Product Description
A girl dresses in a bunny costume to earn her dad's approval. . . . A boy bakes a cake and takes out his dad in the same afternoon. . . . These are just two of the offbeat and utterly captivating scenarios readers will find in this collection of stories inspired by narrative artwork. Nine charcoal drawings, each one hauntingly surreal, were the creative spur for eighteen different authors. Pairs of writers were sent the same image and asked to write a story to accompany it. The results are fascinating: some of the couplings are strikingly similar; others couldn't be more different, and all make terrific reading.

Named a Top Ten Art Book for Youth by ALA Booklist.

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Customer Reviews (2)

Great teacher resource
As a secondary literacy coach, I'm always looking for new resources to share with teachers and students. This book is full on wonderful stories that I've personally loved, but that were perfect to share with high school students. The premise is intriguing and it is so fun to see how the authors interpret the drawings. I really hope that there are more to come.

Twice Told
Twice Told is an astoundingly original concept and a great book.The stories are based on pictures, and two authors worked on each piece of art to produce two separate, very different stories.They are "twice told" through both the writing and the art, and "twice told" between the two authors.Different authors definitely had different takes on the project.Some, to my annoyance, focused very much on the image itself, taking time to actually describe what is already depicted.Others jumped right in, making for more interesting, active stories.Description in many of the stories seemed very redundant, since the picture was right there, but many of the authors felt it necessary anyways.Going a little more into specific authors and their stories, I think my least favorite was Audrey Coulombis's piece.The most shocking aspect of the book, I'd really have to say, was the John Green story without a *gasp* ROAD TRIP.What has happened to this world?Margaret Peterson Haddix's story was good, but unlike anything else I've ever read from her.I felt like many of the authors tried too hard, as often, to make their stories "quirky", and the stories then turned out anything but.As is usual with short stories, I found myself really enjoying stories by random authors, and not particularly liking the ones written by authors I was previously familiar with.The biggest shocker had to be Nancy Werlin's extremely powerful story, Rebecca.It definitely grabbed my heart and was by far my favorite of the collection.

Rating: 3.5/5 ... Read more

Product Description

In this illuminating journey around the globe, Scott A. Hunt takes us face to face with true heroes including: the Dalai Lama; the famed dissident of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi; and the activist who brought peace to Latin America, Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, who share their historic struggles and show us how to find optimism in the face of anguish, and compassion in the place of animosity.

Customer Reviews (7)

More Relevant Than Ever
The perfect antidote to a mindset of vengeance.In this incredibly sexy take on the human condition, writer Scott A. Hunt takes readers down the noble and seemingly enigmatic road to peace.Insightful anecdotes paired with brilliant insights make for a fascinating read. Equally as spiritual as it is documentary; a must read for every contemporary thinking man's library.

Beyond the power of imagination
Scott successfully took on a monumental task of understanding the view points of peace makers and people who are caught in today's wars. The book is a journey into the most challenging edges of 21st century human psyche. In this journey, there are seemingly real people who are actors compelled to living out scripts that they don't even know they are living them. But there are some people who are aware. These people come across clear and sound as Scott vividly presents his interactions in most captivating manners - simple but graceful. Scott's intentions come across pure. The information he gathered are eye-opening. The stories he tells are startling.

Scott outstandingly weaves the history of humanists' thoughts. His account of nations' events makes social and science fictions pale in novelty. Facts indeed beget fiction. Can super powers not be aware of their own action? Are peace makers and Nobel Peace laureates simply instruments of time - when the human spirit can no longer endure the incredible injustice?

