This is a theology students dream. It must have taken one many years of serious study and labor to compile scripture references in this way. Passages from the holy books of every major and most minor religions are represented here and grouped side by side by topic for quick comparison. On almost every subject the harmony of thought is staggering! It makes one wonder why religious leaders ever quarrel with one another. It's a great book for study and even better to browse. I started reading it in my doctor's waiting room and got hooked. I found myself actualy looking forward to going to the doctor! If you'd like to sample divine wisdom from many cultures and ages. Buy this book and you'll refer to and enjoy it for a lifetime!

I received this book as a graduation present from my Unitarian Universalist church and I immediately starting flipping through it. The length is intimidating, but it's all quotes or short text, so there is no pressure to read it all. The beauty of the book is that it contains texts from so many religions that cover every area of life in such philosophical detail. It has answers, but leaves you with questions that you must answer yourself. I found this book especially useful for a Theory of Knowledge class I had last year. This book was constantly at hand and continually provided me with support for my arguments. This book is fascinating and thorough, and I encourage everyone to buy it regardless of your religious background.

This book takes different topics such as faith, dealing with adversity etc. and quotes various sacred text that discuss that topic. This book is a wonderful testament to the fact that we all believe in the same God even though we may call him by a different name and that we are all brothers and sisters. This book opened my eyes and introduced me to some sacred texts that I had never heard of and would like to learn more about.

The 5-minute pediatric consult is written in an easy to read outline format. The writers have eliminated unnecesary obscure data and offer a concise outline of all major pediatric diseases. The topics are designed to be read in 5 minutes or less and all the up to date information to diagnose and treat a specific illness is included. The topics are alphabetized, so they are easy to look up. The writers are accomplised experts in their fields and the book has been edited by the distinguished Dr. Schwartz, at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As a professor of Pediatrics, I highly recommend this book to practicing pediatricians, family practitioners, nurses and students.

when will the CD be available? I travel to several schools providing healthcare to uninsured children and would like to use this valuable reference. (a PNP)

love the format. listed alphabetically, the items are presented in a easy to read format. Just about all I want to know about the problem when working in a busy office. I can read more later but this gets the job done. an excellent 90's type of book. where is the CD?

Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan. The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy. Studies in Maritime History Series. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. xiv + 362 pp. Illustrations, references, and index..., ISBN 1-57003-319-6.

Reviewed by Gordon Boyce, School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand . Published by EH.Net (September, 2000)

In this well-written volume, Gibson and Donovan provide a concise analysis of American maritime policy from the early republic to the present. Their aim is to explain why since about 1860 the United States failed to achieve "its stated goal of promoting a commercially viable merchant marine engaged in foreign trade" even though a strong merchant navy was considered essential in times of national emergency. In so doing, Gibson and Donovan endeavour to furnish the historical background needed to guide future policy. Their advice is unequivocal: the government should eliminate restrictions and subsidies in order to let the industry operate freely on the same basis as its international rivals.

Yet, the argument does not come across as ideologically motivated or doctrinaire. Indeed, Gibson and Donovan carefully explain that America made a critical mistake by continuing to pursue protectionist practices. Specifically, the authorities required U.S. flagged vessels to be U.S.-owned and -built and reserved coastal trades for U.S. registered ships. Between 1830 and 1860, when America had an international comparative advantage in shipbuilding and formidable ship operating capabilities, these restrictions were unnecessary. After the Civil War, which caused the destruction of a large part of the national fleet, American shipbuilding lost its prowess as the shift from sail to steam and from wood to iron and later steel conferred advantages upon Britain's shipyards. Yet, U.S. flag restrictions compelled domestic operators to remain bound to an inefficient shipbuilding industry. The chosen solution was to provide subsidies, but these were inadequate to prevent a continued decline, especially as land ward opportunities offered greater returns. After 1880, the U.S. navy expanded as the country sought to enhance its international position, but the merchant marine withered to the extent that by 1900, American ships carried just eight percent of their country's foreign trade. During World War I, the consequences of this dangerous state of affairs finally revealed themselves, and the government responded by building and operating a huge fleet. It also passed the famous Shipping Act of 1916 which ignored international practices and compelled domestic and foreign ship owners servicing U.S. trades to operate within "open" conferences (rate-setting cartel-like organizations) that were subject to federal regulation.

