Security Books

this isn't the highest quality paper, but it's an economical way to get three works. there is not much in the way of editorial content, but depending on your interests that may be fine.

I read this book for a graduate class in Philosophy. Dr. Dale Miller who was the editor for this book was my professor. He is excellent and an expert on J. S. Mill. Recommended reading for anyone interested in philosophy, political science, and history.

John Stuart Mill, 1806-73, worked for the East India Co. helped run Colonial India from England. Minister of Parliament 1865-68 he served one term. Maiden speech was a disaster his second was great success. He was first MP to propose that women should be given the vote on equal footing with the men who could vote. He got 1/3 support, England gives franchise to women after U.S. He was a great Feminist, his essay "Subjection of Women" is written with great passion and prose. It was a brave position for him to take he was ridiculed for it. He favored democracy, and letting more men from lower classes the right to vote, but believed that people that are more educated should have more votes then less educated because they would make better decisions about what government should do. He would have wanted to extend education to the masses, so that all may have gotten 2-3 votes and so on. He didn't think it should be extended to where a small elite could carry the day on votes. The idea was that if the working class, and middle class, where divided on an issue, the people with more intelligence would have the power to tip the balance. Mill thought that people with more education would probably not only be better able to make political decisions, especially in terms of intellectually being able to see what would be best for the government to do, but that they would also be more concerned about the common good publicly then people in general. He was intensely educated by his father James. John could read Greek, and Latin at 6 yrs.; his Dad tutored him at home. Dad thought environment was everything. He was treated like an adult, never played games with kids; he had a very cerebral upbringing. He had a period of depression in his twenties, it changed his philosophy, and he recognized the importance of developing feelings along with the intellect, this is something that he stressed in his work. He read poetry to get out of depression; he became devoted to poetry and became a romantic. He fell in love with a married woman Harriet Taylor, was a platonic relationship, after her husband's death they married 3 years later and probably never consummated the marriage maybe due to Harriet having syphilis. His dedication to "On Liberty" is to her, very devoted to each other. Both buried together in Avignon France where they used to vacation.

Mill as a moral theorist subscribed to a theory we call Utilitarianism. It means---In some way morality is about the maximization of happiness. Whether actions are right or wrong depends on how happiness can be most effectively maximized. I say in some way, because there are allot of different kinds of Utilitarians. Allot of different ways of saying exactly how it is the maximization of happiness comes into morality. Therefore, happiness is clearly an important idea for Utilitarians. Mill has a hedonistic view of happiness, he thinks that happiness can be defined in terms of "pleasure in the absence of pain." What is distinctive about Mill in this area is that he believes that some kinds of pleasure are better than others are, and add more to a person's happiness than other kinds of pleasures. He believes in what he calls, "higher quality pleasures." These are pleasures, he says, that we get from the exercise of faculties that only human beings happen to have. So the intellect, imagination, the moral feelings, these are the sources of higher quality pleasures people use. His view seems to be that a certain quantity of intellectual pleasure just adds more to your happiness, and a given quantity of some lower pleasure like a kind we would share with the animals such as sensation, taste, sexual pleasure, etc. His "higher quality pleasures" in a way echo Aristotle's ethics. The idea of those things that make us distinctly human that are the real key to our happiness, that is in Mill also. It is not as limited to reason and intellect as Aristotle thinks. Mill recognizes the importance of the appreciation of beauty, aesthetic pleasure, and moral pleasure. He frankly owes a debt to Aristotle that he never properly acknowledges, never gives him proper credit.

"On Liberty" is Mill's is his most widely read and enduring work. It is an indispensable essay on political thought, which strenuously argues for individual liberty. He is defending what he calls the "liberty principle." It is a principle that guarantees individuals quite a bit of personal freedom. "That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant." These quoted sentences in John Stuart Mill's book, "On Liberty," embody the crux of his argument; that the power of the state must intrude as little as possible on the liberty of its citizenry. In essence, Mill was against using the power of the state through its lawmaking apparatus to compel citizens to conduct themselves in ways that society deems moral or appropriate. Mill thought that people had not only a right, but also a duty to develop their intellectual faculties, which is indispensable to maximize their happiness. He believed that society improved for all its citizens when they where left unfettered to the maximum extent possible, allowing them to use their imagination and intellect to improve themselves. Mill postulates a theory that societies usually institute laws based primarily on "personal preference" of its citizenry instead of established principles. This lack of clarity of opinion often leads to the government frequently interfering in the lives of its citizens unnecessarily. For Mill, there are very few times when the state can infringe on the personal liberty of others. Firstly, the state has the right to promulgate laws that prevent a person's actions from harming others. Secondly, the state must protect those citizens who are not mature enough to protect themselves, such as children. Thirdly, he exempts, "... backward states of society in which the race itself may be considered as in its nonage." In Mill's view, immature societies need a benevolent leader to rule them until they have developed to a point where they, "... have attained the capacity of being guided to their own improvement by conviction or persuasion ..." Mill said this third exemption did not apply to any of the countries in Europe. Mill believed that forced morality by the state on its citizen's liberties was destructive to their inward development, and could even lead to a violent reaction by them against the government.


