Michigan Books

The word "imperialism" today has become worn from misuse. Many of us have come to expect the word to signify that the speaker is a radical Marxist, or perhaps an embittered citizen of a defunct imperial power. Unfortunate indeed, because discussion of imperialism as a type of foreign policy decision has thereby been squelched.
But in 1902, when Hobson wrote Imperialism, it was not yet a term of odium. Imperialism was a foreign policy strategy advocated as a benefit to the colonial power and to the subjugated nation alike; one advocate referred to it as "...the greatest secular agency for good known to the world," and some of the greatest minds of the day--John Stuart Mill, John Ruskin, William Gladstone, Joseph Chamberlain and Alfred Milner--were "social imperialists," partisans of a mission to bring liberal institutions to the rest of the world, and create markets for British manufactured goods. More common by far were advocates of imperialism as an alternative to redistributive socialist policies, as an outlet for surplus population (Britain was widely regarded as being overpopulated), and as a backyard for flagship companies. Hobson was addressing these arguments without acrimony, and without assuming a radical agenda his readers were unlikely to share.

The fact that self-described socialists and lassez-faire dogmatics alike, in 1902, regarded "imperialism" as a means to their rival ends, shows that this was not merely a right-left debate, and Hobson attacks the idea of solving the problems of capitalist societies by making war on other nations. His analysis of imperialism and its allure for the industrialized world makes this one of the most revealing books on 19th century history. The effects of imperialism on the rest of the human race are spelled out with precision and clarity, as is his nuanced analysis of why it is doomed to fail. Hobson's forecasts of the future of imperialism is astonishingly prescient, especially his passage on China.

Hobson was a pioneer of the underconsumptionist theories, theories later advanced by Keynes, Samuelson, and Tobin. Underconsumption presupposes that mature economies are unlikely to be be able to consume all that they produce; as a result, more capital accumulates, the marginal return on that capital declines, and stagnation sets in. But while Hobson was a seminal mind in economics, this is not an economics book--it is overwhelmingly a historical survey of ideologies, propaganda and the harsh reality, a disciplined yet creatively assembled explanation of how the needs of industrial Britain were so woefully met by imperial dogma. With the terrifying triumph of neo conservative ideology in our era, it is an extremely relevant book for contemporary citizens of America, and of the world.

When a powerful country invades another with the express intention of changing their culture or system of government, there are several things that can happen. The invasion can be military, economic or various combinations of both. In the first case, the invaded country can mount armed resistance until the invaders eventually leave. For the second case, a small percentage of the natives can adopt the ways of the invaders and become the ruling class while the majority simply continues their lives. In the third case the invaded country can assimilate the ways of the invaders into their culture, becoming a synthesis. All three cases have happened in response to the policy that we now know as imperialism.
In the century since this book was written, imperialism has become somewhat of a derogatory term, so it is avoided when describing modern actions. The strategy advocated by the American group known as neo-cons is a modified version of what the European countries did a century ago under the banner of imperialism. Their policy is that the United States invades a Middle Eastern country and imposes a local democratic government. The country then becomes a powerful role model for others in the region and they also adopt a democratic government. Once democracy becomes the norm, the countries will be transformed into modern states that are friendly to the west.
Those who adhere to that thought should have read this book first. Hobson is very non-judgmental about the motives of people who advocated imperialism, but he is not restricted in his conclusions regarding the results. When the powerful states carved up Africa and Asia between them, imperialism was touted as an effective way to change the world for the better. Many of the best minds in the west supported imperialism as an effective way to increase the standards of living of the subjugated peoples. It was also considered as a way to provide outlets for the excess population and energy of the subjugators. However, in only a few cases were the results anywhere close to what was intended. One hundred years later, Africa still foments with tribal conflicts, with democracy a hypothetical rather than a reality.
Hobson also demonstrates a great deal of insight into what the future could bring. His statement on page 313, " . . . the pressure of working-class movements in politics and industry in the West can be met by a flood of Chinese goods . . . " On page 317 he also mentions the possibility of Japan embarking on an Asian version of Manifest Destiny and adopting an imperialist policy in Asia. In some sense he predicted the rise of the Empire of Japan and the current situation with the Peoples Republic of China rising to the status of a great economic power.
Although he occasionally adopts the terminology and arrogance of European cultural supremacy over "the natives", Hobson has written a well-balanced treatise on how imperialism was viewed and justified at the time it was the global norm. His statements on the results should be required reading for policy makers and business people who are required to deal with other cultures.

Trotsky once wrote that of the three great tragedies in life- hunger, sex and death- revolutionary Marxism, which was the driving force behind his life and work, mainly concerned itself with the struggle against hunger. That observation contains an essential truth about the central thrust of the Marxist tradition. However, as Trotsky demonstrates here, Marxist methodology cannot and should not be reduced to an analysis of and prescription for that single struggle. Here Trotsky takes on an aspect of the struggle for mass cultural development.

