Society Books

the book not just tell what the thinking process is and show how to conduct the process. with this book's help, I came from knowing TOC to using TOC.

Bill has produced an exquisite update to his earlier works, well recongnized as the definitive source for the logical thinking process. With some new simplifications and very effective process summaries, this book is an essential tool when you have a serious problem to address. Bills clear and concise writing makes the material accessible to all. His personal experiences improving many organizations ensure results.

I wish our politicians could use a process like this to address the systemic problems that plague Washington DC and our nation, such as Health Care. One can only hope...

Regardless of whether you're interested in TOC this book is one that can really add some critical tools to your toolbox. Logic trees are one of the more powerful tools available for helping people think through cause & effect relationships ... a process most people don't do well. This book gives lots of great examples and advice for building the trees.

The new text by Dettmer is a good text for learning the the latest about the thinking processes of TOC. One of the major uses of the text is to be able to understand the definitions and language of the TOC.

I own every book Dettmer has written (or co-authored). This is hands down the best. Most thorough. Must own. Ever. Period.

Just skimming the various appendices will amaze! If you did not already know it, building "logic trees" is a lot of work. Hard work. But Dettmer streamlines some of that effort by sharing new insights gained from teaching the Logical Thinking Process for the last ten years. You could say that this revision to Goldratt's Theory of Contraints is at least 25% new material. Maybe as much as 30-35%!

Plus, the material on effecting change is a huge bonus. Talking about Col. John Boyd and his OODA Loop; Jim Collins and Level 5 Leadership (and more), this book is the one Dettmer book to own, if you must limit your spending.

-ski

Nothing else to say. The best book for actuarial mathematics. Also good for risk managers, in particular for operational risk.

Nothing else to say. The best book for actuarial mathematics. Also good for risk managers, in particular for operational risk. It does not introduce many concepts but rather take to advance level. Excellent concepts that can be applicable in any topic or situation. A must buy in you want to have your grips on acturial mathematics and concepts

"Loss Models from Data to Decision" is an excellent book that covers many of the areas of mathematics and statistics that property and casualty insurance (aka general insurance) actuaries are required to know. Topics include: frequency and severity models; aggregate loss models; ruin models; Bayesian statistics; credibility and simulation. The theory is well explained; with worked examples throughout and numerous exercises at the end of each section (these questions are based on past SOA and CAS exam questions, so are directly relevant to people studying for either of these exams). Solutions to the exercises are not provided in this book, but a separate solutions manual is available.

I am a lecturer in Actuarial Studies at an Australian university and set this book for one of my (later-year undergraduate) units. In my opinion, this is the best General Insurance text book available and students whom I have spoken to tell me that they like this book very much, too. I highly recommend this text for all student actuaries.

When I took a job to model prediction of loss reserves for workers compensation insurance, I began to realize that the traditional statistical methods that I generally relied n would not help me (without modification). The required modification would be either to transform variables or to model long-tailed probability distributions. This is because in the insurance business you have to reserve for those big catastrophies. The cost data for workers compensation data generally show a high frequency of low to moderate costs... . However occasionally there are a few cases of sever injury causing permanent disability which could run over 1 million dollars. Even though the probability of occurrence is small the cost is so high that it cannot be ignored. Such claims will surely be found when large insurance company cover millions of employees over many years.
The problem occurs when insuring for floods, earthquakes, fires and other disasters. Stuart Klugman and Bob Hogg in 1984 wrote the first introductory text to acquaint statisticians with such probability models that are important in the insurance business. Other books covering the subject were covered in books on risk theory designed for actuaries. This book covers all the topics and assumes mathematical and staistical knowledge at the level of the book by Hogg and Craig (so some calculus is required).

When I took a job to model prediction of loss reserves for workers compensation insurance, I began to realize that the traditional statistical methods that I generally relied n would not help me (without modification). The required modification would be either to transform variables or to model long-tailed probability distributions. This is because in the insurance business you have to reserve for those big catastrophies. The cost data for workers compensation data generally show a high frequency of low to moderate costs (say in the range of $1000 to $50,000). However occasionally there are a few cases of severe injury causing permanent disability which could run over 1 million dollars. Even though the probability of occurrence is small the cost is so high that it cannot be ignored. Such claims will surely be found when large insurance company cover millions of employees over many years.

