Kansas Books

Philippa Strum's sympathies clearly lie with those who argued for admitting women to the Virginia Military Institute. However, they haven't prevented her from giving us a comprehensive and fairly balanced look at the VMI case from start to ... if not finish, at least to the graduation of the first women to begin the school in the rat line.

One area where Strum's analysis is particularly strong is in tracing the history of anti-discrimination and equal rights law in the United States. She shows the jurisprudential evolution of the idea that, rather than women requiring special protection, all people are entitled to the rights and benefits of equal citizenship, regardless of sex. Indeed, following the trend of relevant Supreme Court cases as the author lays it out for us, it's hard to see how VMI's defenders could have believed the Court would ever do anything *but* order the publicly-funded military academy to admit women on an equal basis.

But believe it they did, and Strum shows how the two sides in the case were arguing fundamentally different points: VMI, that tax-funded single-sex education served a public good, and the Justice Department that, whether single-sex education is good or not, public funding of it (VMI being a government school) is unacceptable under the 14th Amendment. Neither side seemed fully to understand the other, and Strum does a thorough job of showing how the two sides in many ways failed to confront one another's arguments head-on.

Strum frames VMI as a defender of outmoded stereotypes and anachronistic ways of thinking (notably the 'women-as-lady' myth, as she calls it). It's a portrait VMI's defenders no doubt resent, but it's clear that their focus on 'how men learn' versus 'how women learn' was based more on differences between men and women *as groups* than on what kind of system might be best for any given *individual*. After all, as Strum points out, if VMI's adversative system isn't right or attractive for most women, the undeniable fact (based on the number of male high school seniors who apply to VMI relative to their number nationwide, for example) is that it's not right or attractive for most men, either.

This brings us to some areas I wished Strum had developed further. Most interesting was her assertion -- based on circumstantial evidence -- that the Bush Administration (Bush I) must have blocked the Justice Department from arguing that VMI's treasured adversative system was unnecessary for molding the kind of citizen-soldier leaders that VMI exists to produce. Certainly (as Ed Ruggero relates in 'Duty First: West Point and the Making of American Leaders'), the USMA ultimately decided its adversative system was actually counterproductive for that purpose, and so abandoned it. But Justice planted its flag on the (arguably weaker) ground that forcing VMI to admit women would not cause a fundamental change in the VMI system or ethos. The jury is still out about whether that's proven true.

Another question this book raised for me that Strum left entirely unaddressed was the appropriateness of cause-activists pursing their agenda on the bench. Specifically, Strum titles her chapter on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 'The Advocate.' Justice Ginsburg (clearly the hero -- can we still say 'heroine'? -- of this book) spent her pre-Court career promoting a certain understanding of law and pursuing specific social and policy objectives. Once on the bench, judges assume a mantle of impartiality -- in exchange for which they enjoy the 'procedural consensus' Strum defines as the key to translating Court decisions into social change. And yet, Strum makes it clear that Ginsburg's jurisprudence in the VMI case was of a piece with her earlier work. Strum quotes another legal scholar describing the VMI decision as 'the vindication for [Ginsburg's] legal career ... the opinion she hoped the Court would one day arrive at when she first started arguing cases of discrimination in the 1960s' (p. 295). Is it right for judges (of any philosophical persuasion) to continue as advocates once they're on the bench? Public acceptance of that idea would seem to threaten the very 'procedural consensus' the advocates rely upon to achieve their goals.

That question aside, though, I enjoyed reading this comprehensive look at the VMI case. Despite clear indications of where she stands on the question, a few broad ideological brush strokes (conservatives are frequently described as 'angry'), and the occasional off-the-wall comment ('Nothing had been more central to the South than racism' [p. 102].) the author's presentation of both sides of this important case was, on the whole, equitable and balanced. As I said, it's hard to escape the conclusion that VMI's stand was doomed from the start. So long as government runs schools, they will be subject to the political process. And in 1996 as in 1864, VMI couldn't withstand the weight of Uncle Sam, no matter how much its defenders loved it, or how fervently they sacrificed to protect it.

An excellent analysis. He compares the different opinions of notable Word analysts like Moffat, Lightfoot, Wuest, Wycliff and more. He also lets the user know what the original Greek would say. His own opinions are hidden as he lets the Holy Spirit make a judgement of the best translation. When he gives his own opinion, it is good, his commentaries in Romans were outstanding.

Dan Boone is a powerful writer and communicator. This book is a wonderful book that helps make worship on Sunday mornings fluid, narrative and understandable. It serves as a great book for pastors, worship leaders and planning teams.

