Fantastic book, I bought another copy to send to my best friend who was like me aBritish War Bride, I only wishI had know of the survays being done at that time, I would have loved to have participated in its information,

The British war brides, some 70,000 strong, occupy a special place in American military and immigration history.
The majority of war brides of World War II GI's, they represented a significant administrative and logistical problem to an officialdom (of both countries) which hoped in vain that the problem would go away. They persevered, despite hardships, intentional obstacles, and ill-concealed suspicions about their motives, and while most regard themselves as inevitably hyphenated Americans, the vast majority would do it all again.
Their story is well told here, shedding light on a little-known corner of World War II history and, incidentally, revealing much about life and love in the two countries.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score' books.)

Alan Patten's presentation of Hegel's political philosophy is developed in what he calls the "civic humanist" reading. This is a welcome addition to the literature on Hegel scholarship focusing on the issue of freedom. This book was very helpful for my own research and was a true pleasure to read because it is written in a style of prose familiar to contemporary philosophers trained in the analytic tradition, it links Hegel's ideas more closely with those of Kant, and places Hegel within the more mainstream tradition of political theory. Patten's discussion of Hegel's discussion of property rights is especially interesting. Most important, this study places Hegel within a line of thought that is remarkably similar to the civic republican tradition (which is probably why Patten favors a 'civic humanist' reading). Taken together, Patten re-emphasizes the central importance of Hegel's thought for more contemporary political philosophy.

People who avoid Hegel because of his highly specialzied terminology or simply dismiss him as irelevant would do well to read this tightly argued work.

This book was awarded the Best First Book Award from the Foundations of Political Theory section of the American Political Science Association. The award citation reads: "Alan Patten's Hegel's Idea of Freedom is an impressive intellectual achievement very much deserving of the Foundations of Political Theory First Book Prize. Written in vivid but jargon-free prose, Hegel's Idea of Freedom offers a philosophically rigorous account of the central place of the concept of freedom in Hegel's political theory, rightly underscoring the manner in which Hegel's complex discussion of Sittlichkeit (Ethical life) plays a pivotal role in the German philosopher's thinking about western modernity. Although hardly uncritical of Hegel, Patten provides a cautiously supportive exegesis of Hegel's interpretation of the modern world and its core institutions. Patten not only shows how Hegel's argument represents a judicious defense of the quintessentially modern quest to make freedom the central organizing principle of social and political life, but also why Hegel's theoretical framework provides him with the resources necessary to defend key aspects of modernity against critics of many different political and philosophical persuasions. Without overstating his claims, Patten provocatively suggests that Hegel still speaks to contemporary political theory in a host of interesting ways. Patten's book not only revisits Hegel's ideas about many traditional issues in political theory (for example, property and the social contract), but it also offers an excellent critical discussion of major attempts within recent philosophy (for example, in the work of Charles Taylor) to rely on Hegel for contemporary purposes. By emphasizing a side of Hegel's political philosophy often neglected by both sympathizers and detractors, Patten also makes an important contribution towards revising standard accounts of Hegel's place within the history of modern political thought."

This book is amazing at analysing Leopoldo Zea's work. But when the author speaks about the man, he conceals several facts that are interesting enough to make a movie!, like he had six children with his first wife, then married again with an evil Argentinian who had been accused of poisoning to death her first husband, and word went by she later tried to do the same with Leopoldo's sons and grandsons, because she never had any children with the thinker. This kind of gossip would make a warmer reading!.

This book is a guideline to Leopoldo Zea's massive work, through his ideas. This Zea thinker is the best latin american ideologist of the XX century, and one of the most renowned Non-fiction writers of the Latin continent. His most important work, to my taste, is Positivism in Mexico. I believe most of his work is a must for students on Latin American courses or careers.

Jefferson and the Ordeal of Liberty written by Dumas Malone is the third installment of six in the life and times of Thomas Jefferson and according to the author the most arduous to write. The time frame of this segment starts where the second volume left off and continues to the election of Thomas Jefferson to his first term as President of the United States, (1792 - 1801).

