This book gave me the insight I yearned for in understanding what my sister was thinking and feeling since she cannot express it herself. The frustration felt on both sides (by the stroke victim and family, friends) by lack of communication is somewhat easied by the insight this book brings. I highly recommend it.

Historically, Southern women have been type-case as fragile, codependent, incapable, overgrown children. Growing up in the South, it was always difficult to find role models from local history, or in the mass media.

"Mothers of Invention" shows us otherwise. It was amazing and inspiring to read about the struggles and revelations of these women. It touched me deeply, to think about the courage and strength it took for a previously sheltered woman to learn to take on more responsibility in a society that told her that her place was at home.

This book shows Southern women as gutsy and brave, a little like Scarlett O'Hara's spirit when she vowed, "I'll never be hungry again!"

In "Mothers of Invention," Drew Gilpin Faust explores the ways in which the Civil War transformed traditional gender roles among middle- and upper-class southern women. Gilpin theorizes that Confederate women certainly were aware of the effect that government policies had on their lives-even if the leaders, at times, were not-and that women's views conscription, home defense, economic production and slavery influenced and, ultimately, undermined their support for the war.

Her key point seems to be that the war overturned the "social contract" in which elite women accepted subordination and dependence for male protection and privilege. Although men were off protecting their homes in the abstract sense, women were left to deal with the day-to-day realities of food shortages and an invading army occupying their homes.

Narrowing exceptions to the draft, the military's refusals to grant furloughs in times of great family need, and government policies regarding food requisitions especially galled women. Faust puts a particularly interesting gender perspective on the draft exemption for those owning 20+ slaves. Normally, this exemption is viewed solely in class terms: "Rich man's war, poor man's fight." Faust, however, brings attention to the fear that white women experienced being left alone to manage large slave populations without a man's help. Women feared murder and uprisings from a slave population that was growing increasingly rebellious. The priority ultimately given to equitably treating draft-age white men and the burden of managing slaves led to a decline in women's support for the slave system and for the Confederacy, she argues.

In addition to slave management, Faust explores other ways in which the war caused elite white women to step into traditional male roles. From the very beginning, secession and the war led to much greater involvement by women in the public sphere. Although politics had been considered the province of men, secession was a topic that no one could stop discussing-women included. The banding together of women to support the war effort also proved a new experience for southern women. Unlike their northern sisters, southern women typically had not been involved in social organizations before the war.

Faust's book includes a fascinating discussion about attitudes toward the refugee experience. In particular, she notes that becoming a refugee was the civilian equivalent of buying a substitute for the draft. A refugee, the term implied, had the money and connections to make a planned departure from home-often to protect property. In support of this view, she cites the diary of Mary Lee of Winchester, who disdained the term refugee in favor of "displaced person" to describe those fleeing with little in the face of the enemy.

"Mothers of Invention" contains one of the most interesting analyses of the hoop skirt that I have seen. Faust notes that the trend for full skirts, ultimately supported by hoops, coincided with the Victorian ideals of domesticity and women's separate sphere. The caged crinoline or hoop offered women a portable enclosed private space and the wide skirts symbolized a circle in which women were protected. In an era where upper-class women's sexuality was repressed, the style also hid and reformed female anatomy. The conspicuous consumption of fabric and the difficulty performing physical labor in these skirts made a class statement as well.

"Mothers of Invention" provides a good overview of the different ways that the war affected southern women's lives, including changes within the household, relations between husbands and wives, paid employment outside the home, the likelihood that young women would remain single due to the deaths of so many young men, religious views on the war, increased educational opportunities for women, dealing with Yankee men, etc. Her accessible writing style and use of interesting quotes and numerous pictures make this a relatively quick read. The book is well-organized with subheadings that make locating important points quite easy.

For those interested in exploring the southern woman's war experience, this book would be a good starting point for gaining some good general knowledge. Readers should keep in mind, however, that Faust is focusing on elite and middle-class women, and that the experiences and attitudes she describes do not reflect the lives of lower-class women.

The subject matter is hard to find a book on, much less a good read, thus this book is a rarity, and it is very very well done.

