Reviews (2)

STUDENT VERSION LIMITATIONS
Students who are purchasing this product along with the CDROM should be aware that the student version is limited to 1500 cases. I recently purchased SPSS 11.0 (student version) and have not been able to use it due to such limitations. It is fine for in class assignments, but does not serve the needs of graduate students who intend to conduct research in excess of 1500 cases. You may want to invest in the non-student version to eliminate the need to purchase two SPSS programs. This limitation should be fully discolsed on the website.

Excellent, but not the full version
Note that this version, while as good as the first, is not suitable for Ph.D. students. It is only for undergraduates and for MBA students. The program is up to its usual excellent standards. ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling comprehensive introduction to sociology--text/multimedia package--features the exceptionally strong combination of a global perspective, focus on social diversity, emphasis on critical thinking, and cutting-edge research base (including Census 2000). A widely acclaimed writing style, vivid illustration program, and extensive highlight features--applied chapter-opening vignettes, full-color Global and National Maps, thought-provoking theme boxes, applications and exercises--capture reader's imaginations and help them see clearly how sociological concepts and issues affect not only life in general, but their individual lives as well. An accompanying CD-ROM features a library of video selections illustration major concepts and theories, animated Global and National Maps, author's tips, chapter slide shows, etc. A companion Website is also available.The Sociological Perspective. Sociological Investigation. Culture. Society. Socialization. Social Interaction in Everyday Life. Groups and Organizations. Deviance. Sexuality. Social Stratification. Social Class in the United States. Global Stratification. Gender Stratification. Race and Ethnicity. Aging and the Elderly. The Economy and Work. Politics and Government. Family. Religion. Education. Health and Medicine. Population, Urbanization, and Environment. Collective Behavior and Social Movements. Social Change: Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern Societies.For anyone interested in a cutting-edge introduction to sociology and social diversity from a global perspective. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic Textbook: A Rarity in our Modern Era
Since my first introduction to sociology course, I have always been a fan of John Macionis. Typically, college textbooks are painful to read, filled with mundane facts, awkward prose, and very little visual aid. Not so with this textbook. Macionis clearly explains every sociological perspective, gives each side a fair and accurate account (this is very important to me since most professors will often distort information to fit within their ideological framework) of controversial views. After the class was over, I spent time reading this book during the summer. I never sold it. I have even had the ability to use most of the material -- particularly the citations -- for other courses. Sometimes professors will even be surprised that I can cite information that contradicts the stale information they are continuing to repeat but are contradicted by the more accurate and factual data contained herein. It's a great book. Professors: assign this book. Students: if your professor assigns this book, it will be a fun class! And layreaders: this is a highly recommended textbook!

Very well designed introductory text
Having just taught a course using this text I do have some opinions about it.

First, the positive. Macionis has gone to great lengths to make the text interesting. One way in which he has done this is by scattering numerous relevant pictures and artwork throughout every chapter; I actually had one student comment specifically about the artwork and how it was well chosen. He has also included a number of very informative maps, tables and graphs, all in vibrant colors, that are designed in such a fashion that even first year undergraduate students with little or no background in sociology can understand them.

As for the coverage of the text, it is fairly comprehensive, hitting upon all of the major social institutions of interest to sociologists and sub-disciplines within the field of sociology. The text is also quite up to date for the most part, including references to recent world events (e.g. 9/11).

Now for the negative. I should note at this point that despite having more critiques than compliments, I did find the text to be the best of a number of current introductory texts, these are just ways that I felt the book could have been improved.

First, the information isn't flawless. Of course part of this criticism includes the fact that I disagree with the author on some points, but there are also several instances where the author makes claims without references to back them up and other claims that are either dated or simply erroneous. I don't know that a textbook will ever be able to adequately cover all of the information necessary and do so flawlessly, so to critique the book on this measure is probably asking too much. Besides, with how fluid sociological understanding is some of the claims in the text with which I disagree are controversial topics anyway. Perhaps to remedy this Macionis could attempt to incorporate both sides of the argument as he tries to do when discussing sociological theory; at least, he does so to a degree (see my critique of his coverage social theory below).

Second, the attempts at offering a global perspective are rather limited. Again, this may not be something that is easily remedied because information about large parts of the world just isn't as available as information about the U.S., or available at all for that matter. And, of course, the text is written to be an introductory text in the U.S., so to focus on the U.S. does make sense in that regard. I found this to be particularly lacking in light of the fact that Macionis claims to be something of a world traveler. Even though he includes occasional snippets from his journeys, there are numerous opportunities to incorporate a more global perspective that are overlooked. In an attempt to discourage ethnocentric American attitudes it would have been nice to have more information about the rest of the world and greater attempts could have been made to incorporate that information.

Third, the coverage of sociological theories is actually rather limited. There is no chapter looking just at sociological theories. Though the 'dominant' theories are included throughout (Structural-Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism, and Conflict Theory), there is absolutely no discussion of Ethnomethodology, Conversation Analysis, Rational Choice Theory (there is a brief mention of this), World Systems Theory, Political Processes Theory, etc. I can understand why the coverage would be limited: Exposing novices to too many theories would likely confuse them and there is limited space in the text, but to fail to even mention or briefly summarize many of these theories, though their advocates are fewer than those of the 'dominant' theories, dismisses a large body of understanding in the discipline.

My last criticism (I do have more, but I doubt anyone wants to read more) is relating to the supplementary materials included on the companion CD-ROM. The CD does have some very useful information and a few exercises that might be useful to the students. However, it also includes some word games that I thought would be more appropriate for 8th graders than college students. Also, because I chose to present the course material using PowerPoint I would have preferred to have been able to copy and past some of the illustrative maps. However, all of the maps included on the supplementary CD are in Flash and can't be easily imported into PowerPoint. They would work great if you want to switch in between the two while teaching the class, but they don't work together very well.

