United Kingdom Books

This book is very informative, citing now out-of-print primary sources and containing many colour and black and white photos of paintings and artifacts. It is alphabetically organized, also, and in a durable hardcover format. The author is obvoiusly well qualified. Highly recommended book.

Many years ago, I became a Nelson fan after reading an historical account of the Battle of Aboukir Bay. I was simply impressed by such an overwhelming victory by this master tactician of naval warfare. Now, as we approach the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, it is only natural to suppose we shall be inundated with anything and everything "Nelsonian." If, however, they are all of the standard set by Colin White - we are in for a real treat.

Colin White is widely acknowledged as a leading expert on Nelson. He is the former Deputy Director of the Royal Naval Museum and is now Director of "Trafalgar 200" at the National Maritime Museum. In short, his credentials are impressive by any standards.

The Nelson Encyclopaedia is a hardback book measuring just over 10in x 8in containing 288 pages packed with solid information in an easy-to-follow format and all written by a man who knows his subject. As the words below the title on the front cover suggest, this is an encyclopaedia of all those facts and figures relating to the People, Places, Battles, Ships, Myths, Mistresses, Memorials & Memorabilia that were Nelson. This is, therefore, an ultimate reference source and probably the best possible place to start for those with little or no knowledge of the greatest naval genius of all time. At the same time, this is the also the book to answer those niggling little questions which trouble always the experts.

This is a work of reference will which stand the test of time. It is a scholarly work, an excellent read, well illustrated throughout and contains plenty of new material. It is very fitting that the Publisher's should be called "Chatham" and I congratulate them on a job well done.

NM

This is the best book I've read about Nelson in a long time (and I've read quite a few!). Colin White has unearthed a load of new material and has put it together in an accessible and readable form.

There is a first-rate introductory essay sketching out Nelson's life and career and showing how all the new material changes our view of the little admiral. Then there is a series of brilliant short essays on all aspects of his life - his battles, his ships, his women, and so on and so on.

Its one of those books its hard to put down. Each short essay has a "See also" section at the end of it and so you find yourself flipping happily through the book following a fascinating "trail".

Some great illustrations, many of which I'd never seen before and some excellent battle plans, again based on all the latest research. The book looks good too and feels good in your hands

This is not a traditional biography, but don't let that put you off. I guarantee you'll get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it and come away feeling that you have been listening to a man who really understands Nelson.

Colin White works hard so we don't have to. He has saved us having to dig through countless book to find information on persons, events and places that feature prominently, or even incidentally, in Lord Nelson's colourful life. This book will be an invaluable aid to everyone interested in Nelson, the Royal Navy, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Also highly recommended:

Joel Hayward's "For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and His Way of War"

Evan Thomas's "John Paul Jones : Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy"

Tom Pocock's "Horatio Nelson"

This is a great book, and I really enjoyed reading it. It's a complete history of the bridges at the site of Old London Bridge, from the prehistoric remnants of a wooden bridge there, to the stone bridge that lasted for centuries, and ends with the two most recent bridges. The research in this book would make a very interesting television documentary. There are many black and white pictures and three color paintings (on the covers) to help you visualize the bridge at different points of its life. Now I'd like to read about other bridges and large engineering projects such as this -- it makes you curious about other things like aqueducts and canals. I'll read other books by this author in the future.

The author, Patricia Pierce, tells her bridge story marvelously. ("Remnants of a massive [Celtic] oak bridge" over the Thames River,"built 3,500 years ago", were discovered in 1998. Her narrative takes us thru scenes with the people on the Bridge from the commmon folk to the history-makers. "The Keeper of the Heads, who was kept busy adding and replacing traitors' heads on the Drawbridge Gate (c.1350s)" and the "many thousands of people who drowned at the Bridge", or the shopkeepers who lived above their wooden shops right on the bridge. Everyone endured the dangers of fires and the strong currents of the river. Above the noise of the water traffic was the din on the bridge: loud hammering in workshops, hawkers shouting their wares, a toy seller blowing his trumpet, gangs of fighting schoolboys, screaming seagulls, and the rattle of cart wheels over the bridge - an early-morning din til nightfall. So the author takes us thru the centuries, but in a concise 295 pages of text, plus a chronology and further readings. I'm 2/3 along in the story, but enjoy looking back on her fine writing (with never a needless word anywhere on her pages).

