Security Books

Russian banking is 'inventing' a new Russian social process for individual and small group entrepreneurial pioneering and providing people with new pathways for economic growth. Every decisive step in the history of economic development ha been the result of deliberate decisions to open up space and enable people to pioneer. This deliberate incubation of the free enterprise of ordinary people has always worked to produce great results. This is not nostalgic, not romantic, not greed. It is the simple principle of applying "opportunity" to the great driving hunger of millions of people to transcend their inadequate past

A far better description of the actual situation in Russia than what is available in the U.S. or Russian Press, or other alternative sources. Opened my eyes to what I should be aware of.

I found this book provided a clear description of possibilities for collaboration and cooperation with Banks in America. Our methods and practices differ but Dr. van de Waal-Palms explains the common denominators.

A surprisingly insightful description of the banking industry and the moral tenants of commerce which will undoutedly change the view of many Russians.

I found in the book a very professional and profound analysis for specialists in the securities and banking financial markets in the Russian Federation

An incredibly insightful and powerful book that examines the history of race in America - charting the knotty path toward racial equality, and exposing the many contradictions and setbacks upon it. Most importantly, the book can help us all look at present-day race relations in a more progressive way.

Highly interesting and useful book with a simple but effective history: put the whole history of civil rights struggle in one line, since the Revolutionary war. The result shows immediately the tiding of the struggle for racial equality, and the correlation of eras of advance with the periods of major war, the Revolutionary, Civil, and Second World Wars to be exact. Too often we see the efforts of abolitionists in the generation before the Civil War without seeing the similar history during the Revolutionary period, and then the falling away of advance into retrogression in the early nineteenth century. And then again after Reconstruction. The rise of the Civil Rights movement after the Second World War, next also to the need to repair the image of the American system in the Cold War, falls into place therefore as the next incremental advance in an undertow of resistance, backsliding and the Jim Crow curse. We seem to be, or have entered, another of the doldrum eras, and the prospect seems alarming, although each period of advance maintains some portion of its gains. At a period of neo-liberal machinations made in Texas we need hardly bother to wonder why affirmative action is under attack, etc...
One has to wonder, finally, at the botched legacy of the Constitutional era. It seems less than fully convincing all at once that the founders were unable to resist compromise. The results have been a horrendous series of obstructions.
As the dot.gov goes into action in Iraq, it is worth wondering if they are qualified. American history shows one way to blow it. Vigilance.

When I read this book, I was surprised to find a almost completely accurate depiction of the African-American experience and race relations. Klikner and Smith validate the claim of Black separatist groups such as the Nation of Islam that the Black man is considered a citizen during wartime and tax time. Their analyzing of race relations during The American Revolution, The Civil War, World War II, and The Cold War show that the status of African-Americans was changed by each war. However the nation took 2 steps back when the attitudes of the White majority changed during hard economic times and developed a reluctance to expand the social revolution that was spurred by the war. The book offers a challenge to all who desire racial and economic equality to continue a unfinished social revolution.

Civil Rights leaders supposedly described their achievements in these terms and thus give the authors the title for their book. Such footwork can only be described as THE UNSTEADY MARCH. Klinker and Smith highlight the periods of progress and retreat through a broad sweep of US history. Beginning with the era of slavery (1619-1860), chapter 1 titled "Bolted with the Lock of a Hundred Keys" obviously describes a period of zero progress. According to the authors there have only been three periods of progress and each can be identified by the presence of specific factors. The thrust of their argument throughout this book is that the special circumstances and the effort, energy, and enthusiasm associated with these factors has both a beneficial and deleterious impact on black progress. Beneficially these are not short-run periods of gain. Indeed the third era of progress beginning with WWII and covering the Cold War (inclusive of Vietnam) from 1941 to 1968 "framed an extraordinarily prolonged period" of gains.

