Diggins approaches pragmatism as an historian but with the expert knowledge of a philosopher. He begins with the historian Henry Adams, analyzing his work and its relation to both American culture and American pragmatism and ends with poststructuralism, relating similar themes and techniques between the two geographically and conceptually distinctive philosophies. Diggins also addresses American thinkers not always covered in works on pragmatism: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sidney Hook, George Mead, Reinhold Niebuhr. In this way he places pragmatism in a much broader context than it usually appears. Pragmatism then becomes not merely a theoretical construct but a product of and an influence on socio-historical reality in America. He places Peirce, James, Dewey, et al. in an historical context, thus making explicit the American culture that went into the development of their thought and the way in which their thought affected American culture and history, not just academia. It is the most impressively comprehensive work on pragmatism I've ever encountered. And that the book was written by an historian, not a philosopher, in my opinion, is only a plus. I say this as a philosopher myself. The perspective of an historian is fresh and illuminating, and the knowledge of the philosophy itself that he demonstrates would rival that of any "official" philosopher. Most interestingly, he ends the book comparing pragmatism and New or Neopragmatism with continental philosophy, especially poststructuralism, drawing provocative parallels and contrasts. The book's only shortcoming is that, in spite of the comprehensiveness lauded above, like most secondary sources on pragmatism, it completely neglects the work of the under-appreciated Alain Locke. But, perhaps, due to the work's historical context, the fact that Locke has been ignored in the rest of culture and academia (more likely due to his race and sexuality than the quality of his philosophy) explains his lack of relevance to Diggins's book.

John Patrick Shanley's play psychopathia sexualis is a salty comedy about a painter who is about to get married, but has a problem. He is not the master of his own domain. Arthur, the painter, can only get off while in close proximity to his father's argyle socks. Arthur's therapist, Dr. Brock, tries desperatly to cure Arthur of his fetish, but with no luck. Finally the desperate man takes the socks hostage, and arthur's tough fiance decides to bully Dr. Block to make him "surrender the footwear". This savy play ask us where we draw the line for what is crazy, and who decides how to "cure" us. It shows the power struggles between man and woman, man and man and woman and man. In the end, can we decide who is and isn't crazy? If so, haven't we just erased the line of convention, only to redraw it in another place. How crazy is crazy? And does a guy who makes love wearing his father's argyle socks really need to be fixed?

This thrilling book is John Patrick's substantial contribution to the theme of secrecy in gay relationships and gay life in general.The introductory essay "Something To Hide" (very good as always) examines how various authors of gay erotica have treated the subject of secrecy and how it affects gays that are not "out" (acting even as an aphrodisiac).The stories themselves are quite hot and depict a wide variety of gay experiences that "require" secrecy:from the very familiar frustration and suppressed sexual desires of adolescence to relationships whithin families (though not incestuous) and from affairs between co-workers to gay sex with married men.Some of the most interesting and well written stories are by known contributors of Patrick's anthologies (e.g.Ken Smith,Thomas C. Humphrey,Leo Cardini etc).Very good are also the stories:"The Wedding Party" by Rudy Roberts,"Flasher" by L.Amore (about a hot love affair at the office) and "A Jock's Confession" by Frank Brooks (about a marriage of convenience that has a few fringe benefits;namely the best man and his friends!).What makes the book unique however,is John Patrick's contribution:seven stories,of which "Working Overtime","Secret Cravings" and "Secrets Of Strangers" are the best.Plus one complete erotic novel ("Don't Talk To Strangers"),relating the intermingling stories of three very beautiful youths and their favorite teacher,the year after high school graduation.The book ends with William Cozad's novel "The Preacher's Boy",which is about a runaway kid's hustling days in San Fransisco(Cozad's favorite locale).Although most of the novel is packed with memorable sex scenes,it is also full of disturbing events (even a murder!) and acts of cruelty and selfishness.It left me feeling sad,but readers more familiar with the difficulties and dangers of life in the streets may find Cozad's novel quite satisfying.My overall impression,though,was very positive and I recommend the book freely.John Patrick is truly a master.And that is no secret!

Are you from America? Do you think that the Backstreet Boys aren't really a boy band but a vocal group? Well, here's a new vocal group from Ireland worth knowing about. Here's the 411 on them: They can all sing, for real. They are definitely cute. BSB is one of their bigget musical inspirations, and their songs definitely show it. Although they only released 1 album in the US, the lads are soon coming here to conquer America. If you're a fan who wants to know more upclose and personal stuff regarding Mark, Nicky, Bryan, Shane, and/or Kian, this is a nice collector's item to have with fabulous pics of the guys.

This has to be rated up there with "Kissing Christine" and "Moonstruck." I absolutely adore this play. Even though it's categorized comedy, it contains many dramatic and true-to-life issues. The characters are lovable, fun, and incredibly entertaining. It is reality with an extra touch of zaniness and cleverness. I would definitely recommend this to any theatre-goer, especially Shanley fans.

