Atkins and Wilson's latest work is the zenith of a long first-class collaboration in the area of US-Dominican history. Their vast inside-knowledge and accessibility to sources and personalities is what few scholars achieve, but most want. Probably because of it, this book appears to fit in the center of Dominican historiography. The authors managed to quote a variety of authors extensively, without directly putting schools of thought against each other. Indeed, the book's theoretical structure does not fit perfectly neither with the classical diffusionist-modernization school nor with dependencism, much less with post-structuralism. The book is honest about US imperialism, racism, greed, and highlights the role of North American evils. Actually, the reader might get the impression of an imperial confession in the company of a genuine effort to understand the context of US and Dominican relations-a progressive approach! This feeling is reinforced by an attempt on the authors to include cultural elements into what is, basically, a political and diplomatic history. They have sections about identity, cultural exchange, baseball, race and society. In their stories, the reader will find examples (albeit short and sketchy) of how Dominican people and governments have adapted to adverse circumstances, how they have manipulated powerful nations despite their size, and how they have resisted oppression admirably. We certainly needed an attempt to exhaustively cover the US involvement in Dominican territory. Moreover, notwithstanding that Balaguer and Trujillo's treatments are the best by far, both authors touch on all the high points, most of the middle ones, and even some less celebrated aspects of Dominican history since the 19th century. And despite the heavy use of passive voice on the first two chapters, the organization of the book makes it easy reading for undergraduates. In their efforts to bring an inclusive coverage of the US-Dominican relations, Atkins and Wilson went back to early colonial periods. The readers learn how the island evolved to include two countries, and how Haiti's slave revolution helped determine the future of the entire island. The book also highlights the importance of the period up to General Ulises "Lilís" Heureaux, when Dominicans were trying to identify themselves against Haitians, and how international powers played an important role in shaping the country's history. Moreover, in order to understand US 20th century involvement in the island the book places crucial value to the events leading to the 1916 intervention. Yet, despite the importance of the 19th century, the authors relied mostly on secondary sources to write these chapters. The focus of the book is clearly the 20th century. When Trujillo, Balaguer and current politics is the subject, the reading is undeniably engaging. At this level, the authors provide solid support with primary sources for their narratives and arguments. These topics, after all, have been their research interest for years, and have likewise attracted much attention from the academic community. Curiously, qualitative attention to the 20th century may have shaped the book's main argument. Focus on the US non-interventionist policy from the 1930s and again right after the 1965 intervention (an "oops") may have suggested the writers that North Americans have been doing their best in controlling their tendency to introduce their legs in Dominican affairs. An apologetic bias (from the Greek "to defend" or "to explain out") that emerges from this approach is nowhere more evident than in their efforts to free as much as possible the US from the notorious responsibility of bringing Trujillo to power (59-64). If asked to summarize the message of this book in two sentences, despite all the injustices that this entails, the answer by necessity will include a progressive dichotomy in North American imperialism. This reviewer' summary: The US acted imperialistically and intruded in Dominican Republic because of its perennial instability, its failure in making payments, its location within the North American perimeter of influence, and the numerous and constant international pressures (European involvement in Latin America, first and second World Wars, the Cold War, the 1990s "Haitian problem" etc.). However, the circumstances since 1966 are not imperialistic since they do not involve direct policy intervention in Dominican affairs-and most Dominicans feel comfortable with it! To most readers this might make plain sense, but to those with at least a small dose of Gramscian skepticism, this may sound as a new ingenious and accommodating strand of diffusionism, neo-liberalism or modernist approach to history.

Where is the clearly explained relationship (causes and consequences) of years of recurring and assorted foreign interventions to Dominican internal instability, habitual tendency of loan grabbing-defaulting, and stubborn regionalisms? It is true that Atkins and Wilson do not directly excuse North American interventions. Actually, they criticize it and honestly unveil the rampant racism, avarice and demeaning manners in some US policies and diplomats. Yet, the book's literary structure arranges historical events in a way that may produce in the reader the idea that, after all, it was the Dominicans who attracted intervention. Consequently, (following the logic of this thought) if they would not have been clamoring for European protection; if they would have stayed quiet and kept a democratic government running; and most importantly, if they would have at least tried to maintain the interest payment on their foreign debt, most surely the US would never have intervened. Unfortunately, by trying to explain political behavior in a vacuum, (with only a modest relation to US-Dominican identities, economic circumstances, survival tactics, cultural values, etc.) the Dominican predicament not only looks simplistic, moreover, it looks deserving! There is a lesson here that serves us for when we get the call to choose between a history that supports status quo (which promotes complacency), and a history that rocks its foundations (with the added warning against presumption). In the hands of a creative teacher, then, Atkins and Wilson's book is certainly a practical book for undergraduate and graduate courses in US imperialism and Dominican history. Furthermore, however, this work is an excellent introduction to anybody interested on the subject.