It's not coincidental that this period included WWII, the Cold War, and Vietnam because progress has come only "in the wake of a large-scale war requiring extensive economic and military mobilization of African-Americans for success." This statement by the authors made me think about the message of AMERICAN PATRIOTS: "The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm". If gains by blacks is conditional on wars the treatment of blacks in those wars is a high cost to pay for progress as Gail Lumet Buckley shows in her book. Gaining support for these wars usually means invoking our inclusiveness, egalitarianism, and democratic ideals; elements which the authors identify as another precondition for progress. The third critical factor is that a political protest movement must emerge and be "willing and able to bring pressure upon national leaders to live up to that justificatory rhetoric by instituting domestic reforms."

Progress has been a continual dance of advances and retreats but in their penultimate chapter "Benign Neglect?" the authors express concern over the current climate of complacency. Rather than a threat from any direct action or program of retrenchment, acceptance of present trends is a far greater impediment to continued progress. Through a series of parallels with periods of increased segregation they make a compelling case for overturning the historical pattern and replacing it with a movement towards sustained economic justice and racial equality.

About six months ago, Klinkner's book fell into my lap having been dropped off by my brother who knew me to be an avid reader. My initial thought was that this book was another attempt to recycle the old liberal ideas of the 60's. Liberalism, for all intents and purposes, has been discredited, relegated to the scrap heap of forgotten history-along with the Edsel, leisure suits, 8 tracks and E.S.T. Later that evening, I sat down to read the introduction. After completing the introduction, I wanted to call my brother to thank him for delivering such a find. It is imperative to read the introduction before tackling the main body of the book. Also, try not to read the book too quickly, it is better digested in small pieces. As a historical document, there is no more scholarly or analytical a treatise out there. It stablizes the argument in favor of reconsidering the issues surrounding the way we--as a country--have in the past and present continue to treat the progeny of former slaves. The issue is not reparations for the effects of slavery, but rather the institutional structures in place that perpetuate the superior/inferior relationship between Americans separated by the color of their skin. In short, if we could eliminate the current effects that became ingrained during the 300 or so years of slavery, we would gladly forego any compensation we may be arguably entitled to. This book is a must read for anyone grappling with the issues of equality-or inequality--in it's present transmuted form.

Cox & Sheldon take a lot for granted - Their book is great if you're studying for the MCSE or have any kind of networking background but if you're new to group policy, domains and OUs and the like, then it's likely going to be a struggle to read. I gave the book 5 stars because eventually, through hands on, self-taught trial & error on my own system, I was able to master some of the basic security concepts. If you're a lazy n00b and you don't have any kind of initiative or a mentor, then don't waste your time or money with the book.

Can you imagine a book on Operating System Security actually being a good read? This one is just that!
As a SQL Database guy finishing up my MCSE 2000 with the "Win2K Security Design - 70-220" exam, I sought, and found, a resource to solidify and integrate all of the Win2K security concepts covered in earlier exams. I sought a book that was very readable, and I was willing to allow that, by itself, it need not be completely exhaustive as a MCSE exam #70-220 study guide.
Bottom Line: This book was a home run for me. My comfort level with concepts of IPSec, PKI, EFS, threat types, auditing and firewalls has risen remarkably. On the down side, the book is relatively basic and the fairly lengthy coverage of Active Directory, group policies, etc., may be overly ambitious for this book, and is probably better learned elsewhere in a dedicated AD book. In a larger sense, however, this book really delivered the goods, as specified above.

Now I need to identify another resource with which to complete my Security Design studies.
As a sidebar, I have found the first 75 pages of Coriolis' "Exam Cram: Win2K Security Design" to be so full of wordy fluff-speak as to abandon it.

I am a senior engineer for network security operations. I read the Windows 2000 Security Handbook (W2KSH) to learn how to advise clients on improving the survivability of their Windows 2000 platforms. Like its predecessor, Tom Sheldon's excellent "Windows NT Security Handbook," W2KSH delivers practical content in a digestable format. I recommend Windows 2000 system administrators read and heed this book.

