"Emancipation Still Comin'" is a fascinating exploration of the role of theology, particularly theories of liberation theology, in Caribbean socioeconomic development. A weighty subject indeed; and while a lesser talent may have been tempted to intimidate readers with bombast and didacticism, the Antiguan-born author captivates his audience with seasoned prose, borrowing liberally from popular Caribbean colloquialisms. He persuasively delivers the central theme of "Emancipation": that religion, among the most powerful tools of subjugation employed by colonial masters, also contains the seeds for social and economic liberation of the oppressed. Already considered essential reading for the Caribbean progressive, "Emancipation" belongs in the global pantheon of theological literature. It is a masterpiece.

This exceptional academic book should be considered a benchmark in the research on the social psychology of empathy and altruism. Covering both the affective and cognitive, individual differences, origins, and interpersonal aspects of empathy, this book summerizes completely and clearly nummerous theories in this area. Dr. Davis writes in a clearly knowledgeable style that is both compelling and humorous. This is definately a must for any psychologist in the area of interpersonal relations, and for anyone looking to understand the kindness and understanding that is exhibited by humanity.

Although there are probably as many theodicies as there are people in the world, Stephen Davis does a fine job selecting scholars who represent various, major viewpoints on the classic problem of evil to elucidate their positions. John Roth represents a theodicy of protest whereby it is insinuated that God may not be totally good. God, says Roth, has a dark side and so must be persuaded by human protest and prayer to do what is right. Hick, of course, represents the position of an Irenean theodicy where God is portrayed as simply unable to stop all evil since evil is born our of free will and God cannot contradict the free will He gave us (lest it cease being free will). More than that, however, God has created a world in which trouble and evil exist in order that, by virtue of our free will, we might grow in character through the hardship. God, says Hick, is in the business of soul-making and has an overall plan for us as His creation to grow into spiritual maturity through the joys and sufferings of this life. Davis takes the classic Christian perspective position that evil is the result of human sin, that Jesus died to redeem us of that sin. We are responsible for the evil in the world, but God has created a way to redeem the world by taking sin on Himself in the form of Jesus Christ. By recieving Christ into our lives, not only are we promised a future in eternity without evil, but we are able to grow through the sufferings of life instead of shun them as worthless. He argues that there is no logical contradiction between the Biblical God (omnipotent and omnibenevolent) and the existence of evil in the world. Griffin represents the process theology position that God is evolving with the creation and so is learning as He goes. Matter, says Griffin, is eternal like God and has its own kind of "free will." Complexity in the arrangement of matter, furthermore, is tied to the amount of free will something has. Thus a rock can do less evil and yet God is less able to use it for good, but something as complex (and thus having more free will) as a human is capable of doing much more evil by resisting God and much more good by submitting to God. Finally, Sontag takes a highly skeptical position about God's goodness. God is unpredictable and violent at times and all we can do is hope for the best. We must acknowledge God's existence and power, but Sontag's god is semi-demonic in nature which explains evil in the world and why he doesn't stop it.

Of course, this small review doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the indepth and well written arguments of each of these scholars. The book is complex enough for college and graduate classes but written with the lay-person in mind as well (the writers are careful to define their terms in most cases). Also, I really enjoyed the fact that each contributor has the opportunity to critique the other's theodicies and then the chance to defend against the other's critiques. This point/counterpoint approach was excellent and informative.

My only critique of this book is the subtitle ("Live Options in Theodicy"). While the five views represented in this book are indeed reflective of five major worldviews of the problem of evil, they are not the only *live* options. To suggest so implies that any theodicy significantly different than those represented in the book is not a valid option. But because the problem of evil is more of a mystery and less of a logical problem to be solved with a fancy syllogism, it can be approached in a number of ways -- not just five.

there are only 3 words to describe this book- It Is Great- from the pics to the tips!

As a molecular biology student I find this book a very good quick reference. It outlines all the major terms and explains them very well. As far as doing reports and assignments is concerned, for me this has got to be the most valuable starting point. It contains excellent diagrams which are easy to understand and follow. I would recommend this even to a non biologist. Naz Bradford

In a tone as bleak, and yet majestically beautiful as the Badlands themselves, author Kathryn Lynn Davis presents a tale of madness, jealousy, passion and murder when the past meets the present. Betrayal and treachery haunts the grossly lands and towering cliffs, burning like the purposefully set fire set to destroy the Vallombrosa cattle range. As this timeless epic saga culminates in the changing century, the whisper of secrets becomes a raging inferno that threatens to destroy them all.

Phillip de Vallombrosa follows his father's dream to succeed over the forces of the untamed land. Following his father's death in the deserts of Africa, Phillip and his family, including his stepmother Medora, leave Paris behind to return to the enterprise his father abandoned fourteen years ago. There the Vallombrosas resurrect a business venture intended to ship freshly butchered and packaged meat to the meatpacking plants of Chicago. Unfortunately, dangerous and ruthless enemies intend to see the Vallombrosa business fail again. A neighboring rancher and his family will stop at nothing to destroy the Vallombosa, blaming old wounds and desperate secrets for the pain of the present. Retribution becomes their motive for destruction, and they will stop at nothing to have their revenge.

