Research Books

This book was written in 1955 as a summary of the changes made in the subject of Dianetics up to that time. However, it is far more than that. It is a manual of communication. What are the component parts of communication? How do you integrate these parts so that your communication (verbal, written, artistic) actually gets across. The book helped me a great deal

This book covers communication very thoroughly. Maybe that sounds boring - but really, communication is at the heart of all our dealings with other people. And the material in this book applies to everyone. It's presented in a very readable format, and I highly recommend it!

I decided I ought to write a review to let people know a) this is a great book, and b) they really ought to read Fundamentals of Thought first. But I see that another reviewer has already pointed that out.

What I WOULD like to stress is that this is a book that puts a very powerful tool in the hands of anyone who is honest enough to use it without having some other axe to grind. The communication principles outlined by Mr. Hubbard can be used (easily!) to analyze and improve every area your life, and to remedy many common problems.

Are there areas in which you are waiting anxiously for someone else to communicate something or to do something you want? Are you hoping for some sort of acknowledgement that you're not likely to get? Do you have unanswered letters around, or things you've wanted to do or agreed to do but haven't yet found time for? Is there someone around who keeps talking to you or directing some other communication your way, and it's driving you nuts? Are there people around you who just don't seem to listen?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" (and this is not by any means a complete list--I just took these off the top of my head), or if you're having any OTHER kind of problem in life, YOU NEED TO READ AND APPLY THIS BOOK.

I would recommend reading The Fundamentals of Thought (ca. 1952) before reading this one (written in 1955). In any case, it answers just so much that some people simply cannot take it. Beware the dogs of the manger. Now, this book is really dynamite, frankly, and equally frankly, I would recommend some of the Basic Dianetics/Scientology books first.

In short I can only say that after reading this book I have understood things and changed conditions in my life in areas that I never dreamed was possible. It has to do with very basic principles in life and existence - I am sure it will touch some basic issues in everybody - if they dare to look at themselves and their surroundings.

I purchased this book to help me see a better way to really implement differentiated instruction into my classroom. It was of great help in giving me real examples and ideas to putting differentiation into action!!! =)

This book was a fountain of knowledge. I am slightly overwhelmed after reading it. Every aspect of DI was described, breifly so you understood it and yet didn't spend hours reading it. The reason I bought it was because of the activity and response forms for both students and for myself as a teacher. These forms made the overwhelming infor easy to manage for lesson planning. The only thing missing was a chapter or reference to classroom management. DI is only as good as the classroom manager and as stated in Teachers Change your Bait (2005) by Martha Kaufeldt DI can be a "three ring circus..." (132). I do, however, reccommend this book for the information and response forms. I reccommend Kaufeldt's book as well.

Super book with clear explanations on theory and a wide variety of practical suggestions, templates and examples. Great for all classrooms including secondary.

Differentiation in Action presents a wealth of strategies, tips, techniques, and resources on differentiated instruction that is easy to use for all educators. I have used it with groups of teachers and they readily find ideas that can be implemented in their classes immediately. Each chapter presents a specific topic with the theory neatly complemented by a wide array of strategies, so the book would be a wonderful resource for a study group in any school setting. Judy has taken the best ideas and put them all into this one powerful, teacher-friendly book. A must-have for teachers.

I have known that differentiation in the classroom is key to student success. Practical application has been my stumbling block. Finally, a resource has surfaced that offers theory and practice! I was able to use the strategies immediately. The format of the book is easy to follow. I have already recommended it to my teammates. This is a must-read for classroom teachers. (I wish my own children's teachers would read it as well!) Another plus is the abundance of other resources, including websites for more in-depth information.

I started reading this book and was bored
out of my skull fro about 40 pages. I thought
it was shallow and no more informative than
a magazine article.

I'm still not sure the material in here is book-worthy,
but I guess that's true of a lot of business books -
thin premises bulked up for publishing.

Not that it's bad or I didn't learn anything. Actually
I resented my boredom so I went back and started
"genius reading" it - a speed-reading method. In this
way I was able to tear through it fairly quickly
and extract some useful nuggets - perhaps affirming
stuff I already had guessed at but useful nevertheless.

I don't read a lot of market research books - so compared
to others perhaps this one is a star. I get the feeling
that this book was really written so junior executives
could use it as ammunition in the boardroom to get their
ideas through to a management with antiquated notions
of women's buying behavior.

The treatment of generational distinctions was helpful...
generation X (I'm part of it) and generation Y (the kids
today) are both comfortable with technology but the
younger generation is expects a crazy level of catering
to their tastes and whims... they are accustomed to instant
gratification in a way no group of people aside from
the extremely wealthy ever has been. That's an insight
worth keeping - and it goes across gender boundaries so
it applies to young men as well.

