Frank Books

THE CONSUMER SOCIETY is an exceptionally timely and incisive work. Much of the current national dialogue on environmental politics is disabled by the notion that our citizens harbor two incompatible drives: more material goods and a healthy environment. Underlying that common wisdom is the neoclassical conception of human motivation that has become so widely rooted in the media. This book provides an important sociological and historical critique of the highly abstract neoclassical view.

The presentation of the material, with clear and comprehensive essays for each section, and brief summaries for each of the outside authors, make this book exceptionally accessible. It should be widely used by political and environmental scholars and in college classrooms as well.

The "Frontier Issues in Economic Thought" summaries, along with the overview essays, provide a markedly different service from the standard collection of abstracts. The series will benefit not only scholarly work but the application of our best thinking to the problems of the times.

-- Kenneth Prewitt President, Social Sciences Research Council

This book is basically a massive collection of indepth summaries (usually about 2-4 pages long) of the points made by major papers in the fields of sociology and economics (mainly somewhat "liberal" works). Frequently essays and papers include a lot of information that is simply filler or is unnecessary explaination of already established concepts. This book eliminates that but leaves all the main points and main support of those points intact. This book summarizes just short of 100 essays and divides them into 10 parts: Scope and Definition; Consumption in the Affluent Society; Family, Gender, and Socialization; the History of Consumer Society; Foundations of Economic Theories of Consumption; Critques and Alernatives in Economic Theory; Perpetuating Consumer Culture: Media, Advertising and Wants Creation; Consumption and the Environment; Globalization and Consumer Culture; and Visions of an Alternative.

Some of the summaries are of essays from writers such as: Juliet Schor, Alan Durning, John Kenneth Galbraith (Forward also written by him), Colin Campbell, Frank Ackerman, and (of course) many others.

There are name and subject indexes in the back and a table of contents in the front, so it is very easy to find a particular essay's summary or just find summaries of essays on the subjects/by the authors you are interested in. In addition, each summary begins with a formal citation of the essay being summarized. This is a great way of finding good articles on various subjects!

I highly recommend this book as a tool for finding good essays, as a reference book on various economics and sociology subjects, or as an introductory book to major sociology and economic theories.

THE CONSUMER SOCIETY is an exceptionally timely and incisive work. Much of the current national dialogue on environmental politics is disabled by the notion that our citizens harbor two incompatible drives: more material goods and a healthy environment. Underlying that common wisdom is the neoclassical conception of human motivation that has become so widely rooted in the media. This book provides an mportant sociological and historical critique of the highly abstract neoclassical view.

The presentation of the material, with clear and comprehensive essays for each section, and brief summaries for each of the outside authors, make this book exceptionally accessible. It should be widely used by political and environmental scholars and in college classrooms as well.

The book arrived very promptly, and although it was used it was in almost perfect condition. Very pleased.

I received my books within days NOT weeks as thought, had a chance to review the book before my classes started.

This will be the first place I look for new & used books.

Thanks so much for the quick service

I'm using this textbook in my community college course on corrections -- and I can't image how any book could be better. The book is built around a theme of professionalism in corrections and makes me want to work as a corrections officer -- and makes me want to improve the field. If you are interested in a career in corrections this book is for you -- whether or not you are currently in school.

I'm using this textbook in my community college course on corrections -- and I can't image how any book could be better. The book is built around a theme of professionalism in corrections and makes me want to work as a corrections officer -- and makes me want to improve the field. If you are interested in a career in corrections this book is for you -- whether or not you are currently in school.

My son loved the book as a young boy now the grandchildren are having it read to them and beginnning to love it.

This is a fabulous book integrating math and literature. Frank reminds us of someone we all know. You will laugh yourself silly, no matter what your age is!

