Social Studies Books

This is a delightful, sweet story about a cat, who is asked to learn the manners of the house. The illustrations are colorful and an essential part of the story. Especially good for those who have a fondness for cats and their independent ways.

Diana Star Helmer, The Cat Who Came for Tacos (Albert Whitman and Co., 2003)

TACOS is an enjoyable tale of a stray that comes to stay. Flynn the cat is welcomed but encounters the house rules that he is required to obey. Flynn puts on a winning performance of his best behavior and as a result he captures the hearts of his new family. It is a delightful child's book, wonderfully illustrated, flavored with a splash of salsa, that will leave you purring with contentment.

Diana Star Helmer, The Cat Who Came for Tacos (Albert Whitman and Co., 2003)

I read this one a few nights ago, and it's taken me some time mulling it over to really get it. Now, this may seem like an odd thing to say when you're talking about a book aimed at the preschool market. But it presents itself as a cute story that'll teach your kid a little Spanish. Which is all well and good, and on the surface, that's what you get. The story, however, has a lot to say about kids' testing of boundaries. While the solutions to be found are a bit on the simplistic side (rare is the child who will do something, with no trouble, after being asked to do it once), it certainly does seem like the kind of thing you want to impart to your children early.

I liked it at first, but a few days' reflection has given me a deeper appreciation for it. This one should be on your kid's bookshelf. *** ½

The Cat Who Came for Tacos is great. My grandkids never get tired of hearing it. And I never get tired of reading it. I love the book's message of tolerance. The book is a warm, humorous way to show that non-human animals have their own way of seeing the world, and that people should try to understand and respect those differences.

Cat lovers, teachers, grandparents, parents and children can all delight in this charming story and opportunity for reviewing manners. It does not talk down to kids at all, which is always refreshing. I read this book to my granddaughter's kindergarten class and the kids loved it. As did their teachers when the kids showed how much they loved showing off their freshly discussed and practiced "impeccable" manners during refreshment time. It was heartwarming to watch those little ones use every "please" and "thank you" and helpful gesture they knew. The children who were new to manners were quick studies and seemed to thrive on "fitting in" and being recognized as a good cooperator and friend!!! The adults enjoyed the book too.
I can see using this book with all elementary levels for reviewing and teaching how to welcome newcomers and use respectful communication skills as well.

This book is a good primer to learning about Native American Medicine. The writing is fairly engaging, but reads somewhat as a self-help book, which is either good or bad depending on your perspective. But I like self-help, and I liked this book.

An excellent presentation of Cherokee religion in respect to the harmony in the relationships of cycles. Easily readable, but goes into depth to give good solid understanding. A well done book on the subject!

I bought this book on the basis of the recommendations and a referral. It is very well written and clearly explains the sacred hoop medicine wheel in relation to healing and wellness of spirit, emotion, and body. In fact, it does so better than any other book I've read on the subject. It also provides ways to facilitate healing circles for those who are interested in pursuing that. I look forward to reading more Garrett books.

An amazing study book. Encourages me to continue in my Native American roots search. Thank you. I have all of Garretts books.

Helps me with my meditation practices. Better to use this in the great outdoors but a very sprit building book!

The stories are inspiring and uplifting for Women, Men and Children of all colors And Especially so for African Americans. Beautiful!

This "serving" of the Chicken Soup for the soul shows the vision, way of thinking and feelings of AfroAmerican women, which have had a so great role in the shaping of the recent history of the USA. I've missed more stories from the "old days", more stories told from grandmothers to their grandchildren and I think the book would be richer with them. Also, it doens't show the sad face of the racism many of those women have suffered and even if it's extremely hard and sad, it's not less true and it must be told in order to avoid such facts being repeated.

Well, this second helping of Chicken Soup for the Afrian-American Soul is for women and everyone who loves them. When you need something to feel good fast, gulp down one of the tasty short stories, seasoned just right. When you want to lift someone up, treat them to this unforgetable treat that they will gobble up. Get ot as a gift for yourself or someone else-- a gift that will keep on giving because of the memorable and inspirational feel-good stories packed inside a beautifully bound cover.

