In summarizing over a decade of academic research into high school student achievement, Laurence Steinberg, in Beyond the Classroom-Why School Reformed has Failed and What Parents Need to Do, poses an alternative hypothesis. He argues that poor student achievement and low student commitment are determined outside the school and therefore, attempts to solve the problem of American education through school reform are ineffective. Steinberg offers that a lack of engagement on the part of students has pervaded American teenagers across all socio-economic layers and is the root cause of school failure.

The author effectively develops his argument by defining and comparing engaged and disengaged students. He then cites research into ethnicity, parenting, extra-curricula activities, and peer grouping as the contributors and distracters to academic engagement. His analysis of the significance of peer group influences provides validation of what many parents would argue as common sense findings. Throughout the text Steinberg masterfully presents traditional arguments from both sides of the political spectrum and answers them with findings supported by research data.

Beyond the Classroom closes with ten recommendations for parents, educators, and government officials. Unfortunately, Steinberg's recommendations suggest that improvement in student performance requires societal structural changes that at best assume active acceptance and participation of a majority of citizens engaged in social reform. However, to believe that a society disengaged from it's educational system - a system responsible in large part for proliferating the attributes of citizenship - can develop the will to make such systematic change is unrealistic.

Perhaps Steinberg's most significant contribution in offering Beyond the Classroom is in dispelling the concept that school reform in the existing school system can in fact solve the problem of low academic performance. This purpose alone makes this book a worthwhile read for those engaged in the welfare of our children.

Steinberg's book is a splash of cold water making readers face the real state of student achievement in America by focusing on what is influencing our high school students. Through this 10 year longitudinal study, interviewing more than 20,000 students and their parents, and comparing these findings with other prominent studies, Steinberg uncovers the root causes for low student achievement in America as compared to students in other countries and therefore why school reform initiatives have failed.

With an emphasis on student engagement in learning, the study looks at factors such as parenting strategies, the influence of peers and extracurricular activities. Steinberg looks primarily at issues beyond the school walls as the data shows these influences (large scale) are greater indicators of student success or failure than teacher's classroom practice or organization of the school system. Each factor is analyzed through the lens of socio-economic status, ethnicity, peer relationships and length of time since immigration to this country. As a result, the reader is forced to question the American culture; the attitudes, beliefs and values we perpetuate.

The good news is working hard in school is a strong predictor of academic achievement. Friends and group identity at school make a difference as do parenting techniques. The issues that we need to face are the rampant disengagement of parents in their children's lives, a peer culture that demeans academic success and scorns students who work hard and the negative impact on excessive extracurricular activity on student's achievement.

Steinberg makes 10 recommendations to begin refocusing the country's efforts. Each requires our society to take a good hard look at how we 'do business'. To increase academic success for all students will require compromises and change on the part of students, parents, schools, businesses, government and mass media.

In a sobering thought, Steinberg asserts that "no curricular overhaul, no instructional innovation, no change in school organization, no toughening of standards, no rethinking of teacher training or compensation will succeed if students do not come to school interested in, and committed to, learning. In order to understand how this commitment develops, why it has waned over the past three decades, and, more importantly, how we can reengage students in the business of learning, we need to look, not at what goes on inside the classroom, but at students' lives outside the school's walls. Until we do just this, school reform will continue to be a disappointment, and our students' achievement will fail to improve."

I finished the book out of breath. We're in a race to save our children. Will our country pull together in time?

From his carefully designed, three-year study on American teenagers, Laurence Steinberg has concluded that our kids do badly in school because of the attitudes they hold toward education, the way they are parented, the peer groups they join, and the way they spend their time after school. As a parent, I learned plenty of good, specific ideas for steering my daughter toward academic success. Clearly thought out and written, this book is a fascinating read for anyone who cares about education, children, or the future of our country.

