I read this book for a class to get an understanding of Lenin's influence on the Russian Revolution. This book is very detailed and not for someone who doesn't understand what the Bolsheviks were rebelling against. Little background is given on the Tsar's reign and the problems associated with autocratic rule. The story is never presented from the Tsar's side. What the reader does receive is a detailed account of Lenin's private and political life. Lenin was full of contradictions and paradoxes that were reflected in Communism. It was almost as though his influence was so powerful that the political culture reflected his egnimatic personality. In addition to being a fine intellectual biography of the man, Ulam's text details all the political movements that competed with Lenin in addition to highlighting the beginnings of the Stalin era.

Ulam writes well and is interesting to read. As a lay reader I found all the details sometimes overwhelming, and I had to do additional research to understand the issues that the Bolsheviks were responding to. As a non-scholar, I found this book readable and memorable.

Anyone interested in a good biography of Lenin written from a non-Communist slant should pick this up. Its amazing that this book, written in the '60s, required no revisions upon being re-published in 1998.

This book is a critical look at the life and career of V.I. Lenin. It is not entirely one-sided, however, and the author generally does a good job of putting events in their proper perspective. Those considering buying the more well-known Lenin biography written by Dimitri Volkogonov would do well to read this instead. It is far superior in every respect.

To paraphrase an observation Whitehead made over and over, something wonderful happened between the 8th and 5th century BCE in Greece. Why the circumstances came together in such a way as to produce what we glibly know as "classical Greece" no one may adequately explain, but Snell's book makes the quest for understanding pleasant reading and interesting (if dated, in places) intellectual fare.

This side of modernity, it is easy to pan this book (written in the war years early in the 20th century) as antiquated modern humanism, and indeed it does tend to go on and on about the "individual" (often in isolation from the community) and the genius of the Greek mind, perhaps ignoring that there were other cultures before and after 5th century Greece. But precisely these throwbacks are the book's greatest strengths, when the context of its writng is taken into consideration. In pre- and wartime-Germany, an unfortunate interpretation of Hegel's dialectical phenomenology allowed an entire intellectual culture a collective amnesia about the worth and power of the individual, in favor of the State as fulfillment of the "outworking of Spirit." For Hegel, this State was Prussia; post-Weimar Germany, however, interpreted it differently. But Snell does not use his book as an anachronistic justification for German superiority as heir to the best of classical Europe, as so many authors of his time certainly did. Rather, he points out that the "discovery" of the individual mind, acting in concert with others and pointed towards "the good" as benevolently seen by Socrates, was the greatest achievement of classical Greece bequeathed not only to Europe but to all the world. That Snell could bring out this aspect of Greek thought, and emphasize it, speaks well of him and the book.

The small volume is great reading for "cultural literacy," since to breathe in the West (now, almost everywhere, culturally) is to breathe air exhaled by Greek writers long ago. There are serious problems with this, no doubt. But coming to terms with Western canon means coming to terms with Greek literature and philosophy. This book helps one do just that.

The postmodern reader will judge whether this collection of essays, originally published between 1929 and 1947 in German Classics journals, adequately addresses the horrors of the time during which it was written. The conclusion of one of the later essays: '...there is one respect in which we too must abide by the principle of humanitas...That is the esteem in which we must hold the dignity of man: a modicum of humanitas for which no particular talent is needed. The eternal absolutes which rule over us, especially justice and truth, unhappily often make us forget that the absolute which accedes to our understanding is not entirely absolute after all...[W]hen it is agreed that certain institutions have come to represent the absolute, the catastrophe becomes inevitable. Then is the time to remind oneself that each and every human being has his own share of dignity and of freedom...'

This book is very easy to like and it makes yo want to read more. It talks about how he lost his clothes and much more if you wat to find out then you better read it.

My 2 year old loves this story she calls it, the bunny's friend book. She enjoys this story more than Peter Rabbit. I think that the story is more eventful than Peter Rabit; and it is nice that the bunnies get to finish their adventure. I have read hundreds of stories to my daughter and we both find this one enjoyable my 5 month old also seems to enjoy it. She likes the colorful pictures. I guess you could say that everyone is happy when this story is chosen. If you like Peter Rabbit you'll like Benjamin Bunny.

It sounds like an honest review of Itailan history ... probably something not really to be proud of... and I am Italian!

I've been suffering from shyness since I was little girl. I remember not being able to stand in front of a room and present a report, or even worse... I could not even be part of a family celebration. I'd die of embarrassment if I said anything wrong. Bruno's work is a great tool for conquering shyness. I highly recommend it.

I am a constant worrier, but never really thought so. It was such a part of my life, and for so long. On a whim, I purchased this book and realized how much needless worrying I had in my life. I found this book to be very refreshing and have noticed how the exercises have changed my self-confidence and outlook on life. I still have a long ways to go, but this book has helped me deal with some of my worry and anxiety. Well recommended for those who are looking for a different approach.

Although I read this book for a class I was fascinated by it. Regardless of your level of expertise this is a great book. Dr. Stein's book provides an insight into the field of brain repair that is quite unique. It presents a history of brain repair and the current status of it as well as future issues that plague such research. Well written and provides a gateway to future reading. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

This book i bought 2 years ago in Costa Rica, but after reading only the first chapter was stolen along with my bag. It's so difficult to find a knowledge source so complete about regional architecture in the practice. Stagno studied the sorroundings of his Costa Rica, culture, climatology and construction, to understand where was he designing, in order to adapt to it, and not the other way around. He has developed a design philosophy for his work, in which the best part is that he takes it to the end: he does what he preaches. His buildings in C.R. are living proof of his theories. This book describes this philosophy - ambiental syncretism - in a concise, well researched and complete manner. An landmark book for all architects designing in the humid tropics.

Bruno Frank takes the reader on an imaginary journey through the life of Miguel Cervantes, a life filled with extreme highs and lows of 15th century Spain. Historically accurate with just the right taste of "perhaps," this novel culminates with Cervantes' creation of Don Quijote, his masterpiece work. The last chapter alone is worth the reading.

Chasing Technoscience is an excellent volume for anyone interested in the intellectual provocations of Bruno Latour, Donna Haraway, Andrew Pickering,and Don Ihde. The interviews and original pieces found in the first half of the book are immensely informative and finely crafted.
The comparative pieces comprising the second half of the text are quite illuminating in their depth and scope. Because the volume is carefully organized, it is conducive to critically broadening one's perspective on how phenomenology, actor-network-theory, and the cultural studies of science relate to one another. Ultimately, this unique volume will be remembered for initiating of a long overdue and valuable dialogue between Continental philosophy and Science and Technology Studies.