Reviews (11)

Lucidity
This is an important book, written by one of the most lucid minds of our generation.James Bowman understands ideas: he understands our culture, and he understands our lack of it.

Dr
The book does not achieve a broad and consistent perspective on the psychological and social function of honor. It is interesting but an anecdotal study rather than a thematic sociological discourse. The reader does not get a sense of what function has honor served through history (and continues to serve, e.g., honor is the mortar that makes incomplete contracts viable) and how and why the concept of honor changes (e.g., becase institutional enforcement of contracts becomes stronger). A scholarly study needs to answer these questions. Finally, cumbersome English does not an authentic style make. The book needs editing by third parties to make its language more appealing and less confusing. A good and entertaining try but one that hits around but never quite the bull's eye.

Bowman's Sadly Off Track
It appears to me that "Honor" was written by Mr. Bowman out of a seemingly deep sense of guilt that he avoided the draft due to a medical deferment, and therefore (at that time) happily did not go to Vietnam (p.8).Along with deferred others such as Dick Cheney, he now perhaps feels obliged to somehow glorify an outdated and dysfunctional form of honor, one that most probably never even really existed except in the minds of the idealizing few.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Honor    5. Social History    6. World - General    7. History / General   

Reviews (1)

An Excellent Collection of Current Scholarship in Islamics
The Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an represents the most current knowledge available regarding Islam and Qur'anic Studies.Jane Dammen Mcauliffe has done an excellent job compiling contributions from an impressive list of scholars.Andrew Rippin, G.R. Hawting, Patricia Crone, Herbert Berg, Bowering, Beatrice Greundler, and a host of others all weigh in on issues ranging from the Chronology of the Qur'an to its Compilation; and from Exegetical issues to the controversial questions of the Origins of the Qur'an.Excellent Scholarship marks the first volume's entries on the topics of Arabic Scripts, Language, and Paleography.It draws on recent research and scholarship, including the "paper grave" of manuscripts discovered in Sana'a Yemen which are currently being analyzed by German Professor Gerhard Puin.This first available volume covers topics from "A" through "D", and makes many references to future entries in the volumes which are to follow. While the entries are based on thorough research and academic study, several of the conclusions and observations will be quite controversial in the Muslim community, particularly those which call into question the reliability of Muslim Literary Traditions, and those which are damaging to the traditional understandings of the nature of the Qur'an as a monolithic, unevolved (or even uncreated) source of Divine Revelation.This volume, and those which follow, are certain to establish themselves as instant classics in the libraries of scholars and academic students of Islam around the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Islamic Studies    4. Reference    5. Sociology    6. Islam    7. Reference works    8. Sacred texts   

Reviews (23)

Good author, bad editor
This is an excellent book, which has received much well deserved praise. Rather than repeating the praise, I would like to take up a few points which I feel a good editor would have corrected:
The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
A very good book for the period leading up to WWII....an interesting read for all those interested in WWII and the events that defined what really happened. Provides in-depth facts and represents well thought-out research....a very good read.

Mad Delusion Of Propaganda
The Battle For Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 is a book that focuses on not just the causes of the conflict and military actions taken during it, but also on the ideals, goals and politics that shaped the two sides.
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Subjects:  1. Civil War, 1936-1939    2. Europe - Spain & Portugal    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Military - Other    7. Revolutionary    8. Spain    9. History / Military / General   

Reviews (5)

Neglected History
For many of us in the West, Byzantium is an exotic mystery. Colin Wells opens up this mystery by outlining the crucial role of Byzantium in transmitting ancient Greek culture to three civilizations: the West, the Slavic East, and Islam. There is much in this history that is of relevance today as we reflect on the different roles played by these three civilizations that were shaped by Byzantium. Yes, the myriad of unfamiliar names and places are at times overwhelming; but Wells provides a list of major characters in his history to help the reader, along with a chronology and plenty of maps. For me and I suspect many others, this book opens up a previously neglected but crucial part of our history.

A Lot of History in a Small Book
While reading this book, I was overwhelmed by the density of names and events that grace almost every page of this scholarly work; it was rather confusing for me at times and required that I drastically slow down my reading pace in order to be able to follow what was happening and the sequence of events. This is most likely because of my nearly total lack of knowledge of detailed Byzantine history - religious, political, philosophical, social, cultural, literary and military - and its very numerous and important participants. Consequently, this book has much to teach people like me; I, for one, have learned much from it. This book appears to be a labor of love for the author who is obviously very well-versed in this branch of history. The writing style is quite clear and, despite the density of information, engaging. It would likely be of most interest to serious history buffs that have had previous exposure to, and an intense interest in, Byzantine history.