If you have often asked yourself why people, businesses, and government today have drag the world into the lowest of any moral standards and darkest moments of the human race, this book will be useful to you. It doesn't offers academic answers. It shows you the conditions around the world in a continuity of thought I have not seen. The conversation with the Dalai Lama on non-violence is both amazingly clear and inspiring. It is an account of risk management and decision analysis with enormous grace and solemnity. Expect a team consisting of a journalist, a philosopher, a historian, and a humanist to accomplish anything close to this book. As I put the book down in the stillness of the nights, I am moved beyond the power of my imaginations. - Tom Tuduc

Thought-Provoking and Compassionate
Scott Hunt has written a very moving and almost lyrical book in the way in which he blends some of the the worst horrors committed by humans against fellow beings with the compassion and kindliness of the peacemakers. It gives you a deep sense of hope and conviction that the spirit of humanity will tirumph eventually and inspires you to try hard as it may be to embrace the vices of those who still believe in commiting these violent acts.
Marvelouslly,it is also a political eye-opener into the true motivation of the actions taken in the name of peace by the political leaders...

Excellent book
This book is excellent in so many ways. Scott Hunt has given us an inspiring book. I learned so much in historical background and in the work of heroic people of our time.
I would urge anyone who wants an understanding of the problems in the world today to buy this book. Once you open it, you will be compelled to read it from cover to cover.
If you believe that the answer to all the issues of the world are simple, and that all the world except the US is bad, than I ask you to open your mind and take a look at the world described in these pages. If you believe that killing only creates more killing and there must be a better way, than allow these stories to provoke your mind.
The most compelling part of this book to me was the discussion of Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. I ask you to please try and understand how it can be that such a monstrous people can be created, and how such horrible things can be done to human beings. This chapter will leave you wondering how you can ever again accept on the surface the "information" we are given. You will realize the consequences of violence. You will search your mind for answers that are not on the news.

This book is not perfect. I was left wondering more about the history of Costa Rica than I was given, for example. And there are times when Scott explains things more than I would like. I think he could leave his conclusions to the people he interviews. Others may find that that part of the book helps tie things together.
Still, overall the book was outstanding and deserves every bit of 5 stars.

A HUNDRED STAR RATING
The "Future of Peace" is perhaps the most compelling book I have ever read.I was very deeply moved by it. Scott A. Hunt is an outstanding writer and interviewer.He asks insightful questions of prominent peacemakers and receives soul searching, thought provoking answers, with overall themes of hope, forgiveness and perseverance.The interviews are more like informal discussions and I almost felt I was right there.He also gives excellent background information on the various areas of conflict where the peacemakers reside, with facts one doesn't learn in school or read/see often in mainstream news.I kept trying to put it down, so as to absorb each chapter, but had to continue to the end, almost nonstop.It is definately a book to read again and again.If all students, political leaders and citizens of the world read it and took the messages to heart, perhaps we could obtain a more peaceful world. In these troubled and treacherous times, Mr. Hunt and the peacemakers give a message that should be spread throughout the world, both heartbreaking and soul inspiring at the same time. If you are wondering whether to buy "The Future of Peace", just do it!You will be so glad you did! ... Read more

Product Description

Social History of the United States is a cornerstone reference that tells the story of 20th-century America, examining the interplay of policies, events, and everyday life in each decade of the 1900s with unmatched authority, clarity, and insight.

Spanning ten volumes and featuring the work of some of the foremost social historians working today, Social History of the United States bridges the gap between 20th-century history as it played out on the grand stage and history as it affected—and was affected by—citizens at the grassroots level. Covering each decade in a separate volume, this exhaustive work draws on the most compelling scholarship to identify important themes and institutions, explore daily life and working conditions across the economic spectrum, and examine all aspects of the American experience from a citizen's-eye view. Casting the spotlight on those whom history often leaves in the dark, Social History of the United States is an essential addition to any library collection.

Customer Reviews (1)

The set is wide-ranging and makes for a top reference pick for both high school and college-level collections
The impressive 10-volume set SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES divides history into eras (the 1900s, the 1930s) for each volume, allowing for a narrowed, more detailed examination than most offer. From an introductory review of major issues of the era to biographies, discussions of social change and economic influences, and the rise of movements and campaigns across the country, each volume provides bibliographical references for further research. The set is wide-ranging and makes for a top reference pick for both high school and college-level collections strong in sociology and American history. Very highly recommended, it promises to hold lasting research value and is a particularly strong starting point for papers and classroom discussions. ... Read more

Product Description
Spare, simple poems tell a boy’s moving story in this short novel about baseball, family, and the American dream.