Good operating system security books are thorough, educational, and honest; W2KSH is all three. The authors are not mindless Microsoft prophets -- consider this sample from page 501: "It seems that Microsoft just does not get it when it comes to the need for robust auditing/logging of services... the logging configurations are totally inadequate." To deal with these and other deficiencies, W2KSH provides installation, configuration, and deployment recommendations. This advice, on topics like Active Directory, user and group management, and file systems, equips system administrators to survive hostile network environments.

As an intrusion detector, I was most happy to read how the Microsoft security model operates, and what components present the greatest vulnerabilities. I appreciated explanations of system and discretionary access control lists, and how to effectively employ them. I learned Microsoft includes Web, FTP, SMTP, and NNTP features in Internet Information Service (IIS). I also became aware of best practices for secure deployment of a Microsoft infrastructure.

W2KSH has a few problems. Like Microsoft products, its "backwards compatibility" revealed weaknesses. For example, some text was lifted directly from Shelton's earlier book, but necessary background material was omitted (see pages 86, 88-90, 148). This issue was awkward but minor. I also did not leave the book with a strong understanding of the different types of groups in Windows 2000. Such complexity is not the authors' fault. They show that the OS' dozens of options leaves plenty of room for misconfiguration, leading to compromise.

If you're familiar with general security practices, skip Part I (TCP/IP, threats, countermeasures, and policies). I recommend the authors mention these topics briefly in the introduction and move the bulk to appendices. Start with Part II, and keep your highlighter handy. W2KSH gives balanced insight into the workings of Windows 2000, and helps system administrators and security personnel better understand the opportunities and liabilities of running this operating system.

The "Windows 2000 Security Handbook" is an excellent book! Not only is it a good book to learn the nitty-gritty details of Win2K OS and network security, but the first section of the book is a great overview of security in general (Win2k and non-Win2K). For someone who is just getting involved with Win2K security, the book is a must. It has both a good theoretical and practical focus; not only do you get the explanations of of the various Win2K security elements, but you get a step by step guide on how to configure each one. The book is also an excellent reference for those already experienced in Win2K. Very comprehensive and well organized.

I've read many books on Windows NT and Windows 2000 security. Most did not live up to my expectations. They were difficult to read and you needed a Computer Science/Engineering degree to understand them. In my opinion, this book is THE best book on Windows 2000 Security. Mr Cox and Mr Sheldon wrote a very easy to read, easy to understand, and most importantly, an easy to follow recipe for securing your Win2K systems. This book should be in every adminstrator's library. If you don't have this book, you deserve to be hacked! I teach system security, and this book is a valuable tool and resource, not just for me, but for my students. This is money well spent!...

Many times I listened and have many of
the taped conversations of the late, great
Sherman H. Skolnick, a dedicated toiler
for America's cause, on the Tom Valentine
Radio Free America show (not the show of the
same name now by Carto crony, Masonic nitwit
Rick Adams, a scam artist from Rhode Island!).

Anyone wanting to contact me at richsalzerat
yahooodotcom, I will provide my cassettes
tape list of all the Sherman Skolnick / Tom
Valentine tapes. Mr. Valentine met the para-
plegic Mr Skolnick in Chicago back in the '60's
when Tom was Sports Editor of the Chicago Sun
Times and later Tribune. The writings of Mr.
Skolnick belong in the library of all Ameri-
cans right next to those of the late Col. L.
Fletcher Prouty! And Tom's own great literary
writings!

Why have you, Amazon.com, not printed an explanation as to the doubled pricing of this book? Your silence pertaining to this previously asked question, makes many, with good reason, wonder exactly what type of "business" you run. You owe us all, your paying customers, a response for this blatant price gauge!

Great book, unfortunately, Amazon for some bizarre reason has doubled the list price. You can order the book directly from the publisher for around $20. Who are you beholdened to Amazon?

Why is this book priced so above the cost? Amazon?