This is a little gem of a book, concerning the history of Old London Bridge- the stone structure which spanned the Thames, and which operated from 1209 until it was replaced by Rennie's new bridge in August 1831. Actually, as the author Patricia Pierce points out, archaeological evidence was "unearthed" which showed that a wooden bridge had been on the same spot prior to the erection of Old London Bridge. (The wooden bridge dated back to Roman times.) Old London Bridge was functional for over 600 years. Rennie's new bridge was not so fortunate, becoming obsolete in 140 years- and is now serving as a tourist attraction in Arizona. The current London Bridge opened for business in 1973. Ms. Pierce has managed to make her book interesting by not limiting herself to the bridge, strictly speaking. After all, reading about the shops and houses that were on the bridge, the hazards of traveling over the bridge (due to congestion) and under it (the changeable currents), and all the repairs that were needed over the years- well, that could become tedious after awhile. (There is still enough of that material present for me to give the book 4 stars rather than 5.) So, the author uses the bridge as a focal point and enriches the story by telling us about people who crossed the bridge, who didn't like to cross the bridge, and who crossed under the bridge. The first category included the French king, John II, who was "paraded" over the bridge after being captured in 1357 at the Battle of Poitiers. Those being chivalrous times, John was well-treated. He was given comfortable accomodations at the Savoy Palace beside the Thames, and was allowed to visit the City of London. When he couldn't come up with the money necessary to ransom himself he was allowed to go back to France to try a little harder and his son, the Duke of Anjou, took his place as a hostage. Anjou showed considerable initiative by escaping and getting back to France. His father, however, thought that wasn't very sporting and voluntarily came back to London and once again was held for ransom. The English showed their appreciation by treating John even better the second time around and Sir Henry Picard, a former Mayor of London, had John as a guest at a dinner where five kings were present. In the second category (those who didn't like to travel over the bridge), Queen Elizabeth I is mentioned. It is unclear exactly why Elizabeth didn't like to do so...it could have been a fear of heights or concern for her personal safety (the bridge was extremely crowded with pedestrians, carts and animals and people were sometimes knocked into the Thames and drowned). In any event, it is believed that during her long reign Elizabeth only made the trip one time. In the final category (those going under the bridge) Samuel Pepys is mentioned, which offers Ms. Pierce the wonderful opportunity to talk about Pepys's career with the Naval Board, his famous diary, and his fondness for the ladies. Ms. Pierce even branches out a bit and covers things that may not have been on the bridge, but were at least nearby. This way we hear about the Globe theater, which got "its name from its sign and the flag which flew to announce that a play was in progress...It showed Hercules with the world on his shoulders...". Ms. Pierce even tells us that the rule of the road regarding "keep to the left" originated with a 1722 decision of the Common Council, which was made to control the traffic on London Bridge. One last thing I should mention, regarding the title of this review: For hundreds of years after the bridge opened, traitors' heads were set upon a gateway at the Southwark end of the bridge. Someone had to have the job of placing each new arrival "among the rotting heads, quarters and skulls already there...and (to toss) superfluous heads into the river below". Hence, the position description: Keeper Of The Heads!

The old London Bridge serves as a focal point for twenty generations of London history: bawds and fishmongers as well as prelates and kings. The Thames itself stars as a vicious, unpredictable bully, killing rash boatmen who tried to 'shoot' between the bridge's piers. "Many people refused point blank to go 'through the Bridge', such was the frequent loss of life..."

As the bridge was built, the river was seriously and increasingly restricted. Many lives were lost (the author estimates about 200 during the thirty-three years of construction in the twelfth century) as the bridge's nineteen arches were built under and over the wide, swiftly flowing, tidal river.

One of the most interesting sections of "Old London Bridge" involves speculation on exactly how the bridge was built. The Thames was neither dammed nor diverted, so how were the bridge's foundations sunk and strengthened? "Interestingly, Sir Christopher Wren later considered the question, and concluded that....'every Pier was set upon Piles of Wood, which were drove as far as might be under low Watermark, on which were laid planks of Timber, and upon them the Foundation of the Stone Piers.'"

