There are a couple of things about this work by Greenberg that struck me as significant, and added to the fact that the book is very well written, it makes for a very compelling read. Even after many years of scientific journalism and working within the industry Greenberg says that the scientific enterprise makes him "feel like a stranger in a strange land." This is no idle boast by someone trying to tout his credentials as an objective observer and skeptic. This is in fact precisely the perspective that Greenberg uses throughout; this arms-length approach allows him to come up with some rather perceptive insights and useful recommendations. The second point of interest, and something for which the scientific community should be commended, is that generally this book has been quite favorably received. Many times when an "outsider" reports on some subject, the first, and oftentimes the only point, aggrieved professionals focus on is that he's not an "expert", or he's a "non-specialist". That doesn't seem to be the case with most of the commentary on this book from the scientific community. And make no mistake, there's enough damning evidence here about the volatile mix of SCIENCE, MONEY, AND POLITICS and the resulting mess of "Political Triumph and Ethical Erosion", that it would be normal to expect self-defensive counter criticisms.

Greenberg traces the changing role of science and its relationship with politics, roughly since the period following WWII. Long gone is the era of the prominent presidential science advisors. Today it is money that dominates the scientific agenda. The chapter on the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its claim a few years ago that the country faced a shortage of tens of thousands of scientists is illustrative. Greenberg shows this lobbying effort for increased funds as a knowingly false issue pushed by a merger of institutional and academic interests. Greenberg quotes a US Office of Management & Budget Report which had this to say about scientists: "They are the quintessential special interest group..."

He has much to say on the inflated claims of many projects. Although he specifically mentions the aborted Superconducting Super Collider (SSC), it is clear he views more recent projects such as the Human Genome Project, and cloning, in the same light. Greenberg doesn't allow the book to end as a mere polemic though. He makes an interesting recommendation for the conversion of the NSF into a National Science, Engineering & Humanities Foundation. This is more in recognition of the need for a new "ethic" rather than as the desirability of conflating all knowledge to scientific methods as some scientists (E.O Wilson in CONSILIENCE) have recently called for.

Regardless of where you are in the sciences this book is sure to affect you. Many of the excesses and cases of influence and false claims are known about, and more importantly have already been condemned by well thinking professionals. Nevertheless by presenting it in such a readable format Greenberg will enjoy significant readership among the skeptical public. This at a time when science is engaged in the most far reaching issues for humanity, only means that scientists can expect more questions from an interested, and much better informed public.

This is the definitive book on this topic. The author has been reporting this subject for over 40 years and has personally interviewed most of the major players. Plenty of facts and figures but interestingly written. Neither "Gosh, how wonderful Science is" or an expose' of how tarnished Science is. Extremely objective and written by a man who knows as much or more about this subject as anyone around.Historians will use this as a reference for a long time.

I'm one of those who believes that we have far more to gain from good science than we have to lose. Nonetheless, Greenberg's book brought me up short. This is a dramatic, readable, well-documented, and shocking exposé of the dirty back-door means by which much support for science research is secured in this country. Greenberg cites example after example of how undeserving or questionable projects are funded while, presumably, more promising work goes begging because it lacks powerful patrons. Greenberg also argues that the whole system is corrupt because universities depend on grant overhead for operating budgets, while congressmen and -women want money for their districts, and various scientific disciplines want to increase their clout and standing. Greenberg clearly is very angry, and his anger stems from genuine outrage that an enterprise such as science, which is so important, and so powerful, has participated in making itself an often-sleazy political tool. I hope university administrators and all the federal officials responsible for science funding will read this book--the fault lies less with scientists individually than with the ways in which universities, the federal government, and scientific organizations see their self-interest.

We're currently in a paradigm shift in education, and this book documents how Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts has reacted quite successfully to that shift. They have created a school where "the inmates are in charge," meaning the kids control everything about the school...and do so very successfully. For over 30 years, kids have run the school and gotten a better education as a result that they could get at any other school. A remarkable book, and a remarkable story. If you're into the idea that kids need to be controlled, guided, and "exposed to new ideas," you won't like this book. But if you recognize that kids are their own best guides to learning what they need most, when they need it most, you'll recognize everything in this book. A real gem! Also, check out _Free At Last_ by the same authors.

I think everyone should read this book to keep an open mind about schooling.

This is my favorite childrearing book of all time.

