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Book reviews for "Ward,_James" sorted by average review score:

Souls Looking Back: Life Stories of Growing Up Black
Published in Paperback by Routledge (1999)
Authors: Andrew (edition), Ward Victoria, Janie (edition), Robinson L. Tracy (edition), Kilkenny, Robert (edition) Garrod, Janie Victoria Ward, Tracy L. Robinson, Robert Kilkenny, and James P. Comer
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Life stories
A collection of essays wrote by african american and biracal young adults. The essays are about struggles the writers have been through while growing up, and on college campues. I throught all the essays were good.

A wonder sociological study
This book is a very well-done sociological study of African American/bi-racial college students and the telling of their stories to get to this point in their lives. The stories are diverse yet similar. Bright, misunderstood, sticking out like sore thumbs because they were of color and intelligent. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Why is it African Americans are ridiculed for being smart. I read Kunjufu's book some years ago when my daughter was in middle school, Black Peer Pressure: To be Popular or Smart. Why must you choose. I am trying to remember my childhood experiences. I cannot remember being ridiculed for doing well in school. It seemed that was the norm for my group and the kids seem to have more respect for one another. I know this is unusual. I think about my brother who is now a well-known cardiologist in the Bay Area and when I look back on it, he must have felt isolated because he was one of those super-smart, gifted students. From the first story of Prince which was heart-wrenching. He was truly a testament to the poverty and hardship. He proved he could succeed against the oods. So, it is with Malik who had a drug-addicted mother. These young men's stories is in contrast to some of the more affluent of the group. Maria, Rob, and Steve had all of the amenities to have a good head start, well-eduacated, financially secure, and good neighborhoods. However I must say, I was disappointed that these students felt they had little in common with other black students because of their status. And it seemed their attitudes were reinforced by their parents attitudes who seemed to feel if it's white, its right. I am trying to reconcile these parents with the generation that had to strive for basic civil rights in housing and education. Where was the pride in being black. Why were they not going to black churches and putting their children in contact with other young black people with groups such as Jack and Jill or church youth groups? I always thought it was the generation these students that lost the black pride, not their parents who I guess are in their forties, fifties, and sixties. Claudio and Alessandro had to do with the problem of being both black and Latino and all the trials associated with being of a double culture. So often in Latin cultures, children are told they are Latino and then they get out into the world where no one will let them forget they are black. That can be a rude awakening when culture and color clash. The bi-racial students angst of being between two world, not knowing where they belong. This story was also very well told in "Black, White,Other" by Lise Funderburg. Christina and Susanna's black fathers evidently had problems with their black identities. It seems in these and many bi-racial families they do no discuss race, as if not talking about it, it won't be a problem. But as they find out, these issues need to be discussed. Sure these kind of parents say they just want their children to grow up to be good, healthy individuals, regardless of race. Not in America where race and race matters are so pervasive. The editors forewords before each chapter, Janie Victoria Ward and Tracy L. Robinson among them were provacative, intelligent studies. I would highly recommend this book to high school and college student of African descent as well as their parents and students of black sociology. Very well done.

Engaging and Critical Personal Narratives
Souls Looking Back is a thought-provoking, engaging and critical work that solidifies the validity of personal narrative as form of interpretive research with a focus on critical race theory. Anyone who may posses any questions regarding the power of such representation should read, ingest and reflect upon the stories of the young people presented in this book. The editors splendedly synthesized these educational and personal memoirs within the context of personal identity, critical race, critical feminist and critical race feminist perspectives. I would strongly recommend this book for all those with sincere interests in anthropology, sociology, psychology, African-American/African-Carribean/Afro-British studies, and education. This book truly exemplifies the multiplicity of lives our young people of color experience.


The Anatomy of Russian Defense Conversion
Published in Hardcover by VEGA Press (01 December, 2000)
Authors: David Holloway, Sonia Ben Ouagrham, James Goody, Michael Intrilgator, Ward Hanson, Jonathan Tucker, Vlad E. Genin, William J. Perry, David Bernstein, and Marcus Feldman
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Very informative book
I am a former Russian journalist and a documentary filmmaker who has also worked at NASA in the US.

"The Anatomy of Russian Defense Conversion" touches on many more subjects then just Russian Defense Industry. This is a very thorough, informative and important work that analyses the history of US and Russian Defense Industries, weapons exports and conversion, and possibilities of transformation from a militarized to a civilian economy in the new millenium.