His theory was confirmed when the Old London Bridge was deconstructed in the nineteenth century.

Once the bridge was built, it had to be constantly repaired. The Bridge Masters or Bridge Wardens were in daily charge of not only maintaining the bridge, but also for using its lands and rents to pay for the repairs.

This book is full of the noise and ingenuity of the bridge-dwellers and everyone who crossed through their stony territory. The author frames some of the greatest spectacles seen during Old London Bridge's 600-year existence, including a joust, royal processions, and Midsummer's Eve celebrations. It seemed a shame to many that the houses and gateways on the bridge were finally removed in the eighteenth century. An anonymous poet wrote: "The Bravest sight that I e'er ken/ Was London Bridge with its gay shopmen:/ Where all might find what they did lack,/ From an ABC to a pin's pack;/ But now the shops are clear'd away,/ Heigh-ho! Alas! and a well-a-day!"

We can only read and speculate on what Old London Bridge was like in its noisy, mercantile prime. This author does a fine job of reproducing the heroism, squabbling, smells, and the constant procession of humanity that crossed the nineteen crowded arches above the swift currents of Father Thames.

this book is a work of art and is the primary source of all the biographies of Wilde. I particularly liked the last part of the book where Harris debates Wilde about male to male love vs. male to female love.Harris is plainly not intimidated by Wilde's witticism's and keeps to a serious vein without being rankled or becoming victimized by Wilde's ability to trivialize subjects with a veneer of parody. Among more of Harris insights is the statement that Bosie,(Wilde's "lover") and Bosie's father the Marquiss of Quennsbury are really 2 opposite ends of the same log.Harris biography seems more like a piece of literature and the life of Wilde,could even Dickens have thought up such a character as Oscar Wilde,I know Poe did!!

One cannot improve upon the remarks fore-mentioned of George Bernard Shaw's. Long before public figures of no talent were thrust upon us, literate minds instead of marketeers gathered around the chosen few as johnny-come-latelys and would rarely disappoint. This is a thrilling,gripping read.Style,tact and endless grace in words for a tragic,painful public artist run throughout this personal account.Much can be gained from savoring this moment in time if one aspires celebrity and fame and wants to avoid its dizzying pitfalls.

I picked this book up in a used book store for [money] more than when it was purchased new in 1960. The pages literally crumbled as I turned them, but I couldn't put the book down. I was enthralled with the life of Oscar Wilde. Now, this biography isn't one written years after the subject's death from scraps of information. No. This is written by a very close friend of Wilde's, Frank Harris. In being written by someone of such closeness, it lends credence to the harsh words the author had to say of Wilde. Harris calls him lazy and slothenly. Of course, Wilde caused quite a sensation in his time. He was imprisoned under other pretenses, but mainly because he was a homosexual in a time period when this was not acceptable. Oscar was one who did not care what others thought of him. He was determined to live a life of pleasure and to make money doing things that he liked: writing and speaking. However, he did a great deal of leaching off of others. There's no denying Wilde's genius. I have yet to read any of his works except for a short essay entitled "The Soul of Man Under Socialism." To me, the thoughts seemed profound. But Harris says that Oscar never said or wrote anything original; he merely took other people's thoughts, meshed them together, and said them in a more profound way. This is a biography that reads like a fine story. Harris is a great writer and has more first-hand knowledge of his subject than any other biographer that I've read. I'd reccomend this book to others without reservation.

"The best life of Oscar Wilde", said George Bernard Shaw after reading this book. I cannot but agree with him utterly. No unnecesary data is wasted, no long reflexions bore us. It's just an Oscar's very close friend telling us with great elegance and delicacy the story of one he has admired and loved so much, but without fear of saying the truth. Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Of course, the reader has to know Mr Harris is the true "lead actor" in the story he's telling us, always supporting the Truth and the Right. But one can easily forgive him for that in reward for the great moments un Oscar's life he's saved from oblivion and darkness. A wonderful work of art itself, this biography must be read by every admirer of that Prince of Charm Oscar Wilde was. X. Careaga

The reader of this book will learn a lot about the British (and, before that, the English) monarchy, from the dark ages to today. Each monarch and dynasty are treated objectively and respect, trying to stay as close to their own time as possible and without dogmatic judgements. Hence the "villans" of the Monarchy (Richard III, Henry VIII, George IV) are shown to have a more positive side than one usually gives them credit for, while the "saints" (Henry V, Richard the Lion-Hearted, etc.) are shown to have their dark side as well.

