The importance of this book cannot be overstated - it is still the most exhaustive effort to date to document every aspect of the black American condition, from medical history to birth rates to the black church and social clubs. Myrdal systematically shreds the institutions of segregation and racial indocrination. As for providing groundwork for changing these systems, however, he falls short. Myrdal is too vague in his theories of white morality and causation of black poverty and never draws solid conclusions. There is also no mention of actual contact or conversation with any black people - Myrdal fails to see blacks as much more than a palimpsest of the white experience. I think he would have done better to push the white psyche aside and interact more with the focus of his study. Ralph Ellison noted, "Can a people live and develop over three hundred years simply by _reacting_? Are American Negroes simply the creation of white men, or have they at least helped to create themselves out of what they found around them?"

Writing against the backdrop of WWII, Myrdal confronted the contradiction between the US belief "All men are created equal") and the reality that African-Americans earned less for the same work as whites, lived in atrocious conditions, died at an earlier age. He argues that if Americans had believed that God made some poor, others rich, this contradiction could have been acceptable. But because Americans believed "all men are equal," the fact that African-Americans were manifestly living in worse conditions lead US society to seek a justification in the doctrine of racial inferiority. This book grasped the contradiction in US society, and foresaw that change was imminent, but Myrdal did not see that it was those under-educated and overworked African-American men and women themselves who would form the backbone of Civil Rights Movement. He expected that the white elites in power would have to change in order for the situation of African-Americans to improve. One reason this book is relevant today is Myrdal's theory of cumulative causation, which suggests that government intervention will be necessary to reverse the tendency of white race prejudice to maintain a low standard of living for African-Americans. In days where economic theories attacking the logic of affirmative action are widespread, here is an eloquent statement of the logic behind the original ideas for affirmative action.

During the long course of our studies of social trends that undermine our collective humanity, we have frequently come across significant research studies that provide critical keys to our understanding. Such is the case with AN AMERICAN DILEMMA: THE NEGRO PROBLEM AND MODERN DEMOCRACY. The Swedish researcher Gunnar Myrdal, under a grant sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, produced this landmark study which was published in 1944 by Harper and Row publishers. Some fifty years after its publication AN AMERICAN DILEMMA still stands as perhaps the most comprehensive, and unsettling, analysis of America's relationship with its African members. At nearly 1500 pages, including footnotes and index, Myrdal's study is awesomely comprehensive. Disturbing revelation follows revelation as the scientist, trained in economics, explores every imaginable aspect of Negro life and at various times even proposes methods by which America might eventually relieve itself of its longstanding "problem." From the beginning of this country's history, at the heart of America's ethnic crisis lies the very real potential of sustained and systematic planning to manage Blacks as a material resource as opposed to human beings in all their potential. I will take this thought further to state that Myrdal's study stands as a virtual blueprint for a contemporary campaign to undermine the aspirations of the Black citizenry. The ultimate form of this repression can only be described as systematic genocide--by every definition of the word. By Myrdal's own words, his study is quite thorough, encompassing not only every aspect of Negro life but examining the varied attitudes of the dominant white majority.

Good simple book that anyone could read and use could have done with more pictures of useful plants but apart from that it is realy good.

I agree with othe reviewers this book would be useful in scouting circles plus being a soldier I found it fit well in my lightwieghts and combats leg pocket plus it also fits well in my bergan without taking up to much room. at £16 its a bit expensive but at the end of the day the information within it is priceless

knew a guy called Steve Marshall noticed this book in a shop window so I thought I'll have a glance at it who knows it could be the same person. As I read it it became clear to me that it was the same person found I could not put it down finally the shop keeper said "hey matie if your going to stand there all day buy the bloody thing, best £16.00 ive ever spent plus it gave me a good excuse to ring him and renew old friendship. that aside this is a good book good illustrations no nonsence advice and Steve's dry sence of humour is brilliant "check out the bit where he tells you how to get unlost in the countryside on a cloudy wet night a three in the morning" just brilliant

What a good book no nonsense book without al you special forces techniques.
comes over as a easy to read book with idears and concepts that can be put to good use by the reader, be that reader an enthusiast, or novice wouls make a good book in scouting circles or for working with you people.

Easy to understand illustrations and one of the few books on the market that not only covers in depth the subject of living of the land. but also supporting an environmental approach.

This man puts the planet first, and hints of his dry sense of humour jump out at you in places, Steven Marshall's style is to keep the reader looking at the positive aspects of the subject, while explaining why survivalist are put down by the media, in a no defensive manner.

A book that can be used for life: for all differing environments across the world.

Worth having in any collection

This booklet has step-by-step instructions with diagrams of each step. Included are the specific benefits of each posture as well as who should avoid them due to individual health conditions. It is a great reference source but not practical to use as a walk-thru yoga session, as, frankly, it's hard to do yoga while holding and reading a book. It is well worth the money as a reference source.

This is a very basic introduction to 18 yoga postures, good for someone new to hatha yoga. For an intermediate or advanced practitioner, there is nothing new here.

