Although I read this book years ago, I appreciate having learned a great deal from this pocket-size guide on how to turn someone's comment, no matter the circumstance, into my opportunity teach my interlocutor to appreciate my sense of self-concept and my faith in myself.

One of the most important points in this book is that others often ask questions about your progress, not because they really want to know where you are, and how you have traveled along the journey of your project. What they really want to know, by your entire demeanor, now, is that you are confident. They want you to be focused upon solution.

I really like the way the author compares school days for children to school days for clouds. The illustrations jump off the page. The songs, poems, and crafts also add a great deal, making it much more than a story book. Excellent. My daughter loves it. She was 2 1/2 when I got it. Now I will begin reading it to my eight month old, as he listens when I read to big sister(she is 4 1/2 now). I got the book at a class for Childcare workers, but I would recommend it to anyone with children.

This wonderful book gives a complete historical perspective of the Hawaiian dance form known as the hula. The Hawaiians had no writing - their history was entirely oral. So for the history of the Hula prior to the arrival of Europeans in Hawai`i, we are entirely reliant on descriptions of the first European visitors to Hawai`i and on some early accounts written by Hawaiians who learned to write. Source material is scarce. When the missionaries arrived, they were, of course, shocked by the lascivious hula movements, and quickly made it illegal (in public). Fortunately for the hula and for all of us, King Kalakaua (1874-1891) loved the hula and was responsible for a revival that continues today. The annual hula festival on the Big Island - THE MERRY MONARCH FESTIVAL - honors his devotion to this art form. This book covers all of that, plus lots of information on the Hula Heiau (temple) on Kaua`i that is still heavily used today. You have to have this book if you are interested in hula at all.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. MARTIN HAS COINED THE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION SYSTEM AT HIS COMPANY "BOARDROOM". AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO IMPLEMENT AT MY COMPANY. I'm dealing with management types that may not be very "open" to a system that Martin has adapted, looking for suggestions to encourage the use of his system. HELP

An outstanding piece of work. Gottschak's effort is heavily researched, well written and very readible. This book covers the formation and combat history of the 1st Missouri Brigade (CSA) during the Civil War, and is richly detailed throughout. Highly reccomended for anyone interested in the often obscure and overlooked western battles of our Civil War.

"Democracy is hard to love." Iris Marion Young writes these words near the beginning of INCLUSION AND DEMOCRACY (2000). The love/hate relationship many people have with democracy originates in part from a love of democracy in theory but displeasure surrounding the outcomes of democratic systems in practice. I write this review from Jamaica during a time in which the struggle for democracy has reached critical proportions. The imminent national elections will play a part in determining the future direction of this polity. Jamaica presently operates under a neo-liberal economic system. Its flirtation with democratic socialism in the 1970s, though, along with its strong ties to Cuba hinted at a potential turn to socialism at a time when revolutions in Grenada, Iran, and Nicaragua fueled the Cold War Red Scare. The failure of both communist state capitalism and neo-liberalism among developing countries before and after the fall of the Soviet Union has left open the question, "What constitutes a democracy?" Furthermore, developed nations such as the US in the post-September 11 era are questioning WHO and WHAT constitute the fabric of their democracy amid daily economic struggles and racial profiling.
Young, like the late Hannah Arendt, is trained as a philosopher yet writes primarily as a political theorist. As such, Young is offering a theoretical framework in her discourse rather than a text full of regressions or allusions to philosopher-kings and queens. For academics in the discipline of "political science" who see a divide between the theorists and empiricists, this work offers fresh ideas for both camps. For the grassroots organic intellectuals and activists, you too will find new ideas.
Young outlines reasons why we should love democracy in three ways as I read the book: (1) Detailing an overview of contemporary democratic theory, (2) providing her criteria of the components of a democracy and (2) offering future directions in democratic theory. Per the title, "inclusion" is a cornerstone element of democracies and the prevention of exclusion is paramount. Jurgen Habermas has been criticized for composing theories that exclude several groups outside his closed Enlightenment project. What is telling about Young's thought is that Habermas taught a recent course at Northwestern University interrogating Young's ideas on multiculturalism and race. Young asks very important questions on the meaning of inclusion in a democratic polity.
So why read this book instead of the recent spate of works on the topic? The author is able to do something that unfortunately many writes cannot: compose a highly readable work that is simultaneously informative. In terms of innovations, Young links political theory, distributive justice, and social justice queries with "international" concerns for global justice; a move persons like Charles Beitz began and John Rawls avoided.
In conclusion, I urge anyone reading to pick up this work. The journal POLITICAL THEORY offers a useful recent response by Young to a critic of the book. Lastly, read Young's previous works on feminism and social justice (esp. JUSTICE AND THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE) to see get a sense of the author's writing. The only way we all can forge democracy in these precarious times is to talk, read, debate, and throw away the false belief that political theory is only an isolated academic exercise.

