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Book reviews for "Hines,_John" sorted by average review score:

Alternatives to Economic Globalization
Published in Paperback by Berrett-Koehler (15 November, 2002)
Authors: John Cavanagh, Jerry Mander, Sarah Anderson, Debi Barker, Maude Barlow, Walden Bello, Robin Broad, Tony Clarke, Edward Goldsmith, and Randy Hayes
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Essential reading on globalization
Drafted by a committee of 19 (but sufficiently well edited to read as if it were written by a single author) this book provides a well-argued, detailed and wide-ranging analysis of the consequences of economic globalization (the term corporate globalization is also extensively used in the book) and an examination of alternatives and the action required to move towards those alternatives. It has succeeded brilliantly, and deserves very close study, whether or not you agree with the drafting committee's views.

This is no extremist anti-corporate, anti-capitalist text, although it does clearly come to the conclusion that the vector of economic globalisation that we are on is neither inevitable, desirable nor sustainable. It is notable for arguing at the level of underlying principles and their practical consequences - it makes explicit the assumptions underlying corporate globalisation and questions them. This, in itself, is a valuable service as so much of the 'debate' in the media proceeds on the basis of bald assertion of essentially fallacious economic dogma.

The report starts with a critique of 'corporate globalization'. The term itself is useful, because the term 'globalization' has become something of a 'Humpty-Dumpty' word ('when I use a word, it means exactly what I want it to mean, neither more nor less'). 'Corporate globalization' describes a process driven and promoted by the large global corporations which, whatever its other consequences, gives primacy to the benefits that will flow to global business.

The critique identifies eight key features of corporate globalization:

1. 'Promotion of hypergrowth and unrestricted exploitation of environmental resources to fuel that growth
2. Privatization and commodification of public services and of remaining aspects of the global and community commons
3. Global cultural and economic homogenization and the intense promotion of consumerism
4. Integration and conversion of national economies, including some that were largely self-reliant, to environmentally and socially harmful export oriented production
5. Corporate deregulation and unrestricted movement of capital across borders
6. Dramatically increased corporate concentration
7. Dismantling of public health, social, and environmental programs already in place
8. Replacement of traditional powers of democratic nation-states and local communities by global corporate bureaucracies.'

It demonstrates each of these propositions and explores who are the beneficiaries of application of these policies. One of the complexities of trying to follow the arguments of the pro- and anti- globalisers is that both use statistics, both from apparently authoritative sources, that directly contradict each other. It is almost as if the two sides inhabit parallel universes that operate in different ways. Suffice it to say that the report puts forward convincing arguments in support of its case.

The critique proceeds to a devastating analysis of the impact of the World Bank, The IMF and the WTO, the three pillars of corporate globalisation, over the last four or five decades.

The report then argues ten principles for sustainable societies, as a basis for identifying ways of realising these principles in the subsequent chapters of the report. It argues that these principles 'seem to be the mirror opposites of the principles that drive the institutions of the corporate global economy.'.

One of the minor problems in the debate is that, whereas 'globalization' rolls easily off the tongue, 'the principle of subsidiarity' is neither easy to say nor obvious in its meaning. The report contains a chapter on the case for subsidiarity, and it is a strong one. The counter argument is almost entirely concerned with power. While there are many elements of conflict between corporate globalisation and the principle of subsidiarity - local control - they are not entirely antithetical. But the reach of the large corporates would unquestionably be reduced.

You may or may not agree with the arguments in this report, but they deserve serious attention. They are well and carefully argued, they represent (in fairly sophisticated terms) the views of a growing number of people around the world who believe that current beliefs and institutions serve them poorly, and they show those who wish to promote change a path for doing so.

recommended by anarchist grad student at snobby grad school
This book is excellent for all those who think we can do better-that small farmers needn't be driven from the land, our water needn't be polluted, people need not go hungry while others are overfed genetically engineered chemically altered junk food, etc. It has great thinkers presenting clear, well thought out ideas about what's wrong and what we can do about it. It helps when getting in that classic argument of keynesianism/communism v. neoliberalism because it outlines the thrid alternative very well. I am a grad student and I used it for a paper i wrote recently refuting neoliberalism and it was very helpful. I highly recommend it! Also, look into Maria Mies. She is the anti-capitalist-patriarchy bomb, yo.

This Book Shows That Another Way IS Possible!
A friend of mine who is involved with Rabbi Michael Lerner's Tikkun Community movement recently gave me a copy of Alternatives to Economic Globalization: A Better World is Possible. I'm not an expert in this field at all, but I found the book worthwhile and very accessible. (So accessible that I read the entire thing in a week!) The writers include Jerry Mander, David Korten, Lori Wallach, and many people working around the world in the anti-globalization movement.