This is definitely a must read!

Another favorable review of this book appears in Public Budgeting & Finance, Spring 1997, pages 105-106, by John L. Mikesell. Please disregard the rating since this is not a review but for information purposes only

Prize-winning historian Shawn Peters presents The Yoder Case: Religious Freedom, Education, And Parental Rights, a scholarly study of the crucial 1972 Supreme Court ruling in a case when a Wisconsin Amish community claimed that compulsory education past a certain age was in conflict with its religious views and therefore removed its children from public schools. Also available in a hardcover edition, The Yoder Case is a detailed, impartial analysis of events, and a fascinating account recommended for law school students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the separation of Church and State issues.

Any one who has been involved in youth ministry or even has been involved with students will be able to laugh out loud at these jokes and illustrations. They are so true that I could relate to nearly every situation. Consider two of my favorites: you might be a youth workewr if you've ever convinced the church treasurer that water balloons and bungee cords are minsitry expenses; If someone says "lock-in" but you hear "purgatory", you might be a youth worker. I guarantee that you will love this book and that it will provide countless hours of humor. It is especially good for those days when you really feel ministry taking a toll on you. Enjoy!

Diane Stafford offers excellent career advice in Your Job, advice that outplacement firms charge executives thousands of dollars for their services. Professors who teach corporate communications, technical writing, or job-search courses would do well to make her book required reading to supplement the often out-dated advice in textbooks. All serious career searchers, whether down-sized executives or college graduates, should buy, read, and heed Diane Stafford's advice.

Truman Capote arguably invented true crime, and still dominates with this spectacular classic. He took years to finish this book, his last book, and it shows in the brilliant prose. This is among my favorite books of all time. I recommend to everyone.

This is a great read, a great novel, and a great edition. Capote's work, his illuminating approach to life, exemplified by the contrasts of the killers, the victims, and the hunters of the killers, is a great work of art.

The book reproduces the original 1965 edition and although the paper is not as heavy, it certainly beats the previous smaller Modern Library edition.

When will publishers learn that in order to compete with Brittany Spears, life, death, taxes, and childbirth, they need to give readers beautiful editions with real cloth covers and heavy cream paper, something to treasure. Not some cheap cardboard edition such as, say, my collected Ginsberg, which already is turning brown and edging out of the binding. I'd rather pay another dollar for a $50 book and get something that will stay intact.

I was a child when In Cold Blood was first published but remember the adults in my life talking about this controversial novel. After watching the two recent Truman Capote biopics (Capote and Infamous), I thought I should read it. I was surprised how much this 40+ year old book had to say about the anger, polarization and general lack of civility in today's society. A family is senselessly murdered in a small town in Kansas. Everyone in the town of 6,000 knew this family. After the murderers are apprehended, each minister in this community of 21 churches stood at his pulpit and spokeout AGAINST the capital punishment. Relatives of the slain family wrote a letter published in the local newspaper asking that prosecutors not pursue the death penalty. And when the murderers are returned to Kansas and are walked into the jail for booking, the audience who has gathered for this spectacle stands nearly silent. The town's citizens are relieved that it was strangers who commited this attrocity and they no longer have to eye their neighbors suspiciously. There is little talk of revenge or a sense of closure via the death penalty. What a fascinating view of our society on the cusp of the revolution of the 1960's and 1970's. READ THIS BOOK!

Now, I know this book is historically significant as one of the first "true crime" novels - a founder of the non-fiction novel genre - but that wasn't really important to me. I prefer to read things without historical context and judge how they hold up to modern standards. That said, I enjoyed the book a lot. This novel took an interesting twist from the usual crime story fare: the reader knows up front who was murdered and who did it. The only questions are "why" (and to some extent "what exactly happened"). Risky, I think, because it is tough to build suspense when the outcome is certain. But it worked well here for the most part.

The beginning was by far the slowest section of the book, with Capote taking his time setting up the scene and describing the family. I know he tried very hard to get us attached to the characters quickly - perhaps a little too hard? Things really started to pick up around Part 2 when Capote set into a detailed profile of the killers. This was interesting stuff! The organization was executed well, and I liked the shifts between character perspectives.

The third part blew me away. I won't say much about it, except that I would have cried if I hadn't been on a plane at the time. It was that moving. The last section was mostly just intellectually interesting. The book left quite a bit for me to think on. Unfortunately I don't want to share those thoughts here, because I'd be giving away story elements!