I'm really enjoying this book. I'm formerly an avid reader who recently has been so busy that spending time reading and finishing a good, thick book has been quite a challenge. I like this book because while I'm commuting or waiting in the doctor's office or whatever I can choose at random any of these short, stories and get a quick "pick me up" a little lift in my spirits that gets me through my day in a better frame of mind.
I definitely reccommend it!

I have enjoyed reading about the joys, the struggles, the good and the bad of this wonderful culture. Women have many roles, moms, daughters, sisters, aunts, wives, friends. I have enjoyed reading about all of these roles from personal experiences and veiws of the writers. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys good reading and want to know more about the phenomenal black woman.

First of all, it's nice to finally read a book written by a woman I would actually date, not some dried up old hag who claims to know about the dating world, but has never left her computer chair.

I am a guy, and I'm always trying to learn about the women I date, and try to understand their thoughts, and fears.

I always said, being videotaped for 24 hours, and then watching yourself in the video, could change your life forever. This book is the next best thing. It gives the reader tools to discover just who they are, or better yet, who they "appear to be." And this is the key.

How you see and feel about yourself, is usually very different from how others see you. And that is ok! But without the tools to learn and grow from, one will be forever lost.

This book helps to quickly identify who you appear to be, for better or worse, and how to work on yourself, and understand how your tone, or delivery, or even facial expressions, can paint a totally different picture than what you really feel. It teaches the reader how to hone these skills, where what you feel inside, can match what's going on outside.

A must for any woman in the dating world. You MUST LEARN how you are being perceived. The best intentions in the world, can be lost with the wrong delivery. WE ALL KNOW THAT! GET THIS BOOK! YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

Marc D., Atlanta, GA

I LOVED reading Cinderella Was a Liar!!!! Tons of great advice & fun to read_.I recommended it to all of my female friends & they loved it...My Favorite chapters... Don't shove your feet into slipper's that don't fit & The Joy of Walking Barefoot....

This is a FANTASTIC BOOK!!! Its humerous, its smart, charming, witty, and quite frankly ladies, honest. I have recommended this book to all of my female friends and have bought several copies for them. Great read!!!

This is a great book for teenage girls. It stresses the good qualities of waiting to have sex. It tells how even boys that were interviewed admitted to really using the girls who give "it" up to too easily. But those same boys don't want to have the girls that they think are too easy for girlfriends. Since the boys know that if a girl gives in for them, she probably has done it in the past with others. I think we all want our daughters to know this, but somehow they don't believe it when it comes from us. Thanks

I'm a guy, and I'm not the target audience for this book. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed Cinderella Was a Liar by Brenda Della Casa. She skewers the "Prince Charming" myth and dishes out some great advice on how to attract a decent guy. And those of both genders could benefit from her suggestions on becoming comfortable with yourself first before you try and attract a potential mate.

Contents: The Twelve Sisters No Prince Wants to Date; Throw Out the Proverbial Bridal Binder!; Don't Shove Your Feet into Slippers That Don't Fit; The Joy of Walking Barefoot; Having a Ball in the World of Dating; The Lies We Speak into the Mirror; One-Night Stands (and Other Bad Potions); The Curse of Verbal Diarrhea; Guaranteed Ways to Send Him Far, Far Away; The Lads Holding You Back and the Toads Who Have to Go; How and Where to Bag Your Royal; Real Royals Answer Questions for You; Your Very Own Coat of Arms; Index

