Most of my several thousand volume library consists of serious books, works of literature, literary criticism, philosophy, history, theology, political science, and so on. But I also have a shelf or two devoted to "fun" books, books that I pick up and just lose myself in having fun. This is one of my favorite fun books. Not a masterpiece. Probably won't be in print twenty years from now. But the photographs are spectacular! And in just under 300 pages, almost every major city and structure of Europe has been photographed from the air. It is not merely the famous sights and buildings that makes this such a fun book, but some striking photographs of relatively unknown features. For instance, one of the most stunning photographs for me is what would appear to be a gigantic green field in Denmark that has been punctuated by a series of large housing circles, each cut off from one another, and each surrounded by the same green field.

The text has been provided by noted travel writer Jan Morris. The book is largely structured by starting with Italy and proceeding clockwise through the entire European continent, ending with Greece, Romania, and Turkey.

I really can whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone except those who don't like to look at anything. But if you have any interest in the world, in traveling, in Europe, in history, in photography, or in just having fun looking at awesome photos, this book will prove to be an utter delight.

I stumbled upon this title in a competitor's bookstore and was astonished that I hadn't read a review anywhere. With a 1998 imprint and Jan Morris as the author of the text, it doesn't seem like it should be an obscure tome, yet even here on Amazon.com, only one other person has reviewed it!

The photos are designed to provoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader/viewer, and they succeed aesthetically, emotionally, and psychologically. From the rock of Gilbralter to a dense set of "potato row" houses in Copenhagen; from snowfields near the Arctic circle to Turkey--it's all here, images snapped from blimps, airplanes, helicopters, almost any method by which one might be "over" Europe.

One will not be able to glimpse most of these sites from comparable vantage points on a typical trek across the continent unless one plans to do so in a biplane. The images here are unusual in their breadth and majesty. ... The text is literate and fun. Buy it and marvel.

If you regard this book as just another coffee table book you aren't even half right. This is one of the best photo books I have ever seen. The pictures are outstanding. Nearly every photo takes you to the alter of the church, the edge of the cliff, or the gate to the castle. Not only is it a photo book, but a great travel book. These aren't just descriptions of what to see, but beautiful pictures showing you what you will want to see when you get there. You won't even need to take a camera or change for postcards-- the best pictures are right here. Get this book before you plan your vacation to Europe.

John Van Sant, a professor of Japanese History at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, has written an approachable and engaging look back at some of the very first Japanese travelers to the United States in the mid to late 1800s.

For the student of Asian-American History or Early Modern Asian Japanese History, Pacific Pioneers, is an invaluable reference that bridges the gap between the broad view of early Japan-U.S. interaction and the Japanese political reaction to it. Many of the popular books that deal with this area of history are concerned with its larger events such as the Perry and Iwakura Missions.

Van Sant's book is about individuals who came to a foreign land, and were instrumental in defining how the Western world viewed a recently opened island nation. Van Sant's scholarship is through and compiles a great deal of information that is often lost in the larger events of the period. Even those who aren't interested in Asian or Asian-American History can appreciate the people Van Sant has researched for their sense of wonder and discovery as some of the first to leave their homeland, which was closed off to nearly all foreign intercourse for over 200 years.

I find the book especially engaging because it examines how Americans reacted to their foreign visitors during a time when man of today's stereotypes about the Japanese culture had not been developed. Also, by examining the way in which the New World was viewed by the Japanese visitors, the reader can see how foreigners reacted to the Western world and found their culture to be exotic, captivating, and at times, frightening. The book is a revealing and honest look at how different cultures are viewed by people that were truly foreign to them.

A book I recommend for anyone who is interested in history on a very personal and revealing level.

This is a truly absorbing read. Author John Van Sant casts light on a little-explored corner of American history about which, I'm willing to bet, few readers have any knowledge at all. Some may be vaguely aware that a handful of shipwrecked Japanese sailors fetched up on American shores in the first half of the nineteenth century or that large Japanese embassies toured this country in 1860 and 1871-72. But how many know that scores of Japanese students were living in such an unlikely place as New Brunswick, New Jersey in the late 1860s and 1870s, studying about American institutions as well as "big guns" and "big ships." Or that several young Japanese aristocrats--including a later titan of Meiji Japan--were holed up in a utopian commune, under the watchful eye of an eccentric guru, doing housework and tending grapevines? Or that other countrymen and women of less elevated status, fleeing worsening economic conditions back home, were scraping out a bare living in Hawaii and northern California?

In clear economic prose, thankfully free of academic jargon, Van Sant explores each of these expatriate communities in some depth. (Oddly enough, the author makes no mention whatsoever of the troupes of Japanese entertainers criss-crossing the country during this same period. Even Mark Twain complained bitterly in 1867 about having to compete with a company of Japanese acrobats for an audience.) He also does the historical record a considerable service by freeing some of these pioneers--the "mysterious" Wakamatsu Colony of Gold Hill, California being a prime example--from an encrustation of myth. If I have any quibble at all with Pacific Pioneers, it is that it is too short. Highly recommended!

