For many years I have searched for a book that would classify the entire range of thought of the great philosophers - that is, a sort of map that would define the scope of the philosophical terrain. This book does exactly that. In fact, Watson suggests that this scheme may be applied to any written work - including literature, poetry, etc.

Walter Watson expands on the work of philosopher Richard McKeon in classifying the thought systems created by the great philosophers. Watson's scheme identifies four 'variables' - Perspective, Reality (i.e. metaphysics), (epistemological) Method, and Principle. For each variable he identifies four possible values. He identifies:

- Personal, Objective, Diaphanic, and Disciplinary Perspectives

- Existential, Substrative, Noumenal, and Essential Realities

- Agonistic, Logistic, Dialectical, and Problematic Methods

- Creative, Elemental, Comprehensive, and Reflexive Principles

This method of classification is defended by numerous examples and quotes from a wide variety of philosophers. Finally, Watson relates the four variables and the four values of each variable to Aristotle's four causes.

Watson does not promote or disparage any of the classes. His writing is clear and descriptive, but not evaluative. If he has a bias, it certainly is not apparent in his writing.

After reading this book, I can also recommend you continue with the companion work "Philosophy in World Perspective" by David A. Dilworth (also available from Amazon.com). Dilworth applies Watson's scheme of classification to many of the world's great thinkers - including the pre-Socratic Greeks, Eastern philosophers, 20th-century thinkers, and the major world religions.

Watson's book is presumably targeted at professional philosophers. I did not have trouble understanding most of the material, although I am not a philosopher, nor have I had any formal education in the subject. Dilworth's book does assume that his reader also has read widely in philosophy and I found it necessary to supplement his book with reading of a dictionary of philosophy and religion.

Loved this book. The layouts of the poison plants are easy to understand. Gives you a clear color picture closeup and distance shots of the plants. A a US map for the habitat -- great description of its actual locations i.e. "moist conditions preferring the edges of receding reservoirs and ponds." Describes the toxins involved then gives you clinical signs diagnosis and treatment for the animal. You need this book in your barn!

Published at the time of the Kienholz Retrospective Show at the Whitney Museum in 1996, this book not only documents that show with over 400 illustrations (many in color), it is also a tribute to Ed Kienholz, who died in 1994. Contributions by art historians, artists, friends and most importantly, Nancy Reddin Kienholz, make up a history that spans 4 decades. It begins with Ed's solo work in the Beat Era of the 1950s and continues with the collaborative work done by Ed and wife Nancy from 1972 to 1994. Even those who are not artists cannot help but be moved by this book. The stories are interesting, often funny and always personal. From collages to life-size environments, the work is not afraid to confront issues of cruelty or to embrace the forgotten in society. Unique vision, artistry and the materials of everyday life (collected at flea markets and junk shops) combine to make art that can be quiet with despair, cry out in anguish, or even make us laugh. Considered by some as ugly, this work is never dull or without compassion. As art historian and curator Walter Hopps says on the book jacket, "The work of Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz has had an enormous impact on the development of contemporary sculpture." I recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary art or social science -- or who just appreciates a beautiful book and fascinating story.

The Mercer Commentary is an excellent resource for studying the Bible. Each book of the Bible is introduced by giving information about the author, date of the book, setting, and basic themes. The books are then broken down a few verses at a time to give more of an explanation. Obviously, no one book can give adequate detail to every passage in the Bible, so the Commentary tends to give approximately two small paragraphs per chapter of the Bible on average.

The contributors generally approach the expositions from a moderate viewpoint focus on scholarship more than tradition. For example, although Ecclesiastes has often been ascribed to Solomon, the Commentary gives reasons why it is likely someone else. However, in instances like these the contributors to a good job of giving both points of view and not forcing one idea on the readers. Thus, I have found it to be an excellent source when open-mindedness is desired.