It’s 1936, and the Yankees have just hired a star center fielder whose name sounds like music. What could be a better time for Papa-Angelo’s grandson to be born? Christened after the legendary ballplayer, young Joseph Paul learns much at his Italian grandfather’s knee - about holding your breath in front of the radio during a 3-2 count with the bases loaded and having the audacity to dream big dreams. After all, the boy’s ne’er-do-well father is out of the picture, and it is Papa-Angelo’s job to teach his grandson what it means to be a hero.

In a poignant novel told in verse, Maria Testa paints a picture of a timeless bond between a grandson and his immigrant grandfather - and of finding his own place in a brave new world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Family, dreams and finding your way -- a home run!
I picked up Becoming Joe DiMaggio out of curiosity when researching some young adult literature for a class I was taking, and just fell in love with it.With an economy of words, Maria Testa paints a portrait of a boy, his grandfather, and the iconic baseball player that had a generation cheering.This would be a wonderful basis for classroom discussions/writing assignments on dreams, family, how poetry can evoke emotions with so few words.It can even be used to tie in math (baseball statistics, prompted by the poem "The Streak"), social studies (World War II), and even moral issues (the bombing of Hiroshima, domestic abuse).I recommend this highly for any student or teacher from fourth through 8th grade, and possibly even into high school.

Baseball Legend
The book "Becoming Joe DiMaggio" was a a good book overall. It is about Joseph Paul growing up and learns about the game of baseball. He falls in love with the sport and soon learns the rules and how the game is played. He loves his grandfather and would do anything to make him happy and hopes to make it to the majors his dream. This book is a very quick read and somewhat a confusing book. But overall it was entertaining and i would recommend it to anyone from grades 5th and up.

A not-to-be-missed diamond
With a spare, beautiful text, Testa creates poignant characters and a passionate story. Every word counts here. "Becoming Joe DiMaggio" is a story for all generations. This book would be a lovely, thoughtful gift for all ages. ... Read more

Product Description
The main objective of this volume is to propose an alternative theory of criminal opportunity. The theory builds upon earlier social disorganization and routine activities theories and takes into account recent developments regarding criminal opportunity to extend the notion of opportunity farther. The authors’ starting point is the recognition that both individual and environmental factors across time affects criminal acts. Their basic premise, grounded in the importance of the individual-environmental-temporal nexus, is that criminal acts must be explained in terms of criminal opportunity contexts.

Criminal Circumstance contributes to the further development of criminal opportunity theory by addressing focal areas involving theory, methodology, empirical research, and policy. Its main objective is to propose an alternative theory of criminal opportunity. That theory builds upon earlier social disorganization and routine activities theories, and takes into account recent developments regarding criminal opportunity, to farther extend the notion of opportunity. The authors’ starting point is the recognition that both individual and environmental factors across time impact upon criminal acts. Their basic premise, grounded in the importance of the individual-environmental-temporal nexus, is that criminal acts must be explained in terms of criminal opportunity contexts.

CONTENTS

List of Figures • List of Tables • Acknowledgments • Preface • 1 Theory Generally and a General Theory of Crime: Some Preliminary Considerations • 2 Criminal Opportunity: A Necessary Condition and Central Construct • 3 A Multicontextual Approach • 4 Evidence and Specification of Main Effects • 5 Evidence and Specification of Moderating Effects • 6 Implications for Reactions to Crime • 7 A Dynamic Perspective • 8 Possibilities and Limitations for Empirical Research • 9 Implications for Policy and Practice • References • Index ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

For Criminologists, Not Economists Pitching Their Books
This book makes a prominent contribution to the communities and crime literature by advocating a multi-level opportunity approach. The models presented take into account individual- as well as contextual-level factors in the study of crime. The book is entirely theoretical, but Wilcox and Land have exhaustively tested the theoretical propositions over the last ten years with success. Students of criminology, crime prevention, and sociology will find this work useful in understanding that opportunities for crime are not generated solely by individual or community characteristics.

