Provides the Missing Conceptual Framework to Weberian Comparative-Historical Sociology

I can only agree with the comments of the earlier review. This is a great book for those interested in Weber or in social theory in general. I would recommend reading Professor Kalberg's new translation of Weber's classic "The Protestant Ethic & The Spirit of Capitalism" before tackling this book. Kalberg's introduction to PE provides a nice intro to this book as well.

Of particular interest to me were the varied uses of Ideal Types and how they are shown by the author to have a "broad-ranging theoretical capacity" besides being useful has a heuristic yardstick in sociological comparisons.

All in all I came away with a sense of awe and respect for not only Max Weber's, but also Stephen Kalberg's achievement here -- The former in originating and conceptualizing and the latter in synthesizing and reconstructing Weber's intellectually stunning methodology and structure. In short this is a brilliant work from one of today's foremost Weberian scholars.

This work is a superb characterization of the monumental accomplishments of Max Weber, one of the founders of sociology and one of the greatest theoreticians of historiography and law straddling the 19th and the 20th centuries. In this wonderful book, Kalberg addresses himself to some of the major issues of interpretation besetting Weber scholarship, among which are: the scope and character of Weber's appeal to what is widely understood to be his "methodological individualism" (in dealing with this topic, Kalberg stresses the crucial role of the socially-situated TRAGER (in English: "carriers" or "bearers" of a social phenomenon, e.g., 'the Protestant ethic')): the exact nature of what Weber intended with his use of the concept of an 'ideal-type' (beautifully exemplified by Kalberg in so many passages in his book): the characteristics of Weber's comparative-historical method of sociological analysis (which Kalberg demonstrates is so much richer than later versions of such an attempt, especially in US social science circles): and so much more besides. This is a profoundly rich, historically informed and textually precise work of scholarship. One of the finest books on the great work of a great thinker yet in print. I recommend this book to all sociology students and professionals, as well as to historians of ideas, philosophers of social sciences and to general readers who will appreciate the true richness of Max Weber's genius.

I knew our 2 year old daughter liked trains when I bought this book, but I had no idea it would be such a hit! She carries it with her everywhere and we ready it over and over. The lovely, bright illustrations have lots of detail, so there are many things we can talk about. (If mommy and daddy get tired ready the story over and over!)

We had to order a new copy, since the first one was literally loved to pieces!

I started reading this book to my son when he was only a few months old. Now, at a year, it is still one of his favorites. The bright illustrations and rhyming narrative hold his attention. Plus the squeaky cover with the 3D people and animals makes this book a good toy/story to take on trips.

This book is wonderful! I received it as a gift about a year ago and just rediscovered it. If you've ever been to England or have dreamed of going you should read this book. The author makes some very valid points about faith and living life that I had never thought about before. The chapters are short enough to read one every night before you go to bed (that's what I do). I would strongly encourage you to buy this book. It has been a true blessing to me.

This is an excellent for anyone who has ever dreamed on visiting the "not so beaten paths of England. In each nook and cranny, Mr. Smith not only describes the beauty of the surroundings, but also weaves a touching testimony of how God is in all things. Each chapter unfolds another thought provoking revelation of nature and of God.

do yourself a favor and buy this on tape. listen to it while driving, or whatever, and your heart will dance!

This abridged edition of selected passages is well done. The readers express wonderful emotion. The translation is fresh and I was touched. This is a great supplemental resource for anyone who loves the Word of God. This tape left me wanting more! I recommend this audiotape highly.

This has to be the best cartoon in history. Mighty Max rocks, he is smart and cool at the smae time. I want to order this, but I guess I can't because I have bought other things. Keep looking for other Mighty Max stuff.

As an avid fan of the cartoon, I have every episode on tape and numerous toys and paraphinalia--I haven't heard of anything like this though! I haven't read it, but I'm sure the plot is filled with action and humor--just like the television series--maybe the people at Horn Books don't give it two thumbs up, but I guess I wouldn't find it as enthralling if I were, like, 50 years old or so--don't diss what you haven't tried to enjoy! Mighty Max rockz!