Unarguable facts. Amazon sell this at twice the price, and they sell Harry Potter at half the price. You see my friends, keeping people in ignorance is big business.

The book was received in the exact condition as described and was delivered expeditiously. I am very satisfied with the book and the timely delivery.

I would definitely recommend this book for a reader who is looking for some ground work to be laid within the world of derivatives. Durbin gives a simple introduction into the many different types of derivatives; however he will delve into the math behind some derivatives; if the reader is not interested he will let you know which mathematics heavy sections you can skip. I would read another book written by Michael Durbin.

This is an extremely well-written introduction to derivatives. I used it as a supplement to a graduate course in Risk Management which had assigned Don Chase's classic book. I found this book to be much more readable, with less formal notation and fewer equations to wade through (not to mention being much cheaper and easier to carry around). Despite its small size, it still manages to convey the essential characteristics of the major types of derivatives (forwards, futures, swaps, options, and credit derivatives) and how they are priced, without getting bogged down in excessive theory. It's written in a pleasant, conversational style, with (horrors!) even a dash of humor thrown in. It contains the right amount of detail and math in the main text, with a series of appendices and nicely separated subsections for the more mathematically inclined. It's a great introductory text, and I strongly recommend it for anyone starting out in the subject.

I am a newbie in the world of financial mathematics and needed to learn the concepts related to derivatives. I was told to read Hull's book, but I ended stuck in some of the early chapters because of the definitions apparently aimed at someone who already has had a background course in Finance.
Using online resources didnt help that much, and I was getting rather desparate. Then I landed on this one and all my worries are disolving away as I read this extremely helpful book.
OK there are passages where the author feels we might be terrified of mathematical formalism, but I wont hold it against him.
I am no longer stuck in a Hull.
This book is a joy.

This book provides the reader with confidence throughout the book, tackling a difficult topic. It was well written, and
things were easy to understand because he made the concepts simple. Its actually the best book I've read on options because it explains what is going on under the hood. Im hoping he'll write another book on another interesting topic soon!

This is a must read for anyone - rich or poor - young or old. I was intrigued by the simplicity of the 13 principles - yet energized by their importance. I think this is exactly the book every parent should give their children.

As a parent, I sat down with my 12 year old and we read it together. I was chagrined by some of his questions as he started to understand the principles and wanted to know what I had done.

This is a great book for teenagers who need to learn to budget and for adults who are ready to start planning for retirement. The discussion of compound interest taught me concepts I had never understood, let alone applied.

BRAVO! This book should be included as part of the school curriculum in High Schools everywhere.

Wow! This book is full of information I have wanted to learn. They don't teach this in school. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the basics of money.

Where was this book when I was a kid? If I had read this book and known the truths conveyed here, I would be like Warren Buffet,today. Seriously, this book is full of helpful wisdom that everyone, young and old should know and use.

I think this book should be mandatory reading before a child graduates from HS. It could be a text book for an economics class. It's too bad so few people know about it. Get this book for your HS graduate and you won't have to support them the rest of their life. They will learn good habits and avoid making serious mistakes.

My hat off to the author for his insight and wisdom.

EXCELLENT! It should be mandatory reading for all school kids.

Well I have had a very rude awakening! I am nowhere near ready to retire...how sad for me. However, I have learned so great tools to get back on the path. I should be able to follow these simple principles, but only time will tell how effective they really are. Judging from Guy's experience he seems to know a heck of a lot more then I do about managing finances.

"Battling Wall Street: The Kennedy Presidency" is great reading for people who want to move beyond books about the mechanics of the Kennedy assassination. The book helps explain why the "Eastern establishment" and a lot of other influential people, might want to get rid of President Kennedy. Another book, "History Will Not Absolve Us : Orwellian Control, Public Denial, & the Murder of President Kennedy" provides additional pieces of the puzzle by explaining how the American establishment, including leading establishment liberals like Noam Chomsky and Alexander Cockburn, have worked to sell the Warren Commision's 'lone gunman' cover-up. The amazing thing about the Kennedy assassination is that, despite a lot of nonsense coming from the mainstream media, the American people know it wasn't a lone gunman and the killers didn't do us a favor.