This is a story for younger children, about a boy who likes to ask questions. Not about dragons, or witches or monsters, but about the ordinary things around us like ball-point pens, and peas, and his dog Frank. The best and biggest question is of course 'What if?' "What if I drew with this ball point pen until it ran out, how long would the line be?" "What if I ran this bath until the room filled up with water, how long would it take?" These are the sort of questions that all kids ask. The difference is that this kid has the answers. I found this book a delight with colourful and amusing illustrations. I would recommend it to anyone with children aged 4-10. Also to grown-ups who still have the enquiring mind of a child

This book contains wonderful illustrations of a boy and his unforgetable dog Frank. The boy, as he's referred to in the book, uses Frank as a unit of measure. The boy also calculates fascinating and interesting facts about peas (his least favorite vegetable), humpback whales, his father and the bathtub. It inspires readers to reconsider measurement and allows them to laugh at the same time. It is a wonderful book full of intresting, if sometimes seemingly useless, facts about numbers, calculation and one amazing dog name Frank!

I, and my classmates, really enjoyed this book. It's a great introduction to the varied areas within the Criminal Justice field. Well written with many interesting sideboxes on different ideas and issues. The accompanying website was also very illuminative :)

This book showed up days before the dates given. That is awesome! Can't wait to use it in class. In fact I'm already reading it.

I just started teaching a new criminal justice survey course where this text is required for the students. After reading it I have to say it is one of the best course-books on the subject that I have read or taught from.

Comprehensive at 750+ pages including many full color plates and an interactive CD-ROM. Topics include everything conventional (civics, criminal law & criminal procedure) as well as many current event criminal justice concepts including law enforcement cultural approaches to alternative religions like Santeria, the arrest of celebrities such as Courtney Love, and even distinguishing placement in the criminal justice hierarchy for "bounty hunters" such as Duane "Dog" Chapman.

I love it! Informative and instructional. Again, one of the best. Five stars.

I used this book last semester! Very good reading. It was easy to read and understand.

The only thing I did not like about the stories were that all of them were overly dramatic, which does not take away from the reading of the book at all. It's just a personal preference that I would have wanted one of the endings to be a way to enjoy all the rides and go home happy. None of the scenarios are like that. There's all kinds of drama good and bad, and you can't see the whole picture unless you go through at least some of the endings. The ideas the authors thought up of are very interesting and surprising. It's amazing what you can do with a new amusement park built in New Mexico by a gorgeous hotel with video games in your room. In one of the endings, you get to play video games while enjoying a nice bubble bath, and in another story, you're eating pancakes with two other daredevillers. The picture on the cover is actually a bit misleading in the sense that there are only about 7 characters total in the book. There is even a good twin and an evil twin in the book. Whether it's Southern Comfort, Vampire Island, Blackhole [roller coaster], Ski Mountain/Downhill Racer, Amazon Adventure, African Safari Park, or a wacky ferris wheel, I'm already there!

I myself have never read this book, but i have read almost every other in the series and i am amazed at how well they are written

I like this book because the rides are cool, and because even though it's not right, sneak into the park to have fun--until you go to Transylvania Island and find Dr. Ivring Bok, and get into some trouble with the vampire too. When I read the book I heard about the Black Hole roller coaster I really knew that ride was going to be exciting. This was one of the favorite books of the series that I read and really liked.

The comment above may sound like I don't like this book, but this is one of the Top 5 I've read so far. However, that may soon not be in the Top 5 since I read so many of these books. I can't think of any worst part in the book, except that I couldn't get to Page 12. I read every other page then that one, yet I just couldn't get to that adventure. Maybe I just read the "Turn to Page..." directions wrong. But still, that doesn't mean the book is bad. Besides the worst part, the best parts are where you sneak into the park, capture Dr. Bok, and go on the Black Hole. I especially like the "alternate universe". It must be more thrilling than ever to go in that ride. It's too bad this isn't a real story. Well, that's all I can say about this one. Don't miss it.

All the fun and excitment of an Elmore Leonard novel, with the added flavors of mordern day Greece. This one sucks you in on page one and leaves you disapointed that it's over.