It's a very trustworthy read with no opinionated ego trips and an amazing amount of information. Drew Faust is the queen of primary sources. Everything you read by her is straight from an original. She truly does her research, then puts it in a form that is a delightful and captivating read. I found "Mother of Invention" to not only be incredibly informative (you'll learn quite a bit in one sentence) but and outstanding book that I vied to pick up even more than a novel.

There's something incredibly satisfying in reading a research book and actually really remembering it because you liked it.

Gilpin'book is a quite complex survey on the functioning of the global economy. However, taking such a broad issue in the limitid scope of the book allows him not to analyze the topic in the broader detail. What I find interesting is that the author asserts the world economy is dominated by the United States and they are maintaining their dominance by certain privileges: dominance of US dollar in the international monetary system, creating the international financial architecture with controling its institutions and making the rules of the international trading system. He employs for this setting the international regime, whose main attribute is the presence of the hegemon in the background of the system. He realistically analyzes the position of nation-state in contemporary world economy. He originally finds the new roles for the nation-state as growth promoter of high-tech industries, constructer of the international trade and financial regime. He puts evidence of the continuing differences between three models of capitaism: that of Germany, USA and Japan. In the analysis of the relationship between MNCs and the nation-states he asserts the depence of the former on latter and not conversely as frequently claimed. In every chapter he provides the range of opinions on each particular segment of GPE and combines it with his own view, trying to pick up the best from each of the political economy branches. However, in the chapters about international trading, financial and monatary system I miss a more deep and sophisticated perspective about future development.

This is an outstanding update of the author's earlier book, The Political Economy of International Relations (1987). It is meant to complement Gilpin's more recent work, The Challenge of Global Capitalism (2000). In Global Political Economy, Gilpin discusses a wide range of theories in the field combining careful textual analysis with advocacy of his own views. The author's own theoretical stance is one of "state-centric realism." He identifies with authors like Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hans Morgenthau, but not with what he calls the "systemic realism" of authors like Kenneth Waltz. While he admires and uses the work of contemporary economists, he also carefully differentiates his approach from theirs (in Chapter 3). Except for a brief acknowledgement of the difficulty of explaining European integration in state-centric realist terms (in Chapter 13) and a bit of defensiveness on the continued value of theories of hegemonial stability (in Chapter 4), Gilpin does a good job of defending his views.

The author does an excellent job of surveying recent work in economics without resorting to jargon. There are outstanding treatments of topics like the continued relevance of Heckscher-Ohlin trade theory, strategic trade, endogenous growth theory, and the new economic geography. The discussion of the globalization of international finance in Chapter 10 emphasizes the need to take into account the "increased interdependence of trade, monetary, and other aspects of the international economy" that results from "[m]ovement toward a single, globally integrated market for corporation ownership" (277). Chapter 11 provides a state-of-the-art discussion of the role of multinational corporations in the world economy. Chapter 12 does a fine job of discussing the likely future of theories of the developmental state in light of the Asian Crises of the late 1990s. The final chapter lays out three major scenarios for governance of the world economy, informed as always by the author's realist views.

This book is long and dense. There are few wasted or unnecessary words. It is not easy to read. However, it could be used for graduate seminars or upper-division undergraduate courses in international political economy in conjunction with texts that are more empirical or descriptive in their treatment of international political economy.

Global Political Economy is an excellent book. It represents a major and successful updating of The Political Economy of International Relations. Any person interested in international political economy can profit from reading it.

Gilpin's survey offers undergrads an introduction to globalization by discussing the substance and the theoretical debates on "What is political economy," international trade and finance, MNCs, and the role of the state and international institutions. I found its chapters worked great with students when combined with a relevant current events article from the Economist or FT, for example. For graduate students and other professionals new to i.p.e., it provides a summary or introduction to several important debates, with direction to the original texts and critics - useful that way as a primer or a reference book. (February 2002)

This is the best book for an adult returning to college. Not only does it cover the same basics that the other books cover (about financial aid, getting to know your campus, and dealing with teachers), but it also covers the emotional side of your college experience, how to gain support from those around you, and how to prepare for professionalism rather than for just a job.

Dr. Siebert takes his many years of research into the Survivor Personality (another good book) and makes it applicable and usable to the non-traditional college student. If I hadn't had this book my first term, I may have quit college.

I thought the book covered everything from deciding to attend college to getting a job once you've graduated beautifully. The most useful information is by far the study tips! I liked it so much I'm buying a copy for a friend.