America's policy settings were reinforced by subsequent legislation, which offered the industry more support in the form of postal, construction, and operating subsidies. The Shipping Act of 1920 committed the government to preserving a merchant marine capable of supporting the nation's trade and acting as a naval reserve and the Act of 1936 compelled ship operators to offer seafarers remuneration at levels above international standards. A divided union movement created chronically unstable labour relations to which ship owners responded by making generous concessions. Moreover, because the U.S. shipbuilding industry failed to exploit fully innovations (including modular construction) vessel costs were much higher than overseas. Subsidies, which were especially wasteful and corrupt in the 1930s, propped up the edifice. Political leaders were unwilling to make fundamental changes in the face of opposition from politically powerful interest groups. The fire sales of vessels that followed massive war-induced shipbuilding programmes gave the industry temporary fillips that could not compensate in the long-term for a lack of international comparative advantage.

By the 1980s, the link between commercial shipping and military support had been all but broken by changes in sealift requirements. (The army required Roll-on Roll-off vessels to carry heavy vehicles, but U.S. shipowners possessed few of these craft with the result that the world had a very close call when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.) Moreover, subsidies were becoming increasingly politically unpalatable. Currently, U.S. policies are completely out of touch with international conventions that allow the use of flags of convenience and support open registers.

Gibson and Donovan argue that the solution is to leave shipping free to meet foreign competition. By eliminating onerous registry rules and allowing American ship owners to buy vessels from foreign yards, to employ lower cost labour, and permit the same type of tax advantages enjoyed by international competitors, the U.S. might prevent the complete disappearance of its merchant marine. In so doing, the nation could preserve the industry's formidable innovative capabilities, while securing commercial and perhaps strategic advantages.

The Abandoned Ocean is not a typical "policy" book; it is written in a lively and compelling style, provides a broad context, and presents a clear analysis. This splendid volume will attract government officials, business historians, maritime historians, and economists. By highlighting the difficulty of regulating an international industry this volume indirectly offers guidance to those who might consider imposing restrictions on businesses like those conducted over the internet. It also draws attention to the way in which political factors that shape regulatory traditions can create enduring path dependency. The chapters on recent developments are particularly valuable. The Abandoned Ocean should be included in the reading lists of a variety of courses, including the economics of regulation, policy formulation and execution, and business and maritime history, as well. Individual chapters can be used as required reading for historical survey courses to develop maritime/international themes. Maritime historians will be anxious to see Gibson and Donovan's next work which examines the history of the container revolution.

Library of Congress call number: VK23 .G53 1999 Subjects: Merchant marine--United States--History Navigation--United States--History Citation: Gordon Boyce . "Review of Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan, The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy," EH.Net, H-Net Reviews, September, 2000. URL....

The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy Gibson, Andrew and Arthur Donovan

Published by EH.NET (September 2000)

Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan, The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. xiv + 362 pp. $39.95 (hardback), ISBN: 1-57003-319-6.

Reviewed for EH.NET by Gordon Boyce, School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

In this well-written volume, Gibson and Donovan provide a concise analysis of American maritime policy from the early republic to the present. Their aim is to explain why since about 1860 the United States failed to achieve "its stated goal of promoting a commercially viable merchant marine engaged in foreign trade" even though a strong merchant navy was considered essential in times of national emergency. In so doing, Gibson and Donovan endeavour to furnish the historical background needed to guide future policy. Their advice is unequivocal: the government should eliminate restrictions and subsidies in order to let the industry operate freely on the same basis as its international rivals.

