California Books

The books explains it all - strategy and tactics, high and low, in-the-box and outside-the-box, ... - the how, what, when, where and who of how to get buy in.

Its easy to read and implement. My implementation notes from reading the book span a single page. Not only is a consistent structure put in place, but the chapters have numerous strategies/tactics on dealing with difficult situations.

Its making a difference in my real like at work. (Thats a lot to say).

Highly recommended - simply go out and buy it. It will make a difference in your life.

How can a politician win over enemies and gain and mobilize support for a cause? Learn how to build coalitions, understand agendas and how they can work for you, and utilize minds and talents of those who can help with the aid of Get Them On Your Side: Win Support. Convert Skeptics. Get Results. From how organizations process new information to change how they operate to understanding regulations and justifying actions, Get Them On Your Side tells how to understand underlying politics.

As an independent filmmaker, I rely on investors who could choose to put their money into just about anything. "Get Them on Your Side" does an excellent job of demonstrating how to get across a radical idea in a way that can be palatteable to all walks of life.

No matter your profession, this book will hold at least a few useful tools that will make your professional experience more gratifying and your time more effective.

Political savvy can shape your career in any organization. Most "politically competent" people developed their talent through extensive experience. Such competence is a difficult skill to transmit through book learning. That sums up the major shortcoming of Samuel B. Bacharach's book. On the plus side, he provides matrices and enumerates the characteristics you need to build coalitions. He also provides extensive examples, accounting for nearly half the book, to illustrate politically wise tactics. Yet, Bacharach's tone is occasionally professorial. His ideas about coalition building are certainly applicable, but people who are truly politically savvy will not need this book. We recommend it primarily for novices - those who want to be wise corporate politicians, but aren't yet. If you are higher up the ladder, you should already have developed your political competence - although you may appreciate the refresher course.

Samuel Bacharach's book is absolutely fantastic. Although it is excelent for anyone in business, it should be of particuar interest for the businesswoman.

I am sure that I am not the only woman who has sadly discovered that, as a woman, it is especially difficult to get your ideas implemented. It is hard to believe that in the 21st century, so many of us find ourselves fighting that same old battle to be taken seriously. But don't throw in the towel! There is help between the covers of this book. Professor Bacharach gives detailed strategies that anyone can grasp in order to change the status quo. I promise that you too can learn to "get them on your side."

This is a book that belongs in everyones library, whether you work in corporate America, are organizing a new project for the PTA, or anything in between.

Authored by the popular team of Myrna and Harvey Frommer, this a wonderful collection of anecdotal history. It covers momentous events and intimate moments spanning decades of Jewish-American thinking from every sector of the country. Its richness is doled out in small, poignant bites of personal history frequently focusing on a fading European past and compromises and dilemmas with a gentile world. There is heartbreak but also a grand humor.

"Childhood memories of Jewish men and women of all ages from across the country. They describe their urban and suburban experiences and discuss long-held traditions and religious rituals. Presents a kaleidoscopic view of twentieth-century life from immigrant and minority perspectives."

"IF YOU SOMEHOW MISSED THIS BOOK WHEN HARCOURT BRACE FIRST PUBLISHED IT IN 1995, HERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE. IF YOU GREW UP JEWISH IN AMERICA, IT WILL ENLIGHTEN YOU AND MAKE YOU REMEMBER. IT'S A WARM, WONDERFUL MEMORY BOOK OF LIFE AS IT USED TO BE -- ALL OVER AMERICA -- IN A MUCH LESS COMPLICATED TIME. . . BITTERSWEET IN PLACES, IT IS A DELIGHT."

The book provides a fascinating look at Jewish life. We learn about families, school activities, religious life, and anything else the people felt like discussing. All areas of the country are represented as well as all aspects of Judaism. Hundreds of personal photos add much to to the histories. A good glossary explains the various Yiddish terms used throughout."

===Growing up Jewish IN AMERICA

THIS IS a fine book for goyim. Being gentile, as far as I know, I can say that.

One never knows exactly what one's roots might include. As Leon Toubin comments on a Texas community in this entertaining oral history, "We were probably all Jewish once, but we're Lutheran now." The complexities of American life make this book fun and often pure poetry. Some vital turning points come to life in a just few sentences. Zipporah Marans, whose father was an Orthodox rabbi in Raleigh, N.C., during World War II, recalls G.I.s "would have three days' leave before being shipped overseas. Their girlfriends would come down, and my father would marry them in our living room. My mother, sister, a soldier friend and I would each hold a corner of the chuppa, the wedding canopy."

