New York Books

The full significance of this book will begin to be realized as cultural evolution unfolds in the next few decades. Professor Griffin has dealt a deathblow to materialism. Atheistic scientism has been demolished on its own terms. But in addition to clearing away the debris of atheistic orthodoxy, Griffin also presents a spiritually-fragrant alternative ontology and epistemology upon which the next great phase of human civilization can be built. This book firmly establishes Griffin as Whitehead's rightful heir, and the leading philosopher of the 21st century -- so far.

Although I would not share as such the perspective of this book, it is a very useful and provocative exploration of many issues current evolutionary theory, as it collides with religion, cannot deal with, because its assumptions of naturalism simply eliminate the problem rather than solving it. Darwinists are often charged thus with naturalistic preconceptions, then judged by a very narrow standard on this score, and we end with miraculous explanations for punctuated equilibrium, and other nonsense. This work by taking a far broader tack stands in the line of a greater tradition of naturalism, that reminds one of the 'evolutionary naturalism' of W. Sellars, and indeed the work summons the philosopher Whitehead to this debate, from which he has been exiled. The author, for example (and this is only a part of the argument) quite audaciously brings in the issue of parapsychology, although this is and will remain problematical. Every culture of man, with the possible exception of various subcultures of the Indian yogic traditions, has been totally confused on this point, and the final confusion is the positivist attempt to declare there is no such subject. It is not surprising that science should take this approach, but the result instantly vitiates the very basis of theory, for the subject has been amputated. However, it is never promising to pursue this area lightly, and it would seem dubious to make it a basis for a new spiritual evolutionism, if the antiquated yet sound traditions of the Buddhist variety always had better sense in their emphasis, not on the marginal parapsychology, but self-consciousness itself. The book generates a kind of constructive dialectical sparring and evokes a side of modernism we forget, from the lost hermetic traditions, to the pantheism, panentheism, and such of many from Leibnitz to Hegel, whose explorations have succumbed to idealist cliches, blinding us to the degenerated condition of the current spectrum of thought. Such issues have traditionally shown little promise however and would not easily resolve the religion-science dilemmas if we consider the great theosophical deviations they would generate. The turtling down of current positivistic evolutionism is a measure of self-defense.

The author's delineation of the types of naturalism with a subscripted terminology, e.g. naturalism-sam and naturalism-ns, and darwinism-1 to darwinism-8, etc,... is clarifying and useful. The retreat to a form of naturalism-ns (no supernatural)is very acute, and would probably relieve the current concealed metaphysics in the Darwinist enterprise, whose flaws the author analyzes at great length. Very provocative book, whatever one's views of its affirmations.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I especially like Griffin's coverage of the historical events and philisophical issues surrounding the science-religion debate. I think that he effectively discusses the history of science and the enlightnment within the context of 18th, 19th, and 20th century religiousity (i.e., deism, atheism, etc.). I also like his description of how science influenced religion and vice versa during the previous centuries. These well-constructed discussions are presented in the first few chapters.
Although I don't agree with his synthesis of science and religion (specifically, I don't favor rejecting God's supernaturalism), he does a good job of educating the reader on how important issues such as supernaturalism, determinism, and free will, etc. play a role in the issue of reconciling science and religious beliefs. I sometimes found myself saying, "that is a great insight."

If I have to pick something I did not like it would have to be his lengthy coverage of Darwinism. He presents a Process Theologian interpretation of Darwinism to support his viewpoint. I found this long discussion tedious, but others may find it interesting.

IMO, this book is a good read.

Dave

Through his book, Mr. Griffin has helped me answer one of the big questions that has bothered me since my undergraduate years in Electrical Engineering - how to resolve my sense of mystery in the world around me with my understanding and appreciation of the scientific method of inquiry. In a nutshell, the answer is that both Science and Religion have to give up some long held beliefs and dogmatic statements of "fact." Put succinctly;

"Belief in the supernatural causes problems for religion it can not solve, and supernaturalism makes religion incompatible with science. For both reasons, religion needs to give it up." 

"Belief in materialism causes problems for science it can not solve, and materialism makes science incompatible with religion. For both reasons, science needs to give it up."

