Sir Isaiah Berlin was the greatest exponent of Liberal Pluralism
in the 20th Century. "Against The Current" is probably his best collection of essays. The essays on Verdi and George Sorel are worth the price of the book alone. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not regret it.

In this, his most accessible work, Berlin deals with a host of subjects. The volume contains one of the truly great critical essays on Machiavelli, a brilliant parallel lives exposition of Marx and Disraeli, the classic essay on the Counter-Enlightenment and an amazing 'Hedgehog and Fox'-like analysis of Verdi. Yet again Berlin shows us his gift of imaginative insight - what Vico called 'entrare' - that allows him apparent access to minds, ideologies and cultures utterly alien to his own. He also shows us his gifts as a musician and rhetoriceur, using all his old tricks of repitition and word association. This is, as is usual in his works, as much a flaw as a blessing,and his 'entrare' often ends on a note achingly reminiscent of his own political pluralism, but for all that it is still a masterly collection.

"Against the Current: Essays in the History of Ideas" has long been out of print and is hard to find in the used market. I wish some publisher would reprint it--I'm sure it would sell well. It was my introduction to this wonderful, careful, rational thinker and his ideas on pluralism, among many other topics. I'm not smart enough to summarize his thought for public consumption; you must read him for yourself. If you are a warm, loving, human being who is interested in how we got to our present intellectual condition, after reading him you will be a convert. Libraries often have "Against the Current," but you can also find great riches in his other books, some of which Amazon.com will be happy to send to you. Put his name in Keyword Search and check out the numerous titles they carry. (No, I'm not a salesman, just a fan.) I can recommend "Crooked Timber of Humanity" as a good start. For a (still) fresh reading of the life of Karl Marx read Berlin's biography of him. Enrich your life; READ ISAIAH BERLIN!!!

If your kids like funny books. Then i think they will like this one. In this book Alistair is a very organized and sensible kid that was just doing fine until the Goots took him into their space ship. The Goots weren't very good at directions and when they landed Alistair got off with out looking were he was. The Goots look like big blue cows and had orange suits on.

It's an amazing book and it's a terrible shame that the Alistair books are out of print. I can't imagine why! I would love to give this book and other Alistair books to my daughter's friends as gifts (she's almost 3), but haven't been able to find any more. The books are fun, the stories are interesting and kids absolutely love them!

that he thinks this book is "awesome". It is now his new favorite. He especially liked the "Goots". Spoke about them for hours after the book was read to him. We were visiting friends and we had to "remove" the book from his site as we were leaving, for fear he'd want to take it home with him. I am now searching for the book for him and am finding it difficult to find. His Grandmother.

This is the best book I have ever read about astrology. It is so interesting I couldn't put it down until I was finished with it. She puts astrology into a language that everyone can relate with and therefore it's fun and easy to understand.

I am a professional astrologer who is just starting to teach. This book provides newcomers and teachers with solidly funny metaphors upon which to hang the astrological jargon.

I love the author's style and clear thoughts. She teaches the "sentence approach to astrology" which enables even newcomers to quickly put together planet with house with sign with aspect.

I have found my textbook!

This was a book I wish I had read way back in the beginning. I highly recommend this book to be read before you pick up any other astrology book. So easy to follow, light, funny. Just a great read.

The photography in this book is beautiful, and the text is well written. Rather than buing this before your next trip to Barbados, I'd recommend a simple travel guide instead. You may want to buy this book later for your coffee table for when you are feeling nostalgic for the warm air and white beaches.

This stunning book reflects pure professionalism and attention to detail as well as a love and devotion to the island and people of Barbados. The more than 155 photographs are simply magnificent. There are aerial shots of pristine, remote regions of the island and startling close-ups of both plants and wildlife. Then there are the photos of the bustling, tiny "metropolis" of Bridgetown, and, of course, the gorgeous tourist resorts. Last but not least are the stars of the book -- the people of Barbados, in their great variety of personality, background, and station in life. An added feature is a substantial amount of historical material that accompanies the photos, thereby providing virtually two books in one. Certainly this work is both an enticement to visit Barbados and a happy reminder of past visits.

