Freedom Books

Although Miriam Wolfe was a victim of terrorism, a victim of official incompetence and bungling that produced catastrophic results, this is not a book about her death. This is a book about her life - a life lost much too soon.

Be sure to have plenty of tissues and hankies nearby while reading this book, for you'll surely need them. For Miriam's story will touch you to the depths of your very soul and beyond. Miriam was a gift bestowed from heaven and had heavenly gifts of compassion, love, and understanding bestowed upon her. She was a truly gifted and unique individual and I'm deeply sorry I didn't know her, for if I had I would have been truly blessed. So many crime and terrorism victims are swept under the rug because it is too "politically undesirable" for the powers that be in the international community to seek due recourse for the terrorist crimes committed by such states that sponsor them. I can't understand this logic - why is it "politically undesirabe" to seek justice for the innocent, to speak loudly for those who no longer have a voice? It took almost 12 years to bring the 2 fiends responsible for the Pan Am 103 bombing to trial. Even then, 1 was acquitted and the other sentenced to 20 years in prison. Can anyone justly believe that this is proper punishment for the taking of 270 innocent lives?

But this book does not deal with these political and diplomatic inadequacies, though Rosemary gives a brief depicition of these. She wants to talk about her beloved only child Miriam. While Miriam was not famous or well known, she possessed admirable stellar qualities. As human as the rest of us and therefore imperfect, she was indeed a young woman who saw potential in goodness and beauty, who placed real value on life's simplest joys, who viewed the world and all its sweetnesses through eyes which saw the glass as half full rather than half empty. Do all of you cowardly terrorists follow this concept?

Rosemary describes her and the rest of her family's reactions to this appalling deed in a heartsickeningly candid guise that will transport the reader from the snugness of their own lives into the bleakness caused by such random and unmitigated acts of incomprehensible evil. I dare fellow readers to skip through this story. You can't, for in a world still reeling from the ghastliness and horrors of 11 September 2001, it strikes too close to home. For terrorists don't care who they destroy.

But how you live is more important than how you die. Miriam's afterglow is great, for her name and her soul endures. There are now scholarships and memorials awarded in her name. Even in death, she's blessing people's lives and spirits with gifts given in the name of goodness. She's still helping those less fortunate than herself. What a wonderful legacy. Hatred combined with a few ounces of Semtex plastic explosives can't possibly destroy that.

Miriam's Gift was one of the most moving reads I have experienced in a long time, deeply rewarding. Rosemary Mild has created a loving portrait of her daughter Miriam, who perished on Pan Am 103. I am so sorry that Miriam, and her fellow passengers, lost their lives due to the selfish, hateful acts of terrorism. This book has inspired me to try to find joy in daily life, even if it is difficult. It was one of the saddest books I ever read, yet I found myself smiling at the memories of Miriam the author recounted. Thank you Mrs. Mild for sharing Miriam with the rest of us. And thank you Miriam.

Rosemary Mild has written a wonderful tribute to her very much loved daughter Miriam. Miriam at aged 20 years was murdered when Pan Am flight 103 crashed over Lockerbie. Rosemary carefully recalls Miriams early years as a baby and their flourishing relationship as she grew into a very fine young woman. She clearly was outstanding and poised on the pinnacle of life itself as fine young student and incredible human being. She was more than a photo much more than a few embroidered lines on a tribute quilt. She was someones daughter and someones friend and had done so much for so many in her short time on this earth. This is a loving book written with compassion and warmth and will move you to tears as it did me as you go through the emotional journey that Rosemary takes you it is clear to see that Miriam was indeed gifted and the world has lost someobne very special.

Having worked as an aviation defense attorney for over 15 years, I wanted to learn more about the plaintiff's side. But I got a lot more than I bargained for when I read "Miriam's Gift: A Mother's Blessing - Then and Now." Rosemary Mild has written an extraordinary memoir -- the layout is perfect, the pictures of Miriam are stunning, not a word in the book is wasted, and the story itself, with its myriad insights, is nothing short of compelling. Without a doubt, it transformed me into a much more undertanding and compasionate person. "Miriam's Gift" is Rosemary's gift to the world. Thank you for your courage, strength, love and incredible writing ability.

One of my first memories of Miriam was during the Children's Theatre of Annapolis's production of "45 MINUTES FROM BROADWAY" when we were 12. I remember us trying to set up Mike Handwerger and Natalie Savignak with Muir and I playing matchmakers. The relays we did across the auditorium floor of Broadneck High School. "Well, he said if she comes over and says hello" and "Well, she said if he says hello first".

I realize this is a bit off the beat-and-path, but MIRIAM'S GIFT has brought back so many wonderful memories for me, it is hard not to remenice and want to share more or Miriam's spirit. Reading the book has allowed me to finally remember Miriam without all of the pain of that night in December, 1988. Though the memories still linger, and the loss is never truly gone, Mrs. Mild has so eloquently interwoven the stories; that right before you want to cry, she shares one of Muir's own writings and you want to laugh. Or better said, you hear Miriam saying, "No more tears. Time to remember, learn, and move on."

Reading the book was like being back in Maryland again in those care-free days before college; before "responsibility". Mrs. Mild recalls a production of MUSIC MAN. I still laugh every time I think of that show. The only time I've ever kicked a dance partner in the head and she still spoke to me! (Mind you, I've never done it since.)

I knew Miriam was an avid writer, but I never knew to what lengths until reading this book. Her words are intelligent, humorous, and insightful. In fact, she gave me a journal which I never touched until I studied in London in 1990. I wrote constantly there. It is one of my most treasured possesions.

Please don't think by what I've said that you have to have actually "known" Miriam to enjoy and appreciate this book. Trust me, by the end, you will; and feel like you have know her all your life.

