Lee Books

Wish I had an original print of this gem. Two fellow Hoosiers, deprived of their firearms following the civil war because they served for the Confederacy, take to their old friend - stick and string. If you are an archery nut like me this is an absolute must read. This is the book that started it all. The Tri-Fecta: The Witchery of Archery by Maurice Thompson, Hunting the Hard Way by Howard Hill and Hunting With The Bow and Arrow by Saxton Pope - these should be in every archer's bookcase.

This is a treasure of a book. If you're an American history buff, you will love this. Maurice Thompson writes about his adventures afield with bow and arrow in the post-civil war South. His descriptions of daily life and customs left me with a sense of the times. His commentary is by present-day standards very politically incorrect; however, it comes off as just being authentic. Finally, his detailed accounts of the habits of animals and birds, the weather and trees bring out his unapologetic love of the natural world. He has a most earnest and gentlemanly style of writing. I imagine he was a thoughtful, courteous, and respectful individual.

A gentle book telling tales of archery in the deep south of USA, poetic and visually descriptive of the slower life of holiday adventures and the enjoyment shared by two brothers with the bow and arrow during the late 1800's, don't be put off that it is a photocopy book of an out of print edition, the print might be bad, but the content is good. Good bedtime reading.

Like twenty serpents bound together hissed the flying arrows feather. Mauriece Thompson wrote this book in a gentler time for a less politically correct reader.

The documentation of two brothers who go into the woods to escape yankee persecution after the civil war. Living off the land and surviving in the swamps of Florida, they live off the land with what their hand-made bows and tackle can produce. If you're into archery or the post civil war this is a must have(if someone had not seen fit to steal my original copy I wouldn't be looking for another).

My husband, who does not read poetry, read this book in one sitting. I took longer -- each of these poems seems to ask to be reread before allowing the reader to move on to the next one. Lee Ann Roripaugh is an alchemist, transforming pain and confusion into gems of insight. Her formidable powers of observation are evident here, but these are not documentary poems. Instead, they interpret a universe of things, animals, and people, providing one "ah-ha!" moment after another as the human condition is delicately but firmly presented to the reader. "Octopus in the Freezer," for example, explores timeless issues -- empathy, fate, change, liberty -- in a poem of extraordinary moral and intellectual clarity. Every reader will find a favorite poem in this book. And when you're ready for more, try Roripaugh's first collection, Beyond Heart Mountain. There's a poem about sushi in that book that's vivid enough to make you taste the rice.

Reading Lee Ann Roripaugh's second collection, Year of the Snake, is feeling the warmth of sitting outside under a parasol in spring, then glancing down at one's feet to see a luminescent moth in her death throes; reading Roripaugh is to witness dark and light in one precise series of instants. Her poems are rich in both narrative engagement and lyrical flow; they give space for the language of the ethereal and the everyday to meet. One poem references both Nanking cherry trees and bright orange Sanka cans, another, the multiple limbs of a Hindu goddess and DDT. Here is the story of a little girl growing up in the shadow of the Vietnam War: "My parents wrapped an old sheet/around the playpen to shield me/from the television, but I learned/to pull up the edge and peer out/from underneath to see newsreels/from Vietnam." And here is a richness sifted from the particulars of one person's life that let's the reader know his or her own life more fully. I highly recommend this book to all who love poetry-and even to those who do not.

Lee Ann Roripaugh's poetry uses creatures from nature that writers often use as metaphors for change and transition; moths and snakes are two examples. But what she can do that no one else precisely can is translate them anew through her history as a woman raised in midwest America by a mother who is Japanese. Kimonos and cherry blossoms are woven as seamlessly as Rubbermaid and Shur-Fine lima beans into her verse, and these differences between traditional, resonant Japanese symbols and America's brand-name adorned details illustrate how two disparate cultures that have influenced and indeed, defined her identity, an identity the speaker of her poetry continues to explore. And because she uses common metaphors of transition (but in an uncommon way), Roripaugh makes herself accessible to many. But my words can't do hers any justice. May it suffice to say that I can directly connect a recent poem and a painting of my own to moments when I was inspired while reading Year of the Snake, and I can't remember the last time any book propelled me that much. Buy it. Breathe it in. And be inspired for yourself.