On the plus side this small book has a fair bit of information about Van's works.However, the author is very opinionated and off-beam at times.He disparages some great Van songs.He calls 'Ballerina' a "lethargic meditation".'Autumn Song'is tagged "an insubstantial fragment".He says 'Summertime in England' is "hopelessly indulgent" and "pretentious".These are excellent songs and help create the distinctive Van Morrison mood which so many fans love.Humphries includes many cliches in his writing,for example, words such as "seguing","guesting" and "encoring".Two albums, "Hard Nose the Highway" and "Hymns to the Silence" are called "curate's eggs" (ie good in parts), another cliche.Although he quotes Van emphatically denying that he is a rock n roll artist, Humphries throughout places Van in a rock n roll context.It is little wonder that Van gets annoyed with journalists when so many of them are not up to understanding him and his music.Fans will get something out of this book, but not a great deal.

Patrick Humphries' concise CD sized booklet lives up to its name. It is highly recommended for both new and old fans alike.

Humphries' review of Morrison's albums will provide an excellent starting point for the neophyte Van fan who may well be overwhelmed by the abundance of choices in the back catalogue of Van Morrison.

The seasoned Van fan will likewise enjoy (and more than likely disagree!) with Humphries' knowledgeable critique of the albums.

Patrick Humphries obviously knows Van's music and Van's life.This is a work of respect , well illustrated and well written. He isn't afraid to show his personal likes and dislikes in Van's extensive discography.All in all , an excellent overview of over 30 albums and a good introduction to the neophyte.

Indeed, "Chicken Soup's" Jack Canfield has a promotional blurb on this book's front cover. Fans of his work & the "Teen Power" series might be delighted by this volume. I guess I'm not w/in that target audience. This volume is essentially an anthology w/ many "cutesy" mini-essays on various sub-aspects of learning about leadership. But I can't see it appealing to too many student leaders beyond those in Jr. High.

Brilliant book for students in High School, it is an ideal workbook for teachers like me who want to give kids leadership skills. What I like best is it brought together the best of the speakers we have had in our schools -- The Kids Were Blown Away!

Mapping America's Past is an attempt at using maps to portray American social, economic, military, and political development. The maps that are included are excellent, but what was included is somewhat puzzling. The general analysis of wars, expansion, and elections are useful, but maps of political party development in the Cleveland area or prostitution in New York City are not entirely relevant to the general American history student. Similarly, many of the accompanying texts offer little detailed insight into the topics the maps cover.

This book should be considered a general resource, but for an in-depth historical atlas, the reader must look elsewhere.

A highly satisfying review of historical topics.I'm often able to read only in 20-minute bites; every spread of this book is a self-contained history lesson, accessible in 20 minutes but worth revisiting many times. Most important topics and events of American history are covered well, and the rendering of complex information (e.g. the six gauges of railroad in 1850 and how this incompatablity affected commerce, population and political power) is truly inspired. This is a superb gift for an American history buff.

This book is no better than any of the other graduate level marketing books that are available. You might think that since this book has 15 authors it might have something that books with only 3 authors lacks. But, if you thought this you'd be wrong. This book offers nothing new and its extremely high price makes it even less appealing.

This book combines the knowledge of excellent scholars of marketing in a clear and structured format which is accessible to undergraduates. In addition, the cases and other teaching materials provide excellent support.

I wish they allowed for 0 stars. John Patrick is not an idiot. He has mad a good living off of gambling. Not by playing, but by telling people what they want to hear, that blackjack is a beatable game that can beaten with little or no math skills and no scientific approach. If you do not count cards using a proven method such as Hi-Lo, K/O, AOII, High-OptII, UPC, etc (John Patricks hunch method from his Card Counting books is utter nonsense) you can not gain an edge over the house. Money management can not help you win. The cards have no memory of wins or loses, if you bet more after you win, less after your lose, or vice versa you have the same odds if you had just bet the same. If you would like a good book that can help you at least break even (you will never get rich from BJ) try Knock-Out Blackjack by Fuchs and Vancura.

This book must be taken with a grain of salt. Patrick differs from basic stategy based on short term results. The majority disagree with this practice.

The best thing about this book is its' money management system. Patrick teaches a conservative money management system that helps gain small but consistent profits.

My sugesstion is get a different book if you want to learn basic strategy, but get this book for its' money management system.

This book has taught me how to be a consistent winner at blackjack. with loss limits it has kept me from getting killed at a hot table.Hit your loss limit and move on to another table. This book has made me a big winner. I have made a lot of believers in this way to play in that we go out to vegas and play as a team on a table and we have yet to lose. thank you John Patrick.