This book switches from one character's viewpoint to another in each chapter, and I sped through it because I couldn't wait to see what happened to each of them. I'm going to go back and read through it again, more slowly. It reminds me a bit of the Mitford books, in that it makes a small southern town and its diverse collection of characters come alive. It is one of those books that sticks in your head for a long time--I can't wait for the next book from this author. Try it!

Australian Catholic priest Paul Collins begins his examination of the Australian Catholic church by recounting two incidents where bishops were dismissive of him, the first because Collins 'obviously hated the Catholic church', the other because Collins was motivated by his 'own inner struggle and insecurity'. This is typical of how the Catholic hierarchy generally deals with its critics: if the critics are within the Church then they are obviously not true Catholics or simply have some personal agenda; if the critics are not Catholics, then they 'just don't, and can never really, understand'.

How different is the approach presented by the then Polish archbishop Karol Wojtyla in his 'The Acting Person', where he argues that opposition is one of the characteristics of authentic human community. Those who disagree with official ideas and policies are not necessarily enemies of the community, but may be motivated by a deep devotion to the common good. This sort of opposition is vital to the community's growth and well-being.

Such thinking from the man who is now, as John Paul II, the head of the international Catholic community would come as a surprise to many. In Collins, however, we find just such a person, very critical of the Australian Catholic community, not out of malice or mischief (though benignly mischievous he frequently is), but clearly because of a deep devotion to his church and with a passionate belief in its potential for making a substantial contribution to the nation.

In his previous book, 'Mixed Blessings' (Penguin, 1986), Collins examined the modern global Catholic church and was rude enough to conclude that 'this small, backwater Church still has a long way to go to stay abreast of the Church Catholic'. He has now set his sights squarely on the Australian scene, gaining a more detailed and nuanced vision. He believes 'that the Catholic tradition has within it enormous resources and an adaptive ability to address the issues being raised by fair-minded people in contemporary A! ustralia.' He deplores the fact that there is little engagement between the Catholic church and Australian society, seeing this as a massive failure of leadership, principally by the bishops. Collins presents his examination of the Australian Catholic church within the framework of the biblical concept of 'kairos' - that now is a time for decision. The chief options he sees before the Church are to retreat into a reassuring Catholic subculture or to take a leadership role in society by reclaiming the spiritual and ethical traditions of Catholicism, especially by applying its principles of social justice.

The ground covered by the book is wide and, on the whole, fallow: where development of a distinctively Australian theology has gone wrong; that belief in the transcendent remains high in Australia, but church attendance is dropping, especially by women; why empowerment of the laity strikes at the self-identity of most priests; how the refusal of the Vatican to ordain women and married men is leading to heresy; that the Catholic school system needs to establish its own agenda and direction independent of government policies (but not unaccountable for funds provided); why Catholic spokesmen (aren't they always) have a poor media record; how large numbers of adults are today choosing to become Catholics, often with no previous church background; why Sunday Mass is generally 'dull, lifeless and boring'.

The two major items on the agenda that Collins proposes for the Church are Aborigines and the environment. In fact he presents little about 'what should be done', only presenting a case for the issues' importance. He reminds us that Aboriginal religious beliefs are diverse and private, requiring sensitivity and respect, and are fundamentally at odds with the simplistic and romantic appropriation that is becoming increasing prevalent in the work of some white religious writers. Drawing on radical authors such as Thomas Berry and Charles Birch, Collins builds a case for the centrality of the environmental cr! isis to Catholic ethics and action, and demonstrates the problem posed by overpopulation. Yet he uncharacteristically avoids raising the relationship between this and official Catholic teaching on contraception.

Collins has produced a very readable and lively book, with a surprising amount of humor, but one based on a wealth of reading and other research. Although sources are footnoted throughout, the book would be improved by the inclusion of a bibliography and a more detailed index.

'No Set Agenda' will dismay reactionaries in the Church, while giving a fresh shot of enthusiasm to those of us struggling for change in the Catholic church. It will serve an excellent purpose if it reaches a non-Catholic readership (with over 25% of Australians being Catholics, the Church's beliefs and practices should be of wide concern), providing them with a rare window into a Catholicism concerned and passionate about much more than the anti-abortion issue, state funding of church schools, and what goes on in bedrooms.