Overall, the text is pretty comprehensive, well-written, and engaging. I don't particularly like making students pay this much for a text, but in order to get the engaging photos, artwork, and colorful graphs (which some would argue are worthless but I find to be helpful) you have to shell out the cash. Is the text worth it? Well, I guess it depends on your approach to introduction to sociology. If you would rather cover some very specific areas in depth rather than many areas broadly, you would be better off with a different text or a reader of your own creation. Or, if you don't belong to one of the three predominant theoretical approaches, continuously explaining your approach because Macionis doesn't incorporate it may become rather tedious. If you don't fall into either of these categories you would probably find the text to be very useful. ... Read more

Book Description

This mainstream, technology infused (includes FREE Virtual Explorations: With Map The Stats CD-ROM and InfoTrac College Edition), best-selling text is noted for its especially strong integration of compelling and engaging "Lived Experiences" - extended examples that focus on various social issues to illustrate chapter coverage. These social issue extended examples are carried throughout the chapterin various boxes, features, and exercises. Kendall's text is also known for its exceptional coverage of classic and contemporary theory, along with its integration of race, class, gender, and age perspectives. The author's vivid, applied, personal writing style engages students, and her compelling everyday examples make sociology particularly relevant to the diverse student population of today. The author shows students that sociology involves important questions and issues that they confront both personally and vicariously. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A fine introduction to sociology
As one of the most recently-developed social sciences, not to mention one that seems to be consistently popular with college students, sociology is a field that truly needs a good comprehensive text. Put quite simply, this is it. Diana Kendall, a well-respected scholar and author in the field, has managed to put together a text that manages to cover all of the major subfields of the field, presenting a lot of information on each, and giving a good general overview. All of the major subpoints of sociology are covered:population studies, race/gender/ethnic relations, collective behavior, criminology, and more. In addition to providing a solid block of information for each subtopic, Kendall further invigorates her text with well-placed contemporary and classical photographs, graphs, charts, and other peripheral information. She also prefaces each chapter with a real-life example relating to the forthcoming information, a quiz about the information contained within (which sometimes will yield surprising results!), and more. Throughout the individual chapters, she also sprinkles dialogue boxes with separate takes on individual subissues relating to the major topic at hand and shows readers how they can get involved. As a bonus for the college student, certain editions of the book feature a CD with access to additional material, and a free four-month subscription to Infotrac, a well-known scholarly index.

Kendall writes well, and she presents a lot of information. Therein, however, lies my only complaint about this text:certain chapters feel overlong. Granted, sociology is a diverse field, and this book attempts to cover it all between a single set of covers. Still, some chapters are so jam-packed with information that they become somewhat tiresome. Nevertheless, it is all good information -- and all worth reading. It is a small complaint, on the whole, that does not detract from the overall quality of the text.

In summary, this is an excellent introductory text both for a college text and for the individual reader.

One of the better Sociology Textbooks
There are a number of good sociology textbooks available, and one can choose almost any of them with confidence.However, this is definitely one of the best.It is accessible, yet the author does not talk down to the student.The illustrations are pertinent and timely.The choice of topics is comprehensive.It is a broad-ranging textbook, yet, at the same time, is focused and direct.

The instructor who chooses to use Sociology in Our Times can be comfortable with the choice.The student who is fortunate enough to have a teacher who chose Sociology in Our Times should be confident that they have had a good exposure to Sociology.If one learns the material in this book they will be well-grounded in Sociology.

Sociology in our times
this book is very board. it doesn't discuss things in details. Personally,I don't like this kind of book. I would rather get a psychology than this. ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. In this "artful, informative, and delightful" (William H. McNeill, New York Review of Books) book, Jared Diamond convincingly argues that geographical and environmental factors shaped the modern world. Societies that had had a head start in food production advanced beyond the hunter-gatherer stage, and then developed religion --as well as nasty germs and potent weapons of war --and adventured on sea and land to conquer and decimate preliterate cultures. A major advance in our understanding of human societies, Guns, Germs, and Steel chronicles the way that the modern world came to be and stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, the Rhone-Poulenc Prize, and the Commonwealth club of California's Gold Medal. ... Read more

Reviews (625)

Impressive Achievement
Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel sets out a huge goal for itself, the examination and explanation for the direction of 13,000 years of human society around the world. It would be foolish to spend much looking at the points where his thesis may fail instead of spending more time marveling at the mighty achievement he did accomplish. Of course, taking such a large chunk of history and creating a theory to explain all of its shifts will not always be a perfect but it is wonderful to see just how much of history can be explained by his wonderfully all-encompassing ideas. With the soul of a scientist, Jared Diamond has created a wonderful synthesis to explain the development of writing, agriculture, conquest, disease and many, many other factors. Historians may balk at the largeness of such ideas, not seen Karl Marx found a convenient explanation for all human history, but it is a wonderful book to read, whether it is delighting or frustrating. It gives the reader much to think about and hopefully allows a new perspective to blossom among all of one's older, inherited ideas. A marvelous book.

A whole new way of seeing the world
This 400 page summation of 13,000 years of history is hard to put down when it begins and hard to finish when you reach its final quarter. Diamond's friendly style draws the reader in immediately, making the book feel not only lively but vitally important as well. What could be more important or interesting than the reasons why the world has turned out the way that it has?

