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The Tipping Point- How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

1 stars (Please - Stop Him Before He Writes Another Book!) - This is the second Gladwell book I've read, and unfortunately its as bad as the first (Blink!). His basic point is that little things can make a big difference. Gladwell's problem, however, is that he doesn't know what he's writing about, and it's a fatal flaw. For example, early in this book he relates how a "small change" in Brooklyn policing strategies turned into a "large drop" in crime. In reality, "broken windows," accompanied by much more data-driven and administrative follow-up policing referred to by Gladwell was a large (not small change). The reality is that "broken windows" policing ended up going far beyond simply pursuing those with minor violations (eg. fare-beating) to include studying crime patterns (location, timing, etc.), setting improvement goals, and regular high-level follow-up. Secondly, "Freakonomics" research concluded that the crime-rate decline began BEFORE the change in policing, and that much of the decline was due to increased staffing. Gladwell also attributed the decline to improved economic conditions - however, no such decline accompanied prior economic good times. Finally, Gladwell offered no explanation of why similar steep declines in crime occurred across the U.S. at the same time - without regard to any change in policing! Another of Gladwell's problems is that he doesn't seem to understand anything about statistics. The fact that a change in policing suposedly occurred at the same time as a decline in crime rates seems to be "proof" of causation for Gladwell. One of the first lessons in statistics, however, is that "correlation does not imply causation." Summarizing, the book starts out poorly, and goes downhill from there - increasingly boring, confusing, and totally lacking in credibility. Don't confuse, aggravate, misinform yourself with this book 5 stars (This Little Book will Make a Big Difference) - This fascinating book is an investigation into ...
Back Bay Books :: Psychology & Psychiatry & Social Psychology :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Psychology :: Psychology :: Marketing - General :: Context effects (Psyc :: The Tipping Point- How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

 

The Game- Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

5 stars (An interesting, and mechanical way to approach meeting with the opposite sex) - This book is absolutely filled with interesting theories on the art of social interaction and meeting women for dating and sex. 1/2 autobiography of the author Neil Strauss's social life for the last two years, and 1/2 story of the dark side of "The Game" in which a group of "Pick Up Artists" move in a house together, and it eventually collapses on itself. Looking at the book, you wonder just what exactly is "The Game" and when does one stop looking at life and meeting people not as a "set" or group, drop the "routines" and play in the real world instead. 5 stars (Trust REAL reviews.) - Please note that the review below, and most if not all reviews with 1-2 star reviews, especially those calling members of the community described in this book are all by one man who i shall not name, as he is merely a disgruntled man with a vendetta against this community of individuals who's goals is self-improvement, please take a look at reviews done by the top 50 and real name reviewers. 1 stars (Wait for the Movie) - If you like to watch the TV shows "Friends", "Coupling", "How I met your mother", "Sex in the City", "The Single Guy" or "Nova" and you're looking for a story to read, than this book is for you. If you haven't read a book for pleasure for a long time but your looking for a "How To" book, then this book isn't for you. Read the book "The Sensuous Man" instead. I listened to Neil Strauss at a book signing. He "tours" with self proclaimed losers who call them themselves former losers who sell "How To Pickup Women" services. They sell nothing but air --- and that's free. If you're looking for a story but not a book reader, wait for the movie coming to theaters in 2008. ...
Regan Books :: Sociology Of Men :: Sexuality :: Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects) :: Personal Memoirs :: Men's Studies - General :: Love & Sex & Marriage :: Health&Fitness :: Healt :: The Game- Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

 

