Parties Books

This is a fanastic cookbook. I first bought this cookbook because the title made me laugh my ass off. This book has everything in it. It has cookies, cakes, drink (with alchol or without), food for important dinners, and everyday food. I have cook a lot of these recipes and they are fantastic.

If you need two books to sum up the history of the British Conservative Party, the ones to get are this one by Ramsden and E.H.H. Green's "The Crisis of Conservatism 1880-1914". Forget about Robert Blake, he's out of date and his work looks increasingly pompous and thin with the passage of time. Ramsden is very astute in his judgements, and if there is one little quibble it is with his assessment that Baldwin and Chamberlain were somehow "good eggs" while Churchill was a "bad egg". This may be true in the very narrow sense of who looked after the Conservative Party's interests when the party was in power, but surely what counts is who did most for the country and for the free world. Neither Baldwin nor Chamberlain, nor other deadbeats like Rab Butler, would have risen to the occasion in 1940. Churchill did. It matters not one jot that the Conservative Party's fortunes declined temporarily as a result.

John Ramsden in his 'An Appetite for Power' brings out the history of the Conservative party with all the details of a master storyteller. He traces the origin of the party from begining 18th century and brings out all the Tory titans with their full glory. The rise and fall of Robert Peel over his famous Corn Law is described in full detail and the break up of the party over it. He describes the rise of Benjamin Disraeli as the improbable head of the Tory party and his triumph as its head with great gusto. The book also brings out the meteor like rise of Sir Randolph Churchill and his self-destruction with great poignancy. Then the coasting of the Tory party on Hotel Cecil for the next twenty years with Lord Salisbury as its head and then Arthur Balfour is narrated in great detail. First World War again brings the Tory party back to power in a coaliton with Liberals. Then Stanley Baldwin takes the Tory party from strength to strength but makes Britain weak with appeasement in face of foreign danger. The great domestic leader Neville Chamberlain brings the Tory party to its knees at the face of threat from Hitler. It takes a double turn coat like Winston Churchill to rescue Tory party and Britain from face of Nazi menace. The post WW2 is described in detail with modern day politicians like Eden, Macmillan, Heath, Thatcher and Major in detail. Anywone who enjoys reading about British Politics will enjoy reading this book. It is very well written as a narrative and any politcal buff will get his monies worth. I enjoyed to read the politics of people within a party as different factions would rise and fall. I highly recommend this book.

You can't find a better book on the market today that will assist you in mastering the human figure!

This is a very cute book with great illustrations. Teaches great values for the little ones.

This was a charming story, beginning with the need to find ones special purpose in life and emphasizing the doubts we all can have regarding self-worth. Especially because this book is geared towards very small children, it was refreshing to find no violence or aggression, but just a soft, magical, sweet plot, where there is a happy ending for all characters in the story. This story actually comes full circle, with each character ultimately helping in fulfilling each other's dreams. The illustrations are, themselves, magical and beautifully done.

Little scholarship exists on Australia. Even smaller are the books on Australian Politics. Here is a short history of the Liberal party of Australia, created in the 1940s by Mr. Menzies as a conservative party in opposition to Labour this is the party of the current PM Mr. Howard. This fascinating look explains Australia and its issues including its foreign policy, its role in Vietnam and he struggle for morality among other things. From Menzies, the anti-communist, to Holt who disappeared this is an amazing account. A very interesting story and a necessary read where so little exists on modern Australian politics.

Seth J. Frantzman

Written shortly before Peter Camejo agreed to run as Ralph Nader's running mate in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the Avocado Declaration is a vivid description of how the young Green Party should "adopt a firm and uncompromising identity if it was to promote its values and combat the opposition of the more powerful Democratic and Republican parties in the United States." 1

In it, Peter Camejo advised the Green Party (which was divided and uncertain about election year strategy) to win hearts and minds by standing firm to its principles and by building a reputation of being reliable and unshakable.

In coming to that conclusion, Camejo deconstructs the mythologies that the Democratic and Republican Two Party System rely on to enforce an unhealthy allegiance from the people. He further points out how historically almost all positive and healthy benefits that have accrued to the people are due to the stubbornness of independent movements and alternative political parties.

Even though the context of this article is focused on the immediacy of the Green Party's 2004 political situation, it is still mandatory reading for Americans concerned with understanding the true nature of how the two party system affects their lives. It is also fundamental to those who wish to best fulfill their civic obligations by being informed and knowledgeable voters and activists. It is crucial too for anyone trying to understand the history and ideas of the Green Party, and it sheds much light on the nature of politics and elections in the United States.

Because the ideas in this document are so clear, thoughtful, and enlightening, they should have a long life in the world of political science, and be beloved by those who desire true democracy and wish to uphold a productive humanistic tradition.

By the way, the title, Avocado Declaration, refers to the "ideal of party members being like the avocado: "Green on the inside; green on the outside." Avocados are very popular and highly valued in California, where Peter Camejo is running as the Green Party candidate for Governor this year, 2006.

1 Quotations taken from the eponymous article: Avocado Declaration, Wikipedia 10/11/06.

Peter Hain gives an insightful and thought provoking overview of the policies and the new style of politics that were needed to ensure victory in 1997 for Labour.

The ideas and policies put forward are as fresh and dynamic as when the book was written.

An excellent read.

Our one year old son is capivated by the colorful pictures. This is one of his favorite books. Its a happy story that shows everyone has something to give no matter how big or how small. I would definately recommend it!!!