This fast-paced international yarn follows a vivid cast from California to the Mediterranean and back to a fine ending, and is hard to put down. But the special treat is the author's intimate knowledge of Greece, where this international chase pivots. Frost knows the food, wine, women, sunsets, villages, local phrases, even the bad manners of the tourists, by nationality. If you can't visit Greece, read DEAD PHILADELPHIANS.

This is a thriller that leaves you with good feelings. A young Greek American commits the almost perfect crime, leading to many trials, adventures, the discovery of his heritage and ethnicity, steamy sex, and a very satisfying conclusion. The portrait of Greek village life is very warm and sympathetic (in contrast to Kazantzakis'). The dialogue is perfect.

I look forward to the movie. I might even look up the author's scholarly work.

Peter Green, in the Los Angeles Times Book Review (July 18), said "'Dead Philadelphians' is written in wonderfully taut, flexible, evocative prose: fast-moving, not a word wasted, always conscious of rhythm...Contributing to the remarkable success of this first novel is the gritty and physical accuracy of detail on everything from prison life to Greek honor feuds, Berlin skinheads, and the polite hypocrisies of Zurich bankers. The net result is a compulsive page-turner that kept me up till the small hours. Welcome to an exciting new thriller writer."

Romance novels are not just for women anymore. Frank Ridgley has written a wonderful novel that is full of romance, fear and emotions.

Author Frank Ridgley brings us a novel full of romance, fear and emotions. Den Helder is a story of tragedy, love, heartbreak, and determination. This is a rare romance novel for the guys.

Follow Tony as he leaves behind the love of his life Elaine to embark on a career as a Merchant Mariner. The separation from his wife and the new living conditions on a ship are Tony's first battles as a sailor. Other problems include the sea and weather conditions. There are temptations for Tony as he is lonely from being away from his wife. He meets Anika at a local pub in Den Helder, location off the coast of Holland where the boat docks occasionally. He feels a strong connection to her and knows there is something special about her. He does not, however, give in to the temptations and returns home to his wife.

After returning home, there seems to be more turmoil in Tony's life. His grandfather is very ill and soon passes. Tony then returns to work as a sailor and more tragedy strikes while out at sea. These heartaches and adversities are too much for Tony to handle. He stops work as a sailor and returns home to pursue another career.

As time passes, Tony begins to see other women. Eventually Tony realizes that there is only one woman for him and he accepts an assignment that takes him back to Den Helder and Anika.

What happens to Elaine? Will tragedy strike again? Will he stay with Anika? Although it won't be easy for them, true love does win in the end.

Frank Ridgley has done a magnificent job in writing a romance novel from a man's perspective. You feel the emotion and the heartbreak. The story makes you want to jump ahead just to see what happens next. A true page turner and highly recommended to all.

In reading Den Helder by Frank Ridgley, readers will be swept into an unforgettable adventure that depicts the various emotions and experiences of the main character who is passionately in love with Elaine, his young and beautiful wife, but is also drawn toward the excitement, power, and dangers of the sea. His name is Antonio Kirkland, a licensed graduate of Texas Maritime Academy in Galveston where he and Elaine have been living. Excited because he has just received his first job as a merchant mariner which will take him off the coast of Holland, Tony admittedly has some qualms about leaving his wonderful wife. But, now that he has the promise of a good income, he has a ten-year-plan for their future which includes purchasing a home in San Antonio--where their parents live--as well as eighty acres in Missouri where he and Elaine plan to live when Tony leaves the sea to become a high school biology teacher. In ten years--maybe even earlier--the properties would be paid for, and this plan could become their reality.

As a wife of a former sailor, I could relate to Elaine and Tony as they savored the short time together before what was to be a three-month separation. While they had been separated during his summer cruises, this was the beginning of a new event in their lives. I enjoyed their youthful innocence, their spirited personalities, and their dreams. Though physically apart, I was convinced by the obvious depth of their love that there would be no emotional distance between them. And, there wasn't, even though Tony met a woman who would have a lasting impact upon his life. Ah, the question comes to mind that many have asked throughout the ages: Is it possible for a man or woman to truly love more than one person at the same time? Does the human heart have this capacity?

