I am the founder of a charter school in Michigan. Before deciding to found such a school, I read voluminous texts about the history and purposes of public education. This is, by far, my favorite text on education history.

Most education historians make the mistake of blindly accepting as a premise the common misconception that the intended purpose for the development of compulsory education in Prussia was the mass production of soldiers and obedient subjects. Research proves this to be utterly false. While certainly it cannot be argued that the training of the young has been misused at points in history by tyrants, including Hitler, you can't label an invention by its misuse. All innovations have the inherent danger of perversion for evil purpose.

Compulsory public education has a very interesting and wholesome history. The research of Melton sheds much needed light on the perpetually maligned history of compulsory education. This is a must read for those wishing to learn the intricate truth of the evolution of Prussian/Austrian systems of education. The revelations of this probing research succesfully challenge the commonly held prejudices regarding state-run educational systems.

This is a fine book. Meticulously researched and referenced. My interest in the history of education arises out of the fact that I don't intend to send my daughter to school choosing instead to educate her at home. One reason I'm doing this is that mainstream school, whether state or private, is not primarily about education but about structuring society to create a class system and about mentally programming its participants into some role within society. That's quite a bold statement to make and I made it after only a little research. While I might be totally convinced of it, I have be aware that it might be wrong since my daughter's future is at stake. Hence my desire for further research, a desire most ably satisfied by this book. If you read Melton's book you will be left in no doubt as to the veracity of the statement. Also in the book you will find described most of the mind control and indoctrination methods that we associate with modern school and which in alternative education circles is known as the hidden curriculum.

For me a major benefit of this book is that it is written by someone not involved in the alternative education movement, someone who has probably never heard of us or read any of our material. In 'Absolutism', Melton offers independent verification of some of the ideas circulating among an otherwise small group of people. Melton agrees that Prussia is where the origins of compulsory modern schooling lie, but whereas the movement customarily places them in the Prussia after the battle of Jena round about 1805, after Fichte's addresses to the German nation, Melton has them in the Prussia of the early 1700s with methods under the direction of one August Hermann Franke. A piffling discrepancy you may think which makes no difference to the children with lives blighted by school, but all the difference in the world when analysing the philosophical roots of compulsory school. It should also makes a difference when considering reforms to school or its abolition. With Melton's work we can now make a small but significant correction and state that the origins of the education systems in most countries of the world are attributable to Christian Pietists under contract to the Prussian State. Before, the origins were customarily attributed to solely the Prussian State with the silent implication that the origins are secular.

There is much more in this book. As well as home educators, practitioners of alternative education and education historians, this book will appeal to people interested in other aspects of the history and in the politics, philosophy, and religion of eighteenth century Prussia and Austria. In it you will read about Cameralists, the textile industry, labour shortages, seigniorial authority, the rise of agrarian capitalism and much more. Chapter 3 deals with things like baroque Catholicism, popular comedy and drama, and literate theatre - stretching the relevance to add a bit of colour I suspect but good fun nonetheless.

Be warned though, this book is not a primer. You will need to have some prior familiarity with the material to derive maximum value from 'Absolutism'.

As I said at the beginning this is a fine book. Thank you for writing it James Van Horn Melton. Good health to you and your family.

Melton's view of schooling in Prussia and Austria is both informative and precise. He is an under-rated scholar with fascinating perspectives on 17th century European history.

A wonderful help for a remodeler. We have used this manual as a bible for our kitchen & bath designs. A easy to read and use book.

We have a complete Litetouch System in our home. VanLaarhoven's book has proved invaluable to us when we need answers in a hurry. His trouble shooting techniques have shown us the way every time. We are so happy to have found his comprehensive, easy-to-read and understand manual.