St. Louis Jews - really, all Jews west of the Appalachians - might feel a bit slighted in this study. David Bisno talks about the divide between Jews of German and Russian descent in St. Louis, but he doesn't offer many details. Ansaie Sokoloff recalls his family leaving St. Louis for Cheyenne, Wyo. Other communities in the chapter about the Midwest and West include Detroit, Duluth, Omaha, Pittsburgh and San Fernando. It reminded me of a gas station attendant in New Jersey who noticed my Missouri plates and said, "I have a cousin who went to school in South Dakota." New York and environs get the bulk of attention here. That's fine, but what I find particularly fascinating are more detailed accounts of unique or remote communities and families struggling to maintain traditions.

The Frommers' book has many moments, too, where one senses the effort necessary to maintain tradition and faith in our time. Though no characters develop in this text, one hears many fragments of fascinating memories, which together present an insightful portrait of vibrant communities and individuals.

What a great little book! The recipes are ones everyone wants to have anyway. It's succinctly written. There are great pictures, little helpful tips -- all this plus nutritional inofrmation!! I love this book!!!!

This is the second year I have put this book on my Christmas list. Everyone I have given it to raves about it, not only for its fabulous recipes and well laid out format, but also because it is informative and entertaining. Kudos to the author -- who also has a PhD in neuroscience!

Hi,I am a nine year old girl and a vegetarian.My mom got this book because I hate so many different foods.This book was cool because it has the vegetarian food that movie stars eat.I liked that alot.Im picky about what I eat but this stuff was yummy.Mom even let me help her make some recipes,it was fun.thankyou.bye bye now.

I ! I loved this book!This was the first cookbook that I ever enjoyed just reading. First of all,you open it up and excitedly go through it,looking at all the stars and seeing what particular recipe that they have contributed. Then you think,hmmmm, why did they use that recipe?Then its fun analizing why that celibrity chose that paticular recipe. Oh and who knew that Mr.Rogers was a vegetarian?The recipes are fatastic!Not your regular vegetarian boring stuff. I believe that is because not just celebrity vegetarians contributed,but those with varied eating habits, participated. That makes for a very unique and versitile cookbook. Ms.Ruppen should be commended for using recipes from both vegetarians and non-vegetarian. Vegetarian dishes are not just for vegetarians anymore.This is obviously proven with the many recipes that were sent in by non-vegetarian celebraties.I must also say Thank You!Thank You! Ms. Ruppen for researching your recipes so thoroughly, by including additional low or no fat ways to make each recipe.Now I can eat vegetarian and TOTALLY healthy!This is such a great book,I could write on and on., Incudedwith pictures of your favorite celebrities their personal recipes,are some great little antidotes on each page.They were informative and interesting reading.This was the most unboring cookbook I ever read.1

I think the book was totally cool and nutritious! I loved it! Francia Ruppen is my wonderful Aunt, and I'm proud of her book that she wrote and my Aunt herself. Almost my whole family are vegetarians. So this book is a good help for us. Now we have a cookbook that is of use to us vegetarians as well as those who eat meat. I have been a vegetarian for all of my life. My name is Britain. I think my Aunt is a genius. Sincerely, Britain

I won't waste your time with repeating the same things everyone else has said. This is the best book for first-time home buying in SoCal; you won't lose money or time with this book. Gratuitous advice if you are buying in SoCal for the first time:
1. Things are done a little differently out here, so DO NOT listen to people from other states regarding need for a lawyer on every purchase; the escrow agency takes care of most of those details unless a problem arises. Just follow the book...it will guide you well.
2. If the home inspection report mentions a horizontal furnace related to Consolidated Inc. in the past, DO have your furnace inspected even if the serial number does not show a recalled NOx rod (see your home inspector, or a CA home inspection manual)...the Consolidated/Premier furnace that came with my place needed to be replaced despite not being on the recall list because of a fire hazard (eep!).
3. It's also handy to have a home inspection manual anyway so that any repairs you perform as a DIY'er won't cause problems down the road on resale, if needed.

