This book covers every little nook and cranny white people try to hide under and exposes their issues in regards to race. I recommend this book to any white person who wants to truly heal the race problem in America and abroad.

Although she claims to be a White woman, specifically an Arab American woman who has spent the majority of her life as an American, it is really difficult to consider Ms. Chehade as a part of a people she so staunchly accuses of bearing the majority responsibility of human oppression and subjugation. It is hard to associate her as part of "the problem" because she is so brutally honest in her assessment of race relations-an absolute rarity among those progressive Whites and even Blacks who are traumatized just having to think about the issue. One may be shocked that there are "liberal" whites, according to Ms. Chehade, who are just as racist as the typical Klu Klux Klan member. Throughout the book, Ms. Chehade includes herself in the many examples of the use of White privilege. Her unique perspective on how immigrants are acculturated into racism is especially insightful, particularly when she describes the symbiotic economic relationship immigrants have in Black communities.

No matter the level of participation Ms. Chehade had in these racial crimes, one can easily grant her immunity because she testifies to the evil of White denial of Black humanity. The book's overall point is that it is this very denial which is key to the problem, but also critical to any resolution of America's racial nightmare. "Big Little White Lies" does not lose focus in exposing this pathology. Ms. Chehade, directly talks to whites, exposing and then addressing their negative beliefs and behavior toward Blacks. She is relentless in placing the responsibility for healing on White people by pointing to the enormous amount of power only they command. For example, using her analysis of power as the ability to control people, resources, and institutions to the detriment of others, she exposes the paranoia Whites have of Minister Louis Farrakhan. It is only by reading this book will White people come to really understand what drives the Minister and may even thank the Creator for him.

This is the only book I would want White people to read if they are going to experience any Black History at all. Not only is it a concise treatise on the history of White oppression of Blacks, but more importantly, it shows how the evils of the past have accumulated to create negative consequences for Blacks in this time. Those interested in the movement for reparations for slavery should read this book not only for its value as a reference book on the pain and suffering inflected on Blacks, but as a tactical guide to the mind of White America.

In stripping away the most fundamental denials of White people, Ms. Chehade indirectly answers many of the questions Blacks have on why the majority of Whites are racist. On one hand, "Big Little White Lies" creates an overwhelming despair that brotherhood between the masses of Black people and White people is not only an impossibility in our lifetime, but a remote possibility in the lifetimes of future generations.

On the other hand, Carol Chehade opens the mind to the critical issue of power sharing in this society and the absolute necessity of self and group empowerment. No matter your position on the political spectrum, I guarantee that this book will leave you breathless and a little shaken.

My fear is that "Big Little White Lies" will never see the mainstream publishing success it deserves. No other book could claim to be remotely compared to it. No other book could have as much potential to heal.

Chehade doesn't leave any sacred ground for racism to hide. She bravely contronts racism on every level. I loved her bluntness and her willingness to write about issues that so many people outside of the African American community do not see or want to deal with. She is no joke. People who are in any way interested in solving racism NEED to read this book and find out just exactly what kind of beast we are all living with.

When I was pregnant with my first baby I knew that I didn't want to immunize any of my children. Up until I read this book I had really no "proof" that my confictions were correct. Thanks to this book, I began a serious investigation into immunizations. I now have tangible info to share with pro-vaccine parents. It only takes one light in a dark world to bring truth!

The whole immunization issue is so one sided. This book finally gives the other perspective, in an easy to read format. From an educator, and parent's standpoint the book is convincing that immunizing your child is not the only way. No one can force you to immunize your child if you have a belief it's not right. Read this book and finally become educated, confident and informed!

This is - regardless of your religious persuasion - one of the best books for helping children deal with and understand death and dying that has ever been written. It's about the death of a child's grandfather - his going through "the great change," and frames death in a way that is absolutely beautiful and meaningful. Highly recommended for everybody, particularly those with children who are trying to make sense of the death of their elders.