An essential for any mid Eastern studier's library

I began reading Ms. Bradley's work probably around the time this book was published, but I never saw this in a store until 1998. I was very familiar with her writing style and had grown attached to all the Darkover, Avalon and Atlantis characters but I never knew of her short stories. Some of these are from her writing "beginnings" and I must say, they are the best I've ever read. Each is complete. That is not to say they all leave you satisfied. Some I don't believe are meant to do that, but instead seem to have an urgency in the telling that doesn't go away when you finish the last paragraph. I can still feel the family in "Jamie" and I can still feel my revulsion for the stress relieving mechanism is another of the stories. This is a wonderful collection with a depth that I don't think was always able to be realized in Ms. Bradley's popular novels. It's well worth the ordering wait.

i have always prided myself on being a free thinker and one who was not dogmatic about religion especially-- i grew up a baptist and thought i had heard every sermon known to man and every idea related to that sermon-- this book takes you down a path that is shocking and amazing-- it strips the blinders off and unless you have some real conception of valuing yourself and what that means you come away in shock--- the ideas presented are nothing short of stunning--- its takes the bible and gives another insight and one that makes you review all you have ever believed and thought-- it takes the fences down and makes you ''own you own mind'' it demands that you overcome your own fear of your power--- it a new twist on zecharia sitchin and goes ever farther -- it hits the foundation of us all and demands that we think for ourselves--since we do design and create what we are involved in then we have to be knowledgable about truth--- remembering that it evolves also--- and true knowledge gives true freedom--- i bet it wont be a best seller for the 700 club but anyone who can take it on the chin will love it--- it makes you think!!!!!!! i recommend it for many reasons but the first one is what are we doing to ourselves if we have belived a lie and then why is that lie accepted and iron clad within most of the religions of the day--- thank you for another version of reality-- i salute you sramsey

August Wilson's Jitney opened off-broadway in New York in the Spring of 2001. I saw the play 3 times within 3 weeks, and I took my father the last. It isn't about seeing a play. It's about experiencing and sharing hope.

Set in Pittsburgh, PA of the 1970's, the play centers around jitney/car service drivers as they try to let go of the past, and embrace future changes in themselves and their environment. They're decent, hard working middle-aged black men who are questioning their lives, wondering if they accomplished enough, made mistakes, or have been lead astray and are desparately trying to find a way to rectify themselves, even warn the angry young not to make the same mistakes.

The main story is about Becker, the owner of the Jitney and his relationship with his son Booster, who was recently released from a 20 year prison sentence for killing a rich white society girl after she falsely testified he was rapist. Becker has always been a pillar to his community, and he has never forgiven or understood his son's act. Booster, who could have been another Albert Einstein, was barely twenty when killed the girl. Because of changing times and laws, he was spared the death penalty, but not until after his mother dies of a broken heart, which is something Becker holds Booster responsible for. Will Becker forgive Booster? Is Booster sorry? What will become of Booster, a once promising scholar, who, it seems, has thrown the important years of his life away. Will Becker hold onto the Jitney or will it be demolished to make way for a mall or something similar. Will the young Vietnam Vet be able to close on the house that will make life better for his young family?

What I particularly liked about this play is that, right or wrong, the characters believably argue their convictions. It's as if the audience is deciding who's right. Events are never slanted. While there are a number of powerful scenes, the one that stands out for me is the reunion between Becker and Booster as Booster tries to justify why he killed the girl. The play is never preachy or slanted.

The play kept me and a packed audience on the edge of our seats, literally, up until and including the last word. Each time I went, the play was met with automatic standing ovation.

Whether you're an actor looking for something to sink your teeth in or a person that appreciates a skillfully action and character driven play, Jitney is worth reading. I went 3 times for the language and skillfully developed scenes.