Without a doubt, this is an important book, and not because it won a Pulitzer. Diamond makes a convincing case as he argues against notions that were quite popular when he wrote this at the close of the 90s. He refutes the notions of The Bell Curve, which used pretend science to claim that blacks were destined by genetics to be less intelligent than whites and Asians. Instead, he shows that the reasons why Europeans ended up dominating most of the world instead of Africans or native Australians or Americans are myriad, but boil down to a reasonable set, including: Eurasia's size advantage; the fortunate combination of ancient plants and large animals available for domestication; its east-west axis, making the spread of plant and animal domesticates easier by keeping them in the same climate; and its relatively mild barriers, like the Urals, which posed less a division than rain forests, high mountains, and deserts in the Americas and Africa.

The thrilling opening and friendly style are eventually tempered by a repetition of these primary causes; Diamond explores numerous situations around the world, from New Guinea to the New World, and makes essentially the same arguments about each region, adding only nuances for the particulars of each place. It's the beginning of the book that's got the goods-the fourth part, especially, is a litany of details that are less captivating because the reader has learned enough to predict many of them.

Still, this is a very useful book for understanding the world, and it will arm you with facts to use against anyone who claims that a person's intellect can be predicted by his or her race. Diamond also shows how present conflicts on the world stage are very similar to ones that have been going on for 40,000 years, casting modernity in the same light as prehistory. And, while the fourth part is slower than the rest, the epilogue explains why Europe leapt ahead of Asia in the last millennium, an explanation that is both fascinating and worth learning from.

Why did Europe colonize America and not the other way around? If you'd like to know, read this book. It's weighty stuff, but it will reward you richly.

Good for all types of readers.
I read this book purely for pleasure, unlike a lot of people I know who have read it for class or as part of an academic exercise. I simply like to pick a book that will challenge me in between fiction books. This book did not disappoint.

This is a rare work in that it can appeal to academics and pleasure readers. The knowledge and research behind the concepts in the book are complex and detailed, but Diamond does such an excellent job of explaining things, that you can easily sometimes forget the vast amount of information that he had to assimilate in order to put forth this hypothesis.

There are also two main points from the book that I took. One is the merely academic and scientific data that you learn from the book. I do not have a science, anthropologic, or linguistic background, so I learned a great deal from this book. But secondly, there is a very clear goal of this book to discount the foundations of racism. This is a lesson that every reader from this book can take with them and actually use in real life. I was struck at how this book can have such a dual purpose, and this makes it truly unique in my opinion.

Sure, there are vast generalizations that are made in a work such as this, just as there are in any history book, but this book has excellent points, is well researched, and makes solid arguments. I would definitely read another book by Jared Diamond and will definitely not forget the lessons I learned in this book.

Great if you ever wondered how our cultures got here
If you have curiosity about how the big picture of civilizations emerged - for example, why it was the European civilizations dominating with ships and guns and not the American civilizations - you should really enjoy this book. Yes, Jared Diamond has biases (he clearly doesn't like people who believe whites are genetically superior to other races) but he weaves a fantastic story with scientific facts and elegant reasoning. Many facts (relating to plant and animal science) are clearly and concisely presented. Other facts are obvious once pointed out (the lack of domesticatable animals in sub-Saharan Africa, or how long it takes for domesticated plants to adjust to different climates) you have these great "Aha" moments while reading. I loved how his arguments came together.

Are there cons? Well, certain chapters in the second half of the book do repeat parts of the first half. It adds to the clarity (showing how the same principles can apply to different parts of the world), but if you "got it" the first time, some parts of the book can get long. Given how this book can change the way you look at different peoples and cultures, I can forgive him for repeating himself.

If you like science and are curious about how environment shaped, or better, limited civilizations, get this book.

NO PIGS!
Because a new crop of bushy tailed Ivy League students are sure to be required to pick up a copy of this book before their orientations, before even being allowed on campus, there are a few things that you should know about this book before you do start.

Even though there are plenty of wild pigs in New Guinea, which could have been domesticated at any time during the last 100,000 years, Jared Diamond describes the natural fauna in New Guinea as if it were the most protein deficient wasteland on earth. No protein, hmmmm, what could this mean? Why, those poor people!

And even though you would think that this work might lose all credibility if when discussing human cultures, he were to leave out such a grossly significant fact, as the observation that the rugged terrain of the thousands of square miles of the New Guinea highlands is most well known, among educated people, as the home of a people that have been nothing for thousands of years but stone age men without a written language, or any metal tools, but with a human bone or a nasal shell through their septum because they are the world's most feared cannibals.

Yet not one word will you find in this book about that, but with a subtle nod of Jared's head for those in the know, wink wink, that oh, their natural diet has no protein. So, of course, the same trade routes and tasty plants that led other peoples to great things, through no fault or effort of their own, left these poor people in New Guinea very hungry. Very hungry for protein!

You will kill anyone who disagrees with you, by the end of this great work, about the fact that all cultures just have different ways of solving the same universal problems, like protein deficiency for example. And that socialism and capitalism and communism and cannibalism are all just different ways of accomplishing the very same things. Except for capitalism, of course, which is grossly unfair to the poor and to be despised!

You will always have a warm feeling in your stomach, as well, at the secret thoughts that you will imagine that you only realize to yourself after reading this book, about how white boys aren't really anything special after all, despite what you had previously been tricked into believing, in how they just happened to find themselves on east west trade routes near plants that just happened to contain protein.

