Ably edited by Lawrence Hogan, Terrorism: Defensive Strategies For Individuals, Companies And Governments is a sober, serious, and highly analytical survey of the worldwide threat of terrorism, its various manifestations, history, and trends, with numerous indexes focusing on terrorist activity in different locations around the globe. Critical, meticulous, and filled with straight no-nonsense information by knowledgeable contributors, Terrorism is a essential reading for everyone trying to better understand this very real and dangerous threat and a highly recommended acquisition for corporate, governmental and public library reference collections.

Mr. Hogan has brought together some of the finest minds in the field to provide an in-depth appreciation for the history, psychological mindset, weapon availability, and potential acts of those who would do harm to this nation. Although it discusses in detail case studies of recent attacks, its most valued contribution is to allow an understanding of the multiple discipline approach to prevention and reaction. This team building between responders, some of which have not been considered a high priority in the past, strongly supports the sequential unified command approach to emergency management. It is this team approach, not single agency dominance over terrorism that makes this book so timely.

This was written by my great, great, grandfather! I was so excited about it! Finally I can read it as I do not speak German! My maiden name is Fricke and there are were four Richard Frickes that followed him: my brother, father, grandfather (who are all alive) and then his son and himself (both deceased). Who is George? We must be related!

If we're going to have a voice worthy of critiquing the great master, it might as well be Shaw. For those who have not read any Shaw, he's a wickedly entertaining writer, though a bit high brow at times. This is a book for the Wagnerite and the layman alike, but expect to get a little insulted if you belong to the latter category. As to the philosophies in this little book, just about everyone who likes the Ring has their own unique opinion about its deep political/spiritual meanings, including Shaw. And although everything he writes seems obvious enough to him, I can't say I'm completely convinced by all his ideas. The book is certainly worth reading, however, just to hear the Shaw's elegant take on the musical masterpiece. (also, at least some of his ideas must be right) Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the book is its attack on Gotterdammerung, the beloved finale of the Ring. Shaw argues it is nearly devoid of underlying meaning and is a superficial conclusion to an otherwise philosophically sound work. As a final note, I appreciate the Mark Twain-like ascerbic criticism of society which seems incorrigibly imprinted in Shaw's style. This book is entertaining, and in certain places, profound. I give it four stars. (maybe 5 if he hadn't criticized Brahms!)

About twenty years ago, the BBC World Service introduced me to readings from G. B. Shaw's musical criticisms. The readings showed me that critique is as much an art as the subject of the critique. This pamphlet is a shining example of Shaw's art of criticism. Shaw presents the story, he gives some musical analysis, but most of all he presents the "Ring" in a philosophical and politcal slant that only Shaw could do. I suspect that the philosophy and politics are more Shaw's than Wagner's. Great for thosw who like Wagner and G.B.Shaw. Good for someone new to Der Ring des Nibelungen.

I have read almost all of Shaw's published works which have come within my reach. I see the deterioration in the quality of his work as the aging process set in, and of his defense of such people as Djerjinski and Stalin. When he is profound, he is very profound and when he is off the mark he is way out in zoonieland. This book, fortunately, shows more of his great skill at criticism and assimilation of background data than his equally great skill at polemics. Remember, the compositionof the _Ring_ was an event of the past for him, and he was able to use historical source material. But what caught my attention was that the London newspapers of his own day ran letters trying to reconcile the "Brunhilde problem" in _Gotterdamerung_. All of this was a burning issue to the London intelligentsia. But, to the point: BUY this book because it is HILARIOUS, in the best sense of that word. This is Shaw, maybe not at his level best, but close to it. Learn while you laugh! The ideas propounded in this book have been burned into my memory because I have read them over and over. Read this book if you can appreciate subtle jokes.

Launcelot Greaves, Tobias Smollett's quixotic character, takes you on a hilarious journey filled with wonderfully funny scenes and characters. The book moves at the leisurely pace Smollett and Fielding made such excellent use of in their novels. Not only does Smollet amuse and surprise in this novel, but he also provides a insightful commentary on class, primogeniture and the state of the nobility in 18th-century England. This book you finish with a grin and a wistful sigh, because you don't want the story to end, a novel both funny and thoughtful in the best of senses.