This book is mainly geared toward the 2000 and the 5000LC LiteTouch Automation Systems. The content covers practical installation and troubleshooting, but also includes an automation component section that gives specifications along with some practical tips. The goal of the book is to break-down the technology into separate events that will allow the technician/electrician and homeowner a way to comfortably deal with LiteTouch and Home Automation as a whole. The book includes experiences from other technicians, homeowners and myself that will hopefully make your home automation project more enjoyable.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the truly influential painters of his day and painted art revealing complex spirituality and intense emotion that continue to impress art students, connoisseurs, and artists today. He was able to imbue his work with his own psychological presence as is especially evidenced in his many self-portraits. In Van Gogh, art historian and Post-Impressionist expert Belinda Thompson has assembled his paintings and works drawn from the archives and collections of the Art Institute Of Chicago including such famous works as an 1887 Self-Portrait, The Bedroom, and Madame Roulin Rocking the Cradle. Thirty of the images are reproduced in full color, together with another twenty-two duotone comparative illustrations. Van Gogh is further enhanced for the reader with an informative account tracing the great artist's development as a painter in Holland, England, and France in a career that was to last less than a decade. Van Gogh is a very highly recommended addition to any personal, academic, or community library Post-Impressionist art history reference collection in general, and to Vincent van Gogh enthusiasts in particular.

These stickers are approx. 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" and include the title of the painting and artist name.They are clear, good quality despite being sticker size. There are many applications for these including stationary, envelopes, etc. or make great stocking stuffers.

Beautiful and affordable. They make wonderful additions to letters for friends, and my young son likes to make his own stationery with them. We also contributed some art stickers by Matisse and Degas to his classroom for a celebration of spring.

This is about what happens when life suddenly changes in a most unexpected way, and how to handle disapointment, broken dreams, lost love and taking a new path of life and perhaps in the end, becoming a stronger, yet more humble, person.
Read and read again and enjoy the story and beautiful language!

This book is not one that holds your attention so strongly that you can't put it down. It's instead a very reflective work of tragedy that grows rapidly into fruition equal to the speed of the cancer which is overtaking its heorine, Celia, who in her last moments tries with the aid of her former lover to recover a sense of meaning for all that has in effect been stolen from her in a family and society of unrelenting deception which included the machinations of her daughters. So much so that in the end she couldn't rely on her daughters, all of whom are grown with families of their own. One of the scenes is so compelling that one wonders how much a human can withstand? It has to do with the "heoric" surgery that has been performed. Her former lover David having heard by chance of her last irreversible struggle forgives and forgets everything and rushes back from Europe to be with and help her. It ends tragically but magnificently in spite of all the lies.

I have to say that I loved this book. And that's not only because they gave my website a A+. There are tons of pictures. and the writing was really good too.

I loved James ever since the first episode of DC. The book was also really great.

While some students use review books or online resources for the medicine clerkship, I've found this text to be a great resource. Information is clearly presented in small easy to digest chapters. The CD-ROM is a great bonus for board review. This is the type of book that I'll keep as a reference regardless of the specialty I go into.

This paperback book covers the entire knowledge of Internal Medicine in just 1000 pages. It is up to date and extremely readable. It is full of illustrations and tables which make comprehension and retension easy. It is a great buy.

LITTLE BIG HORN DIARY (and MARCH OF THE COLUMNS) is the best work ever done on the 1876 campaign. James Willert, who passed away only a few days ago, should always be remembered as the true modern-day scholar on this subject. Read this book and you will discover why I say this. This great work has only been in limited hardbound thus far. Willert's work needs to be read by a mass audience. Only then will the truth about Custer and those days at the Big Horn be honestly known...Upton & Sons and Willert's family will now attempt to bring this great masterpiece to the entire populace where it belongs.

LITTLE HORN DIARY (and MARCH OF THE COLUMNS) is the best work ever done on the 1876 campaign. James Willert, who passed away only a few days ago, should always be remembered as the true modern-day scholar on this subject. Read this book and you will discover why I say this. This great work has only been in limited hardbound thus far. Willert's work needs to be read by a mass audience. Only then will the truth about Custer and those days at the Big Horn be honestly known...Upton & Sons and Willert's family will now attempt to bring this great masterpiece to the entire populace where it belongs.

