In this fine volume, David Boucher and Andrew Vincent introduce the reader to the thought of seven major British idealists: Thomas Hill Green, Francis Herbert Bradley, Bernard Bosanquet, David Ritchie, Henry Jones, Robin George Collingwood, and Michael Oakeshott. And they do it by approaching these seminal philosophers through their political theories.

It's a good book on a subject on which there aren't too many good books. Another one in its class is William Sweet's _Idealism and Rights_, which is also excellent but specifically devoted to Bosanquet.

The two of them more or less take turns -- Vincent writing on Green, Bradley, and Bosanquet, and Boucher writing on Ritchie, Collingwood, and Oakeshott, and the two working together on Jones (on whom they've cowritten an earlier book). Each is a respected scholar in this field; each is a reliable guide and expositor.

This focus on political theory strikes me as a good idea. For one thing, it gives the reader new to idealism a way to get a handle on these philosophers. For another, it makes clear that the British idealists really _did_ have social issues in mind and _weren't_ just philosophizing in a vacuum. For a third thing, the range of political opinions represented here makes clear that metaphysical idealism doesn't, in and of itself, commit anyone to any particular political theory or outlook (a lesson that needs to be learned by some present-day libertarians who think Hegelian metaphysics is a recipe for totalitarianism).

These two gentlemen write clearly and well. Oh, they misspell the last name of my favorite philosopher Brand Blanshard -- as "Blanchard" -- but that's not as unusual as it probably should be, and I forgive them. At any rate, the exposition is sound and thorough, and each of their subjects is placed in his proper historical and philosophical context; Bradley, for example, is discussed largely in relation to Henry Sidgwick. And they are not, let's say, subjected to any undue reverence; we meet them warts and all.

It's well done. I recommend it to any reader who wants to learn more about idealist philosophy in general and British idealism in particular.

I enjoyed this book! I found it informative giving a glimpse into life and businesses in the early 1900's. Mr. Andrews does a good job of keeping the reader interested through the whole book. He presents the story factually allowing the reader to form his/her opinions about the origin of today's Mickey Mouse. This is a must read for Disney enthusiasts.

For 45 years, Brother Andrew has smuggled the Bible and Christian literatures into 'forbidden' parts of the world - Communist countries, and now Islamic nations. For many Christians this book would be a great introduction to Brother Andrew and his organization 'Open Doors'. This is an exciting, well written biography. Once started reading, I had trouble putting it down. I did have to stop occasionally to ponder on spiritual lessons from his life's story - and there are many!!! Brother Andrew's life is a story only the Almighty God could have written.

In this charming book for children, two brothers grow up learning to care for one another. This relationship carries over into adulthood, when, faced with a severe famine, they still want to share their bounty with the other. It is a wonderful story for children, especially for brothers.

Andrew Wormer's Builder's Book of Bathrooms is an impressive achievement. In a friendly, narrative format, Wormer describes now only the why's and the how's of designing and building a bathroom.
The Builder's Book of Bathrooms excels as both a reference to what's available with explanations of the pros and cons of the various options available, as well as its numerous clear, concise "how to" illustrations.

Numerous lighthearted sidebars inserted among the photos, drawings and informative text discuss the history of the bathroom and its various fixtures.

Information is easily accessed through a very complete index. Within moments of opening the book I was able to identify many of the shortcomings of our plumbing system (an extremely noisy fan)and locate some alternatives.

The Builder's Book of Bathrooms is an excellent introduction to the technology and techniques behind one of the most visited rooms in your home. The in print and online Resources in the appendix, alone, justify adding it to your library.

If you are looking to understand the fundamental technical details of how to use a Geodatabase within the new ArcInfo 8 GIS, this is the definitive book to buy. The technical scope is broad, yet there is sufficient detail to satisfy the most aggressive and hungry of Geodatabase developers. Geodatabase neophytes will find the Quick-Start tutorial quite valuable, and the jaded old wizards will also regularly refresh their knowledge of this fascinating and ground breaking technology. The information is clearly presented in the "At a Glance" style found in books written for Microsoft consumer products. I personally find this text indispensible and use it on a nearly daily basis.

Sometimes poetry really strikes a chord with me, and reading this i felt like the author had not just struck a chord in me, but a whole symphany. i realize this sounds melodramatic, but that's the way that love in a teenager is. melodramatic, out of focus half the time, but real, raw, almost tangible. Mr. Fletcher somehow became a teenager again when he wrote this, because i don't think it's possible for someone over 19 to really understand the way a 16 year old loves her boyfriend, no matter how flawed he is. A masterpiece.

"The Burning Season" discusses the life and importance of Chico Mendes, the founder of Brazil's ecological movement to preserve and save the Amazon rainforest from the destruction by herders, miners, and other companies wanting to exploit the region's rich natural supplies.

Mendes, who led a movement from the small frontier town of Acre, became an international celebrity after he went on Brazilian television to fight the destruction of the Amazonian Rainforest. With the ban on Argentine beef, Brazilian farmers saw the Amazon as being an emerging area to raise cattle in order to meet the world demand for beef. Miners, who were moving onto Indian lands to mine for gold, copper, and other minerals were also effecting the rainforest's ecology.

Mendes, who was a "seringuiero," or "rubber-tapper," relied on the Amazon's vast supply of rubber trees in order to make a living. Seeing that his source of income was in peril with the elimination of trees in order to make room for miners and farmers, Mendes began a national movement to awaken the consciousness of the world about the obvious dangers that lurked nearby if the rainforest was cleared. However, his life will take a tragic turn when he was only starting to gain international awareness and support for his movement.

The first few chapters of the book discuss the importance the rainforest plays when it comes to the spectrum of life on earth. The rainforest's vast fauna, flora, and wildlife have allowed many native cultures to survive for centuries, before and after the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors. The Amazon's emergence as a battleground for the discovery and development of cures and vaccines for various diseases and maladies has become more important in recent years, especially as pharmaceutical companies search for an AIDS vaccine. The rest of the book discusses Chico's early life, his career, family, and activism, and all events of importance to his movement after his death, especially the trial that brought those responsible for his death to justice.

This is a must-read book for everyone. Chico Mendes' mission to educate the world of the immense importance that Brazil's rainforest is to world's climate control should not die in vain. This important, ethical book will awaken your awareness of what the Amazon's destruction and development will have on the world's population. PLEASE NOTE: This Audio version is unabridged and contains the entire book on audio cassettes.

All too often the Bushmen (otherwise known as the San) have been portrayed in school textbooks and in the minds of the general public as "living fossils" whose ways of life have remained the same throughout the ages. Associate-Professor Smith et al. demolish the myth and present a vivid picture of Bushmen social and economic dynamics down through the ages, as well as the interaction with incoming cultural groupings and the effects thereof. Anyone who is interested in the remarkable history, both past and contemporary, of the Bushmen will find this book an invaluable addition to their library.

This fast-paced and tightly written tour-de-force cuts a swathe through the often mystifying world of advertising and consumption. Both students and veterans of the industry will find its sparkling insights open a multitude of intellectual doors. The contribution of the talented Dr Macrury is worthy of particular note: he is swiftly becoming an academic force to be reckoned with.