I purchased this book because I was a first time home buyer and the information and tips I got from this book were wonderful. There was a tip about calling local title companies to find out who they think are good local real estate agents. I called for a recommendation, and it worked wonderfully! I found a great agent using that tip and I am extremely pleased with how everything worked out. The extra knowledge I acquired from this book was very helpful throughout the whole home buying process. It is an easy and fun book to read. The authors give stories from their personal experiences and also provide explanation of terms, etc. I would recommend it to any one who is going to buy a home.

This book rocks! It is well written, clearly organized, full of incredibly useful insights and obviates the need for any other books. Purchasing property in the Golden State is hugely complicated and this book unravels the knots and truly educates the potential buyer to the point that ones agent will be impressed. Every aspect is covered and in such depth that I truly believe it helped me negotiate the best price and the best mortgage terms. I fully understood all the steps and when it came to final closing costs, I was impressed that I was able to accurately predict exactly what those would be ...no shocks here. I highly recommend this book.

I will be a first time homebuyer shortly and this book is really helping me put things into perspective and feel confident about purchasing a home. Easy to read. Easy to understand. Easy to find specific information. Highly recommended.

This book is the only book you will need if buying a home in California. I am in my early thirties and knew nothing about the housing market in California until reading this easy and thorough guide to California home buying.
It provides a detailed and easy to understand guide to preparing oneself for entering theCalifornia housing market. The book is broken down in comprehensible, step by step chapters covering a wide range of subject areas. There are plenty of worksheets designed to help in your home search (practical and financial) as well as plenty of real life examples that illustrate common inquiries, pitfalls and scenarios.
I live in Los Angeles and was very intimidated by the insanely competitive housing market. This book has gotten me over these worries and am now working confidently with an amazing broker in looking for the house that's right for me. Don't bother with other guides, this is honestly the only one you will need!

The Hunter's Moon by Jo C. Johnston is a great summer read. It is suspenseful throughout and a terrific blend of historical fiction and horror. Jo Johnston's descriptive talents are second to none and the scary portions are truly frightening. I can't wait to read the next book from this author!

This is an excellent novel which captivates your attention from the first chapter to the last. It is very suspensful and keeps you guessing until the very end. The plot unfolds superbly and is very well written. There is a lot of attention to detail and all of the characters are very real. You really love some of the characters and hate others. It sends shivers up your spine. There are a lots of twists and turns in the novel and I enjoyed the whole story, especially the ending. It is a very different love story.

This book has it all. Exciting, suspenseful, great love story. Once you started reading it was very difficult to set down. I really enjoyed the characters and the intriging storyline. I can't wait for another one of Jo C. Johnston's books! Keep writing. Your fans are anxiously awaiting.

I couldn't seem to stop reading even though it was very late. When my eyes wouldn't cooperate, I grabbed a few hours of sleep, but first thing in the morning I picked up the book and read until I finished it. The story was fast-paced, and the characters believable. I enjoyed the format, and would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read.

I knew the premise of this book before I read it. I loved it from the first page. What else can you say? It is just plain old good writing. It has some good original twists on an old familar story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book.

Mandelbaum has a great writing style -- he takes complex topics and presents his ideas in ways that make them appear simple and even obvious. A great book that every lay person with an interest in world economy and government ought to read

On page 398, Mandelbaum provides what I consider the most significant words in his book: "So a world of liberal sovereign states qualifies as the second-best solution, after WORLD GOVERNMENT, to the problems of nuclear war, economic collapse, and global climate change. If not the best of all imaginable solutions, it is the best of all feasible ones."

However, the greater the number of, and the more powerful, the illiberal states are, then the so-called best feasible solution becomes even more infeasible. There must be integrated frameworks or solutions for the enhancement of peace, democracy, and free markets, which happen to work only when they do, and only when they work together.

But how do we get them to work as a triad, not individually ? This is the important question. I believe that the answer lies in any framework that promotes direct genuine people empowerment within each state.

One way is the creation of positive composite institutions, or the transformation of the well-funded international foundations into positive composite institutions, the end-object of which is the promotion of direct people empowerment within the illiberal zones of their own countries, and within the less liberal states in the less-developed world.

It is no longer a question of "what" and "object", but of "how" and "ways and means".