Of course, you will find many other new ideas in this book, such as Jared Diamond's suggestion in the introduction, that Western civilization encourages white boys to pass on their genes, no matter how intellectually deficient they might be, because Western civilization makes so few demands upon its citizens. Which is why you must be given this book to read even before your orientation, while you are still unlearned enough to not even know about the famous conch shell collecting New Guinea cannibals. ... Read more

Book Description

"It is the kind of simplified tool that many of us in practice sorely need" - Jamie Greene, AICP, AIA, Principal, American Communities Partnership

*The first computational tool for land development and site planning analysis and design
*Real-world case studies, with photographs and plans, illustrate how alternative development options would affect the project results
*Includes a CD-ROM containing 30 interactive spreadsheets that can be used for every type of land development scenario ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Extremely valuable tool
"Land Development Calculations" provides an excellent and innovative strategy for working towards sustainable land use and development. The models for varying land development strategies can assist local government land use decision makers and planners as well as developers determine the carrying capacity of land within realistic thresholds. The accompanying spreadsheets for the development scenarios on the CD-ROM are extremely user friendly and do not place an undue burden on the user by requiring what may be hard to find or to collect data. All of the data required just is typical of what is necessary to make appropriate land development decisions. As a local government planner, I am working towards incorporating the information received from the models in to the zoning and development code as part of the approval process by using it to further assess suitability of the property for the purposes proposed (a zoning consideration required in accordance with the State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Act). I strongly encourage other land planners and developers to read "Land Development Calculations," because of its highly practical and very timely material.

Author Delivers Valuable Techniques and Tools
This is a terrificaly valuable technical reference for practitioners who need an efficient method of performing land development calulations. The book and its companion set of spreadsheets enable users to answer two key questions: 1) how much can be built on a given piece of land; or 2) how much land is needed to accommodate a given use? The material is clearly written and well illustrated, especially a series of worksheets leading through the method. Another strength is its comprehensiveness and detail, including all major land-use and micro site conditions. ... Read more

Book Description

This introduction to statistics emphasizes inference; data collection and analysis are covered extensively as needed to evaluate the reported results of statstical studies and to make good business decisions.Stresses the development of statistical thinking—the assessment of credibility and value of the inferences made from data—both by those who consume and those who produce the information. Provides numerous case studies, examples, and exercises that all draw on real business situations and recent economic events. Includes Excel computer printouts (with PHStat add-in) as well as SPSS and MINITAB printouts (SAS and STATISTIX dropped).A useful reference for business professionals who need to brush up on their statistics knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Jon Krakauer’s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits.In UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN, he shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders.At the core of his book is an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon Fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this “divinely inspired” crime, Krakauer constructs a multilayered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, savage violence, polygamy, and unyielding faith.Along the way, he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest-growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.

Krakauer takes readers inside isolated communities in the American West, Canada, and Mexico, where some forty-thousand Mormon Fundamentalists believe the mainstream Mormon Church went unforgivably astray when it renounced polygamy.Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the leaders of these outlaw sects are zealots who answer only to God.Marrying prodigiously and with virtual impunity (the leader of the largest fundamentalist church took seventy-five “plural wives,” several of whom were wed to him when they were fourteen or fifteen and he was in his eighties),fundamentalist prophets exercise absolute control over the lives of their followers, and preach that any day now the world will be swept clean in a hurricane of fire, sparing only their most obedient adherents.

Weaving the story of the Lafferty brothers and their fanatical brethren with a clear-eyed look at Mormonism’s violent past, Krakauer examines the underbelly of the most successful homegrown faith in the United States, and finds a distinctly American brand of religious extremism.The result is vintage Krakauer, an utterly compelling work of nonfiction that illuminates an otherwise confounding realm of human behavior.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (379)

Read it between the lines...
Hmmmm...have some of these harsh critics actually read the book?

I knew nothing about Mormonism before I read this story. But by the last hundred pages, I was thinking very emphatically to myself that Mr. Krakauer took GREAT PAINS to emphasize that the devil here were these two murderers, neither the Mormon religion itself nor even fundamentalist Mormons (although the latter are portrayed as being less blameless).

I did not pick up this book intending to come away with a comprehensive history of Mormonism. I did not pick up this book intending to read a true crime story.

No, contrary to some "misled" individuals who claim to have read this book, I picked up this book intending to read EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE FRONT COVER, Einsteins. It states right on the cover, and I directly quote:

"On July 24, 1984, a woman and her infant daughter were murdered by two brothers who believed they were ordered to kill by God. The roots of their crime lie deep in the history of an American religion practiced by millions..."

What does this sentence mean to you? It doesn't say, "The Evils of the LDS Church" or "...two Mormon brothers..." For anyone reading those critiques that so harshly pan the book because it "wasn't what they expected," please read the quote that I have written here, and then tell me what you expect to read. I promise you that what you read into that quote is what you will get when you read this. These brothers' roots were indeed in LDS...that does not mean that LDS is wicked, and I never once saw it that way, even without any prior conceptions about LDS.

And as for you critics who think that Mr. Krakauer is biased because he is agnostic, I find it hard to believe that you could forgive him his well-researched and well-balanced, conscientious manuscript, no matter WHAT his spiritual values. If he was Jewish, you'd find something "biased" about that. And ditto if he was Lutheran, Catholic, or Mormon himself. No matter what religion he was, because he's writing about religion, you'd say he was biased.

Of course, the only "unbiased" person is the completely ignorant one. Everyone who learns something has an opinion about it. I dare any critic to tell me otherwise. But as far as this book is concerned, Mr. Krakauer has taken the utmost care to make the condemnation of this crime of which he writes as narrow and as specific as possible.

Mr. Krakauer points out to us time and time again that these are resentful, looney-tunes, fundamentalist, ex-communicated-Mormon brothers who murdered their sister-in-law. So unless you are a resentful, looney-tunes, fundamentalist, ex-communicated-Mormon brother who wants to murder their sister-in-law, know in advance that this book does not set out to offend you.