But the book isn't revisionist for the sake of being revisionist--it does acknowledge that, in the final accounting, history's judgement of the good or bad monarchs seems rather justified (e.g., while George IV did promote the arts, he was a debt-ridden bankrupt who treated his wife abominably). Furthermore, it doesn't judge the monarchs by our standards--by how "multicultural" or "feminist" or "anti-colonialist" they were, for instance. It correctly sees such judgement as distorting--as distorting as the Victorians' tendency to judge the past monarchs by *their* standard (e.g., which monarch won the most battles or gained the most colonies.) It does its best to assess the facts objectively--taking account of both the prejudices of the monarch's time and of our own.

Take, as a typical example from the book, the case of George III. Having been unfortunate enough to preside over Britian's loss of the American colonies, as well as suffer from insanity in his old age, he was ridiculed by many contemporaries (especially American contemporaries) as a "tyrant", and "psychonalayzed" by our own generation--"proving" his insanity was (you guessed it) due to repressed sexual urges. While certainly not denying George III's tough position about the American policy, or his bouts of insanity, the authors note that, once the war was over, he told Adams that "nobody wanted this seperation less than me", but that, the seperation having been made, he would do his best for Britian and the new USA to be good friends. They also acknowlege his bouts of insanity and describe his bizzare personal and public behavior during it, but also note that it came (mostly) at the end of his days--after he was a loving, devoted family man and a very reasonable king for over 40 years. His insanity was viewed by contemporaries not with contempt, but with pity.

The book's prose is clear, accessible, but--on the other hand--doesn't oversimplify when complexity and exactitute are called for (such as, for instance, when untangling the various claims to the throne that led to dynasty changes). Furthermore, numerous illusrations being the period talked about to life. Finally, the paper quality is superb, and the index is excellent.

The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy is a uniquely complete book. This is a book very worthy of Oxford, consisting primarily of chapters on royal and political history generally, interspersed throughout with boxed essays on each monarch, special topics, maps, photographs and paintings.

This book begins with the murky beginnings of royalty in Britain, arising out of the chaos of the post-Roman world. Here we encounter names such as Aethelberht, Raewald, and Hywel Dda -- this book doesn't just concentrate as so many do on the English monarchies, but also on Welsh and Scottish clans, lines, and kingdoms. Here we find that King Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking King of York was followed not too many years later by Edgar the Peacable, king of Mercia and the Danelaw.

With the inclusion of this extensive pre-Norman section, the book is a must for any British history library. Apart from that, the history is fairly basic -- well written, interesting, but no grand and new insights, more of an encyclopedia writ as an essay rather than articles on particular subjects (for which I am grateful--nothing so disjointed and unsatisfying in many ways as reading an encyclopedia). This however can make looking up topics a bit more difficult, but I've found as I've sought out one piece of information (using the very good index) I find much more (which is always to be desired).

The final sections include chapters on Royal Residences and Tombs, Genealogies, and Lists of Monarchs, including Scottish as well as English monarchs.

This book is filled with little bits of interest--for instance, an example of 17th century propaganda: 'In the absence of newspapers, radio, and television, other means of representing events and influencing opinion assumed greater importance. A pack of cards took as its unconvivial theme Monmouth's rebellion in 1685. The six of clubs shows Monmouth's entry into Lyme Regis; the seven of spades shows the duke's fate; and the five of diamonds that of his followers.' This caption accompanies pictures of playing cards with scenes of hanged or beheaded men, etc. An interesting means of information dissemination.

A very worthy book, perhaps the only royal book a non-historian would ever need; a definite need for any historian or royal watcher.

This book is a must for those readers interested in the history of the British Monarchy. The authors and editors have masterly created both an historical perspective of the institution as well as a personal viewpoint which is both critical and sentimental. Some may be turned off by the length of this book, but once you begin reading, you'll wonder where the time goes. And the wonderful photographs and illustrations bring their words to life.

