K Books

On Value and Values has been called "A book for our times" and all that. The question is, why? Doug Smith has taken us out of the "once upon a time" world of place being the most important factor in how we relate to the world, and he has brought us to a different reality. It is no longer a world that revolves around our neighborhoods. Our worlds revolve around our jobs, our scools, our politics, our churches, and so on. It is not about where we live; it is about who we are and how we interact ethically with those around us for a better community and life.
This is not a simplistic book nor an easy read. It requires thought and as the subtitle ssuggests, "Thinking differently about We in the age of Me." It is well worth the effort. I have come back to On Value and Values over and over again and each time I go away with another nugget.
This is not a book of Utopian dreams. It is handbook of usable, workable plans on how to relate to each other and build value, material wealth, and physical assests while still maintaining our values as moral individuals. We do not have to screw each other and the planet to be comfortable and happy. We can leave the world a better place. Smith does an excellent job in helping us transition into this new millenium.

On Value and Values is a refreshing breath of fresh air, and a sad but true commentary on the age of me. People all too often think about themselves, and not about others.

Most books give us something, but land on the shelf never to be read again. Doug Smith's On Value and Values is one that I expect to be returning to regularly. Beautifully written, this provocative and thoughtful book cracks the code of what makes things different in the world in which we live. Finally I understand the profound difference between living in a world of place and one of purpose. It answers the question of whatever happened to WE and provides some direction for how the ME can function in this environment. It's a must read, and a keeper.

I have only one concern about "On Value and Values" - that the author is not a famous celebrity. Because if he were, the book would be a #1 bestseller and its ideas and prescriptions would already be guiding us toward a saner future together.

This book is the wisest, most real and pragmatic description of values - including what's at stake and what you can do about it - that exists in print or any other medium. No wonder others who have read it compare the book to DeTocqueville's "Democracy in America," Aristotle's "Politics," Persig's "Zen and The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance" - and, in the case of several readers, the Bible.

Why? Well, perhaps foremost because Smith looks at the subject of values differently. Instead of repeating the all-too-typical `finger pointing' discussion of "you have bad values/I have good values", Smith takes a big step back and demands perspective. This book treats readers like adults not children. Smith asks you to look at what makes beliefs and behaviors - values of all kinds - predictable instead of random on the premise that if you hold a certain set of values as `good', you'd prefer them to be predictably acted upon by others in addition to yourself.

And, he asks that question in the context of the real world you actually live in - a world of markets, networks, organizations, friends and family - instead of an illusory world of neighborhoods and towns that exists more in the movies than everyday life as we live it. He asks you to reflect on your values as consumer, employee and investor - the real roles you play out in your life along with friend and family - instead of neighbor and citizen (still powerful ideas, but hardly ever actual day-to-day roles).

We can not expect predictable and shared values, Smith notes, unless we first understand when we are a `we' in this new world of markets, networks, organizations, friends and family. Hence the subtitle: Thinking Differently About We In An Age Of Me.

From the first sentence, Smith points straight to the hallmark problem of our new age of humankind: the war between our legitimate concern for value (profits, wealth, winning) and our legitimate concern for values (social, political, environmental, spiritual, family, medical, legal and so forth). He asks readers to listen to a cultural drumbeat that has excommunicated the singular - value - from the plural values.

If we are to hand over a sustainable, just and prosperous world to our children and grandchildren, we must restore our pursuit of value to the house of all values - and we must do this our real world of markets, networks, organizations, friends and family instead of the illusory world of feel good movies, TV and political campaigns.

Democracy. Community. Liberty. Civil Society. Self-government. The Common Good. The Greater Good. Capital. Caring. These and other values hang in the balance as hundreds of millions of us transition from place-based human connectedness to purpose-based linkages in markets, networks and organizations. Neither you nor anyone you know can make choices about adhering to and promoting values you hold dear unless you first understand the real world in which you live and how to work as employees, consumers and investors - both individually and in real `we's' -- to make the world one you'll be proud to hand down to future generations.

Like many, I've often asked and heard others ask, "What can I do to make a difference?" On "Value and Values" provides a powerful and profound primer filled with answers to this all-important question.

