Abbey Books

A previous "review" entitled "History or Propaganda?" should not have been posted. The writer of this "review" admits in his last paragraph that he has not even read the book! This reminds me of Bill Murray's review of films on Saturday Night Live. Murray would concede that he had not actually viewed the movies under consideration (but at least he made this admission UP FRONT!).

I am going to purchase "Order and Exclusion." And though I have not read it yet, I am going to give it five stars anyway, because I did read a rave review of it in the August 10, 2003 LA Times Book Review. And that review was offered by a Yale University professor of religion.

Order and Exclusion is a brilliant and accurate micro-historical study on the handling by Cluny of 11th century ideas opposing christianity. At that time Cluny was the most powerfull institute in Europe and the ideas of Peter the Venerable, wich are so accurately described in Order and Exclusion, would have major impact on the development of Europe. The ideas form the basis of every major prosecution of free thinking until the French revolution (and maybe even until now if I read the review of Paul J. Tetreault Jr. well).

The review "History or Propaganda? of August 22, 2004" by Paul J. Tetreault Jr. should not have been written. It is a shame and a warning to society that this man is a lawyer. I did read the book (in french) and was shocked by this review. The writer did not read the book, has no idea about history and generaly is driven by faith. He is a christian fundamentalist and writes as if he is a member of the inquisition. With all dangers related to this. If this represents the way lawyers work in the USA then let us be warned!

It is extremely sad to keep in mind the 40 million sick or dead from HIV that might have been avoided if public health measures had been taken.
Gisselquist brings together a lot of data, and Points to Consider is a must for the concerned person.
Today HIV epidemic continue via dirty needles unchecked. Last year, in 2007, 100 children were found contaminated with HIV as the Kyrgyzstan investigated, and 133 in 2006 in Kazakhstan: re-use of needles without sterilization, contaminated multidose vials, low paid medical staff, lack of supplies- all responsible for death of the children. Official litterature and dogma prevent investigations in Africa.. It's more convenient to blame HIV on promiscuous sex.. Garance at safeobserver.org

As someone interested in the AIDS pandemic in Africa, I am familiar with several of the publications by Gisselquist and his colleagues. With an article here and there calling to look at the rates of HIV infection from medical care (unsterile instruments and needles) it is hard to put the whole puzzle together. With Points to Consider, Gisselquist puts the whole puzzle together. Why is WHO concerned primarily with sexual transmission of HIV (which occurs about in less than 1 sexual encounter per 1000) when tainted medical devices have about a 90% transmission rate?

He makes an excellent case for how this is happening and why differences in sexual mixing patterns are not enough to explain the differences in HIV infection rates. The book points out an important anomaly in the current paradigm about how HIV is spreading in Africa. By ignoring nosocomial infections, WHO is allowing the pandemic to spread. The answer is simple: once use needles and syringes and clean sterile medical instruments.

This book gives the best break down of the political and economic thoughts that are currently being used in academia. This book gives a general synopsis of all the current thoughts that are out there, as well as those that were prominent in the past. This book does not take sides nor does it argue for a specific ideological path, it just gives the main arguments that each discipline promotes. The book then applies each of these discipline's thoughts to major areas such as labor. This is the perfect book for those that want to learn more about political economy without having to wade through the propaganda of the different ideologies.

Easy to read one does not need a college degree to understand the concepts in this book. The author breaks down these complex ideologies and theories into simple to understand descriptions. Important for all to read, and even the layman can understand fully the key terms that are being thrown around on the nightly news.

A truly superb book! Clark is kinder to economists in the Introduction to the 2nd ed. than he was in the 1st ed., though his criticisms of economists for their pretense of being "value free" and "objective" probably was more accurate in the 1st ed. We'll find unicorns grazing in the flower bed before we find value free and objective economists, or value free and objective science for that matter.

The 1st 2 chapters read very much like a text book and may be difficult to wade through for those with minimal backgrounds in economics and political science. But this should not discourage readers as Clark's discission of the 4 major schools of political economic thought--Classical Liberalism, Radicalism, Classical Conservatism, and Modern Liberalism--is excellent. Though relatively succinct and written at an "introductory" level, Clark does an excellent job of laying out the fundamentals of each of the 4 schools of thought as well as the evolution of thinking within each school through summary discussions of the "architects" of each school. He then offers a brief and very fair critique or each school of thought. For those unfamiliar with the diversity of political-economic thought, which is most people (and, sadly, certainly includes virtually everyone who majored or minored in "business school" economics in college), these 4 chapters alone make the book worthwhile reading .