It is interesting to meet the various characters in this story as they are introduced to readers. Many of them are Tony's crew members who become close to him during his three-month tour on the research ship. All of them--including the captain--respect this new watch officer for his navigational skills and keeping the ship on line. Tony witnesses firsthand the power of nature and the sea. When his ship sails into the port of Den Helder, this young man has a life-changing experience. He meets an irresistible and beautiful woman named Anika who has a reputation for keeping sailors at bay. However, with Tony it is different; she falls deeply in love with him--a man who is already taken. And, though he loves his wife, Tony finds it impossible to deny the strong feelings he has for Anika. But the two of them have no future; the timing is wrong. He loves Elaine, and at the end of the three months, he goes home to her, knowing that their love will help him put aside the confusion he experienced in regard to that which was unattainable. And it does as he and Elaine move forward with their lives, enjoying their love and the completeness they find in one another.

The two of them are very happy as their promised future begins to slowly unfold. When Tony completes his first two-week of active training for the Navy and the Captain asks him to stay and become a permanent active duty officer, he declines, explaining how much he enjoys being a merchant mariner. Sadly, after finding out that Elaine is going to have a baby, tragedy strikes, and Tony learns that plans do not always work out. Life goes on for him, but the light has dimmed. Two years later he leaves his job as a merchant mariner, and moves to the small cabin on the land in Monett, Missouri--the acreage that he and Elaine had purchased. He becomes a biology instructor at a technical institute. Apart from his active duty service as a naval reservist, he appears to have given up the sea although the memories are imprinted in his mind. The years pass quickly.

When an elderly friend suggests to Tony that he needs to return to Den Helder because of one name that keeps resurfacing when he talks with him, this event indeed comes about. After sixteen years of being apart, Tony and Anika are reunited in Den Helder, discovering that many changes have taken place in both of their lives. Incredibly, they both feel the same powerful attraction that had drawn them to one another in their youth. Though the circumstances are different, there are still obstacles that block their relationship. It appears that some things simply aren't meant to be--or are they?

This is an exciting read from the first page to the last. The plot is entwined with happenings that will keep readers hooked as they try to determine whether or not there will be a "happily ever after" ending. It is unusual to find a book that is equally entertaining to men as well as to women; however, this is one such book. I have no hesitation in recommending Den Helder to readers and look forward to reading the next book by this upcoming author.

Review by publisher of sixteen years, traditionally published author, former talk radio host, and present-day book reviewer.

The author, Frank Ridgley, captures the love and fear he personally has of the sea while mixing in interesting dialog and plots for his characters. I appreciate the struggle the lead character has with his conscience. It made me think - could I go back and try to find the one love I thought I missed out on? The 'What If' factor is heart grinding. The author doesn't give much away so I found myself turning pages - even cheated, skipped a few - just to get past the angst of the situations. I laughed at the bar scenes between salty sailors and strict Navy officers, I ached at the loneliness that is felt at sea, and for the lost opportunities. I cried for the loss, and then for myself as I have felt some of the same feelings in my life. An interesting twist, as he falls in love you expect the typical girl in every port - yet it isn't that way at all. I enjoyed the love scenes...wish there was a little more detail, yet ... just enough for your imagination to run wild. Vivid details enabled me to picture in my minds eye the country of Holland and Den Helder, smell the salty sea mist, hear the music and taste the beer in the smoke filled bars. While I'm a lost romantic, I found this books account of life and journey on the high seas frightening. The fear of drowning - being gobbled up by an angry sea - with so much life yet to discover - still makes me take deep breaths and kiss the ground. Dotti Sterns

Marine Biologist and former U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, Frank Ridgley, turns his hand to writing fiction with his debut novel, Den Helder. This is a novel focusing on the universal topic in our lives, what would I do without the person I love in my life or the meaning of life without the person I love?