Yet, the argument does not come across as ideologically motivated or doctrinaire. Indeed, Gibson and Donovan carefully explain that America made a critical mistake by continuing to pursue protectionist practices. Specifically, the authorities required U.S. flagged vessels to be U.S.-owned and -built and reserved coastal trades for U.S. registered ships. Between 1830 and 1860, when America had an international comparative advantage in shipbuilding and formidable ship operating capabilities, these restrictions were unnecessary. After the Civil War, which caused the destruction of a large part of the national fleet, American shipbuilding lost its prowess as the shift from sail to steam and from wood to iron and later steel conferred advantages upon Britain's shipyards. Yet, U.S. flag restrictions compelled domestic operators to remain bound to an inefficient shipbuilding industry. The chosen solution was to provide subsidies, but these were inadequate to prevent a continued decline, especially as land ward opportunities offered greater returns. After 1880, the U.S. navy expanded as the country sought to enhance its international position, but the merchant marine withered to the extent that by 1900, American ships carried just eight percent of their country's foreign trade. During World War I, the consequences of this dangerous state of affairs finally revealed themselves, and the government responded by building and operating a huge fleet. It also passed the famous Shipping Act of 1916 which ignored international practices and compelled domestic and foreign ship owners servicing U.S. trades to operate within "open" conferences (rate-setting cartel-like organizations) that were subject to federal regulation.

America's policy settings were reinforced by subsequent legislation, which offered the industry more support in the form of postal, construction, and operating subsidies. The Shipping Act of 1920 committed the government to preserving a merchant marine capable of supporting the nation's trade and acting as a naval reserve and the Act of 1936 compelled ship operators to offer seafarers remuneration at levels above international standards. A divided union movement created chronically unstable labour relations to which ship owners responded by making generous concessions. Moreover, because the U.S. shipbuilding industry failed to exploit fully innovations (including modular construction) vessel costs were much higher than overseas. Subsidies, which were especially wasteful and corrupt in the 1930s, propped up the edifice. Political leaders were unwilling to make fundamental changes in the face of opposition from politically powerful interest groups. The fire sales of vessels that followed massive war-induced shipbuilding programmes gave the industry temporary fillips that could not compensate in the long-term for a lack of international comparative advantage.

By the 1980s, the link between commercial shipping and military support had been all but broken by changes in sealift requirements. (The army required Roll-on Roll-off vessels to carry heavy vehicles, but U.S. shipowners possessed few of these craft with the result that the world had a very close call when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.) Moreover, subsidies were becoming increasingly politically unpalatable. Currently, U.S. policies are completely out of touch with international conventions that allow the use of flags of convenience and support open registers.

Gibson and Donovan argue that the solution is to leave shipping free to meet foreign competition. By eliminating onerous registry rules and allowing American ship owners to buy vessels from foreign yards, to employ lower cost labour, and permit the same type of tax advantages enjoyed by international competitors, the U.S. might prevent the complete disappearance of its merchant marine. In so doing, the nation could preserve the industry's formidable innovative capabilities, while securing commercial and perhaps strategic advantages.

The Abandoned Ocean is not a typical "policy" book; it is written in a lively and compelling style, provides a broad context, and presents a clear analysis. This splendid volume will attract government officials, business historians, maritime historians, and economists. By highlighting the difficulty of regulating an international industry this volume indirectly offers guidance to those who might consider imposing restrictions on businesses like those conducted over the internet. It also draws attention to the way in which political factors that shape regulatory traditions can create enduring path dependency. The chapters on recent developments are particularly valuable. The Abandoned Ocean should be included in the reading lists of a variety of courses, including the economics of regulation, policy formulation and execution, and business and maritime history, as well. Individual chapters can be used as required reading for historical survey courses to develop maritime/international themes. Maritime historians will be anxious to see Gibson and Donovan's next work which examines the history of the container revolution.

Gordon Boyce's publications include Information, Mediation and Institutional Development: The Rise of Large-scale Enterprise in British Shipping, 1879-1914, Manchester University Press, 1995.

Citation: Gordon Boyce, "Review of Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan The Abandoned Ocean: A History of United States Maritime Policy" Economic History Services, September 11, 2000

This book is written in such a spendid way as to not bore the reader. While this is obviously a text for students of Maritime industry concerns - seafarers, transportation officals and the like - the book is fascinating to all who have an interest in how the United States became the power that it is today. It becomes apparent as to why we are not a strong commercial sea power, but the insight to our strength at sea via our Navel forces is also clear.

