Deftly compiled and edited for contemporary readers by Henry C. Clark, Commerce, Culture, & Liberty: Readings On Capitalism Before Adam Smith is an amalgamation of significant writings published before Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" (1776) impacted the world's perceptions on economics. A wide variety of authors ranging from Voltaire, to Ferdinando Galiani, to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, contribute to this absorbing source of pre-Adam Smith perceptions and judgements about economic matters prior to the birth of the American nation as a capitalist beacon to the nations of the world.

I originally borrowed the cassette version of this Radio Dramatization form the library, but I could never find a copy for sale. This MP3 edition compiles all 6 cassettes / CDs onto 2 CDs at a much lower cost. I ordered it from Amazon.co.uk.

It's far more entertaining than the standard "one person reading the book" style audio book. This version is a dramatization, which includes voice actors and sound effects.

Very highly recommended.

Well...to read Bacchylides (in Robert Fagles'
translation) after having read Pindar (in C.M. Bowra's
translation--Penguin Classics) is to read (for me)
shorter, fresher, clearer poetry.
Yet, strangely, in his "Introduction" Fagles finds
it necessary to defend Bacchylides against the greater
fame and tradition of admiration for Pindar -- but
Fagles does a very good job of making his case for
Bacchylides (and, of course, the poetry speaks
in translation in favor of Bacchylides as well).
Interestingly, Bowra has written the "Foreword" for
Fagles' edition of Bacchylides. Bowra says that
Bacchylides is hard to translate -- but the advantage
for Fagles is that Bacchylides has had few translations,
since the remains of his poetry were not known to
modern times until 1896. Bowra says that since Fagles
is not hampered by so many previous earlier versions
of translations, he makes almost a fresh start, and
with unusual courage, judgment, and creative insight

has produced a work which is both a faithful translation
of Bacchylides as well as a work of art in its own right.
That is high praise indeed, from one classical translator
to another.
In his "Introduction," Fagles admits early on that
the usual perception of Bacchylides has been that he
was considered "a dull and slight, or, a sweet and
sometimes charming practitioner of the kind of poetry
which Pindar created with profundity and magnificence."
But Fagles won't let that unfair judgment go...so
Pindar is by far the greater poet, is he? --well,
Bacchylides handles the genre differently, with his
own distinct virtues, and he is interested in different
things from Pindar. Fagles says that Bacchylides does
not consider himself to be a prophet as Pindar did.
Bacchylides stands back from his work and "prefers to
consider himself a craftsman." The element of
narrative (as in Homer) is more important to Bacchylides
than in Pindar. Fagles says, "Bacchylides lacks the
inwardness of Pindar...He is cooler, brighter, more
objective." Fagles says that in narrative grace and
crisp elegance, Bacchylides is the superior to Pindar.
This volume is divided into sections of different
types of poems: Epinician Odes [14] (to honor victorious
athletes in the various games held in ancient Greece--
Isthmian Odes, Olympian Odes, Pythian Odes, Nemean Odes);
Dithyrambs [15-27] (concerning various mythic figures--
The Sons of Antenor, Heracles, Theseus [2 poems], Io,
Idas, Cassandra, Pasiphae, Chiron) -- Fragments, Fragments
of Uncertain Genre, and Doubtful Pieces.
There is also a section of "Notes" in the back to
explain some aspects of the poems.
Though Bacchyides' sentences tend to be a bit more
complete, to me personally, I get the same freshness
from reading Fagles' renderings of these poems in
their short, clear impact after reading the rather
turgid Pindar (in translation), as I get when
I read Emily Dickinson after having had enough
of a dose of bombastic, droning, tedious
Walt Whitman in his longer, "prophetic"
pieces. Walt can be glorious, mystic, intimate,
delicate -- but he can also be tiresome.
Try Bacchylides for a refreshing easement.
_______________
Men can maneuver no hold
Over wealth or stubborn war
Or the feuds that rock a state --
But raking her clouds from land to land,
Destiny -- that Pandora -- ranges.
-- Bacchylides.
* * * * * * * * *

I spent endless hours looking for a job once I graduated from college. A few times I wanted to give up and just stay home. But a college friend of mine told me about this book and my luck changed. I revised my cover letter and resume and the next thing I knew I got three interviews and three offers. Thank you Bob for helping me land the job of my dreams!!!

Adam Hamilton is my pastor and I had the privilege of hearing his sermon series on controversial issues. Through all of his study and research for the sermons, he created this book. Each of the seven chapters covers one issue. They include the following: The Separation of Church and State, Creation and Evolution in the Public Schools, The Death Penalty, Euthanasia, Prayer in Public Schools, Abortion, and Homosexuality. In each chapter, Adam presents the most common and convincing arguments for both sides of an issue. Then he gives his conclusions and his personal stance on the issue. Although I would characterize Adam as a moderate, you'll find his various conclusions not representing liberalism or conservatism, but his search for the truth in Christianity.

This was, in my opinion, the best of the "Dennison's War" series. Matt Conte's hunt for the mysterious assassin Vancouver kept me riveted to the book. Even the sex scenes between Vancouver and the kidnapped scientist were hotly written.

Of all the "Dennison" characters, Matt Conte was the best one, followed closely by Chris Amado.

It's sad to see that the "Dennison's War" series is no longer in print. It gave series like "The Executioner," "Able Team," etc., a good run for their money. If one wants to start reading the "Dennison's War" series, this one would be the one I'd recommend first.

This book was given to me by a beautiful person and it is a beautiful book. It has the mystery and the decadence of my little Anne. Read the count Vera and think about your lost loves.

Conversations on the Ark, by Michelle Medlock Adams, is one of the most wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated children's books I have ever read! Adams delightfully descriptive writing puts us all on board Noah's ark for an unforgettable journey with animals....God's wonderful creation! We are able to listen to their conversations with one another as they brave the storm! I just adored the story and recommend it for all children....and adults!!!

Sylvia Boykin

P.S. Kudos to the illustrator, Lucy Corvino!

Famed psychologist Dr. R.D. Laing records conversations between himself, his two children (Adam and Natasha) and his wife Jutta. Brilliantly profound listening to the children speak their wisdom. The author points out that nothing is tampered with in the conversations besides some inadvertent ommissions. Also there are no after thoughts or annotations, for he felt he would like that job to someone else. Funny and charming, this book (although currently out of print)can make you appreciate children more often, and listening to them a great deal more. A good companion to Laing's 'Knots.' If you enjoyed this, I would also suggest Gregory Bateson's 'Steps To An Ecology of Mind.'

I found the questions and answers to be a great way to work through the corporate tax rules. I'd definitely recommend it if you are taking a class or trying to learn the rules yourself.