Byrne Books

A very interesting read. Changed my views on Paul and his stance toward women. Worth reading.

Peter Byrne is the editor of the prestigious journal RELIGIOUS STUDIES. His book, THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ETHICS, is simply an outstanding introductory text on the relationship between religion and morality. I have learned much from this book, and I highly recommend it to others.

As an atheist, I was particularly interested in Byrne's chapter on "Morality without Religion." Byrne considers a number of issues related to this subject, including: (i) naturalistic ethics, motivation, and evil; and (ii) the metaphysics and epistemology of secular ethics. Concerning (i), Byrne considers "the objection to secular ethics ... that it can offer the individual who respects morality no guarantee of anything other than a life of disappointment and self-sacrifice." However, he notes that the secular moralist can offer three points to mitigate this objection. First, virtuous living remains a partial good even if it exists in isolation from the ideal whole. Second, the social dimension of morality shows that the best chance for attaining the complete good will be in a morally ordered community where moral rules are well-respected. Third, concern for moral considerations is not wholly derived from desire to attain an ultimate good. Byrne concludes, "We can see from this discussion of moral motivation that what is and is not a proper and sufficient motive for moral action is a complex matter--much more complex than neat proofs of the unsatisfactoriness of this or that moral outlook allow."

As for (ii), Byrne considers arguments which attempt to show that if we are doubtful of theism, we must be doubtful of the truth of moral principles. Here Byrne notes that if the secular moralist is allowed use of the notions of truth and reason in general, then objections about the source and nature of secular morality collapse. (Byrne lists personal choice, social custom, and evolution as examples of sources of secular moral standards.) He writes, "So long as the secular thinker can point to good reasons which back a judgement such as 'Do not steal', the question of whence this moral standard arises is of no more philosophical interest than the question 'Where do the principles of arithmetic come from?'"

The book is written at an intermediate level, so that it is useful to scholars and students alike. I highly recommend it.

This book has unlocked the door to the heart of Gabriel Byrne. He tells all in this book of his childhood as he becomes an adult. He shows his quiet and serious side as well as his wild child-like side.

Nice squarebound graphic novel from Marvel about the accidental destruction of Pittsburgh and its aftermath. Part of Marvel's New Universe series. Written by the great John Byrne with Mark Gruenwald.

Byrne's book is well written. His first chapter, The Power of the Image,is worth the price alone. He shows us the ins and outs of the industry in Ireland, and we learn there are a great many films, directors, and writers in Ireland who have not been accorded the their due simply because they do not follow the formulae set by Los Angeles popularity seekers. If you want to know what's really going on about the film industry in Ireland, this book is a must.

I have read many books on the subject of video production, and I have not yet come across one that is as insightful and compelling as Mr. Byrne's. The author's real world, no-nonsense experience and advice shines through. I'd reccommend this book to anyone who considers themselves a videographer, budding filmmaker, or student of the theatrical arts.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

This two volume set is an overview of modern color theory. Volume two, "The Science of Color" is useful to me today. The amount of empirical data in volume two surpassed anything I had learned before, while the suggested reading list opened the door to still better sources of information. Volume one is less useful to me, on a practical level, but provided thought provoking reading. I favor Edward Wilson Averill's nonanthropocentric account of color, which addresses color as a secondary quality of objects. Where volume one is psychological, volume two is scientific; and though they address different issues, each book illuminates the other. I reccommend buying both of them.

Reconcilable Differences: Turning Points In Ethnopolitical Conflict considers how factors converge to shape the way ethnic conflicts are waged and how peaceful change occurs. The contributors discuss perceptions, structure and interactions which contribute to the escalation of inter-group antagonism, as well as mechanisms critical to the peace-building and constructive resolution process. Reconcilable Differences significantly contributes to our understanding of the timely and important, emergence, escalation, transformation, termination, and resolution of prolonged ethnopolitical conflicts around the world. Reconcilable Differences is highly recommended reading for students of international diplomacy, international affairs, regional and intra-state ethnic conflicts.

Reporting the War is a must read for anyone who wants a better understanding of the natural tension that exists betwee the press and the government. Coork focuses primarily on wartime and elequently contrasts the difference between "live coverage" and journalism. I finished the book with a renewed sense of gratitude to those journalists who report the truth in the face of significant governmental interference and great personal risk. Cooke refreshed my awareness that freedom of the press may indeed by the most important safequard of the First Amendment and our American way of life!
Kathie Ross