Our story unfolds when our principle character, Antonio (Tony) Kirkland, who recently was accredited as a merchant marine, accepts his first assignment from the Crockett Marine Survey Inc- a company that provides ocean-mapping data to petroleum companies. Tony's first posting will be as a standing deck officer on one of the company's ships for a period of three months. He will initially travel to England, where the ship is in dry dock and eventually to Den Helder which is off the coast of Holland in the North Sea.

Tony is saddened, as he will be leaving his young wife and high-school sweetheart, Elaine, however, both have agreed to his ten year plan. Tony believes that he will be able to save enough money as a merchant marine to enable him to purchase land in Missouri, build a home and become a high school biology teacher once he finishes his ten years at sea.

It is in Den Helder where Tony is smitten with the beautiful Anika Dekker. Anika is a recent business graduate from the University of Amsterdam and she is working as a barmaid in her hometown of Den Helder waiting for the right career opportunity.

Anika, however, is aware that Tony is married and she tells him that their relationship is over before they ever met. Moreover, she tells him "I am but an imaginary angel in this dark and foreign dream you are experiencing. In just a little over a month, you will awaken and be in the arms of your wife. What you are feeling for me will vanish. Your life will return to normal." Tony refuses to accept this explanation and insists his feelings are authentic. Anika describes these feelings as being alive only because of the separation from his wife and the dangers experienced in the high seas.

Tony's life takes an unexpected tragic turn when his wife Elaine is accidentally killed in an auto accident. For sixteen years, Tony agonizes over the death of his wife and his long lost love for Anika. Was it possible to love more than one person?

One day upon meeting an elderly and somewhat mysterious neighbor, Levi Gabor, Tony is advised that the hole in his heart can only be filled by a woman. He is further counseled that he must not accept defeat and he should return to Holland to search out Anika. She may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him or perhaps she may guide him to the next level. As Gabor states: "Your memories often center on one person...in one place. The person is Anika and the place is Den Helder!"

This is a novel that will keep casual readers on board until the end however it does have its shortcomings. Ridgley has done a fair job of balancing the description of Tony's dangerous life at sea with his inner conflicts and predicaments. However, readers may feel short changed with some of the minor characters as well as Tony's relationships with various female companions whom he meets after Elaine's fatal accident.

I felt these characters and particularly the women seem to "scurry by" or "traipse off" without knowing why there never seemed to be the right chemistry between them and Tony. I also would like to have seen a more profound development of Tony's relationship with his wife Elaine and how this was similar or different than the one he experienced with Anika.

Nonetheless, Den Helder still manages to be a compelling read and one that will keeping you thinking about it long after you have put it down.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

Easy and enjoyable to read. Well done. The principals given are clear and concise and can be applied to every marketing aspect.

Mr. Frank has identified a common sense approach to dramatically changing how you interact with your customers that impact the bottom line. I enjoyed it greatly,and related with him how sales people would chase me away with a lack of caring. Great book!

I really enjoyed this book! It's filled with helpful marketing tips in an easy to read format with lots of humerous anecdotes and personal experiences. Reading this book felt like I was having a casual conversation with the author. This style of writing held my attention and helped drive home his marketing secrets. The "sample forms" appendix includes 20 greetings that will benefit everyone no matter what you sell. Highly recommended!

I am not a business person, but found this book not only very informative, but easy to understand and fun to read. I like the format of relatively short self contained (subject-wise) chapters so you can pick it up and read a little in a short time. If you don't get back to it for a while it's OK!

So much reading material bores kids... but NOT THIS. I even enjoyed reading some of it myself as well as my daughter. I recommend this book!

These books are exciting with very good Christian values brought to the attention of the reader. Great Adventure Books.

Combine the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew with Indian Jones, make them Christians in search of Biblical artifacts, and you'll get the gist of these novels. They are nothing more or less than what they claim to be: enteraining reads for young readers, intertwining spiritual lessons with fast-paced action. Adults may be bored by the simplicity or stretched realism of these stories, but pre-teen and early teens will enjoy these works as much as older readers enjoy Peretti's The Oath or This Present Darkness.