Having focused on Angel, Xander and Willow in previous collections of novelized episodes from "Buffy the Vampire Series," we now come to the first volume of "The Faith Trials," featuring a quartet of episodes from the series' third season. If Kendra, the first "other" Slayer was too devoted to duty, then certainly Faith is too much of the free spirit. This was clear from the start with her first appearance in "Faith, Hope & Trick" where it was clear there was a new Slayer in town with a totally new attitude. The other episodes novelized by James Laurence are "Revelations," with the "bad" watcher Gwendolyn Post, "Bad Girls," where Faith accidentally kills the Mayor's assistant during a girl's night out that goes horribly wrong, and "Consequences," where an unrepentant Faith joins forces with the Mayor. Obviously this leaves room for further episodes from the Faith the Rogue Slayer story arc for the next volume of "The Faith Trials." If you missed these episodes or like to read over the stories from favorite episodes not available on tape, you will want to pick up this book. Not as good as some of the original stories offered in Buffy books, but still worth owning. There are also some excellent full page color shots of Eliza Dushku as Faith. Note: The cover claims that one of the teleplays novelized in this volume "Enemies," but it really is "Revelations." Fortunately, both were written by Douglas Petrie, so he did not lose a cover credit.

This book collects four of the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes that feature Faith, the rogue vampire slayer. The character is introduced in Faith, Hope and Trick. She is a sexy, sassy slayer on the run. She is a person who has always lived on the edge. She loves slaying and the power that comes with the slayer strength. In Bad Girls Faith introduces Buffy to the "See, Want, Take" principle. Their reckless behavior results in the death of a human. Faith's solution is to blame Buffy in Consequences. When the plan backfires the council steps in and drives Faith to the dark side. Faith, working for the mayor, tries to steal Angel's soul by giving him that one moment of happiness in Enemies.

James Laurence weaves a nice back-story to tie the four episodes together. I enjoyed reading the book even though I have seen the episodes. Also I think that readers who have not seen the TV series would enjoy these four tales of power and corruption.

I must say that I loved this book. It was great to have an entire book dedicated to the wild slayer named Faith. Even though the cover says "Faith, Hope, and Trick," "Bad Girls," "Enemies," and "Consequences," it has "Revelations" instead of "Enemies." Either way, the book still would have been a great read. In "Faith, Hope, and Trick," Faith, the new slayer is introduced and Buffy becomes a little jealous. In "Revelations," Faith gets a new watcher who seems much like a watcher, only to find she has a secret plan of her own. "Bad Girls" is where Faith starts closely moving to the dark side by accidentally mistaking a human for a vampire and killin him, only to have no remorse. "Consequences" is about both Faith and Buffy dealing with the death of the Deputy Mayor...even though they each have a different way of going about it. Overall, it is a great book and a must-have for any Buffy fan.

"Big as melons!" Who would have known Uncle Stone was exaggerating

about how big the gold was going to be? The book I am talking about is The

Journal of Wong Ming-Chung, by Laurence Yep. The genre is historical

fiction.

The story takes place in two areas. In the beginning, it's in China

(year 1852) and it ends in America. Uncle Stone wanted to make a better life

for his family by getting gold. At first, everyone agreed with him, but when

they found out the ticket to America cost too much, they didn't know what

to do. Uncle decided to sell one of their lands to pay off the ticket, but the

whole family disagreed with the idea. Everyone knew Uncle was unlucky, but

since Uncle was the oldest, his word was law.

The main character is Runt (also known as Wong Ming-Chung or Bright

Intelligence). Runt was the only one out of the whole family who liked Uncle.

They got along very well and liked spending time together. When Uncle

arrived at Golden Mountain, he sent a letter home requesting for Blessing's

help. Blessing was Runt's older brother, and because of that, the family

decided to send Runt. They didn't want to send Blessing because they were

afraid he might become sick or die. They cared more about Blessing because

he was the oldest and more valuable to them. Runt was very useful at Golden

Mountain. He was very determined to dig and pan for gold, and he got paid

for writing letters.

This book was very good and descriptive. Through most of the book, I

could easily get into the story. The characters were interesting because

they had words as names. For example: Fox. Fox was the boss of Uncle Stone

and Runt. He was sneaky and brilliant. The author was also very

informational. He made the story seem real, but the book was also boring

during a few parts because it was too descriptive and informational. The

book also became confusing sometimes because there were too many

characters to keep track of. You'd get confused with all the new characters'

names and who they were and what they did. Besides that, this book is

pretty good and entertaining.