Were it more available, it would be quite controversial as it is WAY out of the mainstream. Greenberg is writing about his own experiences as a parent, teacher, and former child. Each chapter is devoted to a different topic. Some examples follow:

The Decision to Have a Child - Don't have children until you're ready to take the responsibility.

Nursing - You're a mammal. Mammals nurse their young.

The Years One to Four - This is the true adolescence and should be treated as such. These years will be difficult and you must be strong to get through them effectively.

Ages Four and Up - Older children have all the same reasoning capability as you do, and should be treated accordingly, with freedom, respect, AND responsibility.

Sleeping - Sleep with your kids, and don't force them to go to sleep when they don't want to. Everyone sleeps and will sleep eventually.

Eating - Provide a variety of healthy foods. Your child will take it from there.

This is just a smattering of Greenberg's childrearing philosophy, which he presents unapologetically in a readable, intellegent format. Perhaps because this book was not printed to be a bestseller, he does not try to pander or appeal to everyone. Not everyone will like this book. But it's a GEM for parents who want to raise self-reliant, compassionate kids.

Incidentally, I've met Greenberg's son, and he seems to have turned out pretty well!

I've used this and the previous edition of Greenberg's text for my epidemiology and literature interpretation course for Physician Assistant students. I've found the text very readable and nicely linked to clinical practice. Each chapter starts with a clinical case around which the chapter is focused. The study questions at the end of each chapter also are useful.

It is an excellent introductory text for clinicians/health professional students. Probably would not be the best choice for a epidemiology course in an epidemiology graduate program or career epidemiologists.

If you're a student of early music, there are various books you shouldn't be without. I'd say this is one of them; if it isn't, it comes close, and how can you beat the price? What you have here is an inexpensive score for one of the great liturgical dramas of the Middle Ages, with lyrics done in very legible calligraphy, with commentary on the play and its historical background by Noah Greenberg himself. If I were to suggest improvements, they'd be two in number: first, a binding that would lie flat, and second, PLEASE update the address to which one should write for permission to perform the play. (At the very least, it should use the ZIP code that was adopted a few years after 1958 when the book was first published.)

Childern of the Iquisition was a book that I had bought several years ago. It had wonderful art. I would love to purchase this book for the art alone in order to display on my walls at home. My boyfriend and I have a unique style of decorating our home. This book would be a great display. A freind had claimed this book and I've wondered whether I would ever come accross this book again. I am hoping....

This is an enjoyable and wimsical tale set in White Wolf's World of Darkness halfway through the second millenium. Unfortunately this book is no longer in print, but White Wolf, in an effort to remedy this, has reprinted it along with the second book in the series, Blood and Fire. I just finished my first read through the book, and soon I will be telling this tale of the Giovanni's beginnings, via the fall of their founders, the ancient Cappadocians. I hope others who read this will feel the sense of awe and fear that the World of Darkness conjures in me.

The Giovanni Saga 1 makes up the first of two collections of books detailing not only the creation of the Giovanni clan but the time and events leading up to it. This edition contains the now out of print first two books of the Giovanni Chronicles (The Last Supper and Blood and Fire). The first book details the main players in the Conspiracy of Isaac, the founders, and other minor players. The second explains the beginnings of Clan Giovanni and the troubles it faced in the beginning. The entire book is set up as instructions for the storyteller, with ideas for live-action roleplay and character stats. The book, aside from a very nonlinear and detailed chronicle, can also be enjoyed by simply reading as any other book. The book includes detailed storyteller information for every possible variation in the story. I recommend this book for anybody who plays vampire, is interested in the Giovanni, wants to host the greatest chronicle ever, or just wants to read a really neat book.

This is an enjoyable and wimsical tale set in White Wolf's World of Darkness halfway through the second millenium. Unfortunately the books The Last Supper and Blood & Fire are no longer in print, but White Wolf, in an effort to remedy this, has reprinted them in this superb compilation, I await the next parts of the series. I just finished my first read through the book, and soon I will be telling this tale of the Giovanni's beginnings, via the fall of their founders, the ancient Cappadocians. I hope others who read this will feel the sense of awe and fear that the World of Darkness conjures in me.

This book is written by one of the co-founders of a brave project called the Sudbury Valley School. It provides a look at a true, working, successful, alternative school. The kids and the staff and the parents work together, in true democratic form, to make policy decisions. There is no cirriculum, and yet they all learn to read, and to write, and they keep going in whatever endeavor makes their hearts sing. If you have kids, or are an "educator", read this book, if you want them to grow up happy. It will inspire and move you to make changes for the better!