This edition matches the ISBN and photo for CBD's slipcase set, which features books #1-4 in the set of 8: Door in the Dragon's Throat, Escape From the Island of Aquarius, The Tombs of Anak, and Trapped At The Bottom Of The Sea. This set includes the collector's box and four (newer release/cover design) paperbacks. As far as I know, books #5-8 are unavailable in a boxed set (the newer paperbacks), but they are available separately.

I bought this book so my 7 year old son could start recreational reading on his own, however much of the vocabulary in it is beyond him at this point, so I started reading it out loud to him, explaining some of the words as we go. The story is very suspenseful, and he loves it! He is hooked on the story line, no surprise with Peretti's writing. I am hoping as the school year continues, he'll be reading the rest of the stories on his own. I think it's a great series for young readers, and the Christian slant in it is very strong and confirms our own personal faith.

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)is the world's greatest pyschological novelist probing the human mind without peer. Professor Joseph Frank of Princeton has written a five volume biography-literary commentary on the works of Dostoevsky. "The Seeds of Revolt" is the first volume in the series. This initial volume discusses the life and works of Dostoevsky from his birth to a doctor in Moscow to his arrest for a conspiracy against the goverenment in 1849. Dostoevsky was sentenced to Siberia for several years.
Dostoevsky was the second son of an emotionally distant physician and a loving mother. His father may have been murdered by his servants but this has never been proven. Dostoevsky was a shy, quiet boy who enjoyed reading and study. His father forced him to attend an Engineer Academy in Moscow. He hated it and left the army soon after his graduation. Unlike the wealthy Leo Tolstoy he came from the middle class.
Dostoevsky leaped to fame with his 1846 epistolatory novel "Poor Folk" which was aided by the good reviews given it by the influential critic Belinksy. Dostoevsky eventually broke with the Belinsky circle becoming involved in groups seeking to free the serfs. In repressive Tsarist Russia he was arrested for such participation.
Frank's book is a scholarly written study not just of Dostoevsky but of the literary and social trends of his time. The author gives succinct but sound interpretations of the author's early works. Some general readers who expect a straight biographical account may not appreciate this type of book. I, as a lover of Dostoevsky's works, found it fascinating. We see the literary influences on the young Dostoevsky (Balazac, Hoffman, George Sand, Schiller, Sue, Scott and others); his movement from Romanticism to a deep psychological understanding of humanity and his Slavophilic and Messianic view of Russia.

As Frank emphasizes repeatedly in the Preface (and in the prefaces of subsequent volumes), he is not writing as a biographer, strictly speaking, but rather as a literary critic (and to a lesser extent a socio-cultural historian) - primarily of Dostoevsky's novels. (Frank does admit that things got a little rough for him during the period of Dostoevsky's imprisonment, as he has chosen to cover the man chronologically rather than book by book.) This kind of books I have never read before, I must confess. However, I think his expressed purpose serves my needs perfectly: I am more interested in what the novels mean, than what Dostoevsky was having for dinner on a particular day. Frank's is a serious and scholarly approach, and I am sure all five volumes - now in an honored place on my shelves - will stand the test of time as the definitive work on the great Russian novels (as opposed to the great Russian novelist).

The limits of a non-vernacular literary biography are mostly intuitive but Frank makes you feel like Dostoevsky wrote in English. Not that he was English, or American, he was most assuredly very Russian, but Frank's effusive manner and luminous analysis bring out a character in Dostoevsky's early work that could be easily overlooked when, as I did I first, the reader jumps from Brothers Karamazov to Crime and Punishment to the Idiot and then jumps over to Tolstoy or Turgenev. Frank shows you the pleasure of staying with Dostoevsky, immersing yourself in Dostoevsky, and that is a strong achievement indeed.

La mejor biografia de Dostoievsky escrita en ingles hasta el momento. Una joya insuperable.