Adam Books

Political violence roiled the Jewish state from its beginning, and Ehud Sprinzak gives context to today's turmoil in Brother against Brother: Violence and Extremism in Israeli Politics from Altalena to the Rabin Assassination.

Sprinzak is a partisan who believes in Labor's two-state solution to the Palestinian question. Nonetheless, his portraits of the Right's early leaders, particularly Begin, often are quite flattering. Even Rabin's assassin is examined in an objective, even-handed way; the portrayal is similar to the treatment of Timothy McVeigh in American Terrorist.

Sprinzak gives a lot of insight into the early struggle for the Jewish state and the excesses that fed the Palestinian hatred that continues to fester. Massacres of Arab villagers at the hands of Jews, and other atrocities committed by Israel's founders, are laid bare. Sprinzak makes the case that the 1967 War both united the country and helped seal the political divide between those who seek accomodation with the Arabs and those who view peace as illusory. Rabin's assassination is seen not as an aberration but a predictable response by the opposition.

Like many of his countrymen, the author exudes a combination of pride and angst over the history and future of Israel. The Altalena incident, in which the Right's attempt to arm its supporters was foiled by violence at the hands of the Laborites, sets the stage and never seems far removed from what is happening 50 years later.

This is a tremendous, instructive book that never becomes a diatribe despite the author's political leanings.

Sprinzak does an excellent job at both presenting and analysing the history of political extremism in Israel. This is helped considerably by the fact that Israel as a modern state has such a relatively short history, so the project is not as epic as it might be if if one was going to attempt a similar catalogue/anthology of the political violence and extremism in France, for instance. Add to that that Sprinzak was one of Israel's pre-eminent scholars and as such, was given tremendous access in terms of what he could see and what information he was privy to.

The book is quite thorough; it gives background on the pre-state militias (Haganah, Irgun, Lehi), as well as discusses their feuds- it opens with the Altalena affair and goes on to examine "The Hunting Season". It then moves forward to describe, in turn, violence and extremism from the ultra-orthodox, the political left, the nationalist-religious right, and Israel's famed quasi-fascist, Rabbi Meir Kahane, who was expelled from the Knesset for having a racist platform. The book culminates in examining the Rabin Assassination.

This book is very interesting as it not only gives much-needed background and context on the extreme right, who dominate much of the current attention given to Israeli politics, but also points out the history and extremism of OTHER camps and ideologies, such as the ultra-orthodox and the left. Not only is this interesting, it is typical of Sprinzak's sense of "fair play". While a fair amount of the book focuses on the misdeeds of the right, Sprinzak is not a name caller, nor a finger-wagger- he is merely a chronicler. And as such, he feels compelled to point out the violence of ALL members of Israeli society.

Impressively, Sprinzak is able to do all this while maintaining an objective professionalism. While he clearly identifies himself as a Laborite, he soundly condemns all political violence, AND simultaneously seems to give the impression that he sympathizes with many of the people he describes- not because he approves of what they do, but rather, he understands the frustration that drives them to their actions. The result is very powerful, and very balanced. Best of all, like any good academic, Sprinzak is thorough enough to give us SOURCES!

I must admit, it was quite refreshing to be able to learn about a part of Israel's history that is often referenced but rarely directly spoken about, for fear it will be exploited. The fact that Sprinzak chose to isolate INTERNAL Israeli violence from the continuous Middle East conflict was another crucial and excellent choice; to muddle up his research with background on the PLO, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad would have done nothing but distract readers from the main purpose of the book: taking an honest look at both examing and understanding the roots of ISRAELI political violence and extremism. For many non-Israeli readers, this may be the first time you realize that the Middle East conflict is not just about Israelis vs. Palestinians. It's not just "who gets a state", but also "what kind of state will we have"? This book goes a long way to giving people an inside view into the political history of Israel- and how far some people have been willing to go.

The book's one drawback is that the epilogue, in which Sprinzak describes various scenarios that might result in the short-term aftermath of Rabin's killing now seem outdated. It is a shame he was not able to publish a second edition before his death.

In short, the book gets points for being easy to read (Sprinzak apparently learned from his earlier book, "The Ascendance of Israel's Radical Right", which in some places, was painful to read), having a lot of interesting (and for many, NEW) information, and for being able to maintain a good sense of balance. It's only negative mark (perhaps worthy of a half or quater-point deduction) is that it was written in 1996, rather than 2003; it would have been nice to get Sprinzak's take on the current goings-on in Israel.

A fitting capstone to this great man's legacy. I look forward to the day when a similar project (in both scope and honesty) is completed by a Palestinian scholar.

I have this book. Ehud was one of my Proffessers at the Hebrew University Political Science Dept. in the 70's and this is an excelent book about Israeli Violent Politics. It is a unique study. It covers a long period. Although the book is New, it reflects the situation before Ehud Barak got elected. But the first Chapters about the Altalena are also very interesting. Ehud told us then that from 1948 till 1967 extra-parliementary Politics was getting less. Since the Idelogical Problem of what to do with the territories taken in 1967 there has been a rise in Politics outside the Knesset. The book also covers Kahanism and the background to the Tragic murder of Rabin.