There are different parts of his defense of this, different arguments that he gives. He has a long chapter on freedom of speech and press. He has some very specific reasons why he thinks those freedoms are important. Always in the background for Mill is the idea of development, and making it possible for more people to enjoy these higher quality pleasures. How do we help people develop their distinctly human faculties, in ways that will help them enjoy their higher quality pleasures? Because for him that is the way, we maximize the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed in the world, and that is the object of morality as far as he is concerned. Utilitarianists believe that maximizing happiness is ultimately, what morality is all about. That does not mean maximizing your own happiness that means maximizing the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed, not only by yourself but also by everybody else as well.

Roger Kimball, in his book "Experiments Against Reality" wrote, "On Liberty" was published in 1859, coincidentally the same year as "On the Origin of Species." Darwin's book has been credited--and blamed--for all manner of moral and religious mischief. But in the long run "On Liberty" may have effected an even greater revolution in sentiment.

Not that Mill was ever obscure or inaccessible, but while Prof Schneewind's Introduction adds little value, the notes and annotations by Dale E Miller certainly renders this compendium transparent, even to folks like me who have been dumbed down by years of television debates as primary intellectual nourishment. He enlightens each of Mill's chapters with a short and easily assimilated introductory overview. Complementing this with text annotations, collected at the back of the book. The annotations appear to be very well selected, as they are never too numerous to make flipping to the back of the book tedious, yet they manage to illuminate every aspect or item I might have found even remotely confusing, ambiguous or otherwise incomprehensible in the modern idiom.

This text is an excellent starting point for reading JS Mill, and is very well suited to the armchair philosopher who wishes to get into the material with ease and without encumbrance. However, there may be too little in the annotations in terms of external references, or cross references to Mill's other writings, or background information to satisfy the more academically inclined.

Of course anyone with even a nominal interest in what liberty is... NEEDS to read JS Mill. But then, you wouldn't be here if you didn't know that, right?

I am interested in Mill's contributions to utilitarian philosophy. Utilitarianism holds that morals should be based upon those acts which promote the greatest good to the greatest number of people. Human actions which foster happiness are held to be right, while those which yield the converse are wrong. Mill defines happiness as intended pleasure with the absence of pain. Also, he maintains that intended pleasure and freedom from pain are the only things desirable as personal ends. Pleasure which employs one's higher faculties tends to give more satisfaction than baser pleasures, or mere sensations. Few humans would exchange their limited, fleeting pleasures for the fullest ration of the pleasures of the "lower" animals. Since a noble character is made happier by its nobleness, utilitarianism can only attain its end towards the multiplication of happiness through a general elevation of the nobleness of the character of the larger population.

Mill states that pleasures and pains have different values to the actor. Only the judgment honed by experience can assist us in assessing appropriate trade-offs in acquiring a particular pleasure at the cost of gaining a specific pain as well. This type of cost/benefit analysis advocated by utilitarians gives rise to the criticism that utilitarianism results in coldness and lack of sympathy towards others. However, Mill claims that the proof of the worth of utilitarianism, or any other moral system, lies in its ability to produce good results.

Although it is sometimes difficult to wade through the dryness of Mill's rhetoric, it is truly worth it for the philosophical insights contained. This book is a good survey of Mill's thoughts on utilitarian ethics and many other subjects of value.

One of the main writers on liberty, J.S. Mill is often overlooked in introductory courses in Political Theory courses. I bought this books as a supplement in my class and it was a wonderful read that gave me an advantage. This book contains some of Mill's best work and the notes added by Schneewind give them an extra dimention and a few explanations that I am glad I had.

Blood in the Streets presents an articulate and comprehensive study into the countless variables that are required to assess market trends. If you have ever encountered instances where an analysis, possibly even a very convincing one, appears to only encompass localized fundamentals, and you questioned the strength of such a forecast, this book will unmistakably assist you in defining the failing of such an outlook.

Blood in the Streets presents a very convincing case for considering worldwide fundaments in addition to localized trends. The book further incorporates the steps encouraged to undertake such a comprehensive analysis, backed fully by an abundance of examples.

By now, this book is somewhat outdated in terms of its relevance related to current events; however, its means of study and course of action to seek out opportunities among the trends is absolute. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking insight into any market.

Davidson, founder of the National Taxpayer's Union, and Rees-Mogg, former editor of the Times of London, co-authored a triad of books that illustrated the same theme: that changes in technology create mega-political trends that determine how and in what ways governments and companies can project power. Following Nathan Rothchild's famous maxim, "The time to buy is when blood is running in the streets," their first joint effort explains how these mega-political trends affect everything from when it's best to buy real estate or metals to why and in what places terrorism will trouble the world.

I first learned about this book in 1993 - when it was out of print. I had become acquainted with James Dale Davidson and his sequel to this book, The Great Reckoning. It took nearly a decade before I found a copy...and I am very glad I did.

