This is a book as remarkable as it is disturbing. The author traces, in a scholarly, objective manner, the increasing secularization in all of American life, with an emphasis on the special dangers for Jews and Judaism. Detailed, eye opening proof is offered that even the Jewish religion itself is, in America, becoming secularized. There has been great controversy about this book in both Jewish organizational circles, due to its unfortunately frank description of the practices of Jewish organizations (including listing the salaries of officers of ostensibly charitable organizations) and in the religious community, owing to the recommendation that Jews proselytize for converts.

This is an interestingly constructed book, in that it has both theory & examples in it. There are enough case studies, in fact, that you're sure to recognize some personality types.

I am not personally a grandparent, but am the child of grandparents, & a potential grandparent, of course. I actually bought it for my parents but, to tell the truth, read it first. They liked it too!

One other point is that the book is inexpensive, which perhaps shouldn't be a consideration, but it matters.

The book has been published. It is truly encyclopedic in its coverage of everything from medicine including medical education to surgery, nursing,pharmacy, psychotherapy, dentistry, execise and nutrition as well as hospitals, mental hospitals and nursing homes. Very important is a thoroughgoing analysis of the HMO and insurance company entrance into the lives of physicians and their patients. There is also a good deal of discussion of the role of government in health care. This is a must for everyone interested in this topic, whether professional, patient, medical student or political activist.

A remarkable, dispassionate, scholarly work tracing the largely sordid history of Christian church doctrines regarding Jews. The translation of "Of the Unknowable Name" was heretofore the only major work of Luther which was not translated into English. This was no accident, and was not simply because it was the most difficult of Luther's works to translate; the degree of violent outright bigotry in it is enough to raise the hairs on the back of the reader's neck. If we are not to repeat the mistakes of our past, we must bear in mind that the most renowned of Church theologians were but men, and as men, made hideous and consequential errors. This sobering and brilliant work should be the second book in every Christian's library.

The author's thesis is that the slow ascent of Man to a life of reason is best portrayed by examining the long history of secularization that religion has provoked in every age. To that end, he traces the history of secular thought in western civilization from pre-Socratic Greeks to the French enlightenment of the 18th century and beyond. Among the milestones he finds on the way are the Greek conquest of Rome, the transition to the Renaissance and the Reformation, the age of Copernicus, non-conformist thought, characteristics of the enlightenment in England and France, and sociology and secular humanism. He ends with the Triumph of Reason.

This is a magnificent reference work. It should be noted, however, that it is not for someone with less than a college education; the language is educated English.

The Stigma book is the most thorough and outstanding book about ostracized/abused categories of people. It deals with the attitudes and treatment of the mentally ill;of homosexuals; of the obese; the ...developmentally handicapped; the old; and those belonging to minority races. It further describes resentment against achievement; the stigma of homelessness, that of prostitutes and folks who suffer from addictions including alcoholics. It describes how brutally criminals, xconvicts and former offenders are stigmatized and denigrated throughout the years of their lives. It is a must reading for all students of psychology, sociology and other human service professionals.