The title of the book is interesting not only for its reference to Marx's famous statement but because Raymon Aaron was such a giant among intellectuals. This book, written in 1955, is a perfect indictment of the follies and inconsistencys of Marxist thought and intellectual fawning over the Soviet Union. Twenty years later, when I went to college, I had the same ideas but not Mr. Aaron's impressive prose and aplomb in destroying Marxist discourse. I wish I knew of the book back then. An excellen indictment on the longest folly of the 20th century.

Although Aron's treatise was published many decades ago as a brilliant and unsurpassed analysis of French intellectual culture, it has direct relevance for contemporary fads and foibles of Western cultural and intellectual life. Much of what goes on in the academy today becomes lucid when read within Aron's analytical framework. This book should be read by all who care about the education of their children.

Aron's book deserves recognition as one of the classic works of 20th century intellectual history. Written 40 years ago during the battle of ideas between communism and liberal democracy, "The Opium of the Intellectuals" provided profound insight into the mind of the communist intellectual. Aron, a renowned French historian and philosopher, wrote this devastating critique of French radicals (such as John Paul Sartre) during the height of the Cold War. Unlike Albert Camus in his famous book "The Rebel", Aron fires his guns without mercy and exposes these intellectuals' penchant for irrationalism and extremism.

The book's title was derived from Marx's famous quote "Religion is the opium of the people". Marx's belief was that religion diverted people's attention from misery on earth by promising a glorious afterlife. Aron explains communism served this role for radical intellectuals who eloquently rationalized and apologized for communism's barbarism because its promise to deliver utopia on earth. In a nutshell, communism replaced Christianity and other established religions as a new faith, but one grounded in the secular world, not in the heavens. As in all religions, faith is paramount, not reason. Communism's monstrous crimes and wholesale destruction of the individual did not bother these radicals because they believed in the ultimate "means / ends" justification. Since only communism could deliver humanity to the promised-land, it was privileged by its goal, thus any crime could be rationalized as the part of the twisted path to salvation.

This masterpiece illustrates the dangers of radical intellectuals who take a wild leap into political fantasy for the sake of an idea. Fredrich Hayek, the famous Austrian economist, summarized it best 50 years ago when he stated "The distance between a single-minded idealist and a fanatic is just one step".

I am an Arkansans who has recently started quilting and I have learned several of the patterns. I have started my own yo-yo quilt. I love the quilts featured in this book. One of my favorites is plate 13.

A Piece Of My Soul: Quilts By Black Arkansans showcases more than seventy-five individual pieces of patchwork quilt art in full-color photography. Each is accompanied by Cuesta Benberry's informative commentary as she details the importance of quilting to black Arkansas and the extensive holdings of African American quilts in the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. Enthusiastically recommended reading for students of Black History, southern popular culture, and the needlecraft arts, A Piece Of My Soul explains the quilt's uses, materials, and construction, as well as what each piece featured says about the needlecraft artist and her beliefs.

Cuesta Benberry has been a well-respected and internationally known quilt curator and historian for many years. With this book, she again "raises the bar" for those who research and wish to preserve the history of American quilt making. For many years, the dominant critical voices ignored the full range of quilt making by Black quiltmakers of the past. Ms. Benberry now has written and published a thoroughly documented and exciting work that clearly documents that Black quilters were part of the mainstream--not an exotic offshoot. In fact, one could argue that it is just as likely that some of the traditional patterns might have been invented by Black quilters--as easily as we assume that all the patterns were Euro-American inventions!

The State Museum of Arkansas, whose collection she is documenting, is to be congratulated for their support. Most importantly, her book can be used to challenge other state museums, regional quilt collections and national museums to seriously track, document and collect a full range of all types of quilts by Black quilters from the 19th and early 20th century--before this powerful and important legacy is lost forever. As a contemporary Balck artquilter, I am so grateful to Ms. Benberry for her continuing work! This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the history of American and African American quilt making.

This has all the great early Pettibon images, as seen in his
renowned 'zines from the early 1980's. It is worth getting, and
is all you need when it comes to early Pettibon. Very Powerful
stuff.

This book is Raymond Pettibon complete works from 1978-1978. If you never heard of Raymond Pettibon he was the in-house artist for SST records. He's done art work for Black Flag, Sonic Youth, and the Minutemen. His artwork looks at the social and political confusion of life. Pettibon's artwork consist of somewhat viloent imagery but with a twist of humor. Anyone that has a since of humor will love Pettibon's artwork.

A few years ago, Quimby's books in Chicago had a whole bunch of these little digest-sized, xerox-produced, hand stapled booklets by Raymond Pettibon. I never bought any, and always regretted it. Some savvy art-speculator probably snatched up the whole lot. They were selling them for a dollar or two each, and now they go for hundreds on the market. They were personally handmade by the great Pettibon himself, and thus qualified as actual Pettibon original artworks. Anyway, I missed my chance to get any of these--not necessarily to profit from them, just to, y'know, have 'em--but here is your chance(I've already got it) to have a near-complete collection. The books are presented actual size (approx. 8.5"x5.5"), arranged chronologically, each issue complete with front and back covers, and a detailed bibliography at the end. Aging punkers will probably recognize some of this stuff from their SST record covers and gig flyers, but there's alot of stuff I had never seen before. Truly, truly great.

I knew when I placed this order, that the basics would be there. The bodies, the scenery. However when you get inside of this book you are awestruck in witnessing not just a collection of photographs by a great artisan, but an artists total vision followed through to its completion. Raymond Vino's work here is without equal. The photgraphy is the best I've seen in a long time, and the paperstock and binding are top notch. This will make any coffee table pround. Caro Raymond, L'Oro per L'Oro.

This is my 1st introduction to Raymond Vino's photography, and all I can say is "Where has he been?" This south Florida photographer can stand next to all the other well-known great photographers (Jeff Palmer, Howard Roffman,etc.) These black and white photographs of male couples with attractive athletic bodies are the main images in this book. This photos are erotic and show a tender romanticism. These photographs are a welcome relief from the overdeveloped and overposed male models of some other photographers. These guys are your everyday, natural males you might have as a neighbor, friend or co-worker.

Now that Raymond Vino has been discovered, I eagerly await his next collection of beautiful photographs. I highly recommend this book.

It was excellent that a book of Vino's sensuous photography has finally been released. I highly recommend it to those who appreciate male figure study photography.

I'm the director of a Christian environmental website, and I've read dozens of Christian books on ecology and the environment. This is one of my all-time favorites. I love this book! It may very well be the best book on the Biblical basis for environmental stewardship! Buy it for yourself, or buy it as a textbook for environmental study. Outstanding! What makes it particularly unique and special is that it is written by 4 biologists! My only complaint is that there is little or no mention of the great Christian conservationist, John Paul II. It's still very much worth a read.

This book has changed my life by showing me how we, as Christians, must take a closer and more careful look at how we have a responsibility in ecology and envirmentalism today. Scripture references make it "an enviromental Bible study" and forces the reader to dig deeper into his or her beliefs. Take time to think about what you REALLY believe and change others by sharing this powerful book!

This book describes the biblical basis for the caretaking of creation--a relevant issue for all members of the global community. The book is written by four professors who explain the importance of understanding the value of all creation, including human beings. "Redeeming Creation" describes the unique role we humans have in ruling and subduing the remainder of creation as well as some of the consequences that have resulted from our misunderstanding of this role of ruling and subduing. Much published material has focued on ways that Christianity as a religion has exploted creation and exasperated the environmental and social pains of our planet. "Redeeming Creation" illuminates the claim that a correct understanding of the Bible is necessary not only for Christians to live by, but also for all members of the global community to conform to as we seek to address environmental and social injustices.

The poetry of John Wieners is, I must say, one of my most interesting finds I have made. Wieners explored with perfect accuracy the pains and tribulations life had gift wrapped for him. Poet of minor fame (or rather, of none), his writing imagery and mental frame have created a prose of it's own. And the beauty to start off with his early - in which some are a tad weak, but talent surfaces - work to his later frame of mind and prose, in which, his prose trancends among the greats, not only of his era...but definately of a wider spectrum. Wieners is a sure bet and it's truly a shame that his name hasn't surfaced much during his living presence...and not of yet after his death. "...Cool breezes on my forehead / cool liquors down my throat / so soon if in years to come / someone hears a single note.".