The Republican War on Science

5 stars (Global Warming, evolution incommensurable issues ) - I found this to be an eloquent but flawed indictment of the ways in which conservatives are doing an endrun around science to promote their various agendas. But as a science supporter, but a Darwin critic, I was a little alarmed by the bad advice the author received from the very peer review bodies he promotes. The problem is that, for example, global warming, about which the book is excellent, and evolution, the most confusing of the issues, are not really in the same category. We can demand science on the issue of global warming, and expose conservative fraud, but if we demand science on evolution, then we should subject the current reign of Darwinian theory to scrutiny, there to find that, as theory, its scientific status is open to question. The behavior of creationists is a very distracting noise here, because it drives science defenders further into dogma, and into a hole. The author shows how relying on the standard sources of science advice, like the NCSE, will simply fill your head with the Darwinian boilerplate syndrome, which, whatever else their failings, the rightwing critics are well aware of. Having studied Darwinian theory carefully from the suppressed science critics they realize that they can trump the wrongly educated Dawkins/science generation. It seemed impossible ten years ago, now it's happening. Time to wake up on Darwin's theory, which means accepting the reality of evolution, but looking critically on the theory of natural selection. Science journalists ought to learn to be skeptical of the failed peer review system in biology and evolution. It's going to be the undoing of science, and one dreads to think what the next ten years will bring. Beyond that, many of the other issues raised make for an insightful expose, it is a pity the author is suckered into the Darwin trap. 5 stars (Global warming, evolution incommensurable issues. ) - I found this to be an eloquent but flawed i...
Basic Books :: United States :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Science :: Republican Party (U S - 1854- :: Politics - Current Events :: Political aspects :: :: The Republican War on Science

 

Physiology of Behavior- with Neuroscience Animations and Student Study Guide CD-ROM- Eighth Edition

3 stars (ok) - the book came in a reasonable amount of time but was not the same quality as was initially stated. It said the book was brand new but it had bent corners. 3 stars (Book NOT in Good condition.) - Company was prompt and service was great. However, the book was listed in 'good' condition and it is not. I can ignore the writing and hilighting but it had a defect in which it was missing about 50 of it's pages. To me missing pages does not qualify as 'good' condition. These people obviously do not check the quality of thier books. 5 stars (Best Textbook I've Ever Read) - I would like to find Neil Carlson and shake his hand. This is is without a doubt one of the best textbooks I've had the pleasure of using. I'm in my senior year of studying cognitive sciences and so far I've had two courses that used this book. When studying for exams in those course I simply read the relevant chapters. The material is concise, well-organized, summarized just when you need it to be summarized, pockmarked with occasional interesting tidbits and stories, just to keep you interested. Every once in a while there's a small terminology box to refresh your memory on the terms you've just encountered. Simply put, it's a book that makes studying the (rather complex, actually) subject of physiology of behaviour easy. If you need this book for a course, I heartily recommend you buy it instead of just borrowing from friends. I'm not sure why you would want to buy such a book for non-academic purposes and just to read it for the hell of it - but if you do - it's a book that supplies a lot of information in a very easy to digest manner. Two thumbs up. Good job Dr/Prof/Mr/Whatever Carlson... ...
Allyn -amp- Bacon :: Social Science & General :: Sociology :: Psychophysiology :: Psychology :: Physiological Psychology :: Neuroscience :: General :: Neil R Carlson :: :: Physiology of Behavior- with Neuroscience Animations and Student Study Guide CD-ROM- Eighth Edition

 