In reviewing the thoughts of most researchers of the JFK assassination, one sees that most of them invariably bring up the Cuba issue, and occasionally Lee Harvey Oswald's possible involvement with this issue.
Now, however, in this book, Professor Donald Gibson may have uncovered the real issues behind the death of President Kennedy. He reveals so many issues, in fact, that one has to begin to decide which one is the crucial one, the one that provoked the conspirators to decide to kill him.

The death of Kennedy seems to this observer of the American scene a resolution of the struggle of the two forces to decide who really rules America. Since people who run the government colluded with the murderers of the president, it's pretty obvious who really runs the show.
Readers of this book may want to try Gibson's second book, "The Kennedy Assassination Cover-Up". After forty years, Americans should want a reasonable answer to the question of who killed Kennedy. Gibson may provide the answer.

In 1989 a book was published called "Crossfire", in which Texas-based journalist Jim Marrs reviewed most of the information he thought was then available concerning the JFK assassination. A large part of the book dealt with those people and groups whom he thought were the most likely to have killed Kennedy. Allen Dulles and his CIA were included in his list.
Donald Gibson has added one more suspect to this list in this book, and it would appear to this reader that someone has finally made sense of the events of November 22, 1963.
From this one book alone, one could seriously accept the idea that the eastern establishment, the Wall Street crowd, the corporate elite and all their connections had the most to lose with Kennedy as president. They had the motive and means to kill the president and then to cover it up. Gibson flatly states the establishment and the CIA's interests were intertwined. In fact, the CIA was merely the enforcer for the Council on Foreign Relations global agenda. Both Allen Dulles and John J McCloy were extremely important members of the Council, who managed to land on the Warren Commission and lead the cover-up. In fact, a case could be built that they organized the plot. All they needed was the green light from someone in the inner circle of the Rockefeller-dominated Council, like one of the Rockefellers.

this book helped give me a whole new meaningful perspective on the kennedy assasination..it sifts through all the misinformation, and the same tired trashy expose type books on the kennedy presidency that don't give any meaningful information, i am much more interested in a president's policies economic and otherwise as opposed to his sex life...i highly reccommend that anyone interested in politics, economics, or the kennedy assasination read this book twice and very slowly. gibson lays everything out clearly in an easy to understand way, i highly reccomend this book.

This book is a great read. The subject matter is interesting and thought provoking. I had the privilage of having Prof. Gibson in class. His knowledge is vast and inspiring. His passion has motivated me not only in the college realm but in life itself.

I am a former student of Doug Sutton and he is passionate about teaching and learning new ideas. Doug's book is an excellent book for those whom are just beginning or want to refresh their brain cells. Doug has a unique way of explaining how to make the most with what you have. You can start with only a few hundred dollars or a few thousand - Doug doesn't treat you any different. Doug shows you how to manage your trades inside and out. Don't miss out - get Doug's book today - better yet so see him teach live. Information on where you can become a student and get the benefit of seeing Doug live are in the book - Best of Luck and Happy Trading to all -

There is a great deal of information that you have to know to be a successful trader and investor in the stock market. Doug Sutton is an extremely successful trader and an excellent teacher and brings all the important basic information together in an easy to understand format about how to research stocks and equity options and make successful trades. This includes detailed explanations of the important fundamentals of a stock and what they mean, a good discussion of the technical indicators, cycles of stocks, a discussion of sectors and trading on news about a stock including what news is important and the timing of the news. Also, he tells you how to find a good broker and the role of the market makers. He thorougly discusses Covered Calls, Spreads and Naked Puts giving step by step reasons and rules for entering these trades. He tells you how to "stop the bleeding" when the trade goes against you. Focusing your trading activities and balancing your portfolio and trades is a major part of his book. There are many other topics discussed in his book, and I have only hit the highlights. I have read many books on trading, and this one is definitely a must for the beginning trader and the not so novice trader who wants to increase his knowledge and perfect his trading style and skills.