The fairy tale of Cinderella has Prince Charming taking Cindy away from her life of drudgery and servitude when he matches her up with the left-behind glass slipper. Ever since, girls have been raised to look for their "Prince Charming", the one true love that will sweep them away to a happily-ever-after. The problem is, it's all a fantasy. Trying to find that one Prince Charming puts a ton of pressure on everyone, and causes real guys to be overlooked. Della Casa interviewed quite a few real guys to find out how they feel and think about dating and relationships, gathered up their input, and used it to show how a women's quest for her "Prince" is often a series of missteps, disappointments, and disasters. Instead, "Cinderella" should relax and learn to enjoy her own company. Developing your own interests and activities guarantee that you'll never be at a loss for options, and you're not dependent on someone else to make you happy. One you get to that point, then let dating be the opportunity to meet people, have fun, and learn what you like and don't like. You don't have to fit into the slipper of everyone you date, nor do you want to wear a slipper that gives you blisters. Relax...

And if you're a guy reading this, much of the advice is just as applicable. The focus is a bit different, in that we're not looking for someone to take us away and provide for our every need (or at least we shouldn't be). But learning to have your own interests, as well as looking at dating as a way to find out what you do and don't like is a great idea. You can also work on your own bad dating habits so that you don't scare off your Cindy when you do meet her...

Great advice, and a lot of humor mixed in here. I had a lot of fun reading this one...

For an account of Lincoln's thought (as well as Douglas') that serves to the credit of both of them, read this book. One of the finest books I have ever read, there are some chapters on Lincoln's thought that you will read time and time again. My copy of the book is marked up with great quotes where Harry Jaffa shows great insight into the tension and wonder that is the democratic thought of Abraham Lincoln, quite possibly the greatest democratic leader in history. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to know about the mind of Lincoln before the Civil War.

This book is a most profound examination of the thinking of both Sen. Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln concerning all of the issues associated with slavery up to the Civil War. Jaffa wants to set the record straight as far as any number of contentions by well-known historians of his era, known as revisionists. Most importantly, he flatly disputes the notion that the thinking and actions of Douglas (the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854) endorsing popular sovereignty were essentially equivalent to the principled stand of Lincoln based on the equality of all men in their long-term ramifications for slavery. Those revisionist historians contend that Lincoln and the Republicans should have accepted Douglas' solution to the slavery crisis, thus not precipitating the Civil War.

Another claim against Lincoln that Jaffa thoroughly discredits is that Lincoln, in fact, did not hold Negroes as equals, and simply used the issue for personal political gain regardless of the consequences for the Union. But Lincoln understood that politics is the art of the possible. The author makes clear that Lincoln held an intense respect for the principles of the Declaration of Independence, including the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for all, including Negroes. It was one thing for the Union to be formed with the taint of slavery, but the contention that Southerners came to that slavery was a "positive good" was felt by Lincoln to have the potential to completely undermine the basis of the US. Perhaps it could even be justified to enslave a group of "inferior" whites. Lincoln felt compelled to move the nation back to its core principles without alienating those who did not have the same clarity as to what was at stake.

The book is a challenging read. The issue of permitting slavery in territories became and remained contentious from 1820 on. The arguments for and against slavery in territories are quite subtle involving constitutionality, Congressional acts, territorial legislative bodies, and court decisions. The Dred Scott decision in 1857 disallowing restrictions on taking property (slaves) into territories is examined. Lincoln and the Republicans, rightfully so, were very apprehensive as to the long term ramifications of that decision. It was hardly a stretch to see where free states could become a thing of the past.

The book is only indirectly concerned with the Lincoln-Douglas debates. They are randomly referred to throughout the text, but earlier writings and speeches receive far more attention. Douglas' words concerning the Mexican territories and the Kansas-Nebraska Act are well covered. The author devotes a large segment to examining Lincoln's speech to the Young Men's Lyceum in 1938, where his thinking on major issues had already crystallized. Lincoln's address on temperance receives much attention.

The author is a disciple of Leo Strauss, the natural rights theorist. He does regard Lincoln as a preeminent natural rights thinker. There is some discussion of pre-civil society versus civil society. But the overall import of the book does not turn on acceptance of natural rights in a purist sense.

