Since Trudeau, Canadian Prime Ministers have centralized power in the Prime Minister's Office, and the office of the Privy Council. Unknown bureaucrats now preempt the power that used to belong to Parliament, and more recently, Cabinet. Chretien wields more raw power than most 3rd World dictators. A very readable "mystery", that explains APEC pepper spraying, the Somalia Affair, etc.

'Gwen John' by Alicia Foster is one of the most interesting books that exist on this somewhat enigmatic artist. Foster reviews Gwen John's paintings with coolness and objectivity. This is especially refreshing as some writers on the same subject have engulfed themselves in biographical detail. This text, however, focuses on biographical information only as and when necessary. Foster evaluates Gwen John's paintings with regard to her artistic training at the Slade School as well as the influence of her decision to spend most of her career in Paris. She analyses John's occupation as artists model, her Catholic faith and her subject matter. Discussion is also given to Gwen John's work in relation to other artists working in the early part of the twentieth century, giving insight into the world in which Gwen John lived and worked.

Foster considers both feminist and modernist evaluations of Gwen John's paintings whilst not adhering to either doctrine. At the same time she is able to present her research in concise and easily understood language. This text provides valuable insights for readers looking at early twentieth century portraiture. However it would also be an engaging and pleasurable read for anyone with an interest in art.

Tim Caulton has prepared an excellent reference book for anyone involved in Science Centers and Children's Museums. He manages to contextualize all the relevant factors: history, education, exhibit development, marketing, finance, human resources, operations, special events and activities. I have used this book to a great extent. It has helped me plan and manage a mayor children's museum. His style is straightforward and synthetic. The book has a lot of useful information. It addresses the main educational theories and particular museum cases to illustrate the problems, risks and most effective procedures to run a kind of museum that is not like the rest. A must for anyone that operates interactive museums. Not many books on the subject. This one is a keeper.

It seems a crime that this excellent book (Hara) is out of print. The great merit of Durkheim's work is that it makes superb sense of what is often shrouded in exotic obscurities - the psycho-
somatic basis underpinning a multiplicity of disciplnes - Taoist/Zen practice,the Martial arts(Wu shu/Budo) etc.- making the central principle clear, within the bounds of practical discussion - yet never encroaching upon that which defies description. Although it invites materialistic misunderstand- ings to say so, this book offers a 'hands on' approach to quite 'rooted' processes, often glossed over in accounts of 'eastern wisdom' laying almost exclusive stress on 'mind development.' Necessarily, Eastern teachings do stress mind development and from a certain perspective,they eschew body-centered thinking/fixations. But as anyone reasonably proficient in Za-zen (or equivalent disciplines) will find, there is a distinct corre- spondence between mind-states, breathing, and bodily states, making it apparent that the 'brain' is not the primary or real vital centre of man. Za-zen brings the discovery that a balanced awareness finds itself focused - bodily, in the 'hara' - and Durkheim's book attests to the distinct benefits this discovery yields, not in purely bodily terms, but in relation to the life giving force (ki) of the universe. The 'hara (or 'tanden') is a natural reservoir of this energy and therefore, the psychosomatic side of meditation (or martial arts training) is of vital importance.

Much as something like Zen advocates the 'non abiding mind' etc., masters like Dogen and Hakuin both knew the importance of developing the hara. A 'floating' or 'sinking' mind upsets practice, the unstable 'ki' causing bodily and mental illness, exhaustion, or drowsiness. Paradoxically, the best way to bring the mind to rest - predisposing it to return to its natural, 'non-abiding' state - is to first 'fix' it in the hara.
Even if this is thought of 'physically' - at the outset, it will eventually yield its higher, psycho-physical process, merging with the cosmic breath, leaving the mind to mirror events,with-
out sticking to them.

Durkheim writes as one who has found and knows the secrets of the 'hara.' The last thing he advocates, is switching from one bodily fixation - to another, e.g. from the cereberal, brain centered 'west' - to a 'navel gazing' east. On the contrary, Durkheim shows the hara to be a creative and healing centre, linking the 'whole person' with the very life energy of the universe, all other life-forms - and what lies beyond form. Clearly, advocates of the martial arts wouldn't be able to func- tion, if simply fixated on the navel in a pedestrian manner.