Cultural Anthropology - The Human Challenge with CD-ROM and InfoTrac

4 stars (I don't know why the other reviews are so critical) - I bought this because it is needed for my Cultural Anthropology class and it's a pretty smooth read. It has a definate liberal bias but no more than any other college book I've had to buy, if anything it's a bit less liberal bias than some of the books I've had to suffer through. It's topics are very interesting and in most places the authors at least try to be neutral. The really good part of the book is not the part the instructors normally assign but the stuff in the yellow boxes which are almost like reading stories. 5 stars (A Good Introductory Text) - This is one of the better anthropology texts available today. It is very comprehensive, well-organized, and takes a very broad view of the human condition. The problem with textbooks is that they sometimes summarize issues as if they were settled questions, when, in reality, many of the problems involved are the subjects of complex debate. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since the majority of undergraduate students are not interested in primary sources that are very difficult to read and take a lot of work to understand. As an instructor I found the book to be very good as a basic resource that allowed me to teach my perspective of the discipline to students using supplementary materials and lectures. The major drawback is that it is so expensive, but not more so than other textbooks out there. Here is what one of my very good students said about the book, "I found it to be well-organized, thorough, and easy to understand. I have never taken a class in this subject before, so I have nothing to compare it to, but as far as I can tell it is a useful text. I had one other cultural anthropology class this term and I was able to use the textbook from your class as a reference from time to time. I chose anthropology as my minor, and so for further reference purposes I have kept the text from your class." Students who have strong politic...
Wadsworth Publishing :: Social Science & Anthropology & General :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Ethnology :: Archaeology & Anthropology :: Anthropology - General :: Anthropology - Cult :: Cultural Anthropology - The Human Challenge (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac)

 

Infants- Children- and Adolescents 5th Edition

3 stars (Review for Infants, Children, & Adolescents) - Good seller, quick delivery, could have put a better description about book on Web 4 stars (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! 5 stars (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 most of those parents are the diverse tables which clarify the expected and unique behaviors of children by age group. This provides those parents with a guide book to assist them in child rearing through age 18. That reference material not only facilitates the parent's understanding of the needs of the child, but also better prepares more effective parenting skills and preparation for developmental issues which are significant in custody and visitation (or access) legal questions. Parents have reported developing a feeling of confidence since they are using scientific data in making parenting decisiions. Legal authorities -- judges and attorneys -- have felt more confident in their recommendations, opinions, and decisions which are based upon evidence. -- Swen Helge, Ph.D. ...
Allyn - Bacon :: Social Science & General :: Sociology Of Children :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Psychology :: Infants :: General :: Developmental - Child :: :: Infants- Children- and Adolescents (5th Edition)

 

Investigating the Social World- The Process and Practice of Research- Fourth Edition

Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, Fourth Edition...
Pine Forge Press :: Social Science & Research :: Sociology :: Social sciences :: Social problems :: Social Science :: Research :: Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare :: Audio Adu :: Investigating the Social World- The Process and Practice of Research- Fourth Edition

 

The Cultural Landscape - An Introduction to Human Geography 8th Edition

5 stars (Refund) - I realized after placing the order that I wasn't quite ready to buy the book and my money was refunded instantly. Great customer service and quick response time. 4 stars (Great for AP Human Geography) - Currently I am taking an AP Human Geography class in my high school and this is the book we were assigned to buy. This book has wonderful charts and pictures along with descriptions. This book goes into depth and doesn't only touch the surface. I recomend this book to AP Human Geography teachers and students! ...
Prentice Hall :: Science & Geography :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Human Geography :: Earth Sciences - Geography :: James M Rubenstein :: :: The Cultural Landscape - An Introduction to Human Geography (8th Edition)

 

The Practice of Social Research with CD-ROM and InfoTrac Practice of Social Research

4 stars (Textbook) - I use this for my text for an upper division Soc class - is a good book - easy to read - wish I had the CD! 5 stars (Fast, Accurate and Great Condition) - I was skeptical when the description said they ship same day but took the chance because I had waited till the last minute to order my books. I placed the order Monday morning and received the book Wednesday just in time for class!!! Thank you for the fast delivery with no extra charge to me!!! And of course as promised the book was in excellent condition and everyone in class was jealous because I paid less and got better service then most of them!!!! 2 stars (Babbie is a textbook machine, not a researcher) - I have taught a survey research course for 3 semesters and used this book because it was recommended. If you want to teach a course in overall research methods, this may be your book. If you want to teach survey research, use something else. Too much of the book focuses on qualitative methods. In addition, some of his information is simply off-base. His discussion of the reasons for using stratified sampling is particularly erroneous. In addition, the research he uses as examples (research he has conducted) was done 20 years ago and is neither interesting nor enlightening. In addition to the problems with the text book, the publishing company is not terribly helpful. I had to hound them to get desk copies and a test bank. They never did send me a copy of the study guide. It seems as though Earl Babbie writes text books to make money, not because he is a researcher with an abundance of information to share with the world. If you want an introductory level book on survey research, use Czaja and Blair (Pine Forge Press), Fowler (Sage) or another book written by people who actually do survey research. The one positive thing I can say is that his workbooks on how to use SPSS are pretty good. ...
Wadsworth Publishing :: Social Science & Sociology & Marriage & Family :: Sociology :: Social sciences :: Social Science :: Research :: Methodology :: Earl R Babbie :: :: The Practice of Social Research (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Practice of Social Research)