Lee Ann Roripaugh's *Year of the Snake* is recursively focused on interstitial spaces: she complicates the boundaries of East/West, humans/animals, mother/daughter, and confession/myth; the pull of these hybridizing elements takes her poetry down dark and inventive avenues. As in nearly all of Roripaugh's poetry, mother and daughter bonds and relations with the natural world are explored through delicately tough insights. "Transplanting" is the fulcrum for these thoughts; placed in the exact middle of the collection, this longer poem balances the speaker's loyal admiration for her mother with a constant curiosity about nature. In recreating the speaker's mother's journey from Japan to the United States, the poem fluctuates between humorous explorations, "How do you chart the diaspora / of a sneeze?" and aching revelations, "she was ushered from one life / through the gate of another, / wreathed in the dubious and illusory / perfume of plucked orchids." *Year of the Snake* teems with serpents, fishes, fowls, and flowers: Roripaugh meticulously sketches flora and/or fauna in nearly every poem. Her animal bride poems are among her most evocative in this realm: "Snake Wife" conjures moments from sources as widely varied as Native American creation myths to the unfilled longings of the novels of Yasunari Kawabata. Roripaugh's stunning *Year of the Snake* slides into tender recesses between stones and hearts.

The wonder of Year of the Snake, by Lee Ann Roripaugh, is that it participates in the continuous becoming of the world. No image is content to rest on the page, but instead consistently drives to become distinctly other. Even the metamorphosis of a mayfly becomes mythic in its urge to "emerge sleeker/ shinier, brighter, without a mouth/ to eat with, exquisite and doomed,/ driven to swarm in a mating dance/ over water." Again and again in this collection, language thrusts forward to just such a moment of transformation. What these poems tell us, in a language both precise and passionate, is that we can meet change--even a "doomed" change--with something akin to dance. Year of the Snake is restless, Protean, magic.
Don't miss Roripaugh's books.

My daughter is only 7 months old so I haven't had the chance to read too many different books to her yet but this book is by far the best childrens book I have ever read. I actually enjoyed the message of the book so much that I've been suggesting it to other parents. THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SUPER!!!

We got this as a present for our son's 3rd birthday and he absolutely loves it. He asks us to read it MANY times a day, which we thoroughly enjoy doing. The size/format is great for little ones, the story is cleverly written, and the illustrations are really enjoyable. We love it because of it's positive message. Thanks Carson!

My daughter and I went and saw Carson read this book at a local bookstore. He was so charming and the book was so cute with such a great message - I bought several copies for gifts. I highly recommend it.

Plain and simple this book delivers a great message for parents and kids: being different can indeed be super!

Carson's book is outstanding, especially for any child growing up feeling differently whether from asthma, diabetes, birthmarks, wheelchair bound, maybe a lisp or even that super smart kid or shy kid who is often viewed as strange or weird. Trumpet is a true ambassador for the young person who feels they just don't fit, or think, or feel, the way the other kids appear. Trumpet proves that different can be mighty super! Yay for the vision of Carson Kressley in addressing this valid and important matter.

I didn't know the author was the man associated with Charisma magazine until recently, but this book is fantastic whether you are a charismatic person or not.

Every woman should read it and every man too. I think it's one of the best books on the subject.

This is a very timely and much needed book examining both the historical and contemporary role of women in the Church and focuses on studying the biblical texts that have been used to justify and maintain male dominance and female submission. It is well written, with clear and concise research and examples to support the author's arguments. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in women's issues and the God intended role of women in the Church

This is a wonderful book, based on scripture and research that goes back to the original Greek and Hebrew. This is a MUST READ not just for women, but for anyone in or going into the ministry, anyone who teaches religion, anyone who teaches women's studies, and any open-minded man. The "Lies" that Grady outlines in this book are everyday things that women have been told not just since Christianity began, but since Judiasm began. It's about time that someone spoke out and said that women, who are the mainstay of Christianity, are NOT 2nd class citizens, and DO have a place in the church. Read it yourself and see. I found this Biblically based book so facinating that I zipped right through it. As I said, it's about time, and I'm glad it was a man who said it. God bless J. Lee Grady.

