Editor Peter L. Rudnytsky has put together a very useful and (for the most part) readable collection of 16 essays for students of literature, psychotherapy, theology, or the intersection of all those disciplines. As a former student of English literature, a current preacher, and a doctoral candidate in psychology and religion interested in the therapeutic uses of popular culture, I have found this volume extremely helpful.

Rudnytsky's Introduction begins by noting that Winnicott has been largely overlooked by literary scholars -- a neglect which is "all the more surprising since Independent object relations theory can claim to offer the first satisfactory psychoanalytic account of aesthetics." (p. xii) He then proceeds to provide a definition of that "aesthetics" utilizing three of Winnicott's best-known concepts: transitional objects, potential spaces, and the use of an object. Since the editor goes on to describe the particular contributions of each of the essays which follow (not all of which are as readily accessible as Winnicott's own writing), a careful reading of this Introduction will be amply rewarded.

The first section, "The Analytic Frame", begins with Winnicott's own reflections on "The Location of Cultural Experience" (from PLAYING & REALITY) and includes a particularly useful (to my areas of interest) essay by Christopher Bollas on "The Aesthetic Moment and the Search for Transformation." Part II, "Literary Objects", focuses on six interpretations of particular authors or works, and Part III concludes with four essays applying Winnicott to various "Cultural Fields" (including Brooke Hopkins' "Jesus and Object-Use"). At least two of the essays (by John Turner and Claire Kahane) critique Winnicott's theory for lack of attention to the social, economic, and political relations which shape subjectivity and perpetuate injustice, or the ways in which culture's prevailing symbolic network of representations are constructed according to the norms of a masculine subject. These more critical voices contribute to a well-balanced collection. Whether you've read a lot of Winnicott, or have only begun to study his theories, this book is well worth having and reading.

This book is essential for the library of every scholar of American constitutionalism. For those who have studied the subject, the superb selection of essays on different aspects of American political thought is enlightening. Those who are simply interested in America's founding may however be at a loss and overwhelmed by the wide range of arguments put forward in the different essays even if Gary L.Gregg did an excellent job in the introduction giving an overview to the reader of what he should expect in each essay. Thus, since all and even the American constituiton and its origins is a matter of perspective, this book can only be enjoyed after a thorough study of American political thought. For constitution freaks however it is not only useful to have, it is a real joy to browse through the essays.

There is a palpable fear that America has lost its way, and perhaps even been untrue to itself. Examples of this loss abound, from school violence to a youth culture nihilism. "Vital Remnants," a collection of essays by some of America's top scholars in history, philosophy, political science, and law, shows, with remarkable clarity, the ways in which contemporary American society has radically altered the course upon which it was originally set. To be sure, our century looks at America with a different set of assumptions than that of our ancestors. "Vital Remnants" gives us clues by which we might stay the course for the benefit of generations to come.

This book does a good job of discussing why groundwater extraction (pump and treat or whatever else you want to call it) is not useful for cleanup of petroleum contaminated sites, rendering it best suited for hydraulic control of plumes.

The author also has a pretty good discussion regarding lifecycle design considerations and the various steps to go through/questions to ask with regard to effluent treatment and equipment sizing.

Some of the technology descriptions appears to be taken from design of remediation systems by suthersan, but both books were published by the same company so i guess that shouldn't really be a surprise. Both books offer different perspectives, so I find them both to be pretty useful, however, I like this one a little more because the author seems to be more of a practical guy whereas suthersan is more theoretical.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the design and correct application of remediation technologies.