Spencer Books

The present study proposes to explore a portion of Navaho mythology to see what light it throws on the life view and values of the people whose literature it represents. This is primarily an anthropological investigation and as such has precedent in anthropological studies of cultural reflection and myth....

The complex of ritual activities which constitiue Navaho ceremonialism is directed toward control over supernatural forces for the welfare of the people. The chants or chantways represent only one ceremonial type but a type which holds an important position both in the formal ceremonial system and in the time and energy devoted to their performance. The chantways are performed to cure illness; they are held over a patient. Another smaller group of rites, known as blessingway rites, are performed to bring "positive blessings," protection and well-being. Although these blessingway rites are briefer and less complex than the curing ceremonials, in theory and practice they form an essential part of the ceremonial system. Other principal classes of rites include divination to determine the cause of illness and to prescribe the proper ceremonial treatment, war and hunting rites (now obsolescent), and rites of passage (birth, initiation, puberty, marriage, death).

Associated with most of these ritual forms are myths which tell how the ceremony in question originated. It is the origin myths of the curing ceremonials, or chantways, that are the subject of this study.
--- excerpts from book's Introduction

Hey- what can I say, my Pilgrim Partner, Roger Conrad, and I, at the behest of Dr. Jett at UCD's Geography Dept, got to drive what ended up feeling like every side-of-a-side dirt-road turn-off track on the western half (west of Washington Pass, that is) of the Navajo Reservation back in the summer of '70, so my photos (and those of the others!) are pretty outstanding, and the data that Dr. Jett and Ms. Spencer put together for this book is really quite well collected & set forth.
This volume amply addresses both "traditional" (be there such?) Navajo accomodations, and their various & often-unique adaptations in the latter part of the 20th Century.
What is not in this volume are the adventures & times that Rog & I lived..., such as that fellow who'd a special cactus collection in the only 3 story house in that country, or the tiny old lady who invited us into her cinder-block home on the southern flank of Navajo Mt. to show off the largest rug we'd ever seen, there on her loom, or the trial & error delight of learning how to fairly-successfully navagate through that most foreign country, bouncing along in a '64 Ford 1/2 ton with a primitive canvas cabin we made on the back end, hunting up every trading post we could find & gathering info & leads without asking any questions, all in The Way.
But enough nostalgia- Buy the book!!
Besties from out in Western Colorado- Roy K. Farber

This is a well written and thoughtful analysis of the "democratic peace theory" argument. A number of political scientists have argued that one of the few empirically established truths of international relations is that democracies do not war on each other. This idea was actually suggested by the philosopher Kant approximately 2 centuries ago, a prediction that has turned out to be somewhat surprisingly correct. Weart opens by reviewing the political science literature on the democratic peace theory, concluding that it is valid. Most of the book is devoted to exploring why this phenomenon exists. Weart's conclusion is that the domestic political culture of a nation's leadership is responsible for its approach to international relations. Republican states, especially established democracies, have cultures of compromise, accomodation, and respect for dissenting views. These cultural traits carry over into international affairs. Conversely, authoritarian states, whose leadership usually arises in an atmosphere of ruthless competition and repression, will tend towards more aggressive and inflexible modes of international conduct. This brief summary doesn't do justice to Weart's systematic presentation of his argument, which is based on an unusually thorough review of the historical and relevant political science literature. Weart points to some unexpected and predictable consequences of his formulation. For example, in addition to finding that democracies don't war with each other, he finds as well that oligarchic republics, which have some of the same political culture as democracies also have a low rate of mutual warfare. Also, democracies and oligarchic republics also have a tendency to form unusually successful/stable alliances, in contrast to authoritarian states. Weart is careful to specify that he is not arguing that democracies are intrinsically peaceful, pointing in particular to a number of examples from American history. Weart's last chapter, which is on spreading democracy, turns out to be quite topical. Given the advantages of peace to democratic states, he discusses ways in which democracy can be spread. He makes a good argument that direct military intervention is usually a relatively poor way of spreading democracy. Weart's book was published in 1999, well before the current Iraq mess.
My only criticism is that I wish Weart had presented some of his data in tabular or numerical form.