Women are the most powerful consumer force in the U.S., but they do not approach buying decisions the way men do. That's intriguing, but it doesn't mean that exhaustive demographic and sales statistics make interesting reading. Authors and marketing consultants Lisa Johnson and Andrea Learned explain how to direct your marketing efforts to women. Each chapter deals with a different subset of women - old, young, black, white, Hispanic, married, single - but the groups are compared along similar lines and the information is sliced the same way in most chapters. The authors liven up their exposition with short illustrative case studies, but the cases often feature products for which marketers have made no concerted, specific effort to attract female buyers. For instance, the decision to sell single servings of food occurred because of other demographics (more people living alone) and was not intended just to attract women buyers. Still, the thesis here is important enough to carry the authors' occasional tendency to twist product features to fit the theme, as well as their branding jargon. Acknowledging the significance of marketing to women, we recommend this information-packed book.

It is an honor to review this book from a male's perspective. In my opinion it's more important for men to read, hear and understand these distinctions. The marketplace as explained in Don't Think Pink is what most marketers need to consider. I found it helpful in relating our products to women and men after the first read.

What "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" did for the conversations in personal relationships "Don't Think Pink" does for business language. I highly recommend this book for anyone in sales, marketing, product development, advertising and management in any organization that is attempting to connect with the primary buyers.

PS. I first read the book about 18 months ago and had my fair share of revelations and just read it again and it surprised me how much more I took away. I'll let you know what I think of their next book guys.

This book provides a thorough analysis of women shoppers, including those of all ethnic, age, geographic, educational, and socio-economic groups and marital statuses. It gives solid, workable advice on how to attract today's saavy, busy, informed, educated, female customers. It also tells how to help others in the company to overcome outdated, stereotypical thinking about female consumers. I may use this book along with Why We Buy as a text in my visual merchandising course.

Don't Think Pink is indeed insightful as well as approachable in style. I myself gained a deeper appreciation for corporate lingo, a small selection of words which many people will say has been drained of real meaning. Leverage, actionable, synergies, proactive, relatable, networking, and resonate are all words deserving of more attention, especially from people like me who are not primarily interested in marketing. I did note that it took until page 199 for the authors to actually use "paradigm shift," and I was titillated thoroughly when I read it. "Empower" and its variants were used almost once every page, and this book will indeed empower not only you as a marketer, but the women you will inveigle, in whatever roles they fill.
This book was packed with useful information, and well-formatted. With examples drawn from many industries, it is sure to strike a chord with a good portion of its readers.
The references at the back were largely web sites, which should facilitate your filling out your own background in this topic.
In fact, if you don't give a hoot about marketing strategies, you should still read it. If you're looking at this page, it must interest you in some manner, and I say the book is well worth the price. Go for it, ladies!

This book is fantastic! I picked it up and absolutely couldn't put it down! Emily's use of words captivated me in a way I never thought possible. Trust me, this is a purchase you won't regret.

This book is so good! I picked it up and absolutely couldn't put it down! Emily's use of words captivated me in a way I never thought possible. Trust me, this is a purchase you won't regret.

I am already a person who "weaves the dream," so I got more out of this book in encouragement for not letting the day to day challenges of choosing to stay at home with my young son overwhelm my own need for creative reflection. I think DREAM WEAVING could be a terrific resource book for other women struggling to meet the demands of family and a creative soul. Susan Laubmeier

The wonderful insights in this book go straight to the heart of life. Emily L. VanLaeys presents an engaging story of her personal and spiritual development, set against the backdrop of compelling dreams. If ever you wondered about the importance of dreams, Emily's book provides dramatic testimony to how God speaks to us every night, and how our dreams help us to stay on course to fulfill our highest expression and good. - Rosemary Ellen Guiley, author of DREAMWORK FOR THE SOUL and DREAMSPEAK: HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGES IN YOUR DREAMS

As far as quality of writing, this book is simple and easy to read. The writing is clear and descriptive. The stories about the author's life are vibrant and real. They bring a richness to the book and help the reader relate to what is going on with their own life. As far as dreams go, the interrpretations are very authentic and the author truly knows her stuff. Although the jacket cover may not catch your eye, the inside of the book is what counts and I think if you are a spritual seeking type of person you will enjoy this book!

This book was excellent and very informative. At first there was so many to chose from but I am positive I made the right choice. It is not expensive and worth every penny. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in either buying or selling on ebay.

Michael Banks' The eBay Survival Guide is another fine guide to selling and buying on eBay - and avoiding common pitfalls - which covers just about everything including discerning the 'real prices' of items and learning more effective bidding strategies. From using HTML in listings and handling templates to considering private auctions and handling problem buyers or sellers, all the basics of the interactive auction forum that is eBay are covered.

