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Precolumbian contacts with the Americas across the Oceans ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Best -- and only -- thing of its kind
I first became interested in the "pre-Columbian exploration" problem in college, back in the early `60s, and I've been reading in the field ever since -- and also collecting published works and building a bibliography. What got my attention, actually, was not so much the question of whether or not Europeans (or Phoenicians, or Africans, or the Chinese) visited or explored or colonized the Western Hemisphere before 1492 -- though I do find that a fascinating problem -- but rather the open warfare in the historical profession between the diffusionists and the "independent development" people on this issue. Historians who on any other problem could disagree, state their reasons, and go on to the next point of debate, become dogmatic and vitriolic over the question of whether Columbus was the first or simply the latest non-Amerind to wander to the New World -- what has been called the NEBC, or "No Europeans Before Columbus" principle. When I first heard about this massive bibliography, I was two minds: I wanted to see what had been published that I might have missed, but I also had had vague thoughts of publishing such a work myself some day, perhaps accompanied by an extended essay on the history of the historiographical brouhaha. On the other hand, these two volumes cover more than 5,100 books, articles, and papers, and my own list includes "only" a little more than half that number, so I doublt I'll ever catch up.

The first thing I noticed, though, is that Research Press is the publishing arm of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. We all know that the Latter-Day Saints take as an article of faith the ancient migration of certain Israelite groups to the Americas, even considering them the progenitors of the American "Indians" (against all anthropological sense, I have to add), so is there a predisposition here to one side of the argument? Well, having worked my way through the majority of the annotations, I'm relieved to say that does not appear to be the case -- even though the authors were at BYU when they began this project. The coverage and the annotatations both seem evenly balanced.

While the annotations themselves vary greatly in length, detail, and utility, they don't seem to left out any books that I am familiar with, except for those 19th century publications which apparently don't meet the current standards of scholarship (but which are of interest to me for different reasons, as noted above). They even included what they call "weird" publications, though passing on Atlantis and VanDanikenesque speculations (which is okay by me). They do say they deliberately excluded newspaper articles because of the difficulty of locating copies -- though I have scores of photocopies in my files from the popular press over the past 150 years, mostly obtained with no difficulty though Inter-Library Loan.

My major complaint with this project, and I say this as a professional book-indexer and editor of two decades' experience, is the very poor index. Sorenson goes to some length in describing how they compiled it (with their word processing software, apparently), but he seems not to understand the difference between "index" and "concordance." Using such terms as "Mexico" and "transpacific" and "diffusion," and then following each with as many as several hundred undifferentiated locators is pretty useless. Since the annotatations themselves are arranged strictly by author, not subject, this is even more of a problem for the user. I could also wish there were a title index.

extensive bibliography with considered annotations
This carefully annotated work from an archaeological perspective complements and well surpasses other work such as that ofthe historian Fingerhut.The discussion of individual texts is even-handed, and the compilers do not unfairly push their point of view (though it shows through).This two-volume work is well organized and easy to use.

While this relatively specialized book might be a bit pricey for public libraries, it is an important corrective to the fantasy about pre-Columbian contacts that is on most public library's shelves.For the academic library with any pretense to serious coverage of New World archaeology, it is a must. ... Read more

Product Description
This book compares Judaism, Christianity, and Islamusing seven common themes, which are equally relevant to each tradition. Provoking criticalthinking, this book addresses the cultural framework of religious meanings. It exploressimilarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it explains the ongoing process of interpretation in each religion.A comparative view of monotheistic religions showing the manor in which each has influenced and responded to the others. Provides readers with an opportunity to appreciate how religious change takes place and how traditions are shaped and reshaped including popular religion. Combines a focus onspecific themes (scripture, ritual, ethics) with a strong narrative about the historical developments of these themes. Lets the reader see the enduring aspects of eachtradition alongside of the changes. A discussion of material culture is presented.. Including ananalysis of art and architecture, food, dress, and the organization of space. Written in crisp, clear prose, with a non-technical, casual approach. Includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and glossary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A layman reads about monotheism
A worthwhile book for those seeking information on this subject. The best sections by far are those on Christianity. They are written with an honesty not shown in most of the Muslim parts, and with style and humor missing from the rest.