In addition to the views on resolution of this de facto conflict between religion and science, Mr. Griffin's book has shed a considerable amount of light on my meager understanding of Alfred North Whitehead's writings around what I refer to as Process Theology. It has encouraged me to study further my own philosophy and theology and to explore how it fits with my understanding of the material world. As a technologist, it seems imperative for me to clearly understand this issue if for no other reason than to have a sound basis for ethical conduct in our increasingly technology dependent society. So to that end, this book is must reading for all of us, since we will all have to make ethical decisions about advancement in technology from creation of "spiritual machines," to genetic manipulation.

The ongoing attempt to reconcile religion with science is understandably challenging as we try to encompass the infinite within our finite human rationality. This book does a good job of framing the discussion.

This book's approach is to classify "religion" and "science" into two categories each.
1. Supernaturalism (religion-sup) holds that God is outside and independent of creation and can affect it from the outside.
2. Non-supernatural religion (religion-ns) holds that God is a part of creation and is not outside of its laws and rules, and must work within them.

3. Scientific-atheistic-materialistic science (naturalism-sam) says that the material universe is all there is, and we can only know what can be perceived via our five senses. This version of naturalism is necessarily atheistic and deterministic (our "minds" are an illusion of our physical brains, and there is no freedom of action, all actions are prescribed by the action/reaction of the matter that composes us.)

4. Non-supernatural science (naturalism-ns) does not insist on only a materialist perspective. Since our consciousness is a self-evident aspect of our existence, we can also know things via non-sensate experience (introspection, etc.)

The author's thesis is that a combination of religion-ns and naturalism-ns can bring fruitful reconciliation of impasses between religion and science. If we accept that God is a part of nature (Griffin's analogy is that God is the "mind" of creation as a human mind is part of the body), and that science includes non-material matters, we can overcome difficulties associated with the religion-sup (why does a good, all-powerful God allow evil?) and naturalism-sam (if the material is all there is, how do we explain our consciousness in a satisfying way?).

This metaphysical viewpoint also provides fresh perspectives to consider such areas as parapsychology (which materialism-sam rules out a priori), and reconciling the creation/evolution debate. Griffin presents an interesting discussion of both subjects. Particularly helpful is his is identification of 14 different iterations of "Darwinian evolution" that have been discussed, showing that when people speak of "evolution" it is important to identify/clarify which of the 14 iterations they have in mind. Griffin thoroughly explores all the nuances of these iterations of Darwinism, invaluably framing this topic for future debates.

Also interesting is his proposal that the materialist perspective of science, and the "ex nihilio" religious view that God was apart/outside of creation, were not settled on from the beginning but are fairly recent developments in past centuries.

While I do not completely concur with Griffin's premises and conclusions (I have no problem with the concept of an all-powerful "supernatural" God who could take six days to create a world that appears physically to have been in existence for billions of years, or who self-defines what is good and evil and who is not subject to our human formulations of logic, rationality, etc.), I found this book very interesting and helpful to clarify the issues, and thus I give it five stars.

Reminiscences of Stock Operator is a classical works that testifies that the psychological and technical aspects that moves the market has not changed even to this present day... The beauty of the fictional story based on the greatest of minds that traded in the market and made millions and lost fortunes speaks very vividly to us today from their wisdom and experience... I have found the book to be full of wisdom, education and guidance that the financial markets is not a game to be played on the hopes of getting rich for nothing...To be successful requires the greatest discipline on our ourselves..And in the game of speculation this book let us know that the financial markets owes us nothing and that we can't force our hands...

As I read this book I wondered if it was written recently, as most books written in the last couple decades seem to have the same info, including the 'newly discovered' psychology of trading. Save a ton of money and buy this book first. Then you may not want any of the others. It's well written, though the author's whole intent is to prove no one can 'beat' the market, which is a little discouraging. I mean, after all, I think I will. Everyone interested in trading should read this early in their career, if not first.

As useful in the mad 1920's and 30's as it is today! Every trader should read it... at least twice. If you're into Hedge funds, Private Equity or Asset Management, you should probably read it not less than 3 times - in between the lines!