As a young Christian woman and having attended many churches, I have always been told to shelve my gifts and take a back seat to men. I was told that I am not intended to lead and anything I do in that sense is just evidence that I am a rebellious woman. I knew it was a lie and it felt wrong, but I didn't have the words to combat being beat down---now I do. This book is a brilliant work and it took just a heaviness off my soul and I feel that I can breathe knowing that I am following God and don't have ugliness in my soul because I am a woman and that I am not inferior to men. Ladies, and anyone who loves women, please read this book. It is amazing! :0)

I had to use my father's account to review this book. =)

Even though I am over thirteen, and the book is meant for 8-13 year olds, I can still safely say that this book is my favorite book of all time, and has been for over two years. I adore the characters, the writing style, the characters, the plot, the characters, the humor, the characters, and...everything else! Oh, and I love the characters too.

The reason that I love the characters so much is that they are portrayed realistically and I feel like they are actually real people. Out of all the characters, I adore Peter "Pierre" Noel the most, because he's funny, feisty, and, to put it lightly, a walking stereotype (that's not a bad thing in his case, he does it on PURPOSE!).

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great laugh and a great plot. I'm certainly looking forward to Mrs. Wardlaw's next book in the 101 Ways series.

-Tori

If you want a realistic fiction book that will blow you away well you've found it. The book 101 Ways to bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw is perfect.
Sneeze is an inventor and his parents want him to skip eighth grade. So Sneeze starts to bug his teachers at Jefferson Middle school, so they will think he's not ready for high school. Mrs. Fierce is the meanest teacher in school so sneeze wants to impress her because he thinks she'll be nice to the students if they do it. Will Sneeze do it? Will he skip eighth grade, and does he stop bugging his teachers? Read this book and find out
I give it 4 stars because I just couldn't stop reading the book. It was so entertaining.

By Chris

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher

Written by; Lee Wardlaw


If you would like to bug your teacher, then 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw is the book for you.
A boy named Steve "Sneeze" Wyatt is a great inventor. So his parents want to send him to Patrick Henry High School, but he does not want to leave his friends at Jefferson Middle School with Ms. "Fierce" Pierce. Also, his friend Hailey has lost her mother and her dad is looking for someone else, but she doesn't want Ms. "Fierce" Pierce as a replacement. Will Sneeze go to Patrick Henry
or stay at middle school? Will the relationship workout between Hailey's dad and Ms. "Fierce" Pierce? You will just have to read 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher.
We recommend this book to all people who want to be mischievous in class. This book is fast-paced and a humorous adventure. A delightful book to read.

We give this book 5 stars!!!!!

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher was named a Best Book of the Month for October 2004, ALAN Review, National Council of Teachers of English. It is also a 2004-05 IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book. -Lee Wardlaw, author

I found this book written and illustrated by Karen Lee to be a great read to teach the younger set their ABCs in a very unique format compared to other ABC books on the market. Karen writes in rhyme, with the alphabet letter mixed in the text in bold. On the first page, despite the gorgeous illustration of a fierce alligator, the reader won't see the "A" for Alligator until the third line of text! I found this a terrific way to keep the reader's attention focused on waiting for the word "Alligator" amidst the rise and fall of the lyrical, action-packed wording. I couldn't wait until I got to the letter "P"... did she include my most favorite animal? Wow! Yes she did! PENGUINS were awarded the prestigious "P" spot in Karen's fun book! Methinks Karen loves penguins, too!

I'm already in love with the way Karen illustrates, but this book also shows me what a terrific author she is as well! Each word she uses counts - nothing is wasted. Readers will also delight in the fun hunt for the hidden little boy and his brightly colored parrot in every illustration. This is an excellent, rich award-winning book! It has been nominated for the prestigious Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.

As with all Sylvan Dell books, there is an educational section at the end of the book "For Creative Minds" that includes: ABC Animal Alphabet Cards for a memory game that teaches 1) Animal Classes; 2) Carnivores and
Herbivores; and 3) Fun Facts About Each Animal.

