I must admit, I ordered this book based on title alone. I have listened to Woodrow Kroll on the radio but never had the opportunity to read his work. I was impressed with his straightforward, honest approach to the issues of today. His explanation of postmodernism alone makes this a must read. In a world where the majority of Christian writers utilize feelings over substance, Woodrow Kroll breaks the norm and skillfully weaves hard fact and detailed statistics throughout the text. Not only does he drive home the problems of today he also gives constructive solutions. This is a must for your library!

This was my most favorite book,I love it. I like all of Audry Woods books. crystalkid age 6

Now out of print and available only as a series of audiotapes, « Basic American Government » was initially published as a massive 480-page volume, not counting the notes, glossary, index, and the 60 pages of firsthand documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist N°10 or the Constitution itself. Its author, Clarence Carson, is the author of more than 500 articles and about 15 fifteen books, including a six-volume history of the United States.

The book is divided into four sections : - Section 1 (35p) deals with the basic principles of the American system of government. It starts by reminding the reader that the United States, contrary to the platitudes that are mouthed by today's journalists and politicians, « is not a democracy. It is a Constitutional Federated Republic. » Carson then goes on to explain what these concepts of « constitution », « republic » and « federalism » mean exactly, thus presenting the « sum and substance » of American govenment. - Section 2 (150p) delves into the intellectual background of the American political system, from authorities such as Aristotle to the English heritage of the 17th and 18th century, including 12 pages on John Locke, Trenchard and Gordon, William Blackstone and Adam Smith alone. The American colonial experience, the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention are then summarized, but of course with much less detail than in Carson's « Basic History of the United States » or his « Rebirth of Liberty ». - Section 3 (130p) traces the evolution of the American system of government in the 19th century, from the establishment of the Federal Government after the ratification of the Constitution through the major decisions of the Supreme Court and the upheaval of the Civil War and Recontruction. - Section 4 (135p) deals with the 20th century and the advent of Leviathan (or big government), examining how socialism, by deliberately refusing to call itself by that name, entered the American mainstream ; and how Franklin D. Roosevelt « broke the constitutional dam » with his New Deal and the Court Packing Plan of 1937- a process culminating in a government that has become « out of control ».

First published in 1993, Clarence Carson's masterful volume « Basic American Government » ranks among his best, and is to my knowledge the most profound, principled and systematic treatment of the subject ever printed- far better than R.V. Denenberg's « Understanding American Politics », and incomparably superior to David Cushman Coyle's pitiful « The United States Political System and How it Works».

True to the founding principles of the Founding Fathers, enlightened by a genuine understanding of economic principles (Carson is well-read in both the classical economists and the Austrians, and is the author of a helpful treatise on « Basic Economics »), it opens with what I consider to be the most powerful statement ever printed on the current condition of the US government : « It would be considerable fraud to do a book on American government which talked as if the Constitution were still being substantially observed, that pretended that when Presidents took the oath of office they intended to observe the bounds set by the Constitution, that Congressmen recited their pledges with the same intent, and that Federal judges were still construing the Constitution as it was written. In sum, any book on American government worthy of the name ought to make clear how remote from the Constitution the government has become. »

Carson's own suggestions as to how to restore the integrity of the US political system are extremely simple. As he says, the text of the Constitution itself is still intact, so what is necessary is merely to make US government officials obey it. Did you know for instance that, in the Constitution, « there is no authority granted to levy taxes or to contract debts to provide for any foreign country » and that « the United States is specified alone as the beneficiary for all tax collections » ? (p445) More specifically, Carson suggests repealing the 17th Amendment (which undermined the federal system by reducing the power of the states to check the central government) and making it a treason for any US government official to betray the Constitution.

In other words, the way for Americans to bring the government back to its function of protecting their rights to « life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness » is simply to make their servants obey the charter which was initially adopted to limit their powers.

Typically, a remodeling job requires some guesswork on the load capacity of the existing members of a house. The remodeler's inclination is to overbuild to stay on the safe side of the code and pass inspection. We were able to save time and money by using this book at the plan stage to figure spans and loads for an addition.

This book is an outstanding guide to the marine life found along the shores of the Pacific Northwest. Before I go further, I should note that it is NOT a pocket guide. But if you slip it into a daypack, you will be amply rewarded. Dr. Niesen has written a book that in very clear language helps you identfy what you are looking at, learn about its life habits, and learn about its habitat. Its emphasis on habitats, and arrangement by type of organism within each habitat, is extremely helpful. The black and white photos are usually pretty good, although sometimes dark, but the section of color plates is really good. What are really outstanding are the line drawings--David Wood, the artist, really captures the organisms in a way that brings out details yet preserves the basic nature of the organism.