This book, decades after its publication, cannot be ignored for understanding Lincoln.

If you want to read one book about Lincoln's thought, this is the one to read. The first part of the book, which takes Douglas seriously and states the strongest case for him, is historically dense and may be difficult for most readers. But keep going, because the payoff will be great. There follow chapters on two of Lincoln's early speeches. Jaffa's analysis here is brilliant, though perhaps a bit far-fetched. In the final part of the book, Jaffa states the case for Lincoln against Douglas. This part is rich in its ideas, rigorous in its reasoning, and eloquent to the point of being inspirational. (By the way, if you want to read one biography of Lincoln, I'd recommend the one by Lord Charnwood. Though written almost a century ago and therefore not up to date on all the details of historical scholarship, it is judicious throughout and beautifully written.)

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Jaffa is that he wrote Goldwater's famous "moderation in the defense of freedom is no virtue" speech. If you go back and read the speech (and it is on the web, of course), it echoes both the Old Testament ("our fathers") and Lincoln. I suspect he would agree with the man who told me that Lincoln is the greatest prose stylish in the English language. As for the book, Jaffa interprets the civil war as the second, and genuine, founding of the American republic, and precisely because the principle of the Declaration, equality, was written not in ink but blood (Jaffa has his own brand of Lincolnian Christianity). Lincoln, by this reading, belongs to the "tribe of the eagle and the lion" and was neither Caesar nor Brutus but possessed the best qualities of both. To understand that part of Jaffa's interpretation, you would have to read his treatment of Shakespeare. As for the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Jaffa stages Douglas as Thrasymachus and Lincoln--surprise, surprise--as Socrates.

Professor Harry V. Jaffa's "Crisis of the House Divided" is an extremely important book. In it, he succeeds in turning back the revisionist historians of the mid-Twentieth Century who sought to devalue Abraham Lincoln's commitment to the proposition that "All men are created equal."

This tide of revisionism took two general forms; partisans for the South who placed the full blame on Mr. Lincoln for sparking the "War of Northern Aggression"; and modern historians, skeptical of any higher motives and virtues in statesmen of the past, who claimed that there were really no substantial policy differences between Mr. Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas. If the latter class of historian could prove that Lincoln didn't really believe in freedom for slaves and that his rhetoric against slavery was irresponsible (knowing how it offended Southern sensibilities) while Douglas' "Popular Sovereignty" policy would have eventually led to the limitation and elimination of slavery, then Lincoln's legacy as President could be shown to be the largely accidental.

Fortunately, Professor Jaffa's work demolishes the corrosive contentions of the revisionists, showing, beyond any doubt, that Mr. Lincoln believed America was founded on the principle of human equality as much as it was founded on the idea of democracy. That democracy and equality were the twin pillars of the American Republic and were in tension was something Mr. Lincoln well understood while Judge Douglas honored only democracy. Hence, Douglas' "Popular Sovereignty" led to the concept that the majority could decide slavery was not only legal, but also moral. In opposition, Mr. Lincoln argued that a majority did not have the right to sanction the enslavement of other men, regardless of their alleged inferiority, because "All men are created equal."

Professor Jaffa shows that Mr. Lincoln built upon the Founders' thoughts in the Declaration of Independence and urged their maturation towards the ideal. Lincoln saw how the Founders invoked passion, hatred and revenge in support of the cause of independence from Britain but how these passions were no longer adequate to the task of preserving the Union from the dangers of mobocracy or dictatorship - dangers made more immediate by the revolutionary birth of America and the tendency of unrestrained democracy to disdainful the rule of law. Instead, Lincoln recommended virtuous reason to lift the United States up, to show the world that it was truly capable of lasting self-governance. Of course, the cornerstone of this reason was the thinking through in the body politic, the practical consequences of the principle, "All men are created equal."

