DUTIES, PLEASURES and CONFLICTS is a fine collection of essays and short stories by Jamaican-American political activist and scholar, Michael Thelwell. Thelwell is the author of the justly reputed novel, "The Harder They Come" based on the more widely-known cult film. In these essays Thelwell's experience as a Civil Rights organizer in Mississippi, and a founder of SNCC (The Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee; later to be transformed by its more radical chairman, Stokely Carmichael into The Black Panther Party) is brought to bear in some eloquent commentary on the nature of the early 60's civil rights movement in the deep South. His excellent, powerfully ironic short story, "The Organizer" (about a Klan bombing of a church and the "pragmatic" decision by Organizers to capitalize on the tragedy by manipulating its "shock-stock" in the National media) is also included. The quality of writing in these pieces warrants the observation that Thelwell's superb command of irony illuminates rather than masks or trivializes insights into the the battle for humanity and freedom for men, women and children of all races and ethnic backgrounds. The book is graceful and literary without dry pedantry. It is also "living literature"...not a PC tract or shrill political manifesto. The last essay...."God aint Finished with Us Yet"... concerns the presidential campaign(s) of Jesse Jackson. Here a bluntly vitriolic tone does occasionally overwhelm Thelwell's characteristic skill in understating what he may, in fact, regard as most urgent and attention-deserving themes. To readers who might be critical of this final piece as lacking the grace evidenced in the other, demonstrably excellent essays and stories comprising the collection, author Thelwell might retort...to both Democrats and Republicans alike..."So what! Look at...ponder if your sensibilities permit...what you've got running for President now..." Or maybe not. Thelwell is writing what is proposed as the definitive biography of Stokely Carmichael...who repudiated his western/Christian name to assume the name Kwame Ture. I have seen a substantive draft of this work-in-progress and assure the reader that the story of this well-known (loved, despised or dismissively ridiculed) civil rights leader deserves to be read. Thelwell's "DUTIES, PLEASURES, and CONFLICTS," makes it manifestly evident that he is the man to tell this story and make it accessible and moving to any reader interested in intelligent, political discourse.

I am not very handy and have yet to do any ideas from this book (i just bought my first home and haven't had the time yet) but the ideas are SO easy and awesome. You know how you buy a book like this and only like an idea here and there and the book is a waste of money? NOT THIS BOOK! Well worth the money!

Simple maps, Every possible denomination of manmade site to visit from castles to prehistoric sites to bridges. roads could be more detailed, driving times would be nice, no typical "touristy" info on where to eat, drink, sleep, etc. I wish the sections were all in one book. Recommended for people visiting Scotland that aren't there to party or shop. Chapters include: history of region, several excursions( tour routes), towns, industrial monuments and harbours, communications, rural buildings, mansions and memorials, artillery forts and barracks, castles, ecclesiastical monuments, dark age carved stones, forts, brochs and settlements, cairns and standing stones. lots of pics.

In approaching world history there's nothing wrong with starting (or refreshing your memory) with a book like this. This book provides a quick outline of world history by devoting ten sections to the main regions of the world and then going through the history of each region by outlining its history in sections of Ancient, Classical, Medieval, and, Modern Civilization. (Discussions and disputes over 'theories of history' and how history should be seen and etc. are out of place because this book only has a simple goal of presenting basic historical knowledge through time in every part of the globe in order to give a reader a basic perspective of the entire picture before the reader may choose to move on to more extensive works or particular studies...) The ten regions of the world it covers are: the Middle East; European Civilization; Russian Civilization; North America; Latin America; India and Southwest Asia; China; Japan; Southeast Asia; and Sub-Sahara Africa. This book together with a good, basic book on geography will give a reader a beginning overall perspective of his or her world in time and space...

After the end of the Second World War, a number of African Americans, including many of our most talented intellectuals, decided that America was just not a sufficiently hospitable home. Those who could left for Europe. Many, landed in Paris, which provided a far more civilized society.

Literary giants like James Baldwin, Richard Wright and other intellectuals found a place where their worth was determined by things more significant than skin color. This is the story of their experiences.

Another book worth searching for.

Authoritative and concise descriptions of various remote ski trips in the BC Coast Mountains. Well written and appealingly understated, the author's extensive travels are succinctly laid out, inspiring the adventurous, at least in the case of this reader. As an avid backcountry skier, I find this book an essential reference for accessing the numerous incredible backcountry routes characteristic of the Coast Mountains.

This short guide is a must for new immigrants or even kids leaving for college. Covers everything from setting up housekeeping and bank accounts to how, exactly, to wash dishes! Clear and concise it's also a delightful look at our culture from an "outsiders" point of view.

This is a wonderful, fun book that teaches you historical information while you have fun reading a book. It is also good if you are ever taking a vacation to Boston it give you a map of Boston and it also helps you to know what historical sites to go see. If you are someone who doesn't like to learn about historical things, this book is perfect for you. It discuises it in the story.

this is not about the book above... i didnt not buy it but i need information from it so................ listen up !! on this site you need to have a place where you can find a book and then the person can look in it to FIND information. some people dont want to buy the damn book ok. i need some information for a report and i have to buy the damn book to get information.... I DONT THINK SO...... i am very disapointed with this... but anyway this is all i have to say for right now..... so you need to do this.. dont be mad for this letter i am just telling you what i think.. you know peoples opinion..... bye!! oh yea and i am 14 years old

GETTING BETTER TOGETHER is about your marriage relationship and how to recover the closeness and fun times that you once had. Tips on communication, conflict resolution and other important factors will help in the process. Here is a quote from a letter the author received:

"Our homes are in such serious condition today. So many of them are coming apart and I was just amazed at this article [excerpt from GETTING BETTER TOGETHER] that I thought did such a good job in encouraging families to stay together and in telling them how to do it." --D.F., Pastor, Indianapolis, IN