The history of Great Britain since the 5th century is largely the history of its sovereigns, and vice versa, and this fat volume is a success on both scores. Beginning with the early Celtic kings who brought some form of organization to early British (and Welsh and Irish) society, Cannon escorts the reader through the island's history, reign by reign, from Rædwald of the East Angles to Elizabeth II, tracing the waxing and waning of the monarch's personal power, noting royal marriages and interments, wars and treaties, glorious victories and humiliating failures. A great deal of the personal is included along with the politics, as when the young Edward VI coolly notes the execution in 1552 of his uncle, the Duke of Somerset, and the exasperated Queen Anne's attempts in 1703 to reason with her Whig ministers. The numerous illustrations, many in color, add to the flavor of the narrative as well as the reader's understanding. This book may be the only general history of the British monarchy that any student would ever need.

This is just a real though provoking book. If it's light reading you want, stick with the comics in the newpapers. If you want a book that that will make you think and learn - then this is a great choice. Also, the CreateSpace edition is physically attactive both inside and out, with an easy to read, clear typestyle and layout.
A classic.

A review of Carlyle's Past and Present written in Carlylese (he's much better at it than I am...)

This book could change the whole Western world, if only men would read it, and believe it! -We could have several Utopias springing up in North American and throughout Europe within the space of five years! So here you are. In this work, Carlyle criticizes the social, economic, and political arrangements in England of the 1840s. I will not bother to explain what those arrangements were; I will only say that his criticism is as relevant to us now as it was to the people of his own time. My friends, very simply put, then as now, we have 'parted company with the eternal inner Facts of this Universe, and followed the outer transient Appearances thereof...[we] have forgotten the right Inner True, and taken up with the Outer Sham-true.' Yes Carlyle's English is a bit strange, but try not to be distracted by outer appearances, that is his point! In many aspects of our Western life, we have forgotten what is true and at the heart of the matter, and taken up with superficial nonsense.

Let's begin with economics. In Carlyle's day, the Industrialists were trying their damnedest to figure out a way to make the production of cotton cheaper. This is a sham! Instead, figure out a way, with all your cotton cloth, to 'cover all the backs of England.' How like our present day Global Economists, wracking their brains trying to get the poor fools of the Third World to buy our products. Why don't they stop a moment and see if everyone at home is yet sufficiently provided for. Do your own fellow citizens need what you are producing, or have they enough of it, need they some other product which it is in your power to produce? And what is this of Advertising? Carlyle remembers a hat-maker who built a seven-foot hat of wood and plaster; wheeled it about the streets of London to attract customers to his shop. Does this improve the quality or utility of your hats, man, or does it only fool people into thinking that you have done honest work? I begin to think that more money is made in Advertising in these times of ours than in any other enterprise. What are our cities but places to tack up Billboards, to display Clothes in shop windows, to produce commercials for television, all to fool people into buying rubbish they don't need. Don't Advertise, Just Work!

Religion? Why all the silly ceremonies, the controversies, feuding between different sects. Do we need absurd ceremonies and idolatrous rituals to believe in a Divine Power? True Religion is 'Moral Conscience, Inner Light' 'All Religion [is] here to remind us, better or worse, of what we already know, better or worse, of the quite infinite difference between a Good man, and a Bad, to bid us love infinitely the one, abhor infinitely the other, to strive infinitely to be the one, and not the other.' A Religious man is he who makes his whole life an appeal to Heaven, to Divine Justice, to Goodness, and who cannot be happy if he do not always choose the right thing for his family, his country, his God and himself.

Politics? Why do we continue to elect Bill Slicktons and Tony Blears, vicious Garry Condits and brainless Bushes, when these rotten Governors have in their own souls nothing to govern by. They are play-actors, nothing more, and very poor ones at that. Behind the smile, the make-up, the $400 hair-cut lies only one thing: 'impudent dishonesty--brazen insensibility to lying and to making others lie' Look into the souls of such men and what will you see: 'a general grey twilight, looming with shapes of expediencies, parliamentary traditions, division lists [like opinion polls], election-funds, leading articles...' The true leader, on the other hand, is a hero: he wants none of our material rewards, fears none of our punishments, believes that there is such a thing as eternal justice, will stop at nothing until he has made life better, happier, more fruitful for his fellow citizens. How do we elect such a man, instead of another politician, that is, another professional liar, wood and plaster dummy? We as voters must cease to vote wrong! How is that to be accomplished? Well that is not so easily done. We must all awaken from this state of enchantment, says Carlyle, must begin to learn to distinguish just and unjust, admirable and despicable in our fellow men, and in ourselves. READ THE BOOK!!!