This volume is divided into four seperate sections of Jefferson's life in this series of years, but Jefferson as Secretary of State, has frustrations in Philadelphia and as we see most of them are Hamilton in origin. Begining the first segment we see Jefferson completing his secretaryship of state, the second deals with his early retirement to Monticello, third section deals with the growth of political parties and Jefferson's reluctance to be the head of the opposition to the Federalists, and the fourth segment deals with the basic individual freedoms of the people being seriously imperiled.

Even though the author stated than this was a difficult time to write about Thomas Jefferson, it is apparent, through the tone of this book that great care was given to portray Jefferson as he was in life... we even get to glimpse at a dark side of Jefferson as the heated frustration with Hamilton begins its culmination, as Jefferson relies on James Madison to do the "dirty work."

This is a fascinating and contriversial time in Jefferson's life and the author tells the story well.

This volume continues to explore Jefferson's tenure as Secretary of State and his battles with Hamilton. What's interesting is the effect Hamilton's assaults had on Jefferson's reputation: by imbuing him with every quality from limitless guile to "great passion," Hamilton makes Jefferson into a colossus in the public eye. Jefferson was more passive than Hamilton thought. One interesting thing about this book is that you get glimpses of Jefferson's dark side. In one letter to Madison, Jefferson asks Madison to "cut [Hamilton] to pieces in the face of the public." Ouch.

Also, the story of Citizen Genet is pretty funny. Genet thought he could somehow go above the head of the Washington administration and appeal directly to the American people. Genet is quickly recalled by France.

Sue Ikerd's book "Lady Liberty's Still Standing" is one of the
most wonderful tributes to all those closely affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001 I have read. Her poems come from the depth of her soul and I found it heartwarming to know that someone so far removed from the northeast could be so touched to write with such emotion. It made me realize that far many more people were touched by this horrible tragedy than we will ever know. I would, and have recommended this book to everyone that I know! I think we are looking at a collector's item!

Awesome. This is the only word that I can really come up with for this God-inspired book. Sue put into words, what I could not after September 11. My country, my cities, MY FREEDOM, violated. In the days following this horrific attack, reading Sue's poems online, helped me in so many ways. This book of 10 poems and the photos that go along with them, is a tribute to all those who lost their lives on that horrible day. Beautifully and respectfully put together, Lady Liberty's Still Standing has been a God send to me, and to the 9 people that I have given it to. My brother was killed in action in Vietnam. I know what it is like to loose someone for this country, and it's FREEDOM. I HIGHLY recommend it.

We all know about Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and Yorktown, but few know of the battles between the British and the Americans in the great North Woods Country which were Eastern New York and Vermont. It was there that Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys took Fort Ticonderoga "In the name of Jehova and The Continental Congress!" from a sleepy garrison of British Regulars. It was there that Benedict Arnold built his little fleet of lake warships and whipped the British at the Battle of Valcour Island. Only later did Arnold turn on his country.

The American War of Independence is only one episode in Ralph Nading Hill's sweeping review of the history of Lake Champlain, the critical gateway from Quebec to Lower New York. His retelling of the history of steam navigation on the Lake, and the Corporations which were founded to further its development, are at times hilarious, and are reminiscent of the story of the development of the railroads.

He also details the development of the Champlain Canal, which provided a direct water link between Quebec, Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, and thence to New York City, in the early 1800s. He shows the importance of the Canal, and later the railroads, in opening the markets of the Eastern Seaboard to Vermont lumber, milled from timber felled in Quebec and floated to saw mills in Vermont. Few realize that a substantial part of the housing in Boston and New York during the mid to late 19th Century, including the famous New York Brownstones, were built with Vermont lumber.

This is an easy, engrossing, and informative read by a master storyteller who made the telling of the North Woods History his life's work.