On Value and Values took me by surprise-it's so much more than I expected. I was introduced to the book at the outset of an extensive strategic planning project, and I was prepared for another temporarily interesting management book. Instead, I found a persistently thought provoking work of social and moral philosophy that compelled me to introduce it to others in one of the organizations in which I participate.

The arresting image of "the twin towers of market democracies-political liberty and self-interested economics" introduces Doug Smith's thesis that we today suffer from an extremism that has apotheosized economic value and self-gratification, and which imperils our ability to bring to fruition the "best in our natures." The importance of On Value and Values is that it diagnoses our situation, grounds it in a reality that is true for millions of us, and proposes solutions that in part draw on Smith's exceptional organizational and management expertise. This is important because central to Smith's viewpoint is the idea that organizations have supplanted the "world of places" as the venues where people actually are bound together by shared values and fates. And it is thus through organizations that individuals acting together can bring about the change that will reunite value and values.

Having a close family member recently diagnosed with Panic Anxiety Disorder, I found the book extremely useful in both understanding the illness and knowing how to support this person. The author provides easy-to-understand details about the illness and solid ways of supporting loved-ones. Now, I feel like I can talk to my family member and no longer have to side-step the discussion. A must-read for anyone who has loved ones with this condition.

Having personal experience with an anxiety disorder, I found Linda's book to have practical, reassuring information that I have been searching for for a long time. No one can really understand an anxiety disorder unless they have first-hand knowledge of it. The author speaks from her heart. Many of the mental-health professionals I have spoken to do not have this level of insight.

I'd heard about Linda's upcoming tips book on Panic and Anxiety Disorder, but wasn't really interested in reading it, mainly because it was a "tips" book; I've seen those booklets in the check-out line, and always considered them vague and rather gimmicky. So, when I first picked up "Panic and Anxiety Disorder, 121 Tips, Real-life Advice, Resources & More", not only was I surprised by its book-like appearance, I was also drawn to its calm, down-to-earth approach to self-help. Yes, there are numbered tips, but as I read, I realized this wasn't implicitly for someone coping with anxiety disorders; Linda has written to everybody. Her tips, while pinpointing individual aspects of anxiety, actually address the very simple, basic, moment-by-moment steps to follow in order to successfully survive just about any stressful inner conflict. From digging in the earth to truly relearning the art of breathing, Linda's guidance is straightforward and simultaneously profound. Not leaving any stone unturned, Linda has dedicated an entire chapter to folks who've found themselves in the challenging role of support, and included numerous sources of additional literature and information.

Linda Manassee Buell has written this book with the compassion and personal landscape of someone who's lived in the cave of fear, and who's triumphantly emerged into the sunshine.

'This is a little book.......filled with
amazing tips....in order to overcome anxiety
and panic attacks....I am majoring in Clinical
Psychology at the University.....and I am too
suffered from panic attacks since 17 years old..
so the advices she give us in her book....are so
simple and practical..coming from a wonderful
woman who also knows how to experiment a full
panic attack...I recommend this book to all
people who is feeling alone.......who feels that
nobody understands.......you will connect with
the compassive Linda...who shares with us....all
the tips available to handle this uneasy condition...
Buy this book....you will not regret.......the message
there is.....THAT YOU CAN LIVE A FULL LIFE EVEN
WITH THIS CONDITION...like everyone else!!!

This book is a valuable addition to the others on the subject. Written in a direct and compassionate voice, it provides great insight and assistance to anyone connected to this disorder. I myself do not suffer from it; however, I'm close to a number of people who do. This book is a tremendous help to those of us who must learn to cope with a loved one who has a panic/anxiety disorder. And it provides an excellent tool to begin safely discussing the topic with that loved one. Lastly, I've had the privilege to meet the author on a couple occasions and talk about the issue -- she is truly knowledgeable, sensitive, and passionate about it.

Highly recommended. The simple language and short chapters made it easy to squeeze into my schedule, but I still found it packed with vital info.

This book is amazing. I saw it featured on CBS Sunday Morning and realized that this book probably had the answers to questions that I didnt know where to look for..and lo and behold..It did!
It forced me to take a look at issues I have been procastinating since becoming a parent 4 years ago. The book is VERY user friendly. It takes complex issues such as College saving, choosing guardians and summarily describes various options and scenarios that puts the legal mumbo jumbo into everyday "mommy brain" language.
I think this book is pratical and a must have for the parent library.