The problem occurs when insuring for floods, earthquakes, fires and other disasters. Stuart Klugman and Bob Hogg in 1984 wrote the first introductory text to acquaint statisticians with such probability models that are important in the insurance business. Other books covering the subject were covered in books on risk theory designed for actuaries. This book covers all the topics and assumes mathematical and staistical knowledge at the level of the book by Hogg and Craig (so some calculus is required).

There may be no better book anywhere on the subject of the underlying principles of Freedom. Why have men starved for 6,000 years, then in a very short period of time seen prosperity explode? Private Property is one of the keys. The ability of a man to keep what he has earned and dispose of it as he will is a radical concept. The citizen who is protected from the plunder of thieves and of the State can do wonders. If the leaders of every developing nation were to read this book and apply its principles, they could kiss the IMF goodbye and solve their incessant economic woes. This is one of the best five books ever written on economics and freedom. My dad gave me a copy when I went to college - took me about five years to get around to reading it - wow! What I had been missing!

This book can create a general framwork around human history like not too many books that I have read. Expressed in clear language and organized in short, thought provoking sections.

This book, first published in 1947, is both a condensation and an amplification of Rose Wilder Lane's classic The Discovery Of Freedom. With Lane's consent, Weaver retold her story in his own way, making use of her ideas but adding material from his personal experience and from various other sources.

Part One: Comparisons and Contrasts, explores various puzzling questions of history and the concept of human energy. Part Two: The Old World Views, contrasts the fatalistic pagan outlook on life with the Judeo-Christian view of individual freedom and personal responsibility.

Part Three: The Revolution, looks at mankind's three attempts to attain individual freedom: the ancient Israelites, the golden age of Islamic civilization, and the American Revolution. Part Four: The Fruits Of Freedom, investigates the results of freedom, including the flowering of inventive genius that followed. It also explores the concepts of hope versus fear, freedom of choice, the dynamic versus the static, the moral versus the material, voluntary co-operation and the lessons of history.

The writing style is accessible and engaging and there are interesting quotes by people like Thomas Paine, Fredric Bastiat and Isabel Paterson. In an interesting way, the book illuminates many problems still plaguing the world today and traces them back to the ancient conflict between pagan fatalism and the principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Of course there are non-religious philosophies of freedom that are based on reason alone, and the aforementioned Paine was a theist who was opposed to dogmatic religion. But whether one agrees with all of Weaver's points or not, The Mainspring Of Human Progress is a classic that remains an eloquent defence of the principle of individual freedom. The book concludes with a list of references, a bibliography and an index.

On the subject of individual freedom, I also recommend the work of Friedrich Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Karl Popper, Alfred North Whitehead, Ayn Rand, Stefan Hoeller, Robert Nozick, Milton Friedman and Johan Norberg.

Lucky to have found this one in a "salvage store" that was copyright was 1953. Contains so much information amd simplified that its hard to put down. Enjoyed Mr.Weaver's prospective and I am curious to know more about the author...

At a time when fundamental economic understanding appears lacking, this book (though simplified) makes basic economic principles easy to understand. It is written in a simple format easily understood by all age groups, young folks (junior high school) as well as adults.
I have introduced all of my children to this book and they all agree that it enabled them to have a much better grasp on the realities of economics. If you find Econ 101 boring, read this book. It will provide ample incentive to "dig into" the subject. A "must read."

Shaw has packed many high-level topics into this play, while at the same time keeping long portions of the dialogue fairly low-level. Two topics jump out most frequently: hell and enjoyment. His take on each respective topic is fresh, seemingly from an entirely new perspective.

In the third act, the characters' conversation stands out in a couple ways. The explanation of hell from Don Juan, the Statue, and The Devil's point of view is unique. From a Judeo-Christian standpoint, it reeks of blasphemy, twisting around the traditional views to show things as they really are: The devil finally gets to tell his side of the story; heaven is boring; anyone can go between the two afterlives whenever they please. What is interesting is that Shaw's hell can fit with the Judeo-Christian/Biblical facts, something that the blasphemy police certainly will not give any credence to or spend any time investigating. His idea that heaven and hell are created for those who are going there matches perfectly with Biblical theology. A person not living in the grace of Jesus would hate heaven just as much as a person living in his grace would hate hell. Biblical theologians would not agree (if one could get them to listen) that people can choose their own eternity, nor would they agree with the concept of non-believers enjoying themselves in hell, even if one could get them to voice their belief that they will be given over to all the desires of their flesh.