Read it to learn, not to judge, and ye shall be the wiser.

well written, well researched
Jon Krakauer has long been a literary hero of mine. As a fellow agnostic, I have found his works to be a fecundity of insight and self-examination that result in an acute, if not critical understanding of the human spirit.

This book reads incredibly well and weaves the stupefying history of the latter day saints with the horrifying murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Ultimately, Krakauer makes the tacit polemic that the legacy of the LDS church, which is replete with both violence and polygamy, should not be underestimated when trying to understand the motives of the murderers--Ron and Don Lafferty. Although the LDS church is quick to distance itself from fundamentalist Mormon groups, which happily embrace polygamy, the history is undeniable. Both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were devout polygamists, and believed polygamy to be the most sacred of God's commandments.

Many from the LDS church (and reviewers on this site) decry the book as being one-sided. It most certainly is not. Rather ironically, it seems that the ruling patriarchy of the church is the one in fact that is bent on presenting a dubiously researched and one-sided view of its history. To be sure, Krakauer treats all parties mentioned in the book with respect and dignity, remaining an objective narrator throughout the text. This is definitely a recommended read.

An objective, eye-opener
I had read this author before and liked his work. I checked this book from the public library. I could not have guessed that he grew up Mormon until he tells the reader near the end of the book. There's so much here that I did not know. Fascinating.

Right on the Money
Jon Krakauer is a superb writer who has taken a controversial subject and not only explained it objectively, but made it entertaining as well. I have read a great deal about the Mormons, my interest spurred by the fact that two of my grandmother's first cousins were wives of John Doyle Lee, and it is incomprehensible to me that any modern woman would tolerate for one moment the abuse and subjection that the church imposes in the name of religion. In the old days, most women were at the mercy of their husbands, but the brainwashing of today is criminal. This is a powerful plea for universal public education, as well as an alert Department of Human Services.

Great story, but author interprets history
This was a fascinating book, but when I finished the last page I felt like I had read a 365-page story from the National Enquirer. The book oozes with juicy descriptions of fundamentalist Mormons, murderers who kill in the name of God, and the checkered history of the Mormon Church.

If you're expecting a clinical dissection of a murder, skip this book. It claims to focus on two brothers (Ron and Dan Lafferty) who murdered a woman and her baby two decades ago, but only one-third of the book really talks about the murder. Another third covers the history of the Mormon church, and the final third is a startling (and equally gossipy) survey of polygamist communities from Utah to Canada to Mexico.

As a story, the book hits a home run. Krakauer is a great writer, and his eye for detail is devastating. You read descriptions of the polygamist communities and you feel like laughing at the crackpots and crying for the victims at the same time.

Unfortunately--and this is why I give the book only three stars--Krakauer can't merely document the history and describe the events. His book quietly advocates two stealth theses. They don't belong in a book like this, at least not secretly, and I think the second thesis is wrong anyway.

His theses, which are never spelled out completely but nevertheless lurk below the surface in every chapter, are that (a) religion is a waste, and (b) the mainstream Mormon church has infused its followers with such a spirit of violence that it must share in the blame when its fanatic followers go berserk. These are perfectly valid topics to contemplate, but if you put them forth you should come clean and say so out loud, and then give data to prove them. Krakauer's book tries to prove these theses with anecdotes, extremely narrow vignettes of deranged persons, and sensationalized histories of century-old events. For example, we never hear what the "mainstream" polygamists think of the Laffertys' crime. I think they would probably denounce it, but Krakauer isn't going to give them voice in his book because it would weaken his second thesis. Instead (surprise, surprise) the last chapter revolves around an ex-fundamentalist who found his salvation in atheism. What's his connection to the Lafferty crime? None.

Krakauer is extrapolating a line from a single point. Can you really draw general conclusions about a worldwide church from the actions of two fundamentalist kooks? Krakauer thinks you can. Worse, he conflates three very different things (the mainstream Mormon church, the fundamentalist polygamists, and the Lafferty brothers) to the point where naive readers will start thinking they're all the same thing.

The author has right to ask hard questions about religion and the Mormon church, but I think it's wrong to write contentious things by making unilateral interpretations without giving all sides of the story.

The Appendix to my edition of the book (Anchor) contained a negative review of "Under the Banner of Heaven" by a Mormon official. Krakauer engages him and debates fair and square for a few pages. What the shame the rest of the book wasn't like that. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An important read for all elementary teachers
Elementary school teachers are expected to teach almost everything: math, reading, science, social studies, and writing; along with nurturing, soothing, and encouraging. It's not an easy job. It's also hard to be an expert in any one piece of the job. But now, many are hearing that we're losing the "math race" to other countries. The drums of "teacher competency" are booming... and any wise teacher knows where the drum sticks will be landing next!

Liping Ma's book comes at an opportune time for those teachers and should be read by all. It dives into a central problem that elementary teachers face when we consider improving our math programs: How could going off and learning more math help, for instance, in a 4th grade fractions unit? Furthermore, having, typically, been taught mathematics, ourselves, as a process of memorizing and applying procedures, we often teach it that way as well, thinking "how much more can I study the 'flip and multiply' rule for fraction division?"

This book answers those and many other questions, while opening many new ones. There's more to math, even "kids math" than meets the eye.