To Mrs. Mild, I would like to say, "Thank you. Your courage and strength are an inspiration to all who will read this book. Your writing shows a devotion that had no boundries".

To anyone who may read this review, I must say this:

Miriam was talent, friendship, and love. Her spirit will never leave us. After reading this book, she will stay with you and guide you and give you hope and inspiration for anything and everything you do. That is the person she was, and the spirit that will never die.

This book is the sixth edition. The author has added a new chapter to this sixth edition (Experiences, the Journey, and the Final Goal), which is very helpful.
Please read my review of the fifth edition. It still holds true. Then please read my comments on the sixth edition. May it be helpful to you in your work of liberation.

Review of the fifth edition.
I've been a spiritual seeker most of my life. Over the years I've been heavily into various spiritual traditions, Zen, Sufism, and Yoga, Christian mysticism, Hindu mysticism and martial arts. I've also acquired an extensive library of books written by or about every "enlightened" person that ever lived. Honestly, all I really succeeded in doing was creating a much more spiritual ego. I had just about given up on the idea of realizing Truth, when at age 57 I finally came across The Most Direct and Rapid Means to Eternal Bliss. I gotta tell you, I wouldn't care now if all my other books burned!
This book is it! The author tells you exactly what the ego is. Exactly how it works, and all it's strategies and tricks. He tells you exactly what you need to do, (practice awareness watching awareness, which was the method recommended by Ramana Maharshi and Nasargadatta) and how to do it. Yes, you will be able to read this book and perform the method correctly!
I've read quite a few books where the "enlightened" author tells you over and over to just look out at the world as your True Self. Right... But they offer nothing as to a method for arriving at that level of understanding? Not the case here. Nothing vague in this book. Nothing to guess about. Nothing to interpret. The author even cautions readers to read the book literally. He tells you that yes, he really means exactly what he is saying.
If you're tired of dead ends, if you really thirst for Absolute Truth, this could be the last spiritual book you ever buy.
My eternal gratitude to the author.

Comments on the sixth edition.
(From chapter 14, Experiences, the Journey, and the Final Goal).

"Your own everyday background of awareness is the path to Infinite Awareness, as sunlight is to the sun."

A simple statement but one that the reader needs to take literally. Your everyday awareness is the way and the truth and the way to the truth. Not some special awareness, not cosmic consciousness, just your own everyday awareness. That's what you will be working with. How fortunate we are in the great scheme of things that we all have this everyday background of awareness. With our basic "equipment" of everyday awareness, we can work out our liberation. The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss shows you how.

This is the most direct and clear spiritual book I have ever
read.....no nonsense ...no stories....just clear and precise
explanations and instructions. Thank you very much.

The Latest Edition of the Last Book You'll Ever Need

The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss, now in its sixth edition, is not another spiritual book to add to your collection. It is not a scholarly treatise. It is not a book of theory or comparative religion. It is not a parable, nor is it particularly poetic. The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss is a concise guide to full Awakening in this lifetime. If you already own an earlier edition of the book, you will definitely want to read the latest edition, in which the author addresses some of the questions, fears, and doubts commonly held by serious aspirants. The new last chapter (as well as the one before it if you have not seen the fifth edition) is not to be missed.

My husband bought this book as a gift for me about 18 months ago. When I realized I'd just received an instruction manual for escaping the mind's relentless orbit, an instruction manual stripped of theory and jargon, without any kind of wiggle room for the ego's tricks, without any room for questions or doubts, I was overjoyed, challenged, and inspired. We started the Awareness Watching Awareness practice described by the author immediately, and life hasn't been the same since. Turning one's attention away from the world, the body, and thought to focus instead on the I AM really does work, especially since Michael Langford actually explains what the I AM is in remarkably clear and simple terms.

The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss is unique in a number of other ways as well. Mr. Langford clearly describes the ego, the true Self, and the difference between the two. He describes the innumerable tricks the ego uses to preserve its imaginary self, identifies the extremely intense desire for Liberation as the only antidote, and provides the inspiration needed to reach that level of desire. He chronicles his discovery of the Awareness Watching Awareness practice, and perhaps most importantly, doesn't include any extraneous or irrelevant information whatsoever. There is nothing in the book that doesn't continue to ring true, even after hundreds of readings. In fact, the truth behind it becomes increasingly evident as the practice deepens. There is no doubt that The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss represents the highest and best a teaching can offer: a real, tangible, actual means to the Truth, accessible to anyone who's really searching.

From the Introduction chapter of the book...

"11.It is possible to be free of all sorrow and suffering
and to experience absolutely perfect infinite eternal joy
here and now in this lifetime.
12.It is possible for all humans,
not just a few humans.
13.There is a rapid means to
infinite bliss.
14. That rapid means is taught in this book."

This book is unique contribution. It is an 'Instruction manual for enligtenment'. It contains extremely practical step by step instruction to the 'direct experience of reality'. The first three chapters are devoted to understanding the ego and tricks of the ego and how it keeps one from waking up. These chapters are extremely insightful and I personally found it very useful. One of the several ego's tricks which I Identified in myself after reading the book was a preference to engage in endless reading and discussion instead of devoting time for actual practise. Then there is a chapter on the importance of the 'desire for liberation' and how it can dissolve all obstacles to enlightenment. There is a chapter devoted to 'how to awaken the extreme desire for liberation' which is also very insightful. There are two meditation practises offered for daily practise as the 'most rapid and direct means to direct experience of reality'. The first one is the 'Awareness Watching Awareness'(AWA) method, and the second one is the 'Abandon Release Method' (ARM). According to the author AWA is the most rapid and ARM is the second most rapid method. These two methods alone are worth the value of the book. There is an extremely useful chapter on further clarification on 'Awareness watching awareness' method which addresses all possible doubts or questions one might have during the practise. The author gives very practical tips and pointers to address any questions which might cloud the meditator's mind during practise.