What is fascinating about Shaw's hell is just that idea - that if life is about your passions and enjoyment (namely, the flesh) then your afterlife will be personal to those same passions and enjoyment. At this point, the conservative Judeo-Christians would be sharpening their inquisition equipment in a fervent rage because much of the play speaks to that idea of personal enjoyment during life, specifically the English. Don Juan says that humans live to try to understand life more but later adds to that idea by saying that understanding only helps us to know that we are enjoying ourselves. Life then becomes the pursuit of enjoyment, and hell mimics that pursuit as a sort of eternal amusement park. In a statement that seems like a pre-response to his opponent's case, Don Juan then says that although he spent his whole life looking for pleasure, he never found it. If it could ever happen, it is that response which could appease the frantic theologians. The devil, being the father of lies has pulled the eternal wool over everyone's eyes, both the living and the dead, and has gotten them to abandon their real purpose.

Shaw's flirtation with both sides of the controversy is what allows this play such success. He angers both the proponents and opponents of Christian "myths" and then offers possible solutions to appease both sides.

Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

In this title, G.B. Shaw outdoes himself. Not only does he manage to turn up with a Don Juan play in our modern day and age, which is full of cynicism, and doesn't give in to 'medieval' codes of behaviour, but he even manages to turn around the table. Here, the hunter becomes the hunted, forced to flee from his pursued/pursuer. Shaw includes in this play an ingenious conversation between the original 15th century characters, which not only explains about Don Juan's philosophy, but shines a new light upon our own lives, here and today.

In this title, G.B. Shaw outdoes himself. Not only does he manage to turn up with a Don Juan play in our modern day and age, which is full of cynicism, and doesn't give in to 'medieval' codes of behaviour, but he even manages to turn around the table. Here, the hunter becomes the hunted, forced to flee from his pursued/pursuer. Shaw includes in this play an ingenious conversation between the original 15th century characters, which not only explains about Don Juan's philosophy, but shines a new light upon our own lives, here and today.

The writings of Bernard Shaw in this particulat play, invites to you use your mind to understand life and philosphy. It has such great insight into many aspects of human nature and at the same time is exteremely funny and really takes you into it's pages. The writing has impecable style and this is truly a classic play.

George Bernard Shaw was called, with good reason, the "English Nietzsche". Though Nietzsche was an aristocrat and Shaw a socialist, both cherished the dream of the superman and looked forward to the day when he would be realised. Both, however, were characterised by their mordant wit and intellectual cynicism, in which "Man and Superman" abounds. Shaw manages to compress a number of disparate themes into a relatively taut dramatic format, even throwing in a scene in which Don Juan, the Devil and a gang of anarchist brigands make an appearance. The central event of the plot involves the wealthy Tanner, a member of the "Idle Rich Class" making himself subservient to the Life Force and seeking the perfect woman to marry, who would guarantee him a very special offspring, his ideal, the superman himself. Though Shaw was not known to have read the works of Bergson at that time, nor to have been conversant with his vitalist doctrine of the Life Force, his use of the Life Force motif and the philosophical underpinnings of the play attest to a pure Bergsonism. The most delightful part, however, is the "Revolutionist's Handbook" at the end, which contains Shaw's most scandalous anti-Establishment jibes. For instance, "Do not do unto others as you would them do unto you. They might not have the same taste."

For the student of Western martial arts and the scholar of arms, the "Manual of the Baratero" is an essential reference. Originally published in 1849, this is an English translation of that manual - the first half of the book being the translation, and the last half of the book containing the original Spanish text.

Manual of the Baratero is not a beginner's book designed for those looking to learn a couple of knife fighting tricks. It is a manual for the true scholar of arms, for one who already has a strong foundation in the basic techniques. Having a practical understanding of such things as the Spanish Circle is essential to understanding the secrets hidden in the Manual of the Baratero.

