The authors are harsh for today's US economists, because they have lost contact with the social reality: "the extraordinary combination of arrogance and innocence with which mainstream economics has approached the problems of a nation that had experienced twenty years of declining real wages, forty percent of whose children live in "absolute" poverty, and which endured an unprecedented erosion of health, vacation, and pension benefits. The commitment to full employment legislated in 1946 has been "honored" in these socially destructive years ... by redefining "full" employment as a higher level of unemployment."(p.6)
The solution of the authors is government intervention in the economy and a re-evaluation of the public sector, although they recognize that Keynesianism was and is not perfect: it was unable to present a coherent theory of inflation; it failed to include a concept of stagflation; and its treatment of the money supply could lead to inflation.
But in fact, the US government intervenes already heavily in the economy, but for the authors not in the right sector: defence.

This book, written in 1995, contains already the central proposition of 'The Silent Takeover' by Noreena Hertz: "On a wold wide scale, this internationalization of finance seriously limits the ability of advanced nations to carry out domestic fiscal and monetary policies that are not compatible with the "will" of a stateless world financial market." (p.120)
Their world vision was correct, but too timid: "On a still lager front, world population growth threatens to bring another billion people into existence within a generation, raising the spectre of large immigration pressures for the advanced world ... Ecological problems ... the forces of ethnic and nationalist unrest ... together with sporadic terrorism." (p.120-121)

It is evident that the above mentioned problems can only be resolved by political intervention. The proceeds of the successes of the market economy can only be redistributed or guided by political decisions, by politicians, not by, but with the help of, economists. The problem is that no international authority has enough power to impose his decisions unilaterally on national states.
Ultimately, the decisions lay in the hands of the voters. If a majority votes for a certain direction, the political authorities have to follow, otherwise they will loose their mandate.
This is a thought provoking book.

William X. Kienzle is one of the most talented and popular authors working in the mystery genre today. Dead Wrong: A Father Koesler Mystery is a classic Kienzle tale and centers on Father Robert Koesler's investigation into the 30-year-old murder of a young woman awaiting a marriage proposal. Scandal between family, business, and the Church loom in this dark tale, riddled with twists and hidden motivations.

Like most of Kienzle's books, this one had an interesting plot twist. It was quite difficult to find out who the killer was, and the ending was nothing short of surprising. The characters were fully developed, and all the background of the principal characters showed the reader why they had a problem with the victim. The plot was not only interesting, but easy to follow.

I thought about this book when I was thinking about the Columbine murders. The book discusses a theory on how Fritz Klenner became the serial murderer that killed the Newson and Lynch Families. There is a discussion regarding the effect of how books such as the Turner Diaries represent a dangerous form of pornography and how exposure to these books could create Fritz Klenners. An important book to read when trying to understand the mindset of the murderers at Columbine High. Was it exposure to books like the Turner Diaries sold at gun shows that caused these kids to develop their sick fixations? We will never know but the author insightfully discusses how this form of pornography (graphic accounts of murder) is the most dangerous form there is of pornography.

Kienzle is an excellent writer. Having been born in the Detroit area, I find his references to places I know refreshing. His gift for holding the reader's attention is superb, and this book especially demonstrates that talent. The story line is unique, and the twists and turns in the plot are surprising. This was a very good read.

As usual, Kienzle has written a good story here, but he adds an element of humor in the actions of one of the characters. His constant mishaps nearly make the reader laugh out loud. A very good book.

I have used this dictionary for over 25 years and have worn out my copy. It is well organized, easy to research, and has the answers.

Having only read "excerpts" before -- and the "shorter" Pepys is massive -- I supposed the short version was the exciting and interesting parts and the complete diary was the boring version that put everything in.
Well it turns out all PEPYS IS EQUALLY GOOD. The reason? This man loved life and said so, with great enthusiasm, and at the same time was a conscientious and effective(not always right or wise) public servant. This startling mix, in the end makes him seem a completely modern person. Fascinating.

As a graduate student studying biochemistry/molecular biology, this book (on the PI's shelf) was a frequent read. Not only does it explain "old-school" genetic experiments with aplomb, it provides clear and concise examples. A fine reference for reviewing papers, and a must have for any PI (if only for your students to use as a reference!)

Isaak August Dorner, one of the greatest theologians of the 19th century, is not as well known today as he should be. If enough people read this great essay of his, that may change. In it, Dorner offers a thorough and fascinating account of the historical development of the classical doctrines of God's immutability and simplicity, while, at the same time, presenting sharp criticisms of that doctrine. Dorner shows that any account of God's nature that is adequate for a sound piety must represent God in such a way that the world can have a value for Him, and this entails that He be able to create a world of free beings whose choices He can neither determine nor know in advance. This, in turn, entails that the actions of creatures must be able to have "a creaturely impact on the divine decree." Dorner shows that allowing God to change with respect to His knowledge and will in no way derogates from God's perfection. In particular, the ethical nature of God is safegaurded since, even though God changes His specific will towards a creature according to the creature's behavior (i.e. God will respond differently to Mother Teresa than to Hitler), God's actions always flow from His perfectly good nature; He always responds to creatures in the way the befits the most perfect possible moral gooness.

The historical section of Dorner's essay is rendered particularly delightful from the fact that he not only discusses such prominent figures as Augustine, Aquinas, and Scotus, but also lesser known protestant Scholastics, such as Quenstedt and Gerhard, as well as the acute 17th century Socinian, Conrad Vorst. This alone makes the book a treat for anyone interested in little explored aspects of the history of theology.

All in all this essay is a profound meditation on some of the most difficult and central aspects of Christian theology. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The translation itself is fluid and very readable, and the book is prefaced by a penetrating discussion, by Robert Williams, of Dorner and of the content of this essay. My only criticism is directed at the cheap book binding process that Fortress Press currently employes. I have only had this book for a little over a year, have not subjected it to any unusual sorts of stress, and yet every page of it is now loose from its back. The same thing has happened, in short order, to all the paper back books I possess published by Fortress Press. It is unfortunate that a translation this good of an essay this great should be treated in so shabbily by Fortress Press. So great a Lutheran Father as Dorner deserves better from a press devoted to preserving and furthering the Lutheran heritage.