Veredigno Atienza
"Creating Systems of Justice: Philanthropy at the Highest Level"

This is a magnificent book - I can happily recommend it to anyone, regardless of their politics (an all too rare thing these days, as the culture wars spread ever wider). The West ought to remember its roots, and why it is where it is today. A book like this is therefore very timely and well worth reading. Christopher Catherwood, historian, teacher and author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)

Michael Mandelbaum clearly explains that the liberal theory of history is made up of two tenets:

1. Free markets, through their workings such as constitutionalism, civil society, the rule of law, property-protecting and contract-enforcing state, entrepreneurship, competition and mass consumption, tend to promote democracy and enrich most of their economic agents over time (pg. 11, 234-237, 257, 268-274, 289-295, 313-318, 394). A responsible social safety net, however, is key to stability of free markets (pg. 299-304, 340-341, 402).

2. Democracies are inclined to conduct peaceful foreign policies (pg. 11, 237). Popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, civil society and political habit of compromise are key drivers of peace and minority protection (pg. 249-250, 259, 269). Furthermore, defense dominance and weapon system transparency are built on the recognition that the problem of collective security can only be solved through systemic cooperation nurtured over time (pg. 113-114, 129-131, 231).

The common denominator of free markets, democracy and peace is their focus on the individual (pg. 31). Illiberalism such as Communism and Fascism stresses the strength of the state through group cohesion and solidarity rather than the welfare of individuals (pg. 254, 336).

Before WWI, this set of liberal ideas was not firmly established in the British Empire and the U.S. from which it came. Britain was the most fervent advocate of free trade but was clearly ambivalent about self-government beyond its White Dominions and dismissal of any limit to power projection. The U.S. was protectionist rather than a convert to free trade, was an impire rather than an empire until the 1890s and had not yet granted the benefits of democracy to all its inhabitants in spite of its unequivocal constitution (pg. 33, 87).

At the Conference of Paris in 1919 just after WWI, President Woodrow Wilson could not convince the victorious empires how closely related were the rise of free markets and the devaluation of war. The high price of war to the victors and perhaps more importantly poor salesmanship from President Wilson himself in the U.S. and abroad ultimately led to the rise and dismissal of an emasculated League of Nations and disastrous economic protectionism in the 1930s (pg. 20-24, 359, 363, 393).

The emergence of Fascism and Communism, two new murderous, inefficient rivals to Liberalism, was the bitterest legacy of WWI, the Conference of Paris and subsequent peace conferences (pg. 33, 41, 54-55). Liberalism succeeded in defeating and discrediting Fascism at the end of WWII in 1945 and Communism at the end of the Cold War in 1989 (pg. 253).

The liberal theory of history has found its historical validation for example in the successful conversion of fascist Germany and Japan to Liberalism in the decades after their crushing defeat in 1945. These successful conversions to Liberalism demonstrate which way the lagging peripheral countries should go to ultimately emerge in the limelight (pg. 6, 79-86, 174-181, 279-280).

Mandelbaum also reminds his audience that in the post-cold war era, the core countries have lost much interest in what is going on in the periphery (pg. 96, 198-199). China, Russia and the Middle East are three major exceptions to this loss of interest in the periphery (pg. 7). Core countries legitimately fear that undesirable developments in some peripheral countries, especially failed states, if left unchecked, could have a negative impact in their backyard (pg. 182-187).

The Middle East is of interest to core countries due to its reserves of oil, the existence of weapons of mass destruction and the presence of fearsome terrorist networks on its soil (pg. 97-99, 199-230). Operation Iraqi Freedom is an expression of this interest in the region on behalf of a well-understood Liberalism (pg. 403-412).

China and Russia remain a source of concern to the core countries because they have not yet fully embraced the tenets of Liberalism (pg. 306-307, 390-391). Like Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, Russia and China are not satisfied with their military place in the world today and can become a source of instability tomorrow (pg. 160-174). Furthermore, both countries harbor powerful economic ambitions (pg. 160). The inability of economic socialism to be productive enough and meet the wants and needs of its economic agents behind the military sphere has made a gradual transition to economic liberalism vital to the survival of the Chinese and Russian nomenklatura (pg. 48, 52, 66-67, 99-104, 261-265, 291, 309). No Communist regime in the 20th century came to power through a coup d'etat staged by an impoverished, mobilized and ideologically committed working class (pg. 233).

The current liberal hegemony, which is not per se irreversible, does not make everybody happy. Some of its most determined opponents include Middle Eastern terrorists and the western-inspired anti-globalization movement who do not offer any constructive, workable alternative to Liberalism (pg. 38-39).