This isn't light reading...so be forewarned.

The wisdom was true back then...only those in the know were aware of these tactics for amassing wealth by paying attention to whether there truly is VALUE in an industry, in spite of the prices, in spite of the headlines...and preferably buy low, VERY low.

One of the most fundamental teachings...when an industry is fundamentally sound, if everyone is throwing away their share because of some sort of governmental calamity, new article or reporting, does the value of that industry or commodity go away?

No!

So when does it make sense to pick up share?

When there's blood in the streets. Yes...when everyone else is getting rid of their shares/ownership, then you can pick up REAL ASSETS for pennies to dimes on the dollar.

And then wait til they rebound - when the situation that made them "risky" turns around.

Has this strategy worked? Yes, many and many a time. Just look back a decade or so ago when Argentina was having its problems. The inflation was rampant. However other currencies were HARD MONEY to theirs - and you could pick up good investments cheap - then hold them for the ride back to stabilization.

Again...these strategies usually have some holding period for the undervalued asset to rebound. But rebound many of them do.

Examples: junior gold stocks bought for pennies and sold for dollars. Yacht clubs bought, upgraded and resold to upscale international patrons for very big profits.

Pick this book up...and gain insight into how real wealth is made and accumulated. This one key insight works.

With all the economic turmoil going around, I think I need to read this book again!

The 1987 U.S. stock market crash gave rise to all sorts of "now is the time to panic" and "the world is ending soon" books about financial crises, and economic depressions.

None of it came to pass, because the Reagan revolution demolished communism without a shooting war, and global capitalism surged in the aftermath.

But in 2004, the next world war has already begun. It is an economic war, where blocs of countries are being organized and urged to join in alliances rooted in ethnicity, religion, or nationality. It is also a culture war, rooted in religion and ethnicity (Islam against 'the west') with a long history that makes it far less amenable to a rational or peaceful resolution thatn was 'The Cold War'.

The US failue to define terms of engagement, and thereby control the outcome of the Iraq war of 2003-2004 is the end of the dream for a Pax Americana, with the US acting as the arsenal of a unified, largely democratic world. Instead, we have the non-polarized and chaotic world that authors Davidson and Rees-Moog feared.

It is a world where capital flows along paths of least resistance, and once welthy populations are devastated by capital outflows. Governments will likely become more tyrannical and shift from benevolent welfare statism to active police statism -- to preserve order.

The book takes its title from the infamous Baron von Rothschild quote about investing where blood runs in the streets. In such places, people crave peace, and safety. They care not who makes the laws, nor who coins the money.

WHile this book seemed absured and hyperbolic in 1987 (like most of the gloom and doom texts of that year), it sees eerily prophetic looking ahead past 2004 and 2005. State-less terrorism is a defining power in today's world. Economies with aging populations are becoming consumption societies, which produce less as the populations age. As exports drop, net inflows of wealth dry up, and the results are soaring government debt, declining employment opportunities for younger people, and increased class divisions and stratifications.

The "great depression of 1990", predicted by dozens of authors, was postposned by the fall of communism, and the expansion of capitalism into eastern Europe & Russia. The collapse of Communism also resulted in a 'peace dividend' that reduced defense costs in the U.S., and provided financial capital to fund new business ventures and fuel economic growth.

The U.S. federal reserve (and other central banks) keept inflation low by funding productive rather than defensive projects. The commercializing of formerly military & defense technologies (the internet, for example) generated economic expansion. That was a cyclical expansion, dependent on the creation of major new growth industries. In the 1990's it was information technologies (communications, networking of data systems, and the opportunities created by rapidly dropping costs for Information Technology equipment. Biotech and life-sciences, the next (current) new industry, has not proved to be stable or predictable in terms of products and markets. Financing models are far less certain.

The economic growth and expansion cycle made possible by the 'peace dividend' and the rapid global advances for Information & Communications tecchnologies postponed the "great depression of 1990". But with a new global war clearly underway, defense and the economic austerity needed to fund a long term global military effort will be the focus of governments. Civil peace is out, and general prosperity is no longer a priority. Thus, it appears that the expansion cycle is coming to an end. The Great depression of 1990 may become the (even greater) depression of 2010.

It is almost scary to read this book from 1987 and realize that the authors may be correct, but their time-line was about 16-17 years ahead of events.

Davidson and Rees-Moog team up to tell us that when things seem the worse may be the time to take advantage of opportunity. The Chinese symbol for crisis also means opportunity.

This book shows that throughout history, some of the greatest became that way because they had the forethought, and sadly, sometimes the foreknowledge, of events that they took advantage of them and won in a big way.

The title of the book comes from Lord Rothshild's statement about when blood is running in the streets, invest in a future. Of course, what to invest in is really the question. This book will give you a look to see and evaluate the opportunities that are out there.

Although the book was written in 1987, it is a now book, filled with facts of how to take advantage of a market. Hey, did Warren Buffett read this? Or did he understand the concept of "Blood in the Streets."

