Beware of Other Editions- This is the COMPLETE Version!!!

Please Note: The Essential Library Edition Volume 1 and 2 is the COMPLETE and AUTHORITATIVE EDITION - Accept No Edited, Condensed, or Abridged Versions!! You have been warned....

Why do otherwise intelligent individuals form seething masses of idiocy when they engage in collective action?

Why do financially sensible people jump lemming-like into hare-brained speculative frenzies--only to jump broker-like out of windows when their fantasies dissolve?

We may think that the Great Crash of 1929, junk bonds of the '80s, and over-valued high-tech stocks of the '90s are peculiarly 20th century aberrations, but Mackay's classic--first published in 1841--shows that the madness and confusion of crowds knows no limits, and has no temporal bounds.

These are extraordinarily illuminating,and, unfortunately, entertaining tales of chicanery, greed and naivete. Essential reading for any student of human nature or the transmission of ideas.

In fact, cases such as Tulipomania in 1624--when Tulip bulbs traded at a higher price than gold--suggest the existence of what I would dub "Mackay's Law of Mass Action:" when it comes to the effect of social behavior on the intelligence of individuals, 1+1 is often less than 2, and sometimes considerably less than 0.

Andrew Tobias said, "As with any true classic, once it is read it is hard to imagine not having known of it--and there is the COMPULSION to recommend it to others."

ENOUGH SAID- Now Go & Buy Both Volumes (and see what other editions cut out!)

Dr. Quarles, a man I respect, has done an excellent job in defending the inerrancy and historicity of the Bible, especially regarding the Gospels and synoptic birth narratives. It may seem too technical at first, but I'm sure you would be pleased once you have read it. As a former student of his, I would recommend this book to anyone, novice and New Testament scholar alike.

This is the first volume in the Queens of England series of books by Jean Plaidy, who is also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt. It is a well written work of historical fiction that tells the story of the daughter of King Henry IV of France, Henrietta Maria, who went on to marry King Charles I of England.

Henrietta Maria, a Catholic, found herself married to Charles, a Protestant, living in a Protestant country, among a Protestant people. The English, at the time, viewed Catholics with deep suspicion, as the excesses of the Catholic Queen Mary, "Bloody Mary", the daughter of Henry VIII, were still not forgotten. A fervent Catholic, however, Henrietta would not put aside her religion, nor was she particularly discreet about her devotion to Catholicism, and, as such, was never fully accepted by the English people.

Henrietta Maria was an impetuous and pretty, young woman, fond of musical revels, fashionable clothes, and gossip. Her husband, Charles, a family man of principle and integrity, was devoted to her, and together they would go on to have a number of children. Their marriage of state, made for the purpose of maintaining a Franco-English alliance, turned out to be a true love match.

Henrietta Maria was also, however, a puppet of Rome, charged with leading Protestant England back to Catholicism. This was to cloud her judgment, at times, and cause much trouble down the road, and, ultimately, serve to pave the way for the rise of Cromwell and his Puritans. They would make her devotion to her religion and her influence over her husband a focal point for turbulence and civil war. Her loyalty and love for her husband was legendary, but not even she could keep him from the road that led to regicide.

Written in the first person, this is a wonderfully told tale of an enigmatic, little known Queen, who wielded great influence over her beloved husband. Rich with historical detail, it is an enormously entertaining novel that is rife with the political intrigues of the day. All those who love reading well written, historical fiction should enjoy it.

Dr. Kelley gives a balanced discussion of recovered memories of sexual abuse as well as the phenomenon of recovered memories in general. In the book he covers all aspects of the topic, including the nature of memory, personality types more prone to false memory production (confabulation), how genuine recovered sexual abuse memories can be best dealt with therapeutically, and appropriate responses for therapists when encountering recovered memories in their clients.

Dr. Charles Kelley was a student of Wilhelm Reich and a founder of his own version of depth emotional release bodywork psychotherapy he calls "Radix Education."

I would recommend this book to anyone in the fields of social work or psychotherapist likely to be dealing with clients with possible recovered memories of various kinds, from sexual abuse to alien abduction. The book is not too technical so as to be accessible to the educated general reader.