This book is great whether you are new to eBay or you have been using it for years. I have done some buying and selling on eBay and while I don't consider myself an expert I felt pretty confident in my abilities. There are a great many books out there about mastering eBay, but this one stands out amongst the crowd. This book opened my eyes to a whole lot more that eBay can do, for me, for you. The first chapter is the basics of what eBay is. After that it is a plethora of information. It covers topics from how to search to how to bid and how to post and item for the best results and how to attract bidders. This should be called the eBay bible because it is all you need. It can save you money, time, and effort. This book is packed with information that is easy to read and understand. Space is not wasted on excessive graphics; only the most appropriate and useful graphics are included. It is a fast read especially when you start getting excited about what you will learn and how soon you can use this knowledge. For those who are interested in eBay it is a page-turner. I am recommending this book to any one who uses eBay, from beginners to seasoned eBayers. The author participated in some of the original auctions in 1983 aimed at trading computer parts on college campuses, and now is a regular on eBay. He has written over 40 books on various topics, such as technology, writing and eBay.

Are you a frequent buyer or seller on eBay. If you are, this book is for you. Author Michael Banks, has written an outstanding book that is a nonconformist, irreverent, and realistic handbook for both buyers and sellers.

Banks, begins by presenting an overview of the organization and structure of eBay, along with what it offers and the basics of how it works. Then, he covers the basics of participating in eBay auctions. The author continues by introducing you to the basics of searching on eBay. In addition, he also shows you how to combine basic search techniques with Search commands and unconventional techniques to conduct truly high-powered searches. The author also considers the relationship between value, price, and demand, and looks at some methods for calculating prices. Then, the author takes a look at how you can fit the profile of the ideal seller, and how to handle those less-than-ideal buyers you may consider. Next, he shows you how to decide what you are going to sell.
Next, the author suggests how you might go about finding items to sell on eBay. Then, he explains how to go about creating a successful auction. The author continues by showing you how to write copy on eBay. In addition, he covers how to relist an item and how to improve your chances of selling it. The author also presents an overview of things you should know before you bid and buy on eBay, focusing on dealing with sellers. Then, he answers questions about bidding and tracking auctions, along with information about techniques and tools you can use to win consistently. Next, he presents some approaches to getting those auction items you've lost. Then, the author covers the steps and options involved in paying for and getting your items. The author continues by looking at some common scams and downright illegal activities that take place on eBay. In addition, he looks at several types of products that aren't what they appear to be. Finally, the authors shows you how you might go about getting information about an eBay member, through eBay and other channels.

This excellent book shows you how eBay works; how to find things on eBay; how to bid effectively and win; the best times for buying and selling; how to draw bidders without spending a bunch on eBay auction features; how to spot shills, fraudulent sellers and deadbeat buyers; and, a lot more. In addition, you'll find information about how to handle the offline aspects of online buying and selling, and some useful information about using the Internet in general.

If you've never used eBay before you'd be silly to do so without first picking up 'The eBay Survival Guide' by Michael Banks. Even if you've been using the auction site for years you will also benefit from the information found in this book.

'The eBay Survival Guide' starts out, not surprisingly, with an overview and history of online auctions and of eBay itself. It then moves on to how the site works and also provides some great tips and techniques for finding items you want. Even though I've been using eBay since 1999 I found it interesting to go back to the beginning and get an overall sense of what's really happening on one of the biggest sites on the internet.

The next major section of the book is geared toward those people who are using the site to sell things. That brings up a point worth mentioning. This book is for both sellers and buyers on eBay. It's a 'survival guide' for all users, not just a "how to make lots of money on eBay" book. I'll look at the section for buyers in a minute. The section for sellers includes suggestions for creating better listings, when to relist items, how to deal with problems that may arise and so on. It's loaded with screenshots, so you're not just reading about eBay you're seeing what things will look like when you use the real site. I think a great many sellers would benefit from reading Chapter 10 called, "How To Create Listings That Sell". Banks points out the many pluses that come with writing effective descriptions and titles for your auction items.

Next comes the section for buyers. Again there are lots of screenshots that really help bring the examples to life. And there are more than just a few examples. The book is obviously written from a great deal of personal experience not just clinical research. Banks' anecdote about the historic airplane photograph and negative (page 186) is proof of this. In presenting it he helps illustrate best practices for bidding, outbidding and sniping. Here's an area where I had some experience but again felt that the book either reinforced some of the things I already knew (making me feel more confident in bidding) or suggested things I should be doing but wasn't (like spending more time researching other bidders).

Near the end of the book he discusses how not to get ripped off using eBay and in doing so exposes some of the uglier sides of the site. This is important information though and helps buyers and sellers better understand what can go wrong and how to avoid it.

Throughout the book Banks writes in a clear easy-to-understand style that feels like a friend sitting down to explain eBay to you. Despite the fact that the guide is about an internet website it feels not at all like a computer textbook. Its short concise sections make finding the information easy and learning from it even easier. You should find it easy to pick up the book and skip to whatever section is currently most relevant to your eBay activities. The well-written index also helps you to find the help you need quickly.

Whether you're new to eBay or not and no matter whether you're buying or selling it's a sure bet that "The eBay Survival Guide: How to Make Money and Avoid Losing Your Shirt" will help you get the most out of online auctions. Highly recommended.