Extraordinary photography, combined with intelligent, concise, even poetic text. I am English, but I have lived in Boston for many years. Barbados is perhaps my favorite island in the Caribbean--"Little England" as it is known. This book captures Barbados as I have seen no other book do ... perhaps because it focuses on the small things: flowers, the black-belly sheep, the young schoolgirl gazing deep into the camera ... The picture captions are concise, but packed with information; the author chooses and rations his words carefully! There's also, for those who want it, a complete text which conveys the history of the island. A small quibble: there's no information about hotels, restaurants, etc. However, this is not a guidebook, but rather a coffee-table "documentary" book, and in that department it is to my mind incomparable.

I bought this book for my nephew's birthday and have to read it to him every visit. He loves it! We laugh at the great pictures of Benny. He likes to match the NBA teams to their references in the story. Very clever!

EXCELLENT!!!! This book has stressed good sportsmanship and very strong positive values. It would be a great tool to help teachers and parents discuss these issues. Every school should have a copy in the library!!!! Yes, great pictures too!

This is an excellent book,very well written,that helps children deal with this issue quite well! I absolutely LOVED the illustrations! Very talented author as well as the illustrator,ROGER HALL! Cant wait for the second book!

It is extremely difficult to write an historical fiction that is both entertaining and vivid and makes you care about the characters. Rod Rogers has succeeded on all counts. I have already cast who should play the leads in the movie version! Over the past 16 years,I have interviewed many authors on my television show. Rod Rogers was a hit with my viewers as I know his book will be a hit with anyone who reads it.
Boo Sheppard
Producer/Host
Time Warner's "Orangeburg Inside/Out"

This book is great! The story has so many powerful characters, all struggling to understand their place and purpose in a war that seemed to have none.

In this book you will find the best and the worst of human nature, sometimes embodied in the same person. It details the paradox in which good men find themselves, struggling with their own beliefs, as they are force to brutalize their enemy. Further, it reveals great insights into the class system that has been so much a part of western civilization, and is still a guiding force in our lives today.

Rod Rogers paints such a complete picture of the people and the time in history, one almost feels transported back to become part of the story. In many ways, I could relate to the characters, especially Nathan Evens. This book would make a great movie.

As much a sociological commentary as a historical novel, The Blue-Grey Mist and a Black Dawn puts us face to face with ourselves as we look back upon our relatively recent past. The opening chapter depicts a detailed battle scene that might leave the reader believing that the book will focus primarily on the military actions of the American Civil War. What this chapter does, however, is set the stage for a fascinating story about Americans - men and woman with vastly different ideologies, motivations, loyalties and backgrounds. This book serves to educate us of the particular horrors of this war and the seemingly endless complications involved, and it also offers deep insight into the complexity of the conflict. For example, while history books might discuss the generals, presidents and famous battles between two armies, this book describes the fighting within each army between military ideology and political and financial agendas, the precarious position that black people on both sides of the line found themselves in, and the role of Irish immigrants who found the only decent paying job in America they could find was joining the Union army. Because this story is based on our own history, it hits very close to home, and helps us realize the hopelessness and tragedy of humanity declaring war upon itself. By reading this account of the most fascinating and horrifying period our country has known, one begins to see the connections between all of the characters, and more significantly, between all of us. In this highly enjoyable work of fiction, we can vividly see our past, our present, and the challenges of our future.

This work is a fairly standard, straight-forward biography of King Strang. It is very well researched, documented, and foot noted. It would appear that Mr. Van Noord dug deeper into his reseach than most authors dealing with James Strang have in the past. The book enlightened me on several points regarding King Strang that I had previously read and Mr. Van Noord found to be incorrect. If you are interested in learning about a fascinating man and those around him this is the book. However it gives only a sparce and very typical Beaver Island history and does not touch on the legendary (and I believe, mythical) Mormon, Beaver Island treasure at all. If those items are your points of interest, look elsewhere.