E.G. from chapter eight...

"10. Don't expect any type of experience.
11. If you are wondering if you will have some kind
of spiritual experience, then that very wondering means
you have added something to awareness watching awareness.
12.Never add anything to awareness watching awareness.
13. The key is to be content just watching
your awareness and not to move from that
and not to add anything to that.
.
.
165. Don't expect any of the experiences described in this chapter.
Expectation will destroy the effectiveness of the practice.
166. If it seems boring the first few times you try the
awareness watching awareness practice, that is OK.
Continue to practice."

Initially when I started practising AWA, I found it to be quite difficult. Then I took the authors suggestion in the book and practised ARM first for a few months and then swithed to AWA. It has been about two years since I started practising seriously and the results are amazing, I can definitely say that I am on the right track. The following quotes are from chapter 6.

"67. From the very first moment one tries this practice,
one is abiding as awareness!
68. There is no waiting!
69. It is so easy.
70. This is not meant to imply
that from the beginning the ego ends.
71. It takes years of continuous practice
before the ego meets its final end.
72. However, from the moment one tries this simple,
easy to understand practice, one is abiding as awareness!""

There are also several supplementary methods which are not meant for daily pracise but can be pracised once or twise to get a deeper understanding of the primary method. There is also a chapter titled 'reminder' which is meant to be read everyday to motivate one to practise the methods every day. There is a chapter titled "Experiences, the Journey and the Final Goal" which is a new addition in the latest edition of the book; This is the biggest chapter in the book and bound to be a big source of inspiration for everyone.

Well how does one know whether this is infact the 'most direct means to liberation'? Quoting the author from chapter 6.

"123. The only way to find out if the Awareness Watching Awareness
Method is or is not effective for you is to practice it.
124. If without trying it, you come to the conclusion
that it will not be effective, then you have allowed the imposter (thinking)
to rob you of a great opportunity
125. With thinking you have a conclusion, an opinion
or an assumption that may be correct or may not be correct.
126. With practice you will know for sure
whether the Awareness Watching Awareness Method
is or is not effective for you.
127. Therefore, consider giving it
a sincere, fair try."

In my case, the unconditional joy and bliss that is starting to fill my being and is deepening with each practise session is enough confirmation that the AWA method really works.

Very Highly Recommended!

I had read that there was a difference between the false self and the true self in books I had read before. But I never knew exactly what that difference was until I read this book,
The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss. Because the difference was described so clearly in this book, now I can tell the difference between the false self and the true self in my daily life. I also can now see how the false self has fooled all of the people of the earth and caused all of our problems. This book is written in such a clear, easy to understand language that I can for the first time see all of that and so much more! The solutions for all the problems of all the earth's people can be found in this book. I wasted so much time reading hundreds of religious books, books about meditation and new age books. I wish I had read this book, The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss, fifty years ago.
I would not have wasted all that time reading all those other books that have so many extra words and so many detours and so many false paths. This book, The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss, is the greatest book I have ever read. There is nothing else like it.
I thought there was nothing new under the sun, and this book appears! There is something new under the sun. It is like thinking that the light of the sun is the most powerful light and suddenly the light of a million suns appears! This book is like that. I think this book is destined to change the consciousness of the earth's people more than all the religions of the past combined. The reasons why we have not changed in the past are clearly pointed out in this book. How we can finally change and know the eternal beauty is also clearly pointed out in this book. Do yourself and all of the people of the earth a favor and read this book. This book is written so clearly it makes all the other books I read look like mud. This book was written from the heart of reality. Every word in this book is a valuable precious jewel.

These are my favorite quotes from the book:

Introduction: 11. It is possible to be free of all sorrow and suffering and to experience absolutely perfect infinite eternal joy here and now in this lifetime. 12. It is possible for all humans, not just a few humans. 13. There is a rapid means to infinite bliss. 14. That rapid means is taught in this book.

Chapter One: 17. If you turn your attention towards the awareness that wakes up in the morning, instead of towards people, places, things, thoughts, etc., eventually you will discover that awareness is infinite-eternal-awareness-love-bliss.

Chapter Three: 78. If you really wanted Truth, you would insist on Direct Experience. 80. The extremely intense desire for liberation is the key to ending the ego's tricks, and the book you are now reading contains step-by-step instructions for awakening the extremely intense desire for liberation. 84. Your motivation while reading is very important. 85. The correct motivations are (86-89): 86. Extremely intense Self-honesty. 87. An extremely intense desire to directly experience the infinite-eternal-absolute Truth. 88. A willingness to let go of all the ideas you have accumulated in the past. 89. An extremely intense longing to be free of sorrow and to live in eternal-joy.

Chapter Four: 23. When the desire for Freedom becomes even more intense you can see all of the ego's preservation strategies. 24. When the extremely intense desire for Liberation is awakened you will marvel at how it was possible you did not see the ego's preservation strategies before. 49. What if your desire for Liberation were a million times greater and more intense than it is now? 55. After the extremely intense desire for Freedom arises all is made clear and you have no doubts! 56. After the extremely intense desire for Freedom arises, for the first time you can see!

Chapter Five: 37. The extremely intense desire for Liberation is like an infinitely strong grip that grabs hold of the absolute goodness that has never known falsehood with a hold so strong that nothing can weaken that grip.

