In an era of censure of social work, the profession diligently seeks to reinvent itself to better serve its constituency. Several models are available and are well presented in the volume. Though almost too much is attempted, particularly recommended are the articles in Part II. When combined with empowerment theory and the strengths-based approach to case management, Reinventing Human Services provides a perspective that holds real hope for change. The situation must improve--it can hardly get worse.

In this book, Beck offers us an interesting alternative to typlical postmodern thought and theory. He elaborates on Giddens' concept of «reflexive modernity», treating it as the state of flux in which we presently live. This transitional phase between industrial modernity and the next modernity is marked by the radicalization of modernity, the integration of risk into the social "order" as well as the fall of the welfare state and the uncertainty that follows it. Beck also analyses social and political tendencies angainst reflexive modernity as well as its effects on the political systems in the western world.

Beck's analysis is, for the most part, clear and consise, save for chapter 4 where he examines possible outcomes for the next modernity (a little to philosophical for my taste). The remainng chapters define reflexive modernity (chap. 1), counter-modernization (chap. 2), sub-politics (chap. 3) and the effects of reflexive modernization on the (western) political system (chap. 5). The book ends on another (overly) philosophical examination of the role of doubt.

This book has a lot of good and useful informatin. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Greek Religion

Textbook format with interesting highlights of the world's major religions. Not as focused on doctrine as Huston Smith, but indicates the cultural impact and use of these eastern and western religions. Good reference tool.

The format of this book made it a joy to go through. I could quickly & easily scan the contents for the topics that only interested me. Then, later on, a much greater level of detail is provided for those who wish the technical versus the "reader's digest" version! Everyone over 40 should read this book -- it addresses arthritus & many of the health issues & inconveniences of aging! I have followed the recommendations in this book with remarkable & noticable changes in my level of endurance & stamina within a few months!

This book is a good book if you already know something about working with modems and RAS. The book is targeted towards administrators of remote access systems who already have some basic skills. This book is really helpful if you are setting up or troubleshooting a RAS system. The author wisely included info about clients other than Windows such as Macintosh and Unix clients.

Repairing Pottery and Porcelain is an in-depth guide to repairing pottery and porcelain. It gets pretty technical at times, but it is written in such a way that a beginner can easily learn the art of pottery repair. Instead of offering only one solution to a problem (i.e. cleaning), it offers many, explaining the differences in each.

The seventh edition of Reporting for the Media is a useful tool for those just starting to learn to write a news story. It provides the basic underlying elements of a news story. With the formula provided, the reader learns the do's and don't's of the world of reporting news. From being accurate and concise to using correct style, the book provides a good tips for beginning news writers interested in expanding their knowledge. I recommend this book to professors needing a textbook for their classroom, or reporters who simply want to improve their newswriting.

This book is a compilation of several articles about the Spanish Civil War by different authors. Over all I think the most debatable is the chapter about the affair of weapon supplies to both sides. If we have to believe, the Republican side was strongly damaged by the embargo of France and England in order to sell arms to the Republic, but I think the author does excessive stress in this point, no doubt very important, but not the only reason of these defeat. The rebel army of Africa, although well trained by years of real war in Morocco, could be surely stopped during the first 72 hours of the insurrection, but the government in Madrid did nothing. There are more than 600 Km between South Andalusia and Madrid and these troops -about 45000- had to traverse firstly the strait of Gibraltar aboard Italian and German planes, an hazardous adventure in 1936. But Azaña, the president of he Spanish Republic and many of his ministers were isolated idealist men without capacity for action. Middle class almost not existed in Spain in 1936, only rich and poor people, and also highly intellectual persons beteween a huge mass of low educated people. Theme of the supplies of petrol and firearms was more crucial later, but at the beginning the defeat I think was a failure in decision and organization of the official government. The rebellion wasn't a surprise but fully expected. Warships were on the Republican side and they didn't nothing. Once in the peninsula the rebel army had to advance a long distance by the Spanish ground, mountainous and rough. Poor unarmed Andalusian peasants certainly couldn't do nothing against expert troops, but surely a firm counterattack by Extremadura leaded by trained officers and soldiers from Madrid could have stopped the army of Franco so, I believe lack of political and social cohesion was the most important cause of the triumph of the rebels.

Paul Rahe depicts in nearly perfect form the ways and wonders of the ancient world. A wonderful informative on the political and economic intricacies of ancient Athens and Sparta, as well as surrounding Greek city-states, with brief allusions to our modern society. The only reason why I do not give this book a 5 is because, alas, no one is perfect. A must have in any classics library.