The bold black and white graphics of these stickers are really impressive. Each one is unique, interesting and just plain fun to look at. A graphic delight!

This nation has some basic documents; The Declaration of Independence is one of them.

It reads: England is the enemy, and it explains why.

World conflcit was explained by the Anerican Whigs the same way, through the centuries.. that alone, proves The Declaration of Indepedence true today. The U.S. idea was progress and the sanctity of the individual; therefore, it cannot have an allaince with a nation for whih people are no better than animals (Theory of evolution) and continues to me mired in the world of Walter Scott.. not a pretty world.. etc.

Living by this document is life or death... and death has come from ignoring its sober truth.. jl

As an Englishman (a Geordie to be precise) and admirer of America, this book is a welcome discussion of the problem of race in the States, a problem which runs far deeper than in Britain. The simple fact is that the epithet "racist" has become a profoundly effective weapon in propagating the slave morality which Nietzsche so despised. No one suggests that America is "white" because that particular demographic happened to be the most powerful, therefore the most deserving - a self-evident trait. No, instead the missionaries of the underclasses rant and rave about the "fact" that whites "cheated" to become dominant - as if they were possessed of some demonic power. The fact is, I abhor people who have disgust for other races than their own, but i abhor equally the acceptable face of anti-Nordicism. The fact is that whites dominated the earth because of simultaneous developments in their culture around the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries - notably the evolution of capitalism. Whomever suggests that whites overcame undeservedly is clearly jealous of this master morality (cf. the Greeks, the Romans, the French and British Empires, etc) which was also a feature of non-white peoples like the Arabs and the Chinese; and yet they have no reason to be - historical dialecticism is not the goal of humanity, contrary to the assertions of the Hegelian-Marxists.

Black Political Scientist Carol Swain has produced a very important work which not only examines the growth of the new white nationalist movement in America, but also its sources. Swain notes that in the last ten years or so, a new, non-violent type of white nationalism has been growing in America, one that seeks to win people over through logic and argumentation. These groups vary from moderate to radical, but underlying them all is the same message: America is being undermined by minorities and immigrants. Perhaps the most important of these groups is "American Renaissance" led by Jared Taylor. Taylor is highly educated as are most his followers. They are against multiculturalism and seek to change the demographic balance in the country.

But Swain's examination of the various groups and their messages is only the begining. She then examines the three main issues that are fueling the rise of these groups appeal to mainstream white Americans: Immigration, Crime, and Affirmative-Action. Swain argues that current immigration policy is not sensitive to local needs and a discussion on reform is needed. Unfortunately, no such discussion exists at this moment. Similiarly, high black crime rates are a taboo subject which no mainstream politician will discuss, leaving the issue to be framed by the white nationalists who argue that blacks are criminal by nature. Again, the lack of an open discussion is the greatest problem in confronting this issue. Swain offers no solution on how to lower black crime, however. But the fact that she acknowledges black crime rates are indeed higher is a brave break from the past. The third major issue feeding the movement is affirmative action, seen by many whites as discrimination. More than any other issue, it contributes to the appeal of white nationalism. Swain makes a strong case for the elimination of race-based policies, in favor of class-based policies instead. Swain also delivers a scathing indictment of the black leadership, which she believes does not serve its communities interests. Since Swain herself is black, perhaps her words will have some resonance within the black community to reasses their leaders.

In sum, it seems that censorship is our greatest enemy. When we cannot talk about issues honestly and openly, those with radical agendas will take over since there is no other side to balance it out. At first glance, one might think of this book as a typical liberal attack on the radical right, simply denouncing them without offering solutions. Swain does no such thing. She is a conservative, one who understands that difference between the mainstream and radical right, and who offers us solutions on how to improve race relations for the future. Our efforts can no longer focus on minorities, but on all Americans, if we are to reach our ideal of a color-blind society.

DNA is destiny, my multicultural friends, and there is no denying it. The Liliputians may finally succeed in destroying America and remaking it in the image of the Third World... and it will be a crying shame if they do.

