Taylor portrays the dynamics of confusion in large organizations quite
accurately, and has tested his model by forecasting events in the
Balkans. One of those forecasts, that conflict would not end with the
cessation of the US/NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999, seems amply borne
out. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in
understanding the complexities of geopolitics from a fresh perspective.

This book serves its purpose well. It clearly walks the reader through elements of national security, the actors, processes, and how Americans have traditionally approached it. With a unique perspective on the military element of power, the book also covers regional security issues and early twenty first century topics. As a senior level undergraduate text or as a basis to launch into discussion in graduate level seminars, American National Security conveys the fundamentals of U.S. security policy in a clear, articulate manner.

Jordan and Taylor both taught in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point in the early 1970's. Mazaar joined them for the 5th edition after directing the Millennium Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The book was designed to convey the basics of policy and process in American national security. The fifth edition is currently in use at the Army's Command & General Staff College for officers at the rank of major enrolled in strategic studies. It serves well as a foundation to discuss national security strategy and policy.

The book has two weaknesses. It is due for a revision given the dynamic nature of the post Cold War environment, especially since 9/11. It also lacks the standard amount of pictures, graphs and charts that normally accompany today's college texts. The book contains all black and white text with limited charts, maps and cartoons. Although this has not been a problem at the master's level, it could be perceived as a drawback to generating undergraduate interest in the subject matter.

Notwithstanding the above criticism, Taylor, Jordan and Mazaar have created a text that lays out the basics of national security policy, actors and institutions. Highly recommended.

I found this book ot be an excellent asset to my collection of modern british art. I thought that the large amount of content was covered thouroghly, but not drawn out to get stale(just like the artwork itself, discussed). This is a very important book because it recaps all of what is happening with the yBa movement in the artworld. This book is for anyone who wants to be on top of the world of modern art.

Coleridge is a writer/thinker whose own life and works, particularly the later ones, seem to defy the eye of future standard, especially in an age of slick convenience. He is looking for "the vast," does not ignore German idealism like so many other Brits, nor philology, and seeks the vast from the socio-political context of a well-booked, if ne'er-do-too-well, remote, clergy-trained, English townsman. Some chapters are almost unbearably (to our age) slow, but don't forget this was the era of the triple decker, and Coleridge's reading (as was his library) was varied and vast. In all it may serve best the reader who keeps STC's religious and political anachronisms in context without relinquishing their flavor. Although this is another one of those disappearing (if at times arcane) gems by dead, white, European males whom we are obliged to ignore these days, yet Coleridge's romanticism, honest pessimism, and philosophical searching will never be passe for the thoughtful. And inasmuch as this title includes some of his lesser known mature work, the rich surpise implicit in that description will happen, recurrently and rewardingly, on the thoughtful reader.

Every year we save this book for Christmastime, and I read this story to my children partly because they request it and partly because I enjoy it. It has a unique point of view and has sparked some interesting conversations. I would recommend this book as a great way to look at the traditional Christmas story in a warm new light.

Keep this in your library - not only does it look good it feels good. You will always have Shakespeare on hand to get in your literary fix. Shakespeare in a serious readers library is a must!

This book is best for those who have already read a couple of books on leadership, particularly those by Warren Bennis and James MacGregor Burns since these two figure's ideas are present in many of this book's pages. That is not to say there are no new paths taken. Sashkin and Rosenbach's "A New Vision of Leadership" is eye-opening in its redefinition of transformational leadership. This essay also does well in illustrating the differences between leadership and management, a division I was not sure existed until I picked up this book. Payne, Fuqua, and Canegami's "Women as Leaders" was equally fresh and eye-opening. This is a good book to read to start developing more complex ways of looking at leadership.

This is a must-have book for all professional hog farmers! It contains full detailed descriptions on anatomy, and very helpful step-by-step guides and checklists on swine care. Virtually all known pig diseases are comprehensively covered, including history, diagnosis and treatment. Pictures and diagrams make it easy to understand, especially for non-veterinarians.

This book is a wonderful experience from the reader's point of view. It goes in depth about life at Parchman Penitentiary from the guards and inmates viewpoint. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in criminology, prisons, and law.

Written by Elvis' platoon commander in the 32nd Armor, 3rd Armored Division, this book gives the details of the famous singer's military service in Germany in 1958-60.
In the heyday of the Evil Empire, with ready armies glowering at each other over the Iron Curtain, duty with a combat unit in Germany was no joke. The training was rugged and continuous, and our troops had to be ready to sacrifice themselves in the early stages of any projected conflict. This was a place for men, not sissy stars (such as some others serving at the same time), and Elvis proved himself worthy of the trust America placed in him.
By hard work, and serious diligence to duty, Private Presley made himself into a formidable soldier, asking for no special favors and earning his place among warriors.
This Elvis will always be due the respect of his country.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)