Professor Jaffa's book is a gift to America and the world. Were more people in office aware of the fundamental issues debated by Judge Douglas and Mr. Lincoln in 1858 during their remarkable campaign for the Illinois Senate, and their implications for policies even today, our nation would be stronger and our democracy more secure.

Reviewer: Chuck DeVore is a California State Assemblyman, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard and the author of "China Attacks."

It is vital we form mutual understandings between cultures so that stereotypes and prejudice don't start cultural conflicts. Cross-Cultural Communication has helped me in my way of thinking. I am more conscious now of other cultures than I have ever been before. My interaction with others will change gradually as I attempt to work successfully with different people. I will need these skills especially when I leave Tennessee State University and have to work in a multicultural setting or organization.

I would highly recommend this book to any student who is seeking a great source of knowledge in the communication area. Dr. Norales is obviously an expert in the field and delves into the issues by using her knowledge as well as other experts in the communication field. I hope she continues to assign this text to her future classes at Tennessee State University as I feel it will be a benefit to all who read it.

This book proved to be a thorough and detailed text of cultural relations worldwide. I found the book to be full of positive knowledge and culturally beneficial. The information and tools contained in this book could inspire many individuals to communicate well with all people of various cultures. The facts related to cultural negligence and violence are certainly disheartening. However, the reality of "cultural clashes" is not pleasant. It is my hope that more people will read books of this nature to inspire a positive change worldwide.

I would like to say that the Cross-Cultural Communication book was great. It was helpful in many ways. I feel like it will help me as it relates to communicating in the business world. It has expanded my knowledge of cultures. I would recommend this book to anyone. I think that the writers did a great job. They were excellent in relaying the information they had in each chapter.

This book is very easy to read. The sentences are concise. It provides some interesting concepts about intercultural challenges. It inspired me to write a report about my African-American culture.

Every so often you are impacted by a compelling act, word or deed. Crossings gave me much to think about. There are dozens of books I have read and they mostly have left my memory bank. Not this book, it made a lasting deposit. E-mail me about Birmingham Pledge: attempt to end racism.

I have always been very interested in the role of race in our society. There is no real answer to the questions of its importance, but Harrington does an exceptional job in giving his readers nonbiased, objective research. He travels the country interviewing many different African Americans in different socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and lifestyles. It is incredibly interesting reading about their different beliefs on the subjects he brings up, and their openness to discuss these things also intrigues me. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about race, whether it is your own, or one you want to know more about.

This important work should not have disappeared from bookstore shelves, and should be on every thnking person's reading list. By the way, it is also a pleasure to read as Harrington is a gifted storyteller, the mark of a firs-rate reporter. Walt Harrington talks frankly of those differences in style which often separate, perplex, and offend us. White and black social styles are different, but we can deal with that.What we seem unwilling to confront, in our social policies and our private assumptions, are the much larger and harder-edged gulfs between economic classes. Harrington's realization that poor blacks and whites have more in common with one another than with the wealthy, and his analysis of barriers to individual success put up by economically stressed communities, as opposed to racially segregated communities were brilliant. I find myself constantly rethinking my own work in education and in community building based on his work. This book is a must read for every college sociology class, political science professor, and business school graduate.Some publisher out there must recognize the worth of this book. Everyone who has read it is ready to give a copy to at least 5 friends! We can all hope Oprah discovers this work and puts it on her list so that it will gain the audience Harrington deserves.

Walt Harrington has provided America with one of the best accounts of race and racism in this county. Through many interviews with black people around the country, Harrington provides a vivid picture of race in America. His most important point is that all black people do not share the same views on politics, economics, and racism. The only ciriticism that comes to mind is that his book is too optimistic. Harrington insinuates that one day racism can be overcome. This comes after countless off-the-collar, racist comments from various white people he meets (one from a young boy playing basketball). While we must continue to try, white racism seems an insurmountable obstacle.