Excellent place to start
Several years ago I was introduced to this book in a college course on Judaism.I was very impressed with how helpful the book was in terms of providing articulate and insightful overviews of the subject matter.Finding the book so helpful in expanding my understanding of Judaism, I returned to it a few years later to learn more about Islam; I was not disappointed.Overall, the book is very good at providing the student with a solid foundation of knowledge on a wide variety of issues germane to studying each of the Western traditions - issues like how each tradition articulates its unique form of Monotheism, how each views its scripture,and how each approaches issues like ethics, religious law, authority, religious politics etc.In sum, the book is a great place to begin one's study of Western traditions because its very organization makes the unique contributions of each tradition, and its relation to the others, easier to comprehend.

Some books are not hight quality when they say they are.
Most of the books I have purchased from Amazon are of high quality but one of them in particular was rated high and said it was in great condition and it is terrible. The book is missing it's cover and losing pages when I open it. I is of terrible quality and I was very disappointed about being tricked and thinking I was buying a good book when it's of very poor quality.

Agenda-driven bantha fodder
This book sucks.It's poor writing.The authors think they are novelists.They write in circles and make far-fetched claims about religions.They come in not only with presuppositions, but also with biased agendas.They want to talk poorly about the religions they write on; they're not respectful at all.There is next to no valuable information in this book since one cannot distinguish fact from opinion.

A gem of a book
A tour de force. Corrigan manages to provide literary, historical, mythological themes and contexts that illuminate current practice and belief.I found the details of this book enlarged my understanding of whyand how these religions have many common strains and where they depart fromone another.It also explains how the traditions of each,along with thepractice,ethics and politics keep each vital enough in different countriesand changing times to keep them going. A very weighty and multidimensionalsubject written with much grace. It's not only excellent as a referencebook, it also holds up as a fascinating read. ... Read more

Product Description

From Roman times to the present, knowledge of plants and their cultivation have exerted a deep impact on cultural changes. This book highlights the religious, artistic, political, and economic consequences of horticultural pursuits. Far from a mere trade, horticulture profoundly affected Jewish and Persian mystical poetry and caused deep changes in Ottoman arts. It contributed to economic and political changes in Judea, Al Andalus, Japan, Yuan China, early modern Mexico, Europe, and the United States. This book explores the roles of peasants, botanists, horticulturists, nurserymen and gentlemen collectors in these developments, and concludes with a reflection on the future of horticulture in the present context of widespread environmental devastation and ecological uncertainty.

Product Description
Hazardous Waste Handbook 3E offers a straightforward approach to protecting workers who clean up the nation's hazardous waste sites and chemical spills.Supervisors and site inspectors will find this handbook very useful in answering occupational health questions at the work site.

The manual covers such topics as site characterization, air monitoring, personal protective equipment, decontamination, and site emergencies.Numerous health and safety checklists, hazardous-chemical data sheets, and personal protective equipment recommendations are presented for field decisions.The goal of the book is to provide practical information on protecting workers while also containing the high cost of hazardous chemical waste cleanups.

Provides practical information on protecting workers and keeping cleanup costs down

Designed to allow supervisors and site inspectors to find information quickly

Offers numerous health and safety checklists, hazardous chemical data sheets, and recommendations on protective equipment ... Read more

Product Description
As the first decade of the 21st century winds down we have seen a sea change in society's attitudes toward finance. The 1990s can best be described as the decade of shareholder supremacy, with each firm trying to outdo the other in their allegiance to shareholder value creation, or as it came to be known, Value-Based Management (VBM). No one seemed to question this culture as the rising firm valuations translated into vast wealth creation for so many.

Three significant economic events have reshaped how the public feels about an unbridled devotion to VBM and have defined the last decade: the dot.com bubble in 2000, the infamous accounting scandals of 2001, and the collapse of the credit markets in 2007-2008. In all three of these events the CEOs were portrayed as reckless and greedy and Wall Street went from an object of admiration to an object of scorn.

The first edition of this book, Value Based Management: The Corporate Response to the Shareholder Revolution was written to help explain the underpinnings of Value-Based Management. At the time of its publication, few questioned whether the concept was the proper thing to do. Instead, the debate was focused on how to implement a VBM program. With this new second edition, the authors look at VBM after having seen it through good times and bad. It is not their intent to play the blame game or point fingers. Nor is it their intent to provide an impassioned defense of VBM. Instead they provide an academic appraisal of VBM, where is has been, where it is now, and where they see it going. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated edition of Sport Climbs features over 2,000 bolt-protected routes located throughout the Bow Valley, including climbs at Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Kananaskis Country and the Ghost River area. It includes over 100 new routes and is illustrated with over 300 topos, along with accompanying maps and photos. With more than 10,000 copies sold to date, Sport Climbs in the Canadian Rockies is the quintessential guidebook that both local and international climbing communities reach for when heading to the Canadian Rockies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The "Wild Hoss of the Osage" comes to life!
This is an excellent biography of one of baseball's truly remarkable characters. Although names like Dizzy Dean, Frankie Frisch and Leo Durocher are more reknowned, Pepper Martin was the true heart and soul of the legendary "Gashouse Gang" Cardinals team of the 1930's and Barthel leaves no stone unturned in detailing the life of this unique and talented ballplayer from yesteryear. News article references chronicling his World Series exploits are included and serve as a glimpse back to a time when a signing bonus consisted of a couple of hunting dogs and a Winchester rifle.

