This book is an excellent collection of research papers on mobility, and it serves as a good introduction on the topic as well as a reference for new work. It stands out for three reasons: (1) Its breadth - it covers all important aspects of mobility in a single volume. (2) Its depth - it pulls together papers from many different sources, including major conferences, but also hard-to-find, yet ground-breaking papers. (3) Its commentary - both by the authors and by the individual researchers (in the form of afterwords).

1) The three areas covered - although they have similar problems with similar solutions - are rarely presented together. 2) The editors have selected a nice cross-section of papers from the three areas, and 3) The editors make some key points about and draw some key parallels between the three areas in the introductions and summaries.

This book presents an excellent collection of papers describing various forms of mobility. It would be useful for a wide variety of technical professionals. This would also be an invaluable resource for students and researchers who plan to work in this increasingly important area. The unique feature of this book is the width of its coverage. It covers all the important papers I can think of.

While reading this book I experienced one of those "light bulb" moments that Oprah is always talking about. Douglas' realization of the single key element which allowed the white man to enslave the black man .... ignorance. During the time of slavery in this country it was illegal to teach slaves to read. When Douglas realizes this - that only by keeping the black man illiterate, is the white man able to keep him in chains, he teachs himself to read - and he manages to free himself.

Every young person, regardless of race, should read this book and realize how an education will change their lives.

This is a short book of a little over a hundred pages. You can read it in a couple of hours. It was first published in 1845 and is the early life of its author.

The book was written against the debates that raged in America over slavery. The writer an escaped slave lectured for some years against slavery on speaking tours. Advocates of slavery suggested that he was a fraud and to intelligent to be a slave. The book was written to prove the truth of his claims and background.

Douglas appears to have been the result of a liaison between his master and his mother. No one knows for sure as his father never acknowledged him. One realizes how evil the institution of slavery is that it could so warp the feelings of a natural father so as to allow a son to live the life as a slave.

The institution was clearly a degrading one. In one house Douglas was fed by cooked corn being dumped on the ground, he and other slaves would have to scoop it up with simple utensils and eat it. Clothing was rationed so that each slave would be given a pair of pants and two shirts a year. Children were only given shirts. One of the cruelest aspects of slavery was that slaves were prohibited from education. It was thought education would be at variance with their state and lead to rebellion.

Douglas describes how the institution could lead to random cruelty. One master is described as shooting a slave who refused to obey an instruction. He did so as a calculated act to ensure that in the future he would be obeyed. Although killing slaves was against the law he committed the act only in the presence of other slaves who were not permitted to give evidence in law courts.

Douglas was placed in a household in which a woman taught him how to read. The women's husband found out and the lessons stopped. Never the less it seemed to be the start of Douglas's refusal to accept his status. Somewhat later Douglas was put into the care of a notorious pastor. The pastor had a reputation as a slave breaker. After considerable humiliation Douglas confronted the pastor and rebelled against his authority. It was normal in such circumstances for people to be publicly flogged. The pastor however refused to have Douglas flogged. Not because of any religious feeling but over a concern that if a slave in his care was seen to beyond his control then his living as a slave breaker would be at an end. Douglas decided after this that he would try to escape to the north. After some initial failures he escaped and became one of the leading spokesmen against slavery.

The book was written at a time when large numbers of Americans argued strongly that slavery was a benevolent institution aimed at providing a benefit to the "uncivilized Africans." It is hard now to believe that such a debate would have taken place.

Good book, boring at times, but really puts you in the life of a slave.

The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall.

The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series.

The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit... But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable.

--Volume VII--

The seventh volume of the New Interpreter's Bible is the volume that introduces the Apocalytic tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures. After an introductory essay concerning Apocalyptic Literature, the volume continues with the books of the major prophet Daniel, the apocryphal additions of Daniel, and the so-called twelve Minor Prophets, and so concludes the Hebrew Scripture/Old Testament section of the series.

In his introductory general article on Apocalyptic Literature, Frederick Murphy of the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, looks at the ideas behind Apocalyptic and Revelation traditions. There is more than one strand of tradition in such thinking, and Murphy approaches the task by looking at origins, commonalities, and the differences contained in the writings, both canonical and extracanonical. Murphy devotes some time to looking at texts beyond the scope of the NIB (those writings, such as the Enoch literature and the Apocalypse of Abraham, which didn't even achieve apocryphal status) to create a broader worldview for the context of biblical Apocalyptic literature.