Durkheim draws on sources of the Far-eastern tradition to illustrate his point, but numerous anecdotes show that the 'western' consciousness has been aware of hara-power, albeit less consciously developed with us - than in the East. On a very basic level, we talk of someone having 'guts,' of 'gut' feelings etc. - and, needless to say, our sexual feelings are rooted in the hara. Shortsightedly no doubt,some forms of psychology regard the idea sinking to the level of the solar plexus - as a regression to infantilism, the womb - and 'death.' But as this region contains the generative and nurturative powers of life, that is a rather strange deduction. The East knows better. Durkheim doesn't mention it, but the Christian 'Heyschasts' knew of the hara - in their own way, consciously focusing their prayer in the region of solar plexus, the bodily equivalent of the 'omphalos' or cosmic earth-centre. Durkheim links all true creativity with the hara, noting how singers make use it, how old craftsmen seem to have their accumulated 'skills' stored there.

Durkheim skilfully draws on aspects of traditional Japanese culture to show how the energies involved flow from the hara, yet
remain focused there, a deep reservoir and centre of energy, unruffled by the flitting oscillations- of a purely brain centered awareness.The nice thing about this book is that it encourages the attentive reader to develop 'hara' - as a process coterminous with the life process and very cosmic flow, the 'Zendo' of everyday life - if you like. Durkheim respects a plurality of Asian disciplines - which is right and proper, but never loses sight of the fact that - ultimately, they all owe their inspir- ation to the cosmic life-process,that at a basic psychosomatic level, these are all somehow functioning through the hara. The author's fascinating notes and observations are ample testimony to this fact.It is the 'well of life' itself - that we find celebrated in Durkheim's book - at once practical yet intuitive, an invitation to remain in tune with the breath and spirit of life. As such, Durkheim's book will always be a classic, of benefit to a wide range of readers, regardless of background.

As with many Amazon.com books listed as OP- a bit more work will let you find this book- approx 14.00 from numerous art/photo specialty stores

This book deserves attention for various reasons. First, it is a rare European contribution to the study of Japanese foreign and security policies. Second, it gives a truly well informed overview of contemporary Japanese foreign policy, especially towards North Korea. Third, it makes an original and thought-provoking attempt to distance itself from the largely intuitive way of dealing with Japanese politics that still dominates the discourse. Or rather, this is politico-scientific analysis, whereas the study of Japanese foreign policy usually has been the realm of the often significantly less theoretically informed 'Japanese studies.' Hughes in fact makes such central political concepts as 'power' and 'security' his foremost tools of analysis. I have expressed some objections against his definitions and applications of the concept of power elsewhere, but since I believe that we need more - not less - power analyses of Japanese foreign policy, on the whole, I am very sympathetic with his overall approach. Fourth, and most importantly, the book poses very relevant questions about Japanese power. Realists and liberals have for many years disputed what Japan's future role in the international system would be. Liberals like e.g. Richard Rosecrace have then considered Japanese pacifism as the natural consequence of human rationalism, whereas realists like Kenneth Waltz have asserted that Japan's economic power will undoubtedly be translated into proportional political military power. Hughes presents very careful and knowledgeable analyses of his empirical material that are no doubt relevant in the context of this dispute:

First he finds that after WWII ideas about an economic security policy have been totally dominant in Japan, but interestingly also that in the wake of the Cold War more 'traditional' ideas about a necessary military basis for security policy, have become increasingly influential in Japan. Paradoxically, this tendency seems to be going in the opposite direction in most other parts of the world. He then shows that policymakers in the Asia-Pacific region seem to acknowledge that the North Korean military security problems largely have economic causes and that they should be solved with economic means, i.e. a 'soft landing'. Hughes draws the conclusion that Japan would have sufficient economic capacity in absolute terms as well as in the relations to North Korea to influence the country to do a soft landing, but also that "Japan's economic power capacity for security purposes remains latent and under-utilised" in this respect. He goes on to ask why Japan has failed to mobilize its economic resources. Looking at different groups of policymakers, in short he draws the conclusion that there have been too many risks and too few chances associated with a positive engagement for North Korea in Japan. Instead, and this is one of the most conspicuous conclusions of his book, Hughes finds that unlike the general trend in the international society, Japan has chosen to emphasize military aspects in its security policy towards North Korea. He also argues persuasively that it has used mainly military policy instruments vis-à-vis the country. This very central conclusion that Hughes draws from his analysis therefore makes him take side in the dispute between liberals and realists about Japanese power referred to above: "North Korean security problem is actually more likely to serve as the occasion for Japan's emergence as a global military power, rather than a civilian power." This conclusion is rather provoking for most of us, and it should be even more so in most circles in Japan. However, unlike a majority of those who speak about the re-emergence of Japanese military power, Hughes is neither part of the PRC propaganda machinery, nor does he seem to have any theoretical bias for this conclusion. This book is, in other words, evidence enough that careful empirical analysis, departing from interesting questions, is actually enough to let social scientists draw controversial and important conclusions about the world.