This is for sure a great book, if you have the ability to concentrate for more than five minutes, unlike the majority of the Herd, in mean people, of today. If your intrest lies in the substance of this book, read some other review, I'm only going to tell you that, the (1909) publication, stinks; the so called book, is more like a oversized magizine, and the print is about the size of a footnote in the bible.

Widely known is the lucid and acid historic sense of Thomas Carlyle. This is what you will find in this book. More accessible than the monumental 'Sartor Resartus', but at the same high level. I strongly recomend that book as a way to enter into the vivid world of Carlyle.

I have found this an amazing tool for tracing my ancestors. I found the County Parish maps pre-1832 a great help. This is a definate must for Genealogy buffs.

Contrary to the availablity information provided here, this book is not out of print.

It is an absolute MUST HAVE if you're doing UK genealogical research! It provides maps to the parish boundaries for each of the counties of England,Wales and now Scotland. Each county map showing parish boundaries for England and Wales is placed next to a historical map for that same county. This provides an excellent opportunity to locate parishes in a historical context.

The real gem of this book is the information on the location of parish records. For each parish, the extant dates of the records available for that parish are given as well as the location of where those records may be consulted.

An outstanding reference work for UK genealogy.

This book is well worth the price. I started using an older version at a local library, but really needed something for home use. So I ordered the 2003 version and am completely delighted. The newer version added an overall map of the UK at the beginning and has added Scotland. Each map is "pre-1832 parishes and a topographical map from James Bell's A New and Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1834". And for someone doing a lot of work in Yorkshire, they have it divided into the 3 regions, East Riding, West Riding and North Riding. The only thing I would like the next version to include is an index of every little town and village and what parish it is in. Probably would double the price and thickness of the book, but what a treasure that would be.

This book is a compendium of information about parish registersin England -- a vital resource if you are doing genealogical researchin the UK.

Tha author has read Lewis extensively, and reads the Space Trilogy in the light of Lewis the man. He sheds new light on the sources of inspiration, and comments on the criticism that has been raised against the trilogy. I have read the trilogy several times, and this study deepened my understanding of it. It is well written and highly readable. I could have wished for a deeper assessment of the "pagan" influences of the trilogy. However, the study is well worth reading for anyone who likes reading Lewis, esp. his fiction.

I have gone in for Lewis studies since encountering his Ransom trilogy in an undergraduate seminar in the late 1970s. Over the years, I have collected most of the author's published writings in every genre he attempted, and have read numerous books and articles on his life and work, as well as on various of his colleagues and inspirations. PLANETS IN PERIL may be the best critique I have come across, and if one could own only two secondary sources in the field I would recommend this and the biography by Green and Hooper. What makes Downing's volume so remarkable is chiefly its sheer comprehensiveness. Despite the focus of its sub-title, the book manages to draw in extraordinarily illuminating references to nearly every other work in the Lewis canon, showing through them far more of the man's Christian, mediaeval, and poetic world view than one would expect to be relevant. I had thought myself to have a good grasp of the celebrated Oxford don and Cambridge professor, yet this book increased my understanding manyfold. I also appreciated Downing's objective balance. Without shying away from what he feels are Lewis's limits or flaws, he does better than I have yet found in vindicating the man against many of the stock objections that have long been levelled at him. A recurring argument throughout is that the trilogy is best understood less in the framework of science fiction than in light of its author's expertise in and love for the literature and motifs of the mediaeval and Renaissance eras. Lewis was not so much a mythmaker as a '"re-mythologizer", one who takes old myths ... and revitalizes them'; and Downing perceives him as having done something similar with old VALUES -- ones fallen out of fashion yet which seemed to him worth recapturing.

Highly readable for an academic work. A deep and uniquely insightful perspective on one of the last century's most complex writers. Even casual readers of C. S. Lewis will find this book captivating.

