This is a superb book. It is scholarly yet passionate, courageous yet level-headed. The book argues that the Solidarity labor movement in Poland in 1980-81 was created by workers of the Gdansk shipyards rather than by Warsaw and Krakow intellectuals. However, the intellectuals supplied self-serving interpretations of Solidarity, and these were accepted as fact. Goodwyn shows that ever since the failed bread strikes in 1956, 1970, and 1976, the workers of Poland continued to devise methods by which to oppose the communist regime. In 1980, they succeeded: the so-called "occupational strike" in the shipyards made it impossible for the police to disperse the workers, while a system of human couriers allowed workers from various enterprises (as many as 370 factories, at the end of August 1980) to communicate when telephones were cut off by the communists. Finally, in August 1980, the workers presented to the government the centerpiece of all their demands: the demand for free labor unions. This was a move which the government of Soviet-occupied Poland did not expect. Polish intellectuals in Warsaw advised against it. The workers stood firm--and the government yielded. For a year, there was jubilation in Poland. But at Moscow's bidding, the Soviet-controlled government in Warsaw arrested thousands of Solidarity leaders in December 1981. For seven years, Poles lived under martial law. Under martial law, hundreds of people were tortured or "merely" beaten, thousands lost their lives because elementary medical help was impossible to obtain.
In later chapters, Goodwyn points out that it was "citizens' committees" and not the Solidarity labor union that produced delegates to the Round Table talks. Among the delegates, the intelligentsia members were overrepresented (195 out of some 240 delegates), while the workers who created Solidarity had a few dozen delegates. Since that time, the Warsaw intelligentsia was disproportionately credited with creating and aiding Solidarity, whereas worker activists slid into oblivion. The situation further worsened when factories began to close down because of restructuring, and millions of working men and women lost their jobs. The intelligentsia kept theirs: white collar workers were not much affected by restructuring of steel mills, shipyards, and cotton mills.
A magnificently lucid tome that provides real insights into the workings of democracy. If you are concerned with the erosion of democratic institutions in the United States, read this book.

As a student in Larry Goodwyn's social movements class, I have been reading this book to study his philosophy and methodology. It's incredibly interesting and enlightening, and sure to infuriate anyone with a vested interest in the convential wisdom about movement building in general and Solidarity in particular. I'd recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on a copy (& let me know if you can!)...

This collection of stories is worthy of Bruce Coville's name on the cover. I loved all of the stories, especially "The Fourth Wish." I recommend it to anyone that loves fantasy and magic, like I do! As usual, Bruce Coville has outdone himself.

I absolutly fell in love with this book. The only story I didn't like was "Winwood Rose" and that was only because it made me too sad. "The Fourth Wish" was both thought provoking and thoughtful. And when I need hope I read "Visions," "The Wonderworm," or "Phoenix Farm." Bruce Coville's own stories, "Wizard's Boy" and "Watch Out!" are very cool. It makes you think. I adore this book.

"Murder most foul, enwrapped in international intrigue... Moves and terrifies! I felt the icy fingers of death around my throat. By Executive Order is one helluva book!" -Ann Loring, Board of Directors. Mystery Writers of America

"An absolutely exciting read... Lawrence Kelter weaves together the strands of intrigue expertly and with convincing authority-a no holds barred look at the international intelligence community and organized crime. A tale of deceit and retribution." -Eugene P. Foley, Former President. National Committee on American Foreign Policy

"The Sopranos meet James Bond. The next book you'll see everyone reading." -Robert N. Klemer, Author. The Executor

"A great blend of Cosa Nostra and international intrigue. Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum." -- Nelson DeMille. Best selling author. The Lion's Game and Up Country.

Reading this book is like going back in time. A superb collection of color photographs of the neighborhoods beneath the Third Avenue El. A must for anyone interested in New York history.
I understand this book is out of print, which is too bad. No, my copy is not for sale.

Mr. Stelter has captured the beauty of the Third Avenue El and its rolling stock, just before it passed into history. His color prints, made from early chromes, convey the vision of an artist, who paints with light.

This book is a must have for anyone who loves old New York, trains and wonderful photography.

This is the best book on this subject I've ever come across. It has beautiful pictures, good close-up pictures to accompany the step-by-step directions, and a lot of helpful information.

If you're looking for a book on cake decorating (or just want to gawk at some yummy pictures), this is THE book.

I only recently heard about this book & i'm very glad that i did.It has detailed instructions,color picture's of the work process & the finished product.This is a book that i will refer to again & again while decorating a cake.Not just for ideas but for instructions or reminders on just how to make that flower.Its covers buttercream as well as fondant,has recipes for each & cake recepies.

I have always wanted to gain a degree of mastery over the subject of Calculus, knowing the power and elegance of this topic of mathematics. I had searched in vain for a text that made the subject matter comprehensible, fearing no such beast existed. I stumbled onto this book virtually by accident and to my great surprise and delight, I found the text easy to read, with the subject material presented in a sequential manner that aided complete understanding.At no stage of the text did I suffer the pangs of not knowing where some pertinent information had arisen. Further, many of the examples in the book had a practical application of Calculus to the real world, making the subject even more rewarding to learn. In short, this Calculus Book has made the Calculus a pleasure to learn. My enduring and hearthelt thanks to MR. HOFFMANN and MR BRADLEY for their wonderful gift to me

For those who need to see this course in college, this is the book to have. It's very explicit, and offers a very useful Algebra review at the end; extremely important to refresh our memory from highschool. Highly recommended!!

A highly amusing look at California from the vantage point of a Scottish visitor: the criminally underfunded public institutions, the money-grubby dot com crowd, the veracity-challenged used car dealers, all against a backdrop of perfect sunshine.

It's the kind of book you have to renew after three weeks at the library---to go through again....Funny in kind of a non-neurotic, non Spaulding Gray style....If you've ever lived in California, it adds to the fun. This book was just a pleasure to read, to get myself out of myself...Informative about the used car buz....funny, realistic and enjoyable.....

I was here again, buying a copy of the book, looking at the reviews, agreeing with this one, and discovered it was mine.....
Oh Scooty!!!!

I am a teen myself and this book helped me get through hard stuff. From boys to grades this book helps you put down what you feel. I rate it a shining 5 stars!

It's a great book and I would explain more but it's too good to explain.

In my opinion, what the "Harrison's textbook of internal medicine" means to an internist,so does Edmunds' textbook for a cardiovascular surgeon...You can find everything about adult cardiac surgery comprehensively. Thank you Mr.Edmunds!

This book offers those interested in cardiac surgery a wonderful source of information. It is presented in such a manner that it is educational and understandible for those just beginning medical school through those who are active attendings of cardiac surgery. A book that should be on everyones shelf, or better yet.. open on their desk!

great for students and general surgery residents to lear pediatric surgery from a case based approach.

If you'd like a quick, easy reading book to review before taking pediatric surgery written or oral boards, Larry Moss has just the book for you. Concise, authoritative, well written, and at times dryly humorous... thanks to Baird's contributions! A must have.

Tom Inge
Pediatric Surgeon
Cincinnati Childrens Hospital