I started my academic career in 1967 in the Chemistry Department at UCLA. One year into my career this book appeared on the scene. Since I had just joined the "Fraternity," I thought I should read one man's view of the career to which I had just entered as a 26-year old PhD scientist and aspiring academician. Klaw produced an amazing analysis of scientific life in America that is still remarkably relevant today more than 3 decades removed. Some of the famous men in chemistry such as Gilbert Stork (Columbia) are quoted directly, while others, such as RB Woodward (Harvard), are disguised as "George Carpenter." The reader would be surprised that "GC-RBW", at the age of 48, was discouraged at what it takes to stay on top. This discouragement should be tempered by the fact that "GC" had just won the Nobel Prize for his contributons to theoretical organic chemistry! I keep buying copies of this fine book to give to my own students who are entering the academic profession. This is a great read, even (especially) for the young! The game is the same! DA Evans, Harvard Chemistry

If you've ever longed for a clearer explanation of the Bible, this is a must read. Father Spencer goes into depth in explaining ancient world "religious" sects and compares them to Christianity. Then he goes on to intelligently explain the truth that lies in Scripture and how it's been so distored over the years regarding what the Bible actually teaches us about life after death. If you're like me, you'll find yourself re-reading this book over and over again, each time gaining new insight into what the Bible has to say to us today.

The new edition of New Homes For Old by Sophonisba P. Breckinridge (1866-1948) is enhanced with an informative introduction by Steven J. Diner (Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University) is an amazing, exhaustive history of American immigrants, focusing in detail on how they lived, cared for their children, coped with cultural shock, made an economic living and much more. Covering immigration from all over the world, from the Ukraine to Italy to Sweden, New Homes For Old is a fascinating qualitative study of family life as well as cultural and economic adaptation. Highly recommended reading for students of Gender Studies, Ethnic History, Progressive Era social research, and the history of social work in America.

Very entertaining! It was a great surprise to find this gem from an unknown author. The characters are very real and engaged my interest. I laughed, cried and was captivated by the wonderful story. It caught my attention and held me right through to the last word. It was difficult putting the book down since the novel is written with each chapter leaving you wanting more. I would very much like to find more work by this author but haven't been able to find anything else. Highly recommended! Thank you.

VERY WELL WRITTEN; BETTER FOR OLDER CHILDREN WITH CREATIVE MINDS. KNEW WRITER AND HISTORY BEHIND BOOK. PURCHASED AS GIFT AFTER RECEIVING MY OWN COPY. YOUNGER CHILDREN WILL NEED A LITTLE HELP IN UNDERSTANDING WHERE STORY IS GOING. BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED AND WRITTEN; WAITING FOR NEXT BOOK...HEARD IT'S ON THE WAY!

Meticulously researched and deftly written by military expert and historian Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, Not Mentioned In Despatches...: The History And Mythology Of The Battle Of Goose Green is an informed and informative analysis of the decisive British victory at Goose Green over the Argentinean forces in the 1982 "Falklands War". Examining incorrect beliefs that have been distorted to the proportion of myth, as well as presenting the specific dynamics of the battle itself in minute detail as it actually unfolded, Not Mentioned In Despatches... is an exhaustive, critical, and carefully presented survey and analysis taking the reader beneath the surface of what has been said in previous military histories and commentaries, in order to better understand what really happened.

Praised as the most OBRA-specific, user-friendly book on the market today, Nursing Assistants: A Basic Study Guide addresses the ever-growing market of entry-level healthcare workers. Organized in 16 step-by-step modules, the guide's simplicity and clarity are helpful to all students. It is extremely beneficial for those who are struggling with learning or reading difficulties, at-risk students, and those whose native language is not English. As the elderly poplulation continues to increase, analysts estimate that two to three million people in the U.S. alone will use nursing homes during the next century. With healthcare costs steadily on the rise, more entry-level workers are needed than ever before to help curb costs while meeting increased demands for care. Nursing Assistants: A Basic Study Guide targets the learning level of these workers and offers an easy-to-understand approach to federal requirements for Nursing Assistant certification.