This is a really cool book--perfect for stirring up exticement about the figures who've made american history. The bios are fascinating, and I love the celebrity introductions. I hope this is the first of a series.

This book is such a fun, interesting read. Not only are you introduced to 50 very interesting characters from history, but the famous people selecting them have written wonderful introductions to their biographies. You also gain new insight into the selectors. Ed Koch picked Malcolm X? He makes the case that Malcolm X is overlooked for his true contribution, but I'm sorry, he's hardly invisible. But the editor of the book did not put any restrictions on the selectors.

The biographies are the perfect magazine-article length--great for beach reading, night-stand reading, or anytime you don't want to get bogged down with a huge book. Simon Winchester's pick is amazing--and I loved Katie Brown's. Cheers to Mark Carnes for putting this book together--he's got a real gift for these things. Check out "History goes to the Movies" for another (although not quite so saucy) great idea for presenting American history in a delightful package. We need more books like this.

This book has amazing insight into the realms of Irish and German espionage history. I found the reading to be thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. Dr. Mark Hull brings a bit of humor into a subject that is difficult to entertain. I have never been an advent reader of any type of historical writings and found that once I started reading, I honestly felt capitivated by the reconstruction of history in this book. Unlike most history books, Dr. Hull has brought to life a writing that is serious in depth of subject, yet could be viewed world wide on a theatre screen as thoroughly enjoyable (James'Bond anyone?).

I would recommend this book for a history class or just for the enjoyment of sitting down on the sofa with a good book and a cup of wine for a relaxing evening at home.

Irish Secrets provides a stunning insight into a now forgotten aspect of the Second World War - Nazi Germany's secret overtures to neutral Ireland, 1939-1945. Berlin sent a "dirty dozen" agents by parachute and U-boat to Ireland, whose wartime leader, Eamon de Valera, was striving to maintain strict neutrality in the face of strong pressure to join the war (mainly from British Premier, Winston Churchill).
Mark Hull, a professor of modern history at St. Louis University, has produced the most detailed study of the agents sent to Ireland by Germany. They included a German circus weight-lifter, an Indian and two South Africans. Most were en route for missions in England, but all were caught and incarcerated in Athlone army camp in the Irish midlands (luckily for them because they would have faced executiion if discovered in wartime Britain).
The most colourful agent by far was Dr Hermann Goertz, who parachuted into Ireland just north of Dublin in 1940. Goertz was wearing his Luftwaffe uniform and medals in the mistaken belief that he would be shot if caught in civilian attire. Goertz who was in his 50s and a First World War veteran, asked a startled Irish farmer if he had landed in Northern Ireland by mistake. The farmer asked the German agent "You wouldn't happen to know Ballivor?" (the nearest village), at which point the conversation abruptly halted as Goertz went on the run.
As Professor Hull points out, Goertz had the most success among the German agents, remaining at large for 18 months. But it's believed that the Irish Army deliberately kept him on a long leash, checking all those with whom he came in contact, including the German ambasador, Dr Eduard Hempel.
Goertz was unsuited to a spying mission, however, and spent his time in prison writing love stories, practising suicide drills, and dreaming about taking over the leadership of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). After his post-war release, he was so alarmed at the prospect of being repatriated to Allied-controlled Germany (he feared he would be tortured to death by the Russians) that he took a cyanide pill and died instantly, in 1947.
Professor Hull's book - which is destined to become a standard work of historical reference - will prove an invaluable read for anyone intersted in recent Irish history, Ireland's historical links with Germany and, in particular, Nazi Germany's attitude to Europe's neutral states (which included Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey).
It is noteworthy that the foreword for Irish Secrets was written by none other than Enno Stephan (the former head of German Radio's French-language service), whose 1963 book "Spies in Ireland" did much of the spadework on this fascinating topic.

(Dr David O'Donoghue, Dublin, Ireland).