Parent Savvy has been an extremely helpful book for me as I am expecting my second child in just a few weeks. With minimal time on my hands these days I found the information in this book to be clear and concise...it was extremely easy to read and a great book to have on hand as a resource for questions that come up on a daily basis. The book was particularly helpful answering the financial questions that both my husband and I have regarding our childrens' future. I am happy to have found this parenting book to add to my collection I know that I will continue to use it as a reference in years to come.

This book gives sound, realistic advice to parents of young children who are trying to navigate life with a "new" family. Finances were hard before kids, but this book helps guide parents to the right choices after having kids.
The chapter on the laws dealing with nursing in public and in the work environment is very important as more moms are choosing to nurse for longer periods of time.
There are many baby books out there, but none that cover these real world issues with ease and authority.

This book answers all of the questions you were afraid to ask - or didn't know who to ask - with easy, practical advice. Just when I thought I couldn't read another book about spit-up, sleep deprivation, and the wonders of parenthood - this book came along with its sincerity, honesty, practicality - and what you REALLY need to know when you are expecting... even if it isn't your first baby!

"Patience of a Saint" is a typical Greeley story. It contains some excellent images and metaphors of the Catholic Church, some good mystery, some sex, and some violence. It fits Greeley's perfect equation of what to include in a sell-able story. But even with all the expected story parts, it remains one of his better stories, delving into a person's growth as an adult. It is reminiscent of the Biblical story of Saint Paul's conversion, set in modern-day Chicago, with some contemporary images thrown together to show us what Paul may have gone through if he had lived in our time. An interesting idea, a good read, and if you take the time, a thought-provoking way to approach the Bible story as well as middle age.

Greeley is best when he is describing parish life in Chicago. Of his parish novels this story of a newspaper columnist's midlife crisis/spiritual rebirth is the best for my money.

I originally picked up this book because it was a mystery but was captured by this interesting story about a man who makes major positive changes in his life, much to the chagrin and disbelief of his own family. It was upon reading this book that I became an ardent fan of Greeley, his alter ego, Father Blackie and of course all of his wonderful characters (especially if they have a touch of the "fey" or belong to his extended Chicago Irish Catholic family). I have read almost all of Greeley's novels and always look forward to the next one. What a treasure he is and how deeply he has touched my life.

This is a wonderful book. The author suggests wonderful possibilities of grace and love for our lives. It is a book that restores faith and replenishes the soul. Oh, and it's a great love story. Not your typical boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back; this is a wonderful tale about a man who discovers the true depth and meaning of his love for his wife--with no small assistance from God. In a "cynical" age this book is a rare, complex, affirmation of true love and grace. This is my favorite Greeley story.

This is the story of Red Kane, a man caught in a dilemma of Love. After twenty years of marriage plagued by misunderstanding and bitter resignation, Red finds himself falling in love with his wife all over again - and at the same time, pursued by an implacable, attractive God.

Redmond P. Kane, a popular Chicago newspaper columnist and Pulitzer prize winner, smokes and drinks too much, neglects his kids, enjoys a mistress, is feared and hated by his colleagues, and has shared nothing but a bed with his wife for much too long. At 53, Red is an unhappy, disgruntled cynic. But soon, all that changes. On a Chicago street corner a speeding car, almost runs him down, and a moment of divine grace - one in which God and Red's green eyed wife are somehow identified with each other - almost knocks him unconscious. An then Red';s real troubles begin. They start with evil- plan old fashioned wickedness in the person of aging politico Harv Gunther. Red has come up with evidence that links Gunther to the disappearance of a newsman 20 years earlier and the recent murder of a teenage girl, but proving it can cost Kane his career. He's almost ready to close his files, go out for a drink and forget it all. Yet since his brush with death Red finds himself inexorably drawn down the path of saintliness and driven to always do the right thing. Being a good husband to his wife Eileen is at the top of Red's list. Without realizing it, he's whistling "You're Irish and You're beautiful and dreaming of going home, taking her in his arms, and making up for all the sins of omission accumulated over 20 years of their on-again, off-again marriage. But what happens when he does? Beautiful Irish Eileen think's he's having a breakdown, just as his newsroom co-workers are sure he's finally gone over the edge. Soon, a psychiatrist is trying to have him committed. God has turned Red's whole existence upside down. Must he choose between his wife and his god? Or have they joined in a plot to try the patience of a saint. As Red probes the depths of his new emotions and renewed commitments with the help of Msgr Blackie Ryan, he also digs into the dirty business of Harve Gunther and in the process gravely endangers the lives of everyone he loves.