Gayle Jacobson-Huset
Assistant Editor
Stories for Children Magazine

More than just another 'ABC' book for preschool and kindergarten children, author and illustrator Karen Lee's "ABC Safari" is an animal themed rhyming journey that draws upon diverse animals from around the world, some of whom will be familiar to young readers, others that will prove to be exotic. The carnivorous and herbivorous animals cited and portrayed through museum quality artwork. The animals are backgrounded by their appropriate habitats, biomes, and geographic regions ranging from cold tundras, to hot deserts, to African jungles, to the Himalayan mountains. Young readers are challenged to find the hidden safari boy and his pet parrot in each illustration. Also available in a paperback edition and enhanced with fun facts for each animal, "ABC Safari" is enthusiastically recommended for family, preschool, and kindergarten collections for kids ages 3 to 7.

(Available in both hardcover and paperback)

Join your child on an adventure as you read ABC Safari by Karen Lee.

Search for the young guide and his colorful parrot as they discover creatures from every part of the globe. Rhyming text enhances the enjoyment of the colorful and realistic illustrations. Unusual animals in exotic habitats provide an introduction to the study of different species in a format that is easily understood by younger children.

I especially enjoyed the reproducible animal cards that were provided at the end of the story. Each card has additional trivia about the animals. These can be used for games that are both educational and fun.

Karen Lee has illustrated other books for Sylvan Dell: My Even Day (see our review) and A Very Good Day. One Odd Day is due fall 2007. In ABC Safari, her drawings are wonderfully whimsical as your child is taken through mountains and hills, meadows and plains, deserts and jungles--while the child tries to find the animal.

A website address is included with links for more information about each of the animals in alphabetical order of course!

Armchair Interviews says: ABC Safari is a fun and creative way to enjoy learning with your children.

ABC Safari

Author Karen Lee has come through again in ABC Safari! Like her previous books, One Odd Day and My Even Day, she offers a fun way to learn. This time it is the alphabet on a safari journey to meet animals around the world. A boy and his parrot, like the young reader, unobtrusively observe each animal in its habitat. Can you spot the boy in each picture?

Ms. Lee paints each animal accurately and to scale in its environment. This is an important feature for the young reader to learn size and scale. The rhyming text flows to an easy beat so that a teacher could use each animal's verse for movement or dramatization. The animal flash cards at the end of the book are a brilliant addition. Pre-readers will enjoy identifying each animal. Quite highly recommended for ages 2 to 7.

This book prefaces itself in that its intended purpose is not to cover all types of firewalls (e.g.corporate), but just personal firewalls. There are some great dives into previously unanswered questions I had:

1. Would I run a SW firewall if my DSL router already says it has a firewall built-in (answer is yes for a home LAN or a DSP WAN connection, no for low-speed dial up...)

2. How do various SW products (McAfee, BlackIce, ZoneAlarm) compare.

3. How do various HW products compare (DSL modems vs. Cable modems).(From a security viewpoint, there is a clear winner--you'll have to buy the book to find out though or else if I told you Time-Warner would send out someone to unplug my cable in retaliation)

4. How do I test these things once I get them installed? This topic was worth the price of the book alone...he emphasizes doing both Before & After tests to verify that insecure connections just become changed to secure connections. How many people might just install the SW or HW & then wonder "Did it really work? "What's different now than before?")

Overall, more useful information than I ever expected to find in this little book!

In the current environment where cyberbaddies are lurking everywhere, anyone who connects to the Internet without protection are a direct danger to themselves and an indirect danger to everyone they communicate with. There are many ways in which a user can find protection, and one of the primary ways to be protected is to install a firewall on your system. A firewall is either a software or hardware device that scans traffic to and from the system and flags or blocks any that is deemed suspicious.
Written for the beginner, the technical level occasionally rises up beyond what the absolute beginner can be expected to understand, but that is not a negative. As most system administrators will tell you when they are overcome with a fit of honesty, the ignorance of users is the greatest single security threat. Therefore, in my opinion, if a user cannot reach the point where they can understand all of the material in this book, then they are a threat and a prime target for a cyber attack. I consider the material in this book to be an expression of the minimal level of competence and commend the authors for being right on the mark.
The initial segment of the book is a set of explanations of what firewalls are and why they are needed. In the second segment, some of the most widely used personal firewalls are described in detail, including how to install and configure them. The third and final segment is a discussion of general security concepts and tools you can use to test the security of your system.
An excellent introduction to the critical role of firewalls in securing computer systems, this book should be read by anyone who does not know the basics of protection using firewalls.