What makes the book really important is the positive solutions and alternatives offered. The authors offer real ways to put into practice the Tikkun Community's first and second core principles (interdependence and ecological sanity, and a new bottom line in economic and social institutions).

I think other Tikkun readers, progressive-Democrats, Green party members, and thoughtful people everywhere---who want to see the world change from how it is now to how it could be---would want to read a book outlining specifics of how to create sustainable energy, transportation and food systems. And Alternatives to Economic Globalization does just that. I can't recommend this book enough (in fact I've already bought several copies to give to some of my friends).


Europe in the High Middle Ages 1150 - 1300 (A General History of Europe Series, 3rd Edition)
Published in Textbook Binding by Addison-Wesley Pub Co (22 December, 1999)
Authors: John Hine Mundy and John Mundy
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A General History of Europe - The Golden Mean
Mundy's Europe in the High Middle Ages, along with the two companion works by Denys Hay and Christopher Brooke, provide an extraordinarily useful study of the medieval period. They fit perfectly between a general survey text and more narrowly focused monographic studies. Using a largely similar structure, the three books provide a comprehensive and broadly focused study of all aspects of the medieval experience. But what is most useful about these books, especially Mundy's, is that they look beneathe the events of their respective periods to find deeper but less obvious forces of change. Mundy's particular emphasis on the expansion of literacy and education beyond the clerical class is an extremely important insight. For a non-specialist who seeks a complete but managable and eminently readable collection on the Middle Ages, these three books are without peer.


The American West: A New Interpretive History
Published in Hardcover by Yale Univ Pr (2000)
Authors: Robert V. Hine and John MacK Faragher
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A very good book, whose point of view will irritate many
On its own terms, this book is a huge success.

It synthesizes the past 30 years of serious historical research which revolutionized the presentation of the history of the American West by rescuing the experiences of groups who had been relatively ignored by standard interpretations. Indians, women, blacks, Latinos, Asians, workers are dealt with at length and with sympathy.

The research of anti-capitalist/neo-Marxist, anti-imperialist and pro-environmental historians is summarized and we can see the importance of the challenges they raise to old style historians.

The range of topics is impressive, and the writing is lively and intelligent. (I'd say this is suitable for the college junior/senior level.) The bibliography is amazingly up to date.

The reason why I don't give it a 5 is its lack of balance. At times the authors editorialize crudely--with dismissive judgements ("nonsense") and exclamation points galore to show us when we should boo or hiss.

Less empowered (victim) groups are too often treated as noble, and the majority as vile. This is the Achilles heel of a generation of historians who went into this field with strong orientations and sympathies.

But even more than the distaste for the majority groups, the biggest drawback is the relative lack of attention paid to them. I'm not saying, in an old fashioned way, that they should extol the "achievement" or mindlessly glorify the "Anglos" or capitalists. There is too much solid evidence here that the achievements were not 100% beneficial and that the white males could act and think in apalling ways. But they were the majority actors and this book can too often lose sight of that. At times it feels like the center is missing.

Still, it's an impressive, thought-provoking book. (The section on attempts by cowboys to unionize should be treasured by anybody who was ever spoon fed the Turner thesis.) But it probably should be the second book to give a neophyte, not the first.

A new and highly recommended interpretative survey.
This new interpretive history of the American west is recommended reading for college-level students of American history. Drawings, posters, photos and illustrations pepper what remains a panoramic view of history and characters which succeeds in documenting some of the major trends and personalities of the West. Highly recommended.


Anglo-Saxons from the Migration Period to the Eighth Century: An Ethnographic Perspective (Studies in the History of Archaeoethnology)
Published in Hardcover by Boydell & Brewer (1998)
Authors: John Hines, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Social Stress, and Walter Pohl
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Thought provoking set of essays on the Anglo-Saxons
This book is a set of essays, based on presentations at a workshop. One wonderful feature is that the Q&A discussion after each paper is also included -- so you can actually see some of the top Anglo-Saxon scholars struggling with an issue.

I thought all of the essays were very good (a rarity in collections like this) and some, such as Charles-Edwards on kinship were outstanding.