Morgan Stanley like many old-line firms lost its soul at the hands of a CEO who never understood the value of the real enterprise. Phil Purcell tried to take what worked at Dean Witter and impose it on Morgan Stanley a much different institution. In doing so he acquired all of the perks of modern chairmen-the pay, the G-Vs, the compliant board while his firm's performance was tanking.

Eight "advisory directors," retired and respected former partners, set out to rescue Morgan Stanley and restore its name and culture. Called the "Group of Eight" and sometimes the "Eight Grumpy Old Men" they take a stand for old-fashioned business values.

Blue Blood and Mutiny reads like a novel. And it delivers an important message to business-ethical behavior, hard work and understanding of business fundamentals are more important and more beneficial than the gimmick-riden pursuit of a higher bottom line. This real life story will be the textbook case study in value driven management.

This is a very concise historical review of a merger that involves two cultures that tried to combine choosing the wrong an inexperienced leader to make it work, Fortunately, the more astute retired individuals came to the rescue and in time the combination should work. Only time will tell.

Well written, and engrossing.
Very clear presentation of the issues involved and makes a convincing case that "the mutineers" were right, and Purcell had to be removed as CEO.

Excellent book. It's been a long time since I've had a book I could not put down. Thank goodness for the G-8 and the employees who stood their ground. John Mack is a true leader and will continue to lead Morgan Stanley into a league of its own. Well worth the read.

With dagger for pen and venom for ink, Patricia Beard scribes an devastating slant on the Dean Witter/Morgan Stanley merger in her new book, "Blue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the Soul of Morgan Stanley ". In a book where J.P. Morgan is revered for his integrity, good will and even-handedness it is clear that the demons from Chicago will get short thrift.

Indeed, we find the satanic Phil Purcell arriving with his banking heretics from Dean Witter to beguile the trusting John Mack and his virtuous management staff. The demons wrest control of the soul of Morgan Stanley and profitability is shrouded in an evil shadow. Quicker than you can say 9/11, the bank's returns go south as Purcell reaps from his half-full cup while investors and staff inherit the wind. The cries on the Street rose uptown to Bankers' Heaven (5th Ave) and were embraced by the legacy of JP himself. Faster than you can say Mack-the-Knife, a Gang of 8, err... a Group of 8 former Morgan executives are blessed with avenging this affront on the investment banking community. Not to spoil the Hollywood ending, but angels never lose and evil is always vanquished.

Wall Street banking is clearly a Darwinian struggle between smart and successful A-type personalities competing for mega-deals. It is a battle between the haves and haves-better where success is fleeting and is measured in bonus, prestige, and ranking on a deal-by-deal basis. Beard's book is the epitome of banking rancor as Purcell is not only vilified, for all his past mistakes as Morgan Stanley CEO, but for any mistake anyone there made as well. Slogans aside, the pro-Purcell claque is not as "bad" as portrayed and, the pro-Morgan Stanley contingent is not as "good". In the end though, John Mack's blue blood is pumping up the Morgan Stanley profits so Purcell gets the deserved lumps.

Book is great for those who want to know how bond trading really works, especially for those just starting out. Good for both salespeople and traders. However, the book is a decade old and has little on ETS and other recent developments. It also has many, many errors which are irritating, thus the 4/5. I should hope that these points are addressed in a second edition. It is otherwise well-written.

The Bond Market, by Christina Ray was one of the first books I read about fixed income securities that really explained how trading really is in the real world. I am happy to find another copy on ADC. This was used as a text in a class in Grad. school and I lost the book. Highly recommended.

There are numerous books on the bond market. Many are so dense as to be opaque. Ray's book is very straightforward and simple. It gives you what you need to know about the fixed income markets in a direct fashion. Excellent for professional and academic alike.

An extremely well written, concise and sometimes humorous explanation of how the bond market really works. I worked at the Chicago Board of Trade, and it is my opinion that Christina Ray truly understood the complexities and practicallities of the bond market in its entirety. A must read for anyone who thrives on information pertaining to getting the "edge" in an extremely competitive environment.

Ms.Ray focuses on providing a clear conceptual framework for understanding fixed income concepts. The approach is highly intuitive and reader-friendly. A must for anyone trying to get to grips with the concepts of duration, BPV, vols, forwards, etc....

ANSEL ADAMS WAS THE BEST. I DRIVE PAST MANZANAR EVERY FEW WEEKS AND, WONDER HOW THEY SURVIVED OUT THERE. A FEELING OF INJUSTICE, OVERWHELMS ME. HOW SAD THAT THE NATION CAME TO THE POINT OF INCARCERATION FOR, BEING OF JAPANESE HERITAGE. I AGREE WITH ABE LINCOLN IN THE LETTER THAT HE WROTE TO JOSHUA SPEED THAT SAYS,"WHEN IT COMES TO THIS, (FREEDOM)I SHALL PREFFER EMIGRATING TO SOME COUNTRY WHERE THEY MAKE NO PRETENSE OF LOVING LIBERTY... WHERE DESPOTISM CAN BE TAKEN PURE, AND WITHOUT THE BASE OF ALLOY OF HIPOCRACY. READ PAGE 9 IN THE BOOK!!!
IT IS A VALUABLE PIECE OF OUR HISTORY. THANK YOU ANSEL ADAMS. HE IS GONE NOW BUT, THIS WILL LIVE ON AS HIS RECORD OF, UNITED STATES HISTORY.