 

Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment with InfoTrac

Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (with InfoTrac) ...
Wadsworth Publishing :: Social Science & Social Work :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social work education :: Social Work :: Social Science :: Social Psychology :: Life change event :: Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (with InfoTrac)

 

Radical Evolution - The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds- Our Bodies -- and What It Means to

5 stars ("Enhanced Humans": Never Sleep and They Have Artificial Vision.) - Nanotechnology, communication technology, information technology, robotics, drugs, biology, and genetics all come together in this new book. I had a quick read and heard the author talk at some length on the radio about the book and the subject. From the book and from listening to the author, one is convinced that this is a solid effort. The book gives an overview of new technologies and drugs. The drugs are not your normal medications. They do things such as extend memory. The technologies can give us things such as artificial hearing and artificial sight. He describes how we can use electronic sensors in the brain to control robotics to help the handicapped move limbs. In the past we might have thought that some of these drugs and technologies would be radical, or far off in the distant future, but now many of the technologies are here. The author is an editor and a reporter at the Washington Post. He has published a number of articles and books including Edge City: Life on the New Frontier and The Nine Nations of North America. The book is entertaining, and the story and writing are probably better than if written by a scientist. In his radio interview, he said that he had travelled extensively to prepare for the book, absorbing new ideas and technologies being tested by drug companies, various universities, government agencies, and in other private industry. According to the author, the products of that research are here or are coming soon. Part of his challenge was to write a book that brings the reader up to date without sounding too crazy, or too techie, or too far out. If he just presents a lot of "gee whiz" chit chat, the reader will be turned off. After all, he is a Post writer, not a hack gadget salesman. So, he has attempted to explain the social impact as he goes through the book. Also, he does not want to give the impression that it is science fiction that we have here. It i...
Doubleday :: Science & General :: Technology :: Sociology :: Social Aspects :: Science&Mathematics :: Science :: Risk assessment :: Philosophy :: General :: Ethics & Moral Philosoph :: Radical Evolution - The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds- Our Bodies -- and What It Means to

 

Mother-Daughter Wisdom - Creating a Legacy of Physical and Emotional Health

5 stars (Mother-Daughter Wisdom) - I just got my book and have started reading it. Its great. I had seen Christiane Northrup on tv and she is great. She makes you think...."why didn't I think of that-its so simple" 1 stars (Cliches, platitudes and old chestnuts) - As mother of two teenagers, I had high hopes for this book, but I almost gagged on the number of trite sayings this author can cram into a paragraph. You will find "great" insights like: mothers are very important in an infant's life, two year olds are announcing their independence, and it's important to keep channels of communication open with your daughter even when things aren't going smoothly. And I paid how much money to learn THAT?? If you have had your eyes and ears open for any length of time, you will find nothing new in this book. It is all hype and marketing with no substance. And wisdom? That's the biggest hype of all. Save your money and just go talk to your daughter. 5 stars (Wow! Awesome Book! Mothers of Daughters: Get This Book!) - First off, this book makes a great gift to anyone you know who has a daughter regardless of age. It makes a great baby shower gift, also. I just want to start by saying, I first saw this book and I skimmed through it, but didn't buy it. I was very skeptical. I am a well read individual and I was thinking: "I don't need another lame self help book by some would be expert that sits on my shelf that I never read. My daughter's five: there is a bunch of birth, pregnancy stuff in the book. I am past those stages and don't need a book that covers stuff I don't need." However, I ended up going back and getting the book. I am SO glad I did. Now I am here to say: this book is amazing. Reading the book made me want to read all of her books. I took so many notes and have already started using some of what she wrote. For those of you who consider yourself Moms who care about being good Moms, this book is a great compass for how to raise your daughters well. It ...
Bantam :: Reading Group Guide :: Social Science & Women's Studies :: Women's Studies - General :: Women :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Parenting - Motherhood :: Mothers an :: Mother-Daughter Wisdom - Creating a Legacy of Physical and Emotional Health