But for most readers, the real forte of the book comes in Part III in which Clark examines the major issues in political economy today; such as, inflation, unemployment, poverty, inequality, labor, minorities (to include women within the political-economic arena), education, culture, the enviornment, and international trade. Within each of these areas, Clark identifies the arguments of each of the 4 schools of political economic thought in terms of what each sees as the roots of the issue, the nature of the issue today, and what should and/or should not be done about it.

For someone looking for a relatively brief examination of these issues, which gives a genuinely fair presentation of diverse and competing views, there simply is no other book published today. One important strenght of Clark's work is it does explode the myth of economics as a "science", as well as the myths of the discipline of economics being value free and not grounded in ideology, and the myth there is some kind of general consensus among economists.

Regardless of a person's political-economic ideological orientation, readers will become more aware and more appreciative of alternative and competing points of view. And they will be able to see more easily what passes for "economic" reporting and analysis in the news media and by government officials is little more than propaganda--the promulgation of the favored econmic world view as truth. This is extremely important because, even (especially) for those who agree with "mainstream" economic analysis, there are numerous dangerers in falling into the trap of believing the fundamental ideological/value questions of economics and the relationship between the economic and political system have been asked, answered, and agreed upon. Such tunnel vision is a prescription for disaster which Clark's book can help us avoid. So put on the hip boots; wade through the 1st two chapters (heavy but necessary); and then enjoy.

I have to agree with Harvey Zucker from The Jersey Journal when he says every true basketball fans owe Chic Hess a great deal of debt for bringing to light the story of one of basketball's forgoten heroes. I found Zucker's warning to be accurate, "Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down until finished." Prof Blood's biography is a masterpiece to be enjoyed by all coaches and fans.

If you like basketball to the extent you would like to know about how the game developed through the years this book is for you. The research and documentation by author Dr. Chic Hess is mind-boggling. It is a true story about a high school coach in New Jersey whose system of play was so far ahead of its time that his teams ran over opponents in such impressive fashion his teams were dubbed The Wonder Teams.There is no question the book should be made into a movie so as to acquaint people with the development of basketball and this great human interest story. Dr. Hess has made a valuable contribution to the world of sports and I congratulate him on his effort. Norman Jones - author of Growing Up in Indiana: The Culture & Hoosier Hysteria Revisited

Wonderful collection of essays on the general theme of who Edward Abbey was. Some of the writers include Wendell Berry, Ed's friend Jack Loeffler, Gary "Jafey Rider" Snyder, Dave Petersen and Terry Tempest Williams. From this partial list of contributors, it's obvious that this is a book full of personal observances about one of the west's most hated and best loved figures. Since his death in 1989, the legend of Ed Abbey has perhaps grown beyond manageability. The essays collected here simultaneously feed that legend, while speaking of the actual person behind the lore. This juxtaposition creates an interesting tension throughout the book, as those who knew the man grapple with the public vs. the private Abbey. Abbey himself is also called to task to reveal a bit of himself through a couple of interviews. In hopes that the issue may never be solved and that the world will continue to discuss Abbey, here is what Ed had to say about himself, taken from the Poetry Center Interview: "The real Edward Abbey -- whoever the hell that is -- is a real shy, timid fellow, but the character I create in my journalism is perhaps a person I would like to be: bold, brash, daring...I guess some people mistake the creation for the author, but that's their problem." Resist Much, Obey Little is essential reading for those who knew Ed, as well as for those who are just discovering him.

Another fellow managed to cover all the eloquent intellectualities, but the simple truth is that this here book is a good look at a great man. Abbey is legendary, indeed, and that's a good thing, for the stuff he defended deserves a hero and the folks he poked mercilessly with his sharp stick wit (just about about all of us, but especially money-grubbing land-rapers and the lackadaisical dogs who can't bother to oppose them) deserved the poking. Buy this book, then let it collect dust until you've read through Abbey's words to discover him for yourself.

A chilling page-turner... to think of the strength that Abby had at that age, remarkable and unbeleivable!
I grew up in that area, and was 4 at the time. This unthinkable act put a fear into the community for many years. It was a topic throughout my school years, reminding of the dangers that exist, even with people that you know and sometimes trust.
Very well written... a must-read!
Abby's strength, even today to face Hay in court, is really quite inspiring!! I can't even begin to fathom what Abby was put through...

This book was a reminder of the reason why we don't feel safe to take our eyes off our children for one second.

I was three years old when this happened and lived in the neighboring city, Coquitlam. I can still remember how scared everyone was when we all started elementary school a couple of years later.