In a healthy post-capitalist society mass cultural development would be greatly expanded and encouraged. If the task of socialism were merely to vastly expand economic equality, in a sense, it would be a relativity simple task for a healthy socialist society in concert with other like-minded societies to provide general economic equality with a little tweaking after vanquishing the capitalism mode of production. What Marxism aims for, and Trotsky defends here, is a prospect that with the end of class society and economic and social injustice the capacity of individual human beings to reach new heights of intellectual and creative development should flourish. That is the thought that underpins Trotsky's work here as he analyzes various trends in Russian literature in the immediate aftermath of the October Revolution of 1917. In short, Marxism is certainly not a method to be followed in order to write great literature but it does allow one to set that literature in its social context and interrelatedness.

You will find no Deconstructionist or other fashionable literary criticism here. Quite the contrary. Here Trotsky uses his finely tuned skill as a Marxist to great effect as he analyzes the various trends of literature as they were affected (or not affected) by the October Revolution and sniffs out what in false in some of the literary trends. Mainly, at the time of writing, the jury was still out about the prospects of many of these trends. He analyzes many of the trends that became important later in the century in world literature, like futurism constructivism, and others- some of which have disappeared and some of which still survive.

The most important and lasting polemic which Trotsky raised here, however, was the fight against the proponents of `proletarian culture'. The argument put forth by this trend maintained that since the Soviet Union was a workers state those who wrote about working class themes or were workers themselves should, in the interest of cultural development, be given special status and encouragement (read: a monopoly on the literary front). Trotsky makes short shrift of this argument by noting that, in theory at least as its turned out, the proletarian state was only a transitional state and therefore no lasting `proletarian culture' would have time to develop. Although history did not turn out to prove Trotsky correct the polemic is still relevant to any theory of mass cultural development.


One of the results of the publication of this book is that many intellectuals, particularly Western intellectuals, based some of their sympathy for Trotsky, the man and fallen hero on his literary analysis and his ability to write. This was particularly true during the 1930's here in America where those who were anti-Stalinist but were repelled by the vacuity of the Socialist Party were drawn to him. A few, like James T. Farrell (Studs Lonigan trilogy), did this mostly honorably. Most, like Dwight MacDonald and Sidney Hooks, etc. did not and simply used that temporary sympathy as a way station on their way to anti-Communism. Such is the nature of the political struggle.

A note for the politically- inclined who read this book. Trotsky wrote this book in 1923-24 at the time of Lenin's death and later while the struggle for succession by Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev was in full swing. While Trotsky did not recognize it until later (nor did others, for that matter) this period represented the close of the rising tide of the revolution. Hereafter, the people who ruled the Soviet Union, the purposes for which they ruled and the manner in which they ruled changed dramatically. In short, Thermidor in the classical French revolutionary expression was victorious. Given his political position why the hell was Trotsky writing a book on literary trends in post-revolutionary society at that time?

This is simply one of the most important books of the 20th Century. Trotsky wrote this book at the request of Lenin who edited it. They saw fighting against those who wanted to impose a so-called "proletarian" culture as the official culture of the Soviet Union, as a threat to a real Marxist understanding of culture. Judging culture by its explicit politics, rather than by its expression of human life, Trotsky explains, is as far from Marxism as you can get. Trotsky explains that even some of the most reactionary minded writers have create some of the most stirringly real and vibrant literature, how to road to real socialism will come by giving working people full and free access to the best and the worst of the literature and art that capitalism has produced. No one who reads this book will think that the garbage that passed for cultural theory in the Soviet Union under Stalin and his successors or under Mao and his successors has anything to do with socialism or Marxism

The life of the maid is not only well told by the author, but the translator, the late Albert Guerard (himself an historian and critic of great stature), has included an introduction and notes about the life, and the thoughts of Michelet that are important to the modern reader.

This short work is well worth owning. Anyone interested in France, the Middle Ages, the Hundred Years War, or the life of an important woman in Christendom will find this, now classic work, a gemstone.

this is the most inspiring book i have ever read. It told about Joan's religous life and human life. This book I recomend to everybody above 15.

This is a book that integrates many disparate themes into a surprisingly coherent whole. It is, first and foremost, a systems approach to social science. But it is more than that. It is also a unifying evolutionary framework and a plausible world view. It provides an intuitively satisfying integration of biological, mental and social processes. It is also well written. And I would have to agree with the reviewer who called it one of the best books he had ever read. It is truly a little jewel.

This is one of the best books I have read in my life. A picture of man's mental scenery by a very accute observer. A short book written with a lot of wisdom. An inspiring source of ideas and understanding for people for whom knowledge is important!

This is an extremely good book that contains a series of lectures delivered to lay audience by this great physicist. It reveals the deep meaning behind the mathematical symbols and equations in modern physics. It's incomparable in this regard. The book is very easy to understand. The writing flows smoothly and beautifully. Great metaphors comes out effortlessly, one after another. It is very enjoyable reading.