I am a member of the Miracle Max Mystery Club, and I own and have read the book many times. I think that the book is an excellent story about a playful dog who goes on an adventure. Along the way, Max, the dog, meets many different obstacles, and will keep you laughing.

Lisa O'Connell has created a wonderful club and web site to support her book, "Miracle Max...Missing In Maryland!" Being a club member, my family and I have been able to read excerpts from the book which were on the web site. We really liked the idea of combining fun reading fiction with facts about the state of Maryland. We have pre-ordered some copies of the book for both family and friends because we can't wait to find out what happens to Max! We used to own a German Shepherd and he was a very special member of our family for many years. German Shepherds are very smart dogs and wonderful pets so what better animal to be the main character of a children's book! The Miracle Max Mystery Club web site is a fun place for everyone in your family to visit and keep up with the latest news on Max. See you in Maryland!

It's amazing how this man push the result of the French Revolution and make it a reality, from monarchy to democracy, not only in Europe but around the world.

I was really impressed by how a little boy of nine years old, became a big man who changed the history of this world!this book made me thinking of many things,like...me for example.

It is amazing to me how little some Christians know about their faith. Therefore, I would highly recommend Anders' book, which surveys the essential issues of the historical Christian faith. The many user-friendly charts and simple writing style make New Christians Handbook a wonderful resource that I would like to see become very popular. I have taught "New Believer" Sunday School classes in the past, and let me tell you, this will be the new book if I teach it again. It gives the reader a chance to assimiliate the teachings of each chapter--they range from who is Jesus to what are end times--and come to a succinct conclusion, with helpful questions at the back of each section along with sample prayers and possible memory verses. For those laypeople who just want to get in better touch with their faith, this would be a great place to begin.

I have been a christain for many years and I teach sunday school. When a friend of mine accepted Christ as her savior, I wanted to give her something to help steer her in the right direction. I found this book at a local bible book store and bought it for my friend. I had the weekend to browse through the book before giving it away. I found the book to be so interesting that I kept the first book and had to return to the bookstore for another copy for my friend. I plan on purchasing more copies to give away to friends and relatives. The book is very informative and author doesn't presented a stanted view on any of the topics he covers. I learned quite a bit of information that I didn't know, and I found the book to be touching in some area and inspiring in others. I highly recommend this book if you can find a copy. I plan on buying as many as I can get my hands on.

Most people come to Vico for one of three reasons: historical perspective (fans of Spengler), philosophical curiosity (fans of Marx), or literary insight (fans of Joyce). Regardless of the motivation, the reader will be confronted with a highly unconventional text at first: the open of the book is an overlong explanation of the bookplate. Then we are faced with a collection of Nietzschian aphorisms. By the third part of the book, if the second part hasn't trigged an interest, the explication of parts 1 and 2 grab and take hold of the reader. The result? Once the reader finishes the book, the seemingly obtuse open seems perfectly reasonable for in the course of the text for Vico assimilates history, anthropology, philosophy, philology, and genealogy into a comprehensive whole which is perfectly symbolized by the bookplate. Though, at times, his premises seem rather far-fetched (Vico himself notes this), the intent of the work is rarely obscured. The only complaint? Perhaps Vico could have expanded the work more to make his attempted scope and range cohere better. But then, Frazier did this in a similar work (The Golden Bough) and we have 12 volumes to show for it!

This is a very unusual book. It is an unorthodox view of history that became the source of inspiration to a diverse group of scholars such as Karl Marx, James Joyce and Marshall McLuhan. It was my reading of McLuhan that caused me to seek out Vico, and therefore, read this book.

If you have an interest in words and entomology, this is a book for you. Vico looks for the origin of civilization in the origin of words, and proposes theories that provoke thoughtful reflection. McLuhan used Vico to chart the future of civilization, as did Joyce.