SHIRLEY GREER

I have read quite a few books and articles about the unfortuante/sad/?criminal Japanese-American experience during WW II. This book, although it does not add to the historical record per se, includes rich, wonderful pictures from Ansel Adams that bring more visual support to ones' images of how terrible the situation was, but also how strong and resourceful the Japanese-American people were and hopefully still are (just look up the Japanese word "gaman")

Born Free And Equal: The Story Of Loyal Japanese Americans is an impressive combination of historic photographs and writings about the Japanese-Americans who were imprisoned in Manzanar, one of ten such relocation camps, as a result of wartime fears regarding possible sabotage by members of the Japanese and Nisei (American-born men and women of Japanese ancestry) living along the American west coast. During the era of World War II, virtually all the American people of Japanese descent in the states of California, Oregon and Washington (most of them citizens), were interned in relocation camps scattered through the Midwest. Born Free And Equal captures memories of this prison community and how the families in it lived in broad, sweeping, black-and-white photographs. Born Free And Equal is a powerful, highly recommended, historically factual book, accurately capturing with poetic realism a dark and controversial aspect of America's WW II effort, which, along with such horrors as the European Holocaust and the Japanese atrocities in the Far East, must never be forgotten.

Finally, I was able to pick up a copy of this long-awaited book. The original is extremely expensive to pick up, and with the additional introductory information, this is an improvement. A fascinating read, fantastic print quality... A must have!

In the autumn of 1943, the eminently talented photographer Ansel Adams traveled to the Relocation Center at Manzanar, California. This was one of the camps where the United States government relocated (some would say "imprisoned") the many people of Japanese descent who lived in the western, Military Zone 1, so that they could not assist Imperial Japan in its war against the United States. Among the many people sent to this camp were men, women, children and the elderly; immigrants from Japan, the children (born in the U.S.) of Japanese immigrants, and the those even farther removed from Japan; not to mention a decorated veteran of the Spanish-American War (Seaman 1st Class Harry Sumida of the U.S.S. Indiana).

It was here that Ansel Adams set up his camera, and put a human face on this tragedy. This is his book; the pictures he took, and the text he wrote. Originally published in 1944, this newer edition (published in 2001) contains all of the original photos, several additional photos that Mr. Adams took but didn't include in the original, and several fascinating introductions written by Japanese-Americans.

Considering the topic of this book is something of a cause celebre, one might imagine that this book was something of an anti-American screed. Well, if you thought that, you would be wrong. This book is a very balanced look at what happened, and the people who were caught up in it. Mr. Adams wanted the book to be factual, so both the good aspects and bad aspects are covered. That said, though, the book was something of an expose of what happened, and is not a whitewash. Therefore, if you are looking for a book that will tell you about this historical tragedy, then I highly recommend this book.

As long as men and women strive to civilize their society the problem of tolerance will remain, because the urge toward intolerance will not go away. The achievement of Dr. Cohen-Almagor's work is that it adds to our knowledge and awareness of this central problem of politics. His arguments are made in the context of classical liberal thought, of practical politics, and of jurisprudence.

A rare blend of philosophical skill & political sensitivity, of detached analytical and critical attitude and deep ethical concern and commitment to liberal democracy.

Raphael Cohen-Almagor maps the course of the struggle against Meir Kahane in the Israeli courts and legislature. But he places it firmly in the context of the traditional controversy over the limits of toleration, providing us with a rigorous examination of the damage principle as it applies to speech and expression. He forces us to face the question why, if we refuse to tolerate the damage done by thefts, assault, fraud or murder, we should tolerate the potential damage that can be brought about by aggressive or violent speech. His work blends together political philosophy, contemporary history, and constitutional theory. It deserves the close attention of students of all three disciplines. But it should fascinate and provoke also all those who wish to confront what is probably the principal dilemma of the modern democratic practice.

This book, although not particularly well written or well researched, does prove how the government of Israel targeted Rabbi Kahane. Both right-wing and left-wing governments violated Israel's own laws in order to try and stop Rabbi Kahane's rising popularity among Israel's young people. While members of the Labor party illegally negotiated with the PLO and have still not been prosecuted, Rabbi Kahane, an Orthodox rabbi, was accused of being a racist .. even though racism was not defined. The real tragedy that the book uncovers is that Rabbi Kahane, was immorally and illegally silenced because no one had answers to the uncomfortable questions that he raised. This book is anti-Kahane. For a more fair look a Rabbi Kahane's impact on Israel readers should look for Jay Shapiro's Meir Kahane: A Litmus Test for Israel's Democracy.