There are four main sections to the book, followed by the Spanish version and appendices:

Section 1 - Instruction on the Navaja
Section 2 - Various Tactics Performed When Fighting with the Navaja
Section 3 - The Proper Way to Handle the Cuchillo
Section 4 - The Way the Gypsies Handle the Scissors

In this text are hidden gems to be found by the scholar of arms.

Highly Recommended!

James Loriega is a master at the arts of fighting with a steel blade. His translation from the original Spanish of the Manual Of The Baratero Or The Art Of Handling The Navaja, The Knife, And The Scissors Of The Gypsies is an instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives which was originally published in Madrid, Spain, in 1849. There are occasional woodblock illustrations but they are decorative, not instructional. It is the text itself that provides an informed and informative "how to" manual for defending against attackers or robbers with a blade in your hand. A long recognized and appreciated contribution to Spain's historic martial arts culture, Manual Of The Baratero has never before been available to English readers. Here is an invaluable and enduringly impressive addition to personal and professional reference collections for historians, edged-weapons enthusiasts, and students of diverse martial arts legacies from around the world.

James Loriega is a master at the arts of fighting with a steel blade. His translation from the original Spanish of the Manual Of The Baratero Or The Art Of Handling The Navaja, The Knife, And The Scissors Of The Gypsies is an instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives which was originally published in Madrid, Spain, in 1849. There are occasional woodblock illustrations but they are decorative, not instructional. It is the text itself that provides an informed and informative "how to" manual for defending against attackers or robbers with a blade in your hand. A long recognized and appreciated contribution to Spain's historic martial arts culture, Manual Of The Baratero has never before been available to English readers. Here is an invaluable and enduringly impressive addition to personal and professional reference collections for historians, edged-weapons enthusiasts, and students of diverse martial arts legacies from around the world.

Any serious scholar of the knife has undoubtedly heard of the "Manual del Baratero." However, while many have heard of it, few details have been available in regard to what exactly is contained within those ancient pages. Every once in a while whispers in the wind could be heard, hinting at its content. It was said to be a mid-19th century text written by the mysterious M.d.R. The techniques and tactics were supposed to be based on the use of the navaja, a large Spanish folding knife. Partial manuscripts and even rough (and not highly regarded) translations would occasionally appear, yet always the "Manual del Baratero" was shrouded in mystery from the English speaking world.

Thankfully, author and martial arts expert James Loriega has removed the veil of secrecy and published the first official translation of the manual in English. Upon reviewing Mr. Loriega's credentials, it is quite clear that he is the right man for the job. A fluent Spanish speaker, Loriega is also a scholar of old Spanish dialect and literature. Translations are never an easy task, and this is all the more true when dealing with centuries old texts. Loriega spent years translating, proofreading, and critiquing his work before he was satisfied enough to take the finished product to the publisher. Continuing with the theme of scholastic honesty, a transcription of the original Spanish is included for anyone who wishes to check the translation themselves. However, the most impressive aspect of Loriega's background is his martial arts training. An expert in Filipino and Japanese bladed arts, Loriega also had the unique privilege to train with one of the few surviving and authentic teachers of the knife in Spain. Throughout the 1990's Loriega traveled to Seville, Spain, to train under Don Santiago Rivera, an instructor in the use of the navaja and other traditional Spanish weaponry. It is this expertise that Loriega brought with him when he set out to complete his translation of the "Manual del Baratero."

Starting with some brief background information on the navaja and the regions of Spain where the navaja and all its variants may be found, the manual then presents thirty short lessons on various aspects of knife fighting. As with all Western knife arts, much of the navaja techniques were adapted from European fencing. A few techniques found within the book will be very familiar to students of the sword, including the passata baja, a low thrust found in both Spanish and Italian fencing. Throughout the manual, the author often compares knife fighting to the art of fencing, though as the author disparagingly points out, by this time the sword was mostly restricted for use as a tool in duels between gentlemen. The navaja, however, was a weapon intended for street survival and therefore was not restricted to gentlemanly notions of honor and etiquette. As such, the knife was not the weapon of the gentleman, but rather the commoner.