I am the author of STOCK SPLIT SECRETS, and earn my living in the stock market. I have a degree in fundamentals, and I learned more from Doug in this book than four years of college! Fundamentals are critical to picking better candidates, and Doug holds your hand in this easy to understand and critical knowledge if you dare trade! I highly recommend you buy this and read it before you place another trade...it is that important! As Doug says, it doesn't matter when you buy if what you buy is no good!

This excellent book by Doug Sutton along with Wall Street Money Machine #4-SAFETY 1st Investing are must reads before placing their first trade.Powerful, sensible and practical techniques that really work.

I don't know anything about the book other than a brief description but if the book is written like he teaches it is a winner.

As a woman in her early 30's, I wish I read this book in my early 20's. It explained all the financial concepts most people want to understand in clear concise language. This book has everything, it shows ways to save for your child's future, explains the differences between CD accounts and Money Market accounts and much more. I'm going to buy one for all of my girlfriends!

This book is a fabulous resource not only for couples, but savvy singles looking to make the most of their money! It's a real eye opener - not too preachy, but just full of solid, and often amusing advice that's laid out in an easy to understand format. A must read for anyone who wants to retire someday...

I'm not married with children and planning for their college savings or a well-off magazine editor engaged to an equally-fabulous investment banker, but I can still benefit from the financial lessons in The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couple Can Take to Make The Most of Their Money - and Live Richly Ever After, the first book written by CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson.

The Big Payoff is billed as a resource for middle-class couples, but as a single, young professional, I found the information in the book relevant to my life and circumstances. I viewed the book as a way to prepare for my future as it gave me advice and real steps I could take to build a solid financial base to support me now and for years to come.

Epperson wrote an easy-to-understand book that's broken down into eight action steps any individual or couple can follow. The steps are divided into chapters that cover topics such as buying a house, emergency planning, college savings and estate planning. The Big Payoff can benefit all people too - from the working poor trying to learn ways to maximize their dollars and build a legacy of financial literacy to pass down to their children, to the middle-class trying to stretch their earnings and provide a comfortable lifestyle for their families. Everyone needs to know about savings plans, budgeting and saving for college and retirement.

Epperson's book makes complex topics palatable and helps people introduce financial literacy into their every day lives and practices. I'm living, breathing proof that the Big Payoff works. One of the best features of the book is the exercises and worksheets that accompany most of the chapters. One of the first things I did after reading the Big Payoff was to write out my short- and long-term financial goals. Then, I drafted a personal budget. The budgeting process is probably one of the hardest, most honest exercises a person or couple must face. It makes you accountable for yourself and your spending habits. Even harder than that, is sticking to your budget. I'll admit, even after a week, there were a couple times when I just didn't feel like keeping track of my receipts. But, I did. Now, I am able to put into perspective my actual needs versus my wants and I've been able to save more money and feel good about the prospects for my future. Sure, I'm at the baby-step phase in this process, but it's a personal triumph for me to at least have taken steps to do something about planning for my future.

The Big Payoff is a plan to help people of all ages get their financial lives back on track or help others take the right path from the beginning.

I have read numerous financial self-help books,but found this one facinating in its focus on couples. Nine years into our marriage - we are still searching for the right financial formula that works for us both and this book provided some practical steps to save, build realistic plans for emergencies and things that we need to consider as a couple. I also enjoyed the empathetic tone of the book in communicating the reality of many two income households and the struggles we still have to make ends meet. I felt refreshed after reading this book - I have more direction to help our family get on better track with our savings plans as a result of reading it.

The Big Pay Off has already been a BIG help to our family. My wife and I have found it to be filled with easy to implement advice. Its well written, straight-forward, and even funny at times!