Starting from our earliest days as a nation the authors trace the world shipping history and how America fit in to global sceene. The book makes connections as to our past and how it became our present.

The book reads very well, is concise and fills in gaps in the details of our history that many scholors (layman or profession) should read and evaluate. It just makes sense to see the total picture painted by Gibson and Donovan.

Murray's primer on prayer is actually a collection of the great preacher's writings on the subject. It is best to read this with an open copy of the scriptures nearby. The reader is advised to spend some quiet meditative hours, allowing the Holy Spirit to encourage and correct. This book is a bargain, too, for the price.

This book is a must read for any Christian who is seeking an intimate relationship with the Lord. I began reading it during a difficult time in my life (when we all seek answers) and Andrew Murray literally took me by the hand and taught me that the most important thing one can do to develop intimacy with the Lord, receive direction in life from Him, and really begin to understand the heart of the Father, is through the single act of continuous, disciplined prayer. It has transformed my Christian walk and I am confident it will do the same for you. However, it is not an easy path and you will find that God is not a microwave. You can just pop in your prayers and expect an immediate answer. Our Lord desires a deep, intimate relationship with His children and it is through deliberate, disciplined prayer, followed by obedience, that we get there. It costs a great deal, but the reward is incomprehensible. Buy this book!

This work by Dutch Reformed Pastor Andrew Murray is actually 5 of his books in one volume; Abide in Christ, The Prayer Life, Waiting on God, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Ministry of Intercession, and The Secret of Intercession.

What distinguishes this book from many modern day books on prayer is that Pastor Murray's focus is squarely on the Person of Jesus Christ and establishing a relationship with Him, whereas many of the modern day works on prayer focus on how to squeeze your desires out of God, as if He were a "Jeanie in a Bottle," granting your every wish.

Pastor Murray's work is no mere intellectualization of prayer, but rather gentle, Godly, scriptural guidance on how to experience the Person of God through His only provided means of doing so, and that is by prayer.

Rev. Murray uses scores of scriptures to illustrate that it is God's will for His children to experience and enjoy Him in His fullness. This work will transform the prayer life of anyone willing to humble themselves before Him.

Our niece and nephew simply cannot get enough of this book. The story is adorable and the pictures are beautiful. I highly recommend it!

I adore Andrew's Bright Blue T-shirt. I've read it to all the kids I babysit. The story is well-written and engaging for both young and old audiences. Andrew is an adorable character. The illustrations are colorful and fun to look at. Overall, there is a lot of heart in this book.

our 2 1/2 year old has not stopped asking us to read him this wonderful book since we received it a few days ago. the writing is engaging, and the illustrations are terrifically imaginative. highly, highly recommended.

It was refreshing to see a Windows 95 book that was (1) not too thick, and (2) not "For Dummies." There were 2 chapters I especially like: first, the section describing almost all of the commands for Windows 95, with command line switches! Of course most of us can't remember the switches that go with the commands. I also liked the section that explained the internals of Windows 95 (the 7 layers), because I was curious as to how Windows 95 was built, and now I have some idea.

My problem with this book (which is why I gave 4 stars) is that it has some typographical errors. To me, that's a major turnoff. (What can I say? I'm a perfectionist.) Despite this, I'm planning to buy this book (I first got it from the library), and I think anyone who knows how to use Windows 95 should get it.

I bought this book on the basis of O'Reilly's well-deserved reputation and the book's reviews here in amazon.com. Thanks for telling me about it!

I used to enjoy DOS but never really felt comfortable with Windows. Only the lack of applications for good old DOS and Win 3.1 dragged me kicking and screaming into Win 95, where I never wanted to be, and so I've actually taken up Linux, which is now my main desktop operating system.

Thanks to this book, I've begun to find Win 95 very interesting, even though Linux is still more exciting. I've been enjoying this book so much that I read it now at train stations and bus stops instead of that half-read Rushdie novel which took me a lot of effort to prise myself from last month.