Picture this; it's the early 1900's, the dawn of the Roaring 20's. Gatsby like characters abound and are romanticized in the Saturday Evening Post, Horatio Alger rags to riches stories are all the rave. Along comes Jesse Livermore, a ballsy, throw caution to the wind and risk it all by leveraging it up to the hilt and letting it ride type of guy. It's a time when the market is on fire and behaves something like the late 90's but the regulators are nowhere to be seen. Charles Ponzi takes Boston by storm with his promises of 50% in 45 days with his Ponzi Notes and creates an all out frenzy engulfing what seems like half of the City.

I read this book in 1990 when I first entered the securities business, and promptly bough 10 copies to give to friends. Over the years I have either given as a gift or recommended this book to everyone entering the business (Wall St. and the investing business in general).

In this edition the illustrations from the 1920's Post are worth every penny, however the market insight is invaluable. Just think about what you can learn from a guy that was day trading and scalping eights 70 years before it was in vogue!

I enjoyed the ride of the market throughout the 90's as a Wall Street broker and then moved on to real estate in 2001. I would recommend this book to anyone just starting out on Wall Street and for those that are Street veterans and have not read it yet, shame on you.

By Kevin Kingston, author of: A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate: A True Story About the Ups and Downs From Wall Street to Real Estate Leading to Phenomenal Returns

Blog: bloglines.com/blog/KevinKingston

If you believe Market Analysis,you ought to choose Jesse Livermore.If you believe Company Analysis,you ought to choose Warren Buffett.If you believe Country Analysis,you ought to choose Jim Rogers.Good lucky!

This is an incredible book, I am an Occupational Therapy student and I found this book to be powerful and insightful. Newborn captures her emotions, thoughts and experiences in such a way that you feel as though you experienced them with her. For those working in rehab settings, knowing someone who had a stroke or stroke survivors, this is a must read. It is pretty short and I was unable to put it down, happy reading!

This book says it all. My sisiter suffered a stroke at 46 and this book helped me and her husband to understand what exactly she was going through and what to expect.

Although there are several first person accounts of the stroke experience, most have been written from the perspective of the older victim. When stroke hits a young person there a special twists to the knife. All those who have to deal with young people with stroke should read this wonderful book.

I've not only had the pleasure of reading this book, but I've met it's author. She's the real thing. She absolutely shines. She walks a couple of feet off the ground. Ms. Newborn is not only a survivor, but a person who has happiness to share with others. Her book offers incredible insight to those who have either experienced a stroke or know someone who has. She gave me a clear understanding of aphasia and how strokes effect people.

I read quite a few books about strokes following my own, but only wanted to own two. This book, which was a gift from a dear friend, provided such inspiration during my recovery. I still read it from time to time because it continues to be a touchstone for me. I've always loved the poem "Ithaca" which is referenced in the title but it's taken on a special meaning since reading this book. Thank you for writing it, Barbara.

This book is great!!!!!!!! If you love dogs you must read this book. Wonderfully written.

I cannot recommend this book enough! From the first page, I was immediately involved with these great characters. The book is non-stop laughs and sprinkled with endearing, heart-warming moments. I truly couldn't put it down! I was eager to see what would come to Rex and his "parents." It is simply wonderful!!!

OMG this was hilarious! but also tender and loving and wise and true. This woman is a terrific prose writer, and I would definately read other books by her. This is the story about rescuing an abused dog and bringing him into a teensy apartment in a bad neighborhood in New York City! who would have thought such a tough beginning (for the dog) would have such a happy ending. bravo! viva rex!

This book is great. I read it in just a couple of days, I could barely put it down. I carried it with me everywhere I went and would sneak in a few pages every chance I got.
If you love dogs, New York City or just want a few good laughs, this book is for you. The love and humor that Rex brings into Lee and Ted's lives is heartwarming. As an owner of two rescue dogs living in a major city, I can relate to a lot of their experiences.
Rex reall showed Lee and Ted how to give and receive love.