Hine Sight: Black Women and the Re-Construction of American History (Blacks in the Diaspora)
Published in Paperback by Indiana University Press (1997)
Authors: Darlene Clark Hine and John Hope Franklin
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A survey of black women's history
Hine Sight is a collection of Darlene Clark Hine's essays on black women's history. She is one of the most prominent historians in the field and has helped to define it, which makes the reading of this book all the more interesting. The essays printed here have already been printed numerous times in other journals and anthologies, a testimony to their (and her) importance to the field. It is a wonderful introduction to black women's history, with both theoretical and historical articles included. Because it is a collection of articles, it becomes slightly repetitious - so for an advanced student of black women's history, I would recommend a look at one of Hine's monographs.


Let My People Go: The Story of the Underground Railroad and the Growth of the Abolition Movement (Southern Classics Series)
Published in Paperback by University of South Carolina Press (1992)
Authors: Henrietta Buckmaster, John G. Sproat, and Darlene Clark Hine
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I never thought I was so interested in politics...
I never thought I was so interested in politics until I read this book. I Picked it up at the library when I was reading about the Underground railroad. Henrietta was engaging and even funny sometimes. There were of course some hard to read accounts. But this is a very important topic even if the content is very emotional. This book was to the point yet poignant. All in all it was a very good read. It was informative and was from a point af view (African American) that is too often left out of the history books. I learned a lot and it made me just want more. I would definately suggest it for reading for anyone.


Yang Tai Chi Chuan
Published in Paperback by Paidotribo Editorial (1997)
Author: John Hine
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An excellent text for beginners

This book is superbly illustrated and gives a good deal of information on basic theories. Hine is however a bit vague on advanced concepts making this book a good introduction to the Yang style, but of little use to those who already practice the form, push hands and basic weapons. Also includes a good set of instructions for the narrow bladed sword routine.


2025: Scenarios of Us and Global Society Reshaped by Science and Technology
Published in Hardcover by Oakhill Press (01 September, 1996)
Authors: Joseph F. Coates, John B. Mahaffie, and Andy Hines
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One of the most disappointing books I have ever read.
This book looked very promising; the format and premise of a history book written from the year 2025. Unfortunately, the book is so superficial in its treatment of the subjects that I found myself falling asleep whenever I attempted to read it. The book reads like a collection of facts or sidebars; there are no stories, fiction or non, to pull you through the chapters. Read Probable Tomorrows instead.

2025--a masterful scenario
"The future is now present," claims Bill Clinton. We need to "honor the past" and "imagine the future." Here is a book that helps millennial planners do the later part well.

Coates is a regular feature at World Future Society conferences. Last year I heard him give an 8-part lecture series last year on scenarios of life and business in 2025, and later bought the cassette series.

Now he and his colleagues have brought out the book on the subject. It taps the worlds of science, technology, and engineering to look at the thirty year period of 1995 to 2025. Written in the form of a history book in 2025, Coates gives fifteen scenarios which reflect what life will be like in the United States as well as other societies (both affluent and less prosperous).

* Smart Living / house and home of the future * Information: The Global Commodity / integration of telecommunications * Harvesting the Fruit of Genetics / biotechnology * Powering Three Worlds /energy technology and efficiency * The World of Things/ materials technology * Working Toward a Sustainable World /environmental strategies and tools * Managing the Planet/ macroengineering the environment * Putting Space to Work /cooperation and commercialization of space * Our Built World/ infrastructure and construction * People and Things on the Move / transportation * The World of Production / custom manufacturing * A Quest for Variety and Sufficiency / food and agriculture * Striving for Good Health / disease prevention and life enhancement * Our Days and Our Lives / quality of life movement * Balancing Work and Leisure / lifestyle and entertainment

One added feature to *2025* is that at the end of each chapter, Coates lists the "Critical Developments, 1990-2025," plus the "Unrealized Hopes and Fears" of each field he covers.

*2025* is the best information rich and researched mid-range scenario for the future I have read. It also is enjoyable reading. I have sharing bits and pieces with my son ! and daughter who will be 41 and 39 in the year 2025. They get a kick out of hearing about computer "knowbots," toys made with "smart materials," or machine "language coaches." But *2025* is far deeper than just a preview of future gadgets.

This book could be a veritable field guide to your next 30 years, especially if you are in business, an entrepreneur, a person responsible for planning, or engaged in scientific and technical issues.

I am using it right now as a help in writing radio commercials which illustrate futures thinking for upcoming millennial celebrations.


By water and the Holy Spirit; new concepts of baptism, confirmation, and communion
Published in Unknown Binding by Seabury Press ()
Author: John M. Hines
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California Utopianism: Contemplations of Eden
Published in Paperback by Heinle (1981)
Authors: Robert V. Hine, Norris, Jr. Hundley, and John A. Schutz
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