Living in a country like Israel, which is beset by fateful ongoing conflicts from within and without, one is torn between impulses of appeasement and revenge, diplomacy and force, empathy and despair. A particularly difficult dilemma arises when dealing with hate-and-violence rhetoric against the Other - rhetoric which, ipso facto, challenges the selfsame democratic system that allows it to exist in the first place. It is this "catch of democracy" that Raphael Cohen-Almagor examines in The Boundaries of Liberty and Tolerance: the Struggle Against Kahanism in Israel. As a layperson in the disciplines upon which he draws - philosophy, jurisprudence, political science - I approached the book with some trepidation. Much to my relief, though, I found that it to be reader-friendly yet extremely thorough in attempting to delineate the boundaries of liberty and tolerance in a democracy.

From the outset, the decision to allow a racist demagogue like Kahane to run for a seat in the Israeli legislature raised ethical issues of the most troubling kind. The decision to revoke that privilege was no less troubling: as they fought to have Kahanism outlawed, advocates of tolerance and democracy came under bitter attack for defying the very principle which they claimed to support. The book provides a reasoned, thoughtful and comprehensive explanation of the ethical questions underlying this problematic position. And as we know only too well, no country is immune from such questions; i.e. from the emergence of would-be political parties brandishing blatantly racist or xenophobic slogans, or advocating blatantly racist or xenophobic measures. The analysis set forth in the book examines the most sensitive implications of such a development, particularly the need to reconcile the sacrosanct principles of freedom of speech, on the one hand, with the obligation to stem any tangible threat to democracy, on the other. In trying to gain a better understanding of this complex paradox, I found Cohen-Almagor's lucid description of the distinction between freedom of expression, per se, and infringements of the Harm and Offense Principles particularly enlightening.

I too believe, like the author (and indeed, who doesn't?), in the solution outlined in Epilogue - education - as the ultimate means of delegitimizing and eventually eradicating racist politics. And yet, while pursuing the educational route, it also behooves us to continue grappling with the excruciating moral and legal dilemmas which these politics force upon us. I would heartily recommend Cohen-Almagor's book as a quintessential case study, capable of shedding light on one of the most problematic challenges to the democratic system.

Since 9/11, the security industry has been evolving. The need for standards in the industry is imperative and this book discusses a varity of industries and their standards of care. This book is a great reference for anyone in any industry that is looking for information on security. Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design is a must have.

I'll never look at my clients' nursing home facilities the same as I did before I read this handbook! I'm a healthcare attorney, not an architect. There are some chapters that are more applicable to my role with clients than others; nevertheless, I found this book extremely informative and thought provoking. Clearly this book was a labor of love for Ms. Nadel.

Security from soup to nuts, here it is, in one big book. Big picture ideas, nitty gritty details, many different security concepts. Lots of tips and checklists on how anyone can apply them in any scenario or location. Packed with all kinds of useful information for designers, building owners, security personnel, students, professors, and just plain folks. Well-organized and edited, beautifully illustrated, very user-friendly. Simply a remarkable volume about one of the most important subjects on the planet.

Destined to become the bible for security experts - or those who wish they were!

This outstanding book is easy to read and useful to everyone who wants to build security into their region, city, community, home, workplace, design and construction projects, and daily routine. Topics are clearly divided into sections and chapters. Sections include achieving transparent security (the opposite of designing fortresses and building bunkers), planning and design of buildings (including commercial, institutional, historic, and religious facilities, schools, health facilities, single and multifamily residential, and many others); engineering, technology, construction, cost estimating, codes and liability concerns. A who's who of experts in the design and construction world, government and nonprofit organizations, along with the author/architect, write about security for many situations and building types.

A series of lessons learned from benchmark events, such as September 11, 2001, the Oklahoma City bombing, Khobar Towers, and major natural disasters, are found throughout the book, reflecting extensive research about what went wrong in the past, and how we can learn from previous mistakes. Rarely has such a comprehensive reference been compiled for the public.

For those concerned about home and business security, there are dozens of handy checklists, charts, and illustrations for disaster planning, emergency response, disaster recovery, and even how to handle public relations and the media when your organization is caught in the middle of a crisis. Homeowners, landlords, families, and those involved in residential design and construction will find information about design and emergency management techniques to minimize damage from fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, blackouts, and natural disasters.

Readers will be pleasantly surprised with many impressionist pen and ink architectural drawings illustrating the topics, injecting a creative, artistic touch into serious discussion. Hundreds of checklists, diagrams, top 10 lists, website resources, and photos simplify important concepts and summarize key ideas at a glance. Examples include how to recognize suicide bombers to safety checklists for building personnel dealing with intruders, hostages, suspicious packages and workplace violence.

Not to be missed are the very moving photographs of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon taken on and immediately after September 11, 2001, by those on the scene. They serve as a chilling, yet poignant reminder to readers everywhere why this remarkably comprehensive book is so essential and immensely valuable to everyone concerned with building safety, freedom, democracy, and maintaining a free and open society. Highly recommended, as a must have, must read!