"America" may not have been perfect, but it was pretty darned good. What a shame it will be to ruin it out of a stupid desire to ignore an obvious point of objective reality--that races are races for a reason: they *are* different.

Perhaps a "how-to" book of this nature appeals to the amateur weekend photographer who has never read anything about children or portrait photography. The book gives no technical information regarding camera settings or studio lighting output. The studio lighting is redundant and unimaginative (not to mention contradictory in some cases) and most of the images are boring. My only guess is that this book was, in fact written for the weekend photographer and in a "feel-good" (hey, I can take pictures of kids and so can you!) manner so as not to scare off potential sales. Regarding the picture of the two young sisters gazing off into the distance, the author admits she had no idea how she got the shot and that all the shots before and after were "bad". Wasn't the author looking through the camera when she took the pictures? Personally, I have nothing against any how-to book that informs the reader, but with the exception of one or two "tips", the book has little to say. As for the title, shooting in black and white does not constitute "fine art". A better title would have been, "A Beginner's Guide to Shooting Black & White Pictures of Kids".

Fine Art Children's Photography: Techniques & Images in Black and White

by Doris Carol Doyle and Ian Doyle Soft cover, 127 pages. Amherst Media, Inc.

I like this book very much because the photographer/author stresses something I have always believed--a child doesn't have to look perfect, prim and proper for a portrait. In fact, professional portraits of your child having fun and just being a child will probably be your family's favorite and best remembered photographs. The use of black and white film for these photographs gives them a character and style of their own, and lifts them from the realm of being informal snapshots to the medium of art. Photographer Doris Carol Doyle introduces herself in the front of the book and tells how she started doing children's portraiture in her home, using equipment and props that were available. She produced some striking images, so if you are getting started as a photographer her example will give you confidence that you don't have to have a complete and expensive studio to get started. Accompanying each image is a diagram of the layout she used, and a complete description of her equipment. Doyle takes the time to discuss the little things that make all the difference when taking a portrait. For instance, seating the subject a little lower than the camera causes the child to look up, showing more of the whites of their eyes and making the eyes look bigger and brighter. By watching a child's hands and stance you can get an idea of their comfort level and she stresses don't limit yourself where backgrounds are concerned. Parks, fences, buildings and beaches make delightful backdrops for children's portraiture. Doyle includes a section for various age groups of children in her book. This is helpful, because each age brings new delights and new problems. She discusses photographing a child with their pet, their friends, family members, favorite things and while involved in favorite activities. Location shooting is discussed as are using fill flash, reflectors and natural light. A smaller photograph shows the exact placement of the camera, flash and reflectors for many of the images. A complete description of the area and circumstances during the shoot is explained. Most important, Doyle uses examples of her photographs where the child's face is not key to the image, and how such images can be successful. A photograph on the back book cover shows two young boys walking away from the camera. They are on a beach, the taller of the two has his arm around the shoulder of the smaller boy. If this were an image of my two sons, I know this photograph would be a favorite of mine. Children are shown giggling, laughing and looking down at things. Childhood is such a fleeting time, it's important to have photographs of your children enjoying that wonderful, magical season and this book will help you do that. Because of the small details Doyle shares with readers, the ease of reading and the clear illustrations, I give this book a strong four star rating.

Marilyn Dalrymple

This is a wonderful book on the how to's of black and white childrens photography. I think this book would be useful not only to a professional but also for an amatuer looking to take better pictures of their own children. I think the book gives great insight into how a very talented photographer works. Doris really knows her "stuff" I not only know this from her book but first hand, she took my pregancy portraits and did a beautiful job! She is truly a talented artist!

I bought this book in the hope that it would teach me something about Black and White photography. Unfortunately, I found the book to be extremely basic and more of an introduction to general photography than specifically about B&W. In addition, it was extremely dated, containing little information for a new SLR user.