As the word baratero implies, the knife was also the preferred weapon of the street thug; one whose martial education would have been learned under the harsh tutelage of the street rather than an actual Maestro de Armas. Therefore, the manual is not structured quite as well as many of the surviving European fencing treatises. Also, while most of the tactical advice found in the manual is quite practical, some of the advice that author of the manual gives makes you wonder if he had ever actually seen combat. Loriega acknowledges this fact and discusses this in detail in the footnotes found throughout his translation. These footnotes are absolutely priceless, where Loriega covers a variety of topics, including technique analysis, alternate techniques, historical context, and more. This is where Loriega's knowledge of Spanish fighting techniques really makes the manual come alive and adds to the book's overall value.

While the knife has played a pivotal roll in European fencing going back to Medieval times, of all the known historical treatises, the "Manual del Baratero" is the only one dedicated solely to the knife. It is a fantastic, and even mandatory, resource for anyone interested in Western knife fighting. The time and effort Loriega put into this book is quite evident and the finished product is fantastic. Loriega has truly done a great service to students of the blade everywhere and I do not hesitate in recommending this book.

Once in a blue moon a true gem of a knife-fighting book appears on the market, and James Loriega's translation of this cult classic certainly fits that bill. For years, I've heard of the Manual Del Baratero in hushed tones as if it contained the "Holy Grail" of knife-fighting secrets. (Usually by knife instructors who not only could not read Spanish but certainly had no clue as to the idioms of the language 150 years ago. ) The fact that the author chose to attach only his initials-M.d. R.-to this work added yet another level of mystery.

Loriega spent 20 years searching for this book and finally obtained a copy from a navaja collector in Madrid. Being fluent in modern Spanish, he began researching the nuances of that language in mid-19th century Spain before producing his translation. In doing so, he has dispelled the mystery.

The bottom line: Baratero itself contains both useful and nonsensical information. Many of the techniques described by M.d. R. (Mariano de Rementeria y Fica -- a prolific manual-writer of the era but not a knife-fighter himself) are sound while others are downright silly. You might compare it to our own Wild West dime novelists who wrote about Wyatt Earp or Wild Bill Hickock. They got some of it right and some of it wrong, and were at the mercy of their subjects when it came to separating the truth from tall tales.

So why do I call Loriega's translation a true gem? Because he is a knife-fighter, and he has added footnotes and Translator's Comments to each chapter in order to point out "the good, the bad, and the ugly." The overall package is true gold, and I suspect I'll reread it many times, high-lighting parts and adding notes to the margin, like I did Loriega's earlier navaja book, Sevillian Steel.

And lest I forget, the Foreword is by Maestro Ramon Martinez, another true blademaster who understands the difference between reality, sport and downright foolishness.

When I first read this book by James, I was preparing to write an essay on Melville and his "isolatoes." James gives ample evidence for establishing the reasons why some of the protagonists appear elusive, enigmatic, and, of course, reclusive. I found this text quite helpful in its explanations of why Melville portrayed his male characters the way he chose; perhaps James own exile for passport violations sets up the framework for presenting his theories on the characters he analyzes. The work is a fine read, although the socialist commentary remains controversial.

CLR James was one of the earliest left wing thinkers to break from Orthodox Marxist dogmatism, even rejecting Leninism and the notion of the 'Vanguard of the Proletariat' all the way back in the late '40's, a move that left him alienated from the mainstream Left of the time and eventually led to his deportation in the 1950s. This book was written while he was in jail in New York awaiting his immigration hearing, a fact that makes this insightful look at Melville all the more impressive.

James points out that Melville was a visionary who caught glimpses of new social types long before they became prevalent in society: he even makes the startling statement that Melville is the ONLY author of Industrial capitalism. Reading first this book, then going back and reading Moby Dick, I must say that I cannot argue with his assessment. I found this small volume challenging, engaging and at times, personally upsetting, as I read something of myself and many others like me in James' reading of Ishmael. Definite cause for pause and reflection.

This book ends with a chapter describing in excruciating detail James' treatment while in jail, which I found at first quite self serving and gripey...but upon further reflection, his story is irritating because it is a banal and everyday litany of life under bureaucratic capitalism, not pretty or interesting, but it got under my skin, like the rest of this book.