In the end, I think, Capote wanted to use his book as a commentary on the death penalty and American violence. For me, it didn't exactly succeed in either of those aspects. But what it did do was to provide a sound, well-researched and interesting psychological profile of two very different killers involved in the same crime. Yes, some parts dragged, and (I felt) the writing was at times flat, but all in all a worthy read.

A book that has stood the test of time. First released in 1965, it hasn't dated at all. A true account of the brutal slaying of four members of a rural Kansas family and the subsequent apprehension of the murderous duo. A fascinating, highly-engaging, harrowing, and moving tale of evil that lurks within the hearts of men.

The book proved to be highly controversial upon its release since it seemed to make a genuine effort not only to understand the social factors that help shape the making of a psychopath, but also to understand the points-of-view, however horrifying and disgusting as they maybe, of the perpetrators of the crime.

Though, this novel does not overtly give away the fact, but Truman Capote got deeply involved with the killers who had slain the Kansas family. In particular, he felt very strongly for Perry Smith, whom he thought had a very similar childhood as his own. Capote used to say that Perry and him lived in the same house as children, and the only reason their lives took different directions was the fact that Capote chose to exit that house from the front, while Perry chose the back door.

The book was in good condition and was shipped in a timely manner.
The story was not to my liking and does not compare with the author's
book "The Bronze Horseman".

For me, this book started off a bit slow. I thought it was kind of cheesy or too intense in the first bit. But it didn't take long for me to get so involved in it! It is a long book and I read it very quickly because I had to know what would happen. It is a very real book and I really connected with the characters. It is great! As are her other books, but this is her best in my opinion.

I had read her "Bronze Horseman" and "Tatiana and Alexander" so was curious to see how her first effort was. It was long, as are all her works. After a slow start, it was worth reading but don't expect everyone to live happily ever after. In that it is like real life, but some readers don't like that in a fiction book. I enjoyed it and was glad that I read it. Not as good as the others I read, though.

This was by far one of my favorite books ever! I have already read it several times and I just ordered a new copy. Once I started this book, I could not stop reading! Truly a great story :)

This story left me depressed and frustrated. I felt compassion for Tully in the beginning, and kept reading, waiting for the book to show Tully rising above her abused past, but by the end of the book I only felt sorry for the 'victims' of Tully's selfishness and destruction. If only there would have been a few more silver linings in the never ending dark clouds. It is an interesting depiction of what it would be like to care about a person who comes from an abusive past.

I loved this book. The voice, the style, the writing, Evelyn as the story teller. The '80s references were fun and familiar.

Moriarty is a clever, skilled author. I laughed out loud several times, and I loved how she just let "life be life" for Evelyn. No grand stands. No over the top epiphany, just a girl growing up, living in a dysfunctional family that sees a ray of light at the end of the story.

Read this book with your thinking cap on. Don't try this as a breeze-through genre read. It's so much more.

I loved it and highly recommend this book.

This is such a great book. I loved the raw reality of it. Painful at times, recalling the angst of youth. I've given this book to two girlfriends I thought would especially enjoy it. Well written, can't wait to read Laura's next one.

This book is written from the point of view of a little girl, Evelyn who, at the age of 10, thinks her home in Kerrville, Kansas, is the center of the world. She lives alone with her 26 year old mother Tina, barely making ends meet. Together, the two of them grow up, Evelyn maturing faster than her mother most of the time.

The writing is light and fun, changing as Evelyn herself grows. She has many challenges to face through her teenage years, and a lot of the time, she's going at it alone. She shuffles through different relationships through high school, but generally, she faces things head on without much help. Evelyn's journey is sure to keep you hooked and turning pages, anxious to see where life is going to take her next.

Slightly wordy and slow, but so full of truth. I related to these characters even though I have not lived this kind of small town, Kansas life, which includes confusing messages from God and President Reagan. The author is wonderful at depicting some of the enduring ironies that exist now and in the 1980's. Having grown up in this Era, I am reminded of the many questions that were looming right before my eyes. I found myself curious and anxious to find out this heroine, Evelyn, would mature. Who would she choose to forgive? Would she be a Christian, a biologist, or both? Would she become "life-smart" or just stay "book-smart"? Would she learn to be empathetic or judgmental? Would she become open-minded or bitter? Or, will she be able to find the perfect balance?

I read The Rest of Her Life first, Laura Moriarty's latest novel. It was so good that I wanted to read everything Moriarty's written. Unfortunately there was only one, The Center of Everything, but it's a fabulous one. Moriarty is a beautiful, elegant writer with well-drawn characters that you can relate to. Evelyn, the main character, is wonderfully funny and very real, someone you'd love to have in your life.
The story grabbed me in the beginning and held me til the end. A fabulous read.