In LEARNING TO CURSE, Stephen Greenblatt presents a collection of his essays on the works of Shakespeare, Spencer and other authors of the 16th century. The book takes it's title from his first essay, an examination of "The Tempest" by Shakespeare.

Greenblatt asks if one can understand a work of art without reference to the artist, his audience, and the social context of period within which the artist worked. He also asks if different audiences in different periods have had similar reactions to the work or even if different people in the same audience in the same period have had the the same reaction. Does a work of art have an intrinsic value that transcends the individual experience over time?

On the other hand, Greenblatt says that while the historical context within which the work of art was created is important, it is critical the scholar realize history is not fixed. Using ideas gleaned from the "new historicism" as well as ethnographic and sociological notions, Greenblatt provokes the reader to rethink the idea of 'historical context'.

He says his critical approach has been concerned with recovering "as far as possible the historical circumstances" of aesthetic production without viewing history "as a stable prefabricated background against which literary texts can be placed." Instead, he sees the historical context as a "dense network of evolving and often contradictory social forces."

The essays in this little volume investigate and interpret a series of literary works by authors from Shakespeare to Martin Luther and Thomas Moore. Greenblatt has included a interesting essay on the case of Martin Guerre in 14th Century France in which he explores the ideas of crime and capital punishment in association with the theft of personal identity in the Middle Ages.

I was favorably disposed toward Conger's compelling analysis in "Learning to Lead" before I began reading his book. I've been thoroughly impressed by his work thru' several articles he's written (one of which synthesizes the highlights of this book-length exposition in a shorter essay form). "L to L" is essentially a "connoisseurship study," with Conger himself in the primary role of scholarly expert/participant-observer. He writes parts of "L to L" in the first person, as he relates his experiences in several of the most popular leadership training programs available on the market today. But he supplements these more subjective impressions w/ more objective critiques of these programs in light of his more scholarly knowledge re: leadership education, as well. The result is a highly engaging, rewarding reflection that blends the immediacy of a compelling autobiography with the longer view and broader perspective of a savvy social-scientific treatise. Conger has mastered all the salient leadership literature during his long academic career. He thus knows extremely well the subject(s) he writes about here. Yet he complements this professorial persona in "L to L" with his more human, accessible side, too. His readers are thus treated to a very balanced, nuanced appraisal of the major pros & cons of most of the most popular leadership-training approaches one finds being practiced today. Conger uses the direct personal experience of training participants (plenty of others that he and his staff have interviewed, as well as his own) to ground the theory that informs his analysis. He understands the premises that undergird the various approaches he writes about, so he is able to illuminate the limitations as well as the inherent potential of each. I understand that Dr. Conger twice rec'd McGill University's Distinguished Teacher Award. It isn't hard to see from reading this volume why he is such an incisive and gifted educator. Although few of us may still be able to take graduate or undergraduate courses from Conger today, anyone who peruses his "Learning to Lead" will be richly rewarded by his trenchant insights about which combinations of leadership training programs might be most effective--and WHY. I recommend this book MOST ENTHUSIASTICALLY to leadership novices as well as more seasoned educators, trainers, and students in this crucially important and rapidly burgeoning field.

This book describes a strategic approach to dealing with very disturbed youth. Published in 1980, it remains a classic in the field.

Only an astrologer who's had to work with the non-daily (but up to now sole Lilith ephemeris by Jacobson) can truly bless Delphine Jay for her incredible research and publication of this book. At this half-way point through the year 2000, I am most anxious to hear that her beyond-2000 Lilith ephemeris is available. Thank you, Delphine, for making my chart-making life simpler!

I bought this book because I have started teaching my daughter Karate. I wanted a book that gave her some morals and values about violence in regards to Karate and I gotta say this hits the mark. She has taken the book to school for their reading time she liked it so much.

Uequivocally the best review on liver biopsy interpretation ever available. A must have for all hepatologists and pathologists.

Jay McDaniel does the near impossible with this long awaited book on spirituality: he manages to speak to our minds, our souls, our hearts, and our culture in one integrated, beautiful work. He speaks from the perspective of a Christian process theology which lends itself both to the mystical beauty of the contemplative movement and all the loving kindness of Buddhism. His critique of our consumer culture does not end with what's wrong, but offers an alternative that is rich, compelling, and Christian in the best sense of the word. I found his original, imaginative language to describe God (e.g.Open Space, The Freshness Deep Down, Sacred Whole)refreshing in a world of burned out images and buzz words. Like looking at piece of art, there were breathless moments in the reading of this book. A true masterpiece in the field of spirituality!

I picked this one up at our local library and read it cover to cover in one evening. It is a comprehensive look at what is involved in starting your own backyard flock. Great photos and nice layout make this a very appealing book.

STUNNING STORY. Deep dark plot. You won't be able to put it down

I received this as a gift, and I loved it! The postcards are prints of book covers from the 40's and 50's. Some are famous, others are just cool to look at. Buy two. One to keep. One to send.