My wife needed this book for an Astronomy class. She wanted a book with a two cds and not all marked up. I got it for a good price and it looks like a new book with no extra marks. I am very impressed with the quick delivery time, the ease of ordering and the condition of the book. I was also kept posted on the sent date and anticipated delivery date and it was accurate. This was very much appreciated, especially during the holiday season. Good Job!

I received this book through Amazon way before my class started. I saved quite a few bucks and it came in mint condition.

This book is very thorough and not too grotesquely boring. Accounting textbooks can seem to drag on and on but the information in this book seems to all be relevant and pertinent. There are plenty of review questions and problems at the end of each chapter and the chapters do build on each other well, so the further into the book, the more questions from previous chapters. Some other nice things about this book are the continuation problems that utilize the posting of payroll accounts and ledger pages to further help the student grasp the content.
The CDs included are wonderfully useful, too. There doesn't seem to be a relevance issue with this text as I have experienced with textbooks in the past.

Good book, but the problems in the chapter reviews could be more discriptive as to what answer the want.

I have found this book to be very helpful in gaining a practical understanding in the workings of a Payroll function. This book has helped the entire department which has recently started performing the US payrolls for our organisation. I hope that a listing of courses that currently use this book as a recomemded text is included in its next edition.

One of the nice things about Beh Affleck's awful movie was it got people interested in this subject, and a some good books were written for those people to read. Better entertaining than the bomb that they were inspired by.

This one of the better ones. Nicely written. Very informative. Well illustrated both with original art and period photographs. A good read on this subject.

What I liked best about the book were its real-life pictures with facts in the captions. I enjoyed most of the book. My great-grandfather was at Pearl Harbor. I am glad to know now what happened and what went on day by day. It was easy to read in some parts, too. The writing, however, failed to hold my attention after reading only a few pages. Also, the book was about a couple of battles, not just Pearl Harbor. Still, I would recommend this book, especially to someone who wanted to know about our nation's wartime past.

A Fantastic Read

This book is terrific. I really liked the fact that it put the attack in the context of the Second World War. It gives you a good understanding of the conflicts in Europe and the Pacific and helps you to see why the attack was so pivotal. I've never been all that interested in books about war, but this one proved to be engaging and very moving. Susan Wels has done an outstanding job presenting the people and the politics behind this much-discussed event.

Pearl Harbor is a day that our nation will never forget, and this book helps those who weren't there understand why it is imperative to remember. This book draws up a landscape of history that is relevant to the incident, and discusses both prior and after effects of this notorious day.

The book is excellently done, encompassing informative material that allows people to understand many different aspects of the attack, and life at the base, both before and after.

If you enjoy US History, then this book is a wonderful addition to your collection. I keep going back to it to read about different aspects of not just Pearl Harbor, but World War II.

Since I am only 21 years old, it was difficult to grasp the human aspects of such an attack, but this book puts things into perspective.

I will always keep this book, not only as an informative guide, but also as a reminder of America's Darkest Day.

With the recent interest in Pearl Harbor bringing books out of the woodwork, I spent alot of time searching for a comprehensive summary of that "infamous" day. This coffee table book has it all. Stunning photography and wonderful writing. From the start, the forward by Senator Inouye brought tears to my eyes. I've gone over it cover to cover several times and its a treasure!! If you have interest in this important part of our country's history...buy this book!