The Mercer Dictionary of the Bible is an excellent resource for in-depth Bible study. Like its companion Commentary, the Mercer Dictionary tends toward a moderate theology and focuses on scholarship. Entries can range from a sentence to several pages depending on the depth of the topic.

Compiled by Walter Wink, these selections come from the Fellowship of Reconciliation's magazine FELLOWSHIP. The articles were written by the greatest peacemakers of our times. Sixty essays cover theory, practice and spirituality of nonviolence. They also describe racial justice struggle and reconciliation. The book is divided into 6 main categories; VISION, PEACE WITNESSES, SPIRIT of PEACE, INTERRACIAL JUSTICE, NONVIOLENCE IN ACTION and the PATH OF RECONCILIATION. The articles are not easy to read, but are well worth anyone's time and thought. The editor reminds us that the UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the first decade of the 21st century to be a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence! Would that WE would make it so!!!

This is a beautiful, albeit small, collection of photographs of Sharon Tate. The book is only 15 pages, and contains only 6 illustrations, but it is well worth the money for the beautiful images. The photographs were taken in 1964 when Sharon was 21. For the most part, they feature Sharon amidst elements of nature. My favorite photograph is one of Sharon shielding her face from the sun (black and white, folds out). Also included is a short essay on the brilliance of photographer Walter Chappell and his images of Sharon. My only wish is that a larger collection of Sharon Tate images would be released. Sharon Tate lived 26 years before the one night that took her life and it is time that more books like this which celebrate the beauty of her life rather than the horror of her death be released!

This was, back in the early '80s, one of the best texts on learning to program. If you want to learn an archaic version of PASCAL, it's probably still great. It does introduce you to a range of computing concepts that are still valid.

Evans is a fascinating man to listen to. He is a decorated veteran, but shuns the recognition he rightly deserves. He admits that some of his actions during the heat of combat "might have been foolhardy." Evans was not interested in medals, only in trying to keep his men alive. As Evans' Third Army Com mander, General George S. Patton remarked, "No one ever won a war by dying for his country. He won by making the other poor bastard die for his country."

Evans met several truly historical figures. First and foremost was Patton. After the first day of the Battle of Arracourt, Patton visited Evans' command post to commend him on a job well done. That was just the first of many encounters with General Patton. After hostilities ceased in 1945, Evans was assigned to a Prisoner of War camp near Landshut, Germany. There, while interrogating prisoners, he briefly met General Vlasov, another larger-than-life individual. Vlasov was a former White Russian officer who was convinced (some say coerced) to help the Nazis against the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. Later, in Switzerland, Evans was able to get a glimpse of a compound full of Nazi war criminals, most notable of whom was Herman Goering.

Evans was also fortunate to have been able to participate in the design, testing and eventual combat deployment of the M18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer. The United States Army found that its antitank capabilities were woefully inadequate against the masses of German armor, so a new tank destroyer was desired. Evans, along with a handful of other armor officers from various posts around the US, was invited to Detroit to the Buick Division of General Motors, to offer suggestions for the design of this new vehicle. There are precious few times in a soldier's career that he is given the opportunity to impact upon the equipment he will use in the performance of his duty. Evans and these other officers seized the moment and helped to design one of the most effective combat vehicles ever. In ju! st a few short months the M18 went from the drawing board to the maneuver field and then the European Theater of Opera tions.

This is the best book of sheet music I own! It has everything from Cabaret to Miss Saigon! Whoever picked the songs for this book had great taste because every number is a standout. Includes- Maybe This Time (Cabaret), Can You Find it in Your Heart? (Footloose), Miss Marmelstein (I Can Get it For You Wholesale), Always a Bridesmaid (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), I'd Give My Life for You (Miss Saigon), With One Look (Sunset Boulevard), Teaching Third Grade (Ruthless), and My New Philosophy (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown). This book has over 40 songs, none of which are useless. If you are a female who enjoys singing Broadway, get this! You won't be sorry. *Amazon. com has the lowest price I've found for this item!!!