Yes, this book points out a lot of Win 95 tricks that I didn't and couldn't be bothered to know existed. My friends know me as a Linux man. I can't wait to surprise them!

If you know what you're doing already then this book will help you do it better. I probably picked up 25 things I'd either forgotten or never knew with this book. O'Rielly's are the best of the bunch.

Monks Marler and Wermuth have written a serious, yet non-academic work, to reach the postmodern youth of this generation. Although their expierence and 1st person perspective is not the view of all our kids, it is undeniably the view from many of the Western World's youth.

The first half of the book gets right to the heart of the matter, by showing in language their audience (teens and young adults)can understand about the war that is presently being waged because of the ideas of a postmodern soceity which has sprung forth from the ideas of nihilism and how this doctrine contnually finds its way in the homes of different gereations (Rome, Nietzsche, and 60's drug culture).

They do not try and convine the reader through an apologetic work that their position is true, instead, they are asserting it as a self-evident fact, and spend a little time tracing its possible orgins. Their bigger concern, and for the intended audience they are on target, is to offer the truth to hurting people; that Christ is our resurrection and hope and to give meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

The strength of the section is that they beautifully offer in a few pages the truth and hope of Christ with passion and strength. The second half of the book focuses on many Saints and modern Christians of the church offer the youth (and examples for purposefull living and, strength, and hope in Christ. Also, the reader is able to read that Chrsit, who lived in these great men and women, will also live through His Holy Spirit, live in us.

I found the story of Priest-Monk Nestor of Southern Russia particularly interesting (probably because of our mutual interest in the martial arts) and his fortitute to face danger to protect his Church.

_Youth of the Apocalypse_ is a self described "virtual manifesto for childred of the eleventh hour" covering suicide, insanity, drugs, violence, art, the occult, the apocalypse and the life and death of Christ. It is a very brief synthesis of modern trends written by two Orthodox monks. The cover features an uncanny picture of a monk (on Mt. Athos) standing by a heap of dead monks' skulls. The monk is carrying a chest and a picture of a skull is conspicuously superimposed in the chest. The book is divided into three main sections: "Our Origin," "Our Death" and "Our Ressurection." "Our Origin" describes anti-Christianity: from Marx, Darwin, Lenin, Stalin, the post WWII "beats," sixties' radicalism, the Beatles and Generation X. The Beatles' statement "we're bigger than Jesus Christ" reflects the spirit of the times. "Our Death" is about our nihilistic religious insanity: the Divine is abandoned and the flesh is turned to instead. Sex, drugs, violence and the occult are turned to to give life some meaning. These herald the "New World Order," or rule of the Antichrist. "Our Ressurection" goes into Orthodox doctrine, and stories of saints' lives. Orthodoxy remains the otherworldly ideal as opposed to the modern world. The saints covered are Monk Anthony of Egypt, Eudokia, Monk Moses the Ethiopian, Xenia the Homeless Wanderer, Monk Paisius, Monk Herman, Elder Michael, New Martyrs Hierotheus and Seraphim, Priest-Monk Gabriel, Archbishop John, Monk Seraphim Rose and Priest-Monk Nestor.

Great book aimed at the sorry state of western society that drags, drags, drags our youth, our culture, our civilization down into the dregs of relativism and nihilism...provides a diagnosis and prescription and that prescription is ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY! I read it in 4 days and re-reading it right now. My 'punk-rock influenced' son read it with eye-opening results.
As a Protestant exploring and gradually accepting Eastern Orthodoxy this was an excellent book. The first pages and the tile may depress you but there is nothing depressing about the book in that the authors give us the angle of view we need in our post-modern, materialistic world--the angle of view that shows us the joyful, refreshing, mind-boggling LIGHT of the World, Christ Himself in everlasting splendor lived through the lives of those who gave their life for Him. Highly recommended.
Postscript: Marler returned to the punk-world from monasticism but his points are right on target and his 'after-monk' life still shines through with the everlasting Light.
The argument presented and the answer given do not discount his return to 'punk-world' --- in fact it just increases it's justification...read his post-monk interview available online, just type in his name or punks-to-monks in your browser...
Excellent book!