Chapter Six: 85. The significance of the Awareness Watching Awareness discovery is one of communication. 86. A human could be told to focus on the I AM and even after one hundred million lifetimes, still not know what the I AM is. 87. However, if told that the I AM is the awareness that appears to wake up in the morning, the background of awareness that is there during all the waking hours, and given specific instructions in how to turn the attention away from thought, etc., and towards awareness watching awareness, one can end the ego and suffering in this lifetime and remain eternally in bliss. 88. Those specific instructions are in Chapter Seven.

Chapter Eight: 131. If you remain content with awareness watching awareness, your problems will start to disappear. 132. Your misery will start to disappear. 133. Peace will come unexpectedly. 134. Joy will come unexpectedly. 135. Infinite Love will come unexpectedly. 143. Watching thoughts is not looking inward. 144. Watching feelings is not looking inward. 145. Watching breathing is not looking inward. 146. Only turning the attention away from the observed and towards the observer is looking inward. 147. Only awareness watching awareness is looking inward. 148. Looking inward is eternal liberation. 149. Looking inward is eternal life. 150. Looking inward is eternal awareness. 151. Looking inward is eternal peace. 152. Looking inward is eternal joy. 153. Looking inward is eternal Love that is absolutely perfect and free of all forms of sorrow and misery.

Chapter Eleven: 30. That infinite space is your awareness. 31. That infinite space is infinite love. 32. That infinite space is eternal life. 33. See the infinite freedom of infinite space. 65. Never again imagine that space is just nothing. 66. Space is that which is truly valuable. 67. Space is eternal life-awareness. 68. Space is infinite Love. 69. One being, one space, one infinite Love. 83. You are not a thinker living in a body in a world. 84. You are infinite-eternal-awareness-love-joy.

Chapter Thirteen: 70. This book contains a unique step-by-step formula beginning from the Introduction, through Chapter 14. 71. All of the steps, from a detailed description of the imposter, to understanding how the imposter arose, seeing the difference between the imposter and the true Self, understanding the imposter's tricks, the methods used to see that thought has no real foundation, the importance of awakening the extremely intense desire for liberation, the methods to awaken the extremely intense desire for liberation, the Awareness Watching Awareness Method, The Abandon Release Method, The Eternal Method, The Infinite Space Method, and the Loving All method are essential for most people, due to the tricks of the ego. 99. Doubt is a very valuable tool in the process of awakening. 100. You could begin by doubting all of the religious and spiritual teachings of the past. 101. Then doubt every human belief in all fields including science and philosophy. 102. Then doubt the validity, sincerity and existence of the doubter. Find out: who or what is the doubter? 103. Then practice the most direct and rapid means to eternal bliss. 104. Then, eventually, sooner or later, experience the absolute perfection of Infinite-Eternal-Awareness-Love-Bliss. Then continue to practice. 105. For this to happen you have to begin to care. 106. Care about Truth enough to see that the human past has been a falsehood. 107. Care about Truth enough to drop the past ideas, beliefs, concepts and opinions. Then begin a new life.

In school the time before The Revolutionary War is briefly touched. This book will enlighten those who read it with a new understanding of the persecution regarding the Freedom of Speech and religious bias.

The book is an easy read. This is an accomplishmnet with the heavy subject matters that are entailed in the book.

Please read this book and pass it along. We must learn from our past to avoid the mistakes that were made.

Ms. Brinton delivers a fascinating account of Mary Dyer's life which is vivid in both detail and authenticity. I found this work illuminating about the religious intolerance of the time and the particular suspicion that was cast on many women. Mary 's story should be taught in schools as an important part of our American history. The religious and social freedoms we enjoy today are due to martyrs such as Mary.

Elizabeth Brinton's fascinating historial novel 'My American Eden' brings home the suffering and eventual execution of Mary Dyer, a colonial spiritual leader who fought and died for religious freedom. I can't help but worry that our country is going to have to fight this battle again and again with the threat to our freedom by the current administration and it's followers. This book is a must-read for anyone who truly loves the principles this country was eventually founded on.

This inspiring tale of the life, convictions and death of Mary Dyer captures the readers imagination from the first chapter.
Life in early America is well portrayed and is intricately woven with periods in England as Mary's tale unfolds.
It is difficult to grasp the severity of puritan law in Boston and the cruelty that early American settlers were subjected to. Elizabeth Brinton has skillfully brought this period in history to light by sharing with the reader the startling tale of Mary Dyer and Quaker followers in 1600 America.
We can wish it ended differently, but historically, it did not. A captivating and inspiring novel.

This is a wonderful book that tells an important and little told story of just how profound religious intolerance was as our country was being settled by colonists. We are skillfully taken on the courageous journey of a woman who ultimately martyrs herself for being a Quaker. Ms. Brinton helps us understand the daily consequences of Mary Dyer's struggles and the constant sacrifices necessary to be a woman with a spiritual calling. The author accomplishes this with a spunky narrator who takes us in to the family and household of Mary Dyer as her indentured servant who was Catholic. I liked this divergent voice of a woman who was of a different religious persuasion and yet able to respect and even love Dyer deeply. I benefited from the author's vivid descriptions of the daily life of a colonist and what it took to survive with very little community to support them. It is marvelous to read a piece of early American historical fiction that capably allows us to contemplate such facinating and still relevant motivations. I wanted to read more.

THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL, ITS SHOCKING, AND IT IS ASPIRING. THERE IS NOTHING ON CHANNEL 11 THAT BRINGS THE HONEST, INSIGHTFUL, VERY REAL ACCOUNT THAT MR.DOUGLASS DOES IN HIS BOOK. FROM SLAVE TO FREE-MAN, THIS IS TRUELY AN AMERICAN SUCCESS. SKIP THE INTRO, AND JUMP INTO IT.