Ethereal "theory": magic words for modeling - a superstition
Since the early 1970's Land has attempted to imitate econometrics in sociology. He had then noted that econometricians have had three advantages: (1) a common unit for measurement, namely the monetary unit, (2) a social accounting system, namely the USDOC-BEA NIPA data, and (3) a body of existing theory for specifying statistical models, such as Keynes' theory.

Accordingly Land (1) advocates demographic counts for sociology's common unit of measure known as "social indicators"; (2) advocated Richard Stone's demographic accounting system proposed for the OECD in 1971, an idea that does not appear in this book, Criminal Circumstance; and (3) has spent more than a third of a century seeking some "theoretical framework" to supply a sociological "interpretation" to specify models made with social indicators.

The specific theoretical framework Land advocates is his "opportunity" theory, which originated with Ogburn; an idea that Land has evolved over the years and that appears in this book as "criminal opportunity." This book is nothing but theory, and it is disappointing because it contains no redeeming empirical models, although Land has made models including an interesting macrosociological model in the mid-1970's.

In this book Land offers an explicit definition of "theory", which he takes from another sociologist, Bernard Cohen - not a philosopher of science, and which is a recitation of the logical positivist nomological-deductive schema. This schema is an atavism. It is also ironic: historically it was the neo-Parsonian romantics - not the positivists - who distinguished theories from models, because the romantics say that theory refers to subjective motivations, while models are built with objective measurement data viewed as mere surrogates or "social indicators" of the theoretical ideas.

In his Patterns of Discovery (1958) Russell Hanson wrote that in a growing research discipline, inquiry is directed to the discovery of new patterns in data, an inquiry he calls "research science" as opposed to the "almanac science" such as in the definition by the National Academy of Sciences.The Academy defines "theory" as a well-substantiated explanation that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.In this sense scientists can still speak of Einstein's theory of relativity.

In the contemporary philosophy of science prevailing in academia today, "theory" does not mean some supplementary semantics or ontology distinct from either empirical models or their constituent variables. Pragmatists define "theory" in research science as any universally quantified statement proposed for empirical testing. Then the numeric values of the variables or "social indicators" are measurements of just what the variables actually describe, and the models constitute the theory. Pragmatists thus define "theory" by its function in research science, such that THE EMPIRICAL MODEL IS THE THEORY and THE THEORY IS THE EMPIRICAL MODEL so long as it is proposed for testing.

Since the terrorist attack of 9/11/2001 criminologists have been forced to become pragmatic, and have turned to data-mining systems and spectral analyses. (See for example "Quantitative Analysis Offers Tools to Predict Terrorist Moves", The Wall Street Journal, 2/17/2006) The leading econometric consulting firms have also become pragmatic. In 1975 I used an artificial-intelligence system that searches for patterns in sociological and economic data, and based on the findings I made a macrosocio-econometric model for the Indiana Department of Commerce in 1986. More recently such data-driven research science has been facilitated by the automated discovery computer routines now available commercially in SAS and SPSS.

Land's modeling interest represents a badly needed attempt to make sociology a modern empirical science. But his pandering to sociology's surviving anachronistic romanticism that separates theory from empirically testable models has retarded his efforts. There are no magic words called "theory" that would enable successful specification of models. Successful modeling is achieved by computer-intensive data analysis. And such analysis is justified by pragmatism. I believe that these authors would have more to offer sociology and criminology had they spent their time modeling with data instead of what I see as dithering with "theory."

Readers interested in my further commentary are invited to Google my book titled History of Twentieth-Century Philosophy of Science, at my web site philsci with free downloads by chapter - specifically BOOK VIII, and to my other book reviews on Amazon.