The most important book on Hatha Yoga written this century. The postures are POWERFUL! An advanced yogi would find the kundalini awakening almost to much to handle, this is NOT for beginners and those who use this book MUST exercise there own caution. This is a milestone on the path to becoming SIDDHA. AUM BABAJI

I enjoyed it very much and found it highly informative, enlightening and evocative. There was a gap in the history of the USAAF. What better could fill it than a volume drafted by those who were there. I am sure that every veteran of those bitter battles in that monumental conflict will want to read your story of the "Pathfinders of the Eighth Air Force". It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the USAAF. I thank you for all that you and your colleagues did so many years ago in the fight to preserve our Freedom. Thank you for then and thank you for taking the time now to produce this book-a fine tribute to all the 'pathfinders' of the 8AF.

There are very few books available on the history and missions of the Pathfinders, aircrews of the 482nd Bomb Group who were assigned to various other bomb groups as advance aircraft, using radar and radio beam equipment to search out and identify targets of the day on missions over enemy-held territory. Bombs Away tells the story of three members of an air combat crew in a most unusual and effective manner. Authors Thixton, Moffat, and O'Neil - flying as a bombardier, a ball turret gunner, and a tail and waist gunner, respectively - have collaborated to tell their stories of combat in 1943 and 1944 as members or the Pathfinders. The volume covers the early missions with the 95th Bomb Group and then describes their experiences with the 482nd. The combined views of life on the base and descriptions of combat missions from the authors' varied viewpoints offer a unique and authentic flavor to the entire book. In the early months in England , locating the target presented a problem to the Eighth AF bomb groups, because of the unpredictability of the weather on mission days. The Pathfinders, flying out of Alconbury, opened up a flexibility not previously available, allowing many raids to be successful due to their participation and their expertise in bad weather. Pathfinder aircraft were known to the Luftwaffe and were prime targets for German pilots on the way in during bombing raids. The 482nd worked closely with lead crews of many 8th AF bomb groups, and were involved in intensive training programs. On March 22, 1944 the Pathfinders led their last mission in their previous role, as sufficient H2X bombers were then available to allow a pathfinder group to be established in each division.

Bombs Away is well-researched, with much detail throughout. The personal experiences related by the authors, both on the airbase and in the air, result in a book unique in its premise and fascinating in its presentation, while telling the story of one of the unusual bomb groups of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Review by Dr. Walt Brown Spring Hill Tenn.

THE AUTHORS, CREW MATES ON A B-17 BOMBER, TAKE US THROUGH THEIR EXPERIENCES OPERATING THE PLANE DURING WORLD WAR II. THE BOOK IS WRITTEN ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. THE READER GETS A SENSE OF THE CHALLENGES, FEARS AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT THESE YOUNG FIGHTERS HAD TO DEAL WITH ON A MINUTE BY MINUTE BASIS. ONE COMES AWAY FROM THE BOOK WITH A SENSE OF PRIDE AT KNOWING OF THE BRAVERY THESE YOUNG MEN POSSESSED. VERY COMPELLING READING FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THIS PERIOD OF HISTORY.

When I was a child and then a young mother, keeping a "baby book" of those born into the family was common. It was a way of documenting the events of the life of this important person and celebrating his/her uniqueness. The Book of My Pet offers that kind of possibility for the beloved animals who become significant parts of our families. This book evokes those memories you might forget by asking thoughtful questions in many categories. The whole family can participate in creating this remembrance at anytime in the life of your pet. It is also possible to mount pictures in the book to make it a visual as well as verbal story of your shared life with this mysterious, special being. I am using it to tell the story of Gray, our cat who has graciously taken us into her life.

We recently got our first dog, a cute little black mix, named Blackie, for our young boys Welsey and Paul. They will probably have many pets in their lives but since they are only 3 and 5 now they will not remembers many of the special moments of their first pet Blackie. My husband and I are using The Book of My Pet to capture the life of Blackie so our boys can look back on the joys and responsibilities of caring for their first dog and share it with their kids when they grow up. Great book idea for pet lovers.

I know lots of pet owners who would get into this. The design is handsome, not overly cutesy like some. The memory-jogging prompts are v. good...some funny, some reflective, some factual. I like the way they are organized into chapters with subsections: 1. How to Write Your Pet's Story 2. Starting Out (Getting Ready, How We Met, Family Tree) 3. The First Year (Settling In, Getting to Know My Pet, Making & Breaking the Rules) 4. The Prime of Life (Personality, Pleasures, Habits & Health, Talents) 5. The Advanced Years (Winding Down, Maturing Ways) 6. Saying Good-bye (The Passing, Looking Back)

Although the book's idea of overcoming racism and disability was fabulous and inspirational, it is surprisingly deceptive and I'm very sorry I bought it for my 8th grade class. David Robbins wrote the book in very simple English, implying a readability in the sixth or seventh grade range. However, once you are a few pages into the book, Mr. Robbins litters his writing with completely unnecessary profanities and vulgarities. The words are in complete opposition to the style he uses. I was extremely disappointed in the book, as were my students, once we blipped over his words. It's no surprise Hollywood rated the movie as an R with such language in the movie, but to write such a simply worded book and then just toss in foul language just to do so is ridiculous. The book had the potential to make a tremendous statement to my students, but all they remember is the unnecessary foul language. I do not recommend this book for school aged kids and I also do not recommend it for adults as the reading is far to mundane. A wonderful message, ruined by a careless writer.