Young Bright Intelligance (who's usually called Runt because of his small size) and his family live in grueling poverty in rural China in 1851. Hoping to make a name for himself and earn a fortune, Runt's uncle sets out for the gold fields of California. Soon, Runt joins him. He is horrified by barely endurable conditions on the ocean voyage and by the cruelty with which the American miners treat the Chinese. And he soon learns that mining is mostly working long, hard hours for just a small ammount of gold. And the predjudice of the Americans soon escalates into violence. Still, through it all, Runt holds on to his hope of discovering gold and earning a better life for his family. Told through Runt's diary, this book showed what a young immigrant miner in California during the gold rush might have seen, encountered, thought, and felt. An excellant addition to the My Name is America series.

The Journal of Wong Min-Chung is a very good historical fiction book!!!Dispite what someone else said in a reveiw it tells alot of chinese as much as I need to know for now anyways!!!Runt is a young boy from Tiger Rock,China yup and well they hear talk of the golden mountain(The gold feilds in Cali),and they think it sounds so great like you'll make millions since the guest(That's what those relatives of those who dig gold are called)are very rich from there relatives working on the mountain!!!So Runts stubborn Uncle Stone with much fighting with Runts father which is also Uncle Stones brother he is on his way to America claiming to the clan he's bringing home melon sized nuggets!!! Of course that doesn't happen...But Runt's brother Blessing was supposed to be sent to the golden mountain to be with his Uncle,but there parents didn't want him to go so they forced Runt to go instead,and Run suddenly thought his parents hated him for his own parents were willing to risk Runt's life over Blessing's!!!There is so much more to this wonderfully crafted book on the American gold rush,if you want to learn about the gold rush you should read this book!!!

When Reading Laurence Shames novel "Welcome to Paradise" don't go looking for some deep impacting novel. Shames takes a simple idea keeps it simple throughout the book and gives you a nice quick entertaining read. There are few characters and the pace flows by that this is a one night read.

"Welcome to Paradise" is the typical wrong place wrong time novel. Furniture salesman Al Tuschmann is on vacation in South Florida. Tuschmann is trying to enjoy himself, but is the victim of some bizarre violent acts. Little does Tuschmann know that Al Maracotta a New York gangster is also in town, and a couple of this Al's enemies have hired a couple of roughnecks to make his life miserable. The roughnecks get there information crossed and start harassing the wrong the Al. Throw in a gangster's gal, a couple of strange dogs and the weirdness that is South Florida and you have yourself a nice little scenerio to read through.

I really enjoyed this quick little novel. I have read other Shames novels and though they go a little deeper, this one is my favorite. If you like this style check out Ed McBain's "Downtown" which is about a Florida salesman in New York.

I love Shames' stories. Read them all. Funny, lots of surprising twists, nice endings. No big investments needed, but if you're looking for a nice means to escape, these stories fit the bill. Two boneheaded "hit men" and two guys named "Big Al" all mixed up in Paradise. And I loved the "death by seafood" theme. Shames' books are all good. It's hard not to laugh out loud. Can't wait for the next one.

Mobster Al Marracotta and furniture salesman Alan Tuschman have about as much in common as a bowl of spaghetti and a bowl of conch chowder. They do, however, have the same nickname (BIG AL) and it just so happens that both of them are driving to Key West at the same time! A pair of south Florida wise guys are hired to make Big Al Marracotta's vacation in Key West miserable, but in a case of mistaken vanity plates, they start picking on the wrong Big Al! Using dead squid, live lobsters, and a remote control shark, "Chop" and "Squid" make Alan Tuschman wish he'd never left home!

It's another Key West caper by Laurence Shames full of quirky characters, non-stop laughs, and a clever unexpected ending. The only disappointment was "Bert the Shirt" didn't make a cameo appearance. Oh well, there's always the next book!

I don't get why people worship Trooper like they do. They are a very unremarkable outfit from Canada. I'm a bluejays fan, so it's not like I hate Canada, but this group is total bandwagon for people who think Canada is all that. Trooper doesn't have a sound I find appealing. They sound like Bob Vila building a deck more than they sound like rock and roll. If they decided to go the country route to hone their skills like fellow Canadian Shania Twain maybe they cross over and make it big. But no, they decided to pretend they rock right off the bat. The comparisons of this band to Ultravox are insane and waaaaaayy off base. Vox was sponge, this band was certainly not. The only value this band has is if you want to be cool and hang a CD off your rear view mirror in your car. That way you can look hip and never have to listen to the music. Trooper needs to be pulled over and arrested to assaulting the ears of the american public.