If you want a simple introduction into photography in general, I would recommend checking out books by Lee Frost - "The A-Z of Creative Photography" and "The complete guide to night and low-light photography".

I would appreciate any suggestions for good B&W photography books.

Owning and understanding this text is the Learner's Permit for Black and White Photography. It offers all of the information that a beginning photographer needs to know to make black-and-white photographs. It is written for a neophyte -- someone who has the passion for photography, but does not yet understand the compexities involved. As such, if the reader is an experienced photographer, they will most likely find a better reference elsewhere. However, for someone breaking into the field it is invaluable, and is used as the textbook for a few local institutions offering classes in black-and-white photography.

By its very nature, it realizes that not every aspect of professional photography will be covered. Hence, professional finishing techniques (among other things), while alluded to, are not explored in detail (nor should they be). If the text were meant to be a comprehensive volume covering all aspects of photography, the size and technical detail would be intimidating to someone new to the field. Since, however, it is meant as an introductory text, it succeeds quite well. All of the information that an inexperienced photographer needs is contained herein (camera design, film ratings, aperture, speed, processing, basic finishing, etc.). I recommend it to anyone interested in photography and the basics of photographic technique.

How to attain a picture perfect photography is what you'll find inside this book by Henry Horenstein. You can get essential guidelines from the the right aperture to the correct lenses, from the right kind of light to the matching shutter speed. All of these will help make your black and white pictures turned out simply the best. It also tells you how to make your black and white pictures turn into a colorful image in the eyes of the viewer. It will definitely change the way you look at black and white pictures. Black and white will never be the same again.

I recently finished reading Carol Shields' short story collection, Dressing Up for the Carnival. I'm a big fan of Carol Shields, having enjoyed Larry's Party, The Stone Diaries, even adding Swann to my wicked Top Five list - but this one didn't hit the spot.

Although the stories were charming and well-written, they weren't engrossing. I need to be EN-GROSSED! Instead I felt like I was wading through the bad stuff (I use the term "bad" for effect only) to get to the good. Some real gems here, but not a stellar collection.

Somewhat recommended - that is, to fans, and not just the casual passerby.

It's hard to describe the effect of these stories -- perhaps mindbending would be as close as you can get. Who else would devote whole stories to keys, or a meteorologist strike or the founder of a nudist camp? My only small complaint is that at times some of the stories, especially those taking place in the academic realm, are almost too clever for their own good. The collection as a whole though is strong and quite imaginative and profound. Shields is certainly an interesting writer -- there is nary a dull moment and some quite enlightening ones.

Carol Shields can take an ordinary word and polish it into a shining gemstone. Finely-tuned phrases are scattered plentifully throughout each chapter of _Dressing Up for the Carnival_, straddling the gap between poetry and fiction. This collection of stories is so spare, it almost feels empty at first. But you find Shields has emptied her work of distractions and needless explanations so you can more clearly see . Her focus on minute details is selective and purposeful. She reveals deep insights on the human condition through small observations-ones only a keen observer could see, and only a master writer like Shields could translate into words. If you want to be entertained, this book may not be for you. If you want to think deeply and be stirred to a higher level of emotion, pick up this book. You'll find yourself setting it down after every story so you can absorb each word.

This book is too expensive for what it offers, and is definitely not recommended,write your own stories, since so many examples are available online.

This book does not give an exhaustive examples and not that many pictures. You know your child better and a majority of social stories may not be appliacble to you.

I was greatly disappointed with this book,

As an individual unfamiliar with the nuances of AS, I found "My Social Stories Book" particularly effective in identifying, conveying and demystifying what is mundane for most people, but what can be overwhelming for those with AS. Sean McAndrew's brilliant translation of the text via child-friendly illustrations relevant to their respective scenarios are what make a publication like this one truly work. Much like crosswalk symbols, these illustrations must be absolutely simplistic in order to be unmistakeably understood. Much respect to McAndrew who rendered the abstract idea of divorce in such tender illustrative grace.