As a person that has studied East Asian cultural history academically for years, and a person who will be teaching China just four months from now, I found this book to be perfect. It was not written by a scholar, and I think in reality that is what makes it great. It is simply a man with a love for Asian culture, who came to be exposed to the reality of modern China. Still, even with all the hardships, his love remained. It is a testament to Americans that can see beyond the perceptions built by our own society, and also to the Chinese culture that was able to shine even under the political turmoil. Mark Salzman would not only write a wonderful book from his experience, but he also carried the beauty of wushu back to the United States, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. This book has incredible insight into Chinese culture, of course from an American perspective. There are too many good points about this book, and the movie that was produced as a result, to begin to list them here. I suggest you simply buy it and be prepared for a very enjoyable read, and maybe possibly a change in your perceptions.

This book, even though not written by a professional writer, tells the true life story of a martial artist and his search for a teacher. The story combines a description of China and its traditions , and the teachings of a true martial artist. It is focused on philosophy and changes the traditional view of martial arts as a violent art. It's a novel with a message.

This book, Islam and the Jews was an eyeopener! It made clear the motivation for the actions and reactions in the Middle East situation and the reasons of the never ending conflict. I highly recommend this scholarly work. It is well thought out and presented in an orderly fashion. The religious "smoke screen" has been removed in this book!

Islam and the Jews is a "MUST READ"book for every person really interested in the battle between the jews and muslins. Dr. Gabriel treats the subject with academic soundness, theological truth and Biblical clarity. Our Bible colege and seminary uses this book extensively in the training of pastors and Bible students the TRUTH about Islams intentions for the jewish people.May GOD through His Holy Spirit use this book to give Divine understanding of the issues discussed in this wonderful treatise. "BE WARNED" you will NEVER look at Islam and the Jews in the same light again after reading this masterpiece "Islam and the Jews". Dr. Gene A. Youngblood, president of CONSERVATIVE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Why do suicide bombers attack Israel the same day that leaders from Israel and the PLO are meeting to negotiate peace? If you want to know the real answer, then you need to read Islam and the Jews. This book is quick and easy to read, but it explains without apology the role Islam plays in the current problems in the Middle East.

Most significantly, the author himself is a former Muslim from Egypt who once fanned the flames of the rhetoric against Jews. Now a Christian who honors and admires the Jewish people, he seeks to expose the true teachings of Islam. The story of his own personal journey out of anti-Semitism grabs your attention in the beginning of the book-from his hiding under his bed during an Israeli air raid in 1967, to serving in the Egyptian army, to fiery sermons against the Jews preached at mosques in Egypt.

He does not rely on Western interpretations of Islam. Instead, he focuses on the Quran and the historical records about Muhammad's actions and teachings. He holds a doctorate degree in Islamic history from Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

After you read this book, the headlines you read about the Middle East every day will finally make sense. You may also be surprised to find that you feel a new sympathy toward those who are devoutly practicing Islam.

I got my copy back in 1992 and it has been my number one reference for looking up complex Kanji compounds eversince. So comprehensive yet so easy to use. You'll be hard pressed to find another Kanji dictionary that has more entries than this one. I studied Japanese at university for 4 years and have been working in Japan for 6 years so far. I always have this book at my side. The only thing that might be better would be one of those modern palm-sized electronic dictionaries. But you have to be in Japan to get one and you need to be able to read Japanese to use it; not to mention the expensive price. Think you're a hardcore Japanese student or strive to be one, get this book. It'll make your Kanji studying life a lot easier, I guarantee it.

This is an excellent Kanji dictionary. Not only can you look up characters by either their radical or their reading, the dictionary provides a comprehensive list of compound words in which that character appears. This means that you can often find the meaning of a compound word by looking up only one character (even if you know neither of the character's readings) which saves a lot of time and frustration. The dictionary also includes older versions of characters and characters which have become obsolete (and are not found in most dictionaries). Highly recommended both for students and professional translators of Japanese.