I have read several books about Bill Clinton. This one is unique, and in that much of it is pre-presidential, provides uncanny insight into the range of events surrounding Clinton today. Author is a recognized, awarded civil rights writer, with convictions which defy partisan affiliations or stereotyped ideology. There were several times when things he had written made me laugh out loud. Many times he speaks with great conviction, always hopeful for Clinton's best, ready to forgive, and then the next disappointment. I've not seen another Clinton book like it, and I've read at least 30. Greenberg even correctly analyzes the problem that Republicans have had against Clinton, and the misperception that has led their strategy astray. Because the book uses as source material, articles that he had written as a journalist, you get that perspective that comes as the events take place. It's rewarding to read the author's interpretations of those events without knowledge of what would happen in the years ahead, and at times uncanny how on target his read of an event's significance was, with regard to future behavior. He couldn't care less about most of the sexual stuff - he's more interested in greater issues. A must read for all with an interest in Clinton.

What a splendid and timely book this is! Without trace of pontification or gloom-mongering, Barker lays out what we need to have thought about before we can respond effectively to terrorism. As I read the book, I was struck by how widespread terrorism is in the world today and what a very long history it has in human affairs. I already knew that my ancestors had used WMD's (smallpox infested blankets) on the indigenous peoples of North America; but I did not know that the great French celebrant of American frontier Democracy, Alexis deTocqueville, had written of his own nations' conquest of Algeria, 'In France, I have often heard people that I respect, but do not approve of, deplore burning harvests, emptying granaries, and seizing unarmed men, women, and children. As I see it, these are unfortunate necessities'. .'

Terrorism is a horrific topic. Unlike many writers in this area, Barker is equal handed in his sympathy and slow to moralize. In fact he shows how moralizing often obscures the issues at stake. To design ways to oppose terrorism he prefers the metaphor of international law enforcement over the metaphor of an International War Against Terrorism. It is more likely to lead us to think practically about ameliorating the conditions that foster terrorism and less likely to allow us to depersonalize and abuse the populations from which terrorists arise. Above all, the book helps you advance your own thinking on this fraught subject.

Barker's book is one of the No-Nonsense Guides, which originate from a Candian Publisher, Between the Lines. These are a series of thoughtful, succinct works on the most thorny issues of modern life, ranging from climate modification, to world trade, to world history. They are pocket books in the old fashioned sense of books you carry with you on the subway, to the dentist office, to the kids' hockey game that are so interesting and well-organized that you keep your place between interruptions.

I applaud both the series and the volume.

Always has my family been able to associate with the Sylves {aka Sidhe} and now I own tis book. It is useful information for any storyteller, or any player who wants to know how the local Noble thinks. This book has made a world of differance in my Chronicle.

I always dreamed of going to Canada, especially to do a canoeing trip. But most of the canoeing books I found were too boring or just gave the routes, while the nature books didn't have the travel information. This book is awesome! I loved reading the descriptions and the vignettes, and the sketches are delightful. It provides the cultural and historical information that really brought the trip to life.

I highly recommend it. Perfect as a 'wilderness companion'.

This is a well-written book that should be read by anyone with a desire to go beyond the many myths Americans learn while in grade school. I particularly found interesting chapters 1, 28, and 39, although all of the chapters are enlightening. This book is just as interesting as Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me.

This is an excellent translation of a long, extremely important - though fragmentary - text by Sartre, posthumously-published and still quite seriously neglected. It is well-known that, in Being and Nothingness, Sartre promised to publish a treatise on ethics, the implication being that it would be based on the ontology of that work. Notebooks for an Ethics shows him struggling to fulfil that promise, but ultimately failing as his basic perspective changes. It is indispensable reading for anyone having, or seeking, a view on whether it is possible to build an ethics upon the foundations of Sartre's early existentialism.

Great: one of the very best family histories I have ever seen; full of illustrations and obviously the product of many years of in-depth research having to do with the thousands of people named. His work on the early Drakes, Hunts, Hines, Martins and Coles is exceptional.

This book is about Patagonia, the southern part of South America. Windswept, cool, rainy or dry, depending on one's location, Patagonia is the uttermost realm of the Earth. This book, out of many, is the best I have ever seen on the area.

The writers, Paul Theroux, and the late Bruce Chatwin, are both very well acquainted with the region, Each writer has a differing style, and each writer's commentary therefore varies. Yet, both harmoniously intertwine into a fascinating mesh. In addition to each capturing the essence of the land and the harsh climate in his own way, both writers present fascinating vignettes on Patagonian history, culture, and people.

You will learn about the origin of Patagonia's name, its role in Shakespeare's plays, its history of sheltering Welsh nationalism, its ground sloth fossils, Butch Cassidy staying in hiding there, its glaciers and fiords, etc., etc., etc.

All of this is superbly complimented by Fred Hirschmann's stunning color photography. In four-color format, these photographs form the most excellent composite for a book since Eliot Porter's masterpiece on the lost Glen Canyon. Again and again, I return to these photos for their inspiration and beauty.

Most of us will never visit Patagonia and taste the local calafate berry. But if we can't, this book is the next best thing. I prize this book very much and recommend it to the hilt.