I absolutely loved this book. What a journey? As an African Canadian I've had a long fascination with the history and lives of my brothers and sisters to the south. When I was very young I would pore over my father's old Ebony magazines from the 60s absorbing all the knowledge I could about people who I found incredibly complex, strong, loving, generous, heroic....The many stories of courage, achievement and triumph made me very proud. Walt Harrington's book has allowed me to continue my fascinating journey. Today I have many African-American friends who are often astonished with my knowledge of their history and culture. Harrington's book is one that every American should read. Mainly because it's not a book about African Americans, as much as it's a book about America. Every chapter is a journey into complexities of American culture and it's people. They say that the best stories are true - this book is living proof of that. The fact that Harrington is white, makes this journey all the more interesting. Him experiencing things for the first time that we as Black people have long been privvy to is often funny (in a sad way). There are many examples of the accepted ignorance that white privilege creates. However, we find Harrington asking himself questions that would be so easy to sugar coat with a great white liberal response, but he instead answers with the unexpected - brutal honesty (what you suspect he is thinking, but would never say). Some of Harrington's experiences and stories scrape the depths of despair (Chicago projects), while others show the will of a people (Oklohoma cowboys). Harrington is generous in his writing style, recreating Black people's lives and experiences with the greatest detail and vividness. Walt, thank you for your commitment to expanding your horizons and allowing others to be part of your journey - I enjoyed every minute of it. This book is one I look forward to revisiting.

This book was a real revalation to me. To read a firsthand account of a gay man's journey, back in the late 1970s, was truly a rare, and positive experience. This was the era when gays were fiinally getting positive public recognition (at least on TV and in the press) other than being labeled "not normal," mentally ill, or other negative call-words. These were the days of gay marches, people "coming out" publicly, and the dawn of a new and positive age for homosexuality. Reading this book was a very
mind-blowing experience. To read, and understand, David Kopay's struggle and coming to terms with his own sexual identity, "coming out" to his parents and family, and the discrimination he experienced in searching for a job in the sports field, truly shows the social climate of the times; and also might show others that the human experience is similar to most people.
Perhaps "straight" people, right-wing Republicans and religious fantaics of the Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell types might gain some insight into the human condition by reading this, and similar, books. Too much time is spent on negativity and extolling people's differences by some groups and people; when there is still homophobia and gay-bashing still going on -- as shown by the sad episode of Matthew Shepherd, not too many years ago.
This book is a must-read for any gay man, also friends and family members of gay persons. The book may just show people that there isn't much difference between people, whatever their race, sexual preferences, or even religious beliefs. Even though I read this book almost twnety years ago, it's message is still strong, and I highly reccomend this book to anyone who has a gay family member, a gay friend, or if you are a gay person reading this.

You don't need to be a gay man or a football fan to connect with this emotional and enlightening page-turner. Bravo to David Kopay and Perre Deane Young!!!!!!

This book is of a true hero, David Kopay. What a story of courage and inspiration. If you want to be inspired, read this book. One of the best!!

Before Dan Woog's "Jocks," before "The Front Runner," before the whole genre, David Kopay rocked the homophobic world of sports by coming out and telling his story. An amazing personal journey and a great historic account, this is a must-have for your gay library. Not as sexy as you'd think, instead it's a harrowing and touching tale of the first pro football player - the first jock of the 20th century - to come out big time. We all owe this man a lot, but beyond that, this is a compelling story.

This is David Kopay's account of growing up gay back when there were very few books or support groups to turn to, which makes it stand even taller. He describes his experience as a college and professional football player as well as being in a fraternity. I find him candid, readable and likeable. He never asked for any special favours, just the right to live his life his way and do what he knew how to do.

I'm proud that David is a fellow Husky; his name adds honour to the reputation of the University of Washington, both as a hard-nosed athlete who hit like a freight train and as a man of courage. Just about anyone could benefit from reading his book.

Tuhiwai Smith's masterpiece is a must-read for any discipline. Her work questions the most basic assumptions upon which academic research lies; her influence is widely felt in fields as diverse as anthropology, social work, women studies, film studies, indigenous studies, psychology, history, sociology, and ethnic studies. Smith is the Fanon of the indigenous world, and the contemporary academic cannot afford to miss her work.