Even if you are not a fan of Bryan's music, you will really enjoy his photograhy.

This photo book series is really high class, and Bryan Adams did not disappoint. I will collect most of the books for future reference.

This beautiful book stuffed with Badman-pictures really is a must for every Badfan on this earth. With over a hundred pictures in it, it shows Bryan Adams in a lot of different positions. Sleeping in an airplane, playing with dogs, standing on top of a rock in the desert of Utah and, of course, on stage. If not for the photographs, you should buy this book for the great comments on the pictures, written by Adams himself. Can you sing along to Vanishing, consists your CD-collection mostly of Adams-albums, do you get angry about everyone who spells Bryan with an 'i', or are you in any other way a die-hard, I would say: BUY THIS BOOK!

Business Writing Makeovers by Hawley Roddick is a tremendously useful book. It is full of excellent information and advice that would benefit both business and non-business writers. Roddick's use of before and after letters, memos, reports, etc. is a practical and effective way to make important points. The concise checklists that follow are valuable aids. And joy of joys, the examples of writing deal with varied subjects and issues that are interesting, informative, and entertaining to read about! I highly recommend Business Writing Makeovers to anyone who wants to be the best communicator he or she can be.

The book covers so many occasions for communication, in and out of what is strictly business, that it is a useful guide to writing in general. It warns of pitfalls and recommends ways around them, but what I found most engaging were the transformations from Original to Makeover, the details and stories coming into focus: the "demotion" story, for instance, or the "retirement" details. Besides its practical purposes, the book discovers the inner workings of many business activities, and it is indeed enlivened by the novelist's invention.

Business Writing Makeovers should be useful to business people, teachers of writing, and anyone who wants to write better. It is also fun to read: I enjoyed the letters in which a company official complains to a supplier that the huge ice sculpture ordered for a sales conference had been set up so it melted onto an electrical unit, causing a short circuit that ruined the conference's most important presentation. Roddick's sample letters and emails show ways to make your writing more precise, concise, correct, and graceful. They will help you choose the right tone to adopt in a letter, the right details to include, and the right structure to convey information and ideas. I found good suggestions here for writing with greater tact, better grammar, and stronger impact. Roddick's own writing is elegant and clear--an excellent example for her readers.

a great example of a leader in many respects. mostly self-educated, g.w. was wise in so many ways. i am amazed at his character and have enjoyed sharing these with my family. what i like about this book compared to others with similiar info is that the author puts the manners into modern day use, although they are first presented in the old english style which is good for the kids to see and hear. a definite library must!

By George! is a delightful and insightful compilation of George Washington's rules of civility, written when he was only 14 years old. The author does an outstanding job of adapting these basic rules of good conduct, written in the 1740's, to current society. These rules, illustrated by timely stories of people doing the right thing, not only help us understand the high standards George Washington expected of himself and others, they are a timeless treasure trove. In a world torn apart by violence and hatred, this little book teaches us that a little civility can make a big difference in our lives. I highly recommend By George! by Steven M. Selzer.

I was most impressed by the tone of the book. I expected a "stuffy" list of do's and don'ts only to find each of George Washington's rules of civility applied to today's social and business situations with great insight and a touch of humor. I was amazed to learn that the civil behavior we learned from our parents and teachers is based on the same rules of civility that George Washington lived by 250 years ago. Some things are truly timeless. We could all use a refresher course. I highly recommend By George!

One of my fave. books as a little girl. So cute

I found this book in a box when my parents moved out of their house of 50 years. I thought it had long since been given away. My copy is the old one, with illustrations by Adams and the new version, with illustrations by Hogrogian has a different, but still charming, feel.
Candy Floss is a little china ballerina who belongs to Jack, and is his good luck charm. A wicked little girl named Clementina (think Nelly on "Little House on the Prairie", but make her even worse) steals Candy Floss away. As with so many books, after some trevails and damage, the friends (which include Nuts and Cocoa who are a horse Candy Floss dances on, and a dog), are all reunited, Candy Floss is restored to her glory by Jack and good luck returns.
It's a wonderful story made even better by a nasty villainess.

Candy Floss has a very happy life with the carnival, helping the little dog Cocoa and a painted horse Nuts bring business into the "coconut shy" stall of their beloved Jack. This is an unusual story because Jack is a grown-up young man who cares for Nuts and Candy Floss just as much as he does for his real live dog, considering them all his "partners" and Candy Floss his "luck." It shows that some people can hear doll wishes, no matter how old they get on the outside.

Then the family gets mixed up with a spoiled, unhappy little girl named Clementina Davenport. She wants to buy Candy Floss and naturally Jack will not sell her, but Clementina is not used to being refused, and she causes everyone a lot of trouble, as spoiled, unhappy people so often do.

This was such a great story! It makes you want to run off and be a carnival doll, or a carnival stall operator. Jack has much more sense than Clementina's indulgent parents, and really she is much happier after she meets him and Candy Floss anyway.