It is truly a shame that Amazon would continue to allow this "person" to write "reviews" of others' work. This "reviewer" (and I'm using the term very loosely here) simply chooses to slam books by authors that have displeased her for some strange reason. What she writes has nothing to do with the novels in question. In truth, she probably hasn't even read most of them. She writes these "reviews" almost in a form letter format. They are all very similar, and full of the same grammatical mistakes. You would think that after writing so many of them, she would at least learn to spell and use correct grammar, especially since she rants and raves about the bad "editing" she finds in all of the books she slams. She has now taken to writing the stupid rants under the names of established people from the Xenaverse without their knowledge or permission. If she truly believed in her words, she would use her true name online. Instead she hides like the true coward that she is behind the names of established people in the Verse. She also causes other like myself to do the same in the fear that she will choose to use MY name for her rants. Don't worry though. The only good thing coming from these ridiculous rants is that it seems to be uniting authors and their fans in a way that is going to hurt evil reviewer much more than she has ever hurt these authors. More and more people are learning exactly who she REALLY is, and it's only a matter of time before the rest of the Xenaverse and its extensions know as well. Cruise and Stoley know the TRUE Taleweaver did not write the tirade below. They are good people and great authors. You can be confident you are getting your money's worth when you buy their books.

I am the REAL Taleweaver whose real name IS Carolyn,from Canada, and the reviewer who claimed to be me, is not. This person is on a mission to influence sales of certain authors, though I'm not sure she's truly achieving her goal. However, I would like everyone to know that while I am the REAL Taleweaver, I would never embark on such a poison filled campaign. Please ignore such spiteful comments. Buy the book and form your own opinion. I enjoyed the book immensely!

Although Stoley combined four individual stories together into this masterful presentation, and it is rather long, it is an excellent read. This is a cannot put it down until I have finished the last chapter' tale from the opening line right down to the last chapter. Stoley has crafted a delightful offering in this novel, but I feel she should have made it two novels and kept the characters separate, nevertheless, it is an excellent read. With Sidney and Sam the insecurities plaguing the main characters threatens to rupture their relationship when a series of unforeseen events keeps the young pair moving, and eventually finding bliss. With Jae and Linnsey, Stoley has captured the frustration, apprehension, jealeousy and at times unrealistic expectations harbored by her characters, and has written a very nice romantic and delightful work. Romance is not my favorite genre, however this one has me hoping writer Stoley is busy working on the sequels, but this time keep have a sequel for both sets of characters and let the scheming and loving continues. Basically I don't have any criticisms about the wrting, but in my opinion, the publisher just didn't do their responsibility and supply some editing to the book. However, having said that, please don't hold that against this new writer and her delightful novel. Excellent read!

This was a rather lengthy book, but well worth the time to read and for the cost. Well developed characters and situations brought a smile, I love it when you have a little mystery to go along with your classic seduction. It is really nice not to have to wait until the last few pages for the sex scene to materialize. One added bonus was the beautiful cover, which isn't shown here yet. I'm happy to read the better editing in this offering than a couple of the others that I bought at the same time. I predict this will be one of your favorite writers, and will turn out many a wonderful, seductive, loving story. I thought it was better than her Port Of Call, but I enjoyed that one too.

Sydney and Sam, investigators set on the same road pitted against the seedier side of life. Together they were thrown against one of the biggest drug and gun lords of the city.
Can Sydney and Sam get past all the cruelty and betrayal and find their way once again, yes, they deal with the family and life that once tore them apart. Then you meet Jade and Lindsay, two women from very separate lives, thrown together by an unforeseen accident and the book just keeps getting better and better. A little long due to four stories being combined, but good reading, and a great price for the stories. Predict this will be one of the top storytellers in Lesbian lit.

Kreeft's book is an excellent philosophy primer that anyone can enjoy, easily read, and benefit from. As a huge fan of Socrates, I was enthralled with the use of Plato's "Apology", the "Euthyphro", and the "Phaedo" as a teaching tools that will captivate your imagination and search your soul. You can really feel Socrates probing you, making you ask questions of and about yourself, profound questions, that everyone needs to confront and be confronted by. Everyone should apply the Socratic Method to their own life...it will change it forever!

This book is an easy read and you should purchase a copy, take it with you everywhere, and read every chance you get. When you finish, READ IT AGAIN!!! Let Socrates teach you that what you think you know, you really don't know. The unexamined life is truly not worth living. Let Socrates examine you and then you too will live life more fully...by asking good questions about everything. Take nothing for granted or on surface value; probe, probe, probe!