At twenty-six, Mianne fits in neither the Sioux world of her mother, nor the white world of her father. She and her father were left at the Chateau in the Badlands to care for the property until the Vallombrosas' return. Now Phillip finds not the elusive, ethereal girl he left behind, but the wildly passionate, and extremely private woman who refuses to allow anyone to touch her heart. Yet her love for Phillip leads to their marriage, even as she refuses to reveal the secrets of her heart. Indeed, her passion for Phillip proves to be as untamed and dangerous as the feelings still felt by her rival Katheryn, who vows to have Phillip for herself, or to destroy him so that no one might have him.

Originally penned in 1984, THE ENDLESS SKY is certainly worthy of reprint, especially for those of us who haven't previously discovered this author's work. Kathryn Lynn Davis pens an extremely complex tale with many subplots that tie back into a dark tale of revenge and betrayal. Her characters are realistically multifaceted, with deep felt hatreds, joys, jealousies and dreams. With a master's precision, she weaves these multihued elements into an intricate whole that dazzles the reader. Further, the breath taking magnificence of the Badlands provides an evocative background rich with legend and meaning. Despite the complexity of characterizations, however, the narrative flows with a richness and simplicity that marks this novel as an outstanding read. Very highly recommended.

This book, seven strong chapters and a brief, personal Preface, ably discusses and deconstructs historic notions of disability ("the missing term in the race, class gender triad")and fully describes the harrowingly destructive - because so socially, culturally, and psychically damaging - concept of 'the norm,' historic uses (and abuse) of the body, and with it: the body politic.

Dr Davis supplies the reader with a bit of context. He grew up as the hearing child of Deaf parents in New York's South Bronx, where his parents, he reports, "were as good as any other person in the South Bronx, which is to say they were pretty badly off."

Chapter Four, "Nationalism and Deafness: The Nineteenth Century" offers historic perspectives on deafness, including the fact that by the beginning of the nineteenth century, sign language had become a transnational language. Anyone fluent in sign language could communicate with any other signer - worldwide. This is no small thing. The Deaf "became a subgroup within each state throughout Europe." Some additional topics are: oralism and sign language, disability, class, nationalism, eugenics, politics, poverty, industrialization, and health. The bigger concepts of inclusion and exclusion are touched upon, too.

"Deafness and Insight" is a challenging and complex chapter in which Davis explores "deafness as a critical modality." A main assertion throughout this book is that the concept of the "normal" body informs cultural assumptions about art, literature, and the totality, in fact, of culture.

Other chapters with much to offer and challenge the reader are "Universalizing Marginality," in which Davis explores the reasons behind the intense cultural and philosophical interest during the European eighteenth century of deafness. Health and 'fitness,' images of the 'normal' and the not-normal body, and the fact that disability is most often an acquired thing (you get hurt or get old - and wind up with a 'disability.') are investigated. Art, literature, and media are cited with success.

This is a book that is thought-provoking, remarkably informative, and completely worth the effort it requires. Dr. Davis'world view is clearly presented and wholly graspable. His methods of analysis are consistently intellectually muscular, Occasionally he ventures into academic methodologies that are a bit out of the range of the common reader. Tough stuff, and worth the effort. Many pages of endnotes, a (long) list of works cited, and a very good index.

This book covers an area of increasing importance, ie the design and implementation of modern distributed object systems. It combines details of the technologies, eg. CORBA and COM, with design notations and issues, eg. UML and scalability. As such, it fills a very important gap in the market and deserves to be successful. I know of no other book that tackes these issues in the same coherent manner.

I have been teaching these topics for the last three years on undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and have had to use a variety of different literature resouces. This book now provides me with an excellent core text - well written and presented, with good explanations of complex issues.

Many thanks, Wolfgang. I can thoroughly recommend this book to teachers and researchers in this area.

Davis shows that Ferdowsi's Shahnameh is not just a celebratory chronicle of Persian monarchy, but an examination of the relationship and duties between ruler and ruled. My first encounter with the Shahnameh was in high school where I was informed that the story of Rostam and Sohrab indicates an Iranian penchant for treachery. A Viking romance with essentially the same story somehow does not indicate the same for Norwegians.

It is hoped that Epic & Sedition will bring more attention to this great piece of world literature or at the very least dispell some of the more extreme Orientalist analyses of the poem.

I first discovered Justine Davis when I read "The Sky Pirate" and thought it was worth the effort to read one of her category romances. Wow! Was I impressed. As part of the 'spellbound' series, this story dealt with something supernatural, namely, one Evangeline Law. An angel intent on saving souls, Evangeline meets up with Dalton Mackay by accident while on assignment. While he isn't part of her mission, she can't but feel attracted and things continue from there. Now, how can an angel and a human find happily ever after, well, let's just say this was one of the most unique endings to a romance that I have ever read and the story had me at times both bursting into laughter and into tears. Though few have heard of it, this is must read of any fan and supporter of category romances. This is what they should all be like.