Japan's International Relations

One of the best books I have ever read on Japan's international relations and a successful attempt to present a comprehensive overview and analysis on Japan's relations with East Asia, the U.S. and Europe.
This book is interesting for students, scholars and all those who are interested in the how and why of Japan's international relations.

The book is easy to use, is dealing with Japan's relations with East Asia, the U.S. and Europe separately and the chapters are divided in a way that you always and exactly know what you are reading.
The index at the end of the book makes looking for keywords very easy and so far there is no keyword that I have not found in this book.
It is certainly well-researched information, goes into details without loosing itself in them making sure that the reader gets to know the important facts of Japan's relations with the countries in its geographical region, the United States and Europe.

It is a European perspective on Japan's international relations and without a doubt a refreshing change from so many books on Japanese politics and economics mainly giving the American perspective.
I am dealing with Japan's international relations professionally and I use the book as dictionary as well as a source for information and facts that I have not known before.

The book is also going beyond the standard view on Japan's international relations due to the fact that the authors back their research also on numerous secondary Japanese sources.
Lots of interesting background information indeed, the footnotes are numerous giving lots of advice on further reading.

No doubt that the authors know what they are talking about and if you want to know how Japan's relations with the U.S., East Asia and Europe work and what they mean for Japan, this is the book to consult.

Well-done Glenn Hook, Chris Hughes, Julie Gilson and Hugo Dobson

Axel Berkofsky

This beautiful book chronologically shows Usle's development as a painter. The colorplates are vivid and show his color sensibilities. A wonderful book for any Usle fan!

As the full title suggests, this is a set of three separable, yet linked studies/chapters of central philosophical concepts that relate to Marx's work. Suchting's philosophical inspiration was clearly Louis Althusser (both early and later). The first study/chapter deals with epistemology, and argues for a solution to the epistemological problem (the twin evils of dogmatism and scepticism) via a re-thinking of scientific and ordinary thought in terms of the practices entailed in a theoretical (and actual) mode of production. The second study/chapter deals with ontology, arguing for a materialist approach, but one that does not have its grounding in the traditional foundationalist metaphysical project. It is argued that because materialism cannot be ultimately justified by means of self-reflexive thought (the characteristic mode of philosophy), the choice of this presupposition is made on the grounds of its effectiveness in relation to practical emancipatory struggles of the working class. The third study/chapter is a dissection of the meaning of 'the dialectic'. It is argued here that this concept has no genuine metaphysical status in Marx's work, and is better thought of as providing some regulations or guides to investigation and revolutionary practice.

Wal Suchting died in early 1997. His work has passed largely unnoticed by his Marxist colleagues in the field of philosophy (possibly due to his loathing of self-promotion). This is unfortunate because the quality of his work is of the first order, and constitutes a powerful argument for a type of Marxism (and Marx!) that is not rooted in philosophical doctrine, but rather in scientific practices that can be used to empower the working class.

This book lays bear this approach, employing a style that carefully and succinctly dissects opposing arguments in their most general formulation, and proposes new arguments in a similar fashion.

This work could be criticised for being 'old fashioned' in that it does not deal with some contemporary issues facing Marxist philosophy - most notably, the place of feminist and multicultural approaches to issues of epistemology and political theory. It also makes no mention of the post-modern turn in philosophy. Perhaps Suchting would have replied to these criticisms by claiming that issues of gender and race are particularistic and thus not of concern to the extremely abstract doctrines dealt with in this work. As to post-modernism, one can confidently state that Suchting felt this to be a philosophical blackhole hardly worthy of comment. A more immanent criticism, however, might be that this work lacks a systematic treatment of the practices of social science or of political theory - concerns that were obviously central to Marx.

That said, it is beyond dispute that this work is an innovative and rewarding contribution to Marxist scholarship.

The book has a collection of papers of different areas related to mechatronics. The contributions of the authors are excellent in quality and contents.

An excellent book to know what is happening in the mechatronics world.