Trooper is really cranky music for people who aren't happy with their jobs. It's like they sit there and go, "Hey, we're trooper and we're whiny babies so quit your job and fish for bass you freak". This message seemed to work for a few people and you wonder why unemployment is so high? I collect SUTA reports as a hobby and can tell you first hand that trooper is a big reason our economy is messed up right now. There are other factors, but Trooper's insane mission to take down the US economy certainly isn't to be underestimated. So thank you Trooper for everything.

This album brings back fond memories of my high school days. Who could forget The Boys in the bright white sports car? All of the girls wanted a boy in a white car when that album came out. They were H.O.T.

great trooper cd i know the lead singers son connor he is a cool guy and i met the lead singer for trooper they live in vancouver bc

ribbons- a book that on the surface seems simple. a gifted young dancer, robin, must stop dancing because of money problems, which are caused by her grandmother. some people may say this is a grandmother-grandaughter story but it isn't at all. it is another way to show injustice and tragedy. this book made me cry from the unfairness of it all, and the amazing thing about this book is this: whereas most sad books are entirely realistic, this one could happen very easily. the reality of it, and the robin's brave, bright, innocent hope in the midst of true sadness is what makes you cry. for while she is deeply upset with her mother and grandmother for reasons very justified, she sill loves, respects, and obeys them. this might confuse some readers, or make them angry, but for me...while i thought that i would never put up with that, yep somehow managed to put all the pain and suffering into words, and thats what makes you cry- the emotion that comes through. you must read this...while it is a tear-jerker, it somehow leaves you with a good feeling, and a sense o resolve.

This book was very good, but it got off to a slow start. But once I passed that, I couldn't put this book down. A touching story about a gifted dancer (Robin) who has to give up ballet lessons so her grandmother can be brought over from Hong Kong. But Paw-Paw (Chinese for grandma, what she is called the whole thime in the book) is less than grandmotherly to Robin. What Robin has yet to discover, though, is that she and her grandmother are just begining to understand each other.

Ribbons is a really good book. The only problem I had was that it ended really quickly. I mean out of nowhere it just ended. The book left me wondering "Is that all?" I think that Laurence Yep should write a sequel to Ribbons because the readers should know what happened to Robin after the story ended.
Ribbons is about a Chinese ballerina, Robin, whose family is poor. Her family is poor because Robin's mother paid for her two brothers to come to America and go through college. Now Robin's mother feels like she has to pay for Robin's grandmother to come to the United States by herself. Robin's family doesn't have enough money to pay for her grandmother and her ballet lessons, so they make her quit ballet lessons. When her grandmother arrives in the United States she comes to live with Robin and her family. The problem is that her grandmother favors her little annoying brother and acts like she hates Robin.
The book was good because Robin had family and friends and you could tell they were doing everything they could do to help her through the hard time she was going through. I thought it was neat that she kept on doing ballet even though she had a problem with her feet. She loved ballet and couldn't give it up. I'd probably give this book about four and a half stars if I were to rate it.

I find it absolutely fascinating the controversy that this book has created.

Concerning whether or not this book should be incorporated into the so-called "canon," I do not feel that I am qualified to speak. However, I would like to attempt to clarify a few of the supposed contradictions between I Enoch and the Bible.

As far as 2 Peter 2 goes, the context of the passage on angels (v. 11) is that angels do not blashpheme God in the same way that humans do (see the Peshitta translation of the Bible by George M. Lamsa - it is a bit clearer).

When it comes to Jude and his epistle, the idea of his quoting Enoch sarcastically is absolutely assinine - just read the Epistle of Jude.

Timothy names Jesus as the supreme intercessor between God and man. In a more general sense of the word, however, there were many people who acted as intercessors between the people of Israel and God (such as Moses, the greatest of all the prophets next to Jesus!).

Finally, Jesus said that in Heaven - or rather, in the world to come - people would not marry each other. However, according to I Enoch, the angels had sex with humans, which did not necessarily involve being married to them.

Concerning the "mythical" aspects of Enoch, they are no more "far fetched" than anything in Scripture.

I Enoch is absolutely fascinating. Enoch is assumed up into Heaven, travels through the Heavens, is told secrets of the coming judgment and the messianic age, sees the workings of Heaven, and pronounces judgements upon the wicked angels.