How many Americans Know that the birth of the American Navy really began on a lake. That the sea monster inhabiting lake champlain,was recorded by samuel champlain and native Americans as early as the 1600's, centuries before pt barnum offered a reward for it's body so he could display it with his travelling show. Lake Champlain is rich with beauty and history and this is a definative history of the region. It makes a great read too!

A very well- rounded introduction to a period of British history that should be better known. The author strikes a good balance between the political narrative and his coverage of the social, economic, cultural, and military developments of the age. This book should be accessible to anyone with a serious interest in this period in European history.

Writes Professor Roger Hainsworth, formerly of Adelaide University, South Australia: Students of English history will welcome this new volume in the New Oxford History of England series.1689-1727 is a very significant period for the history of the British people and indeed it proved important to many European people also for this reason: during it Britain became a great power and in the process the growing hegemony of France over western Europe was first confronted, fought against and finally halted. More of this later. Dr. Hoppit, although his eye is undimmed by romantic illusions about past eras, has a positive tale to tell. He writes that in late seventeen and early eighteenth century England "political discord was contained and then undermined. Warfare was endured and survived. Britain's empire was extended and its value increased. Population began slowly to grow. Many towns flourished. Agriculture, industry and commerce all showed signs of expansion .... society was not stagnant, it was on the move." This favourable assessment might have astonished contemporaries both at home and abroad. They still perceived England as politically unstable, riven by party ("faction"), and menaced by the apparently unbridgeable dynastic dispute between the Jacobite supporters of the exiled James II and then of his son (the Old Pretender) and the Whig and Orange Tory supporters of William III, Anne and the Protestant Succession (the Hanoverians). Meanwhile the British state was menaced by growing poor rates, menacing numbers of unemployed, seemingly endless foreign wars, and a growing mountain of debt: all presided over by a government which appeared more powerful and uncheckable every year and was backed by that worst of all English nightmares: a permanent army. Dr. Hoppit explores these fears and traumas incisively and expertly and makes it clearer than it perhaps has ever been made before why the positive developments prevailed and the worst fears ebbed away. The fundamental problem for historians of the period is to explain how England become a great power during the reigns of William III and Anne. Cromwell's disciplined army and a powerful navy had made England a great power fleetingly during the 1650s. However, there was no way to finance these prodigies on a long term basis. The restored Charles II almost went broke disbanding these extravagant instruments of power. England's resurgence in the two decades following the Glorious Revolution of 1689 astonished foreign observers who had believed, reasonably enough, that England's small population doomed it to the side-lines of European politics. In a long contest between Britain and France surely there could be only one result? England with Wales had only about 5.25 million in 1700. Scotland had 1.23 million and Ireland about 2 million. France, the most populous country in Europe (including Russia) had 22 million. These bare statistics proved deceptive. Although eighty per cent of England's population were rural dwellers, almost thirty per cent of the population were engaged in some form of industry. Manchester was then only a large village but Defoe estimated it provided "outside" employment to 40,000 weavers and allied trades. In fact England was the most urbanised country in Europe and if this was partly because ten per cent of the people lived in London her urbanisation was to increase hugely during the eighteenth century while London's population stagnated. Industrial strength and a powerful navy were gradually joined by a formidable army. During Anne's reign it would be led by one of history's greatest commanders who was also a remarkable diplomat and builder of alliances: the Duke of Marlborough. The financial problems of the mid seventeenth century were resolved by taxation passed freely if grumpily by the House of Commons which had now become a permanent institution of state rather than an irregular occurrence. The taxes funded that unusual novelty the National Debt which was partly managed by an enlarged Treasury assisted by an inspired creation, the Bank of England. The two great European wars of the period weakened the Continental powers, especially France, but left Britain stronger than when she entered them. Many speculated about this paradox but no great power seemed able to copy the method even supposing they understood it. All these matters receive due attention in this volume. So also does a range of other important topics: the remarkable growth of parliamentary government which in time would make possible the political peace of Sir Robert Walpole's long prime ministership during the 1720s; the decline into impotence of the Jacobites; the astonishing efflorescence of a print culture of books, newspapers and pamphlets; the slow decline of the Anglican hegemony in the face of stubborn Dissenters and ideas of religious tolerance; the extraordinarily rich burst of public and private building ranging from Wren's St Paul's to Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor's masterpieces (Castle Howard and Blenheim the best known of many); and the steady advance of pragmatic, experimental science. This last owed much to one man and in a fine passage Hoppit writes that the year his period ends is better defined not by the death of George I but by the death aged 84 of one of his subjects. Interred like a prince in Westminster Abbey with the Lord Chancellor, two dukes and three earls among his pall-bearers, he was Sir Isaac Newton. That indeed was the end of an era. This is a worthy addition to a very collectable series. There are the minor flaws often found when the author has to shoehorn a complex discourse into a confined space. Stylistic faults occasionally jar and infelicities of sentence structure ("there were those (such as Locke had done) who strongly argued ...") often require the reader to turn back to disentangle the sense. However, Dr. Hoppit's text is informative, interesting, thought-provoking and engrossing. He has explored the diverse facets of his subject with care and sensitivity to their nuances. All students of this significant period will be in his debt for decades to come. Had it been put in my hands when I was studying this period as an undergraduate I would have gnawed on it like a famished wolf.