It is impossible to sum-up this book in a few words, and it is difficult to explain why it is worth reading, but nonetheless, I recommend it to those of you who have stumbled upon it here. If you've gotten to this page, of the 800 million pages in cyberspace, then you are probably someone who should read Vico.

If you've never read Vico before, I highly recommend his autobiography, which contains a scholarly overview of Vico and his thought. It is a slimmer volume than this one, and could help you decide to read-on.

The one problem I had with "Achilles in Vietnam" was that it did not seem to offer much in the way of solutions. "Odysseus in America" provides the answers to the ugly problems outlined in the first book. I'm not sure exactly what Dr. Shay intended but these books are relevant for far more than combat PTSD. They are very helpful for an overall understanding of "moral injury" and "psychological injury", to use terms he seems to have invented.

I think all therapists should read these books. They are very useful to understanding child abuse also. If you are working on your problems from child abuse or other psychologically traumatic incidents, they are very good.

READ THIS BOOK, because no movie or book has ever captured as vividly and realistically the combat veterans painful re-entry into normal civilian life as Jonathan Shay's "Odysseus in America".

READ THIS BOOK and learn that Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" are true stories of combat veterans. This will surprise and delight anyone who enjoys the classics or war stories.

READ THIS BOOK and understand what the American combat veteran experiences on his return home. Anyone involved in the helping professions will enjoy and benefit. Anybody who has a combat veteran in their family will learn and be better for it.

READ THIS BOOK and you will understand the great sin that we all commit against our veterans; especially Vietnam vets. Every woman who has a son will want to read this.

READ THIS BOOK and you will finally understand Homer.

Dr. Jonathan Shay has shown that it is as true today as it was thousands of years ago that warfare makes men different. He is a psychiatrist who works with veterans in the Boston VA. In his first book "Achilles in Vietnam" he explained the cycle of trauma and pain that is inflicted by combat. This sequence is --betrayal of what's right by commanders (a common Vietnam story), a soldier's rage at this injustice, their withdrawal into a circle of the closest comrades, then the loss of these comrades with accompanying deep guilt and the growing feeling of being already dead, and then the ice cold berserker state and loss of fear in combat. Then veteran is whisked from the killing ground and immediately plunked down in America. He comes home the way he was in Vietnam. Shay explains that Odysseus doesn't trust anybody, tells a lot of lies, gets into a lot of dangerous and foolish situations, conceals himself, disguises himself, and emotionally is as cold as ice to those closest to him. This is realistic of combat veterans at home. He is forever different.

How do I know this? I am a Vietnam veteran and served in the 101st Airborne and 1st Infantry Divisions. When I read "Achilles in Vietnam" I said, "He's captured what happened to us and the way we felt." Now Shay has captured our struggles to live normal lives. And, I my true life experiences are part of "Odysseus in America".

Shay has one other story in "Odysseus in America". That is prevention of the destruction of our soldiers' psyche. He has ignited a debate for reform. And, Senator John McCain and Max Cleland (both Vietnam veterans) to voice their agreement with Shay. His plan for reform consists of ending the "individual replacement system." Shay explains that, "These kids go into the military and give their total trust and lives to the Army. Then the Army breaks this bond by immediately sending them into combat without the support of anyone they know. They fight alone, and they die alone. This is the consequence of the "individual replacement system" started in World War I, continued in WW II, Korea and Vietnam. We need to change this "individual replacement system" in the military to a "unit replacement system". We need to recognize the need for cohesion and community and, therefore, maintenance of trust throughout the military, right into combat. And then keep them together right out the other side. This is the single most important need for reform to prevent psychological and moral injury in the military."

Every parent with kids who may end up serving will want to read this argument for reform. Our country is mis-using our children and needs to change the military's stupidity. READ THIS BOOK to save your child. We are probably going to live with some level of warfare for the next few decades and we need a military reform.