An enchanting literary novel. James van Luik writes in the clearest of styles a three part tragic love story: A grandmother, her grandson and husband to Rosie. Although I followed with trepedation into this tragedy which turns out to be overwhelming, nonetheless the story enchanted me completely even though it was plain that there could be no happy resolution. I was very sorry to come to the final pages; so, I turned to the previous novel recently published by JvL, The Fifth Year, where one also finds his fine writing once again set in his beloved Maine.

Living in Maine as I do the flavor of this novel is evident not only in its descriptions but also of the Maine effect on personality. Effie and Rosie are marvelous characters. Effie so reminds me of my grandmother as she tries to steer Rosie and her husband, Michael into better paths for happiness. In spite of her efforts one can feel the ineluctable path of destruction they are taking. But in the end, Michael is so reconciled to Rosie that his love for her though it can not save her is taken in her one remaining plea: "if a little female babe does spring will you name her Rosie?" An endearing book in all ways.

This is a wonderful picture of what might have been, written with deft style. You come away feeling you better understand the painter, the paintings and the true anguish he suffered.

This is a must read for artists and those interested in the arts. It is a inspirational account of a great painter who had to overcome pain and suffering to give the world beauty. I found van Gogh in a new light after reading his missing journals and I appreciate him now more then ever. I understand his passion and demons, his committment to a dream and his ability to overcome obsticals in order to make some of the best art of the 19th century. I also found the book to be a spiritual read. It raised the issue of the how influences by organized religion can come into conflict with creativity, yet it showed van Goghs love of God and nature.

Short stories are snapshots. Snapshots often reveal a truth that a formal photograph cannot. The seventeen snapshots in this collection are divided into sections (Teaching, Love, Death, Time) but they all feature the same thing: touching characters in extraordinary and true circumstances.

No matter how odd the situation, the reader can connect with the character; under the nonsensical lies plain truths we can all understand. Don't fit into your surroundings? Don't despair; neither do many of the people you'll meet in these stories.

Take Miss Hathaway. She has a problem with a spider in her classroom and when she's directed to take care of it herself, she does, but in an altogether unexpected manner. Demi has the ability to sense the life-force of insects, but even better, she can channel that energy. Yet, nothing ever goes how one expects it to--good for readers, heartbreaking for Demi.

The death dwarves have even bigger problems. They're just trying to do their job, which is to bring death to the masses. Our Intrepid Hero John Minor gets in the way. What's he thinking? Another man trying to do his job is Pierce. That job involves recording the voices of the past. He's recording something he shouldn't be, and just can't stop himself.

Ever have a neighbor who doesn't want to adhere to the covenants of the community? You're already familiar with Gary then, who seems determined to paint his house black. Owen doesn't like this at all, though his wife keeps going over there...

Have you ever sacrificed something near and dear for love? Ever dared to speak forbidden words? Relied on a sixth sense during a baseball game? Have you crouched atop your desk at work while sharks circle? Of course you have.

Which means you'll relate to the people in these stories. You'll understand their dilemmas, their heartbreak, their fear.

And that makes this collection a treasure. It's science fiction and it's fantasy, but at its heart, it's truth.

Simply put, "Strangers and Beggars" is one of the best short story collections I've ever read.

Sixteen of the seventeen stories kept me riveted from start to finish. Though the stories cover a wide variety of themes, settings, and characters, they share a solid foundation of Mr. Van Pelt's great writing and vivid imagination. If you enjoy the book even half as much as I did, you'll have gotten more than your money's worth.

Jim is a friend. While he was collecting the short stories for Strangers and Beggars he withdrew one. Not right for this collection. This collection might be used in a classroom and as a teacher Jim knew that the withdrawn story was not right for a classroom.

Great decision. I can share each and every one of his tales and keep the young reader's interest. The book is on the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults.