Dr. Blakmore's analysis of these political writings is very insightful. He uncovers the intertextual conflicts, in particular between Burke and Wollstonecraft, and provides an indepth literary analysis of both. His diction is sofisticated, yet approachable to an average student of 18th Cent. Literature. A must read for anyone interested in the political philosophy of the Age of Englightment.

What an exquisite book! Not only is it an informative and interesting read, but it made me want to move to Taos and take up oil painting! In fact, I'm signing up for painting classes this week! The plates are magnificent, and the subject matter, Taos, and Taos Pueblo Indians, are filled with beauty and dignity from a time gone by. Highly recommended for all lovers of the Southwest, native cultures, and landscape and oil paintings.

A philosophical enquiry into the origin of our ideas of the sublime and beautiful, 1759

Readers of Kant and Hegel, etc. on the subject of aesthetics will pat this little book on top of the head - having said that - Burke does a workmanlike job in presenting these ideas on the Beautiful and the Sublime. It is basic knowledge and knowledge that you will carry with you throughout life and will affect positively how you see the world and in what depth you see the world. It's a slim volume and more in the nature of a handbook (and was, I believe, used as something of a 'bible' by visual artists in the 19th century.) It is very to-the-point. The numerous section and chapter headings are descriptive and it's easy to find something you want to go over again. This little, modest treatise holds the type of subject matter that would appeal to anybody from an amateur poet to a world-conqueror.

Presenting Edmund Burke thematically is perhaps the only way to really approach Burke, as Conor Cruise O'Brien or Russell Kirk (Burke's best biographers) would probably agree. So unlike 'On Empire, Liberty, and Reform,' which is chronological, the portable Edmund Burke instead tackles Burke under the themes of America, Ireland, India, and the French Revolution, and a couple other sub-themes, with invaluable commentary. By the end of the book, Burke is better enveloped here than in most biographies, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Feldman has made art criticism easy to understand for the student and non-student layperson alike. Throughout the book he uses clear examples from established art works to ilustrate the ideas used in identifying what is art through the use of one's perception. The book is clearly divided into logically linked chapters. The last half of the book can be used as an outline to clearly write one's own criticism, and, with a little work, construct a criticism comparing any two artworks from any media. This is a "must have" book for any graphic or performing artist.

Dr. Frohnen's book essentially serves as an explanation and advocation for Conservatism. What separates this book from most is that it outlines the assumptions Conservatives make, why they make them and the ethics that result, rather than focusing on programs. It is intellectually more honest than other tracts. The downside is that Frohnen chose not to examine the competing branches of conservatism, especially the divides between the followers of Russell Kirk and Leo Strauss.

Having taken a hiatus from cycling for 10 years, but now approaching mileage consistency to do my first century, I picked up this book primarily so I'd know what to expect, but also as an update on what's transpired in the last ten years. For example, training based on time at particular heart rate thresholds -- NOT mileage -- is now the generally accepted method of optimizing your development.

This is a relatively quick and easy read providing hints and tips on working up in the distances. One may initially interpret the casual, non-snooty writing style to suggest it would be appropriate for beginner. It's not. I think you should really have at LEAST a year of riding experience before ratcheting up the mileage. For example, their demarcation of "long distance" is roughly sub-century (< 100 miles), century, double (200 miles), and beyond 200 miles.

It was especially interesting to read their insight into the physiology of higher mileage levels. For example, once you're riding centuries comfortably, success in the additional distances essentially depends upon eating and hydrating effectively. Those who made their first transition beyond the 40-60 mileage range without eating are familiar with "the bonk."

A couple of nits: First, the book assumes the "long distance" will be an all-the-way-through event. I would have been especially interested material on multi-day events, specifically on nutritional "tricks" one might use to restock the body's primary glycogen stores. They suggest generally eating a high-carbohydrate meal within 1/2 hour of the ride.

Another -- probably humorous -- question is "how do you find time for these longer rides?"

Anyone who ridden a century knows it takes more than strong legs and will power. Authors Ed Burke and Ed Pavelka know this and clear the path for successful riding.

"The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling" divulges the secrets of centuries, doubles and beyond. This is a serious book for serious riders.

It starts with a forward by long distance racing great Lon Haldeman who redefined the limits of long distance biking.

Learn which bike serves which distance and course, proper form, clothing and diet. You'll find training tips unique to each distance, ideas for dealing with mid-ride pain, ways to approach sleep deprivation, stretching techniques, pointers for managing bathroom breaks. You'll be on the bike for many hours and every morsel of advice helps.

As a long distance biker and as a reader of many biking books, I am impressed and fully recommend "The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling" by Ed Burke and Ed Pavelka.

Anthony Trendl

This is the most comprehensive, in-depth source of information for the kind of cycling me and most of my saddle buddies do: medium to long day rides, and occasional multi-day tours, for fun and fitness. I'm not a hard core racer, but I am serious about improving all aspects of my riding. The book is accessible to any motivated reader, including the novice, but has considerable depth for guys like me who have read just about everything they could find on the topics covered: training, nutrition and hydration, equipment, bike fit, skills, and lots more. Everything you need for centuries to PBP and RAAM!

This is a well written book that is useful regardless of your sport or fitness interest. The author distills the latest research and clearly explains how to manage your nutrition for optimal muscle recovery. The book also gives clear explanations of such procedures as carbohydrate loading, and explains a variety of metabolic issues. It is incredibly useful, and a must for any athlete or fitness enthusiast! I found it impossible to put down.

...and I own ALOT of books on training. I got this book specifically for muscle recovery after running, but it turned out to be alot more. Nutrition for training, helping you understand how the physiology works during & after exercise, what EXACTLY to do during & after for optimal fueling & recovery. I hike, run, mountain bike, and I'm starting adventure racing. The information in this book has helped ALL my activities, and I highly recommend it. I thought I was going to get a "1+2=3" type of formula for muscle recovery and that's it...but the book actually provides much more. I'm buying it for my adventure racing team members.

This book is a must for any competitive athlete serious about excelling in his/her sport. I'm a novice mountain bike racer who just fumbled his way through his first race season, and for those of us who aren't sponsored and don't have coaches, this book is invaluable. I think as I build experience, this knowledge will help me be competitive against guys with years of experience.

The author is able to relay the scientific aspect of the body's functions during and after exercise to the lay person without making the reader feel lost. The book opened topics that I was familiar with but not terribly knowledgeable about. I now have a much better understanding about how my body uses what I put into it, and how this affects my performance. I'm also able to better plan my training/racing schedule because I know how to properly recover and prepare for the next ride.

If you want to compete, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

My recommendation was for the Oxford rather than the Everyman edition, edited by L.G. Mitchell. I apologise for this error.

I personally find, overall, that other persons writing
about and analyzing Burke and his views tend to be a bit
more interesting and compelling, than Burke himself in
his prose.
I do not consider myself a "conservative" -- in the
sense that that is a political agenda or mindset, nor
a reactionary. There is much in academics and political
philosophy which tends to want to damn by labels -- and
by putting ideas into boxes, filing, and forgetting...rather
than listening to, or thoughtfully considering.
One can believe in classic values, and find his
grounding in classical philosophy without being a
rigid reactionary or even a doctrinaire conservative.
So, when Burke speaks with the speech of the
Ancients and espouses classical warnings and
remonstrances about the necessity of restraint
and careful consideration, one can agree with him.
And, as the editor and author of the "Introduction"
to the Penguin Classics edition, Conor Cruise O'Brien,
points out, there is that of the prophet in Burke as
well, since he published these REFLECTIONS in 1790,
before the Reign of Terror in 1793, yet he correctly
foresees the excesses to which the French Revolution
will proceed in its unchecked course.
One of the best quotes which I like very much from
this work follows:
"When I see the spirit of liberty in action, I see
a strong principle at work; and this, for a while,
is all I can possibly know of it. The wild GAS, the
fixed air is plainly broke loose: but we ought to
suspend our judgment until the first effervescence is
a little subsided, till the liquor is cleared, and
until we see something deeper than the agitation of
a troubled and frothy surface. I must be tolerably
sure, before I venture publicly to congratulate men
upon a blessing, that they have really received one.
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver;
and adulation is not of more service to the people
than to kings. I should therefore suspend my
congratulations on the new liberty of France, until
I was informed how it had been combined with
government; with public force; with the discipline
and obedience of armies; with the collection of an
effective and well-distributed revenue; with morality
and religion; with the solidity of property; with
peace and order: with civil and social MANNERS. All
these (in their way) are good things too; and, without
them, liberty is not a benefit whilst it lasts, and
is not likely to continue long."

Reflections on the Revolution in France written by Edmund Burke and Edited with an introduction by Conor Cruise O'Brien the Penguin Classics version is the best version of this unparalleled powerful work. The reason for this is that included in this version you have an introduction that gets the reader upto speed. For Burke is without doubt the foremost conservative British political thinkers of his time, (1729-1797).

There is a biographical note on Edmund Burke right after the introduction giving the reader a historical perspective into who is Edmund Burke and why his advice was sought after with regard to the French Revolution and the consequenses of its following. Unlike the United States, France had an established entrenched government, so any change in form of government meant that an upheavel of property, religion, and traditional French institutions would have to occur. Underlying the French Revolution was the latent Catholic Cause which being Irish Burke had a good deal of sympathy.

Burke's Reflections written in 1790 was a really good prediction of the events pretaining to the Reign of Terror experienced by the French. This edition of Edmund Burke's "Reflection on the Revolution in France" has well explained footnotes further giving the reader a much greater appreciation for the practical wisdom of Burke. Burke was a man who would've rather seen a gradual or piecemeal reform as opposed to a revolution as he was sceptical in his belief in expediency.

Another plus for this edition, in contrast to the others available, is that there is a well appointed "Notes" at the end of Burke's writing. Also, at the very end of this book you'll have a recommended reading list, which for those inclined is indispensable. By far this edition is well worth reading and great care has been given to bring this important work in a form that is easily understandable, with enough detail to make it interesting reading.