If you like Melville or are interested in anti-authoritarian left thinking, you could do no better than to pick this up: I couldn't put it down.

C.L.R. James's analysis of Moby Dick brings the book to life and makes it understandable for a 21st century audience. You'll read "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways, and want to immediately run out and read Moby Dick and Melville's other classics. James argues that Melville used the novel to explore dramatic changes in the fabric of American culture including the rise of industrial capitalism, the international working class, and the increasingly savage character of political and industrial life and leadership.

C.L.R. James wrote this book while he was interned with the newest generation of "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways" on Ellis Island awaiting deportation. James's fate--that of a foreigner who offers the finest existing interpretation of one of America's greatest books and is still deported--serves as a cautionary tale for our own times. James concludes, "What the writing of this book has taught the writer is the inseparability of great literature and of social life."

This book is more than a little bit of early Postcolonial writing. The intoduction by Donald Pease is new, and the last chapter - an autobiographical sketch and personal appeal by James - was omitted from a previous edition. In terms of literary criticism, this is what Pease has to say about James and his writing: "He was one of the few critics who emerged from the Third World in the 1950's and traveled throughout Britain and the United States generating what are now called post-colonial readings." The real value of this book however is in its brilliant reinterpretation of MOBY DICK.

Rather than see Ahab and Ishmael as representing respectively "totalitarian" and "American" cultural themes as critics in the 1950's saw it, James offers a vison focused on the Pequod and its crew. A view in which the MARINERS, RENEGADES & CASTAWAYS of the ship were at the mercy of their Captain. In James' interpretaion the Pequod is a factory ship and the crew are the workers. Ahab is no longer a mere sailor but is now illustrative of a "Captain of industry."

I agree with the reviewer from New Haven regarding the peculiar situation James found himself in. The established interpretation of a Cold War allegory was in keeping with the times in the 1950's. If James or Melville himself were writing today, the interpretation on offer here - rather than something to be persecuted for - would be considered far more plausible than the narrow and blinkered view of the 1950's mainstream critics.

James, writing 100 years after _Moby Dick_ was published, shows a significant understanding of Herman Melville's time and its relation to the time in which he (James) wrote--1952. James gives an insightful critique of Melville's earlier novels and shows how they chronologically lead to Melville's eventual masterpiece, _Moby Dick_. _Moby Dick_ is an allegory for modernity gone awry, with a mad captain at the helm. For James, Ahab is comparable to the USA, which is charting its own mad course with destiny. In 1952 James was right on target, for he was detained on Ellis Island and eventually deported during the worst days of McCarthyism. It is a peculiar instance of a Trinidadian intellectual's desire to become a US citizen, and instead, being figuratively slapped in the face because of his associations with--through his writings against-- Russian communism and Trotskyites. That he wrote this book while being detained, and included an autobiographical chapter at the end makes this text quite a resource for literary critics as well as for those interested in learning about a historical case of US immigration policy in action.

. I recommend this book for his discussions of the media and of advertising--his critique of AOL is worth the price of admission alone.
. When Radford is addressing the press, he's right on. As he accurately points out, the media's efforts to keep the populace worked up and scared yields some untoward results, for example, fear legislation. He's right on the money.
. His crusade, that we as Americans are lacking critical thinking skills, is an accurate assessment. But when he addresses matters of science and law, he's sometimes off the mark. Although he labels himself as a skeptic, it seems much of his approach is that of the modern American cynic--if you can attribute an action to base motives, then you must be right.
. On matters of law, I wish he and other writers would understand that the making of a claim, or even the filing of a lawsuit, is evidence of nothing beyond the claimant or counsel could afford the filing fee. A court judgment means something. A settlement sometimes does and sometimes doesn't. But filing a complaint means nothing.

I have to be honest, I don't watch a lot of news programs. I don't watch my local news nor the endless parade of talking heads that work the 24 hour news desk on any of the big cable news channels. There is a good reason for this . . .I was able to recognize much of what Ben Radford mentions in his book - cross pollination of products and their producers, advertising disguised as news, and that not all experts are as objective as they should be.
While Ben writes about the problems in the journalism and advertising trades, there is also the suggestion that the integrity and objectivity we desrve from the media at large will only be offered if we demand it.