Thomas J. Hickey, Econometrician
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Product Description
Essays and documents related to Hideous Gnosis, a symposium on black metal theory, which took place on December 12, 2009 in Brooklyn, NY. Expanded and Revised.

"Life is a hideous thing, and from the background behind what we know of it peer daemoniacal hints of truth which make it sometimes a thousandfold more hideous." - H.P. Lovecraft

"Poison yourself . . . with thought" - Arizmenda

CONTENTS: Steven Shakespeare, "The Light that Illuminates Itself, the Dark that Soils Itself: Blackened Notes from Schelling's Underground." Erik Butler, "The Counter-Reformation in Stone and Metal: Spiritual Substances." Scott Wilson, "BAsileus philosoPHOrum METaloricum." Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, "Transcendental Black Metal." Nicola Masciandaro, "Anti-Cosmosis: Black Mahapralaya." Joseph Russo, "Perpetue Putesco - Perpetually I Putrefy." Benjamin Noys, "'Remain True to the Earth!': Remarks on the Politics of Black Metal." Evan Calder Williams, "The Headless Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Brandon Stosuy, "Meaningful Leaning Mess." Aspasia Stephanou, "Playing Wolves and Red Riding Hoods in Black Metal." Anthony Sciscione, "'Goatsteps Behind My Steps . . .': Black Metal and Ritual Renewal." Eugene Thacker, "Three Questions on Demonology." Niall Scott, "Black Confessions and Absu-lution."

DOCUMENTS: Lionel Maunz, Pineal Eye; Oyku Tekten, Symposium Photographs; Scott Wilson, "Pop Journalism and the Passion for Ignorance"; Karlynn Holland, Sin Eater I-V; Nicola Masciandaro and Reza Negarestani, Black Metal Commentary; Black Metal Theory Blog Comments; Letter from Andrew White; E.S.S.E, Murder Devour I.

BLACKMETALTHEORY.BLOGSPOT.COM ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hilarious Gnosis
All collections are a mixed bag, but this one's pretty good.Some contributions seem way too academic and self-important, but there's a lot of humor in the better ones.You gotta admire a bunch of guys who get Satanism and metal into the NY Times! ... Read more

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This collection of essays on feminist perspectives ofequity and trusts is particularly pertinent at this time due to theongoing legislative reform of trusts as well as constitutionalresettlement and devolution. While feminist legal scholars havefocussed in depth upon many areas of law and the legal system, equityhas received relatively little attention, making this collection aparticularly important contribution The contributors critically notethe interstices of the development of equity which express its impacton women and, sometimes, its expression of values associated withwomen. ... Read more

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Chapters: Harold Keith Johnson, Henry Gurke, Robert Hunt, Rodney Scott Webb, Edward K. Thompson, Ingimar Ingaldson, Einar Jonasson, Casey Loomis. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 31. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Harold Keith Johnson (22 February 1912 - 24 September 1983) was a United States General. He served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army between 1964 and 1968. General Johnson was born in Bowesmont, Pembina County, North Dakota in 1912. He came from a poor but close family and his early life was one of hard work and study. General Johnson joined the Boy Scouts as a youth and supported Scouting activities all his life. As Chief of Staff, he kept a Bible and a copy of the Boy Scout handbook on his desk. He often quoted the Scout oath in speeches, "On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country". Johnson was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1933, he graduated 232nd in a class of 347 and was not expected to have a promising career. During World War II, he fought the Japanese as an officer in the Philippine Scouts' 57th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Bataan, and survived the Bataan Death March, spending three years in captivity. Johnson also served in the Korean War, during which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for bravery. In 1964, General Johnson became the 24th Chief of Staff of the United States Army, having been unexpectedly promoted over several more senior generals. Johnson was the Army's leading tactician, having served as commandant of the Command and General Staff College, and was an outspoken skeptic of deploying troops except as a last resort and accompanied by the total commitment of the civilian leadership. During his term as Chief of Staff...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=774213 ... Read more

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Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more