Harrison & Davis offer intellectual property (IP) professionals - including IP attorney's seeking to advocate for their client - a better and more effective understanding of how to manage IP as a strategic business asset. Unlike other books on the subject, Edison, and it's sequel, "Einstein in the Boardroom" (2006), offers rare pragmatic advise with evidence-based outcomes from a community of IP-savvy companies on the benefits of becoming proactive in identifying, protecting and leveraging all forms of intellectual capital to address strategic business objectives.

Julie Davis and Suzanne Harrison's book, Edison in the Boardroom, takes readers deep enough into the field of intellectual property management for them to incorporate presented theories into their respective professional disciplines - researcher, attorney, licensing exec, etc. - without the book becoming unwieldy. Excellent balance. This book can become a cornerstone text for any professional involved with intellectual property to direct his or her focus for additional study and to ensure his or her working knowledge of the challenges confronting professionals in other disciplines that together form a corporate intellectual property management program.

Professor Thomas G. Field, Jr., Franklin Pierce Law Center

Few variables are more likely to dictate short- and long-term commercial success than a firm's ability to convert intellectual assets into intellectual property (IP). The smaller the firm, the bigger the need, and the need only grows.
Most companies are careful to avoid IP infringement and are eager to sue direct competitors who do not. Many firms also educate key employees on their roles in perfecting and protecting intangible assets. Fewer give full attention to IP and antecedents that might nevertheless be regarded as assets. For example, those who would not hesitate to monitor and sue infringing competitors may not monitor non-competitors as potential licensees.
To extract the most from intellectual assets, many factors, e.g., legal, technical marketing and sales, must be weighed. Edison in the Boardroom offers important advice to help firms take steps to meet that need. Despite its reference to "assets" in the subtitle, however, most of this book focuses more narrowly - on IP, and on patents specifically.
Davis and Harrison, said to bring "a quarter century of IP consulting accomplishments between them," document that some companies have long engaged in trying to optimize the value of their intellectual assets. The authors also assign companies to a five-level hierarchy based on a range of IP-management strategies. A goldmining metaphor is usefully advanced at one point to describe those levels as: defensive (staking claims), panning (cost control), mining (deeper profit seeking), processing (integration), and sculpting. The heart of the book consists of five chapters that discuss these levels seriatim and offers a host of useful ideas and anecdotes.
The book is generally well-structured. For example, early in each of the five core chapters is a description of what "companies are trying to accomplish" at the corresponding level of IP-management sophistication. At the defensive level, of course, companies have processes for seeking, maintaining and enforcing IP. Yet, in the discussion of second-level companies, said to seek to reduce costs by exercising judgment about what is brought into and kept in their patent portfolios, it becomes clear how much various levels overlap. The first two topics may usefully be segregated for purposes of discussion, but it is hard to imagine any company that can afford, literally, to pursue protection without attempting to balance portfolio goals against concomitant costs. Indeed, one thesis of the second chapter is that no firm can seek the strongest protection for everything of potential patentability, much less seek it in every possible country.
The third chapter diverges considerably. Companies featured there are said to seek, e.g., to extract portfolio value as quickly and cheaply as possible. Several have gone well beyond suing competitors or easily discovered, non-competing infringers. The most aggressive of such firms regard IP departments as profit centers and actively solicit licensees. Their success is sometimes remarkable. As the authors point out, "Worldwide revenues from patent licensing have grown from $15 billion in 1990 to over $100 billion in 2000." Echoing the central theme of another recent book, Davis and Harrison also point out that, "Some experts estimate that companies are sitting on $1 trillion per year in unexploited licensing fees."
Fourth- and fifth-level firms are difficult to distinguish from ones discussed earlier - or from each other. For example, level-four companies are said to seek to integrate "IP awareness and operations throughout all functions of the company." That seems necessary, too, for allegedly less capable compatriots. Further, when level-five firms are described as embedding intellectual assets and their management into the company culture, it is difficult to find divergence.
The last are said to have as additional objectives: (1) staking a claim on the future and (2) encouraging "disruptive technologies." Still, these could easily been collapsed into "Get a Crystal Ball!" Heuristics for meeting them non-serendipitiously are weak.
Consider, for example, the mouse and graphic interface as commercialized on Macintosh computers. Steve Jobs is said to have derived both from the Alto computer developed by Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center. While Jobs became a billionaire, "Xerox completely failed to get into the personal computer business, missing one of the biggest business opportunities in history." To avoid repeating such mistakes, Davis and Harrison suggest that companies should "identify ways the corporation can benefit from [ideas outside their business capacity] before moving on." They, not surprisingly, can offer little guidance.
One IP attorney recently stressed the need for his colleagues better to understand the identification, protection and use of intellectual capital "effectively to address strategic corporate objectives." Those for whom this is novel terrrain will find Edison in the Boardroom helpful.
Also, senior IP counsel better acquainted with the topic may find the book useful. Some will face difficulty in convincing those at the same level or higher in the corporate hierarchy of its importance. To the extent that their advocacy of the critical role to be played by IP counsel is perceived as serving selfish aims, the book should help allay suspicions.
For these and other attorneys, the value of Edison in the Boardroom could easily, and vastly, exceed its modest price.