Barbara A. Nadel. FAIA creates the resource for architects for security design. Nadel empasizes owners assembling a security team at the beginning of a project when design professionals can plan for and budget good security strategies. Most of the text is very informative and uses examples as well as compiles articles developed by security consultants in the field. In this unparalleled book Barbara A. Nadel, FAIA creates the source for security design. A must have resource for all architects, planners, landscape designers, lighting consultants and engineers in a security conscious design era; post 9/11.

As a financial practictioner,

I have applied many of the concepts from this wonderful work. One of the good things about the book is that it addresses not only the technical aspect of valuing business but also the art form as well. The book has assisted me in valuing companies in several industries and I consider it to be a one of the resources that is a staple of my practice.

Much thanks to the authors

"Gary Jones had provided a recipe for success for those considering adding business valuations to their practices. There are many technical, `how-to' books and courses in the valuation field; Gary's approach, however, is unique, comprehensive and valuable to aspiring business valuation practitioners."

"One of the challenges to providing business valuation services is educating inexperienced staff. Without adequate training, leveraging this profitable and growing service can be a problem. A new book by CPAs Gary Jones and Dirk Van Dyke helps.

The Business of Business Valuation is a primer for those just getting started in valuations. It covers the reasons for doing a valuation, the process and components, the valuation expert's role, as well as marketing and pricing. Even experienced valuators can benefit from the discussion of valuation consulting -- helping a business owner increase value, through smart management and policy, to achieve, overall personal, family and employee goals.

The anatomy of a business valuation is particularly helpful, as are the three sample valuation reports. You'll also find discussions of trends, ethics and coursework for porspective valuators."

"The Business of Business Valuation is a powerful book and it's about time. It is written in a clear and easy to understand style. What's exciting is the breadth of audience it addresses. This book is not just for valuation professionals...it is clearly for all business owners, employees, educators and students.

While most books on valuation only address the mechanics and components of the process, Jones and Van Dyke have given us directions on the business itself. The non-practitioner will especially benefit from this book by gaining insight into the process, how to select a professional and manage the relationship.

It is often said, `Information is power,' and this book is a must-have tool to obtaining an optimum result whether you are a valuator, business appraiser or the most important element -- the client.

This book is exactly what our industry needs at this time to continue fueling the flame of growth. Bravo!! Jones, Van Dyke and McGraw-Hill for having the courage to write and publish this cutting edge work."

This is the single most-important valuation book you will buy. It teaches you how to build a successful business valuation practice.

Gary Jones is a marketing genius, and this book contains far more marketing tips than you will find anywhere else.

I have a bookcase full of books about valuations. I've read this book twice: cover-to-cover. And it's packed so full of practical know-how that I keep discovering new, profitable ideas each time I dip back into it.

You may already know how to do business valuations. But if you want to build a successful practice...buy and read this book.

The "Capital Homesteading" term builds upon the successful experience under the United States Homestead Act of 1862. Signed into law by Abraham Lincoln, it transferred sustainable plots of government land on the country's frontier to families who devoted at least five years to developing a farm. The book includes a quote from Ronald Reagan, who called for an "Industrial Homestead Act" in 1974, before he was president, saying "it is time to accelerate economic growth and broaden the ownership of productive capital. The American dream has always been to have a piece of the action."

The book's 17 separate "Policy Objectives of Capital Homesteading" include many legislative goals that are not directly related to broadening the ownership of capital. For instance, balanced federal budgets, zero inflation rate, new global monetary system, tax simplification and "teaching at all levels of education of universal principles of personal morality and social morality, that are based on the inherent dignity and sovereignty of every human person under the higher sovereignty of the Creator."

The objective that relates specifically to the book's title and subtitle is the creation of "Capital Homestead Accounts (CHAs)" for each U.S. citizen. These accounts would borrow from banks to pay for "full voting, full dividend-payout shares issued by `qualified' private sector enterprises in need of capital for expansion, modernization or for purchasing outstanding shares from present shareowners." The bank loans would be insured by a Federal Capital Credit Corporation and then discounted at the Federal Reserve Banks. Dividends from the shares purchased by the CHA would pay interest and principal on the loans and then provide income to the citizen.

The book deals with most of the questions that come to mind from the basic proposal, including the major change in the function of the Federal Reserve System and Social Security. A citizen could rollover other retirement plans, and even inheritances and gifts, into the CHA and have it accumulate income tax free, up to a maximum that would be set by law, based upon current living costs and other factors.

Reading Capital Homesteading was a bit like my reading, 50 years ago, Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy. Published in 1888, its fictional narrator had slept until 2000 and is comparing the socialist utopia of his awakening with the inequities when he fell asleep. With Bellamy, I couldn't believe that the socialist society would work, or that it would even be a very desirable way of life. With Kurland, I just can't believe that the program is politically possible. If one made a list of who stands to lose from his legislative proposals, and then compared that to the list of who spends the most on political contributions and lobbyists, the two lists would be a match.