Following "The Founding", "The Dark Rose" and "The Princeling", this is the fourth book in the MORLAND DYNASTY series.

After many years of peace and prosperity, the reign of Charles I brings brutal civil strife to England.

With their century-long history of fighting for what they consider a just cause, the Morland family is drawn inevitably into the bloody fighting. While the oldest son Ralph brings home a Puritan wife, thus creating a schism between himself and his father, his younger brother Kit joins the Royalist cavalry under Prince Rupert. Before leaving for the war, Kit marries his cousin Hero, thus making a lifelong enemy of Hero's brother Hamil. When the two cousins meet during the war, albeit fighting on the same side, the death of one seems inevitable.

There are so many more stories in the book concerning the various branches of the Morlands that it is impossible to go into more detail. For the first time, the author includes Colonial America in the story, telling of the desperate struggle of a young couple to survive in a harsh New World.

The characters are believable and the stories, which have been well researched, are full of rich historical detail. I simply could not stop reading until I reached the last page and then I rushed on to the next book. I have read the first six books in the series and have not yet been disappointed.

In this book, I read about the life-changing journeys of 12 biblical characters to learn how they met the Lord, and how I can do the same. I could really feel the presence of God as I read every daily devotional, I often caught myself reading the next few days devotions, just so I could continue in my devotion time with God.

It was back on 29 March 1968 that I finished reading Sidney Bradshaw Fay's two volume work on The Origins of the World War (when he wrote, "first" was not necessary). And then on 31 July 1980 I read Fritz Fischer's bombshellic work, Germany's Aims in the First World War. And on May 8, 1986 I finished reading Luigi Albertini's three-volume The Origins of the War 1914. On Nov 14, 1992 I read John W. Langdon's July 1914: The Long Debate, 1918-1990. The subject long has held my interest but not till now did I read Professor Turner's slim and highly readable study. He disputes Fischer on a number of points, and it is neat that an Australian contests Fischer's indictment of Germany. But as one reads one cannot but help but think how bitterly the July 1914 actors on the world stage must have regretted their then actions and inactions as the grim statistics of death and disaster mounted in the years after 1914--and all the world with them. Though over 30 years old I found this work valuably insightful.

This is one of those rare books that could easily be overlooked, which is a shame because of its value in bringing some of our early 20th century Presidents back to life. Author Charles Willis Thompson was a journalist who covered and personally knew figures like President (Theodore) Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. From first-hand experience, Thompson's descriptions of their different personal and administrative styles, as well as their varying relationship with the press are fascinating-- his level of detail and personal knowledge would be impossible to replicate. Originally published around 1929, it's amusing to hear Thompson speak of these people in contemporary terms. But the real charm of the book lies in its humorous anecdotes-like T.R. on the campaign trail and his walking in on his staff's poker game. Thompson writes in a very straightforward manner, never shying away from revealing his impressions-while his admiration of Roosevelt is obvious, so to is his impression of President Harding as little more than an imbecile.

The book re-humanizes these famous leaders and dismisses some of the widely-accepted misconceptions that history has perpetuated about their personalities. When a historian writes for the hundredth time that Roosevelt was a "vigorous, adventurous figure," does this really tell us anything substantial? A prior familiarity with these Presidents or the time period would be helpful as it probably wouldn't work well if you're looking for an introductory book or in-depth biography about these men. A fun read for any history buff...

I used this book as a start for my undergraduate research project on orientation in jumping spiders. It was very helpful and gives a good over view of behavior basics and specifically invertebrates.

There are no available books for students taking Latin in high school. There are a wealth of textbooks, most old and not geared for anything specific. This book (re-published last year), has a special section on taking the College Board (SAT-II), plus we received a free separate booklet with practice regents. I am in a third year high school course, and find this an invaluable resource to prepare ahead for the NLE, SAT and Regents exams. Large section on culture, formation of all indicative, subjunctive, imperative, all declensions. In addition, this reviews all syntax: uses of all cases (Ablative of comparison etc), grammatical structures (Indirect Statement). My class was required to buy this. Recommended