Ma demonstrates that American teachers do not necessarily suffer from a lack of breadth or extensiveness of mathematical training. Adding more 'higher math' to our training really would not help us teach arithmetic. We lack deep knowledge of "fundamental mathematics." Ma's claim is that what we need to do is to dig deeper into the underpinnings of "elementary" math - to discover that there is much more to understand about such fundamental concepts. There really is much more to subtraction than remembering when to "regroup." Division of fractions actually represents two or three fundamentally different processes which, confused, can be at the center of students (and teachers) uncertainty. Imagine that!

These are thought provoking ideas, well presented. In the face of a growing national debate about "competency", we would do well to add this element to the discussion of math teaching. Otherwise, the politicians will provide their inevitably simplistic answers.

insight into math education
I am working on certification in secondary mathematics. This one book has given me more insight into what is wrong with mathematics education in the USA and what needs to be done than anything else I have read or discussed in class.

The author's key point is that even the best elementary school math teachers in this country have only a shallow, cookbook knowledge of arithmetic and are not trained to think mathematicaly.

One consequence is that the emphasis in mathematics teacher training on new instructional practices: use of manipulatives, "authentic assessment" collaborative learning, etc. is at best misplaced.

There is much interesting information on Chinese educational practices. Math at all levels is taught by specialists who have only the equivalent of a Chinese high school education. Classes are very large but teachers have about an hour of time for preparation, grading homework, and student conferences for every hour of instruction. Chinese math teachers spend many, many hours working with the curriculum as learners both individually and in groups.

The book is a rich source of ideas that might be adapted to the American environment to improve math instruction.

changes the way you view math
Excellent book for anyone interested in math. This should be mandatory reading for all future and current teachers! I see math in a new light. This book will inspire you to re-evaluate your own knowledge of elementary math, and to work from a procedural understanding of math to conceptual.

Wow!
Never did I think that I would be interested... heck... excited... about a math book... but this is a great book, and good reading for anyone interested in education... It has given me a great deal to think about as a EFL teacher, a field where most "schooling" consists of teaching procedurally...
This excerpt from an editorial review of an entirely different book (The Teaching Gap) but summarizes Liping Ma's research nicely... "American teachers... tend to emphasize terms and procedures, thinking of math as a set of tedious skills... In contrast, [Chinese] teachers are more likely to emphasize ideas, expecting the concepts alone to stir students' natural curiosity."
It doesn't matter what field you are teaching, teaching a "procedural understanding" is like giving the students a fish; it will feed them for a day... a "conceptual understanding" will feed them for a lifetime...

Just as promised. Fast deliverary in mint condition!
Excellent seller. Will definately buy from again! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the first of his three debates with George W. Bush, 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry argued against the war in Iraq not by directly condemning it but by citing the various ways in which airport and commercial shipping security had been jeopardized due to the war's sizable price tag. In so doing, he re-framed the war issue to his advantage while avoiding discussing it in the global terrorism terms favored by President Bush. One possible reason for this tactic could have been that Kerry familiarized himself with the influential linguist George Lakoff, who argues in Don't Think of an Elephant that much of the success the Republican Party can be attributed to a persistent ability to control the language of key issues and thus position themselves in favorable terms to voters. While Democrats may have valid arguments, Lakoff points out they are destined to lose when they and the news media accept such nomenclature as "pro-life," "tax relief," and "family values," since to argue against such inherently positive terminology necessarily casts the arguer in a negative light. Lakoff offers recommendations for how the progressive movement can regain semantic equity by repositioning their arguments, such as countering the conservative call for "Strong Defense" with a call for "A Stronger America" (curiously, one of the key slogans of the Kerry camp). Since the book was published during the height of the presidential campaign, Lakoff was unable to provide an analytical perspective on that race. He does, however, apply the notion of rhetorical framing devices to the 2003 California recall election in an insightful analysis of the Schwarzenegger victory. Don't Think of an Elephant is a bit rambling, overexplaining some concepts while leaving others underexplored, but it provides a compelling linguistic analysis of political campaigning. --John Moe ... Read more

Book Description

Authoritative and accessible, The Little Brown Handbook helps writing students find what they need and then use what they find.One of the best–selling handbooks on the market, it provides comprehensive coverage of writing, research and grammar, with detailed discussions of critical thinking and argument, using computers and the Internet for writing and research, the latest guidelines for citing sources correctly in MLA, APA, CMS, CSE and COS styles, and writing in the disciplines. Accompanied by the CompSolutions Plus Interactive Ebook of the text, The Little Brown Handbook retains all the hallmarks that has made it a bestseller over the years while continuing to meet the needs of a new generation of students. Provides complete, authoritative coverage of the writing process, research and grammar, with detailed discussions of critical thinking and argument, using computers and the Internet for writing and research, the latest guidelines for citing sources correctly in MLA, APA, CMS, CSE and COS styles, and writing in the disciplines. For anyone needing a reference geared to writing and/or researching papers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great book worth adding
with close to a thousand pages you will have plenty of good writing material to use for reference to help you write very accurate and properly designed papers, letters, or whatever you are creating.

I was disappointed by the lack of electronic format especially for a book which puts out a new revision almost every year, but I would even go so far as to say that it is worth bringing along if you plan to do a lot of writing anyhow.