Written in the spirit of Vance Packard and Ralph Nader, Ben Radford delivers a blistering critique of the subtle media forces that vie for our hearts, minds and wallets. Acerbic and witty, this is a provocative, engaging book that would be ideal for college media classes.

Robert E. Bartholomew, Ph.D.

By far one of the most useful books to be published in recent years, Media Mythmakers provides essential information that all people, especially those living within the USA, should arm themselves with.

The media is a powerful force in our lives - in our thoughts, our beliefs and most importantly, our actions. Radford examines this force with a critical and objective eye, dissecting its elements and penetrating the motivations, meanings, and effects it has upon civilization. Even the most cynical reader may be horrified by what Radford uncovers. Fascinating examples are provided throughout this well-written book. Best of all, however, are the realistic solutions for change.

As an editor, Radford is more than qualified to examine this realm and he does so with great skill. I was happy to discover that the book was extraordinarily well organized and written. I can see it used as a basis for many high school and university courses in journalism, communication and critical thinking. In an improved world, it might also be used by activists, media professionals, decision-makers, politicians - even concerned parents and students of life.

The reader is left with a media literacy that will serve them well throughout life and is necessary in our time. I highly recommend this book to one and all.

The fourth estate is supposed to expose nonsense in the public interest, but in this book, Radford exposes how the media itself purveys nonsense, betraying its contract with the American people.

Should be required reading for everyone -- arms you with the weapons you need to defend yourself from the daily onslought of error, half-truth, and ratings-pandering fake news.

There are hundreds of examples in this well-researched book of how the media distorts facts and displays its bias (not liberal or conservative, per se, but a coporate bias that panders to viewers who want spectacle, not facts).

Not since Neil Postman has there been a media critic who is so on the side of the critical thinker and so incisive in his critiques of the power of the media.

Highly recommended.

This was used as a course textbook in an introductory ADR class, and I think it serves that purpose well. A great book for those new to ADR and mediation that clearly outlines the purpose and procedures of mediation. This text does not really discuss the psychological motivations behind party behavior except for briefly touching on cultural patterns. The focus is on the process.

The topics are dealt with step-by-step, and while the illustrations aren't necessary, especially for university-level courses or professionals, this is still a great textbook that adequately covers the role of the mediator and all the steps in mediation as well as tips for how to move the process along and recognize problems.

As a mediator and one who trains others how to mediate, I highly recommend this clearly written,comprehensive mediation handbook. I have yet to see a more practical book on mediation skills.

I am a mediator, arbitrator, and trainer. The Mediator's Handbook is a welcome addition to my library. It is filled with practical advice,theoretical information, wonderful charts, and the nuts and bolts of mediation. I am sure every mediator, new or experienced, will benefit from this book. I recommend that every mediator skim the "Mediator's Handbook" as well as "Basic Skills for the New Mediator" by Allan H. Goodman (which I purchased at the same time) before every mediation.

As a trainer of community mediators, I am often asked to suggest books on the subject. One book I definitely recommend is Jennifer Beer's Mediator's Handbook -- and it is also a book I often go back to myself. It's like having a smart, experienced and helpful colleague available whenever I want, whether for specific problem solving or for more general inspirational conversation!

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has received lots of attention over the last decade or so, and I'd like it to receive more. Here's a good place to start.

As an [ahem] older law student, I recently signed up to participate in a mediation program through a local courthouse. As I looked around for helpful references, my eye fell naturally on this modern classic by Jennifer Beer. Continuously in print since 1982 and now in its third edition, it's probably _the_ book that did most to teach the American public how to "do" mediation.

It's full of nuts-and-bolts advice on everything from what to say to where to put the chairs. And it's got something some other mediation books lack: a sense of the "spirituality" of mediation.

For the techniques in this volume grew out of the Friends Conflict Resolution Programs (FCRP). And the Religious Society of Friends ("Quakers") is pretty good at conflict resolution.

(It's those "meetings." Some readers may know that in the early days of the United States, a half-century of so before the Emancipation Proclamation, the Friends unilaterally, voluntarily, and unanimously freed every last one of their slaves -- and paid them to boot, if I'm not mistaken. And anybody who has ever attended a Quaker meeting will understand why, even if they've never heard of John Woolman.)