I am returning to college after 15 years. This book answered many of my questions about returning to school; such as how to study for tests, taking good notes, and how to juggle all my responsibilites including going to school. It took away some of the anxieties I was feeling about returning to school.

Of course neo-conservatives and the pro-war left will chant at me that the world has changed since the US/UK entente acted bilaterally and did not approach the UN for a second resolution on Iraq. Save your breath! I've heard it all before...

When the dust settles and there is a world realignment, the realist tendencies of states will again rise to dominate IR. You can even quote me on it.

I'm sure the framers of NAFTA and the FTAA had just these ideas in mind. Students of IPE: take notes!

This is an extremely pertinent book for the next millenium. It is also quite popular in policy circles inside the Beltway. It is an indeispensible text for all Americans concerned with the future of international trade and the ongoing pathologies of our current trade regimes and the power relations they sustain to the detriment of the vast majority of human beings and the planet. It is thorough and scholarly throughout. While it is best read with a cup of Joe on a rainy day, it is worth the time and pays rereading many times over in light of current events. It's only shortcoming is it's neglect of the ecological dimensions of international trade and politics, nevertheless, it is a book for all who care about the human future.

Robert Gilpin's in-depth coverage of the multi-faceted world of political economy comes to fruition in tedium in the pages of this book. There is not a single author who puts together a traditional or classical view of the enviornment, international relations, economic policy, and strategy in such a comprehensive manner. Gilpin shows his true scholarly intellect of those before him and provides encouragement for those to follow.

Definitely helps you get yourself pointed in the right direction. My only complaint is some bad links on the webpages recommended.

Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, The Adult Student's Guide To Survival And Success shows the adult learner how to overcome fears, study and pass tests, get financial help, gain family support, balance work and college, create a portfolio, be resilient and adaptable, use Internet resource, achieve educational and technical proficiency. The collaborative effort of educators and psychologists Al Siebert, Bernadine Gilpin, and Mary Karry, The Adult Student's Guide To Survival And Success is enhanced with a website of its own and this new edition shows how to go online to practice, develop Internet skills, and even take educational courses online. The Adult Student's Guide To Survival And Success is "must" reading for anyone returning to school after a prolonged absence due to parenthood, career changes, or retirement.

Robert Gilpin's work is the best-known and most influential within the Hegemonic Realist paradigm. Hegemonic Realism is a school of thought which views International Relations as organized hierarchically, with each state vying for the top position in order to gain the benefits of being the number one state. In Gilpins' words "Throughout history a principal objective of states has been the conquest of territory in order to advance economic, security, and other interests". War occurs when a rising state challenges the current hegemon, and seeks to overtake the priviliged postion. On the other hand, when one state is firmly in control, they institute a stable economic system which tends to keep the peace. There are serious problems with Hegemonic Realist theory, however, as well as Gilpin's own version of it. The first is the deductive logic behind the theory. Surely Gilpin is correct when he asserts that states have always sought conquest and territorial expansion. However, he is wrong about the motive. States seek security above all. Economic interests are not a main motive. Wars generally cost more than they could possibly gain in monetary terms. Major wars are especially costly, and no state would seek a major war with huge losses in order to gain a top position. Rather, states start wars to protect themselves from potential destruction. There are also major empirical problems with this theory, in that there really hasn't been a case of a rising power starting a war with the current hegemon. Part of this is due to the fact that Hegemonic theory only looks at the two strongest states, factoring out all the other Great Powers. But in a Multipolar system, the other states matter as well. Hegemonic Realism, for all its flaws, has made one major contribution to scholarship: The concept of state power as changing rather than fixed, as well as the concept of future expectations of power trends. This concept has been incorporated by Dale Copeland in "The Origins of Major War." Other than that however, Gilpin and his colleagues have little to offer.