Very handy very useful well laid out book
But with this being the ninth revision, you'd think they would provide an electronic version by now. Especially with such a handy student useful book which could be put on our tablet PC's or notebook computers for school to have handy without building muscles like the old folks get all misty over.. Excellent book just the same once you get over the demise of the many trees and those marked for the axe for revision ten which cannot be more than months away from print (yawn) ... Read more

Book Description

Long-hailed for skilled editing that enables students new to ethical theory to explore many seminal and complex primary sources that contribute to the canon of ethical theory, GREAT TRADITIONS IN ETHICS has become the standard historical anthology for introducing ethical theory.Combining informative chapter introductions that provide biographical, historical, and theoretical contexts; well-placed comments inserted within the readings; and ample, but not overwhelming, reading selections, this anthology will constructively challenge students to critically engage the most crucial ideas, thinkers, and readings in the history of ethical theory. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book.
I read this book for class a few years ago. If you're looking for a compilation of philosophy, then this is the one to check out. ... Read more

Book Description

The author adroitly combines the four classic instructional approaches or patterns of practice—Literature Circles, Literature Focus Units, Reading and Writing Workshop, and Theme Cycles—into a seamless presentation that will show prospective teachers how to foster and encourage language arts learning by students of all backgrounds, abilities, and interests. With a powerful new CD-ROM, this sixth edition of the number one language arts book on the market offers comprehensive treatment of four classic instructional approaches to integrating all six research-identified language arts—reading, writing, listening, talking, viewing, and visually representing—into school curricula. For pre-service teachers and elementary school language arts educators. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wealth of information
Finally, I was required to a buy a book that I will actually use again.Both pre-student and veteren teachers will enjoy this book.It contains a wealth of strategies for teaching kids how to write. Although there is aa lot of great information however, if your like me you don't have tons oftime for reading through all the historical and case study information. Each section is clearly explained so it's great to just pick and choosewhat you are looking for. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Book that tells a story
I loved the way the author brought in stories of various children. I felt like I got to know the children throughout their stages of development. A great textbook!

This text is useful for single-parents rearing children.
As a Forensic Psychologist I use this text and recommend it to clients to better understand and appreciate the psycho-developmental needs of their children.Of particular interest to mostof those parents are the diversetables which clarify the expected and unique behaviors of childrenby agegroup.This provides those parents with a guide book to assist them inchild rearing through age 18. That reference material not only facilitatesthe parent's understanding of the needs of the child, but also betterprepares more effective parenting skills and preparation for developmentalissues which are significant incustody and visitation (or access) legalquestions. Parents have reported developing a feeling of confidence sincethey are using scientific data in making parenting decisiions. Legalauthorities -- judges and attorneys -- have felt more confident in theirrecommendations, opinions, and decisions which are based upon evidence.--Swen Helge, Ph.D. ... Read more

Book Description

Offering a unique blend of solid theoretical content and student accessibility, this text: 1) covers all the basics of microeconomics, 2) gives student a clear idea of how economists think about the world, 3) stresses the key concepts in economics, and 4) is extremely rich in intriguing applications that convey the prevalence of economics in everyday life. By applying economics to phenomenon that readers are familiar with and interested in, this book demonstrates like no other text how economic analysis can be applied to virtually anything of interest, thus helping students develop true economic intuition. Additional student-oriented features include a unique active-learning format, an emphasis on developing economic analysis skills, and an outstanding visual program for exhibits and graphs. ... Read more

Book Description

AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE is ideal for use at all levels and in many different areas of instruction including education, languages, psychology, anthropology, teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and linguistics. All chapters in this best-seller have been substantially revised to reflect recent discoveries and new understanding of linguistics and languages. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

This is the BEST INTRODUCTOR Book of Linguistics.
This book uses lots of funny cartoons and its use of words is quite easy and udnerstandable. So it's good for non-English speakers as well as native speakers. This book gave me all the basic concepts of linguisitcs, and no matter you have lingusitics background or not, you will get much through careful reading.

A must-read, especially for any professional communicator.
20 years ago, I was toying with the idea of taking the linguistics option as part of my English degree at Oxford University. My course tutor recommended I read Fromkin & Rodman to "see if the subject suited me". F & R hooked me completely: All the major areas are covered, simply presented and introduced by a cleverly chosen cartoon which helps to breaks the ice.

I must have recommended the book to more than 100 people since then and am ordering another copy now because a [former!] friend lost my (heavily thumbed and annotated) original. I now lecture on communications-related subjects and still find myself referring regularly to this seminal work. A must for any serious student of communications science; it draws you gently into a complicated subject and makes the process highly enjoyable.

It's an Introduction book
As an introduction book this book is perfect; it's written in short chapters(will not make you feel bored) and it has exercises(helps you with understanding) in it. To those who are interested in Linguistics and do not have any prior knowledge this book is The One.

One of Ten Books I'll Keep Forever
A college professor first introduced AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE (3rd ed.) to me in 1984; I have been a fan ever since. Although the book probably is not for everyone, if you enjoyed diagramming sentences in school, and if you actually appreciate that your father insisted you take Latin, then the book is probably one you will enjoy. cp

One of ten books I'll keep forever
A college professor first introduced me to AN INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE (3rd edition) in 1984, and I am still a fan. In fact, it is one of my ten favorite books. For a holiday gift this year, I will be receiving the 6th edition, and I am already looking forward to the updates from the previous editions. This text is a fascinating trip into the intricacies of language acquisition and use. Although probably not for everyone, if you loved diagramming sentences in school, and you actually appreciate that your father insisted you take Latin, then this book is probably for you. ... Read more

Book Description

Complete with a targeted review of all the material on the selected Praxis exam in addition to a full-length practice test, these test preparation guides are written by the makers of the real tests. Thorough explanations of the answers are provided, and helpful test-taking strategies are found throughout the guide. The three categories of assessments covered correspond to the three milestones in teacher development-academic skills assessment, subject assessment, and classroom performance assessment. Reflecting the rigorous and carefully validated nature of the exams, these guides provide beginning teachers the information they need to succeed. ... Read more