This book would be a great tool for informal chats re philosophy, psychology, religion, or even just for fun. I highly recommend it...no matter your chosen faith or the lack thereof. But get ready to be challenged!

As a popular writer who is also a populist writer, Kreeft is brilliant. This book is a delightful beginner's guide to one of the most important philosophical documents ever written. As a professor, and philosopher, and PhD--I am always looking for books that introduce the Great Books to students. Dr. Kreeft has written these helpful guides (4 now) to the Great Books. So if anyone out there is still reading and if anyone is still reading the Great Books, let Dr. Kreeft be of some help.

Peter Kreeft has taught philosophy for over forty years. He is also a Christian. So what does philosophy have to do with Christianity? Or as Tertullian put it long ago, what does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?

Well quite a bit really, according to Kreeft. For example, both are, or should be, concerned with truth, or the discovery of truth. Both are concerned about going beyond appearances and getting at reality.

Thus Kreeft thinks philosophy, properly understood and practiced, can be a real aid to the believer. This book is an introductory primer to philosophy, or more specifically, to doing philosophy. Kreeft thinks that Plato/Socrates may have been our greatest philosopher, and his works make for an excellent entry point to philosophy. (Kreeft side-steps the historical debate over Socrates, and for his/our purposes, we will simply speak of Socrates.)

Three dialogues that exemplify Socrates' method and manner are here focused on: the Apology of Socrates, the Euthyphro, and the Phaedo. Kreeft enjoys using these dialogues as they do not just talk about philosophy but they actually show us philosophy in action.

The Apology is the main text focused on. In it Kreeft tells us forty different things about philosophy and the philosophical method. As we all know, philosophy is the love of wisdom. It differs from mere knowledge, and God is its source. While God has wisdom, man pursues it. In this Socrates and biblical religion are on common ground.

Moreover, the quest of philosophy is not for truth as found in the physical sciences, but moral and eternal truths, as found in religion. Moral questions, like "What is justice?" cannot be answered by the physical sciences.

Also, belief in God and the really important things in life goes hand in hand with humility. Socrates stressed this, as do many of the great religions. Skepticism about God tends to correlate with pride, while true wisdom recognizes its limits, and is open to truth outside its limited perceptions.

And Socrates, like Jesus, was a real counter-culturalist. Indeed, both men were hated by many because of their challenges to the status quo. Indeed, both were ultimately put to death.

Of course in all this Kreeft does not equate the two great men. Socrates could only claim to be a seeker after truth, while Jesus claimed to be the truth.

A key issue raised in the Euthyphro is the connection between God and goodness. Can we be good without God? The two options presented are, 1) that God chooses what is good (Euthyphro's position), and 2) that God is subject to what is good (Socrates' position). Of course Christians tend to say that this is a false dilemma, and argue for a third position, that God's goodness is coterminous with his nature. Position one seems to make God arbitrary, and position two seems to make goodness greater than God. But the third option fully equates goodness with God. What God commands is good because it is in accord with his own good nature.

The last work examined, the Phaedo, is the story of the death of Socrates. It is also the argument of Socrates for why life extends beyond the grave, for why the soul is immortal.

The "gadfly of Athens" was put to death for his search for truth. Of course Jesus was put to death for his proclamation of truth. To refer to the earlier discussion about historicity, Kreeft reminds us that while Christianity cannot survive without Christ, philosophy can survive without an historical Socrates. Even if he is just the creation of Plato's pen, his timeless truths live on.

It was Alfred North Whitehead who once said that the European philosophical tradition "consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." No one can improve upon the greatness of Plato/Socrates. His greatness and wisdom live on. Thus there is so much we can learn from Socrates, so much we are indebted to.

He is not the equivalent of Christ, but he bears many similarities, as Kreeft points out throughout this book. And there are real shortcomings to Socrates. His insistence on the importance of the soul was as valuable as his denial of the importance of the body was flawed.