Mormonism's second prophet wasn't the famous Brigham Young -- he may have seized control of many of the Church's institutions, but he never claimed to be the "Prophet". That mantle was seized by the insteresting historic figure, James J. Strang, who led his portion of the Mormon Church from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Voree, Wisconsin, and then to Beaver Island, Michigan at the same time that Young was leading his branch to Utah.

Van Noord's book is a great biography of Strang which makes close use of Strang's journals, letters, books, and draws a great deal from the newspapers which Strang's church published. Strang's many successes both on Beaver Island and then also in the Michigan legislature, imply that he was quite a brilliant and eloquent character. The book leads you to wonder what might have happened had he not been assassinated.

The only problems with Van Noord's book are that he does not seem to be an expert in the field of Mormon history generally, and he has relied on informants in the modern Utah church -- the great rival of Strang's church -- for some of his information on Mormonism. Additionally, the biography definitely leaves you wanting a larger history of the Strangite church.

All in all, the book is an excellent read. I picked it up and nearly read it cover to cover uninterrupted, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Strang next.

I have done extensive study on the subject of Jas. Strang and his followers. I found this book and several others extremely fair-minded considering the controversies (as well as present day prejudices) surrounding this utopian experiment. I welcome other comments. My great-great grandfather was present at Strang's coronation on Beaver Island, Michigan.

The absolutely facinating lives of two women who devoted their lives to serving the presidents and their families. It's not exactly a weekend read, but well worth your time. I mean, how else would you find out one of our distiinguished presidents got stuck in the bathtub? Wish the television mini-series was available on video or DVD.

This book is a fascinating look at the people who are a integral part of the White House-- the staff and the occupants. Based on the lives of Lilian Rogers Parks and her daughter, it presents the everyday happenings in this historical house from the viewpoint of the staff. This historical novel is filled with personal memories, touching stories, humorous quips, and some sad moments. After enjoying it, the reader will feel as if they have spent time in the White House themselves.

I have read this book many times. The historical content never ceases to amaze me. It is almost like being there. I never tire of reading this intimate picture of Maggie and Lillian's years at the White House. Wish there was a sequel.

I have most of the "standard" beekeeping books in my library, but this book is the best! The most logical and complete book I have seen yet, and very well illustrated. Logically written and yet interesting just to sit down and read. But it also does a great job of covering details of beekeeping and answering both basic and more complex questions of the hobby. Highly recommended!

I found the authors style to be easy to read, the technical terms were explained in detail and multiple approaches to various beekeeping situations discussed. The discussion on bee biology was interesing and the step by step instructions were easy to follow and well written. The section on colony disease management is excellent. Of the two dozen or so books I ahve on beekeeping - this is the one I would most reccomend for the technical information

As a beginning beekeeper, I found this book to very well written and an excellent jumping off point. The way almost all steps and facets of beekeeping are given advantages vs. disadvantages in this book was also extremely helpful and thought provoking.

AUTHOR WAS OBVIOUSLY A CLOSE FRIEND OF BOB'S!

One of the most surprising things you'd expect out of me, a 15 year old skate punk kid, is my collection of books. Big and small, short and long, all of my books are spanned on a shelf system that runs around my room. An those are just the good ones. The really good ones go in my night table drawer. This is one of them. Bob Marley is and was one of the most inflential people not only in my life, but in many others as well. This book not only shows that, it also shows the feels and vibes of Caribbean life during his time. It richly illustrates reggae in general, racial boundaries, and social problems of Marley's time. It is a vividly painted portrait of one of the greatest musicians of our time. With facts from his birth to his death and everything that happened to him in between, it helps you (the reader) to fully understand this great person. Bob Marley was truly influential, and this book illustrates that fact completely. You will read it over and over and over again.

MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS THAT THOS BOOK REALLY POTRAYS CLEARLY THE LIFE OF A LEGEND.