After having him as a professor twice, I decided I liked his style of teaching well enough to take a look at his books. The Freewill Question is a great book arguing against Determinism. I really like it for several reasons. First, the opposing view (Determinism) is really given equal time in the book, and thus Dr. Davis' argument is all the more convincing. Second, the book is not simply some theory on the Free Will v. Determinism debate, but also an in depth review of the debate, starting in ancient philosophy and moving to 20th C. Third, Davis' writing style is very accessible, and therefore made it possible for me to read this book in one sitting. That to me is the hallmark of a good book.

If you dare to have some of your pet theories about the old Antibellum South challenged, take a look at this unusual little volume! The story of a Black slave that became one of the most famous Protestant preachers of the South. The life of John Jasper provides a look at the South from the vantage point of the Preacher himself, with some portions of his sermons reprinted. A most unusual and unorthodox look at the spirit of his era.

This collection of essays would be well wroth expanding into an even deeper and comprehensive analysis of the possible consistency of scientific and religious worldviews. Hatcher takes an informed neoplatonist perspective and analses sociological and formal logical problems where religion and science have traditionally met with conflict, and he resolves these potential inconsistencies in a remarkably lucid and profound analysis. He is guided by the universal principles of the relatively recently (c. 1844) established Baha'i world Faith. Particularly beautiful is Hatcher's explanation of various "proofs" of the existence of "God". First a logical definition is given of an entity that most people (atheists or not) would be happy to agree meets certain minimal criteria that most people would think any sufficiently realistic concept of an omnipotent God would require. Then Hathcer shows how Avicenna's (Ibn-i-Senna, the 9th century Islamic scientist-philosopher and physician) logical proof of the existence of a "universal uncaused cause" can be reformulated with the use of modern logic and set theory into a water-tight deduction of the existence of such a minimal concept (ie. a "universal uncaused cause") from certain very simple and realistic premises. The reader is left in no doubt that, (a) what most people mean by the word "God" or "Allah" or "Brahma" is an infinitesimally small aspect of whatever reality it is that actually causes contingent phenomena to exist, and (b) that whatever it is, there is at least little logical doubt that something akin to this minimalist notion of a "God" is entirely believable and plausible as an actual entity that has positive existence, though perhaps little relation to what most people these days think of as a personal God.

Another essay on reconciliation of good and evil is just as lucid and worth reading. Hatcher shows that it is difficult (impossible?) to formulate a logical definition of good and evil wherein evil is thought of as an absolute force. On the other hand set theoretic models whereby good is an absolute and evil a merely relative "absence of goodness" can, with the aid of modern logic and set theory, be given a consistent logical framework.

Hatcher's other essays on sociological aspects of religion and science are also illuminating, and although not as groovy as the set theoretic analyses I mentioned above, are nevertheles probably more important essays, and should be read by any academics who are interested in the role science and philosophy have in bringing about a more peaceful world, and indeed should be read by anyone with an interest in both sciecne and world peace. Given the state of the world that we find in the early 21st century, Hathcer's essays offer an invaluable perspective on a possible way forward in human intellectual evolution. It is truly remarkable that Hatcher is rarely quoted by other philosophers and academics who write about the interface between science and religion.

This book, although somehwhat cryptically written--in the uncomfortable vernacular of JFK assassination research buffs--nevertheless is in my estimation a valuable addition to JFK assassination research. Anyone who is up on this literature has to have a good "crap detection" system, and this selection seems to have passed the test with flying colors. Since the early 70s, all serious roads to discovering who killed JFK seem to be leading back to tying up the loose ends left by the Jim Garrison New Orleans investigation. And since there were many such loose ends to tie up, doing so is not a small job. Torbitt has hit pay dirt, and at the very least, pushes Garrison's investigation to the next research frontier--if not to the very edge of completely uncovering the assassination plot. Yet, there are questions this research raises itself. For instance, I am not yet convinced of the Nazi connections--even though there is much circumstantial evidence to support Torbitt's point of view. Despite my misgiving, this piece is coherent in the extreme and can stand on its own. We know that when the conspiracy is finally uncovered, the truth will have its own unmistakable context, and this book has the "smell of truth."

When this book came out in '85, it so affected me I did something I've never done with any full-length book: I copied down in a notebook nearly the entire book in longhand--and I wouldn't write it down unless I agreed with EVERYTHING the authors said. Why I give it 4 stars is the circa 2% I left blanks in the notebook for yet to this day remain blank--I could agree with most of what they said at those points, but not everything. Yet these ~2% concern major, crucial areas no matter how few lines in the book they cover.

This book is an excellent book to use in comparative religions courses as an introduction to the Bahå'i Faith. When can we hope to see it back in print?

I have been a Baha'i for fourteen years and this is the absolute best book I have ever read in my entire life. It explains the Baha'i Faith in a clear and simple way that is interesting and makes you want to turn every page. You'll learn about The Bab, or Gate, who proclaimed the faith and the tortue and suffering he went through...this book is dedicated to those who gave up their life for the faith. Inside this book you'll see so many beatiful quotes. You'll also learn about Baha'u'llah, God's latest (not last) messanger. Here's a quote my friend told me that is about Baha'u'llah. This quote is by Abdul-Baha, Baha'u'llah's son:

"The blessings of Baha'u'llah are a shoreless sea, and even life everlasting is only a dewdrop therefrom. The waves of that sea are continually lapping against the hearts of the friends, and from those waves there come intimations of the spirit and ardent pulsings of the soul, until the heart giveth way, and willing or not, turneth humbly in prayer unto the Lord. Wherefore do all ye can to disengage your inner selves, that ye may at every moment reflect new speldours from the Sun of Truth."

If you want to learn more about this faith and want more quotes, email me at SKhalifaJeff@aol.com

i found this book to be a struggle to read.It is painfully obvious that the authors have attempted to build a minor engagement into something just short of Bull Run and/orGettysburg. They try hard but in my opinion they do noy carry it off.

Piston and Hatcher have produced an excellently detailed overview of the events and participants in the battle and over the surrounding region during the summer of 1861. By beginning with unit histories of the various units engaged, the reader gains a sense of identity with the men who fought and died there. The method itself is excellent, but would be difficult to apply to later engagements in the war. The central arguement, that Civil War soldiers were motivated by strong allegiances to their home communities, is well substantiated, but may also be useful only for engagements at the outset of the war. Other authors have successfuly shown that this motivation waned, and that national ideology and identity with the adopted community, the unit, sustained men later in the war. The book's major fault is an unbalanced interpretation of events, especially when the leaders of both forces are concerned. Lyon is labeled a madman and Sigel is portrayed as grossly incompetent, while southern commanders are lionized and noticeably escape criticism. The author's assertion that the Missouri State Guard somehow represents a lawful military force evaporates when that same force, guaranteed under the Constitution, raises arms against federal authorities charged with protection of that same Constitution. Overall, the work is excellently researched, especially from local sources, and improved my comprehension of the tragic confrontation.

I love a book that can pull you into it. This ones certainly does. It's been several years since I toured the battlefield at Wilson's Creek, but Piston and Hatcher do an excellent job in bringing out map details and troop movements that it felt like I was on the battlefield again but this time feeling the intense battle struggle between the two sides. The details on each regiment that fought at Wilson's Creek, North and South, was excellent.

This text provides a quick, concise review of the pimary topics covered on emergency medicine exams. I found it to be a good way to prepare for inservice exams and the written boards.