The basic concept of this book is very intriguing: Briefly examine the life and career of Thomas Edison and then suggest direct correlations between his achievements with real-world situations in which various companies are now deriving substantial value from their intellectual capital. The authors also make skillful use of Edison's own recorded thoughts and feelings. Of special interest to me was what he had to say about the creative process. For example, "Men are just beginning to propose questions and find answers, and we may be sure that no matter what question we ask, so long as it is not against the laws of nature, a solution can be found." This what the author refer to as "The Edison Mindset." Edison apparently had almost no concern about a given experiment's "failure" which he continued to view, rather, as non-success to that stage. Too often, senior-level executives become preoccupied with results and neglect the process by which they can be achieved. Among Edison's greatest (and perhaps least appreciated) achievements was the establishment of the first research laboratory in which he and his associates would collaborate on various projects. Edison was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of assembling the best available talent and providing them with sufficient resources as well as a culture wherein those talents could be fully utilized. Davis and Harrison obviously have this point in mind when observing that "benchmarking best practices without any regard for the underlying culture of the firm can be problematic."

NOTE: For those interested in this subject, I highly recommend Organizing Genius in which Bennis and Biederman examine the collaborative efforts of those involved at the Disney studios which produced so many animation classics; at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) which developed the first personal computer; at Apple Computer which then took it to market; at the so-called "War Room" which helped to elect Bill Clinton President in 1992; those active in the so-called "Skunk Works" where so many of Lockheed's greatest designs were formulated; at Black Mountain College which "wasn't simply a place where creative collaboration took place. It was about creative collaboration"; and at Los Alamos (NM) and the University of Chicago where the Manhattan Project eventually produced a new weapon called "the Gadget."

This is an extremely well-organized and well-written book in which Davis and Harrison use the life and career of Edison for guidance to understanding subjects of major importance today such as breakthrough innovation, collaborative effort, the development and management of intellectual property, and effective organizational transformation. They suggest that companies (indeed all organizations) function in one or more of five levels which comprise "the hierarchy of value" for intellectual property, a model created at Andersen's Intellectual Property Management Practice and then at ICMG:

1. Defensive: "If a corporation owns an intellectual asset (such as a great business concept), it can prevent competitors from using the asset."

2. Cost Control: "Companies focus on how to reduce the costs of filing and maintaining their IP portfolios."

3. Profit Center: "Having learned how to control many of their patent-related costs, companies at this level turn their attention to more proactive strategies that can generate millions of dollars of additional revenues while further continuing to trim costs.'

4. Integrated Level: In this level the IP function ceases to focus on self-centered activities and reaches outwardly beyond its own department to serve a greater purpose within the organization as a whole."

5. Visionary Level: "Few companies have reached this level of looking outside the company and into the future. In this level, the IP function, having already become deeply ingrained in the company, takes on the challenge of identifying future trends in the industry and consumer preferences."

After an excellent Introduction, the authors devote a separate chapter to each of the five Levels and then provide a case study of the Dow Chemical Company, followed by three appendices: Mining a Portfolio for Value, Competitive Assessment, and Integrated Performance Reporting. They suggest all manner of similarities and differences between and among these five Levels, in process suggesting also a wealth of strategies and tactics to consider when attempting to achieve the desired results at any of these Levels.

To a greater extent now than at any prior time in human history, with all due respect to major developments such as the light bulb, telephone, automobile, and personal computer, corporations (indeed entire societies) seek "exciting, new, novel, and discontinuous innovations....For centuries, companies have linked ideas and money by embedding their new ideas (legally protected or not) into products to be sold or bartered. Today, however, an exciting new concept is revolutionizing the way companies extract value from their ideas: an idea no longer needs to be embedded into a product or service to create value. Today ideas are licensed, sold, or bartered in their raw state for great value." And they are getting that value through intellectual property management (IPM). Hence the importance of encouraging and supporting "The Edison Mindset."

Here in a single volume, the authors provide a comprehensive, cohesive, and cost-effective program. It remains for decision-makers in any organization now considering or at work on the design of an IPM to select whatever material in the book is most appropriate to their organization's specific needs. One value-added benefit of this book is that Davis and Harrison can assist with that selection process. A point made earlier, however, deserves repeating: "benchmarking best practices without any regard for the underlying culture of the firm can be problematic."

The authors provide an excellent framework for companies to manage their intellectual property - without using too much consultant speak.

They quote examples at different levels of their framework and look at companies who are suceeding at managing and valuing their IP effectively. This is a skill which can only be more and more wanted in the future.