Also included are numerous AP and never before seen photographs and illustrations.

Pepper Martin was truly one of a kind and this book captures the essence of his life and character. ... Read more

Product Description
What's cooking down South? "Hoppin' John" Taylor has traveled from Hilton Head to Galveston to find out. He's collected more than 200 authentic southern dishes, the best of the old and the new, from the finest private homes in Charleston, a classic Creole restaurant in New Orleans, and the recipe files of the great chefs and cooks in kitchens from Dallas to New Orleans, complete with wine notes. From easy Shrimp Gumbo and old fashioned grits to Country-Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy; from Crab Cakes with Black Bean relish to Green Tomato Soup, the recipes will introduce you to the varied, energetic, often surprising cuisine of today's South; food that nourishes both the body and soul.

Hoppin' John makes sure each recipe is easy to prepare and there are no hard-to-find ingredients. The book features contributions from purveyors of high quality food products being produced in the South, new interpretations of classic dishes, and some unlikely sources, like the Lebanese population in Jacksonville, Florida. A series of sidebars throughout the book feature food producers, chefs and unusual ingredients, providing entertaining reading as well as delicious recipes.Amazon.com Review
John Martin Taylor is one of the cooks and writers devoted topreserving traditional Southern American cooking and to revivinginterest in it. He is also creatively talented in the kitchen. Taylor,known as "Hoppin' John," focused on the traditions of theSouth in an earlier book, Hoppin' John's LowcountryCooking. In The New Southern Cook, he offers regionaldishes gathered from local chefs and cooks from Texas to Appalachia,in addition to his own great cookin'. With the background Taylorprovides, you'll appreciate dishes from Virginia's Peanut Soup toPeanut Hummus, and Deep-Fried Turkey Breast to Banana-Fried SeaBass. Noting that cooking evolves as a living thing, he considersGreen Tomato Soup and Tequila-Glazed Pork Roast as legitimate andSouthern as Carrots in Ginger Ale and Crab Cakes. A wine aficionado,he provides recommendations with many dishes, but suggests beer orlemonade with barbecue! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The not-so-Southern Southern cook
I'm from VA and currently live in NC. I'm not saying that I've seen it all or eaten it all, but many of these recipes I felt were a little on the stuffy side and not true Southern food at all. I was pleased to see the Magnolia Grill represented, along with some other fine NC restaurants, but overall it was disappointing. If you want a true Southern cookbook that is wonderful, please try The Gift of Southern Cooking by Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock. WONDERFUL! ... Read more

Product Description
A person Pastor John Tollin knows very well, and who does not believe that the Holy Spirit can overpower men and lead them to write the words of God in the Bible, said that he believes in God but not the stories men wrote in the Bible. When he read the first poem in this book, ''The Remnant'' he said, ''John, I have known you for years. You did not write this.'' Pastor Tollin answered, ''I didn't -- the Holy Spirit within me wrote it.''

When you read this book, you may say that your problems are different or worse than the author's, but no matter what the tribulation you are going through or will go through, What Is a Nice Jewish Boy Like You Doing in a Place Like This? will give you hope that there is a way through it. ... Read more

Product Description
This text is for case and problems courses at MBA and undergraduate level and it includes information on electronic spreadsheets and four new chapters on management of receivables and inventories, and long-term financing decisions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Solid across the board review of Finance
A well written (almost conversational) review of Financial Analysis.Audience is Commercial Credit Analysts or CFO's of mid size entities , and perhaps a summary review for Equity Analysts (Valuation discussion was bare however and quite dated).

Covers basic ratio analysis, all the way through Capital Budgeting, and analysis of suitable equity / debt mix.

Although lacking in more sophisticated methods and any discussion of newer topics such as derivatives, and International trade issues (FX Translation), this book is perfect for the Regional Bank staffer or mid size Corp CFO. ... Read more

Product Description
In examining the founding of New England towns during the seventeenth century, John Frederick Martin investigates an old subject with fresh insight.Whereas most historians emphasize communalism and absence of commerce in the seventeenth century, Martin demonstrates that colonists sought profits in town-founding, that town founders used business corporations to organize themselves into landholding bodies, and that multiple and absentee landholding was common.