This book consist primarily of multiple-choice questions about economics. I have used it during my undergraduate studies and it helped me significantly. Although it is not sufficiently challenging for postgraduate study of economics - I can recommend it to anyone who is still undergraduate.

This new edition contains a corrected first edition as Part I. Part II focuses on technologically relavant electroactive polymers chapter by chapter as well as relevant electronic processes. This book belongs on the desk of everyone working and publishing in the field of solid state organic electronics.

The Black Pope is the second book in the Falcon Strikes series.A great sword swinging story,along the lines of Conan.The continuing story of a Crusader returning to Europe with his mercenary band,and seeking vengeance upon the men who betrayed the Christian cause and murdered his father.A great series that unfortunately was never finished.Draco never completed his vengeance and the author,Mark Ramsay aka Jon Maddox Roberts,went on to other books,like Conan,The Cinglum,Murder in Tarsis and the SPQR series.C'mon Jon,don't be like David Gerrold,finish the series!

A book on the captive care of garter snakes for beginners has been badly needed for quite some time, and this excellent little book fills that need very nicely indeed. While it does not provide the level of information that serious garter snake hobbyists would like, and could be more precise in terms of diet and the unique requirements of some species, that sort of detail would be inappropriate in a beginner's guide like this one. It sets out the basic requirements (feeding, caging, health) that any snake keeper just starting out is going to need to know. I breed garter snakes myself and am very happy that I can now refer my customers, particularly the younger ones, to a book that answers so many of their questions.

This is an excellent, easy to read guide to Gregory, the world he lived in, and his influence. It is a good stepping stone to start researching about Gregory as a secondary source.

An extended American family celebrates a traditional 4th of July, in this lovely picture book. Starting the day with a children's parade, enjoying pizza and popcorn, buying tickets for a raffle, then enjoying carnival activities, face painting, balloons, and finally ending the day with a barbecue, and concert under the stars with fireworks finale, the family has a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day. The illustrations are a little hazy, very nostalgic and timeless, with colors that depict the warmth and fun of the day. Any child who has ever attended a city park 4th of July celebration will recognize the activities depicted here. The text is short and simple enough to be included in a patriotic themed storytime for preschoolers. This will be a great addition to a holiday collection for which not that many books for children have been written.

Aidan Nichols has provided us with a good, though brief, theological introduction to the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist, from a traditional Roman Catholic point of view. It is well written, easily accessible, well researched, and thoughtful.

Nichols competently addresses the New Testament, Church Fathers, the Medieval period, the Counter Reformation, and the 20th century. He organizes his analysis around three themes--Eucharist as presence, Eucharist as sacrifice, and Eucharist as foundation of the Church. Of course, in such a brief book (only 150 pages) there is a great deal of material that must be omitted. There is little discussion, for example, of the Protestant Reformers; but Nichols does touch on all the key persons and high points in eucharistic doctrine.

I was a bit disappointed in Nichols's presentation and critique of trans-signification. He doesn't really make as clear as he should why trans-signification fails in its bid to replace transubstantiation.

I also wish he had addressed in some depth the differences and commonalities between the Catholic and Orthodox understandings of the Eucharist. Nichols is well acquainted with Orthodoxy, and it would have been nice to have him address this subject, especially given Pope John Paul II's strong efforts to reconcile East and West.

I recommend this book as one of the best short introductions now in print on the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist.

This book is one of the closest pieces of work that we have to finding out what went on in the mind of John Paul I, Pope for a mere thirty-three days. Here, written when he was Patriarch of Venice, he writes to various people in literary and church history, and also in fiction. An amusing and witty book. Albino Luciani gets to the heart of the subject in each letter, and shows that sometimes the best answers are the most simple ones.

Robert Pope creates a wonderful, character driven, story that is truly "hard to put down." Jack Henley's universe is one filled with obsession, fantasy, and vicariousness. If you've ever wondered "what happened to Holden Caulfield?" you will love this story. Pope is a master of his art, intertwining heavy doses of lightheartedness and light doses of heavy existentialism. Above all, it is the unique "voice" of Jack that compells one forward--laughing and crying along the way. A great story by a great storyteller!!!