Although I do recommend that one reads this book since it does, according to Jude, contain prophecy, I recommend it most of all for the sake of improving one's education. Whether or not you believe that it should be in the Bible, it is an important piece of literature and even if it isn't accepted as Scripture by most people, that doesn't mean that it is any less important or worthy of one's time or attention.

As far as this translation goes, it is a bit outdated (which is why I only gave it 4 stars). If you can afford it, buy:

Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments.

Otherwise, this or the R. H. Charles version will suffice.

The Book of Enoch is a hodgepodge of various materials. I find the mythology of the first eighteen chapters more exciting than some of the relatively opaque cosmological and apocalpyptic sections that follow (though the prophetic parts are suggestive). The story of the revolt and defeat of the Watchers is beautiful and tragic mythology which will appeal to anyone interested in fine literature or curious to learn more about angels or the "giants" frequently (and confusingly) mentioned in Genesis and other OT books. Laurence's translation of Enoch (the first translation into English after the Ethiopic text was discovered by a Scottish adventurer in the 18th century) has been criticized as inferior. If you are looking for precision of translation, you had best seek more recent versions. But if you are looking for a good read (Biblical and moving rather than scholarly), you can't do better than Laurence. His is by far the most poetic translation, beautifully punctuated in a unique style influenced by early English translations of the Bible. Enjoy--and may Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Sarakiel, Uriel, Phanuel and the other good angels watch over you.

I agree wholeheartedly with the scholars who say that THE BOOK OF ENOCH has been tampered with. There are two kinds of verses in THE BOOK OF ENOCH. Verses that are very closely related to the Bible and verses that seem to be mostly folklore. Even though the book has some folklore in it; it should not be ignored. The verses that are closely related to the Bible are worth paying attention to because they re-iterate some of the most basic teachings in the Bible. Teachings such as not oppressing our fellow man and not forgetting to pay attention to our Creator. A good example of the folklore in the BOOK OF ENOCH is the super- natural birth of NOAH in the first part of Ch. 105. Some of the interesting things in the BOOK OF ENOCH are: (1) GOD had wanted to completely break-up the Earth and create another asteroid belt around the SUN but ENOCH asked him not to do it so he didn't do it. (Ch. 82- 83). (2) The Overview of Earth's history from Creation until beyond the Final Judgement. (the footnotes provided are very helpful). (Ch. 84-89). (3) EVE gave birth to many children. (84:4-12). (4) I've never before heard King Saul's life summarized as the one "...who had laid aside his glory." (88:69,71). (5) The "elect", who are mentioned in both the O.T. and N.T., are mentioned 25 times in THE BOOK OF ENOCH. (1:1,2,7;6:9,11... 61:11,14,15). The judgements in THE BOOK OF ENOCH basically agree with the judge- ments in the Bible. The quality of paper and size of type in this paperback are above average. In Ch. 104:10,11 it speaks of those who will rejoice because books of joy, integrity and great wisdom will be given to them. I too rejoice because I have a copy of this wonderful book.

Starts off slow, but its worth the effort. There are plenty of good nuggets in this book.

... This book is awesome! I am on my second read. The more I study Eastern philosophy, the more it resonates with me. This is especially true of Taoism. When I first learned about it, it seemed like such an apathetic world-view -- stressing the importance of, basically, not caring. As I learn more, though, I think I got it wrong. Boldt presents topics in such a way that many are truly incredible insights into basic truth and the way the world works. Taoism has many *very* valuable teachings that most of us could benefit enormously from.

This book changed my life. It opened my eyes to so many aspects of life and living that I never imagined before. Mr. Boldt guides you to look inward, rather than outward, at finding inner balance and at redefining what success really means. HIGHLY recommended for the reader who truly wants to grow in new directions.

This book is for anxious traders who think the found the get rich quick book. 250 page book in 16 font size, half of it are charts for stocks that worked using his system. Again no testing is done. Mostly about Wilder ADX, DDI for day trading. If your day trading system is not working you may try this one. The best method is the simplist method. And the high priced books are not the best books.

There are many good trading ideas in this book. If you combined a few of them you may be able to make money. The instructions are in logical 1,2,3 form, then examples are given. To his credit the author does make it clear that this style is usually small winners and small losers, with the occasional big winner. If you are considering this book or street smarts, I suggest getting street smarts first. If you like it, follow it up with this book.

Connors in my opinion is one of the best sources for traders to keep up to date on advance trading strategies. This book just proves it even more.