 

How Full Is Your Bucket- Positive Strategies for Work and Life

1 stars (Great idea - Simplistic and extremely short book) - The entire contents of this book could fit in one chapter of most other books. About a third of the book is just pictures of a bucket with text written in it (which was already written on the previous page) and the pages with text have very large printing. I read it in just under 20 minutes and I read at about an average speed. People say that if you take away one good idea from a book, it is worth it. This book has just one basic idea. Although that idea is valuable, it can be found in many, many other books - try Seven Habits of Effective People. If you must read this book, just read it at your local book store because it is a very fast read, and that way you do not have to buy it. I don't mean to empty any buckets here (referring to the authors concepts) but your money will be better spent on many other books with much more significant content. Hope that this helps! 2 stars (Mostly fluff) - The concept is good but I got the point after two pages and the rest was fluff or pictures to take up space. 4 stars (Good but Expensive) - My problem with this book is that it is rather expensive. I will also agree if someone tells me that similar ideas have already been published before. However, I do find "Your Bucket" inspiring. If it wasn't that expensive I would suggest buying it. I think however that there are in fact better books available at Amazon. The best one (and much, much cheeper - especially considering the number of pages) is "Can We Live 150 Year?" although the author of that book does not re-invent the wheel, either. I know many of the simple ideas presented by the author, but I always get new motivation to improve my health and general well-being whenever I reach again for Can We live 150 Year... ...
Gallup Press :: Workplace Culture :: Management :: Business & Economics & Management :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Social Interaction :: Psychology :: Pers :: How Full Is Your Bucket- Positive Strategies for Work and Life

 

Biological Anthropology - The Natural History of Humankind

Biological Anthropology : The Natural History of Humankind...
Prentice Hall :: Social Science & Anthropology & General :: Textbooks :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Physical anthropology :: Anthropology - Physical :: Anthropology - General :: :: Biological Anthropology - The Natural History of Humankind

 

Organization Theory and Design

1 stars (Didn't receive what I paid for) - The seller advertised that they had a hardcover version and I recieved a paperback, international version.....False advertising!!!!!! 5 stars (The learning book) - " Organization Theory and Design " is a book every corporate member that has aspirations to better understand and contribute to his organization should own. I used this book studying a basic course of organizational behavior after the professor had referred to it as "the best text on the market". I found out he was right - the book is extremely well-written and its contribution to my understanding of the subject is invaluable. As it happened, I partly read older versions of the book to find out how every few years Daft updates his analysis, insights and examples of the ever changing and evolving world of organizations; for instance, the past example of IBM that served as the major opening example of an organization that has gone from the top of the world to the brink of disintegration in the beginning of the 90's, is replaced in this 8th edition with Xerox. Daft continues and presents the most recent developments in organizations' design - structures and management methods that have only emerged lately in response to the turbulences in the environments and competition worldwide. By making the changes in every edition "Organization theory and design" wins the title of this review - "the learning book" - that mirror images the main theme of this work - "the learning organization". Almost no organization can stand still in today's reality - managers and workers have to constantly think of better ways of doing things and learn from every source that bears knowledge and can give the organization a better competitive advantage. Things have never moved so fast and threats and opportunities have never been so immense. Competitors have to be efficient and different to survive and stay on the top. The structure of the book is designed to convey its ideas in the best p...
South-Western College Pub :: Business & Economics & Organizational Behavior :: Organizational sociology :: Organizational Behavior :: Organization :: Management - General :: Entrepreneurshi :: Organization Theory and Design