The book also reflects on the current state of defense industries in the US and Russia, and "brain drain", or loss of intellectual capital in Russia and other countries after the Cold War.

I found reflections in Arkady Yarovsky's chapter "From the Culture of War to the Culture of Peace" very contemporary, especially in the light of recent events in the Middle East:

"Our time is unfortunately still characterized as "the culture of war." The culture of war is evident first and foremost in the hostilities between people and states, between nations and faiths, and in the inability to solve conflicts by peaceful means... Humanity has made it into the third millenium because the lust for power has been restrained by fear of nuclear war, but this restraint is not to be counted on permanently... The danger hidden in the separateness of people of different countries, unfortunately, remains a legacy for the next century... If humanity renounces the legacy of the culture of war, it can start down the road of cooperation, peaceful creation, and enlightenment. This is the only road leading to the culture of peace."

A Subject of Mutual Interest
One can imagine that I, as a small child living in San Antonio, Texas, next to three Air Force bases and an Army base, living through the Cuban missile crisis, thought about the threat of the Russian military. I also met my parents' wonderful emigre' friends, and to this day have had warm relations with Russian people.

This book tells of the enormous cost to the Russian people of building and maintaining their war industry for so many years, a militarized economy where people got second best. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, defense industry just about shut down, but civilian industry has not grown great enough to support the population. There are horrendous unemployment, and terrible health and social problems. There is some danger that the path of least resistance for Russia, if we neglect the situation, could be to re-start weapons production, for export at first.

In my opinion, the United States also, to a lesser degree, has neglected the manufacture of quality consumer goods, importing them instead, and has let its physical economy deteriorate, despite much activity in the financial sector. We, too, have been insufficiently careful of the environment. This book provides some idea of what these trends could lead to, if carried to extremes.

Perhaps the involvement of United States companies in Russia, could lead to more of a recognition here, of the importance of the physical economy. Hopefully, both countries could also work to put industry on a healthy environmental footing as well.

There is awareness of the problem of Russian defense conversion, at high levels of our government. I hope this book helps educate people and sustain that interest.


Gone With the Fat: A Cookbook
Published in Plastic Comb by Avis & Ward Nutrition Assoc (01 April, 1997)
Authors: Jen Bays Avis, Kathy F. Ward, Avis and Ward Nutrition Inc, and James Kendricks
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EXCELLENT - EASY TO PREPARE MEALS
We have used several recipes in this book and find them extremely good and easy to make. Ingredients are very basic. My husband has a history of high triglyceride for which he is currently taking medication for. As a former cancer patient - have lowered the above as well as cholesterol levels. His physician is quite impressed. This is the only recipe book we use. We would highly recommend this book for anyone watching fat intake. I guarantee that you will be quite surprised in how satisfying the food is and you won't have that "hungry" feeling which leads to the dreaded snacks!

Extremely useful!
I loved the book because it uses recipes with all basic foods. There are no special ingredients to find and purchase. This book is a great way to introduce healthy, low-fat cooking into the average home.


Holy Books: Rap 'N' Poster Teach Your Kids the Books of the Bible Forever!
Published in Hardcover by Group Publishing Inc (1995)
Author: James M. Ward
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BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Learning Them
This is an excellent means of learning the Books of the Bible for Children or Youth. The poster is just an added bonus to the tape.

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Fun & Exciting means of learning
One of the best ways to teach children or youth the books of the Bible. The poster is an added bonus to the tape!


Miniature Rooms: The Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago
Published in Hardcover by Abbeville Press, Inc. (1986)
Authors: Kathleen Aguilar, Michael Abramson, Art Institute of Chicago, Kathleen Culbert-Aguilar, and Bruce H. Boyer
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Highly recommended!
If you've ever visited the Art Institute and wished that you could spend more time enjoying the Thorne Rooms, this book is a way for you to visit them as often as you would like.

"Miniature Rooms" begins with a brief history of Mrs. Thorne and how the rooms came to be. The rest of the book is a complete catalog of the Rooms, divided into two sections - the European rooms and the American rooms. Every room is beautifully photographed from at least two angles, using the existing lighting in the rooms so that each has the same realistic quality enjoyed in the Institute. Along with each photograph is a description of the room and its furnishings. I would recommend "Miniature Rooms" to anyone who enjoys the Art of Miniatures.