Each of the books is addressed by a different scholar, each providing commentary and reflection material giving insight into historical interpretation as well as new directions for each of the Minor Prophetic works. Perhaps the best known of the Minor Prophets is Jonah, commentary for which is provided by Phyllis Trible of Union Theological Seminary in New York. Trible writes, 'The book of Jonah does not disclose its purpose, and speculation has not secured it. This uncertainty matches the meager knowledge about its origin, date, composition, genre, and setting. Nonetheless, the book offers an abundance of literary treasures, theological complexities, and hermeneutical possibilities.'

The additions to Daniel are called apocryphal because their status is not canonically clear within the Christian tradition. They are not contained in the official canon of the Hebrew scripture, and so Protestant tradition has tended to leave the books out of the Old Testament. However, these texts were included in the Septuagint, the primary Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures in the ancient world, and so the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox churches consider the texts canonical.

High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!).

--Other volumes available--

The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each.

Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus

Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel

Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith

Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms

Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach

Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel

Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi

Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark

Volume IX: Luke; John

Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians

Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon

Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation

Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know who to trust.

You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts.

Each text is broken down into discret units (i.e. the Tower of Babel) followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading.

Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.

I can't believe that no one has written an online review of this book yet! The NIB is the best Bible commentary written. If you are serious about scholarly study of the Bible, you need to buy the entire series. It is expensive to buy 12 volumes at $60-70 each, even if you save 30% through amazon.com like I did ;). In that case, check with your church or library. As a fall-back try Harper's or Jerome's for single volume commentaries. If at all possible, buy the NIB. Forget the earlier version of the IB.

The NIB is the definitive standard for serious Bible scholarship.

Book Description: Magical realism has become almost synonymous with Latin American fiction, but this way of representing the layered and often contradictory reality of the topsy-turvy, late-capitalist, globalizing world finds equally vivid expression in U.S. multiethnic and British postcolonial literature and film. Writers and filmmakers such as Oscar "Zeta" Acosta, Ana Castillo, Julie Dash, Hanif Kureishi, and Salman Rushdie have made brilliant use of magical realism to articulate the trauma of dislocation and the legacies of colonialism that people of color experience in the postcolonial, multiethnic world. This book seeks to redeem and refine the theory of magical realism in U.S. multiethnic and British postcolonial literature and film. The author engages in theoretically sophisticated readings of Ana Castillo's So Far from God, Oscar "Zeta" Acost's Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo, Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, Shame, The Satanic Verses, and The Moor's Last Sigh, Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust, and Stephen Frears and Hanif Kureishi's Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. Coining the term "magicorealism" to characterize these works, Aldama not only creates a postethnic critical methodology for enlarging the contact zone between the genres of novel, film, and autobiography, but also shatters the interpretive lens that traditionally confuses the transcription of the real world, where truth and falsity apply, with narrative modes governed by other criteria.

Reviews:
"In this exciting new book, Frederick Luis Aldama has done an outstanding job of remapping 'magical realism"--Werner Sollors, Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Professor of English Literature and Professor of Afro-American Studies, Harvard University.

"Frederick Luis Aldama offers a vigorous revisionary perspective on postcolonial literature and, more specifically, on the much discussed phenomenon of magicorealism. He has a commanding knowledge of postcolonial theory, and he performs a welcome critical task in demonstrating how it tends to confuse the confines of the academy with the contours of the real world, textuality with ontology. Aldama himself is a political critic, but he sanely argues that the arena of any serious politics is the world of living people and not a text"--Robert Alter, Professor of Comparative Literature, University of California at Berkeley and author of Canon and Creativity.

"Providing a lucid and cogent critique of the tendency in contemporary criticism to ontologize "magical realism," a tendency that implicitly articulates a relatively simple mimetic relationship between "magical realism" and various postcolonial cultures, Frederick Aldama instead posits a theory of what he calls "rebellious mimetics" that introduces a complex aesthetic and political mediation in that relationship. In doing so, he weaves together a series of excellent analyses of novels and films by authors and artists as diverse as Salman Rushdie, Ana Castillio, Oscar Zeta Acosta, Julie Dash, and Hanif Kureishi. This is a very significant contribution to the study of this genre"--Abdul R. JanMohamed, Professor of English, University of California, Berkeley.

"In this insightful and forceful study of magical realism, Aldama successfully argues that a true postethnic and postcolonial criticism should not (con)fuse the world with the text. His commentaries on Castillo, Dash, Kureishi, Acosta, and Rushdie force the readers to see these artists' magicorealist works in a new light, thus revealing all of their splendid and contradictory complexities. Aldama's book is a must for anyone who wishes to understand the intricacies of magical realism and the vitality of this genre in contemporary European postcolonial and ethnic American literature and scholarship"--Emilio Bejel, Professor of Spanish American Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder and author of Gay Cuban Nation.