Grounded in the oldest form of East Asian Massage, Japanese hot stone massage techniques create similar effects to moxibustion, in that heat penetrates and stimulates the tsubo, or acupoints. However, a hot stone massage combines techniques of acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage for a complete therapeutic treatment. This text is the first Western presentation of hot stone massage, and begins with an overview of history and tradition, theoretical basis, and basic techniques. Further chapters explain the basics of application and proper body mechanics, techniques for the posterior upper extremities, posterior lower extremities, anterior upper extremities, anterior lower extremities, and techniques for finishing treatment. The lesson-by-lesson format is methodical and thoroughly detailed by photos and bulleted information points, enabling the reader to quickly confirm fine points of application. Practitioners will surely appreciate this powerful therapeutic addition to their treatment repertoire.

I recently purchased this book along with 2 video tapes (which I HIGHLY recommend doing...)
You are guided so thoroughly through this book - you can't help but learn some great techniques.
The illustrations are large and easy to follow.
A Getting Started Guide along with an Ancient Wisdom and Benefits is included.
[Please know that there is a "Note to the Reader" included that states that the book is written specifically for massage therapist and other health professionals. Prior professional massage training is required and this is not intended for the layperson.]

These techniques are easily adaptable to existing hot stone treatments and can help offer your clients not only a new exciting treatment - but also receive a gentle, stress-relieving massage.

I highly recommend it!

Transaction cost economics introduced the concept of hierarchy (or company) to explain the raison d¡¯etre of the firm. The existence of the firm beside the market stands as a puzzle to neoclassical economics. If all the resources are distributed through the market mechanism, why there should be the company? Activities in and out of the firm are intrinsically economic one which is not that different from the one performed on the market. But those are not performed on the based on price mechanism. Then what¡¯s the rationality of the existence of the company? Setting up the company could be considered as rational economic action? Judging from experience, it¡¯s definitely so. Transaction cost is introduced to solve this discrepancy between theory and practice. Market activities are inherently bridled with ¡®incomplete information¡¯. ¡®Rational¡¯ market actor should rely on limited information to transact on the market (bounded rationality). The bounded rationality invites transaction cost beside nominal price on every transaction. The company is the device to reduce that cost. Its explanation seems successful. And thereafter transaction cost economics has become the dominant theory in economics of organization. But it pulls another puzzle towards us: it sounds great. Then how to explain the interaction between firms? They cite the opportunistic behavior between contractors. But examples of Japanese firms counter such modeling. Company lives with other firms. They compete and cooperate with each other. It goes without saying that their basic motive is selfish: making money, in other word, market-rational. But like all other human affair, their relation presupposes the rule and the other. The rule could be formal statute or implicit custom. The other could be competitors, or suppliers, cooperators, customers. Transaction cost economics retains the limited rationality model of economic man. So a limited picture is it that they can¡¯t draw up whole story of reality. Here comes the concept of institution and network.
This book is a case study of Japanese interfirm network, widely known as keiretsu. Japanese interfirm network has been recognized as very unique one. Competition and cooperation between Japanese companies are not entirely market-based. ¡®Trust¡¯ has been attributed to it to describe their relationship. But author argues that they make some points, But such a story lacks clarity, and that, does not fit well into the reality of Japanese business. Drawing up a realistic picture is the aim of this book. Such a drawing needs the in-depth field research from scratch. There has been plethora of literature on Japanese keiretsu, but, author argues, not much useful one based on real story. For example, according to the dominant theory in the West, Japanese main banks take the role of corporate governance instead of market. They play the role of signaling, monitoring and rescuing in the behalf of themselves and other stakeholders. But author argues that that kind of picture is no more than tatemae (socially correct story). The honne (real story) is quite different. The relationship between main bank and its client firm is imbued with ¡®relational transaction¡¯ and power imbalance. Relational transaction is peculiar to Japanese business. To do business, company should take part in some group. This is what is called as trust. But it¡¯s far from pastoral scenery. Basically, the relationship functions as power amplifier to the firm: to mobilize as much resources as possible against other. Resources are like these: financing, information, political clout on regulatory bodies, customers, and the like. So we can conclude that inter-group relationship is inherently political. But interfirm relationship within group is far from genial. It¡¯s characterized by the power imbalance based on resource imbalance between them. The relationship between main bank and client firm is based on information imbalance. Here main bank take the upper side. Contrary to tatemae, such as monitoring, rescuing, their relations are deeply based on self-interest.