Changing expectations and attitudes may be the best work we can do today toward making the legal system more compatible with broadening the ownership of business.

My sincerest congratulations to Norman Kurland, Dawn Brohawn and Michael Greaney for authoring such an impressive book on Capital Homesteading and how it can avoid bankrupting the Social Security and radically improve the competitiveness of basic industries in America. I am very impressed at the comprehensivenes of this book in addressing through a more just free market system a whole host of economic problems that up to now, seemed to be hopeless. The book is also very timely in that I and other seaman of Oglebay Norton Marine Services recently formed an association called the Oglebay Norton Employee Economic Empowerment Association (ONEEEA) to initiate an employee buyout of the Great Lakes vessels owned by our financially ailing company. The Capital Homesteading book helped me tremendously to understand why many corporations are experiencing financial difficulties and why our economy is so unstable. It gives very clear reasons, scenarios and end results of why these problems exist, offers solutions to these problems and describes in great detail, the benefits of implementing the suggested solutions. I could not recommend a book more highly for educating all American workers and our leaders to the mess we are in. It really brought on a whole new understanding for me, why our present economic systems and corporations are failing and what kind of reforms are needed before it's too late. All of the suggested reforms for simplifying and restructuring the tax systems, governments, social security, credit availability, corporations, etc., seem to have a logic that makes it easy to understand. Many of the problems and failures in our economy that are described in this book in graphic detail, have come to roost in the corporation that I work for. The book makes it easy to see why we, as a group of employees, are so drammatically affected by flaws in our current economic policies. I believe that reading this book very carefully would help everyone to gain a better understanding of our economic problems of today. It is well worth the purchase price.

I am not an economist but that has not prevented me from seeing the solid and compelling arguments laid out in this book to truly turn the United States into an "ownership" society. Many may feel we already have that. I would agree that we have it to a point. But, there are too many structural impediments to real democracy in the capital markets resulting in greater and greater polarization of wealth in our society. If unchecked, I fear that this trend will lead to more and more disengagement on the part of my fellow citizens.

The United States has always been a beacon to the entire world as a result of our economic and political freedom. This book offers a new economic paradigm that will not only continue that but, more over, significantly elevate the US even more as a source of new and exciting ideas that help EVERYONE build a better life.

The proposals in this book are bold. But they are so compelling and, at least in my view, so intuitively correct that they must be heard."

Our political leaders need to take a long, hard look at Capital Homesteading if they're truly serious about the future of our democracy. As it is currently structured, Social Security reminds me of a federally guaranteed Ponzi scheme. At what point are future generations going demand that they be allowed to opt out of a system that is becoming increasingly unfair?

Capital Homesteading offers a comprensive solution for restructuring Social Security around a new frontier, not one based on land, but based on a different kind of property. In the tradition of George Mason, Capital Homesteading offers a mechanism for ensuring that every individual would have the means of aquiring and possessing property in America's new frontier. Today, America's new frontier is limited only by the creative capacity of Americans to come up with better ideas, inventions, technology, and thrive in the global marketplace. Our political leaders need to adopt a national strategy for rebuilding our country as a nation of owners, because we are quickly becoming a nation of wage serfs. Such a strategy is sitting on the shelf, available at Amazon.com, waiting for a leader to adopt it as his own, and win the undecided voter.

This is a great book. The book offers solutions on how to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, encouraging employees to become owners of their company, overhauling the current taxation system, and reforming the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

I would recommend this book to everyone. You don't need whole lot of background in economic to read this book.

Chemical And Biological Warfare analyzes the key issues related to chemical and biological warfare, detailing known chemical and biological agents, how they may be used in weaponry, and the possibilities of their use in modern conflicts. Readers seeking a technical survey of proliferation and basic concepts of chemical and biological weaponry receive more in-depth information here than in many titles.

A first class presentation of Chem/Bio warfare basics. Highly recommend it.

A first-rate survey of this important topic. Croddy has produced a calm and clear overview that should prove invaluable to both students and scholars.

I read, and enjoyed, Judith Miller's Germs book, but its sometimes superficial journalistic treatment left me wanting more concrete information: on chemical and biological agents, where they come from, who has them, how they could get used, what we can do to stop or counteract them, etc. I found all that and more in this excellent book, which, in spite of its straightforward presentation, is every bit as gripping as Germs. Croddy is no alarmist---he thinks a lot of the recent hoopla is overblown given the difficulties any terrorist would have spreading an agent like anthrax (and, thank God, he appears to be right on this score)---but there's plenty to get alarmed over in this book, and now is the right time to read it and digest its lessons, rather than waiting for the next chemical or biological panic attack.

Chemical and Biological Warfare: An Annotated Bibliography is a great book to read before bed, on the subway or lounging on the beach. It is sensitively written, and though the roto-protagonist isn't very well developed as a character, the subplot and the overall romance is beautiful. If you liked The Firm, you'll love this book. (I have gotten some great pick-up lines from this book, too!)