The United States, spiritual successor of the British Empire, has a key role to play in the successful spread and survival of this Wilsonian triad (pg. 7, 88, 327, 358, 381-382, 404). The technological, economic, military and cultural leadership of the U.S. requires that Americans bear a higher burden than their fair share in the maintenance and development of Liberalism (pg. 88, 153, 364-365, 389). The harshest critics of the U.S. for example in Europe and Asia should keep this in mind instead of taking it for granted (pg. 153, 363-365, 388-390).

Passing interest in the (most dangerous) failed states is a recipe for disaster (pg. 193-199). In too many places around the world, democracy and capitalism are foreign transplants that must be cultivated long enough to take deep roots (pg. 259-260, 297-298, 311-313, 386-387). Ultimately, with might come not only rights but also responsibilities (pg. 388-389).

Quite a brilliant work, this book is a synopsis of the ideas that have `conquered the world' in the 20th century, ideas that remain a benchmark of America's policies in the world. The first policy is capitalism, the idea of free markets was challenged by Marxism, an ideology that proved itself a nightmare and a destructive, coercive, suppressive influence in the last century. Secondly the author brilliantly demonstrates how democracy was originally encouraged at the Versailles conference following WWI where Woodrow Wilson made `war for democracy' a policy of America. Lastly he examines how `peace' as a virtue of classical liberalism is the pursuit of today's most powerful nations. In previous periods of history powerful nations sued their power destructively in wars of conquest, such as the Romans, the English or Napoleon. Today's American `empire' is not one of war, despite the war in Iraq, but rather of a restrained giant using its power to coerce other nations to follow the methods of democracy, peace and free markets, however the coercive influence of America is not like Rome or England or Communist Russia, or Fascist Germany, rather it is one where power is used selectively, in a clauswitzien sense, only as the last resort of politics. Power organizations such as the Un, the World Bank and the IMF use pressure for democracy to go hand in hand with their loans tot third world nations, while not always successful this policy is slowly bringing democracy, equality, and freedoms to places like Latin America, where in the 1950s almost all countries were dictatorships. The `ideas the conquered the world' also run counter to the theory that human nature is hobbesian, in the sense that we are told by cynics that Islam is not compatible with democracy or that Catholicism is not compatible, these canards have been thrown out by those who seek to bring the American revolution to the world. This is the thesis of this book and the historical synopsis presented, brilliant, interesting and controversial.

Seth J. Frantzman

If you have to read reviews about I-Ching books this is the first book you need to buy. The study of the I Ching begins with practice by consulting the oracle not with immediate attempts at understanding-especially for the Western mind. This version of the I Ching is the easisest way to make that first step. You read a few paragraphs on instructions to throw three pennies and begin an adventure that can last from a few minutes to a lifetime. Despite its ease of use, this book is a complete work unto itself shold you choose to go deeper. It has ample references to history and more subtle interpretations. A glimpse of Western understanding may be obtained by reading Carl Jung's foreword in the Baynes/Wilhelm interpretation.

I own both this one and the I Ching Workbook and they are practically the same book, though this one doesn't have the spiral binding (which you'll need because you'll open it so much) but has the most beautiful, meditative paintings on each hexagram. The pictures give you a profound inner sense of the truth of each throw of the coins, transforming the experience into a deeply effective tool for inner growth. Not to be confused with the Art of War or the Tao Te Ching, the I Ching focuses mainly on political relationships and the development of character as one navigates one's way through professional and personal relationships. The main thing you'll get from using the I Ching is, to learn which situations you can definitely change and which ones you should just let pass. It also shows you where you are in the development of goals and what to prepare yourself for, as you go on. Start with one question, and when you read the answer, if you have deeper questions, ask them too. You'll get amazing answers.

Some of the longer reviews will tell you how this I Ching integrates relevant art work with practical advice. I just wanted to second all the positive reviews here in saying that from looking at many I Ching books, this is the only one that really clicked with me. The art work is beautiful and the text is very illuminating. 5 +++ stars!

I have bought several books on I Ching and this one is one of the most interesting books I have purchased.The book is larger than most books,about an A3 size but short on text than most books,less than a page for each hexagram.(a bit too light on for text).Written in simple English makes this book an advantage.The illustations throughout add to the character of the book.This book will please a lot of people.Didnt have this book for long because I needed more indepth books.