Douglass's second, and lengthier, narrative fills in many of the gaps left in his first autobiography: we learn about his mother, his siblings, and more details about his psychological transformation from brute to man. It's quite insightful, as Douglass is careful to relate each of his personal experiences to the innate evil of the peculiar instituition, for both the slave and the slave holder.

What are your impressions of Frederick Douglass? What would you say about Douglass observation that "conscience cannot stand much violence? Do you think it was possible to be a good slave owner?Why or why not? Why does Douglass view slaveholders as well as slaves as victims of slavery? Why is education incompatible with slavery? Why do you think the white children's attitude toward slavery is different from that of their parents? How would you describe Douglass attitude towards Mrs. Auld?

Having read a biography of Douglass many years ago, I thought I knew his story. Hearing through his pen was an entirely different matter. What a master of the language and insighful set of observations on human nature.

I am a man of many words, but words fail me in my endorsement of this book. The letter to his former master in the appendix is worth the price of the book by itself.

Standing in line at the Lincoln Memorial, a book beckoned to me that I previously hadn't seen before. The face of Frederick Douglas grabbed my attention; a man that I've respected for many years, encountering him mainly through my study of Abraham Lincoln. On the spur of the moment, I snatched up a copy of "My Bondage and My Freedom", and within a few days, my admiration in Frederick Douglass was transformed from interest to awe.

Frederick Douglass orginially penned his book as a response to people's accusations that someone as articulate and composed as he couldn't possibly be a former slave. With that goal in mind, Douglass wrote his memoirs, in a straight forward, powerful way. In the book, he painfully and honestly documents the path his early life took; the memories of being owned, how slaves coped during these times, and how he managed to pull himself out of it all.

While Douglass' life in itself is amazing, (as he describes the amazing process he undertook to learn how to read), what amazed me even more are Douglass' discourses that he sprinkles through the book, discussing relevant issues during the time. In one instance, he addresses the concern about why slaves simply didn't run away from their oppressive situations. It's almost as if you can actually hear the people talking to Douglass and he responding to them.

This book does not only tell the tale of a truly amazing American, but gives us a unique insight to the times. This book should be required reading in every high school in this country.

Dunbar Ogden's entire family was deeply effected by the stand he took in Little Rock. As a pastor's wife, I was particularly inspired by the courage of his wife, Dorothy. Having met her years later, I am convinced that this experience made her all the more effective in her own ministry, as she could genuinely empathize with those in ministry - and in fact, all walks of life - who have suffered injustice and persecution, both within and outside the church. I would highly recommend this book!

This is a profound book. I found myself writing the author to thank him--for sharing this story and this part of our history; for sharing so intimately of his father's life and the choices he made (I am inspired by his faith and actions); for exposing the realities behind the headlines and the snippets of history that were in our history books; for sharing his own journey; and overall for writing such an important book.

Essential reading for anyone interested in this dark chapter of the civil rights movement. The book is based on thorough research into personal and public files and on personal memories. The argument is spellbinding at three levels: 1)an account of precisely what happened when Orville Faubus tried to defy the federal law; 2)a highly sympathetic account of the support by the Presbyterian (white) pastor Dunbar H. Ogden for the nine students attempting to register at the school; and 3)a deeply moving account by Ogden's son, a renown theater historian, concerning his own search for understanding after fifty years. The book is a superb success.

Well written and gripping, this true story is one of the most interesting books I have ever read.

This is one of the most needed books for students today. The collaboration between unlikely allies and their story is just what students today need to read to be able to have strong examples of unity in times of important social and political growth. As a school librarian, I find this a must in my library not only for students but as a vital resource for teachers. We still have a tremendous amount of segregation in our schools today.This book is just the tool we need to revisit this issue and reflect on our committment to social justice.

This was a wonderful and engaging read. Not only were you given a clear picture of both Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, but the book cites numerous powerful men and women who were active in the suffrage movement. This book is like a small taste of women's history that leaves you yearning for more. However, I wouldn't overlook this book just because it is not extremely specific, it is very helpful in getting a feel for the suffrage movement as a whole.

This book was an eye opener for me. Every woman should read this book to understand the fight for our right to vote. These women devoted their lives to something they knew they would never even see in their live time! Its a story of courage and strength. It's makes one feel proud to be a woman.

This book is richly woven with details that dive into the true characters of these two beautiful souls. The book gives a truly amazing account of not only Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony, but dives into their lives and characters. The reader obtains a true understanding of these women's motivations, techniques, skills, and contributions, in a brilliant biography with great quotes, accounts, photographs, and special archives directly from the time period of Susan & Elizabeth, relating to their work. Ken Burns & Geoffrey C. Ward have made quite an accomplishment with this extraordinary account.

This book provides insight and history on the struggle that women went through to get the right to vote. It includes all kinds of interesting background and perspectives. It was a real eye opener for me and I'm giving it as a gift to all the young women I know.

This book fills a glaring need in history books. Not many people know more about Susan B. Anthony than she was one the dollar coin. This book corrects that oversight, and then some. Not only does the book give a balanced and well thought out look at Anthony and Stanton, the reader is also introduced to many, many other women who worked so hard for women rights.
I especially liked that the book didn't shy away from some of these women's more controversial stands, such as taking on the black person's cause.
All in all, a very good book.

The book Nothing About Us Without Us: Disability Oppression and Empowerment written by James I Charlton is profound. It really gives an insight to the history, psychosocial history of disabilities all around the world.

It is a profound book (very deep) and at times difficult for sensitive people like me but it is a must read book. I would like for the people in Puerto Rico to read this book to really comprehend the story behind the movement of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The community of Persons with Disabilities in Puerto Rico need to comprehend deeply the situation that is going on even in Puerto Rico. The system provided in the territory of the United States does not work. On the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico the ADA Law is not enforce. I personally cannot wait until the Ammendment to the ADA Act of 2008 is pass by the Senate and finally signed by the President of the United States.