I read this after reading Road to Serfdom. It's obviously a denser work, though relatively short. Still, the pages come across not so much as theory as just common sense put into more complex language so the academia nuts might be able to understand it also.

Hayek's classical book is against the totalitarians and their thought about legislation. He responses them saying that the legislation is not the tool to reconstruct the people and the economical relationships between them, but it is the method to explain the irrationally and naturally developping law more clearly. Additionally he argues the cartesian method of thinking because of its results which refuse the social evolution. Therefore Hayek finds the philosophical base of totalitarian thought in the belief that "we can create the welfare with law, if we arrange it logically". That's why he calls every kind of totalitarian thought as "constructive cartesian rationalism", because all of them want to reform the whole world, law and order from the beginning to realize their specific outcome like in DesCartes' method. (I think that it's the same as "the social engineer" description of Sir Karl Popper.)

H.L.A. Hart is perhaps the 20th century's greatest legal philosopher, and this small book is a powerful expression of his views on the relationship between law and morality. Simply put, Hart takes the side of John Stuart Mill on the issue of legal regulation of vice. The arguments are straightforward, and Hart gives opposing viewpoints a fair hearing before offering his rebutalls.

I first read the 1963 edition in a course called "Philosophy of Law" at Stanford in '66, and it's one of the few texts from then that I know I have in the attic, and have read at least five times since. It's just a little book, but invaluable.

He organizes the arguments around the issue of the legalization of prostitution, but the specific arguments are made to carry the water of all the similar issues. It is dense, but beautifully written and beautifully argued, you just have to read it a bit slowly to let each paragraph soak in.

The book's back cover says that both seasoned programmers and new programmers will find the book useful - as a first time programmer, I agree. Syntax is discussed artfully, leaving more room for an exploration of concepts and practices - meaning that someone new to OOP will understand not only what to do but the best way to do it. Highly recommended for people ready to learn how to program.

Superb book, especially for people with good amount of VB6 experience.

I myself have around 7 years of VB experience (started with VB 3 in college) and before stumbling upon this title, I tried the Sam's series and was greatly disppointed since such "beginner" books devote a great deal to the syntax, starting with how to open a project and draw a form ! This book wastes no such time in trivialities since it is assumed that as an experienced VB programmer, you already know all those things. In fact, only one chapter is devoted to the syntax and thereafter it builds on the OOP concepts. At the time of this writing, I have finished only half the book (till Structures) but from what I have experienced and understood so far, I don't think the author will let me down in the remainder of the book. In fact till this point, you don't even need the Visual Studio.Net IDE since you can happily type all the class examples in Notepad and run them from DOS prompt (Of course, you need to have the .Net framework installed, which again is a free download).

So, if you're disappointed or bored by those 24 hour/21 day titles, run don't walk, to get this book !