If you are looking for books on I Ching that go in depth and in great detail you might want to consider other books like those written by author Stephen Karcher,Kim-Anh Lim,Sam Reifler,etc.

this is the best version of the I Ching out: each hexagram is accompanied by a relevant piece of traditional Chinese painting that helps the intuitive understanding of the message the hexagram intends to convey. Lively text translation that interprets the hexagrams on the four planes of existence: spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical aids in the interpretation of the hexagrams' messages as related to the areas the question might address. The tone is psycho-spiritual-social but written in everyday terms.

[...]

George Perkovich has produced a seminal work on India's nuclear weapons program. He analyzes the political, economic, security issues that have contributed to India's decision-making regarding the bomb. George has correctly identified India as being caught in a dilemma for a long time over nuclear weapons testing. India also provides the only example of a nuclear weapons program that was openly debated in a democratic society. This debate (which ranked often very low on the priorities of successive prime ministers who correctly placed socio-economic development as a higher priority) has led to India shifting its position over time -- one from being the first proponent of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to opposing it due to is discriminatory nature today. It describes how India's opposition to nuclear weapons in the '50s which was perceived as being moralizing in the West, has now changed to embrace weapons since the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty permanently endorsed the nuclear weapons status of the five declared nuclear powers without any comprehensive, binding time-table for destroying all nuclear weapons -- a position that India objects to as being discriminatory.

A must-read for anyone interested in nuclear weapons proliferation and arms control negotiations today.

Less to do with the bomb per se, but a scholarly history of the Indian nuclear program. This is a work that will be quoted again and again.

This is easily one of the best books I have read about my own country. Very informative.

Note to editorial Reviewers: India entered the nuclear club in May 1974 and not in May 1998 as suggested by some of your reviews.

Some highlights of the book.

* The term nuclear "haves" and "have-nots" was coined by Homi Bhabha initially and used by others and till date has been central to putting forth our country's opposition to NPT and CTBT.

* University of Chicago's late Prof. Chandrasekhar's refusal to head the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) after the death of patriot Dr. Homi Bhabha.

* One of my disappointment is the author's avoidance in the discussion of the cause of the death of Dr. Homi Bhabha, even though such an incident is beyond the scope of this book. Since Bhabha provided the impetus and leadership during the nuclear program's infancy, I expected the author to throw some light on this issue.

* Vikram Sarabhai's hatred for Nuclear tests is news, especially since he was heading the Atomic Energy commision. As a spaceman it is surprising that he headed the organization in the first place.

* Indira Gandhi's refusal to allow more nuclear tests after 1974 stemmed from her abhorence for anything nuclear after her post-Pokhran I experiences. This is contrary to the popular belief - international pressure.

* Most sections of the book has an objective view of the Indian nuclear scenario except the last few chapters where the author seems to bend towards India signing the CTBT and the NPT. Or atleast implying that India's moral stand on nuclear issue was defeated after the May 98 tests.

* BJP (and its predecessor Jana Sangh) has been the only political party to openly campaign for Nuclear power.

It is time that India and Pakistan get the respect they deserve as nuclear powers. Why is it that France, Germany, Israel, the U.S., Russia, and South Africa (now supposedly non-nuclear) have been able to garner the respect that China, India and Pakistan are alluded by? Is it becuase they are not white Europeans? Nontheless, a well researched book.

As an Indian immensely proud of his country's accomplishments and having had to enter multiple debates with other non-Indians in May 1998, I gained a great amount from the book. It is immaculately researched and it seems that Perkovich has left no stone unturned. It goes into such depth and understanding of the Indian polity's psyche as previously unseen from a non-Indian author. Perkovich is not merely narrating a set of events which led to the testing but defending a theory that goes against current understandings of international relations and nuclear non-profileration by setting India as an example. I enjoyed every chapter of the book and hope that current policy makers in the field learn from it. A must read for every Indian interested it their country's policies and others making policy for the rest of the world.

What a pleasure to read. Wolverton weaves through the book personal history and her experiences at the Los Angeles Woman's Building to bring art history and feminism in LA to life. Wolverton easily evokes engaging images with just a few strokes of the pen.