The book also gives a great (meaning clear yet not too simple) introduction to marine biology for the Pacific Northwest, explaining tides, currents, the origin of the coast , and the basic biology of the major groups (taxa) of organisms. Furthermore, he provides tips on beachcombing.

All in all, a very handy reference. I will consider it for my Marine Biology class for non-majors (I'd use it with a majors course, too, if I taught one!).

If you have an interst in beachcombing, then this is the book for you! I started reading this book the moment it arrived in my mailbox.I couldn't put it down. The author did a great job of describing the in's and out's of this subject, with many stories as well as tips and tricks to improve your chances of Sucess in the pursuit of this pastime.He has stories and great photographs ( black & white ) of the places he has beachcombed, and many recomendations about how and where to find the good stuff.From Alaska to South America as well as many other places in the Pacific ocean are covererd in good detail.This would be a great book for anyone visiting the coast or living there.

Steven Ruskin has captured the 'true' Bear Dance in his most creatively-written interpretation of William Holbrook Beard's 'The Bear Dance'. It is impossible to not find yourself immersed in this splendid celebration that is so vividly captured. Ruskin's use of poetry is fun, enchanting and it will take you time traveling with it's medieval spirit and mystical setting. I highly recommend this reading for anyone who loves, lives, and challenges the idea of 'possible'.

This book covers everything a massage therapist needs to know, things I wasn't even taught in massage school. If you want to know it all, get this book. It is wonderful and I plan on using it as THE massage book for the massage school I am opening this year.

My love for Bears developed while living in Canada, which was the first time I came across this potentially dangerous animal...that lived where I lived...chose to walk the trails that I walked...and had no respect for those in hiking boots.

On a sunny, hot summers day I met with a protective grizzly sow with two cubs. A demonstration of 'Power', 'Intimidation', and 'Motherly Instinct' took place before my eyes. With the ability to merely watch...and not much else, I felt helpless, knowing that I did not have the ability to change my very-own immediate future. The bear was very much in control...she had the ability to kill in a matter of seconds...and yet she let us go.

Was it the quick actions of my friend that saved us? Was it that I reacted slowly (in an non-threatening manner) that disabled the situation? Or, was it that the bear saw our two dogs as 'our cubs'...and after protecting hers she left us alone to protect ours?

Questions like these have plagued me most days since our meeting, and this book is one of many, which I've read in search of answers.

This book has answered many questions...short of why the grizzly I met let me go. It is full of facts and written in a style that heavily leans toward the protection of these beautiful animals. Many people 'hate' Grizzlies (all bears for that matter), yet hatred feeds on fear, and fear is born from the unknown. Get to know what you're dealing with and the fear disappears.

While I'm not a fan of reviews that talk about pictures, the author has found 'most' of the best available to publish in his book. The pictures are wonderful (which in the case of 'understanding', especially for unapproachable animals, is so important) and the fear is replaced with respect. The pictures of the bears in their natural habitat show the bear is an animal of peace-yet-power; mother-yet (possible)-murderer; parent...provider...and protector.

Not only a book of fact, it is of 'coffee-table' quality, which can be enjoyed by many. From those who want to learn, to those who just like the pictures of these 'not-so-cuddly' demons of our imagination, this book will enthral.

The 'Great Bear' has the ability to chisel it's being into the spine of those who cross it's path. It has the ability to erase landscapes, producing a tunnel-vision effect between animal and man - even of life and death. The bear reclaims its land in a second. All that one can see is the bear; standing proud, in a circle of white, empty space. The bear got me in 1998. My life took a turn because of it.

I plan on moving to Canada to live. The 'Great Bear' is a big reason why...and this book has provided some of my reasons.

I have read this book for the 5th time since I was about 8 years old. I am 36 and it has never lost its' grip on me. Leslie's first hand account of communing with bears in British Columbia's remote, yet not remote enough, North Woods is truly unforgettable. How this book became out of print, and never a movie or documentary defies explanation. Leslie's descriptive language and compelling narrative is a tribute to nature writers everywhere. Readers who like Farley Mowat and Robert Redford would like this book. I plan on passing this on to my 2 year old son as my mother passed it on to me whaen old enough to comprehend. Long live the bear!