This is the final story in the Rumer Godden collection "Four Dolls," and it is my next favorite after "Impunity Jane."

I gave this as a Christmas to a "teen" who was actually thrilled to get it.

I love these little cards I send to my "chick" friends. They are upbeat and fun. Highly recommend.

I purchased these as part of a gift for my mother...They were so great, I was tempted not to put them in the basket! The quotes are just wonderful! I'm glad I did, though, because she also loves these cards.
Objectively, I can tell you that these are well made cards with sharp, clear printing. They're a good size and on stock of a nice weight...
I can recommend this set for anyone who wants to send a nice note or, as I did, give a thoughtful gift.

I wrote the publisher several years ago pleading for them to reprint this gem. It's the best little dictionary I've ever used.

got this in 1976 for 95 cents. it has been the only dictionary I've ever used and the only reason I'm looking for another is that the pages are cracking and yellowing, both from use and the fact that the publisher used groundwood paper.

I have a 25-year old copy of this book, not sure which edition it is, but it's the one with the sort of shiny, orangish-brown cover. Anyway, it really is a great dictionary, for both etymological and other purposes, and it's one of my most useful word reference works. Now out of print for many years, it's worth picking up if you can find a used copy. (You can't have enough dictionaries in your life).

This is the best recent book I've seen on classical architecture. It doesn't get into every possible nuance, but is graphically very rich and clear... well worth the price.

This work is the best overview of classical architecture that the reviewer is aware of. While most such works concentrate on the five orders, usually in traditional "parallel" format, this work shows all five orders, variations of each, and how each is used. The work shows the various other pieces making up the "kit of parts" of Classicism, and how they are used. In short, a one-book guide.

This is a brilliant book. Derek Brentnall's illustrations are superb. What makes this book a joy is that it really opens a world for anyone who wants to know more about why so many of our banks, office buildings, schools and halls of government look the way they do. And it really gets detailed - not in an overwhelming or pedantic way - but in a fun, informative and artful style that calls out the venerable ghosts of our classical past for a festival of discovery.

This book sends a profound message of hope and healing to anyone who reads it. It speaks to parents, teachers, children, mental health care professionals and to anyone who has known someone who has gone through childhood abuse or whom may be experiencing it now. KUDOS to the author for her bravery, creativity and for reminding us all that the real hero in any story is our faith.

This book is an excellent resource for mental health professionals who work with teens and adult survivors of abuse. The illustrations are profoundly moving and the written words of the author vividly depicts the shattering and crippling effects of childhood abuse. An outstanding resource for therapists to provide to clients to assist them in understanding their abuse trauma and the process of recovery.

This book is a great read for survivors of childhood abuse and should be on the shelf of all mental health care workers who provide services to adolescents and adults. The story grabs you from the beginning with an element of fantasy and the inherent innocence of all children. As the story progressed and reality took over I found myself going through so many emotions I couldn't put the book down until I reached the end. It was only after I finished reading it and had time to ponder it did I grasp the many messages the author is trying to share with the readers. The simplicity of the format, the characters and the sometimes hidden meanings all make for a deeply profound story. I give it 4 stars only because I was so moved by the story and the author's message of hope, I would have liked it to be longer than the 65 pages.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Ol' time cattle drives, this book does a wonderful job enlightening from the point of view of the Ol' Cowboy Cook. I recommend this title to any reader interested in cattle drives

This book is highly recommended for those who follow the arcane art of chuckwagon cooking. Adams displays an excellent, first-hand grasp of the subject and writes with wit and style. Buy it now!

Ramon Adams has an encyclopedic knowledge of the social life of cowboys on the range. In this one of his many books, he describes the role of the chuck wagon cook on the cattle drives and roundups. Adams is a great collector of amusing stories and colorful cowboy slang. If he knows one word for something, he probably knows half a dozen.

The book provides a detailed description of the chuck wagon itself, how it's constructed and its contents organized, how it's cleaned and maintained, who has responsibilities for what. The chuck wagon was both the nerve center and social center of a trail outfit. Besides getting three meals a day, the cowboys also laid out their bedrolls nearby, and the wrangler's remuda of horses was close at hand. In many cases, the cowboys' bedrolls made the trip to the next night's camp in the back of the chuck wagon.

Of most interest to this reader was the actual fare, typically fried meat, beans cooked for many hours, and sourdough biscuits made in Dutch ovens, all washed down with strong coffee. Depending on the talent and disposition of the cook there were also treats and "sweets," such as pies made from dried apples. An outfit depended for morale and productivity on a cook who kept the men well fed and happy. This gave a well-liked cook a tremendous amount of leverage in the all-male hierarchy of tough cowboys. A man who complained about the chuck or didn't respect the cook's camp rules would soon be sorry.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and while I've read extensively about the cowboy West, it taught me a lot I didn't know, and in a very entertaining way. It belongs on anyone's "Lonesome Dove" bookshelf.