I had read excerpts of this in Bark magazine (yes I'm one of those dog nerds) and was charmed then, and after reading the entire book, remain so. The things I think I like best are, 1) its a really accurate depiction of the trials and tribulations of getting a shelter dog and that transition, 2)as well as how complicated dog ownership can be in an urban area. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not heavy or serious, but it struck a chord in me- someone who has experienced both of those situations. It's not all sunshine and roses the first day, and no one warns you about that. But that is also where some good comedy comes from. I enjoyed this book very much and would definitely recommend it.

I read the reviewes on Amazon and decided to get this book in the library. I like books about mafia and I found this book is better than Puzo's "Godfather". I always thought that it is hard to write better about mafia than Puzo did, but you have to read this book yourself to understand what I am talking about. I think there is a movie based on this book and I watched it before, but it is not as good as the book itself.

I read a lot and found this book in a second hand shop and bought it on a whim for 1 dollar. Could not put it down I recommend it to everyone. Better than Puzo's Godfather.

Ride A tiger is the most riveting novel of the MOB since The Godfather. It's not only just another book about the MOB, it is a shattering isight into the personality of a major vrime. Leo Gorodetsky stsrted of with his illegal card game and ended up becoming American most wanted crime leader. With the success of his business, him and his inmate friend Harry Wiserman, along with some of the biggest names of the Italian families combined and created their own organization with their own sets of rules. With the obsession in the business, Leo nearly destroyed his own family. This novel is filled with unique characteristic and clawed with betrayal,trust,love, and hate. This novel is a must read!

Follows the life of Leo Goredetsky who starts his life as a runner for illegal card games and becomes a Godfather in American crime. The story cleverly parallels the history of the US through the 30's to 60's and leads the reader to speculate on how much could actually have been influenced by such people and their organizations.

Ride A tiger is the most riveting novel of the MOB since The Godfather. It's not only just another book about the MOB, it is a shattering isight into the personality of a major vrime. Leo Gorodetsky stsrted of with his illegal card game and ended up becoming American most wanted crime leader. With the success of his business, him and his inmate friend Harry Wiserman, along with some of the biggest names of the Italian families combined and created their own organization with their own sets of rules. With the obsession in the business, Leo nearly destroyed his own family. This novel is filled with unique characteristic and clawed with betrayal,trust,love, and hate. This novel is a must read!

Unfortunately, the essays are a bit of a drudge, but the book itself is definitive, and as a life long NY City resident I must admit - abosultely dazzling. Its less about Robert Moses, more about his hand over projects that involved countless talented Americans. Learn about highways never built, public parks on the grandest of scales, and how to clear a city slum via Title 1. You thought you knew NY City, and perhaps were even sure Manhattan was all you would ever need to know. This book shows the sophisticated development of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx, as well as their more popular and over crowded, smaller brother. Simply amazing.

Ballon & Jackson have put together a very useful documentation of the amazing works built in New York under Robert Moses. It is mainly narrative and a documentation, but where it gets into the more subjective business of assessment it is balanced and reasonable. The book is an excellent counterpoint to Robert Caro's "The Power Broker" which although eloquent and informative is a horribly slanted view of the man and of the issues.

Peter Samuel editor TOLLROADSnews.com Maryland

Now this man had POWER. It is amazing how much control he had over the building of infastructure in NYC, he was the first and last word. He was like a 20th century Baron Hausemann. This book is well written and scholarly and frankly just fascinating. I saw a documentary on Robert Moses one time and was just blown away at his hubris and power. His reign over NYC spanned several powerful mayors and to this day no person has ever had so much power of the cities infrastructure. Great book, highly recommended.

The Power Broker (another prominent work on Moses) is a product of the 1970s pessimism concerning the death of the city, saying that Moses helped bring about the downfall experienced in 1974 when the book was published. In Ballon's book, we have the experience that 30 years of hindsight provides, and the tone is radically different Ballon and other essayists provide a more modern insight to Moses and his achievements. Do not be fooled, this is not a coffee table book, but almost a text book for urban planners on the practices employed by Moses. The book was inspired by the museum exhibits going on currently in New York City concerning Moses and his works, and is an excellent supplement to them. If you are interested in NYC, public works, or Urban History- this is a must buy, and will become more important as time wears on.
I also recommend The Power Broker and Moses' own book Public Works: A Dangerous Trade

