Pacific University Books

This book, translated from German, discusses the problem of circumcision which, since primeval times, has been practiced by countless peoples, independently of race and religion.

"Civilization and Monsters" is not a book for casual readers. It is nothing less than the author's dissertation put into book form, with all the readability implied by that. The language is thick and academic, and presented in the form of various defensible arguments as dissertations often are. This is a book only for serious scholars, people who want to study about the subject rather than learn about it, and would make a great reference text for those pursuing similar themes.

That being said, the information contained here is brilliant, and Gerald Figal clearly knows his stuff. The subject is a fascinating one, the transformation of Japanese folklore during the modernization of the Meiji period where legislation was made regarding the non-existence of traditional creatures such as the mountain-goblin tengu. The Japanese government was embarrassed and worried about the persistence of such beliefs, especially as Japan emerged as a modern nation, and worked to erase them and replace them with scientific thinking.

As could be expected, "Civilization and Monsters" goes heavily into the themes of Inoue Enryô, the so-called "Dr. Monster" whose seminal six-volume "A Study of Yôkai" attempted to cure Japan of it's ancient superstitions by showing how monsters were nothing more than psychology, and his counterpart Kunio Yanagita, whose "Tono Monogatari" was the foundation of serious folklore studies in Japan, as well as Minakata Kumagusu, the botanist who felt that there was still room for mystery in science, as seen by the ever-changing slime molds he so desired. Later authors such as Lafcadio Hearn are also touched upon, but they are more footnotes than focus.

This is a hard book to read in one sitting, because the information is so thick it can not easily be absorbed. The author assumes that readers will have a some-what solid foundation on the subject already, as this is a graduate level study book and not suitable for beginners. He also makes heavy use of Japanese terminology, which while he does explain the words could possibly confuse non-Japanese speakers. However, if you have the necessary background then this book will be fascinating for you, as well as a good opportunity to learn some new words specific to the subject.

Written by John C. Putman (associate professor of history, San Diego State University), Class and Gender Politics in Progressive-Era Seattle is a scholarly look at he changing social order in early twentieth century Seattle. Examining the intersection of radical-labor movements, feminist movements, suffrage campaigns, Class and Gender Politics in Progressive-Era Seattle reveals how the alliances and conflicts between these movements contributed to Seattle's regional identity. "Unlike most eastern labor struggles, class conflict out west was more localized. The lack of large-scale national industrial firms meant that Seattle workers had to battle locally entrenched economic and political elites rather than national corporate leaders." An astute socio-historical analysis, particularly recommended for college library collections.

Experience has shown that psychiatric disabilities are a major problem in a modern army. While training attempts to get a feeling of realism of the modern battlefield it is at best a week simulation of the first experience of combat when people are actually getting killed, and furthermore getting killed in very messy ways.

The amount of psychiatric problems being experienced by a unit is also an indication of the overall effectiveness of that unit. As such, the incidence rate should be carefully monitored by line officers at all levels.

This book is the result of studies made during operations in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater of Operation during World War II. The book consists of a series of articles written by serving officers of the Medical Corp and relates their actions and observations during the actual treatment of individuals.

While the time period of this book is now many years ago, this was the last time that huge numbers of American soldiers were engaged in combat. While there are differences in today's more professional, smaller Army, the experiences described here should not be ignored.

This a book for every generartion.

The Seniors can relive parts of the life they lived earlier in their lives.

The Boomers can find verification for the tales their granparents told of early hard times and inconveniences.

The Young Ones can marvel at how real people lived without a car or TV.

James C. Hsiung's Comprehensive Security: Challenge For Pacific Asia appeared some time ago but deserves ongoing mention in light of modern events: it's a study explaining comprehensive security and its relationship to both traditional security perspectives and post-9/11 meanings. From virus spreads to economic security and political change, Comprehensive Security advocates a wider perspective than most.

More than a century after his death in 1897, Henry George remains one of the most original and influential economic thinkers in American history. His revolutionary theory on land taxation gained a tremendous following, reshaped the nation's political and economic debate, and continues to be widely discussed throughout the world. His writings shaped a generation of statesmen and intellectuals, including Winston Churchill, Robert La Follette, Clarence Darrow, George Bernard Shaw, and Milton Freedman.

These days, celebrity authors earn thousands of dollars for a speech, but back in the 1880s, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the first American author known to receive payment for delivering a talk, was paid $5 and oats for his horse.

A fascinating view of how a culture evolves when it bumps head-on with a far different, "more advanced" culture. In my journey into the Nez Perce culture, I've come to greatly appreciate Deward Walker's interest in the Nez Perce. He's an easy writer to understand and I like the way he grounds the reader by giving them a view of the aboriginal culture. I like the level of detail he uses because it makes the culture real to me, a layman. I'm going to be looking for more of his studies.

It was exactly what I was expecting. Clear, organized and helpful. A kind of Russian Bescherelle. Excellent.