom fruitcakes and puddings recipes in An American Treasury of Heirloom Fruitcakes and Puddings, Vol. 1. Never have I found recipes for jelly beans and marshmallows. But they are in Hanson's collection. The preface alone is reason enough to buy the book. Hanson divides the book into three sections, her grandmothers recipes from 1864-1923, her mothers and from her own collection. Her grandmothers section really serves as a how-to-primer on candy making of all types. Hanson's premiseis that families who cook together are better off than those who scatter before their plates have been removed from the table. And if you serve it all up with a little good prose and poetry, all the better. In addition to how-to's and recipes, she shares poetry and words to think about throughout the book. If love were what the rose is, And I were like the leaf Our loves would grow together, In sad song or singing rain." --Algernon Charles Swinburne

I went to Tulane Med and attribute a lot of the clinical pearls I learned to Wiese. I'm currently an intern and find his student/intern handbook indispensble. He's strength lies in effectively communicating complex teaching points by breaking them down into easily understood concepts that stick for years.

Torang Sepah, MD

I went to Tulane Medical School, and Dr. Wiese is my mentor! He's the best teacher I've ever had. This book will be priceless for any medical student or resident.

As a 4th year student who had a terrible 3rd year (poor teaching, malignant attendings/residents), I was dreading my AI. I felt I did not have a good handle at all on how to deal with patients on the wards. I wish I had read this book before my 3rd yr! It points out WHAT TO DO on wards, etc. in a crystal clear way.

Much better than 1st aid for wards or even scut monkey (which is too detailed for a 3rd yr students). For the 3rd yr who needs something quick and easy to read this is it.

Warning: If you are the type who does not like things being told to you and would rather "jump in" without prior knowledge, this book will suck for you. However, if you are like me, and want somebody to tell you what to do and how to do it....this book is great!

Your book was perfect and easy to recite. The kids loved the rhythm and Orville's big fright.

We all learned a lot about antlers on moose. The same things happen when our teeth get loose.

The funniest parts were the beezles he ate. We laughed as we read it and thought it was great!

Fran knows children well: their love of nonsense, their feeling for rhyme and rhythm. Jim enhances this with his captivating drawings. Who could not love Orville Anderson Tarkington Moose? Great book!

Your book was perfect and easy to recite. The kids loved the rhythm and Orville's big fright.

We all learned a lot about antlers on moose. The same things happen when our teeth get loose.

The funniest parts were the beezles he ate. We laughed as we read it and thought it was great!

Fran knows children well: their love of nonsense, their feeling for rhyme and rhythm. Jim enhances this with his captivating drawings. Who could not love Orville Anderson Tarkington Moose? Great book!

Kelly Paul Briggs has written and illustrated the coziest book I have ever read. She makes you want to go and live on a lighthouse island for a while. Her illustrations are so detailed and make you feel like you could really jump into the page and be a part of the scene. I truely loved this book.