The most interesting takeaway is that most companies are very bad in this field, and there are very few success stories.

This book, especially the last 3 chapters, may just possibly be one of the most important non-fiction works every written. When claptrap like Marx's "Das Kapital" and Keyne's "The General Theory" eventually find their way into the dustbin of history, Benson's brilliant, understated work will give freedom-loving individuals much to dwell upon concerning the uselessness of the forced monopoly of force we euphemistically call "govern"ment. Goes way beyond even Murray Rothbard's outstanding "Power and Market."

Every one with an interest in toppling this socialist status quo, from laissez-faire economists and philosophers to activists in the liberatian political and militia movement should study this outstanding work. Mr. Benson lays down the framework for a true capitalist system as Adam Smith, Ayn Rand and Milon Friedman envisioned. I support radical reform but when it happens, what do we replace it with? This book is a good start.

Despite the impression one might draw from the other reviews here, this is not an overtly political tract. But some background on the author would be in order.

Benson is an economics professor at Florida State. Generally, his research interests involve law enforcement, the drug war, private security alternatives, arbitration, and the history of arbitration and privately-produced commercial law (the law merchant). I have never seen a writing by him in which he explains all of his personal views and opinions, but he's obviously a pretty serious libertarian and he's had some involvement with the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. Amazon discourages linking websites in reviews, but those interested could easily find his academic webpage by doing a google search for "Dr. Bruce L. Benson."

Benson is probably every bit the political extremist that I am, but this book doesn't really argue politics (mostly). It has a very fascinating history of the evolution of law in England, which forms the basis of modern American law, also. The presentation is mostly dry and academic, but the subject matter is completely fascinating, and Benson does a better job than any other writer in tying it all together to show the reader a picture of the historical origins of law, and the relationship between law and the state.

We have all been taught that the administration of law and justice is one of the purposes of government. Benson shows that this bit of conventional wisdom just doesn't fit the history. Courts and laws originated from communities and their customs, not from any governmental body. Benson shows that, historically, legal institutions precede the state, but monarchs eventually usurped most of the functions of privately-created law in order to raise revenue and concentrate power in the crown. Eventually, law becomes a government monopoly, and all throughout the process, the government has a strong tendency to corrupt the law into something other than a tool of justice.

There are a couple of different forms of private legal institutions that are important in this book. The earliest Benson explains are the customary English legal practices and the community institutions that made them work. These early legal institutions originated concepts and practices that are still echoed in today's modern courts, about 1000 years later. But this early approach to justice didn't really survive the constant encroachment by kings. Another source of private law has been the law merchant (lex mercatoria), a set of medieval laws that developed among purely private, profit-oriented traders. Like community-based law, the law merchant was a phenomenon that lacked a central authority or lawmaking body, and developed to protect people, in contrast to the king's courts which were created to concentrate power. The law merchant system developed as a private alternative to state law, and was successful because in comparison to state courts, it was fairer, faster, and better able to cope with the transnational nature of some of the disputes. Ultimately English common law courts ended up having to adopt most of the key features of the law merchant, because they risked being superseded and deprived of revenue and influence. An echo of the medieval law merchant lives on in the modern arbitration industry, which is actually extremely popular in America today, especially in the commercial world.

Not all of Benson's history focuses on England - the most entertaining part of the book concerns incidents in America in which citizens had to overthrow crooked lawmen and take justice into their own hands. (Most of these stories come from the old West.) This includes a very fascinating episode in San Francisco in which the entire law enforcement body was supplanted by vigilante justice. The result was a dramatic sustained drop in the murder rate, and an end to the corruption and abuse of the authorities. The reader will be surprised to find that, contrary to Hollywood, the "vigilante" groups were often moderate, judicious, and almost eager to relinquish power, in order to restore peace.

The book is not just about history. Benson makes a careful and convincing defense of the benefits of privately produced law and justice. He engages the arguments of some of the most important legal thinkers of our time, and picks their arguments apart. The decentralized, private justice of the past is not just a curiosity of history; it's a human achievement that lives on in some form today, and is considerably more fair and effective than the government monopoly we're subjected to.

If think today's legal system system is slow, inaccessible, expensive to work with, and unfair, read this book to find out why, and what the alternatives are.

I don't give 5 stars lightly. Yes, this book really is that good, and that important.

Do we need the State to produce law?

There are libertarians aplenty who believe we do. Some of them have actually thought carefully about the issue, and some of them are merely Objectivists who have accepted Ayn Rand's oracular dismissal of anarchocapitalism in her (thoroughly statist) essay on "The Nature of Government." Both of these groups will benefit from a reading of Bruce Benson's fine volume.

Benson picks up the argument where Murray Rothbard and David Friedman left it, and carries it forward by several miles. Here he provides a short history of market-based law, from its rise to its near-demise at the hands of "authoritarian" law; a public-choice analysis of the political market for law; an overview of recent trends toward reliance on private sources of law and justice; rebuttals of common arguments for the necessity of State law; and a short summary of what a private, non-State system of law might look like.