Connor's is clear and concise in his examples and his strategies are easily applied to your trading.

A must read for any serious about trading.

Laurence Gardner is a remarkable antiquarian, historian, theologian and etymologist as well as expert on ancient languages (Hebrew for example). Gardner has written a trilogy, each seperate in covering material, but unified in their relation to the Holy Grail as a symbol for the family bloodline of Jesus. For those who have read "Bloodline Of The Holy Grail", we are familiar with his theories on Jesus, his marriage to Mary Magdalene and his descendants becoming priests and European royalty. Like that book, Garnder discovered hidden meanings behind the text in the Gospels, taking the literal translation of the words in the text from their Jewish source and how they were applied at the time of their writng. He does this again with the first book in the Bible, Genesis.

Gardner explains how Genesis, which means "beginning, genetic origins- ("Gene- sis- Gene-tics") is about the evolution and progress of the Hebrew people, the unknown tradition of the Messiah and at last, the real faces behind the biblical characters of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Moses. Adam and Eve, quite contrary to the fundamentalist dogma, were not the first man and woman, but merely the first of their kind. They had greater thinking power, and they were ancestors to the early Jews. Abraham, of course, is portrayed as a wondering sheperd called to be the father of a great race. Gardner does not deter from this ancestral patriarch's importance, but provides a clear picture of who he really was. The same applies to Moses and his own link in the great chain. The talk of Star Fire and Phoenix, Philosopher's Stone may take on mystic, obscure and confusing forms, but I understand it to be simply more additions to the beliefs of earlier non-fundamentalists- such as the Gnostics, the Freemasons, the Templar Knights, each with a profound knowledge of worthy notice.

This book is outstanding. Lush illustrations, accurate history and rational criticism, as well as mystic, spiritual enlightenment. Gardner has fascinated me and grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Genesis is what you want to make of it. It is always good to open your mind and your heart to the happy possibilities.

In my studies of history through the years, I could never understand why the royalty of Europe felt they had the "divine right" to rule. Gardner's book connects the white powder of gold of alchemy, the Sumerian story of the creation of man by the Annanaki, and the historical Jesus that has been so elusive for some many historians, together into a totally believable story of our history. While many dispute the conclusions about Jesus and his lineage, it is apparent that he was the Son of God because he was of the Dragon Lineage, a descendant of Enki and the Pharoahs of Egypt. While a conspiracy may exist to suppress this information, this explains so much of the historical Jesus by tying it to the Sumerian Annanaki, and a Illuminated ruling class. The identity of the Mount of the Testimony as a giant foundry for producing the white powder of gold was fascinating, as it explains the building of the great stone structures of the ancient world through the weightlessness properties of the "manna". This book brings together my favorite topics as truth, although one has to be careful to accept everything someone has written. I believe that it has a ring of truth, but I continue to search for the rest of the truth.

I bought this book, and put it away for 2 weeks, before I could bring myself to read it. Not because I didn't think this would be a great piece of work, I have read gardner's first book, but because of my upbringing, I didn't know if I could handle any more "truth" at the moment. I had also recently just finished Zecharia Sitchin's books, and the writings from the Sumarians, are obviously more than the myth that scientists would like us to believe. Too many questions, and not enough answers. I agree with the reviewer before me, that Gardner's book was not long enough, and gave us just a "taste" of what was coming to sell his next book. The only problem that I have with the book, is Gardner seems to be leading us down the path, that with the Anunnaki, and the DNA experiments in the making of the lulu, is that this made AD.AM, is a protected bloodline from the beginning. I have no problem in believing that we as humans were "helped" along with our DNA in hurrying our evolution, but we were created as slaves. To listen to Gardner, is to believe that because the AD.AM was created from the "GOD" Enkil, with his own seed, and protected down the generations, that we should now look at that bloodline as our KING line. Why? Because an alien race with a greater advanced civilization came to earth, and was able to move our evolution in WARP time that we should look to them now? I am sorry, I don't see that. In the near future, I can see our race doing the exact thing, and although it makes me ill to think that we would have a lesser race call us GODS, I have to be honest, and with what I see of our race in todays times, yes, we would let that happen. I am waiting for the next book to have all this explained, and I truly hope that this is not the suggestion that Gardner is making, because personally, they will not be my God or King.