This books leaves a mixed impression. First of all, although the book is called "for absolute beginners", it is not written as a book for housewives who never saw a computer before. It is interesting, informative, and the reader is assumed to be knowledgeable and capable of making informed decisions. In fact, one has to have a certain understanding of Windows (yes, it is not oriented towards Mac users) and TCP/IP to understand what the author is talking about. The author obviously has very extensive knowledge of internet security, and the book includes much of his practical knowldge. The negative side is that less than 1/3 of the book is generic and applicable to any firewall, i.e., discusses why home networks need to be protected, and where are the potential areas of vulnerability. The rest is step by step description of how to install and configure several commercial firewalls. Frankly, I do not understand who needs all these details since installation/setup guidelines are always included in the software manual which one gets in printed or electronic form together with the purchased program, whereas it is an obvious fact that any particular version of the program gets obsolete very quickly. I doubt that any of the descriptions of software from the book remains relevant two years after the book came out in 2001. I would rather prefer to see more generic (and less dependent on the software version) discussion of how to take advantage of the features present in most firewalls (blocking certain protocols, applications, IP addresses, etc.). All this said, this book is "beginner's guide" only because it does not get into too many details of what exactly firewalls do, and how they do it. However, those few items which are discussed are covered in significant depth and on a good professional level.

If you have a high-speed always-on cable or DSL connection then you need a personal firewall to protect yourself and your computer or home network from Internet hackers. This book covers both hardware and software based personal firewalls, including ZoneAlarm, BlackICE Defender and McAfee. You'll also learn how to lock down Windows security and test your computer's defenses by using any of a number of free Internet scanning services. Best of all, with this book you don't have to be a security expert or even know what a personal firewall is to get started using one. Highly recommended reading!

this is one of the best books i have ever read. you will love it. the insights are unbelievable. i reccomend it to everyone who wants to learn more about themselves and see things in a better light. this book has given me hope for the future. i especially reccomend it for high schoolers
who are struggling with their sense of self-worth and anyone who has struggled with romantic relationships.

This book, first and foremost, addresses issues of self esteem, a topic relevant to everyone, especially those of us who have been living in America for the last five years. Dealing with the swirl of political misdealings and global crisis brought on by an American government that leaves little to the imagination and forces its constituents to fend for themselves concerning national identity and ethical conciousness, Dr. Lee's book cuts to the quick. It's a practical understanding of marginalized people and the history of oppression we've inherited, regardless of the so-called milestones of democracy; emancipation, the women's rights, the civil rights movement, and the still struggling gay pride movement. Lee makes it clear that the "rights" and "pride" we think we've attained, though progressive, remain unresolved to a large degree and personally impacts us in ways we were heretofor unaware of. This isn't a book to read in one or two sittings, its a life long companion to daily existance.

There are countless self help books flooding the market, but few are specific to the current needs and concerns of the broad African American community. There have been numerous significant studies researching the subject of whether, and to what degree, Black Americans still suffer from the self-hatred engendered by years of enslavement and oppression. Yet none of those studies has anything to offer the average Black American who is functioning with the normal problems of living of the modern world.

With more than thirty years of experience as a psychotherapist, educator, Yoruba Priest, and student of African practices and traditions, Dr. Lee presents practical and simple KEYS to unlock the remaining psychological and physical chains that impair healthy functioning for African Americans. Acknowledging the "Nigger" in Us All picks up where Harold Cruse's Crisis of the Negro Intellectual and Franz Fanon's Black Skin, White Mask left off more than forty years ago. In presenting a book that informs with living examples rather than with theory, New African KEYS offers the reader 12 interconnected KEYS developed to arm Black Americans or anyone else with tools for individual and group self improvement. Dr. Lee emphasizes that the work of individual transformation has to include work toward changing the world, but all of this "work" must be done in a playful and compassionate way. The book also provides a major critique of our current approaches to relationships based on romantic love and suggests an approach that offers the possibilities for deeper and more satisfying intimate relationships.