Terry Wolverton's Insurgent Muse is one of the most powerful, moving memoirs I have ever read. Once I started reading, I literally could not put the book down and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. Wolverton writes with insight, courage and humor about her own coming of age as an artist, her coming out as a lesbian, and her experiences with the Los Angeles Woman's Building, not only as an institution but as a vision of a creative, collaborative community of women. Anybody who is interested in the connections between art and politics, especially how artists get politicized and how political art gets made, should read this book. Though there's no happy ending to this story - in that the Woman's Building is no more - I found Insurgent Muse incredibly inspiring and an important reminder that art DOES matter and that sisterhood - however chimerical it sometimes seems - can indeed be powerful.

This book is really two books in one. A facinating look at a pivitol moment in time for women in the arts woven together with the story of the author's own growth and evolution as an artist and a person. A must read for anyone who is interested in modern feminist history.

Insurgent Muse is much more than a retrospective of feminist art and history. Terry Wolverton has written a personal, honest, detailed history of the venerable Woman's Building. The discovery of self, the intensity of feminist spirit many found at the Woman's Building live on in this wonderful and courageous book.

For those who want to learn about the feminist art movement, "Insurgent Muse" is an informative and insightful book that is deeply complex yet very accessible. This book gives voice to an important but much neglected part of American history. What makes this book so compelling is Wolverton's ability to weave her personal experiences with this political movement. With gorgeous prose and honest and courageous self-exploration, Wolverton shares some valuable life lessons gleaned from some very difficult experiences. In particular, I appreciated her insights about the nature of empowerment and how the artist informs the art and vice versa.

I'm a pretty picky reader. Half the books I begin I never finish because I lose interest. Among those I finish, there are very few that leave a lasting impression. "Insurgent Muse" not only held me captive to the very last page, but it also left me with a feeling of excitement. I highly recommend this book. Read it and you won't be disappointed.

This really was a page turner. Easy book to read, went fast. Finished in 2 days. I would recommend it to anyone. I hope Jerry Holt writes another book.

The Killing of Strangers is a darn good mystery, chock full of references to the wild and woolly pasts of its characters, of the Kent State community, and, presumably, of many of its readers, as well. I enjoyed the mystery story, though I personally have not been that impressed with hard-drinking he-man protaganists in the past, but lead character Sam Haggard is such a wreck, I could tolerate and even empathize with him, ultimately rooting for his success. A little humility goes a long way, and Holt has no illusions he's a "literary" writer; he's just out to tell us a good tale of a time and place he knows well, with some very finely written descriptions and observations and throw-away lines to let us know he's no hack, either. I appreciated the history of the Kent State era/aura that is not widely published or known, but mostly I loved Holt's wry look at human perseverance and the power of love to reach even the jaded and weary.

This was one of the most interesting books I've read in some time. Historically based with a compelling slant. It's an easy read. After reading the book for the first time, I ordered five additional copies from Amazon to give to family and friends. Pick-up this book and read it. You'll find that you will be including this as a must gift for the special people in your world!

My Gosh! Not only does this book have you turning the pages to see what happens next, but it's full of great hardboiled detective stuff, compelling supporting characters (grumpy Vet and bookstore owner Mac and his partner Rita) AND is quotable:

"There are times -- rare ones, but times -- at which an Egg McMuffin looks like the very face of salvation."

The book is lots of fun and yes, scary. Hope to see more of Sam Haggard.

Jerry Holt's plot-driven page-turner, The Killing of Strangers (Lucky Press, 2006), is the first book I couldn't put down until I had finished it since Ann Patchett's Bel Canto. As you might expect from the first novel of a heretofore playwright, there is plenty of dialogue. But, if you are familiar with Holt's plays, Rickey, Julia, and Woody, you will not be surprised at its character development and strong sense of place (towns and cities in Ohio) and history (the Vietnam protests of the late sixties). If The Killing of Strangers suffers at all, it may be from too much dialogue, or a few sections where I felt the plot was not being advanced fast enough for my taste. However, I kept turning the pages, which makes me wonder if, perhaps, my impatience was simply that of someone devouring a suspense novel that is craftily building the reader's anticipation of the solution to the puzzle: Was the Kent State massacre part of a government conspiracy that lingers to this day? Which of the shadowy characters that fled the turmoil 25 years before is trying to kill our unwitting protagonist?

I am hopeful that this is just the first in a long line of Jerry Holt thrillers.

Virgil Hervey, Editor
Gunch Press
Yellow Springs, Ohio