As a former teacher frustrated with the mediocrity andlimitations of traditional public schools, I find this book to beexciting and refreshing, offering hope that at least someone has theright idea. True learning is learner-driven, experiential, andfreeing.

Socrates knew well that all knowledge pre-exists in us, andthat his job as a "teacher" was not to spew his ownknowledge, but to facilitate the learner to get in touch with the factthat they already know what they need to know, they just have to knowthat they know. Socrates merely reminded them of that. He was the"maieutic", the Socratic midwife, helping others toexperience the joy of learning. When I shifted my teaching style fromthe "Keeper of All Knowledge", to the "Midwife",the effects were monumental.

Now here we have an entire school,successful since its beginnings in the 60's, operating solely on theseprinciples. Follow up books LEGACY OF TRUST: LIFE AFTER THE SUDBURYSCHOOL EXPERIENCE, KINGDOM OF CHILDHOOD, and SUDBURY VALLEY SCHOOLEXPERIENCE, examine the long term effects and personal reflections offormer students.

As a parent, I spend significant time with bykids(AFTER their homework is done!)helping them pursue what intereststhem, trying to keep that flame of the adventure that is learningalive, following the principles I learned in thisbook...

As a college professor, I can attest to the fact that our secondary schools (both public and private) are not working. They are producing desensitized, passionless robots whose only ambitions involve participating in the vortex of the class system and increasing the wealth of corporate CEO's. Fortunately, the Sudbury Valley School offers a real alternative to all this madness.

Any serious educator who has the common sense of a slug (and that's about one percent, by the way) will tell you that the educational system as we know it is merely an indoctrination into the values of the ruling class. Much of the work that is forced on teachers is mind-numbing bookkeeping and measuring designed to further the careers of educators (and satisfy administrators) more than anyone else. What is refreshing about Sudbury is that they do away with all that and get down to the business of educating students.

Meaningful learning comes from the individual, and that's what the Sudbury model is all about. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

This book is a wonderful tool for any storyteller who wants to run a game which goes further than just going out and beating things up. It gives a glimpse of the other side of the gauntlet which allows you to run games full of depth, symbolism and meaning. It also give new locations for going out and killing people if you need them.

With a description of how the werewolves see the umbra, the near realms, rules systems, story seeds and insights in how to do the umbra justice in the game, this book can transform your games for the better. It did mine.

This one really is a must-have for the serious Storyteller. It is an in-depth guide to the Umbra. The sourcebook is packed with information, and seems to be fairly well-organized. I have found it very useful indeed: I could not Storytell for Garou without this book with any ease

If you think you understand who the Malkavians are, and what they're here to do. First, beat yourself about the head and shoulders with large metal objects, second, read this book. If the first doesn't leave you dazed and confused, the second most definately will. Beautiful, wonderful, you cannot completely understand this book without, of course, a mirror. You'll understand. The clan symbol for Malkavians best describes all vampire's quest to understand themselves and the plight that has befallen them. Malkavians know more about themselves than any other clan, and in this knowledge, is madness. (Anyone telling you it's the other way around is themselves, quite mad.) If you want to know a little more about the one clan you can never know it all about, feel free to entertain yourself for a good couple hours with this book. Entertaining and more fun than a sack of raw potatoes, the mention of Malk Content is quite well-placed. You might remember him from Aristotle's rantings in "The Book of Nod" also out by White Wolf. Malkavian clanbook was the first printed, and set the precedent for any and all GOOD clanbooks to follow. A good read for storytellers too, who want to add a humorous sidekick to an otherwise serious game to accent the morbid reality of it all.

This book, is not as good as the other clan books, but its hilarious and some people don't get the jokes that why they think its a waste of time and money but! BOOM! It really help a malkavian roleplayer get into character and I agree if yer a true Malkav DO YOU NEED A MIRROR? I dun think so! Byede BYE!

The Malkavian Clan book is at first a laugh riot for any Vampire player: but for those who want to be From the clan of Malkav it will rapidly become a book of continued refrence. When you take into account that being insane is not as easy as it seems the patterns of madness in this book give the player a different look on what can be accomplished. My own madman took on a new depth after reading this book. As an aside look for the story of the elephant it tells us all we need to know about the first clans. A must for any would be Psycopathic bloodsucker.