There are treats throughout. Some of my favorites are Benson's replies to Landes and Posner -- e.g. their argument that "private" law is parasitic on legal standards developed in the public sector, and their claim that such "private" law would be less efficient than public law. (In general I am of the opinion that Richard Posner is one of the most overrated legal thinkers of the past century or two.)

Benson is also exceptional among libertarian writers in his familiarity with the relevant legal literature. One of the other exceptions -- the altogether brilliant Randy Barnett (whose book _The Structure of Liberty_ belongs on your shelf next to this one) -- is credited by Benson for drawing the latter's attention to such literature and making some specific recommendations. The result, however achieved, is something all but unheard of in the libertarian world: a volume on liberty that actually acknowledges the existence of such legal theorists as Lon Fuller.

That's a nice feature in a book on law. I would like to see Benson's book (and its excellent sequel, _To Serve and Protect_) read by both libertarians and lawyers, and I'm happy he's written a book that the latter group won't toss away in disgust at the childish ignorance of the author. We have enough of those books already (and I think Rand wrote or influenced most of them).

In general, the more people that read this book, the better. If nothing else, this book will shake an assumption that badly needs shaking: that there must be a State in order for there to be law.

(By the way, you'll find Benson referring occasionally to George H. Smith's fine essay, "Justice Entrepreneurship in a Free Market." Originally published in the _Journal of Libertarian Studies_, that essay is reprinted in _Atheism, Ayn Rand, and Other Heresies_.)

At one stage in my education as a libertarian I had come to believe that most human needs (including for instance streets, education, and even fire protection) could be satisfied best by private companies. But I still thought that probably law must be provided by the government. It was hard for me to imagine how justice could be provided without the state.

Then I read this book. With compelling historical evidence it shatters the myth that government must have a monopoly in administering law.

Well written. Clear. Thorough.

If you are not a biologist or MD, and want to see where the application of genomics to medicine is going, try Brown's book. In clear language, he and other writers explain the key ideas and promises in this field. Like what can be done with massive genomic databases, by aiding the search for inherited diseases, and isolating these to certain places in the DNA.

One chapter looks at gene therapy. Currently, still mostly speculative. Much remains to be done to make it viable for many people. But this chapter is perhaps the most far reaching, if its potential can be fully realised. Related to this is another chapter about proteomics, which is another buzzword. We see that protein structures are another field, closely related, that also holds big promises for understanding and treatments.

"...this book was exactly what I was looking for: a high-level overview of genomic technologies and their application...Brown's book is highly recommended..." (Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 20, No. 6, June 2003)

"readable account of the underpinnings of genomics and its medical applications...a clearly written book that makes a complex discipline understandable..." (New England Journal of Medicine, July 24, 2003)

"...a good purchase for...academic or medical libraries as well as large public ones." (E-Streams, Vol. 6, No. 5, May 2003)

"It will be quite useful to anyone from other fields who is interested in a taste of what emerging technologies in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics can bring to bear on questions of potential importance in biomedical research." --American Journal of Human Genetics

Time and time again, I reference this book in my research of military history. It contains just about every important figure and many less important figures. There is no bias for ancient, dark, medieval, or modern history. In fact, it covers all ages and fights. I have also found that there is no nationalistic bias. These figures are presented in terms of their major accomplishments, without regard to value judgments.

"The Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biographies" is an excellent resource for information on more than 3,000 of the most important military figures of all time.
The listings are alphabetically listed, and provide information about the major events in the life of the figure, in what wars he served, when he lived, his legacy, major victories and defeats, enemies, allies, and other information. The listings range in size from several sentences to three or four pages, depending on the importance of the figure. Sources are listed at the end of every listing.
Anyone interested in military history should own this book. It reigns supreme as a quick reference guide to military figures. Another good source is "The Military 100", which provides biographies several pages in length about 100 of the most influential military leaders in history.

While studying early greek "Christian Forfathers" and their lives and influences, ALOT of names get mentioned. When such a name is mentioned you think to yourself..: "who is this?", "why did the author mention this person?, what context should I look at this in?" Often times proper understanding behind the names mentioned can be the key that opens the door to context. I bought this book And it's companion
(ISBN: 0062700561) The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History From 3500BC to the Present (from a third party vendor). Niether one have let me down in accuracy or thoroughness. And has repeatedly helped me achieve a more accurate view of history itself as well as how it has been shaped by militarys. A 'must have' for any home library.

