Independent Books

This is a brilliantly conceived and executed book, one so needed in our times. Sharpes details the lives of those rare courageous individuals who dared to oppose the pressures to conform in their era and to think the thoughts that shaped the world. The book is uplifting and sobering at the same time. It demonstrates the power of individuals, while it reminds us how rare those courageous individuals are. From Gandhi to Biko, from Roger Williams to Red Cloud, "Outcasts and Heretics" is an encyclopedia of the great lives that have truly changed the world for the better. This is a book to keep close at hand and sample every day.

If you are looking for an amusing volume dedicated to glorifying the glitz and glam of Hollywood, or a stodgy tome bent on exploring outdated concepts in the most dreary way possible, then Isaac Botkin's witty, timely, thorough, and astute "Outside Hollywood" might not be the book for you.

This book is a history lesson, a film class, and an apt call to arms rolled into one clever, comprehensible, and sensible package. Botkin is a consummate filmmaker who has the experience (both technological and theological) to encourage Christian filmmakers to take initiative and strive to create a new, God-honoring, Christ-exalting brand of films whose goal is to do more than entertain -he knows, and you'll know, that this is a goal that can only be achieved outside Hollywood.

Mayor Muti gives the reader a rare honest insight into local politics. He shares personal memories of his hometown, his youth and his public life. I heartily recommend it to anyone, and it should be required reading for anyone cosidering public service.

David Rumpeltin

This book is exceptional. It is small, easy to handle and can be understood by a wide range of people in various locations. The depth of the processes and inights could transform a school. I work as the head of a school in India and used this book for discussions among staff over a week of discussions.It offered an open, serious, non threatening way of exploring significant issues. In its style is ingrained the deep feeling the authors must have for schools and for creating healthy environments for the young,

This was one of those rare books that succeeded in getting rid of many of my pseudo-intellectual gimmicks.

Starting as a seemingly normal bitterwseet tale of a girl growing up in the Edwardian era, the book develops into a beautifully intricate filligrane of memories of those who pass through the narrator's live, however briefly.

The Great War is, of course, the reason why their goodbyes have a final and moving touch to it, and the catalyst for the narrator's emotional and intellectual growth.

But don't go away with the idea that this is a gloomy book. It's infused with a first-person quality that illuminates all the events, even the most tragic ones. And yes, it's about resilience and love, as well.

Lastly, I can't resist quoting the late Dirk Bogarde (superb actor and writer, a personal favourite of mine) which found this book to be "a rare pleasure".

This book is an excellant way for parents to send their children to the very best school possible. Most people have never heard of out of state schools and sometimes they can be the best choice for your child(ren). This book also lets you the parent know about how much you will be spending on your childs future some of the prices will startle you, but this usually means the school offers a better education

This book defines the terms "perverse incentives" and "unintended consequences." At virtually every turn, from subsidies and set-asides to tariffs and quotas, the authors show that U.S. agricultural policy is not only expensive and unproductive, but also economically damaging to farmers everywhere - domestic and foreign.

"Plowshares and Porkbarrels" is a must read for all who are concerned with the continued competitiveness of American industry, services, AND FARMING.

Brilliant exhibition catalogue focusing on the works of four
artists, Peter Campus, Beryl Korot, Bruce Nauman, and William
Wegman. Exhibition held at The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg, PA, November 3, 1990 to January 6, 1991. Curated by Jacqueline Kain. Essay by William D. Judson. Essential for understanding issues of language and narrative in video art, a medium which has played a prominent role in the creative lives of these four artists, but has also generated their expressions of Self in other art forms, such as drawing, photography, and painting. Excellent discussion of the meaning and definition of medium, and how aesthetic forms and concepts evolve, passing back and forth among media. Catalogue is a slim volume of thirty-two pages with black and white photographs of the art works, and a short, but exceptional bibliography on video art, its history and culture.

Transaction cost theory has been applied to public administration since early 1980s. However, most of these researches are not very sucessful, thus making many public administration theorists suspect the promises of using transaction cost theory to public administration. It is at this critical point that Horn prove to us that transaction cost theory is an attractive theory for public administration research. The Horn model is concentrated on the legislature institutional choices. To him, institutional choices of the legislature will be affected by various transaction costs, and the legislature must trade-off among these transaction costs. It is obvious that the Horn model had followed the Williamsonian transaction cost theory rather than North's perspective of transaction cost theory. However, different from other theorists using Williamsonian transaction cost theory to public administration, Horn had not limited himself to the narrowing category of Market and Hierarchy. In sum, this Horn model combined recent work of Williamson (Private and public bureaucracy: perspective of transaction cost theory, 1999)has convinced students like me that transaction cost theory is a productive perspective for public administration research.

There are two strong books on Portugal - my opinion - and the two books are the Eyewitness Travel (DK) guide which I personally prefer or Lonely Planet Portugal. These two books both around 500 pages and are both tremendous efforts, very well balanced with photos, maps, history, etc. and both are clearly 5 star guides.

I would both (and DK Eyewitness Travel and Lonely Planet) head and shoulders ahead of Frommers, or Rough Guide or similar books that are less well balanced. Overall, the DK guide has better photos and visuals and makes for a better souvenir so it gets the nod as the better book.

Portugal is an old country with lots of fun things to see and do. I prefer to Algarve region but also enjoy visiting Lisbon - which can be expensive. Also I like to go well armed with maps and books because unlike the USA or Canada some areas have no English signs so the more information the better.

This book is well balanced and like the DK guide is that it pulls a lot of things together such as history and culture, food, towns and lots on Lisbon. The book brings it all to life with just magnificent photos and maps.

Either case this is an excellent buy. 5 stars.