This book is wonderful. It simplifies the "art" of leadership and makes concepts clear. It's an excellent reference tool for anyone in leadership, or wanting to be there!

I was 100% satisfied with respect to my dealings with this user.

I read this book in one of my master classes and took the advantage of reading it in my life. Especially the communication chapter describes all the required traits that you should do in your both professional and personal life in order to become an effective people. I am sure that this book will be your potential consultant. Highly recommended...

Put yourself in the shoes of the victims of slavery. Allow yourself to really, really feel what it would be like to have every aspect of your culture, values, language stripped from you. Imagine having to sit by while someone rapes your wife, mother, 11 year old daughter. Imagine having to eat an animal which you have been taught is poison. Imagine not having freedom to marry and having to watch your baby being driven away in a wagon, never being seen again, because one man has taken it upon himself the right to sell another. Sit there, close your eyes and then you will be brought into a deeper understanding of the people of the Amistad.

Just like his film on it, Steven Spielberg's work on this book, "Amistad: 'Give Us Free'", was well-executed. It reminds one of Alex Haley's "Roots". Both stir emotions. Every bit of the story shows how cruel a man can be to his fellow man. And, I disagree with all those who term this true story "a story of illegally enslaved Africans", (Mr Spielberg didn't). We are shying away from the truth, which is that no African, (not even one), was a legal slave. There is nothing that made one slave legal, and the other illegal. There is no legality in slavery. Absolutely! That treacherous and heartless people overpowered, kidnapped, and transported, (in the most inhumane manner), their fellow human beings to America and other places does not, in any way, make those victims of inhumanity "legal slaves". Regardless of all the face-saving tales that those who defiled our lands with the innocent blood, tears, and sweat of millions of Africans will like us to believe, the truth is that not even a single African volunteered to become a slave in any circumstance. They were all forced into it: with no option but death. Those who ripped and enjoyed the bloodied fruits of slavery merely sought cheap excuses in order to justify what they did. But we know that there is nothing legal in kidnapping and subjecting human beings to such a horrible condition.
'La Amistad' tells a soul-eroding story. Cinque and his cohorts are true heroes. They are heroes of freedom, heroes of justice, and heroes of human rights. Songs have been composed about them. Books have been written about them. Films have been made about them. And, history will forever appreciate their gallantry.

The intercut of the church & prison was strange yet wonderful. The abolitionists gave Yomba an illustrated Bible and he gave his heart to Jesus[alternate version]. Cinque was the man who subsequently gave his life for his clan...Yomba was the informer who died beside Cinque in remorse. Cinque did what he did because he had to.

I especially appreciate the format of ANDREW WYETH. Examples of Wyeth's work are arranged chronologically throughout the book accompanied by comments in a conversational style by the artist about each individual painting. Much of the commentary is about those special places which the artist loves in both Pennsylvania and Maine as well as about his friends, neighbors and members of the Wyeth clan. The separate chronologies of Wyeth's personal life and his exhibitions are extremely helpful. I recommend this book to admirers of the artist and also to those who are just becoming acquainted with Wyeth. He is truly an American legend.

This is a book that will give any Wyeth fan pleasure. When I finally got a copy, it was wish fullfillment. To see 138 of the artist's works with his own comments is a great pleasure. And some of the comments are quite provocative! The prints are top quality and follow the artist's career chronologically. The book also includes a personal chronology of Andrew Wyeth's life, as well as exibitions and a bibliography for those who want to know more. Definitely a keeper!

I got this book from my old boyfriend for Christmas one year. We used to sit in Borders every day after school and drool over the beautifully drab New England paintings this Wyeth boy created. Thus started my fascination with Andy, now my favorite artist. This book is not only chock-full of his paintings; it includes a paragraph or two for each painting from the artist himself, letting you peep into Wyeth's mind and understand every aspect of his paintings -- and his life. In it Wyeth explains the Helga and Christina (from "Christina's World") series, as well as some of his personal and childhood experiences. An all-around great book, and if you want to learn more about him be sure to check out Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman as well.