The book initiates a re-investigation of the history of Africans in the Americas and examines the adverse effects that this history has had on the African self. Dr. Lee exposes why the concept of the "nigger" was created and advises African Americans not to repeat the destructive mistake that White Americans made by creating some scapegoat in order to feel good about themselves. He makes the diagnosis that all humans individually and collectively have "good" and "bad" qualities and potentials; and he prescripts unconditional self acceptance as the only prescription to prevent the scapegoat trap. This concept of unconditional self acceptance that Dr. Lee calls - ASHE - is a simple and ancient, yet revolutionary concept. The KEYS are offered to assist in the internalization of this concept that can also assist in the development of alternative coping mechanisms. Dr. Lee's goal is to empower readers to do battle both individually and collectively with the strains of living within our sexist and racist society. More importantly, he attempts to empower readers with the keys to change their world.

While I admit to a real problem with the title of this book, I would wholeheartedly recommend it unreservedly for the depth of understanding that the author unfolds in his exploration of the history of Africans in America. He has shown with brilliance, the shattering damage that this history has done in varying degree, to the psyches of Africans (black folks) of all hues, born and living in America.

Learning, internalizing and practicing the 12 keys to self-acceptance first, and then the acceptance of others as outlined in this book, is absolutely essential if we as a people are to re-emerge as the true descendants of a people who gave civilization to the world. In the current America of no-holds barred materialism, militarism, war and racism that it exports all over the world, perhaps a transformed black population in America can lead to the transformation of the nation and the world.

Epstein and Segal have produced an easy to read primer on the judicial appointment process. The authors show the intertwining influences of the President and Senate and their role in the ideology and politics of the justices and (to a lesser extent) judges approved to sit on U.S. federal courts.

Common sense dictates that Presidents nominate nominees who are close ideologically to their own views. Epstein and Segal show this to be true. Common sense would also dictate the difficulty if such considerations are taken into account as a president nominating a judge to the state where senators of his own party hold seats (and senatorial courtesy plays a stronger role), if the senate and president are of differing parties, and so forth.

Epstein and Segal have produced a primer for those interested in motivations in nominations to the court and the inherently political considerations that must be taken into account. I highly recommend this book.

"This is a superb and even indispensable resource. Careful, precise, objective, and nugget-filled, it's a wonderful guide to past, present, and future debates. If you want to know about judicial appointments, this is the best place to start." -- Cass R. Sunstein, University of Chicago Law School

"An important and timely study that adds an essential framework for understanding contemporary slugfests over judicial appointments. Beautifully presented and argued." -- Louis Fisher, author of American Constitutional Law

"Lee Epstein's and Jeffrey Segal's new book could not be more timely. It provides the most comprehensive and systematic examination to date of the roles of politics and ideology in Supreme Court selection. It is indispensable reading for anyone interested in how justices and judges decide cases, the limits of legal reasoning, and the contributions of social science to better understanding how the Supreme Court functions." - Michael J. Gerhardt, author of The Federal Impeachment Process

"Writing in pristine, jargon-free language, Epstein and Segal...inject some much-needed context and evidence into the current debate about judicial appointments." -- The American Prospect

"Epstein and Segal...draw together a wealth of research and empirical findings from a plethora of studies, many of which they authored, and fold them into a compelling narrative that examines all levels of the judiciary.... This book combines the best features of past studies on judicial appointments. It is also very accessible for students and citizens interested in the judicial branch." -- Law and Politics Book Review

"Thoughtful and illuminating.... Qualifications matter-as much today as they have in the past. (In that sense, President Bush might have done well to read Advice and Consent before nominating the ill-fated Miers.)? -- Chronicle of Higher Education

"A thorough look at the process, politics and presidential aspects of court appointments. Witty yet well-informed, Professors Epstein and Segal give an insight into the whys and wherefores of federal judge appointments." -- www.mayitpleasethecourt.com

Over the last five years, we have seen a consistent debate concerning judicial appointments and politics ranging from the filibusters over circuit nominees to the recent Roberts and Alito nominations. The persistent myth is that the outright influence of partisan politics on judicial nominations is a new development; that prior to the last 30 years or so, judicial nominees were only judged on the basis of qualifications and not ideology. In this book, two preeminent political scientists demonstrate that this is empirically false: while qualifications are not irrelevant, the consistently dominant factor in judicial appointments has always been politics, especially on the Supreme Court. One has only to point to the very first nomination defeated in 1795 when Washington's nominee for chief justice was defeated because he supported a politically unpopular treaty. What Epstein and Segal demonstrate is that political concerns infuse the appointments process from the very beginning and the voting of judges, at least on the Supreme Court, usually correlates to the political beliefs of the appointing president. Usefully, they also examine the lower federal courts in demonstrating how various political factors come into play in these comparatively understudied courts.