Wonderfully inspiring!
Although I have been away from the world of Miniatures for 20 years, I was really inspired when I opened this book. The rooms were beyond beautiful! I will make every effort to see these miniature rooms in person when I next visit Chicago.

I'd love to own a room box or two but would REALLY love to have a full-scale version of these rooms to live in! So realistic and detailed!


Employee Benefits Law
Published in Hardcover by BNA Books (2000)
Authors: Steven J. Sacher, James I. Singer, Terese M. Connerton, Ronald Dean, Barbara S. Gutmann, Susan Katz, Kallstrom, D. Ward Hoffman, Lewis Jeffrey, Howard Shapiro, and Evan J. Spelfogel
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If you have an ERISA problem and don't know where to start..
Ok. I already feel odd writing a review of this book. The anticipated audience is incredibly narrow and if you found this review, you probably know what you are looking for. However, I think this is one of the greatest books. As a law student who is planning on specializing in ERISA, this book has been an invaluable resource to me. It is the first place I turn when I have an ERISA question to research. It won't provide all the answers but puts a very complex statute into perspective. It would also benefit the non-lawyer who might be involved in benefits.


Eve: From the Autobiography and Other Poems
Published in Hardcover by Texas Christian Univ Pr (1997)
Authors: Betsy Colquitt and James Ward, I. Lee
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Beautiful words
I have to admit out loud that I am extremely prejudiced in my review of this book. Mrs. Colquitt taught me creative writing at TCU -- she actually had the nerve to give me a B simply because she said I was not writing up to my potential.

But this is not about me, it is all about her marvelous book. As a teacher, Mrs. Colquitt was self-effacing and understated in speaking of her experience and accomplishments. Others had to tell us that Isaac Bashevis Singer asked her to be his editor. She never would have brought the subject up.

Knowing that about her makes this book all the more moving.

Yet, even if you've never been to Fort Worth, or never had opportunity to hear her lecture, you will appreciate this book. The first half could be a modern midrash on Eve (and Lilith). Colquitt writes feminism the way she practices it -- gentle, assertive, intelligent, and kind.

The second half of the book tends to the more autobiographical. The final poem was for me gut-wrenching, as I honored and respected her husband, my math professor, for his unrelenting fairness and sense of humor. Dr. Colquitt died shortly after my own father died, and Mrs. Colquitt's vulnerability here is seldom duplicated.

EVE is serious, playful, and worth curling up next to the fireplace and reading aloud.


Faerie Mound of Dragonkind (Catacombs Gamebooks)
Published in Paperback by TSR Hobbies (1987)
Authors: Jean Blashfield and James M. Ward
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A great game book.
I knew I was close to the name of this book. I've been looking for it now for near 9 years. I grew up with this book, way back when, and lost it in the passing years. It's a choose your path sort of book where you are lost in a faerie mound and all the strange and wonderful things you find there. I know there were 2 of these books, the other was about some dwarves or something, I never got it, but not from lack of trying. Course if anyone reads this and has one they are willing to part with, please do drop me a line.


Gnomes--100, Dragons--0 (Catacombs Gamebook, No 2)
Published in Paperback by TSR Hobbies (1988)
Authors: Jean Blashfield and James M. Ward
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A Good Adventure
I liked this adventure. It was set up in a most unique way (as a choose-your-own-adventure style book). This allowed the use of the adventure either in a group or solo, you can either use the AD&D rules or a simplified version reprinted here, therefor, this could be an intro to AD&D (As long as you have the dice). All in all good, showing a great scope: Humor, adventure, drama, and even a bit of horror.


Legends and Lore (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons)
Published in Hardcover by TSR Hobbies (1986)
Authors: James Ward and Robert Kuntz
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Great book, all AD&D players should read it.
This book is a very rare, but worthwhile title. I, myself, have not even been able to complete it because the only copies I've seen it in now are so small that I can hardly make out the words! They're about two-by-two inches! It hurts my eyes and I just decided to stop where I was. From what I've read, it is a great book that brought old heroes and gods vividly back to life in my imagination. If anyone has an older copy, LARGER copy, please email me at Zell_D@iname.com.


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