The chapters are absorbing and surprisingly straight-forward for theory, and can be read separately or in sequence. The work is accessible enough for undergraduate students, but rich enough to serve as a valuable addition to the graduate student's bookshelf.

She reaches both Native and non-Native audiences, and concludes her work with indiginizing projects that detail real alternatives to current practices. An investment you will not regret!

I first read this book for a course in Sociocultural Theory in Anthropology. It has stayed on my shelf ever since. Linda Tuhiwai Smith provides insight and deeply meaningful commentary on the field of social research and its place in the indigenous community. This work should be required reading of all students in the social sciences.

This book outlines important and useful methodologies for decolonization, and should be required reading for anyone who makes public policy.

Smith provides a coherent and detailed alternative perspective for those researching in fields related to indigenous populations. She presents both a theoretical framework and offers very practical suggestions. I have found great value not only in what Smith presents but also in following up readings through those she references. I believe this is a necessary book on any shelf of those involved in such study.

Looking at Western research practices from the �underside� of a positivist paradigm deeply entrenched and diffused throughout public and private educational, governmental, and corporate tentacles, Linda Tuhiwai Smith is a Maori (New Zealand) intellectual presenting a counter-methodological narrative stemming from a collective indigenous historical cynicism and whose voice bespeaks the refusal to be objectified by an inherently racist and imperialist mode of constructing knowledge and re-presentations of non-Western peoples. Deconstructing Western research paradigms is simply an act of defiance and resistance for Smith, particularly since she constructs a radical alternative methodology rooted in self-determination, social justice, intellectual property rights, and active participation in all knowledge-making, contributions to the research processes, and dissemination of �findings�. The exigency of articulating a research methodology aimed at critical praxis for Western and non-Western peoples interested in indigenous issues emerges at a point where globalization and neo-liberal imperial practices and investments are opening new spaces for the unilateral and/or predominant benefit of Western research regimes that continue capitalizing and objectifying indigenous peoples through racist and incorrigible projects that erase human dignity, i.e. Human Genome Diversity Project.

The book can strategically be divided into two main sections: the first section explores the contemporary and historical legacy of an imperial tryst between Western scientific, economic, and ideological formations shaping relations with alterity (Chapters 1-5); the second section outlines a radical alternative methodology for conducting research on indigenous peoples and issues (Chapters 6-9). The first chapter reveals the �Enlightenment� and positivist threads that weave imperialism, history, writing, and theoretical practices that continue to shape current research and socio-political policies on an international level. Smith states: �research within late-modern and late-colonial conditions continues relentlessly and brings with it a new wave of exploration, discovery, exploitation, and appropriation� (24). Deconstructing the historical legacy of imperial practices is also a call for rewriting and rerighting history with indigenous perspectives. The second chapter outlines the Baconian processes by which Westerners come to view the world as a standing reserve of objects for empirical inquiry, discursive appropriation, and mimetic comportment processes aimed at subjugating and �controlling� nature and indigenous peoples with an intellectual will to power stemming from racist ideologues who trace some form of theoretical lineage back to Bacon, Kant, Hegel, Hume and others. Borrowing from Stuart Hall, this process moves from classification of the world and others, to collapsing images for a convenient system of representation, to presenting a reified model for comparative analysis, and, finally, establishing criteria for hierarchical positionality. Chapter three delves further into deconstructing research, as viewed through imperial eyes, and how this methodology produced a self-perpetuating apparatus comprised of multifarious disciplines for the construction and future survival of colonial �knowledge� and all those who invest in these truth regimes that purport to be �universal�, �neutral�, objectively sound, and constructed on a foundation of �absolute certainty�.

