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The layout of the book is the perfect example of concept instructional design. Each step in the process has its own chapter, which makes the book well organized and easy to follow. Each term is thoroughly illustrated and defined. It is supplemented by examples, which compliment the design of the book, and questions, which keep the reader involved. The book is divided into ten chapters providing in-depth outlines of the 10 steps involved in the concept instruction design process. Thankfully, the authors did not forget the all-important formative and summative evaluation components of instructional design. The appendix contains sample concept lessons designed by three of Dr. Merrill's former students. There are also several concept lessons that have been completed and included for reference.
The bottom line: When seeking an instructional design guide for concepts, I would highly recommend this text to instructional designers, instructors, students, and anyone in the instructional design field.
As we all should know it was Thomas Jefferson who realized that in order to have a just and free government, you had to divest the church stranglehold on the government and on the people as church and state were united. Jefferson proposed a revolutionary change based on two principles first, absolute freedom of religious conscience and opinion; and second, the separation of church and state. This book covers much of what was contemporary perspective of that time. Jefferson was the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and it was a hard fought fight and struggle for ten years to extracate the established church, but a fight well worth the effort. Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute in 1777, when he was a member of the Virginia legislature and it became law on January 16, 1786, when he was United States minister to France. The Virginia Statute is in three parts: the preamble, the enacting clause, and the final, admonitory paragraph.
This book has contributing authors of essays that take a look into different aspects of the history and attitudes of the time and give us clarity of prespective. They are titled as chapters and are: The Virginia Statute Two Hundred Years Later, Colonial Religion and Liberty of Conscience, Religious Freedom and the Desacralization of Politics: From the English Civil Wars to the Virginia Statute, The Political Theology of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, the Statute for Religious Freedom, and the Crisis of Republican Convicitions, The Rage of Malice of the Old Serpent Devil: The Dissenters and the Making and Remaking of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Quota of Imps, Jeffersonian Religious Liberty and American Pluralism, Religion and Civil Virture in America: Jefferson's Statute Reconsidered, The Priority of Democracy to Philosophy, Madison's Detached Memoranda: Then and Now, and The Supreme Court and the Serpentine Wall.
This book is well referenced and footnoted and I found it easy to follow and learn from. Also, the writing styles of the different authors gives the reader a unique view from different points making it enjoyable. The Virginia Statute is the precurser to the Bill of Rights to the Constitution, and this book put things in perspective.
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The poets of "Eight" are Theodore Roethke, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell, John Berryman, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Allen Ginsburg, and James Merrill. Each poet's work is prefaced by a substantial individual introduction.
There are many masterpieces in this book. Curiously, I found the most compelling poems to be those that focus on nature: Roethke's "The Meadow Mouse," Bishop's "The Fish," Plath's "Mushrooms," and Merrill's "The Octopus." Poems like these combine skillfully used language with keen insight, and reveal these poets to be true heirs of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson (two of the featured artists in "Six American Poets").
Overall, I felt that "Eight" was not as strong as its sister volume, "Six." Although there are many poetic masterpieces in "Eight," there is also much material which, in my opinion, hasn't aged well. The so-called "confessional poetry" of some of these writers strikes me as overwrought. Some of the longer poems failed to resonate with me. I was particularly disappointed by Berryman's "Homage to Mistress Bradstreet," especially since I am an admirer of Anne Bradtreet's own work. Admittedly, this criticism may merely reflect my own personal tastes, but I submit it for the reader's consideration.
The fact that so many of these poets either wrote about each other, or pop up in the editor's introductions to each others' work, sometimes gives the book as a whole a creepy, incestuous feel. And the fact that so many of these poets committed suicide, had long-term mental health problems, and/or suffered from addictions further gives the book as a whole a rather morbid feel. On second thought, maybe this group of eight is a bit problematic!
Still, editor Conarroe has assembled an impressive anthology that I would recommend for students and teachers, as well as to a general readership. Although a mixed bag, "Eight American Poets" contains some truly enduring work by an octet whose legacy is secure.
Like Conarroe's "Six American Poets", the anthology introduces us to each poet with a short biography that is presented before the poet's work. We learn about their lives and come to understand some of the primary forces that have shaped their poetry. I have found that this greatly enriches the experience of reading poetry because I better see the struggles that lead to each individual creation. After each collection, Conarroe offers a list of books and anthologies where each poet has been published so that we, should we wish, can come to know the work of a given poet much better.
This anthology is a wonderful starting place for someone who, like me, desires an introduction to some of the greatest American poetry ever produced. Personally, I feel, after reading this anthology that I have come to truly appreciate the work of Elizabeth Bishop and Theodore Roethke, in particular. I had never known their work well, but suddenly each jumped off the page at me, Bishop for her wonderfully vivid descriptions and Roethke for his intensely moving subjects. Plath and Sexton also really spoke to me, their work so reflecting their lives. Overall, this anthology is superbly worthwhile reading!
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When young and naive Jim Hawkins is given a treasure map from the mysterious old pirate, Billy Bones, adventure and trouble are not far behind. Soon Jim finds himself aboard a ship with a villainous crew led by the cunning and mendacious pirate, Long John Silver. Greed and the lust for gold driving the pirates, they have murder in mind when they reach the dubious Treasure Island.
Skillfully yet simply written, Robert Louis Stevenson gives us an alluring tale that sparks the imagination. With its dastardly plot and mothly crew of rogues and villains, it entrances the reader, and keeps them wanting more. "Treausure Island" is the perfect read for anyone just wanting a good, exciting story.