Wang Books

I can't believe I'm the first one to review this book! I've read a lot of books about the far right, and this is by far the best one. What I like best is that Coates quotes many obscure titles and gives detailed information about them in the bibliography. This gives the reader a nice list of books and tracts for further reading. The author also gives the reader a separate section on Christian Identity and he names names. The book ends with a remarkable account of the alternate view of history that those on the right take, beginning with the Illuminati and bringing in the Trilateral Commission and the Council of Foreign Relations. This section alone is worth the price of the book, which Amazon has at a really low price. Get it and read it!

This book does give quite a bit of insight and data about the survivalist-style movement that has blossomed over the past few decades. Strange and often violent, many of these groups are detailed by the author. My biggest problems with the book are: 1) the author allows his leftist leanings to shine through at various points, particularly at the end. He attacks conservatives, he tarnishes Christians who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible and even (incredibly) attacks those Christians who support Israel. This last item is particularly bizarre because many of the survivalist groups listed in the book are anti-Israel (to say the least), and the author belittles the groups because of it. 2) the author tries to lump in serial killers like Ng and Lake into the far-Right survivalist movement. There is enough material floating about concerning far-Right survivalist groups that tossing in serial murderers isn't necessary.

While devoted to the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, this book has a strong contemporary flavor. Its themes are the effects of 19th century globalization, the concept of American exceptionalism, and why the USA was so poorly prepared to exercise world leadership after WWI. Rauchway's essential point is that much of what is thought of as American exceptionalism is the result of the unique ways in which 19th century globalization affected American society. American exceptionlism in this case means emphasis on a modest role for government, free market fundamentalism, avoidance of government responsibility for social welfare, and foreign policy based on unilaterialism. Geography and historical circumstances placed the USA in a privileged position. Separated by the Atlantic from the complex European state system, and with its international commerce protected by British hegemony, the USA was able to expand across North America with little threat from other major powers. During that expansion, the USA faced the resistance only of aboriginal peoples of largely neolithic technology. The USA never had to develop the military and state apparatus seen in powerful European states. Similarly, American expansion was fueled by European, largely British, capital flowing through private channels with the state playing only a minor role in fueling development. Rapid American development was also made possible by an influx of inexpensive labor from diverse immigrants. Rauchway argues that the multi-ethnic nature of the immigration prevented the emergence of a strong American socialist movement with the corollary that no American government felt it necessary to develop social welfare policies to buy social peace.

At the time of entry into WWI, the USA had a modest government by European standards and the prior American experience has equipped the elites and general public of the USA poorly to exercise the needed world leadership. The conclusion of American exceptionalism as a contingent result of specific historical circumstances rather than vague appeals to some American traditions is convincing. Rauchway's arguments are interesting and supported well by the evidence he presents. He may underplay a bit some other important features, such as the relative importance of states in our Federal system. I think also that the lack of an American aristocracy changed the dynamics of American middle classe response to industrialization with Progressive era politics that inhibited the emergence of distinct socialist-working class political movements.

Rauchway concludes with a brief and ironic section comparing our present situation and this earlier era of American life. Both are periods of globalization with considerable impact on American life. Both involve American hegemony. In the earlier period, however, globalization shaped America and brought about an America unprepared for world leadership. In our time, globalization is to a large extent the product of American policies since WWII. But, the policies that led to the present era of globalization were to a large extent the result of the repudiation of American exceptionalism. The return to American exceptionalism has not been particularly successful.

I'm very surprised to find that this excellent book hasn't yet been reviewed. Rauchway writes in a very direct and readable style, presenting a wide array of data without numbing the reader's mind. He takes one through the development of the sense of "American exceptionalism" by showing how, all along, the US has been utterly dependent on foreign capital and the steady influx of foreign labor to develop the abundant resources lying at hand across the continent.

A very helpful contribution to debates about immigration, global economics, and America's role on the world stage.

This Kit helped me get started in chinese animal brush painting. It offers clear directions. The brushes are not the best quality, but using your own brushes is just fine. My 13 year old nephew also enjoyed following the directions in painting a tiger.

Great kit. I bought it and Chinese brush painting. My kids and I are doing some art together, and these kits were just what we needed. All you need to add is some newsprint to practice on. A wonderful introduction. If you really get involved, you would want to move on to some advanced texts, but for someone just starting out, I highly recommend these.

I read this book for a college seminar and found it realistic and honest. The author describes the daily life of police officers in the city of Philadelphia in the 1970's. We get a feel for what it is like to be an everyday patrolman; you have power and responsibility, you are feared by some, respected by many, hated by others. We see how cops alter their law enforcement style to fit the neighborhood standards, and how some officers are jerks while others have big hearts. We also see what risks cops look for (and those they basically ignore), how they gather information, etc.

This book is a bit dated, and the author never mentions Frank Rizzo, then the city's controversial police commissioner (and later its Mayor). Still, this is a realistic book, drawn from the author having spent countless hours talking and riding with Philadelphia patrolmen. This is good reading for anybody interested in learning more about law enforcement.

Despite the fact that this book was published 20 years ago, the insights Rubinstein provides from this in-depth examination of policing are still relevant. Rubinstein begins with the origins of policing and moves through a variety of elements pertaining to police work including territorial knowledge, how the police gather information, and even police corruption. Highly recommended for those interested in a career in policing or for police enthusiasts.

Other than a misleading "by Wang Shixiang" (the book is actually by Kai Yin Lo), this is an excellent collection of examples of antique Chinese furniture in various woods, many not seen in other books, from the author's private collection. Useful information on different furniture woods and their origin from various provinces in China, as well as a fairly complete list of asian furniture woods in Pinyin, chinese characters and English names. A useful addition to anyones collection of books on Chinese antique furniture.