The "ADA Ammendment Act of 2008" was passed on the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly with 402 votes to 17 NAYS on June 26, 2008.

There are few books that can clarify the civil rights concepts and disability... This is one. I sat in a meeting of a government training program for Fair Housing investigations, and two of the lawyers/instructors as well as the Academy's Director stated that they do not need people with disabilities to be involved with the training or policy decision-making - now I give this book to persons who do not have a disability. What if we plan a celebration of women or Black History Month and only white males were invited?

RedGimp

Even though America may be one of the world's most enlightened
countries when it comes to treating people with disabilities
with respect, we still have a very long way to go.

As proven in "Nothing About Us Without Us", the revealing
expose by James I. Charlton, so does the rest of the globe,
to varying degrees. Listen to the voices of people with
disabilities in different countries that carry the same
messages of fear, shame, discouragement, and even hope:

Maria Paulo Teperino: "There is a cult of the body in Brazil.
We call it 'culto ao corpo'. Machismo is very strong, and
it affects the way many men think of women. Because of its
prevalence, machismo leads many men to believe that a disabled
woman can't satisfy him. Many even believe that disabled women
cannot have children."

Fadila Lagadien: "In South Africa, families don't educate or
support the education of disabled women because of the attitude
that no man will pay a 'bola' (dowry) for a disabled woman."

Joshua Malinga: "I had an inborn attitude not to accept the
attitudes at the institution. These ideas were very bad. For
example, disabled people were told when to eat, when to sleep,
that they couldn't make love, it was banned...By the mid-1970's
I and a few others wanted to reject all these ideas and start our
own organization. By 1965, I began organizing disabled people
because I knew things were not right."

Charlton's book reveals the often-ignored truth that 'things are
not right' for people with disabilities all around the world.
Whether it's being called a 'chirema' for 'useless' in Africa
or being 'ai duan' (looked down upon because of your disability)
in Asia, if you have one, then good luck NOT being treated as a
second-class citizen or worse. Things are looking up, however...

Rachel Hurst: "I decided I had to do something. I quickly realized
that a single person never gets anywhere, so I tried to figure
out how I could do something collectively." --London, England

More and more people with disabilities are joining Rachel in
organizing to stand up and fight for the human rights that other
humans take for granted. After you read "Nothing About Us Without
Us", I sincerely hope you will want to join them in their just cause.

I'd thoroughly recommend this book. It provides a global overview of the disability rights movement, and includes interviews with many activists from different countries. I found it easy to read, and thoroughly interesting.

This is a well written, thoroughly researched work dealing with the treatment of disabled people in various cultures. The book explores the impact of religious institutions, charities, schools and various other institutions on how the disabled are treated. It also does a remarkable job of explaining how consciousness needs to change in order for progress to be made. It is an extremely thought provoking work which raises many issues. I recommend this book to anyone who may some day be disabled - which is any of us.

Walter Boyne has given us a superb initial look at Operation Iraqi Freedom. Using his deep understanding of war in general and airpower in particular, he has taken what has so far appeared in the open press and has packaged it into a clear and concise narrative of this short but intense conflict.
Perhaps more importantly, he has detailed for us how the improvements that we made in our military forces post Desert Storm have given us the ability to dominate any military force. Precision guidance, information dominance, C4ISR, the close integration of SOF and conventional forces, the linking of ground forces to "on call" fighters, bombers, and massive AC-130 gunships are all highlighted by Boyne as he weaves their development and use into a larger narrative of the daily events of the conflict. It is a powerful story. And he looks at failure too, delving into incidents of fratricide and losses due to the terrible sand storms.
Many details are, of course, missing. Only time can correct that. But Walter Boyne has produced a useful work which helps to understand how we fought the second Gulf War. It is a bench mark for subsequent books.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and Why" is really two books in one. First, as the title implies, it is a treatise on a specific conflict - an in-depth presentation of how it all worked and an insightful analysis of how well it worked. Second, by way of extensive appendices that take up more than a third of the entire volume, it is a very comprehensive compendium of what it took to conduct that war in terms of materiel, weapons, logistics, people, methodologies, etc.

If it were not so readable, this would make a great textbook. As it is, it should be required reading for anyone interested in studying wars and what makes them tick, especially one that was waged so recently and so much in the public eye. As one could imagine, the great majority of what we read in the print media and saw on the TV screen was, because of the nature of the beast, the parts of the conflict that included the action, the damage and the more sensational aspects of what was going on.
A concern often raised about a book produced shortly after an event is how credible it can be as an analysis considering the recency of what occurred. There usually is a suspicion that it is a quick-reaction book dashed off in hopes of a fast buck by an author "writing off the top of his head." That concern was put to rest in this case by a thorough reading of what many readers overlook in their rush to get to the main text - the front matter of the book. Here I found the a wealth of information that established the book's bona fide's for me - the acknowledgements, foreword and preface.
The acknowledgements pointed out the author's people sources, a host of knowledgeable top military and civilian thinkers who provide the book with authenticity and authority.
The foreword helps a book in two ways: first by what it says about the book and, second, by the credibility of who wrote it - in this case former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogelman who stated that the book reflects the contributions of all the elements of the coalition and the new, higher level of cooperation and interdependence of the forces involved. Fogelman also stated, "The United States and its coalition partners can be proud of their work In Operation Iraqi Freedom, and this book offers the first best look at how well they did their job."
The preface then gives the author the opportunity to establish his objectives, in this case to examine the efficacy of U.S. and coalition strategy, tactics, operational methods, weapon systems, and personnel during the period of armed conflict from March 19 through May 1, 2003. This author, Walter J. Boyne, has the extensive background as a career Air Force pilot and former director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, and has generated the many contacts needed to successfully produce a comprehensive study like this.
The book then goes on to do just that in full, but readable, detail. The background of the how, who and what leading up to this war are followed by the actions taken to pursue it to a quick victory and by an explanation of the new type of warfare that made it possible. Interspersed are short, side articles such as the fascinating "How Nations Go To War" that put this one war into perspective with all other conflicts fought until then. The author inserts at appropriate places, as the book's title implies, discussions about what went right and why and what went wrong and why - and lessons learned.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is not light reading and you can't get anything from skimming it. Plan to spend some time - from beginning to end - and you will end up with a better understanding of the story behind what you read and watched in the popular press. Highly recommended.