ROBERT MOSES AND THE MODERN CITY: THE TRANSFORMATION OF NEW YORK, which offers a new look at legendary architect Robert Moses, who reshaped the skyline of New York City. Readers familiar with New York will readily recognize some of his major contributions from the Lincoln Center to the Cross Bronx Expressway - so it's surprising to note this is the first major publication since the 1974 biography THE POWER BROKER appeared - and ROBERT MOSES AND THE MODERN CITY: THE TRANSFORMATION OF NEW YORK comes packed with photos that his biography doesn't provide. Far from hastening the demise of New York, this book shows how his works strengthened the central city and brought it into modern times, altering road systems and creating an urban design plan to foster changes. Plenty of detailed history surround the photos and descriptions of each project's special challenges, making this a top pick not just for New York libraries, but for any college-level art or urban planning collection.

Rockin the Rockpile is a fantastic piece of work covering the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, 1960-1969. Author Jeff Miller has packed it all in here, game summaries, oral histories, and a fantastic narrative that leads the reader through the formation of the AFL in 1959, and the following 10 seasons. Great detail in the game summaries/recaps, and wonderful insight into the inner-workings of the team from the players themselves. Rockin the Rockpile is a must-read for AFL fans, regardless of what team they call their own.

Great book with amazing information and very well written. Extremely interesting to read and just be able to open it to any page and read some very unique information.

Great to remember those years at War Memorial. Could almost taste the Genesee long necks. Enjoyed the recaps of each and every game. Would have liked to see more pictures of the stadium itself however.

Incredibly detailed book, evoking fond memories of a football era gone by. A must for all football fans, especially AFL/Buffalo Bills fans.

As one of the worlds biggest Buffalo Sports Memorabilia Collectors I was very excited to see this book come out. While filled with great stories and tales of the old AFL and a veritable who's who of old Bills interviews I was disappointed to find very little in terms of memorabilia (programs, ticket stubs, pennants, bobble heads, gum cards, jerseys, helmets etc. etc.) displayed. I think a color center spread of all the old items mentioned above would have added to this book tremendously. Also, for a book that centered on War Memorial Stadium (The Rockpile), there's only one aerial picture of it. Some different views of that great old place would have been nice. Still the book is a great addition to a Bills fans collection and a very worthy effort. To the author: Please contact me if you decide to do another book on the Bills or even the Sabres, Braves or Bisons for that matter as my entire collection would be at your disposal. John B.

WOW! This was a way good book with a way good story line. Now we all like to rave on about our favorites and how much we love em and all, but I'm going to give you a little background. Amity Spencer is your average sixteen year old farm girl. She milks the cow, does the gardening, and all the other chores too. She also is in love with the humble peddler, Cheppa John Chapman. Well, often, this peddler brings news about the war. When he dissappears (after Father goes off to war), she begins to wonder. Well, anyways, Amity comes upon a secret message that will determine how the rest of the war goes on. She takes it upon herself to get this letter to General Arnold in Stillwater, to inform him of the surprise attack that will take place on Oct 7. Can Amity get him the letter in time to prepare? Can she ever get there? Does she ever work out her feelings with Cheppa John? Well, READ THIS BOOK - READ THIS BOOK - READ THIS BOOK and see!

Amity Spencer,a 16-year-old girl shows courage, loyalty, ingenuity,patriotism, and even love,all in just 24 chapters,how does she do it!?!? She is a good influence towards young girls today. She shows that anybody can be their own hero, if they have the heart!Also that anyone can get the respect they diserve!And also that anybody,no matter what race or skin color can be a patriot,even in disguise! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I just finished reading it last night. It's a fine example of historical fiction. Amity is a sixteen-year-old girl, barely grown, and thinks the war is nowhere near. She must endure her father joining the war and all her neighbors fleeing. When her friend Matt comes looking for them they discover a secret letter in a canteen a dying enemy soldier gave him. Amity hides the letter in her dress buttons and travels to Stillwater to give it to Benedict Arnold. She helps them win the war

Amity Spencer is a sixteen year old farm girl living near Saratoga, New York, in 1777. The war seems far away to Amity, a Patriot - until the British take over nearby Fort Ticonderoga. Suddenly the war is close - too close. Racing against time, Amity must deliver a message to the Continental army, warning them of an attack the British are planning. At the same time, she must discover where her heart lies - with a handsome, secretive young peddler, or with the her best friend's brother, a farm boy she grew up with? I highly reccomend this wonderful book.