 

The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research

5 stars (A compendium of qualitative research: Absolute gold!) - I bumped on to this book accidentally in a library while seeking for a book on qualitative research. Being a novice in qualitative research I spend the next week reading it everyday to get my first glimps into what qualitative research is. It is absolute gold for two reasons: - It content is topical and up todate. Even for a beginner it is absolutely readable. The content is not lost in academic jargons but simple everyday English. - The detailed bibliography speaks for itself and what is more it is given after every section. It allows the researcher to find more information elsewhere. I have decided that it is a book one should own in his or her private library. Thank you. Odwora Jaki Johannesburg. 5 stars (It never leaves my desk) - While it seems like a large chunk of change, this book is worth every penny. Ever since I've purchased it, many of my colleagues (I'm a social scientist at KU) ask to borrow it, but I never let it go. Just about any question I have about qualitative research can be answered, to some degree, with this book. What's more, even in some of the more controversial areas of qualitative research the book points to other readings that may shed light on alternate perspectives. Just buy the book. I did, and I don't regret it for a moment. It's also nice in that it covers a wide variety of disciplines and contexts -- journalists, sociologists, communicologits, psychologists, and political scientists can all use the book with equal ease. One area, though, that I've heard the book is not as strong toward is anthropology. If you're an anthropologist, you may want to check out Holstein's interviewing methods book. 5 stars (Research Reviews Research Handbook) - These knowledgeable and experienced authors have assembled cutting eduge chapters on the new dimensions researchers have available for doing quantitative research. Of special interest to this reader is the chapter ...
SAGE Publications :: Social Science & Research :: Sociology :: Social sciences :: Social Science :: Research & Methodology :: Research :: Yvonna S Lincoln :: Norman K Denzin :: :: The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research

 

The Interpersonal Communication Book- 10th Edition

5 stars (Great Communication Theory Book... to start off with) - This book is not really orientated at making you a better interpersonal and intercultural communicator (although it could be a start towards this), it is more of a book on interpersonal and intercultural theory. This book was the basis of my Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Studies course at UQ in Australia. It is very simple to read, a high school student could easily understand this. I think this is a good thing, however, because as some of my lecutures demonstrated, interpersonal communication theory can be very dry and dull at some points! So I am giving this book five stars because althoug simplistic, I believe it tells you the basics of interpersonal comunication theory, and is a great starting book if you are interested in this! 3 stars (Too Much Theory and Not Enough Substance.) - I read through this book as part of an Interpersonal Communication class I took. I'll admit right off the bat that I have a biased view about the book because I read it in a class where I was the only person over 21 in a room full of freshman. With that said, I'm really glad I had the life experiences I've had to protect me from the leftists propaganda contained within. I'm also very thankful that I was never forced to read such dribble when I was a freshman in college because it can really mess you up. Most of the book is based in and upon interpersonal communication theory and there isn't a whole lot of practical information given. Not only that, but the book almost totally ignores the moral and ethical issues that are inherently apparent in interpersonal communication. Instead, the author has taken a humanistic (and fairly Machiavellian) approach and illustrates the power that good interpersonal communication skills can give a person. The book does have some good things to say, but overall it's more of a tool in brainwashing freshmen with useless knowledge than anything else. There's a lot of theory, ...
Allyn - Bacon :: Performing Arts & Theater & General :: Sociology :: Psychology :: Language Arts & Linguistics & Literacy :: Interpersonal Relations :: Interpersonal Communicati :: The Interpersonal Communication Book- 10th Edition

 