I think that Dr Van Sant tells a compelling tale of the first wave of Japanese settlers who came to the United States and Hawaii. This book is for anybody who is interested in Asian American History. It should be the first book cracked open for any student who signs up to take any Asian studies class, either in the undergraduate or post-graduate world. I loved it.

Nowadays intellectuals in Europe seem to have forgotten the role christianity played in thier history. Perhaps they didnt learn in school how St. Leo the Great marched forth in full ecclesiastical procession to halt Attila the Hun and convince him to abandon his plans to sack Rome and raid western Europe. Perhaps they didnt learn the courage of those men who braved the savage wilderness of Europe to convert barbarian tribes to Christ and introduce them to civilization. Perhaps they didnt learn that as the Roman Empire died the Church arose carrying the morals and organization needed to continue civilization. The Church in the Dark Ages clearly illustrates the role Christianity has played in European history. Daniel-Rops presents the reader with all aspects of the Churches role, positive and negative. As modern Europe opts for unity they should do well to remember it was first the Churches dream to bring Europe together.

There are virtually no good books I know of that examine this period of history from 400-1000 AD. That is why I purchased this book on impulse.

Fortunately, it didn't let me down. It is an extremely interesting book, one of the best history books I have ever read. The author is an incredible storehouse of information on lots of people that I had vaguely heard of, but otherwise knew little about. He has mountains of biographical information on such people as Justinian, St. Augustine, St. Leo, Charlemagne, St. Gregory, Attila, St. Patrick, and many, many others. His section on the beginning of Islam and the life of Mohammed is fascinating, and perhaps the highlight of the book.

It isn't always easy reading, as it is packed with so much detail that at times it gets tedious. However, for anyone interested in this neglected period of history, it's a must read.

I admit I bought the book almost on impulse, and by the time it arrived in the mail I was wondering if I would ever read it. Nonetheless, I started it, and can say I finished it.

The title can be misleading. This is as much a history of Dark Age European politics and society as it is the Church. Emperors, kings, political intrigues and wars receive as much attention as Popes, saints and heresies.

It is delightful reading, which owes as much to Daniel-Rops' expressive French as Butler's translation. It is so refreshing to escape from the absurdly self-conscious ramblings of modern acadamia without feeling that things have been 'dumbed down'! There is real intellectual engagement, and the reader is impressed with IDEAS, not the incoherent language that disguises a lack of ideas.

It is unique, too, in presenting a modern interpretation of the Dark Ages sympathetic to the Roman Catholic Church - something that is perhaps less likely to be found in native English. The premise throughout is that the Truth of Christianity, through the Church, prolonged the Empire, tempered Barbarian excesses, and was always the positive catalyst for the Renaissance. The Empire is portrayed as deserving destruction, and the Barbarians are treated much more fairly than they were in my social studies text book.

These are only some examples of the myths of history that Daniel-Rops endeavours to dispel.

Highly recommended!!

I loved this book! I am a true horror movie/book fan. This was a great book and I recommend it to all like me. I purchased this book when I was in the 4th grade and I graduated high school this past year. I still love reading my book!

This book is so great. I have read it so many times because I think these kinds of things are cool. My fave story in this book was the one about the Hermit, it was amazing, but I believe it. If you like this book, and this sort of stuff, I think you should also read "CIVAL WAR GHOSTS" it's also a good book.

this was a good book.i read it 3 times.

This is an excellent story of an unsung hero of East Africa and the struggle against slavery. The author has repeatedly travelled to Africa, is a physician, and has written an earlier book about West Africa. The book is well researched and is a very good read.

This is a very readable depiction of East Africa, the slave trade and Dr. John Kirk, an almost unknown English hero of last century. He was instrumental in bringing an end to the vicious slave trade in East Africa and his life was interwoven with the famous Stanley and Livingstone pair. Dr. Kirk emerges as a better man than either of those two, by far. A bit choppy at times, but a first class and richly researched history that came alive for me. If you like history, social issues, Africa or just good adventure this this is a very satisfying read.

The physician and the slave trade takes you to East Africa where John Kirk, A Scottish physician joins David Livingstone on the Zambezi expedition. From 1858 to 1863, they steamed up rivers and roamed the jungles enduring blistering heat, rampant tropical diseases snakes and hostile Africans, Arabs, and rival Europeans. Through it all Kirk and Livingstone persevered, promoting commerce, christianity and civilization while working against a powerful slave trade that saw more than 100,000 slaves shipped abroad each year. Maneuvering his way against the endless intrigue of Arab slavers and European geopolitics, Kirk succeeded against incredible odds in convincing the Sultan of Zanzibar to ban the highly lucrative slave trade. This is a gripping true story of intrigue and adventure in East Africa and the end of the slave trade.