Unlike most literary criticism this book is very rich, perceptive and readable. Anyone who likes C. S. Lewis should get their hands on this book. I look forward to more books by this author.

An excellent resource for Professors looking to assign a core textbook for their undergraduate classes on European Politics or as a supplemental text for Comparative Politics.

The book's great strength rests not ony in its broad scope of countries covered (including a refreshing look at the dynamic region of Central and Eastern Europe), but in its treatment of the most pertinent policy issues in an easily accessible manner for students.

Most importantly, the book offers a solid foundation for engaging students in classroom discussion and debates, which makes the job of the lecturer that much easier and satisfying.

The excerpt I looked at is so light, I'd get eye strain after reading one page. What were they thinking - to save money on ink?!? Good God!

I shall not buy the book, but gave it 5 Stars because a review should be about the book, not about the print.

While this book offers a huge amount of information on each of the countries it covers, it leaves something to be desired: an organized, consistent format. While all of the information I wanted was in the book, I really had to dig around for it- I found the the sections on each country were very dissimilar, so if I found a statistic or fact on one country, I could not simply flip to the same section of another country, I had to read the whole chapter about that country.
All in all, a worthwhile read, but I would suggest taking detailed notes so you remember where each fact came from- an index would have been tremendously helpful here.

This hefty book is a gold mine of information on politics in Europe. The book has a section each for the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Russia and the European Union, and each section has five chapters: The Context of (political entity) Politics, Where is the Power?, Who Has the Power? How is Power Used?, and What is the Future of (political entity) Politics? Plus, each section then finishes up with a list of resources for further reading.

Now, first of all it must be said that this book is a widely used textbook. But, don't let that scare you; it is a very fascinating book. Though not covering every nation in Europe, it does give an excellent overview of the major players. I found the book to be highly informative, giving me a good understanding to how the political framework of each country works, what its limitations are and what its strengths are. And, having been rewritten in 2003, it is very up-to-date, which is a great plus.

Overall, I found this to be an excellent resource. If you are interested in really understanding how politics works in Europe, then you must get this book! I highly recommend it.

'The disease of selfishness, indeed, assumes different forms in the different classes of society. In the great and wealthy, it displays itself in luxury, in pomp and parade, and in all the frivolities of a sickly and depraved imagination, which seeks in vain its own gratification, and is dead to the generous and energetic pursuits of an enlarged heart.' pg 224

'In the lower orders, when not motionless under weight of a superimcumbent despotism, it manifests itself in pride, and its natural offspring, insubordination, in all its modes. But tho the external effects may vary, the internal principle is the same - a disposition in each individual to make self the grand center and end of his desires and enjoyments; to over-rate his own merit and importance; a disposition to under-value the advantages, and overstate the disadvantages, of his condition of life.' pg 224

'Now everyone who competes, exercises self-control in everything.' 1 Cor 9:25
'Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.' 1 Cor 7:5
'Now the fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control.' Gal 5:22

Even though I am not at all a fundamentalist and usually stay clear of books that take a more "evangelical" stance, at the advice of a friend I decided to read this book, and I am glad that I did. Wilberforce obviously spent a great deal of time deciding what to say, and in finding examples to support his arguments, which are from biblical, literary and real-life sources. One of the most refreshing things about his style is that (unlike other Christian authors I have read) he does not feel the need to "talk down" to the reader or condemn them for not instantly believing something when they have been given no proof of its validity or even logic. He appeals to an educated audience and methodically covers a variety of topics that (hence the title) have many applications to real life. Most of the things that he argues make perfect sense and cause the reader to wonder how it is that they hadn't thought of it before. I also appreciate his passion- once can tell in many parts how strong his belief was, and it's easy to see how he could have been such an eloquent orator. The only thing that I disagreed with was his condemnation of plays and the opera, but this is probably because I am myself in training to be a professional musician.

In sum, I would say that this is an excellent book, and a good choice for the Christian that is tired of the lack of erudition and reason in modern devotional literature.

"I must confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies and armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the Gospel of Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail."

I am grateful this this book was republished. After seeing Amazing Grace, overcome with a desire to know more about Wilberforce. Piper's "Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce" was a slim introduction, and (Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slaverybut needed to see how Wilberforce himself thought.