In total, Epstein and Segal have produced an excellent, brief study that is empirically sound and unbiased. While current Republicans are shown to be hypocrites, the same is dealt to Democrats. For example, many of the Democrats pushing filibusters recently complained strongly against this practice when Republicans used it in the 90s; many Republicans who complained about stalling in the Bush I administration, used the same tactics during the Clinton years and then changed the rules to make the Bush II administration's appointments easier. This is a treasure trove of empirical analysis of appointments that will not disappoint anyone looking for the facts of the situation instead of partisan talking points.

This is just an extraordinary book on judicial appointments written by two distinguished political scientists with decades of experience studying the federal courts. While it obviously is primarily designed to be a brief (168 pages, including the extensive notes) introduction to the process of judicial selection for the general reader, it skillfully incorporates some of the most significant research findings drawn from professional journals and papers. As a result, even those who are somewhat familiar with the topic and the professional literature will derive some valuable new insights. The writing is brisk and moves quickly and smoothly through the material, with the assistance of some helpful charts. In addition, the book's coverage is not limited to the Supreme Court but covers all three levels of the federal judiciary. One nice feature is that some interesting statistical data from "The Supreme Court Compendium," edited by one of the co-authors, are sprinkled throughout the discussion (e.g., no more than 20% of lower court nominations have generated any opposition). The authors' discussion of "do Presidents get what they want?" in making nominations, and if so, for how long, is particularly effective. After all, how accurately can Presidents, Senators or the rest of us predict how a nominee will perform once safely on the bench? A most timely contribution given the current Roberts nomination process and the unknown Associate Justice nominee yet to come.

I'm pleased to see that academia is now starting to look to subcultural doings as they happen, instead of invoking the fond nostalgia that the Beatniks inspired. The ability to digest and deconstruct the events that take place in this otherworldly space is much to be commended, and I think that by doing so the authors of these various articles may be tapping in to something most of their colleagues shy away from. The articles themselves are intriguing and scholarly, but never lose sight of their subject. I would love to see more editions of this book as the event (and the world around it - the context) changes and grows!

Prior to reading this excellent sophisticated introduction to Burning Man, I had dismissed this event as shamanism and tantra for amateurs. However, these well written, knowledgeable, and at times quite learned articles, have convinced me that Burning Man allows for the creation of authentic rituals that are rife with both transformative and aesthetic epiphanies. Moreover, it appears that Burning Man has largely not yet been" recouped" (to the use Guy Debord's term) by bourgeois capitualist society, and thereby succeeds where its predecessors, the Surrealists and Situationists, left off. Next year, instead of visiting the Himalayas or Mongolia for my taste of the (w)holy other, I will just go to Burning Man.

in these pages? Read this book and you will. Tho the author comments that this book was a composite of many different burning an festivals, te undercurrent feels strangely like one which puts you there in the middle of things.

There are a few details which, if you've been there, are a little flaky, and the book gets off to kind of a slow start (ergo the 4 stars) but as you bury yourself in this read (and it's one read that, if you're at all a burner, you will end up burying yourself in) you will be amazed... engrossed... wind blown... with a lot of little surprises thrown in that you don't expect, even all the way at the end.

There is another thing, tho... if you've never been to Black Rock City, and wonder what all the hubbub is about, ad you want to know if that ticket's worth it... and what it's getting you into... this book will give you a fairly good idea. Of course, your experience is your own... but, like I said in the beginning... read this, and you can almost smell the playa dust in these pages...

Critical writing up to any academic standards fused with a joy in language and topic. Wonderful! It will make your mind spin with ideas, and what could be better than that!