This book started me on physics, way way back. I wish it were in print gain.

Back in the '60's I was on my way to Haight Ashbury from Boston when I stopped in Ann Arbor...and stayed! My adopted home town is so eclectic and has much to offer those passing through as well as those who,like myself, have made it their home. Cynthia Davis' book highlights many of the places which have become part of the soul of Ann Arbor- with amazing colors and textures. It would make an excellent holiday gift for anyone who has an attachment to the city. I plan on giving several myself!

Photographer Cynthia Davis captures the heart and essence of this excting and dynamic city the way no other photograher has. Her photos take you to spots famous and private in a painterly approach that bears her signature style.
Her sensitivity highlights the beauty of each chosen spot that surely conjures up memories to the millions who have studied and visited this wonderful city.
Art and Ann Arbor go hand in hand.
This is a fabulous book for the alumni or student as well as for the delightfully diverse people of Ann Arbor.
A treasure to be treasured.
A gift to be shared!

In Arboretum America: A Philosophy Of The Forest, botanist, medical researcher, and agricultural expert, Diana Beresford-Kroeger celebrates a diversity of trees and plants including how they can counteract the effects of pollution and global warming; which native plants complement the "bioplan"; how to plan them with ideas and tips; the medicinal uses trees and plants have had from the inception of aboriginal cultures down to the modern day, and so much more. Inviting, full-color photography by Christian H. Kroeger and an informative Foreword by Edward O. Wilson nicely embellish this informed and informative presentation which vibrantly reflects the Diana Beresford-Kroeger's love of nature and enduring passion for scientific inquisition. Arboretum America is an especially recommended addition to Ecological Studies reference collections and Botanical Studies supplemental reading lists.

What a holistic book on the forests of North America. Diana Beresford-Kroeger discuss the ecology of our trees in a scientific fashion as well as including a spiritual and healing aspects of the forest through the history of plants and medicinal properties. Wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the unique dynamics of forest life.

This is a must for anyone who loves the Lake Superior region.

Very well researched and written, the books begins with a series of articles on several themes pertinent to the Lake, such as the history of lumbering, mining, and the tales of the Native People.

Then in logical sequential fasion, we are led on a tour around the lake stopping at many interesting parks, monuments, towns, etc.

This is not so much a standard guide book as a historical and natural tour. Many current and archival photos are included.

There are perhaps a half dozen Lake Superior books I would own rather than borrow and this is definitely one of them.

This is a clearly written guidebook which covers the past and the present. It is most handy if you are taking the Lake Superior circle tour. Very well organized with some great pictures.

This practical guide for English teachers should find a large audience, especially in MA classes on ESL methodology. Combining personal insights, detailed interview with fellow ESL teachers, and a survey of recent research and an acute awareness that context matters, Keith Folse has written an outstanding primer for conversation teachers and tutors.
His 20 short vignettes in Chapter 3 (What does a Conversation Class Look Like) are worth the coverprice alone. If you have already, or you plan to teach a conversation class, I strongly recommend this outstanding primer.

As a relatively new EFL teacher, I appreciate Dr. Folse's insights. One of the most important aspects that jumps out at me is his emphasis on the need to teach the language "for" and "in" the learning task. While this may seem like common sense, I've noticed that it's not always common practice. The book is a nice blend of theory and practice.

The reader can tell that Folse has taught speaking in a number of contexts and that he's familiar with research in the field of TESOL. He communicates information in a way that beginning teachers can understand. There are also nice sections describing speaking classes in a number of different contexts around the world along with activities that work and don't work.

Finally, I enjoyed the humble approach he takes in describing his own development as an English teacher early in his career. Overall, I feel enriched as a teacher after reading the book.

This is one of the most quietly beautiful books I have ever read. Set in Chicago and the mysterious world of the Indiana Dunes on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Rogers evokes the feeling of two very different landscapes with seamless prose as he tells what will undoubtedly become one of the classic American coming-of-age novels. I appreciated the maturity of this book, which tells the story of a young boy who lusts after every girl he meets while longing, deep down, for a more profound and lasting relationship.

Rogers is finally getting the critical acclaim he so richly deserves (see Cathleen Shine in the New York Review of Books). Philip Roth calls him the Evelyn Waugh of our time. "At the Shores" is a beautifully crafted coming of age story that will appeal to adults and teenagers alike; the writing shimmers on the page like the summer heat across the Indiana dunes Rogers lovingly describes. While so many modern novels rely on shock or style quirks to grab attention, Rogers captivates us the timeless way: with a moving story of authentic characters and emotion rendered in flawless prose. "At the Shores" should be combined with Rogers' three other major novels: "The Confessions of the Child of the Century," "The Pursuit of Happiness" and "Jerry Engels" (sequel to "At the Shores"), to appreciate the full arc of his talent. Just as Philip Larkin resurrected the incomparable charms of Barbara Pym's writing, we can only hope the new critical attention given to Rogers' work will now give a wider audience the pleasure of discovering him.