Arthur H. Sanfelici
Editor
Aviation History Magazine

This book is a fine work. Obviously, publisher weekly's reviewer must be one of those individuals (without much of a life experience) that cannot stand the recent successes of our military in Iraq and elsewhere. Shameful.
More and possibly better work will follow, but for those who need a preliminary record of the iraqi battle, this book will do just that.

Walter Boyne's work in Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and Why is on target. As some other reviewers here have detailed Boyne's qualifications (and they are extensive and appropriate), we'll simply agree that he is the right author to synthesize the information thus far available on the conflict.

Concerns expressed about writing such a history so soon after the dust has settled are valid but in this case, should be put into proper perspective. Boyne's book is a history of operations. It examines what went right and wrong between March 19 and May 1, a period commonly acknowledged as the conventional phase of the conflict. Boyne details the US military's new "unconventional" approach to conventional warfare during this phase. It does not attempt to deal with the subsequent insurgency campaign which continues.

The book is best viewed as a "first-look" overview of the operations leading to the dissolution of uniformed Iraqi armed forces. It is also a primer on the doctrinal and technological changes developed since the first Iraqi conflict which allowed the campaign to be prosecuted in a new way.

Boyne is to be commended for presenting a complex subject in an interesting, readable way. One of the book's advantages is that it reflects the contemporary wisdom of the many credible sources Boyne taps to tell the story. These include those who helped design the military that went into the conflict. In this respect, it is invaluable to future historians.

It is certain that military planners worldwide are energetically analyzing what the US miltary accomplished in the major combat operations Boyne's book covers. It is also likely that many will turn to Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, as an informed introduction to the subject.

The Publishers Weekly reviewer obviously did not read the book he or she reviewed; instead it launched into a series of anti-military statements that completely invalidate it. I cannot imagine how Amazon would willingly publish so obviously and willfully destructive review--it was non-objective and totally inaccurate--a Pub Weekly reviews on miltary subjects usually are.

Young provides a comprehensive account of the emergence of postcolonial theory and history. This book is remarkably easy to read and well worth having in any collection on postcolonialism.

This book is completely different in scope from any other introduction to postcolonialism. There is no other book that compares with it. What is innovative about `Postcolonialism: An Historical Introduction' is the way in which Young for the first time traces, in great detail, the historical origins of post-colonialism to the anti-colonial movements. He shows how the earliest of these began in Europe itself during the times of the great imperial expansions, but were then superseded by indigenous movements which were particularly inspired by the appearance of the first state dedicated to the overthrow of western imperialism, Bolshevik Russia.

Young demonstrates, however, that what was characteristic of these anticolonial movements was the way in which they integrated Marxist critiques of colonialism with their own specific local cultures and social conditions (particularly, in the case of many colonies, the impoverished lives of the landless peasantry). In three brilliant chapters, Young shows how the situation in India was markedly different from that of most other colonies, particularly as a result of the influence of India's foremost anticolonial activist, Gandhi. This different history, he suggests, partly accounts for why much of contemporary postcolonial theorising has emerged from India. In a fascinating chapter on the role of women in the anti-colonial movements, Young argues that in many ways postcolonial theory has elaborated revolutionary ideas first developed by subaltern women activists during the colonial period.

Overall, this made me rethink my whole attitude to postcolonialism, showing me how it is fundamentally the product of over a century of `third world' political activism that has been engaged in rethinking as well as contesting the ideologies of western dominance. It is striking that while there are many books on colonialism and imperialism, this is the first book to provide a history of the anticolonial movements and to analyse their achievements. One long-term goal of many anti-colonial intellectual-activists was to revolutionise thinking in the academy - a process that is now on-going through the intervention of postcolonial theory itself.

Highly recommended.

There are other books on postcolonialism, but this one stands head and shoulders above them. Unlike other postcolonial writers, Young does not treat postcolonialism as one long ideological debate. All the ones I've read tend to focus on the ideas of Fanon, Said, Spivak, Bhabha while ignoring the social movements and individuals whose struggles against colonialism make the discussion possible. Actually, Fanon is the exception here, but that only proves the rule. Young traces the rise of anticolonial movements and ideologies and their development into postcolonialism. As Young shows, the anticolonialists of the early 20th century didn't simply provide a starting point for later thinkers, but took positions which are still influential today.

Young is the only author I've seen who even broaches the role of the Comintern. He does and excellent job portraying the Comintern's attempt to develop a coherent policy towards anticolonial struggles without glossing over its contradictions. Young also expands his scope to include those not ususally discussed in studies of postcolonialism: Mariartegui, Cabral,Cesaire, even James Connolly. My only disagreement is with his assessment of Gandhi. Young puts forth a creative interpretation of Gandhi's tactics and their effects, particularly in destabilizing meanings. I, however, disagree with the idea that such tactics led to the liberation of India, but that's a whole other discussion.

Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the topic which covers far more ground than any other book in the field.