In 1989 I had the opportunity to listen to John Weiners read and discuss his poetry. If discuss is the right word. By then Mr. Weiners mental state had pretty well deterierated to a point that he made little sense. But his poetry did. From his battles with drugs, his sexuality and religion, Mr. Weiners poetry spoke volumes about him and his life. I am not a poetry fan, but somehow someway his poetry spoke to me. His use of the language and his passion will touch and engage even a non poetry fan.

John Wieners' the authentic thing,surpassing all art-historic poetic requirement he's an insider from that ruthlessly over-publicized "BEAT" scene,"famous among the famous" if you will...He's an insider in the sense that he occupies the inside of an anonymous hotel like a religous retreat, inside his own sympathetic head where alls recorded in a private diarie, inside a lyrical quest for the heartbroken line eradicating everything...he's in the business of healing words: a modern-day Rilke with the gorgeous lyrical gift imparted on every page. One imagines his words coming from sitting on the edge of the bed like sitting at the edge of the world waiting for it all to painlessly end with the formality of an unacknowledged graceful bow. John Wieners knows the-HERO-IN-side-of-us-all; having suffered drugs:the divorce from societal companionship, the physicality of that narcotic hell,all for that invioable annihilating peace becoming of an unattainable suicide where forgivness reigns supreme. He knows the tortured homosexual shared-secret hell of keeping the forbidden joy hidden...as well as the erotic's supremacy of form and all's deposited in his pages in exquisite scripture. Reading his poems is comparable to getting high in a public restroom: consider it an indulgence in secret vice your closest friends can only guess at by the disturbed glint & gloss over your eyes. Going out in public is never the same after reading him, nor will the beat generation ever be the same for you again once you've found his work; a wholly unimaginable dimension of beatitude poetics will open your eyes, mind and legs to a vast new range of experience previously ignored by public and scholars alike. I do not consider it a startling sin he's un-recognized, un-acknowledged, and un-appreaciated, if anything it has merely made him stronger and deemed all his admirer's: initiates, and all those poets schooled by him: adepts. One more thing, besides the obvious study of evil he has accomplished in his verses lies all earthly and otherwordly heavens' astounding psalms. If you do not already become ecstatic when under the influence of poetry this will surely make you drunk, and if it's your first time, welcome;and if you don't heed the warnings of the fanatic,then for posterity's sake at least let me say : There is a hero-in-side-of-us-all...

I recently read Shattering Myths & Mysteries of Alcohol and I loved it. I thought that Dr. Haring has put together a great work on the reality of what alcohol is and what it does. I found the book very enjoyable to read and I would describe it as very "user friendly". Great for anyone!

"An excellent book for anyone who wants to learn about alcohol. This resource book answers questions about alcohol consumption; surveying myths regarding alcohol and including plenty of practical tips on how to reduce alcohol consumption and strengthen logical decision-making processes."

"Dr. Haring has produced a treasure-trove of awareness-raisers and denial-busters. A powerful weapon for every counselor's aresnal. I only wished he could have produced the book a decade earlier."

In reading this book on Black Elk Speaks I was overwhelmed. It seemed like the book was meant to land into my hands. When I began to read this novel, I understood. My feelings about vision quests, and soaring with the creators helpers has been an enlightenment to me for being here. I see things that I read in Black Elk Speaks and I understand. I understand what it is like to want to save the people and to have this heaviness come over you when they don't understand you. I have heard your message and I understand.

This book is the most powerful book I have ever read. Black Elk exudes a spiritual connection that is unparalleled. He also was a man of service. He speaks with a poetic sense of the world that has been killed by science, rationalism and money lust. If we could recover the spiritual sense, this indigenous way of being, that this man had the world would be rich. This book is better than the book "Black Elk Speaks" by Neihardt, because Demallie publishes the interviews verbatim (Neihardt's influence is limited), he provides many footnotes and writes a 100 page introduction and biography on Black Elk using material not contained in the interviews. Demallie also discusses issues that arise from what Black Elk says.