I've got quite a few Quakers in my family tree, so I'm pleased by this approach. But it's very understated and mostly behind the scenes, so the casual reader will notice only that the book has a certain mood or tone.

What's really going on is that the mediation advice herein is implicitly predicated on the presumption that people are competent to settle their own disputes because each of them has "that of God" within. And the extraordinary sensitivity of the advice is based firmly on Quaker sensibilities: namely, respect for the individual conscience as the very voice of God, and a profound belief in the power of _listening_ both to others and to oneself.

The result is a book of advice on mediation that looks an awful lot like a book on how to grasp the "sense of a meeting." Even beyond the nuts and bolts, the "flavor" of the book will itself help the reader get a feel for what mediation is all about. That's a nice feature in a book on ADR, and it's no wonder Beer's book has been in print for so long.

Allan Goodman's _Basic Skills for the New Mediator_ is a good companion volume, by the way. His book is more aimed at people who do mediation in "courtlike" settings, whereas Beer's is for pretty much any context (including workplace and family, both of which she discusses). The two together are a powerful combination of resources, arguably surpassing many more expensive books on the subject.

And for a good history of the subject of ADR, see Linda Singer's _Settling Disputes_, which I've also reviewed.

I have been re-reading this edition of 'Meeting Life' for the past week, and recommend it highly. In the past 10 years of reading K's books, I can with all humility say he has transformed my life. May he transform yours as well.

(see below for a short excerpt from the Chapter 'Is There a Meaning to Life?' page 192 of the current edition)

Note: If you seek truth, freedom, and an end to sorrow, buy it. If you desire solace, comfort, and other such 'feel goodies', I'm afraid this book is not for you. New Age this ain't. Alot of heavy lifting goes with the territory when encountering Krishnamurti.

Now for the excerpt:

'Religions have tried to offer [us] the meaning of life--that is, organized, propagandistic, ritualistic religions. But in spite of 2,000 or 10,000 years, man has merely asserted certain principles, certain ideals, certain conclusions, ALL verbal, superficial, non-realistic. So I think it becomes very important to discover a meaning for oneself, if one is at all serious--and one must be serious, otherwise one does not really live at all, which doesn't mean one never laughs or smiles--serious in the sense of a TOTAL COMMITMENT to the whole issue of life. So when we ask what is the meaning of life, we are faced with the fact that our brain is caught in a groove, caught in a habit, in tradition, in the conditioning of our education, cultivating only knowledge, information, and so making it more and more mechanical.

If we are to inquire into this very deeply, there must be great doubt. Doubt, scepticism are essential, because they bring a certain quality of freedom of mind through negation of everything than man has put together--his religions, rituals, dogmas, beliefs which are all the movements of thought.'

(and later on page 194, he says)

'We are asking what is the meaning and significance of life, and if there is any meaning at all. If you say there is, you have already committed yourself to something, therefore you cannot examine, you have already started with distortion. In the same way if you say there is no meaning to life, that is another form of distortion. So one must be completely free of both, the positive and the negative assertions. And this is the real beginning of meditation.'

Thank you to the Krishnamurti Foundation of America (kfa.org) for keeping his words in print. Cheers.

I have read quite a few of his books, and this book is more like a mirror into my soul than a book. Whether you have read him for many years or just starting, this is the book for you. Like other reviewers, i must warn you about the power of his books. Do not read them if you do not want to look within yourself VERY deeply. This is one of the few books i carry around with me at all times.

I must disagree with the previous person about similarities between "Meeting Life" and the Bible. I think the two things are very different. Meeting Life is a great book, but I don't recommend it as a first book to read by Krishnamurti. You should start with "Freedom From the Known", then maybe "The First and Last Freedom", "The Awakenning of Intelligence", and then you can read other books, such as "Meeting Life".

This is my favorite book of his. Very refreshing book. I also like "commentaries on Living". All are great. "Think on these Things" is a good place to start. I don't see any similarities to the bible as the other reviewer. His is a unique voice.

This book guides my mind deeper & deeper onto a self-discovery journey. Krishnamurti's wisdom & questions are clear and profound. A must-read for all spiritual "lookers"! You don't seek, you see.

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