This book shows both the advantages and disadvantages of the survey approach to postcolonial studies. As an overview it a valuable introduction to the historical impact the various forms of imperial rule and its aftermath had in a wide variety of locations but the best studies concentrate on one specific location at a time. Postcolonial theory is also best understood in specific context as each regions history largely determines the theory that has grown within and been responsive to its specific circumstance. Thus theory as practiced in West Africa is sharply distinct from that practiced in the Caribbean or India. The comparative survey form has the advantage of being in the best position to register global movements and historical shifts but also presents the danger of reenacting colonization by presenting a collection of exotic settings and circumstance for study in the academic setting which leads to some of the criticism of postcolonial studies and theory in particular as radical chic, ie refashioning the third world in terms that make it interesting for consumption by western intelligentsia. Recent work in the field presents an additional danger of giving the postcolonial the postmodern treatment, a convenient alliance of posts which may serve the academic communitys need for perpetual reformulation, but a perilously reductive approach. Good completely competent introduction, though there are at least four or five other choices in this category which cover the same ground.

I have been enjoying Robert Young's writing since his 1990 White Mythologies and 1995 Colonial Desire. These works are excellent critical writings covering theories of postcolonialist critics. This work (Postcolonialism: An Historical Introduction) is a magnum opus covering the entire field of postcolonial study from Colonialism, Imperialism, Neocolonialism to Postcolonialism. If there is one book you want to have on postcolonialism, this is it. Only be sure that you will be guided by Young's encyclopedic mind through difficult and even uncharted areas of study. Young is no stranger to theory and he ends his book again with a section devoted to postcolonial criticism. He does not merely recap what we already know about Foucault, Said, Bhabha, Spivak, but explores how their thoughts interrelate and often influence each other directly. What is more, he situates all of this in direct relation to the leading chapters of the volume which helps the reader maintain a broad schematic view while slowly filling in the details. I found especially rewarding his demonstration of the lines that lead from Gandhi to Nandy to Bhabha, and also the line that leads (not unproblematically) from Foucault to Edward Said. Comparisons are made between the thought of Frantz Fanon and Nandy in order to lead the reader to form a clearer understanding of Bhaba's evolving concept of hybridity. Though this book is not as literary-oriented as Young's Colonial Desire, it will prove helpful background to that work. Also very noteworthy is his attention to women's voices within postcolonialism. On the whole this volume is a very worthwhile investment and I might add, a required reading for anyone interested in postcolonialism. Although there are some areas that invite disagreement, on the whole the book is not polemical in tone but consistently factual and historical.

The biography of Neil Gallagher, one of the most promising young members of Congress in the 1960s whose rise to power unraveled as later years revealed links to the mob and J. Edgar Hoover's war against privacy makes for an engrossing story of not just one politician's rise and fall, but the underlying power struggles, politics and influences which led to pressures against Fourth Amendment rights. A revealing blend of biography and political history.

Neil Gallagher was a star in the world of politics who whose career was ruined by vicious men who turned the U.S. government into an 'evil empire'. Could this happen again? Is America the great country it seems to be or something else? It is every citizens job to insist that our country live up to the high ideals it was founded upon.

Wow. A great read. And very relevant to today's world.

Ron Felber's book "The Privacy War" is well-written and well-reseached. Though it is controversial in many of its conclusions serious students of U.S. history should read it as well as every day citizens concerned about the future of their country.

Living now under the "Patriot" Act, with more addendums to it being planned, it is important for citizens and Congressional representatives to revisit recent history. Under the reign of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI regularly engaged in wire-tapping and secret taping via parabolic microphones. Catching mobsters, right? No, blackmailing members of Congress, destroying careers of public servants, and taking revenge on anyone who opposed the bureau's interests.

How did they do it? By planting false information in respectable journals such as Life magazine, paying off members or organized crime for deeds done, and planting evidence to implicate innocent people. This is the story of New Jersey Congressman Neil Gallagher and his nightmarish encounters with Hoover and others in the American intelligence business. Gallagher championed privacy after learning of a young girl being forced to take a lie detector test for a low level administrative job. As Gallagher continued to delve into breaches of privacy over the years, he was astonished to discover massive deceptions carried out by the Pentagon, CIA, and FBI.

In one such case, approximately 300,000 children ranging in age from 6 to 12 were given psychotic drugs such as Ritalin without the consent of their parents in a study to determine which drug was the most effective in behavior modification. It was discovered that the U.S. Army was quietly shipping canisters of dangerous chemical weapons by train through such heavily populated areas as Philadelphia. Once at port they were loaded on WWII Liberty ships, taken 250 miles out to sea, and sunk into the depths. Congress and the public were totally in the dark.

Of course the nefarious Roy Cohn showed up in Gallagher's life, at first as a friendly, knowledgeable Washington insider, later threatening the successful Congressman with warnings from Hoover. Hoover went out of his way to terrorize Gallagher and his family. FBI agents ransacked their home while they were on vacation, interrogated his daughters while they were in college, and stormed into their home threatening his family at gunpoint. Author Ron Felber does not draw any conclusions, but allows the words of Gallagher and others to cast doubt on the veracity of the Warren Commission report.

Felber conducted extensive interviews with Gallagher, cited newspaper accounts, and obtained documents under the Freedom of Information Act in assembling his book. He uses the convention of jumping between time periods to provide background information on the current storyline. It is a technique that can be distracting, but Felber does a remarkable job. In light of the events of today, Felber's book is very relevant and a call to remember that in the past government institutions have acted against government officials and private citizens irresponsibly and maliciously.

Invasion of privacy in our current environment has the potential to rise to dangerous, even outrageous, levels. Government secrecy and deception are enemies of democracy. As Albert Einstein said:

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."