"Through a study of the playful narrative techniques of writers and film-makers such as Dash, Garcia Marquez, Rushdie and Kureishi, Frederick Luis Aldama offers a powerful critique of those who view magical realism as either a means toward postcolonial resistance or as a depiction of some exotic real world. Proposing a "postethnic" approach, Aldama argues convincingly that a reader's or viewer's understanding of the aesthetic dimensions of what he calls "magicorealism" can lead to greater political understanding than older, more ideologically oriented interpretations"--Herbert Lindenberger, Avalon Professor of Humanities, Emeritus, Stanford University.

"It is rare that we come across a truly great book, one in which fierce intelligence asserts itself in pages that truly matter. Such a book assigns us the task of reordering what we have taken as true on the promise of an understanding more profound. In such a book, we are guided by extraordinary vision, by an author with keen insight. In the rarest of occasions, we read words that are wise, words that make broad connection and interrogate a range of thought that afterwards we deem necessary. Postethnic Narrative Criticism is such a book; Frederick Aldama is such an author"--Alfred Arteaga, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of California, Berkeley.

This work offers a highly valuable rethinking of magical realism, one that assesses previous work in new ways, one that extends the historical reach of arguments about magical realism, and one that brings a new level of sophistication to arguments about it"--Carl Guitierrez-Jones, Professor and Chair, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Enfin! Postethnic Narrative Criticism is the first book in ethnic and postcolonial literary and film studies that cuts through Gordian knots that arise from confusing narrative fiction (a complexly organized aesthetic that uses point of view, style, and genre to engage readers) with the facts that make up our reality outside of the text.
This is a must read for any reader interested in moving away from studies--poststructrualist or otherwise--that lead to dead ends.
It is a must read for readers tired of jargon and fundamental misconceptions of what novels and films can do in the world at large.

Calling for active participation from knowledgeable and intelligent readers, Post-Ethnic Narrative Criticism serves as a well drawn out map for literary exploration through an innovative approach to understanding complicated literature and films. Thought his engagement as an author, Aldama speaks directly to his audience in a manner that is candid, forthright, and compelling. Although this is a difficult text- one that must not be taken lightly, this work acknowledges real dilemmas of real peoples, and offers up a critically and emotionally balanced understanding of the often-subtle dilemmas of contemporary narratology confronting such peoples.
As a result of my own time spent with this text I have walked away with a greater understanding of how narrative techniques inform textual spaces of those who are often placeless, and how this (dis)location functions both inside and out of the academy.

Dr. Prete has put together a collection of the works of the finest research minds in the field, organized into a concise reference. Scientists and laymen alike will marvel at the quality of the presentation and the full color plates. Serious researchers will appreciate the quality of the data and the organized and well indexed approach. This volume is essential to the collection of any fan of the marvelous mantids.

A truly fascinating book based on serious research in the field of entomology. The book caters to the readers who are aware and appreciate the beauty of pursuing knowledge by way of science. This is not a book for the beginner or temporary hobbyist wishing to only read about keeping a mantis alive. The concepts addressed in The Praying Mantids are often complicated and require a seriousness of thought and a scientific base to work with. Finally, The Praying Mantids is a long awaited and comprehensive book on mantids written from the perspective of a scientist.

Excellent book,a comprehensive reference for both technical and non-technical readers on the insects that continue to fascinate people after thousands of years. Zoologists, biologists, psychologists, and ecologists cover history, morphology, and taxonomy; ecology and mating behavior; hearing and vision, motor behaviors; defensive behavior; and techniques for rearing, breeding, and researching. A battery of color plates include several that resemble find-the-mantis puzzles. Information is also provided on permits and responsibilities and sources of equipment and supplies for rearing and breeding, and on museums housing major mantic collections. This book has everything you want to know, so get it!

A nun who was a former teacher struggles within her calling against a background of child kidnapping. Good local color (south Philadelphia), a Mafia Don, and conflicted police policies combine to make for an exciting read. A city detective admires Sister Frederick and is uncomfortable with his feelings. I want more!!

Sobol and Lubeck offer us an engaging new heroine. Sister Frederick is charming, intelligent, and slightly mysterious with a background that is not totally revealed. The action is set in Philadelphia, with interesting details and local color. The plot to this mystery moves along fast and is a good read. I was sorry to see the book end because I definitely want to know more about Sister Frederick!