Few Americans have the experience and breadth of knowledge about the Japanese economy as Mark Scher, who has spent the last 25 years mining its secrets. Finding that most western Paradigms about the Japanese economy don't fit the facts, Scher developed his own. Scher's work is widely known and respected in Europe (his Phd is from the University of Manchester, no less). However, our "Chicago School" economists will not be satisfied with a perspective that suggests that something other than a totally free market can work.

Comics are gaining recognition and respect, but for people new to reading them it takes a nudge to pick a book outside of the big name publishers. This is your nudge. "Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden" is a fantastic story, at once both clever and absorbing. It's not pigeon-holed into "a book for girls" or "a book for boys" but is appealing to everyone. Though this is a complete story, the adventures of Jax don't end with the book; the comics are still coming out and they just get better and better!

wonderful, entertaining and unpredictable. dave and john will keep you guessing and, ultimately, wanting more.

this comic will appeal to anyone who likes adventure, robots, ice cream...or all three! jax is a great character who you will be rooting for as she travels between realms, experiments with magic, goes on trial for destroying the world, and eats cereal with extra sugar.

fans of the comic "quicken forbidden" will also appreciate bonus material featured only in this paperback edition, including a new short story about jax's childhood.

I couldn't get enough of this book. Powell is a wonderful writer, and he introduces us to the perspectives of Historical Jesus scholars of the last two centuries with absolute clarity and just the right details. I just had a lot of fun reading on the different scholarly views on who that ancient man of sorrows was. Powell seemingly has no axe to grind, seems completely competent to plough the terrain, and makes the whole trip worth it with the last two pages of the book....After this huge deluge of information about what Jesus did or did not say; after all of the guessing concerning Jesus message; after probing why Jesus has remained so controversial after 2000 years, Powell offers a tantalizing scenario concerning the very first Christian words ever penned on the last two pages (his only personal reflections in the book). I had to wipe the tears from my eyes after that.

This book is a 5 all the way. You won't be disappointed regardless of your view of who Jesus was (or is).

Dr. Powell is head of the Historical Jesus section of the SBL. He not only is a New Testament scholar in his own right, he is also a respected colleague and friend of the Jesus Scholars he discusses. He not only has read their works, but he understands their positions from the inside.

In my experience, the study of the Historical Jesus is sometimes characterized by rhetoric, special pleading, and an unfruitful "us" vs. "them" attitude. While Powell is forthright about his own views when this is appropriate, he comes across as
surprisingly objective as he discusses the pros and cons of each position. This is aided by the fact that the Jesus scholars often disagree with each other - so he can just say "Wright would take issue with that", or "Crossan responds to this view
in this way."

Powell's writing style is refreshingly informal at times, and he obviously strives for clarity over the "scholar-speak" so often encountered. At the same time, he is obviously familiar with the technical concepts and not only throws the jargon around
but often explains it.

The book shows unusual restraint - Powell gives the reader room to formulate his/her own conclusions, while providing insight into both the issues and the scholars themselves.

I understand that this book is used in college courses as an introduction to the subject, and I can see why.

_Jesus As a Figure in History_ is a rare contribution: a clear explanation of a difficult and complex subject. I give it a 5.

A lucid introduction to Jewish laws, traditions and customs, this book is an esthetiic delight as well. Fine paper, elegant text and attractive graphics add up to a book that is a pleasure to mind, hand and eye. The author,s love of the faith of her mothers and fathers enlightens every page. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it and profit by it

This book offers both Jews & non-Jews a basic understanding of the Jewish calendar & life-cycle events which go hand-in-hand. A wonderful gift for any Jewsih occasion