Buy this book rather than the one on Vernacular furniture by Andrea and Lynde McCormick. Interestingly this book discusses Kai Yin Lo's own collection - but this is no vanity publishing, this is a work of some scholarship and the contributors, all of whom approach the topic from a different angle are well respected in the field. The illustrations are excellent and the furniture and how it would be used, is put properly in context. No silly price guides, which would be out of date the moment it is published and the dating is pretty accurate. If Chinese furniture is of interest to you, I highly recommend it.

I first read this book as a student in ROTC in the mid-1980's. The author shows how thousands of years of military philosophy and practice were thrown away by the Pentagon in exchange for modern corporate practices. Soldiers must be lead; not "managed" to their deaths. Manamara and crew subverted lessons learned by commanders in battle through the ages, and substituted corporate methods which were the detriment of the US military; especially in Vietnam. An army can fight anywhere, anytime, so long as it is properly trained and led by skilled military leaders who innovate on the lessons of the past. Corporate practices should be left to those in Admin and Supply. The author cites examples of the military successes that were due to adherence to historical military truisms. This book will describe the REAL cause for our failure in Vietnam- to the surprise of most University intellectuals. This book causes an epiphany of ones sense of military history.

This book clearly and succinctly discusses what went wrong with the US Army leading to the debacles of Viet Nam. It is good reading for those interested in the military, but the lessons are just as true for industry. I highly recommend this book.

This book seems to me a worthy addition to the 2,000 years or so of commentaries and studies written about perhaps the most realized concept of who we are as a whole: the Dao. Wang is a physicist who incorporates recent findings of his science with the notions of Daoism, and does so in a more substantial manner than does "The Tao of Physics," for instance. It basically branches from an in-depth realization of the mutually equitable division explained in the Dao de jing's chapter 1 between the Dao (Wu) and its manifestations (Yo). The second half of the book also provides a straight-forward translation of the Dao de jing that clarifies some questions one may have after reading other translations, as well as further clarifying some of his own ideas.

Although this book is by and large self-published (mainly for matters of efficency as far as updating it is concerned -- as per the author's foreword, I believe), Wang provides the public with a well-thought-out account of perhaps one of the most fundamental of mysteries.

It appears that the concept for this book is groundbreaking, and that Dr. Wang has presented cutting edge material, that is, that the universe is in harmony inside and outside, or that physics can now be reconciled with/through the Tao, per this explanation/definition. Nothing has changed; it's simply the author's analysis and interpretations. Although not for the casual reader, the book offers new insights that very specialized audiences would probably love to explore.

[The review was provided by Writer's Digest 12th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards Judge's commentary and critique on the Dynamic Tao and its Manifestations. The Rating was 3.5.]

My son loves to point at the animals and pull out the little tabs in this Easter book. the egg makes me nervous because he really yanks them, but so far they've proved to be quite hardy! This is one of the first books my son refuses to put down (he is 14 months) and loves to read it over and over and over and over....

We love interactive books that make the reading experience with our 18-month old a little more hands on and involved. There are only about 4 full pages and very little text but the pull-outs on each page kept him busy for about 20 minutes while we read through and talked about the bees, birds, easter eggs, baby ducks, etc. And now he's been carrying it around with him so we can play some more. This is one the neatest little hands on books we've seen. My only concern is how long the easter eggs will last with him pulling them out and opening them up - but we have plenty of glue :)

I got this book primarily for its photos and general information. That pretty much sums up the book.

If you want a guide book get "Mushrooms Demystified" - Great book.

If you want to read about and take a look at some interesting and beautiful mushrooms, get this book.

Its good in that it has a lot of general information (ie mushroom cultivating) but I would never use this book alone to properly identify a mushroom, nor to use in the field.

Instead it is a good book to take a look at after using a proper guide to confirm that all the characteristics add up, and also to salivate at the hopes of finding some of the great edibles described within.

I have read quite a few mushroom books in my course of book reviewing, but I would have to say this is one of the best. This book has great coverage on propagation, cultivation, identification and collecting. I like the decision to leave out mushrooms of unknown edibility because it makes the book much more manageable.
The photography is excellent. I liked the addition of habitat shots of where certain mushrooms grow. This would surely help anyone who is a collector.
This book stayed on track and didn't try to be all things to all people. For instance, in the cultivation section, they tell you what to read for more information depending on the type of mushroom.
This book has great information on all levels and is helpful guide for the novice to expert gardener.

Elmer Rice's first play was the 1923 production The Adding Machine is an eye opening take on the soul of a man, who for 25 years adds up figures in the sales department, never missed a day of work and gets canned for technology, an adding machine. The play is a satirical take on corporation, the evolution of man as the slave, and the afterlife. Very enjoyable.

Street Scene
No producers wanted to take Rice's Street Scene, produced in 1929, because of the many characters, and many plots. So Rice directed the production of 602 performances. The successful 3-act play consists of 27 main characters, 14 non-essential characters, and several passers-by.

The setting is the exterior "walkup" of a New York ugly brownstone tenement. It's an unusually hot day, and the many neighbors are socializing and gossiping about life, the economy, and each other. Then, a tragedy occurs. This is an engaging entertaining play with excellent dialogue and intriguing immigrant characters.

I will update the review as I come across Dream Girl. ....Rizzo

This is a pretty neat book. It has great 'what you want to know' info about everything cultural, historical, environmental about the camino. I wish it wasn't so bulky - but there's just so much stuff to pack in there! My biggest complaint is that when you are just wading through it's a little hard to weed out what you want to read about from what you don't want to read about. But I guess that's no fault of the authors' since they can't read my mind. :) Great book w/ really cool info. Nice to read before you go - and you wish you could take it w/ you.