One thing about it, this book and "maybe" another one would replace all those biographies that take up too much room on one's bookshelf (especially mine). I especially like it when a good majority of our nation's military leaders (those on the Joint Chiefs) are included when no other volume even comes close. Great job, Colonel, and also outstanding work, Mr. Johnson

I cannot agree more with the above people. This book provides an incredible amount of information on each person and is an invaluable reference for any military historian. However as i was reading it, I discovered that several individuals were not included. After some research, I disovered a large number of soldier/statesmen who I felt deserved some mention, if anything to see their treatment in a work like this. I understand size restraints and readers may agree or not with my list, but that is what reviews are all about. I have grouped them in the following categories:
1. HOW COULD YOU MISSED THEM?
Alfred the Great, Attila, Bismark, Charles Martel,Cyrus the Great, DeGaulle, Epaminondas of Thebes, Robert Bruce, Tito.

2. IF YOU INCLUDED (FILL IN BLANK) WHY NOT:
English Admirals: Drake, Forbisher,
German Generals: Hans Hube, Spaatz.
French Warrior Kings: Francis I, Louis IX (St Louis).
US Generals: Simon Buckner, Terry Allen, Jubal Early, Gavin, Dupuy, Starry, Vuono, Fred Franks, Lew Wallace, John Buford.
English Warrior Kings: George II, Henry I.
British Generals: Richard O'Connor (N. Africa, WWII)

WHILE WE'RE AT IT, WHY NOT:
John Graham Montrose, Archibald Campbell Argyll, Henry (Hotspur) Percy, Charles Edward Stuart, Ealdorman Brintnoth (Maldon 991), Canute, Brian Boru, William Marshall, Robert Guiscard, Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada, El Cid, Boudicca, historical King Arthur (Mt Badon), Godfrey de Buillon, Raymond of Toulouse, Bohemond of Taranto, Charles the Bold of Burgundy, Sigismund (Holy Roman Emperor), Henry IV (ditto), Henry the Lion, Toktamish (Golden Hoard), Subutai, Theodoric of the Visigoths (Chalons), Ramses II, Antigonus, Mithrades of Pontus, Seleucus, Titus, Joshua Chamberlain, Marshall William von Roggendorf (Seige of Vienna)and why not any Biblical leaders (Joab for instance).
One nitpick; Ambrose Burnside was a good division commander and was not ready for higher command. He was however, a brilliant innovator. His amphibious operations along the east coast were very successful and his plan for the Crater operation would of succeeded if his superiors didn't replace his black unit, trained to exploit the detonation, with an inexperienced white unit.

Rosalynn Carter's new book evokes compassion from the reader as she unfolds her personal experience of becoming aware of persons with mental illness. This affliction has many facets and is painful for the family as well as the patient. Carter leads the reader through various types of mental illness, noting symptoms. The reader may use the book as a reference and not a 'read for pleasure' book.

Carter writes simply and without exaggerating, so she is easy to read and to understand. With the resources listed in index "D", she equips the uninformed reader to bring understanding in his interaction with his/her co-workers and friends. This is especially important as mentally ill patients need support of those around them. They also need the same financial help that patients with surgical and medical problems receive.

The former First Lady's book is a very compassionate effort which can help a person who has to deal with mental illness for the first time no matter what the setting. Mrs. Carter gives a good over-view of the "whole picture" concerning all mental illness with enough detail to give the reader a good foundation in the subject. I think the really profound thing that I read in every line of the book was the real sincerity that Mrs. Carter has for her work. She really is serious about changing the way some in society look at individuals with mental illesses. I applaud her for her work and her book.

An excellent resource for family members and friends who wish to help a person with mental illness. I especially appreciated the book's emphasis on biological *and* social risk factors for various forms of mental illness.

The section on building resiliancy in children at risk for mental illness is reason alone to purchase this book. It is a wise, compassionate, humane treatus on a very important topic.

This was one book I did not hesitate to buy as I know so many people with the mental illnesses.

I must applaud Rosalyn Carter one of the former First Ladies for her help in understanding Mental Illness and for trying her utmost not to see it as a stigma in this twenty first century......but for us to learn that getting help is the priority here.

From Depression to Panic attacks......Paranoia to Schizophrenia, caregiving with lots of love and understanding can go a long way. Buy this book to assist you if not now, sometime in the Autumn-time when friends and love ones will be taken under that dark umbrella. The treatments for each mental illness is remarkable.Thank you Roslyn Carter with help from Susan K. Golnat for a book that's going to help millions.
Congratulations.
Reviewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE 26/10/01)

Rosalynn Carter's book tells it just the way it is and how you can treat the mental illnesses' the way they should be. Reading her book you cannot miss having the right treatment. I myself also believe a lot of the treatment comes from support of the family and guidance that is a must ,a mentally ill person whom does not have that benefit will become a difficult road to travel.

Mrs. Carter started her journey many years ago and never tired of it, she is a true believer that if you want to get well you can never stop searching for the answer of which she never did.

Understanding the illness is the first battle. When I seen Rosalynn on the Larry King Live Show and she had introduced her new book, just by listening to her speak I knew she gave a lot of her years on research, she is very sincere.

Thank you Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, as I have someone in my family with the illness and you could not explain it any better than you did in your book " Helping Someone With Mental Illness ".