Believers need not be ashamed of nor afraid of philosophy. In its proper form, it leads us to truth. And in the Christian tradition, God is truth. Of course in a fallen world, extrnal revelation is needed to supplement internal inquiry.

But is it possible that God can use pre-Christians like Socrates to teach us much about life and even Himself? Kreeft thinks so, and this book goes a long way in showing Christians how to appreciate the beauties of philosophy. Of course in other books in this series, Kreeft shows the dark side of reckless philosophy (as in his discussions about Sartre and Marx). But here we learn of the good purposes which philosophy can serve.

Peter Kreeft transmits his passion for wisdom, for philosophy, in this small book by focusing on the personification of philosophy: Socrates. Kreeft shows us how the pursuit of wisdom will lead to respectful confrontation with those who do not know but think they know. The Socratic method of respectful cross-examination is at the core of exposing the fallacies of those, as someone once said, who are always certain but seldom right. Kreeft also presents the parallels between Socrates and Jesus. You will enjoy and be inspired by this celebration of the passionate pursuit of philosophy.

Peter Kreeft introduces Philosophy by introducing us to the father of philosophy, Socrates. He uses the Apology of Socrates to give 40 descriptions of philosophy. He shows the paradox of philosophy with such terms as foolish, simplistic and conformist. Throughout the book, Kreeft's Christian perspective comes through with comparisons of Socrates and Christ, which I think give the book a unique niche but I sure will offend some.

A very inspirational collection of short poems for the soul based on divine biblical teaching. All the poems in this book offer some insight into different situations in our lives and are backed with encouraging words to uplift the soul. Highly recommended read for all..

I enjoyed Toyin's book of poetry. With titles like "The Power of Sin", she captures the reader where they are. This work is excellent for teen readers also, as my daughter willingly read from cover to cover. Toyin kept her attention.

These poems contain valuable words of inspiration, optimism and a clear undestanding of the numerous teachings of the Bible. Toyin definately has a big responsibility to a diverse collection of people to use poetry as a weapon of spiritual healing and development. Her poems definately have an effect that is not only soothing but also encourages us to continue to water our spiritual garden with profitable words. Congratulations!

Toyin Olakanpo refreshes the face of poetry with her spiritually based collection of PoemMeditations. In a world where fax, email and modems have replaced human contact, her poems are nourishment to a famished soul. Her poems ground us and redirect our thoughts back to a holy and heavenly place.

I enjoyed Toyin's book of poetry. With titles like "The Power of Sin", she captures the reader where they are. This work is excellent for teen readers also, as my daughter willingly read from cover to cover. Toyin kept her attention.

I was pleased with the purchase. The item came fast and in the promised condition.

Weimer's "Policy Analysis -3rd edition" provides a well-organized, widely-covered, and easily-understandable introduction to policy analysis. Although we have to seek for other materials for an in-depth analysis of some topics, the book helps us start with Public Policy, Policy Analysis, and even economic policies. This is especially good for undergraduate level, since this provides how to study, investigate, and write policy paper.

This is 'the' book when it comes to public policy analysis. I have read the 3rd and 4th editions and both are great foundational books for anyone looking to do public policy analysis as a practitioner or academic researcher.

This is one of the very best textbooks in the study of policy analysis.

The first part of the book sets the context. It provides a neat case study of the Canadian salmon fishery to give an example of basic policy analysis. Following this are chapters on the nature of policy analysis and the professional ethics related to the endeavor.

One of the most important elements of this book is the next section--the economics of policy analysis. The text discusses the logic of economics, why government intervention through making policy can make economic sense under certain conditions, and the danger of "government failure" (when governmernt actions may work against good economic sense).

The following section focuses on the variety of policy options available to government to address problems. Some "solutions" are market-based; others include regulations and taxes. The volume goes on to explore techniques such as cost-benefit analysis. Two case studies of policy analysis round out the substantive chapters. The last chapter focuses on the responsibility of policy analysts to both "do well" and to "do good."

Not an easy read, but a book that provides the basic underpinnings for understanding policy analysis--and how to do policy analysis.

I read this book for a class and it gives a fantastic overview of the basics of policy analysis. It discusses the reasons for government intervention in markets, the analysis of policies and ways of going about doing a thorough policy analysis. Easy to read and very informative!