Chapter four and five highlight many instances of how imperial research regimes continue to invest in the discursive and �scientific� construction, re-presentation, and exploitation of indigenous peoples for profit and social control. The globe has become one large information colony where research is the means to inscribe social and ideological control and Westernized fabrications of history on the backs of indigenous peoples around the world. The most infamous example of how the imperial research regime continues to exist is through scientific projects stemming from private corporate entities mainly subsidized by governments. The Human Genome Diversity Project attempts to subjugate indigenous peoples by mapping and reifying DNA and possessing it as �intellectual property� for future use. The attempt to patent the genetic make-up of the Hagahai people (New Guinea) by the U.S. government is indisputable proof of how these scientific projects threaten the future, autonomy, and human rights of indigenous peoples.

The second part of the book focuses on constructing an indigenous alternative to decolonize indigenous peoples from Western regimes of research based on emergent tribal social issues, practices, and beliefs. The center of this decolonizing project is constructed through Polynesian metaphors of �space-time�. The center of social activity and identity is an archipelago comprised of self-determination in terms of tribal autonomy on a social, economic, and research level, as well as the full participation in inter-tribal and inter-national relations. Healing, decolonization, transformation, and mobilization are the four main �directions� that frame the spaces of this project. Survival, recovery, and development are the main �tides� that connect and transform all directionality of the project. This methodology is intended to transform indigenous peoples from passive objects in Western research to active-participants in an indigenous process of reconfiguring themselves and the world around them. Respect becomes the main affective principle for the survival of indigenous peoples and the project: �through respect, the place of everyone, and everything in the universe is kept in balance and harmony�the denial by the West of humanity to indigenous peoples, the denial of citizenship and human rights, the denial of the right to self-determination�all these demonstrate palpably the enormous lack of respect which has marked the relations of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples� (120). Without respect, there is no dignity.

Chapter seven outlines a means of articulating such a project to indigenous and non-indigenous peoples and the challenges associated with it. Chapter eight provides a list of current indigenous research projects. Chapter nine provides a case study of the Maori peoples in which the method outlined in chapter six was put into practice. Chapter ten details with the methodological transformation of passive objects to active agents and lists tactics for strengthening and sustaining critical research for decolonizing processes.
Generally, when the researched become researchers, self-determination and healing can take place, communities can create and control research processes and the subsequent naming of the world, and they can define their relationship with others and the environment.

If a critical theroetical/methodological �flaw� or problematic of this decolonial methodology exists, it might come to presence from a post-structural disdain for outlining a process by which people can �liberate� themselves from Western imperialist research regimes. But then again, post-structural thought is mainly a Western construction and/or response to
'modernity' and its discontents.

Y ENSEÑARLES, PARAS SIEMPRE, EL CAMINO CORRECTO A LA FELICIDAD Y, UN DIA, AL CIELO!

and happy peoples, translated into TEN PROMISES we vow to keep and make our children learn... A very special book to teach the children: You can't imagine how they enjoy "promising " and what good it does to their lives !

la extraordinaria IDEA DE DIEZ PROMESAS...
DIEZ PROMESAS QUE, CON TODO AMOR, HABRAN DE HACER NUESTROS NIÑOS.
Todos sabemos que, lo que se fija en la mente de los pequeños, no desaparece jamás...Y estas son promesas PARA UNA VIDA BONDADOSA Y FELIZ !

CON ESTE TIENES!
Si logras que te hagan estas diez promesas SOBRE NUESTROS PROPIOS VALORES,
..TUS HIJOS SERÁN UNA LUZ PARA SUS PADRES, PARA QUIEN LOS CONOZCA Y PARA EL MUNDO !

EN ESTE LIBRO Y HACE MUCHOS AÑOS !
Cuando pequeñitos, los encaminamos para que ante Dios, hicieran estas maravillosas diez promesas.
QUINCE AÑOS MÁS TARDE... TODOS LOS EX NIÑOS LAS SIGUEN CUMPLIENDO !
Un libro extraordinario y un resultado DESLUMBRANTE