It's a shame that this book is out of print, as to my knowledge it is the best book of its kind. Ayer critically summarizes each of the major strains of 20th century thought, from logical positivism to pragmatism to existentialism. Russell, Moore, James and Collingwood are covered in some detail; other thinkers, such as Heidegger, Sartre, Quine and Goodman, are introduced more concisely (but not neglectfully -- for example, I found Ayer's few pages on "Being and Time" very helpful). A participant himself in some of the philosophical debates he chronicles, Ayer clearly understands what he is writing about, and he is both able and willing to translate complex ideas into non-technical language. The subject matter is not easy, but Ayer's style is always enjoyable. This book ought to be reissued, but for now it's worth tracking down a used copy.

The Practice of Principle is an important book by a leading legal philosopher. Coleman makes penetrating observations regarding a range of topics, including tort theory, analytical jurisprudence, and jurisprudential methodology with typical clarity, novelty, and rigor. In Part I Coleman attacks the economic analysis of tort law: he argues, persuasively, that such an approach fails as a conceptual analysis, as a constructive interpretation, and as a causal-functionalist explanation of the development of tort law. Coleman uses economic analysis as his foil in displaying the virtues of the corrective justice account defended at length in Risks and Wrongs. In Part II Coleman articulates his version of inclusive legal positivism (which, he thinks, and I agree, was also H. L. A. Hart's) and defends that version against a number of objections from Ronald Dworkin, Joseph Raz, and Scott Shapiro. In conversation with his brilliant but often uncharitable interlocutors, Coleman's analytical abilities absolutely shine. Part III defends conceptual analysis as a sound and intellectually profitable approach to legal theory; if it less gripping than the previous sections it is only because the quality of Coleman's opponents has fallen (from the likes of Posner and Raz to Brian Leiter). I recommend this book to anyone who cares to see the state of the art in legal theory through the eyes of one of its central figures.

This resource book is divided into two sections. Part I is a step-by-step explanation of all the major traditional prayers (Shema, Amidah, Torah service, etc.) written by Rabbi Jules Harlow, who edited the Conservative movement's definitive siddur (prayer book). This section is very useful if you're new to the siddur or have never felt comfortable in synagogue because you don't understand what is going on. Everything is explained very clearly and I recommend this section to anyone who wants to feel more involved in synagogue prayers.

Part II deals with contemporary and philosophical issues such as feminist re-writing of prayers and new rituals, Orthodox women's prayers, Israeli poetry as prayer, and prayer as a response to evil and suffering. Some of these issues are very controversial--since to traditionalists, the words of the prayers should not be altered--and this section of the book is very lively and provocative.

One of the best features of PRAY TELL is the running commentaries on the margins of the page that touch on things said within the main text--just like in the Talmud. It's impossible to get bored when you're reading because even if you disagree with the main text, there is an alternate point of view in the margins (written by great rabbis like Abraham Joshua Heschel as well as contemporary feminist authorities like Alice Shalvi and Marcia Falk). The back-and-forth dialogue makes for very lively reading. There are also lots of fascinating tidbits of information--like why we recite certain psalms during the morning service, why Aleinu has been so controversial, how religious Yiddish-speaking women created their own private prayers, etc.

One of the biggest strengths of this book is that it gives you the tools to both understand the traditional prayers and play around them (if you want to). Although I personally don't feel comfortable changing the words of the liturgy, I am glad to know that there is actually a long history of making alterations and creating new prayers.

This book is a collection of the papers that were presented at the 100th anniversary of the Borden murders at Bristol College, Fall River, Mass., in August of 1982. Topics are varied and most are written by the tops in their field. Readers should know that this is still available at the Fall River Historical Society...A must for every shelf owned by a Bordenite.

Psychiatrists Arieti and Bemporad have authored many articles on depression, and in this book present their views in a single comprehensive format. Their psychodynamic approach to depression emphasizes the roles of cognition and volition in this psychopathology, and dovetails nicely with Beck's cognitive theory of depression and Seligman's learned helplessness model of depression. Especially interesting is the authors' treatment of the relationship between characterological attributes, on one hand, and episodes of accute depression, on the other hand. Arieti's concepts of the dominant other and dominant goal are explicated in detail. Though written primarily for psychotherapists, this book is comprehensible to anyone of average intelligence and sufficient interest.

I was delighted to read a book in English about Acadian history. I married an Acadian and all the books on his family history were in French. I found it very relaxing to sit down in the evening and read this story of an Acadian family that settled in Maine.
I was transported back in time to the days of the expulsion of the Acadians. The early Acadians endured the hardships of being separated from their families, carrying practically only the clothes on their backs in the middle of winter. I journeyed with the family through several generations, from the pioneers, to the loggers, to the farmers, to the teacher, the storekeepers, and the soldiers.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, and especially those with family ties to the Acadians.

As a Gay Rodeo contestant this book brought tears to my eyes more than a few times. I particularly enjoyed the element of family support (biological and non-biological) that this book so many times pointed out. It also brought to light the fact that even in the most remote locations there are gay people! Unfortunately, these folks are often pushed out of those lovely communities and into cities where they long for the simple lives they knew as children and young adults.

I would like to see the characters expanded. The ending seemed rushed and not what I had expected. I sure hope the author will consider turning this into a novel and expanding the story lines and developing these characters more.

For the first time in my life there is a book writen about something that I can not only relate to, but can feel, taste, smell and see. So much of what the author captured is true about gay rodeo.

I can't wait for the novel or the movie.

This is the original prayerbook of the Conservative movement. It follows the Traditional line of the service, with very few minor deviations from the Orthodox service. I find the layout and hebrew very good, however, the English translation is a bit lacking.

How were the dark ages in Europe?Find out in this book.Excellent view of religion,superstition,witchcraft,and society of the era.Very well written as well as informative.

A bullet almost claims Peggy Fox's life when she surprises her FBI fiancé and bank robber Susan Jones in bed. As soon as she opened the door, Susan had rolled over, retrieved Miles' revolver and fired off a shot, but not before Peggy saw the suitcase full of money nearby. Now she is on the run, and criminal profiler Oliver Vargo, author and FBI expert, is her only hope. But circumstances spiral out of control, and she finds herself in a steamy encounter even before she can enlist his aid.

A reporter publicly challenges Oliver to take the information from the Sex Files-the facts of the most erotic behavior in North America-and run through the new profile software used by the FBI. The result would be the likeness of the sexiest men and women of America. The female result is a woman that captures Oliver's imagination with the fictional name of Cameron. She titillates his fantasies, and shocks him when he glimpses her in real life. Unfortunately, she disappears after an erotic encounter that rocks his world.

Author Jule McBride pens a fast paced romp of betrayal and exploration in THE SEX FILES. Mistaken identity leads Oliver and Peggy through a mesmerizing cat and mouse game rich with sensual pleasure and rife with desperate secrets. Peggy inadvertent concealing of her identity allows for out of character impetuousness even as she desperately needs Oliver's help. Oliver's blend of fantasy and reality adds an element of playful confusion as he follows over Manhattan, determined to track her down even as FBI profiling adds an unexpected twist to the tale. A sizzling read, THE SEX FILES comes very highly recommended.