I read The Father and the first part of Miss Julie in the University of California translation and then the rest of the plays in this one, and as far as I can tell neither seems more awkward than the other--but the Oxford translation holds the major advantage in that it contains copious notes on the many obscure literary and sociocultural references throughout the plays. I noticed that in at least some sections in the UC version the obscurities are ironed out (the English translation for "biblia pauperum" is incorporated into the text, and in The Father a reference to a book by an 18th century author unknown outside Sweden, unnecessary to the action, becomes "a book"), but there are many other cases where it is simply passed over without a mention. Granted, if you are buying a copy or multiple copies of the plays in order to perform them, it is unlikely that the references will be useful, but for those interested in a critical reading of them, the Oxford edition will undoubtedly be favorable. It is also mentioned that this edition draws off of the most recent versions of the original works being published as a set in Sweden, but since I have no knowledge of Swedish and there are no examples in either edition of the translation in progress, I can't really comment on that.

A minor point with the Oxford edition is that it seems very sloppily assembled at times, which is a bit surprising given the usual quality level in this series. For instance, the page-formatting was done inaccurately, so that whenever a parenthesis for a stage direction falls at the end of a line, it is cut off--and this occurs all throughout the book, not a crucial problem by any means, but just an unsettling indication of carelessness. There are also several spelling errors in the plays, and a couple misquotations in the annotations. Once again, these are not crucial flaws, but a little sloppiness can make the reader wonder what else was neglected which may have slipped past his awareness.

Overall, despite the flaws, this is the edition of Strindberg's major plays to have for a reader who is interested in not only performing but also studying the works.

Well traveled and linguistically accomplished anthropologist Johan Reinhard gives THE NAZCA LINES A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR ORIGIN AND MEANING by interpreting the figures and lines in terms of a desert people asking mountain dwelling gods for fertile crops and precious water. Dr Reinhard says that other explanations are possible and not mutually exclusive. However, he particularly likes to start from environmental dynamics, Hispanic chronicles, local legends, persisting customs and religious beliefs. The author backs up a clear writing style with his own exquisite black and white photographs, with helpful maps, and with telling evidence from before, during, and after Inca times. Unfortunately, this unique book is out of print, but well worth the effort to track down.

This book offers a fresh perspective on knowledge in organizations. Clearly, the book was written for an academic audience and reflective practitioners, but if you take the time to read its core messages, you will think differently about the knowledge assets available to the firm.

This excellent review of PK and PD analysis might be envisioned as a merging of Rowland and Tozer's (clinical) and Gibaldi's resepective textbooks of pharmacokinetics. Although clearly written in support of the WinNonlin (Pharsight) analysis software (the second half of the book includes example models), the text is sufficient as a stand-alone by providing up to date, yet easily understandable and well illustrated discussion of pharmacokinetics. Both modeling and noncompartmental analysis are discussed, as is application of pharmacodynamic analysis. Clinical applicability is included. The book is useful for beginners as well as individuals who have been in the PK/PD business for a while. For myself and my graduate students, the book was particularly helpful in explaining the basis for "policies" followed by many published pharmacokinetic papers.

Please Pray For Us provides information about the 52 countries in the world where Christians are most persecuted. With each entry, the book gives a brief description of: the country, church life within the country (including an indication of the growth or decline of the church), current levels of persecution (as well as stories from the lives of the persecuted), and a prognosis for the likely future of persecution within the nation. Each entry also comes with a quick-review statistical box and a map of the nation. In the back of the book are addresses where you can get more information.

Excellent coverage of the collection. Combines extremely nice pictures with excellent background information.

This is not just another 'how to' book on sea kayaking. Johan Loots has very carefully put together a 'manual' that covers everything a beginner should know from choosing a kayak and equipment to getting out on the water with different paddling techniques, recovery and rescue. Also covered in excellent detail are sections on seamanship and navigation, and planning a trip (served me very well!!). The last chapter covers great destination ideas from around the world, that could get anyone caught up in this fantastic sport!!

Of course, any new paddler should always get professional instruction when they first start out, but this book provides all the technical back-up to get you started. This glossy book has excellent step by step instructions with photos and diagrams for you to follow. I have read 'Sea Kayaking - The essential guide to equipment and techniques' at least a dozen times and still find it an excellent reference tool. The author also gives advantages and disadvantages for different types of equipment and ways of doing things, so you get to make informed choices.

I first purchased this book before getting started in the sport and found it an essential guide to equipment and techniques (as the title suggests) and still use and recommend the book to others. Being an avid reader of anything on the subject of kayaking, I still think this is an excellent read and highly recommend it to all those wanting to 'start out' in the sport!!

"Searching for Peace: the Road to TRANSCEND" is an indispensable guide for "peaceworkers". It combines theory (e.g. "on the psychology of the TRANSCEND Approach") with concrete examples of 40 conflicts from around the world, based on 40 years of practical experience in helping conflict parties find nonviolent solutions. Instead of seeking to bring the conflict parties to the negotiating table from the beginning, which can often result in a stream of mutual accusations that exacerbates the conflict, this approach first holds extensive dialogues separately with each conflict party, to gain their trust and understand their grievances and fears, needs and desires. By presenting the parties with a richer repertoire of possible approaches, and by showing them how similar conflicts have been successfully solved elsewhere, this often helps them see a way out of a seemingly intractable situation in which they feel themselves trapped. Johan Galtung, who founded the academic discipline of peace research, and has always applied his insights to help people suffering from conflict, like a good doctor, has joined forces with Carl Jacobsen, Finn Tschudi and Kai Frithjof Brand-Jacobsen to share with us his rich experience. This book ought to be required reading for all international relations scholars, practitioners, policy-makers and peace activists.

Hans Neleman has been a succesful commercial photographer for many years and all of us have been exposed to his images. While there are many people photographers, still life photographers are a rare breed and Hans Neleman is probably the best. His mastery of lighting and endless attention to detail has made this book a feast fot the eyes. Neleman transforms every day objects into sureal magic by use of light and imagination. This is one photography book that will never gather dust, as you will be drawn into nelemans magical world again and again and again!

In 1855, the recently-ordained young Norwegian immigrant pastor Johan Storm Munch and his wife Caja came to Wiota in southern Wisconsin to organize a rural church to serve the enclave of families who had arrived from Norway over the previous few years.

The book, by Peter Munch, grandson of the subject Munch's, consists of 1) a forward relating the very interesting story of how the material was located, 2) letters written between 1855 and 1859 by Caja Munch to her family in Norway; 3) a memoir by the pastor covering the same years as the letters; and 4) an excellent essay by Peter Munch, "Social Class and Acculturation," about the Norwegian immigrant experience, especially that of the group of Lutheran pastors who had arrived to serve the several communities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota during the time of the letters.

The book provides a wonderful portrait of both the pastors' families and those of their charges, the farmers struggling to make a living on the land in a new and undeveloped area. There is no shortage of animosity on the side of the educated Munch's toward the less sophisticated farmers and, as we learn in Caja's letters especially, vice versa.

An excellent book on several counts.