Social Psychology 5th Edition

3 stars (Social Psychology 5th ed) - This book is very easy to understand, and the real-world examples/analogies are helpful (even if they are a little in excess). It's one of the few textbooks I've bought that I don't consider a (total) waste of money. 1 stars (Fuzzy, unstructured and too politically correct book ) - This is 5th edition of the book written in early 90th (first edition was in 1994). The book did not change much since. This is fuzzy, politically correct and watered down presentation of the subject. For example when you learn about cognitive dissonance you are not told that the original Festinger experiment was connected with the behavior of a flood doomsday cult after the target date of the flood passed. This might be an OK book as a second of third book for self-education (you can save money buying any previous edition, but in no way this should be your first or only book on the subject), but this can be a horror show if this is your standard textbook at the university 101 Social physiology course and you need to pass an exam. Here the inability of the authors to distinguish between important and unimportant will hunt you down. The authors are too fond of abusing "social-psychology-speak" and introduce too many pseudo-scientific terms without real necessity: it looks like they try artificially inflate both themselves and the subject by immersing trivial notions in obscure jargon. This infatuation with jargon, on the level completely unacceptable for the introductory course is one of the worst features of the book. It especially evident are summaries which are the Achilles spot of the book: badly written, badly thought-out, somewhat detached from the chapters content, horribly structured and weakly typeset. The other problem with this book as an introductory (101 type) book is that it is just too big. Story-telling approach that authors use is not bad per se, but inability of authors to distinguish between really important and entertaining p...
Prentice Hall :: Psychology & Psychiatry & General :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Psychology :: Psychology :: General :: Robin M Akert :: Timothy D Wilson :: Elliot A :: Social Psychology (5th Edition)

 

The Power of Myth

5 stars (Thoroughly enjoyed) - Wonderful audio presentation of the Bill Moyer interview with Joseph Campbell. We originally checked it out from the library for a road trip, but just had to have our own copy. Listened to it twice on a recent cross-country road trip. 3 stars (Amazing Mythological Comparisons) - This is written in an "interview" form. I probably would get more out of the DVD format. It has very interesting comparisons of our life to mythology. Although very interesting, some ideas seem a little far-fetched. 4 stars (Intriguing, important but sometimes contradictory) - In our current secular culture where everything is de-mythologized, this is an important work. Campbell shows how the existential angst and meaninglessnes of modern toil is inextricably linked with our devaluation of mythology in the 21st century. From a philosophical point of view I especially admired the colourful way in which Campbell accounted for the dualism of the human predicament eg. In the Garden of Eden fall from unity into the knowledge of "good and evil". Buddhist conceptions of duality were also well integrated. However, in parts I found Campbell's message somewhat contradictory. Especially concerning the gnostic view that the material world is "bad", and the eternal world of the spirit, our real home. In some instances he seems to support this gnostic view, in others he wants us to embrace the tactile reality we find ourselves in, submerging ourselves in its goodness. Perhaps I just misunderstood. I would welcome enlightenment from fellow readers. Perhaps the greatest "take-away" for me was the value of investing myth into your everday world. As the Postmodern philosopher Rorty said: there is no true view of the world (even the scientific one), only a view which is the most useful. Personally I often find the meaninglessness of the materialist view pretty useless (for me, anyway), and a view rich with myth and mystical connotation might be infinitely more livable....
Anchor :: Philosophy & General :: Campbell :: Joseph :: United States :: Sociology of Religion :: Sociology :: Religious :: Religion historians :: Religion :: Philosophy :: Mytholo :: The Power of Myth

 

Drugs- Society- and Human Behavior with PowerWeb

Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior with PowerWeb...
McGraw-Hill Humanities-Social Sciences-Languages :: Substance Abuse & Addictions - General :: Sociology - General :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Psychiatry - Psychopharmacology :: Oakley S Ray :: Carl L Hart :: Ch :: Drugs- Society- and Human Behavior with PowerWeb