The author has done a great job of keeping the reader hooked on the book throughout Abby's horrifying ordeal.

Abby was indeed a brave and courageous child that overcame great obstacles while in confinement and after she was discovered.

Not only is this a wonderful biography of a great actress/producer/director/teacher - but a lovely insight into Dublin during her life.

There is a protrait of Ria (in costume) that hung in the theatre bar. It was presented to the theatre by former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Charles Haughey - where is it now ?

McGlone writes a compelling and truly enjoyable story about one the most influential figures of Irish theatre in the 20th century. Why, one wonders, does it take a college professor from New Jersey to singularly herald this theatrical giant who alone held together the Irish national theatre during its most perilous time? Her personal and professional history spans from O'Casey to Friel, and, as a woman in 1950's Ireland, forged the greatest acting company the Abbey has ever known - yet her picture does not hang in the National Theatre's lobby alongside the other Abbey legends (Yeats, Synge, etc.). McGlone writes a must-read for anyone who's a student of Irish theatrical history, and sends a blaring wake-up call for the current Irish theatrical establishment to arise and start discussing this great woman's prodigious artistic output and impact, and, ultimately, to restore the plays initially produced under her tenure back on today's Abbey stage.

I used Sociodrama: Who's In Your Shoes? for the textbook for the graduate course I taught at Kansas State University. It was the textbook when Patricia Sternberg taught the course at Hunter. The authors, Patricia Sternber and Antonina Garcia are master practitioners and trainers. No one explains sociodrama better. In this book, they have shown how sociodrama can be a valuable tool for therapists, educators, and trainers. This is a truly inspiring and comprehensible read.

Sociodrama: Who's in Your Shoes? is an amazing resource for clinician and teacher alike. I have used it in both capacities with measurable, often cathartic results. An excellent introduction with valauble exercises to use in many settings. Highly recommended. Paul J Lesnik, LCSW

We love the elf-help books in our family. When I first came across one in a local store I thought they would be "cheesy" and shallow. I was wrong. They are spiritual without being religious and very comforting - like being wrapped up in a blanket with a hot cup of tea. They are simple and yet profound and as such are a wonderful supplement for the "growing toward wholeness" journey. Our collection of these little books is growing...As a side note, I would love to live in the little elf village portrayed in the books! Highly recommended.

This very small, very short book is packed with words of wisdom regarding stress. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a therapist substitute, but it'll certainly have a calming effect on you and isn't that what stress therapy should be all about.

Tony McGrath has put only thirty-eight short paragraphs of wisdom in this book like Number Ten, "Constantly trying to please others guarantees stress. You can respect and love others without living your life for them." Now isn't that well said? You get one of Mr. McGrath's thirty-eight little lessons for free here, but if you want the other thirty-seven, you'll have to get a copy of this wonderful little book. And as an added benefit you can enjoy R.W. Alley's humorous illustrations. Simply a gem of a book.

Jack Priest, Sailor home from the Sea

I read all the Thieves' World Series as a teenager. The series was amazing then and its GREAT to see it back in print. For those of you who do not read much fantasy - Thieves' World is a shared world anthology - that means that various authors come together to write stories under a shared theme...in this case, the city of Sanctuary. The characters are solid and the different perspectives of the stories create a rich tapestry.

Last, the nice thing about having the first two in a single book - which should be obvious - only one book in the backpack on the way to the beach.

I found my copies at a used book store 12 years ago--back when the two books were separate. The narrative was so good, I read both in the same night.

Thieves World is an usual type of anthology in that, while different writers are contributing, the individual stories are more like chapters. This is because they all share the same characters and what happens in one story, carries on as character background in the next story by the next author. If a character or event is introduced in one story, it is fodder for future stories.

The effect is that you get many different viewpoints for the same story--some light, some dark--and it makes the overall story seem more well-rounded, yet cohesive at the same time. This is a tribute to the talents of the many writers involved with the project, and to the editors, Abbey and Asprin [fine writers in their own right].

As for the overall story, Thieves World is set on a terrestrial planet, with most of the action taking place in and arround the city of Sanctuary. Initially, the tone is fantasy--swordsmen, magic, gods/goddesses. As the series progresses, subtle elements of sci-fi are woven in--non-human species from the sea, advanced technology, etc. By the end, Thieves World had transformed into an anthology series unlike any I've read.

I regularly read the entire series [all 12 books] at least once a year, and I'm happy they're being reissued since my copies are getting very worn out.

I absolutely recommend this anthology for any fan of the fantasy genre.