This is a very good book. This book is based on my uncle. This book is about how he went to the Navy. It is also about his struggle to come back and become the first black master chief petty officer. Again this book was very good beside the profanity. There was a lot of bad words in this book.

The author of this book really did a fantastic job in coveying the emotion, courage, and heartfelt struggle of the main character, Carl Brashear, who people should know is a real life person. Brashear is the first African American to achieve the rank of Master Diver, and even more incredibly, he earned the rank after a grueling retraining and retesting AFTER he had lost a leg. So not only did Carl have to overcome a debilitating injury in the face of overwhelming odds, but he had to deal with the racism and bigotry that tried to subvert his efforts throughout his career. Carl's story is simply amazing, and it is retold here in a way that truly leaps off the page. But even more incredibly, this novelization has a special foreword from both Carl Brashear, AND the director of the movie, George Tillman Jr! And if that wasn't enough, there is a whole interview section at the back where one can read Carl's story, in Carl's own words! Kudos to the publisher who included this fascinating excerpt, and to the author for a first-rate job with the novelization.

"Past Tense" was the first book that I have read in Stephen Greenleaf's John Marshall Tanner P.I. series. I read a lot of P.I. novels, and my usual rule is; the darker, the better. And that is why I found "Past Tense" to be a very engaging novel. Greenleaf is not a master of metaphor like Raymond Chandler with Phillip Marlowe or Loren Estleman with Amos Walker. And his Marsh Tanner is not a man battling personal demons like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder or Andrew Vachss' Burke. But the story here is worthy of any of those other anti-heros. One of Tanner's best friends, an honest cop, has suddenly gone on a revenge killing rampage. In the process, he has cut himself off from everyone who cares about him. Tanner investigates at first to find an answer to his baffling behavior, and then to try and save his life. The plot line is a bit convoluted and Greenleaf ends up relying on the old police corruption cliche, but it all leads to one of the more shocking endings I've seen in a P.I. novel.

Greenleaf may not be a writer whose style is equal to the masters of the genre. But with "Past Tense," he has delivered one quite memorable novel.

I just discovered this P.I. series last month and love it! The writing is all-pro, the action is fast and fun, and the hero is truly likeable. There's no recovering alcoholic (thank God), no coincidences, no sterotypes. I was worried that this might be the last in the series as this, the last one so far, was written in 1997, but I see a new installment is due in July, 2000. Pick this book up! You'll be happy you did, and I bet you'll finish it in one day!

Another book from one of my favorite authors, and one of my favorite private detectives, John Marshall Tanner - from my area, San Francisco. Effortless, fast-paced, interesting sidebar on recovered memories.

I'm a big aviation fan and really enjoyed this book. It not only covers commercial aircraft in good detail, it gives a behind the scenes look at airports, provides travel tips, and is full of addresses and airport information.

I really wish someone would publish an update.

I have an old french version (1979) of this very interesting book. It provides a lot of relevant informations on planes, airport, air traffic control, airline companies,... It gives answers to most of your questions before, during and after your flight. It is well written and illustrated. To my knowledge, this book is the only one of its kind, with a complete covering of all the aspects of air travel: a useful and pleasant travelling companion.

It is a surprise to me that this wonderful book is out of print. Although somewhat dated (a new edition is sorely needed), this volume provides a wealth of information on air travel, airplanes, airlines and airports. It is extensively illustrated with informative drawings and photographs and makes for very enjoyable browsing for the enthusiast. It also functions well as a reference book for all air travellers and those connected with the air industry in any way. The subjects covered are too numerous to list in full, but include such areas as plane identification, airport operations, takeoff, inflight and landing descriptions, and airline insignia, to name just a few. The only possible criticism of this delightful book is that it lacks an index. I hope an updated edition is in the works!

The book in my opion was pretty good and covers everything but genetics!!! This book is good if your intention is not on understanding the more complex side of how they get certain colors frm breeding bettas with certain genes!

I had previously purchased this same book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I lost it and so I wanted to get another one now that I am interested in breeding bettas again.

This book offers a wide range of tips in many topics. Including disease prevention, breeding, feeding and endless others.

A good book for both betta keepers and non-betta keepers alike!

I was hooked from the first page! A nautical thriller in the classic tradition. The characters are easy to relate to and really came alive for me.

The book as a nice smooth/easy flow to it. Characters are alive and creative.

I loved it! A nautical thriller with colrful characters who really come alive! A wonderfully told story.