Marx once wrote to a friend that he did not feel his contribution was the discovery of the material underpinnings of politics nor the existence of class conflict but rather identifying the central role that the working class was to play in the struggle toward socialism. Luxemburg felt that the role of a party was to support the spontaneous movement of the working class toward that goal. For her spontaneous did not mean impulsive as in unplanned but rather organic, beyond the capacity of a party to predict, but which a party must engage, educate, and support. A quick and good read.

We have so much for which to thank both Mr. Nitze and Mr. Talbott that reading this book ought to be a requirement for every adequately informed American citizen. Both these citizens of the world and American patriot are certainly proven heroes for any self-respecting would-be statesmen. Nitze's stellar personal integrity and unique genius as a negotiator are carefully examined by Talbott, his successor as America's foremost peacemaking Cold Warrior and eventual steward of world peace. History will honor both men long after we all have passed and been forgotten with the rest. In addition, Talbott's gifts as a reporter and writer are vividly on display.

This is a very beautiful book. It abounds with treasuered monuments and the marvels of nature across the globe. It is a book for conservationists, sponsered by UNESCO and as such it takes a turn that most books of its kind do not.

What struck me immediately about this book was that the pictures are "different". After a few minutes I realized why. These pictures succeed in making all of these glorious sights somehow more real, more tangible and infinitely more accessible. Sometimes the traditional view is taken from another angle and it shows the section of the building that is crumbling. Often there are people photographs where it's uncommone to see them. Overall, the color is softer, more human than most large picture books and the result is a very beautiful book.

The book is divided by country with informative text in each section. Bear in mind that I bought this as a picture book. Yet I found myself reading the text over and over.

Each item is explained with its location, a description, and its significance, but that is such a dry way to explain this book.

The book has history and life on every page.

UNESCO is dedicated to saving so many things. I will try just to list some of the gorgeous items in these pages: Machu Piccu, Iguazu Falls, Lord Howe Island, The Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor, Mon St. Michel, Tikal, Ellora Caves, Darien National Park in Panama, Chan Chan, Auschwitz, Tower of Elem, Garajonay National Park, Carthage.

This is a very stirring book. I wish I could do it justice

This book is phenominal! Wainwright explains the critical, current discussion points between Methodists an nearly every major Christian group: including Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and the rest of the main-line protestant tradition. This is actually a great book on systematic theology, at least from a Wesleyan prespective. Wainwright clearly outlines the bases for future ecumenical dialogue and identifies the points where disagreement and tension are likely to persist. The book is fair and fascinating.

This is a great introduction to Mikhail Gorbachev for younger (and not-so-younger) readers. Gorbachev's reform movement was unlike anything anyone had ever seen in the then-Soviet Union. He helped vastly improve U.S.-Soviet relations and gave greater freedom and ultimately independence to the Soviet republics.

This book, edited by Tom Head, is a compilation of articles published elsewhere that brings together the personal and professional history of one of the great men of the twentieth century.

Clearly, a superior choice for individuals and the library & schools market. I found it quite readable and I haven't been a youth for quite some time!

In Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15: The Soviet Union's Long-Lived Korean War Fighter, Yefim Gordon provides the military aviation enthusiast with a comprehensive, profusely illustrated, descriptive history of a formidable fighting aircraft that was, in its time, a staple of the Soviet airforce. Schematics, historical photos, and a wealth of detailed aeronautical and design information is provided for all of the various versions and varieties of this combat aircraft. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 is a welcome and informative addition to any professional, and academic aviation history collection, and a "must" for military aviation buffs.

I picked up this title with the expectation of it being just another dry policy wonk-ish paper from the International Institute of Strategic Studies, but I was surprised to find it not just timely and interesting but also easy to read and understand. I sat down and finished it in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Thomas spells out clearly America's practical and political needs for undertaking future military operations in coalitions. Using examples of coalition operations of the past 2 decades, but particularly the examples of the Gulf War and Kosovo, he highlights the hindrances facing the US, France, Germany, and the UK--each with a unique set of circumstances--in building and contributing to future coalitions. He also proposes a realistic "division of labor" to allow each country to maximize its "competitive advantage" for effective contributions to future coaltions. Highly recommended for anyone interested in America's near-term defense and national security challenges.

This fascinating book written by Ravil Bukharayev is an excellent example of serious, scholarly approach to the subject of economic and political reform in post-Communist societies. This is a book that ought to be recommended to Vladimir Putin, the leader who is expected to continue the course of reforms in Russia. Tatarstan's example of slow but steady movement toward the market economy and democratic system ought to be emulated by Russia, which over the last 10 years stumbled from one crisis to another on its way to the same goal. President Shaimiyev's leadership in Tatarstan ensured a much more successful and effective transition to what Russia has been trying to achive without much success.

This book provides an excellent look at the current social andcultural aspects of Russian society as well as some historical background. The manner in which the well-researched information is presented is outstanding. For me, understanding the Russian culture was rather like being in a dark room. This book turned on the lights in that room. After reading Modern Russia, I felt very well informed about Russian society, past and present. I found the book to be a treasure of information.

Little is known regarding prisons located inside Russian Orthodox Monasteries for the incarceration of religious dissenters and sectarians, political activists and criminals. This book focuses on the history of such a prison system and the lives and convictions of the inmates subject to incarceration by Imperial Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. The period covered begins 1441, with the arrival of Isidore, the metropolitan of Moscow, to the Moscow Chudov (Miracles) Monastery for incarceration, and ends 1905, when the final inmates were released from the Suzdal Spasso-Evfimiev Monastery, coincident with the edict of religious toleration of Tsar Nicholas II. Likewise included are the women incarcerated in convents over the same period. This is a part of history that is unknown to the non-Russian speaking world and which the author hopes to unveil. With 11 photographs.