We knew "BLACK ELK speaks" for a long time, through John NEIHARDT's translation. Now, we get - at least - the full text and it's a real hapiness ! I compared the two texts, some days ago, for my Belgian students and discovered how Neihardt had betrayed the Old Man by cutting, interpreting and rewriting the original interview. This book is the most important publication in Native American spirituality for years; it presents, in the same time, a vivid Lakota experience of Little Big Horn battle and Wounded Knee massacre, without any reorganization. Read it.

This book is as current as it gets low carbs high energy
it worked for me and over 200 people in our company. Real food that sticks to your ribs fabuleous desserts.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of the table with Spa Food. In one creative, instructive and inspiring volume, I was able to make impeccable, meals with ease. My friends thought I'enrolled in culinary school! Every kitchen needs this book.

I pity those of you who cannot get this beautiful out-of-stock book, which contains delicious and interesting recipes that will wow the most discriminating palate but will not add inches to the waistline. The book begins with recipes for two "cleansing days," (to start you off on a good start in any diet) and adds complete meals of varying calorie counts. The emphasis in every menu is good taste and fresh ingredients. It even has menus for cocktail buffets and holiday feasts (turkey, dressing, and all the fixings for less than 850 calories per person--as compared with the usual 2500 calorie meal). In case you need a little inspiration to tackle some of the recipes (which, while full of ingredients--lots of herbs and flavorful fresh vegetables--are relatively easy to follow), the dramatic color photographs fill the bill. What's more, if you follow the recipe, your product will actually look just like the photograph.

I have seen the future of speculative fiction and its name is Raymond M. Coulombe, the writer from Berlin, N.H. whose brilliant first novel TRANSDIMENSIONAL BLUES grabs the reader by the cerebral cortex and takes him for a roller coaster ride through alternate realities and parallel dimensions in this fast-paced, intriguing tale. Some of the imaginitive concepts contained within TD such as the concept of using the power of love as as as a defensive weapon bespeak a creative imaganination at work not seen since Roger Zelazny. I literally could not put this book down once I startred reading it. Perhaps that is the highest praise a reader can give any book. Raymond M. Coulombe may well be the second coming of H.G. Wells!

Here's a swashbuckling action-packed adventure novel sure to delight science fiction and martial arts fans of all ages.

Raymond M. Coulombe has combined his knowledge of quantum physics and eastern philosophy to create an original but credible multiverse. His hero, Jake Stonewall, is a memorable character who exibits the innocence and wisdom of Huckleberry Finn. Jake's Sensei taught him to perceive the infinite realities imbedded in the matrix of the multiverse. He has also shown him that it is possible to visit other dimensions. Before Jake has learned to control transdimensional travel, though, he is swept away by unknown forces, deposited randomly in ever-stranger realities.

He struggles to survive as each new reality presents even more deadly adversaries. He must fight for his life while simultaneously learning to "drive" and attempting to understand the strange forces at work in the multiverse.

He learns that the matrix is in trouble and that "all roads lead through chaos." Furthermore, he finds that the burden of returning balance and peace to the multiverse has fallen on his shoulders. He also finds love, and discovers that love is the strongest force of all.

Transdimensional Blues is a quick, entertaining read reminiscent of Heinlein's Glory Road. Mr Coulombe is an emerging talent with a bright future in the genre.

"Raymond M Coulombe's debut novel, Transdimensional Blues, firmly establishes him as an emerging power in the Sci-Fi genre. Written with a skill seldom seen in a first novel, it is a captivating read. Well defined characters, vivid prose, and clear, believable dialogue draw us into the narrative, and never let us go.

"In a field where imitation is the norm, Coulombe manages to avoid the pitfalls of stereotypical characters, techno-babble and tired plot devices. Dimensional travel hasn't been this much fun since Roger Zelazny's Amber series.

"Keep an eye on Raymond M Coulombe. You'll see quality work for a long time to come. For now, pick up a copy of Transdimensional Blues and get ready for a wild ride."