Sister Frederick is a terrific discovery! Sobol and Lubeck have given us an engaging new heroine who is smart, charming, complex and has a somewhat mysterious background. The setting, Philadelphia, is a carefully detailed backdrop to the story. The plot moves along rapidly and is an excellent read. One of my measures in judging the success of a mystery is where it leaves the reader. In this case, I wanted to read much more about Sister Frederick!

One of my favorite photo essays on the old middle east. Wonderful collection of photographs and fascinating history.

"Sevruguin and the Persian Image" presents the Smithsonian's collection of one of Qajar Iran's preeminent photographers. In addition to the photographs, the volume contains valuable histories of early photography in Iran, the career of Antoin Sevruguin, and how the collection itself came about. The double entendre of the title refers to how Sevruguin's art was informed by and catered to the Orientalist tastes of a Europe in which he was educated. Yet as an Armenian Christian who was born, lived, died and was buried in Tehran, he presented a different image of Iran than the typical Orientalist photographers of the day. "Sevruguin and the Persian Image" is both a solid examination of a photographer's art as well as a thoughtful analysis of the Western image of Iran in the late nineteenth century.

this is a great collection of some excellent photos of iran at the turn of the last century - it chronicles everyday life, including peasants, and the aristocracy and monarchy - there is a great picture of tehran's bustling main street, with horse-drawn, rail carriages, and the throngs of crowds, some of whom are temporairly mesmerized by the photographer perched on some rooftop. A must-have for iran-history-nastalgic buffs. Only wish there was more...

This book was fantastic! It outlined the basic concepts of statistics in a way that didn't completely confuse the student. I was able to pass all my tests and actually UNDERSTAND my coursework. Kudos to the author--I HIGHLY recommend this book to the beginning statistics student.

This has to be the most "gentle" book about statistics on the market. I can actually say that I now understand the basic statistical methods! Too often, statistics books give you too much information all at once, which can be confusing to beginners. This book gradually lays it out step by step and gives clear examples of almost every possible variation. Authors of statistics texts often confuse the reader in their attempts to impress them with technical language. This book is written in language understandable to beginners and proceeds at a digestable pace. Plus, it includes brief glimpses of historical information to give the reader a broader understanding of the subject. I highly recommend this as a text for introductory statistics classes or as a refresher for anyone!

This book introduced all areas of statistics with a story or an explanation that made learning statistics enjoyable. In addition, this book contained many detailed examples that I used over and over again throughtout the course as a way of ensuring myself that I truly understood the concept that I was currently being taught. Statistics: A Gentle Introduction is a book that will remian in my personal library for many years.

Previous: Very Good, Jeeves

The first of the Jeeves novels, Thank You, Jeeves is outstanding in every way, and it is a terrible shame that this brilliant book appears to be out of print. This is, in fact, one of my three favorite Jeeves books. The story is deliciously different, and eccentric at every turn. I think what is most noticeable about this book is the exquisite relationship between Bertie and Jeeves. We are wounded along with Bertie in the opening pages when Jeeves gives notice, although what follows makes their relationship more interesting than ever and, if I may say so, charming. This is the only book in which we "see" the servant's quarters (where Bertie spends much of his time seeking out Jeeves's advice), and the first in which we see how utterly devoted Jeeves is to the "golden-hearted" Bertie (Jeeves's words), although for the vast majority of the book he doesn't even work for him. Full of hilarious sequences such as Bertie's getting awakened every few minutes by the police constable, and getting chased by a drunk Brinkley (the new valet) with a carving knife (an event which is alluded to more than once in later novels). A wonderful, sweet, and zany book that tops the list of must-reads for Jeeves and Bertie fans.

I could be wrong, but I believe the reason for this book's being out of print is Mr. Wodehouse's repeated use of the word "nigger." In context, it is perfectly obvious that while the word is slang, it is never meant to be the extremely offensive and derogatory word that it is to my generation. In fact, Bertie has nothing but respect for the "nigger minstrels" and only wants to learn some banjolele-playing tips from them. The use of the word is simply a reflection of the times in which Wodehouse wrote-after all, this book was written more than seventy years ago, and times, and words, change.

Next: Right Ho, Jeeves

a terrific funny novel by Wodehouse. i enjoyed this tremendously.. hope u too

This is a must read for anybody interested in Wodehouse's work. Set in Chuffnell Regis as a result of Bertie's suddenly found passion for Banjolele, the plot thickens with hiliarious twists. I read this book 4 times just for the character of Sir Roderick. What a book!