Book Description

This interesting and thoughtful book explains and evaluates schools in relation to modern technology, prevailing social conditions, and political demands, treating public relations as an integral part of school administration. Real-life case studies and the most current thinking in this field provide readers with the issues and challenges at work in the educational sector today.Individual chapters convey the roles of public relations in the educational arena. Topics covered in the readings provided include: contemporary conditions, publlic relations in districts and schools, and administrator responsibilities.An excellent collection of readings for those involved in education; especially administrators that deal with the community at large. ... Read more

Book Description

An extensively revised and updated one-volume encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs, and biologicals that contains more than 10,000 monographs. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

MERCK'S REVELATIONS
This edition of "The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, & Biologicals" shows remarkable improvement over its predecessor.
Boasting of diverse groups of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, it is a success in its own right. There are just plenty to be explored! The book brims with accurate up-to-date information. Pharmacists, Medics, Chemists, Biologists, Physicists, Agriculturists, and many other professionals who work with elements, compounds and mixtures will find this book very useful. It is revised, and is complemented with detailed descriptions, which include molecular formulae, molecular weights, as well as the percentage compositions of constituent chemicals in a compound or mixture.
It is a valuable reference tool.

Excellent chemical reference!
This book must be the most organized reference book I have ever used. Its so fulfilling to be able to find exactly what you're looking for when you need it. Includes a common name index, chemical formula index, as well as registry numbers, therapeutic categories for drugs, useful tables, and organic chemical equations. highly recommended!

one of those things a chemist shouldn't be without
While not the first reference book I would recommend for a general library, it is certainly one a library or chemist's office shouldn't be without.

This is an encyclopedia, with abstracts on zillions of chemicals. Is this the most authoritative book on the planet? No. If you want that, go read Chem Abstracts.

If you want an handy reference which will give you a pointer in the right direction for information on chemicals/drugs/biologics, then this is for you.

Got chloroform in your waste water and wondering how it might have inadvertently developed from miscellaneous stuff dumped down the drain? Wow - acetone + bleach powder catalyzed with sulfuric acid = chloroform, with citations.

Not always the most useful, but definately a good resource.

don't like it
personally, I think that this index has the most innacurate information available. It never has what most people need and it's too hard to use.

Bible for chemists and chemistry students
This is the most important and useful chemistry book for chemists and advanced level organic chemistry students. It shows all the physical constants, structures, information about synthesis, toxicity and use and reference. Although there are a few sites that provides the free online Merck Index, if you are into organic chemistry, it is not a bad idea to buy this one. It is much cheaper than the CRC Handbook of chemistry and physics! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

I Read It, But I Don't Get It Comprehension Strategies for
If you teach English/language arts, this book is a MUST!!! So often teachers assume their students can read well, but they are also good at faking it. This book helps teachers use real reading strategies in a practical way. I bought a few copies for my team to read this summer. I hope there is more to come from Cris Tovani.

A great read for all teachers!
Cris Tovani's book is fabulous! As a reading teacher, it helped me to find ways to help my students understand what they were reading AND to help them understand when they were understanding. It is obvious that the author knows her readers well and is able to help them to read for real purposes and to give them strategies for monitoring their own comprehension. I have read Strategies that Work by Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goodvis as well as Mosaic of Thought by Ellin Keene and Susan Zimmerman. I Read It But I Don't Get It adds to the things I learned about comprehension from these books. Although this book is written about middle school and high school students, I have used many of the ideas in the book with my upper elementary grade students. So many of the issues are the same. Many of my elementary colleagues are also finding this book helpful and have added it to their professional libraries. It also has great insights for content teachers--thoughts for helping students comprehend content reading. I highly recommend it for all teachers.

Valuable Resource
Chris Tovanni has created a valuable resource for all teachers by providing them with ideas for how to improve reading comprehension in high school students.

The one component that kept me from giving this five stars is that it is geared to English/Reading teachers. What would be a great addition in a second edition would be the inclusion of short example strategies for focusing on a textbook as opposed to literature. Granted any teacher who plans adequately at the minimum would have no problem adapting the strategies to textbooks, but some textbook direct strategies would be nice.

All in all however, this is a resource that as a social studies teacher I reference on a frequent basis. It helps me to develop realistic strategies to implement in the classroom to improve student comprehension.

Excellent Resource for Regular AND Special Ed Teachers
As a high school special education teacher, this books speaks volumes to me!!! It is a revelation to see that special education teachers aren't the only ones facing the problems of kids who "read it, but don't get it." This book was recommended to me by a Title I Reading Specialist and I will be forever grateful. As a special ed teacher, I had received a lot of training in decoding instruction but not much in the way of teaching comprehension. As Cris Tovani said in her book, it is often erroneously expected that if they can at least read the words they'll understand them. I have found that this error perpetuates, and was at a loss for how to teach my downtrodden teenagers to understand. This book has given me so many useful strategies and after changing the way I read just one story, I have seen a difference in the level of comprehension and participation in my class of students with learning disabilities. I'm glad that Cris Tovani doesn't offer any ready-made lessons or materials in this book. If she had, I may not have read the rest of the book and would have missed out on the wisdom contained in its pages. I have recommended this book to several of my colleagues and am hoping that this trend catches on. By all means, if you need help learning to teach kids how to learn from text this is the book for you! Excellent companions to this book are "Nonfiction Matters" by Stephanie Harvey and "Strategies That Work" by Stephanie Harvey and Ann Goudvis (this book gives much of the same information that is in "I Read It, But I Don't Get It" but has an immense book list at the back of the book.

JLT
This is a wonderful book for parents, teachers, and students alike. It addresses what it feels like for students who can't read and provides tons of wonderful, useful information. ... Read more