As we enter the fifth anniversary of 9-11 and the mid-term elections, Diana Butler Bass' book is well worth a second look. Using her personal experiences attending church in Washington, DC post-9/11, Butler Bass reflects on what it means to be a Christian and an American in a post 9-11 world. As Christians, do we drape the cross in the American flag or do we follow the cross of the risen Christ?

Bass has a talent for expressing keen social observation and scholarly analysis in clear, engaging prose. In "Broken We Kneel", she is able to lead the reader through big ideas about church and state by drawing on her experience as a mother, scholar, and church worker in the Washington DC area. The result is a book that is both accessible and insightful--and most importantly a joy to read!

Bass' strong Christian voice, rooted in Augustine, is desparately needed in current discussions about peacemaking, patriotism, and citizenship. While challenging, it is generous and hopeful that Christianity's long tradition has important and unexpected insights for today's world.

The deepest implications of 9/11 have nothing to do with George W. Bush or Osama bin Laden, and everything to do with Christians' duty to oppose violence and empire wherever they may emerge. As Butler Bass explains, the confusion of the state with the church has perilous consequences, both theologically and throughout human history. In the face of war, Christians are called to remember that they are "in the world, but not of it." They must love and forgive all people, even those their kings declare are enemies. (One of the most innocently radical elements in "Broken We Kneel" is Butler Bass's discussion of oikos - the concept that we are all one family.)

Indeed, though Butler Bass bills her book as a lament, it is equally a gentle reminder that Christians are aliens in the City of Man, and that bombs falling on Iraq and Afghanistan can neither return our missing loved ones nor answer our own prayers for healing. She also offers hope that through renewed commitment to hospitality in the tradition of Jesus, we may strengthen our citizenship in the City of God.

God is speaking to us, even now whispering good news of comfort and hope. If September 11 challenged you as a Christian, Diana Butler Bass will help you to listen to God again. Buy this book now.

Diana Butler Bass writes for the many Christians whose horror at the attacks on September 11 was compounded by the abduction of Christian terms for nationalist, militarist, and imperialist goals, and the enthusiastic unquestioning enrollment of innumerable congregations and church leaders in a neo-medieval crusade.

A meditation framed on the experience of conflict with the Washington D.C. congregation on whose pastoral staff she was serving at the time, the chapters will call to mind the works which indelibly marked the path of Christianity in the 20th century, whether theatrical, like 'Murder in the Cathedral' or 'A Man for All Seasons', confessional like Merton's letters and meditations on the American war against Vietnam; but the language is not the language of the polemic or the theatre or even autobiography, but the language of lament, of exile, even of excommunication. There is no ease in such language, and there are no simplifications in the book, which opens with the author's confession to her (Episcopal) priest that she had removed the United We Stand sign from the church entryway, because it was a call to vengeance and to a national crusade. When the priest informs her that the church belongs to the congregation, she responds that it's God's church, and from there, travels from the powerful political congregation which dedicates its faith to nation to the celebration of Easter some 20 months later in an inner city church three blocks from the White House.

Those who seek the company of the suffering servant of which the gospels speak, rather than the Nordic warrior messiah that stands at the center of the American war cult as much as he did at the heart of the German Church of the Third Reich, will find a familiar voice & a kindred heart in 'Broken We Kneel'.

Diana Butler Bass shares hope with the church, and all who care deeply about the role of faith in our national life. Bass dares to speak boldly of the hope with in her, and of our challenge to be members of an alternative intentional community, the Church within the Empire. Her words give courage to all whose hearts ache for another way to be both Christians and patriots, to humbly tell out from our souls the greatness of the Lord. Bass' text is a welcome antidote to the myopic zealotry that has been so prevalent in our national landscape after September 11th. I pray that from the hope renewed in reading this significant little book many, "proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high." An engaging and inspiring read for all concerned about faith in America. Share this book with your friends, your pastor, grandmother, and reading groups. Would be an excellent springboard for parish discussion groups.