W. strategy is revival, his tactic is to critique superficial Christianity. This is the watered-down state of mind usually associated with mere religion, mere social comportment, or mere morality. W avers that Christianity is something deeper, but usually "confound the Gospel of Christ with systems of philosophers." (6) W's voice rhymes with Peter Kreeft comment that we reduce religion to ethics, ethics to social ethics, and social ethics to socialism (C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium : Six Essays on the Abolition of Man)

The correct title is "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious Systems of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity." The non-Christian should not this well: The Trade Secret of Christianity is that the current systems, churches, and denominations do not embrace or practice what Jesus Christ taught. The Great Schism, the Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the Puritan Movement all tacitly rest upon the idea that what we are doing now is not what He did back then. There are only two disagreements--what is the correct version of Christianity, and then, how do we fix the problem.

In this light, A Practical View of Christianity should be read in harmony with Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason - Thomas Paine. Wilberforce advocated personal revival, while Paine thought the whole superstructure should be junked. Wither way, their clashing viewpoints are what makes history (and formulating our own personal philosophies) so much fun.

As Chuck Colson noted, Wilberforce's book help start the Second Great Awaking (xv) So in addition to Paine, this book should also be read in the context of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Instead of revival and reformation, Joseph Smith's mission was one of restoration Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.

The motive behind the book is W's personal mission to end slavery. The theo-loigc is simple: If a person who really understand Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, then slavery solves itself. This in interesting political and social strategy: Before we shake up the world, we shake up ourselves, and shake ourselves out of our complacent slumber.

Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson phrased it this way:

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature."

But there is something unspoken. You see a bunch of rich, white guys who have no personal interest outside of Christina benevolence, who, at great personal professional and political cost, waste and wore out their lives to end slavery. You never hear this side of abolition told:

* Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White
* Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
* Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes
* Black Rednecks and White Liberals

This book's only flaw is that it partakes of the 19th Century verbosity. As I read page after page of prolixity, I kept reciting Strunk and White's Incantation:

"Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell."The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

This book is a forgotten classic, both in politics and Christianity. Thankfully we can both bridge the gap and stand in the gap by following W's ideals.

"A Practical view of Christianity."
This is a book to be treasured and esteemed highly. It is written in a way which catures your attention and give rise to many challenging thoughts. It is the book which changed the course of history 200 years ago and save the downfall of the British Empire. Another remarkable feature of this 200 year old book, is that it is so applicable for the world today, and has a message for every one personally.
Read it thoughtfully and you will be challenged and inspired.
Treasure this book and reread it often.

I have both paper doll books (Princess Diana and Prince Charles Fashion Paper Dolls in Full Color; and Diana, Princess of Wales, Paper Doll: The Charity Auction Dresses [Paper Doll Series]) by Tom Tierney. I love his artistry and his attention to detail. I got the Charity Auction paper doll book as a gift and searched for more finding the first paper doll book that also included Prince Charles. I added both books to my scrapbook on Diana - I still love looking at these pages. They are both excellent as are all the paper doll books he produces. I also have books by Tom Tierney on Pope John Paul II, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, and one with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. I would encourage anyone interested in collecting, using the books for school reports, or finding your favorite subject in paper dolls, to look for this artist. He does excellent work.

This is a wonderful paper doll book. Book gives a bit of history regarding the dresses in the book. Illustrations are excellent.

This is one of the most beautiful sets of paper dolls I have, well drawn with great attention to detail and short historical notes on each dress inside the back cover. There are a lot of costumes in this book, about thirty, and two beautiful dolls. It covers fashion from 1890 to 1919, with dresses from great designers like Worth and Paquin. Tom Tierney's paper dolls are wonderful, and this is one of his best.

Anyone who loves fashion history will enjoy this book. The illustrations are evocative of the lives of fashionable women 100 years ago.
I especially liked the dolls themselves, clad in faithful depictions of the underwear of the era.
The selection of costumes is superb. It is clear to see the development of women's dress from 1899 until 1919, from heavily corseted hourglass figures laden with ruffles, lace and embroidery, to the fantasies of the early teens and finally the simplification of dress leading up to the 1920-s.