The thesis of this book is simple: Democracy, while good in itself, is ill equipped to deal with the threat posed by non-democratic polities because it has a persistent tendency to self delusion about the nature and goals of non-democratic states. Thus it tends to undermine the conditions that favor it's own survival and spread to other societies. Given the recent revelation of how American policy in the Middle East has failed, this book would be excellent reading for anyone interested in the ways the West shoots itself in the foot when dealing with others.

When you read the book Gabriel Faure : a musical life you really get around the subject in every possible way. Not only is it obvious why Jean-Michel Nectoux is seen as the number one pro on the area, you also get the impression that he is quite capable in handling the subject in both a historic and musicologic manner. The book is highly recommentable. Also for foreign students who wish to approach the life and music of the wonderfull composer Gabriel Fauré without having to many problems with the english language. Desirée Burmeister. ( 3rd year student of the music institute, Aalborg, Denmark )

This year I am using Jean Racine's "Phaedra" as the one non-classical text in my Classical Greek and Roman Mythology Class (yes, I know, "Classical" makes "Greek and Roman" redundant, but it was not my title). In Greek mythology, Phaedra was the half-sister of the Minotaur who was married to Theseus after the hero abandoned her sister Ariadne (albeit, according to some versions of what happened in Crete). Phaedra fell in love with her step-son Hippolytus, who refused her advances. Humiliated, she falsely accused him of having raped her.

My students read "Phaedra" after Euripides's "Hippolytus" as part of an analogy criticism assignment, in which they compare/contrast the two versions, which are decidedly different, to say the least. In the "original" Greek version Hippolytus is a follower of Artemis, and the jealous Aphrodite causes his stepmother to fall in love with him. Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of rape and then hangs herself; Theseus banished his son who is killed before Artemis arrives to tell the truth. In Racine's version Hippolytus is a famous hater of women who falls in love with Aricia, a princess of the blood line of Athens. When false word comes that Theseus is dead, Phaedra moves to put her own son on the throne. In the end the same characters end up dead, but the motivations and other key elements are different.

While I personally would not go so far as to try and argue how Racine's neo-classical version represents the France of 1677, I have found that comparing and contrasting the two versions compels students to think about the choices each dramatist has made. Both the similarities and the differences between "Hippolytus" and "Phaedra" are significant enough to facilitate this effort. Note: Other dramatic versions of this myth include Seneca's play "Phaedra," "Fedra" by Gabriele D'Annunzio, "Thesee" by Andrea Gide, and "The Cretan Woman" by Robinson Jeffers.

Betty Jean writes honestly of her childhood in the hills of Kentucky. She went on to become a writer-in-demand in Nashville for her country-western songs. She wrote of how she had everything life had to offer, but no joy and peace of mind could be found. After recommitting her life to God, it made a difference in her song-writing. Now she writes songs about the change in her life, her love for God and her plans to make Heaven her permanent home. You will enjoy this book.

This is a very usable, healthy eating book, without a lot of ingredients that we never heard of. The contents include snacks, soups, salads, meat and poultry, seafood, vegetarian and side dishes and desserts. I like to cook low fat, healthy meals, and this book had many recipes that my four children will eat without a complaint. I borrowed the book from a friend to copy a recipe, and realized that I had to just go and buy the book!

I was expecting more from lonely planet but aside from the maps, the book is obsolete. It also reads like a text book, no passion, no flavor, very boring. The sections on each area are not very big at all. ...

This book did a wonderful job of not only preparing us for the journey, but help us get around. We have now been there three times to three difference islands, and each time it preformed well. Although with all travel books they get out to date in a year or two, you should always call a head to verify critical information.

This book is very comprehensive. It will help you find all of the places you want to go, and will give you an overview of what to expect. Some of the items could have been a little more detailed though. Directions were OK. Luckily the islands are easy to get around. We found the combination of this book, Jan Prince's book, and the Moon book to be the perfect combination for our trip in November of 1998. Read more about our trip and how we used these books at DiveAtlas.com.

This review replaces the out of date one that already exists.