For many years I have relied on War & Change in World Politics as a structural guide to examining international relations. Gilpin's classic work provides, both clear historical and theoretical support to augument his argument. His thoughts reside firmly in the realist tradition, but adds to the richness of that paradigm through focusing on transition. Gilpin correctly argued that,"Throughout history a principal objective of states has been the conquest of territory in order to advance economic, security, and other interests. Whether by means of imperialist subjugation of one people by another or by annexation of contiguous territory, states in all ages have sought to enlarge their control over territory and, by implication, their control over the international system. For this reason, a theory of international political change must of necessity also be a theory of imperialism and political integration.(23) The firm goal of Gilpin is to creat a theory of the transition of power relations. I believe that he has provided the initial steps through his courageous attempt to provide framework developing a theory of change. I first read War & Change while residing in Western and Central Europe, from 1989 to 1999. I was at the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, The Gulf War, and witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. Gilpin's book provided structure to my studies and my personal search for understanding of the dynamics of these profound changes in societies. I evaluated theories of economism, based on American capitalism versus European and Japanese socialism and the belief in a new tri-polar order and found them theoretically broken down in War & Change. Gilpin argued that,"Although multipolar systems can become tripolar, the more usual occurrence is for bipolar systems to become tripolar, and as Waltz correctly observed, tripolar systems tend to be the most unstable os all....Thus the emergence of a powerful China, Japan, or united Europe would undoubtedly prove to be a destabilizing factor in contemporary world politics."(91) The explosion of the Internet changed for many the equation of power. However, the technological catch up tactics of Japan in the 1980s had many Americans worrying that it's comparative advantage was being lost. The Internet will decrease the curve and the trajectory of technological catchup policies. Take a read of pages 173-178 to fully appreciate Gilpin's analysis of pre-Internet military and technological trends. The ideas of democracy as the only legitimste form of government were dismayed by my real life experiences and I found support and faults in my analysis of this situation in Gilpin's work. In closing, I believe that Gilpin needed to concentrate his argument more on a particular structure of change. However, because of the wide range of issues that increase the factors of change and the trajectories of states an explanation of change that requires this drift was almost a necessity. For any student of international relations or history War & Change in World Politics is rich in references and advice for structuring an analysis. My belief is that this is a fundamental book in understanding the changes occurring now and that will be in the future.

Although somewhat dated, "War and Change" is one of the great books in International Relations Theory. Robert Gilpin puts forth the theory that would inspire Paul Kennedy to write his "Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" years later. Gilpin's theory is basically this: powerful states in the international system tend to spend a lot to maintain its militar proeminance. But while it is wasting a lot of money to enforce the "rules" of the system, revisionist powers can compete with less costs. When there is a "de facto" balance between these powers, there's an hegemonic war that settles it straight. And then, there is a new cycle. "War and Change" is really worth reading and it shows a different position in the "neorealist" debate inaugurated by Kenneth Waltz in his "Theory of International Politics". A final advice: just read it if you're a bit aquainted with IR theory, or else it'll be pretty boring.

I thought that this book was wonderful, it's content was direct and to the point while still telling a wonderful story of this woman's struggles of keeping secrect among the Union soldiers. I love this story and I would recomend it to anyone that has an inerest in the Civil War.

How amazed but delighted I was to still find this book in print. Having travelled in Utah and Arizona, and being a Tony Hillerman fan, I just picked this up "on spec". The only fault I can find is a bit more detail than I want occasionally on the author's travels, but her photos, altho mostly black and white, are priceless, as much for their historical aspect as anything. Being fascinated with jewelry and crafts, just seeing the old style Navajo jewelry, and noticing the change since the 1930's, was interesting enough. (One of my junior high teachers in the 50's had a huge concha belt and necklace - a rarity on the East coast where I grew up.) I learned some things here I hadn't seen in a much more recent specialty book on Southwest Indian jewelry.Details of spinning and rug making are well written and illustrated with clear photos.

The author, Laura Gilpin, must herself be quite a remarkable person to have managed all the photos in the 30's with such old, large equipment in rough country. Her own personality comes through in her sympathetic yet not condescending approach to the people she meets. Her personal accounts of incidents, people and places are a delight. Certainly her view is positive and presents the people in a view very similar to Tony Hillerman. I would think his fans would love the book. She delves into history, religion, families, attitudes, lifestyle and many more things. Reading it today, it is possible to see the fruition of some of the plans for irrigation and improvement started when the photos were taken. A great source for any Hillerman fan, and a study of a people by a friend of those people.

It was refreshing to read true-to-life accounts of situations similar to what we have encountered with our 15 year old son who has autism. This is a book that you must read if you love someone who has autism. You will laugh and cry as you identify with the situations.