I went to Florida with a friend. We stayed at her Grandmother's. I got to sleep on the couch. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that first night. There, sitting on the coffee table was a copy of this book (which had the most original cover, that I've ever seen). Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It was so cleverly written, that it was the highlight of my trip (Disney was cool too, though). Ever since, I've been trying to locate a copy for myself (that was over 5 years ago). This book must be re-issued, and given the marketing it deserves!!

The metal-cover edition is beautifully crafted and a fantastic gift, if you can find one. [I wish I had bought 10 copies at the time.] The thought that went into writing and manufacturing this book was well worth the effort. A telling tale of language and communication on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

This book is clever, funny and wise, an charmingly oblique and literary look at American car culture. It should always be available to be given as a gift to word lovers everywhere.

The book is a great for anyone in the exercise field. It is easy to read and straight forward. It covers every aspect of athletic training, rehab, and injury diagnosis.
A DEFINITE MUST HAVE!

I am the Head Athletic Trainer and Professor of Athletic Training Curriculum at a college in Oklahoma City. This is the best text I have ever read which caters to the education of Athletic Trainers. It is the text of choice for my Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries class, as well as a source of reference for any challenge I face within the training room. This book is the "Trainer's Bible" bar none! I personally used the eighth edition when studing for the NATABOC exam and have used the ninth and tenth editions in my classes. I highly recommend this text for everyone in the sports medicine field. If you are a Student Atheltic Trainer and are debating whether or not to spent the Seventy-something dollars for this book. this book will make the difference between pass and fail!

This book is one of the most important books for an athletic trainer. It covers everything that is in each of the 5 different domains of an athletic trainer. Their sections on sports injuries, and treatments are invaluable to anyone who is preparing to sit for the NATA exam. It is fondly termed by those that I know as the "trainer's bible." And that is exactly what it is.

In my opinion, this is the best book on general principles without going into detail on specific therapeutic areas. I would consider it a must-read for those in clinical pharmacology post-graduate training or those working in clin pharm. However, previous knowledge of pharmacology is needed, as this book is not suitable as a first primer for medical and undergrad students.

In my opinion, this is the best book I have come acrorss in terms of "PRINCIPLES" The book focuses on general principles, not specific therapeutic areas. Topics covered range from drug discovery and development to individualization and quality assessment of drug therapy. This is an excellent resource for those in post-graduate Clinical Pharmacology training or who are working in this area. Readers will,
however, need a basic knowledge of pharmacology as this book is not suitable as the first and only Clinical Pharmacology textbook for medical or undergraduate students.

I think this is the best book so far when it comes to "PRINCIPLES". The book focused on general principles, not any particular therapeutic areas. It covers from drug discovery and development to individualization and quality assessment of drug therapy. Excellent resource for people in post-graduate Clinical Pharmacology training or working in this area. However, readers will need basic knowledge of pharmacology from other sources. This is not suitable to be the first and only Clinical Pharmacology textbook for medical students or undergraduate students.

Indispensable if you are a Psychiatrist.The book is very detailed.Must read for the boards too

I prefer this kind of pocket-sized, concise guide to health care. The mneumonics were especially helpful to remember the identifying characteristics of different conditions. With appendices of patient education handouts and intake forms, this book is very complete for its small size.

For those of us who appreciate straight-to-the point guides to doing what we do, this book is just the thing. It is easy to follow, gives helpful mneumonics for various disorders and fits in the pocket of you white coat.

Comprehensive Reference on Psychological and Emotional Abuse:

This book provides one of the first comprehensive scientific treatments of an intrinsic topic in the area of domestic violence. O'Leary and Maiuro have compiled a series of cutting edge papers and commentaries on the assessment of various types of psychological and emotional abuse, the relationship of psychological abuse to physical abuse, and the impact of psychological abuse upon victims. Several new scales for reliably measuring such things as dominance, jealous control, denigration of self-esteem, interfering with work or school are included along with data that substantiates the validity of the tools. A form of victim manipulation called "Stockholm Syndrome" is also included in this volume, assisting the reader to understand why the victim continues to return to the perpetrator of psychological and emotional abuse. This resource is also filled with exceptionally current references for additional reading. This book is a good source for domestic abuse therapists, researchers, teachers, and sophisticated readers who want a state of the art reference book on the most toxic component of domestic abuse - psychological and emotional abuse. I would recommend it very highly.

As an educator, I found this to be an excellent reference book on psychological and emotional abuse. The editors have organized and critiqued a nice assortment of contributions from some of the top people in the field of psychology and domestic abuse. As Dr. Maiuro points out in his introductory chapter "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but names (as well as other forms of derogation and abuse) can also hurt you." While some of the work is technical and appropriate for advanced students and professionals, it is clearly written and includes actual tests that are used to determine whether someone is psychologically abused. I highly recommend it.

An excellent compendium of the latest issues regarding violent relationships. Challenging, informative, disturbing, and immensely useful not only for front-line therapists and counselors, but for anyone interested in the topic.