This book is by far one of the best I have read in a long time. This is one book I couldn't put down! The first paragraph caught me up in the story. You realy have to read this book. It's great for a book report. Enjoy the book!

Wow, life really is vibrant in this wonderful story. In every tale there is truth, and I dare say it exist here in.

It's a shame more readers are not aware of this novel. It's one of the best gay-themed novels ever written.

I was expecting to see scores of reviews for this book.This is an amazingly good book. Not for the naive or timid. I read it 5 or so years ago and I still flash on it. Paul T. Roger's only book. RIP.

Mr. Roger's has created a sort of Pygmallion meets Midnight Cowboy during the explosive years of New York's Sexual wars while the Time's Square Sex-Clubs and bathhouses cruised into their twighlight. A crumpled postcard of New York found in a leather jacket excavated under the debris that obscures the seventies before sexwas officially declared lethal. Roger's is a prophet on the great white way where pedestrians follow a different light.

Saul's Book ranks among the top three gay fiction novels written (others are Baldwin's "Giovanni's Room", and Holleran's "Dancer From the Dance"). The writing is vivid and stunning; the characters are extremely well drawn such that you understand their motivations completely while despairing of their choices. A very compelling read. Come, see what great writing is.

When I first learned of this true life account of a very brave little mother cat, I was moved to tears. There is no creature on the planet, human or animal, who does not fear fire. Scarlet put her life at great risk, again and again, to save her five kittens. How great is a mother's love?

Scarlet may be just a cat to some, but to me she personifies everything a mother should be! If you care about animals, you can't help but love Scarlet. You will be deeply touched by the many caring humans who became intertwined in her little life. From the truly compassionate firefighter, David Gianelli, to the woman who eventually adopted Scarlet, you'll pleasantly savor and revel in the goodness of mankind.

This book should be recommended reading in our public schools because it lovingly teaches children compassion and virtues. Though the photos of a severely burned Scarlet are graphic,they poignantly illustrate the depth of her devotion and willingness to suffer pain in order to save the lives of her babies.

I loved this book. I love knowing that Scarlet is forever loved and cherished and has left a indelible memory in the hearts of caring people everywhere.

Scarlett was once a nameless, unknown, unloved alley cat -- until a fire, set to the abandoned building that was "home" to her and her five month-old kittens, drove Scarlett to the act of bravery that has touched human hearts worldwide. Five times, Scarlett nosed through the smoke and flames to rescue her babies. Back and forth, carrying her infants to the slushy, winter-drenched street. Scarlett herself suffered massive burns; her eyes were swollen shut and much of her fur was singed away.

She was found in this state by fireman David Giannelli, who tenderly, urgently rescued Scarlett and her brood. From there, a human flood of care, compassion, love, and hope helped the feline family to heal from the trauma...and all (excepting one kitten, who died from a later viral infection) are now happy homebodies who I'm sure have entirely taken over the lives and hearts of their humans!

This story illustrates the very best of human and animal compassion. What better, irrefutable evidence for the intelligence, love, and courage of other species! Take it home and prepare to cry your heart out -- I did!

When I found out the book was out I just had to get it! Reading about her and seeing the pictures of how she was so hurt made me realize was a blessed cat she was. She went through hell to save her family. If this book does not make you both cry and feel great joy, then I wonder about you. Read this book, have your children read this book, you will love it!

If this book doesn't lift your spirits and make you feel like there are still compassionate people in this world then nothing will. It is a "can't miss" book for cat lovers -- or for anybody who has a heart. It's the tale of the power of a mother cat's love in saving her family of newborn kittens, and of the people who worked so hard to help them recover. It is an inspiring story to share.

Hey, who says New Yorkers have no heart? Scarlett
was our heroine for days!! I could understand cat
nuts like myself but Everyone was caught up in this feline desplay of valor, devotion and what it
means to be a mother. I loved it.