In reviewing some sixty towns and the activities of one hundred town founders, Martin finds that many town residents were excluded from owning common lands and from voting.It was not until the end of the seventeenth century, when proprietors separated from towns, that town institutions emerged as fully public entities for the first time.

Martin's study will challenge historians to rethink not only social history but also the cultural history of early New England.Instead of taking sides in the long-standing debate between Puritan scholars and business historians, Martin identifies strains within Puritanism and the rest of the colonists' culture that both discouraged and encouraged land commerce, both supported and undermined communalism, both hindered and hastened development of the wilderness.Rather than portray colonists one-dimensionally, Martin analyzes how several different and competing ethics coexisted within a single, complex, and vibrant New England culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Historical Clarity, At Last!
Wonderfully written, chock full of great detail, & directly to the point, this work sheds much-needed light on the murky period of the Great Puritan Migration. Should be required reading for any scholar of colonial history. Mr. Martin's retreat from writing is a great loss to the world of realist history. ... Read more

Product Description
Finally, in 1839, when he was on the point of giving up in despair, he accidentally came upon the solution. He was experimenting in his kitchen, a place which, through lack of funds, he was often forced to use as a laboratory. Part of a mixture of rubber, sulphur and other chemicals, with which he was working, happened to drop on the top of the stove. It lay there sizzling and charring until the odor of the burning rubber called his attention to it. As he stooped to scrape it off the stove he gave a start of wonder as he noted that a change had come over the rubber during its brief contact with the stove. ... Read more

Product Description
In this collection of essays on the metaphysical issues pertaining to death, the meaning of life, and freedom of the will, John Martin Fischer argues (against the Epicureans) that death can be a bad thing for the individual who dies. He defends the claim that something can be a bad thing--a misfortune--for an individual, even if he never experiences it as bad (and even if he does not any longer exist). Fischer also defends the commonsense asymmetry in our attitudes toward death and prenatal nonexistence: we are indifferent to the time before we are born, but we regret that we do not live longer. Further, Fischer argues (against the immortality curmudgeons, such as Heidegger and Bernard Williams), that immortal life could be desirable, and shows how the defense of the (possible) badness of death and the (possible) goodness of immortality exhibit a similar structure; on Fischer's view, the badness of death and the goodness of life can be represented on spectra that display certain continuities.

Building on Fischer's previous book, My Way a major aim of this volume is to show important connections between issues relating to life and death and issues relating to free will.More specifically, Fischer argues that we endow our lives with a certain distinctive kind of meaning--an irreducible narrative dimension of value--by exhibiting free will. Thus, in acting freely, we transform our lives so that our stories matter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well illustrated - even if predominantly in black and white
Christopher Johnstone provides a succinct but nonetheless interesting and detailed account of John Martin, painter of monumental and dramatic canvases both in subject and scale, going back to his childhood. Johnstone also provides a commentary of the Last Judgement paintings, The Deluge series and the illustrations for Milton's Paradise Lost. He includes a selected bibliography.

Most of the book, from page 28, is given over to the plates; 92 in total of which 11 are in colour, a number of the full page including some full page bleed images. Most of the paintings are accompanied by a commentary. The quality of reproduction is fairly good; a few of the monochromes suffer from a lack of detail in the very dark or the very light areas and the same can be said for some of the colour plates, the latter also lack the vibrancy I remember of the originals. A few appear to be lacking in sharpness.

It is however a fascinating account, and to have so many of the paintings, if only mostly in black and white, is a real boon.

11.5" x 8.5" (29.1 cm x 21.5 cm) 132 pages. Published 1974. ISBN 856701807 Paperback. ISBN 856701750 Hardback.
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Product Description
"Colonialism is out of favor now, but I believe the ultimate verdict of history will be that this was one of the greatest British contributions to the world." This was John Martin's faith. A Scot of strong Christian belief and complete integrity, he was present and played an active role in the analysis, the decision-making and diplomacy involved in the maintenance and, after the war, the ending of British colonial rule. From the Colonial Office to 10 Downing Street to the UN, his tools were his keen intelligence and his capacity for friendship with people of any race or creed.
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Customer Reviews (1)

pretty cool
I like both Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.The book is cute,When I first saw it,I have loved it. So it is a good book for you to know Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson. ... Read more