OUTSIDE IN
If you feel an unsatisfied curiosity about Byzantium, this book is actually a good place to start, precisely because it works from the outside, focussing on the external outreach whereby Byzantine language, culture, and literature reached Italy (sparking the Renaissance), the Muslim world, and the embryonic Slavic world. Underneath that story, the ebb and flow of Byzantium's fortunes, its dark age, and its periods of renaissant literature and religion are sketched lightly but vividly by Wells. This book offers a painless way to get your feet wet in this subject by placing it in a broader world context. After, you're ready for Cyril Mango's superb thematic intro "Byzantium" followed by the historical surveys of John Julius Norwich (short in one volume or long in two). Then, if you're still on board, you can dive into the deep waters of the great John Meyendorff ("Byzantine Theology" and others). Byzantium has been well studied since the 1950s; this book by Colin Wells will serve as your way in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Byzantine Empire    3. Byzantine Empire - History    4. Byzantine influences    5. Civilization, Islamic    6. Civilization, Slavic    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    10. History: World    11. Medieval    12. World - General    13. History / Ancient / General   

Reviews (73)

History Comes Alive and in Such Amazingly Unexpected Ways!
In just over 60 chapters, this gifted author exposes a long series of various types of scandals, plots and curious events that have occurred throughout most of recorded (European) history. The stories are weaved in carefully crafted prose that is also very cleverly tongue-in-cheek. This combination, along with the fact that chapters are only a few pages long, makes the book very entertaining and extremely difficult to put down. The first thing you know is that you've finished devouring the book, only to find your appetite craving for a couple more just like it. This is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Great Book-Interesting People
This book is very interesting if you are into history. The people covered in the book range from Roman Emperors around the time of Christ, to bad Popes, to French English Russian German Kings and Emperors. Such examples of these being the family of Napolean, the descendents of Isabella and Ferdinand, the "War of the Roses" the many wives of Henry VIII and their children, and the children of James II.There are many more people and so much iformation, but they are all worth the read

ROYAL GOSSIP
This book is a very fun read.I especially liked the story on Louis XIV's brother, he must have been a hilarious spectacle.Honestly you wonder how these people were allowed to rule, they were so hedonistic and debauched, but frankly that's what makes this book so amusing.Though this book is quite good, the benchmark on these type of books is Royal Babylon, that book is fantastic, it has more stories and is more explicit, but honestly, I recommend them both, although they cover some of the same ground, they compliment each other. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Conduct of life    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. Heads of state    5. Historical - General    6. History    7. History: World    8. Kings and rulers    9. Royalty    10. Scandals    11. Biography: royalty    12. History / Social History    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (1)

Boring but excellent
Boring book had to have it for a western civ class. Very informative about everything you may possibly want to know about civilization. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Intercultural communication    5. World - General    6. World history    7. Social history   

Reviews (99)

Born Fighting and Unreconstructed!!!
As a proud Kentuckian, Presbyterian, and combat Marine this book has become my Bible.I can never thank James Webb for the inspiration that he has given me in my life with every book that he has written.This book though is one that stands apart.
Honor - Courage - Committment
If only more people were as proud of their heritage !
WOW!
What a thoroughly enjoyable read! Jim Webb has told the story of my people better than anyone I've read--there are a couple of other books that attempt what he so masterfully accomplished. I was pleased to learn that stubbornness, the willingness to fight when pressed, and honor were genetic---or at least hard-wired into the Scot-Irish people. An excellent review of our history, and of our people and how they came to be major players in establishing this Great Nation.
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Subjects:  1. Elements In The U.S. Population    2. Ethnic Studies - General    3. History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. Race And Ethnic Relations    7. Social History    8. United States - General    9. History / United States / General   

Reviews (7)

Horrible mistake in regards to PERSIAN GOLF ****************
What the hell is going on... I wonder wich rich royal family in the mid-east has funded this unbeleivable mistake!!!
Historical information in this book was manipulated
In this book, unfortunately due to powerful anti-Iranian (Persian) activities and the typical incompetence of the Islamic Republic that occupies Iran, the southern states of the Persian Gulf who have only come to existence thanks to foreign powers, have slowly become more brazen. As a result the National Geographic Society has printed at least three major erroneous statements in its Atlas of the World 2005 (Eighth Edition, ISBN: 0-7922-7543-8 & ISBN: 0-7922-7542-x) regarding Iran and the Persian Gulf.
Fine history tome but not really an atlas....
I give this book four stars because, while it is really not an atlas, it is a wonderful overview of history.Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - Historical    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Reference    6. World - General    7. World history    8. Maps, charts & atlases    9. Reference / General   

Subjects:  1. Gambling    2. Gambling (Social Aspects)    3. Gambling - General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Social History    8. History / Social History   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Civilization, Medieval    3. Europe    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    7. History Of Women (General)    8. History: World    9. Middle Ages, 500-1500    10. Renaissance    11. Science, Medieval    12. Women    13. World - General    14. History / World   

Reviews (1)

Restoring the Temple of Vision
This book uncovers the early Jewish, Scottish, and Stuart sources of "ancient" Cabalistic Freemasonry that flourished in Écossais lodges in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. General    4. Great Britain - History - Tudor And Stuart (1485-1714)    5. History    6. History: World    7. Interior Design - General    8. Rosicrucianism    9. Sociology    10. Sociology Of Organizations    11. Europe    12. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    13. Freemasonry & secret societies    14. History of ideas, intellectual history    15. Religious buildings    16. c 1700 to c 1800    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

History, After the Fact
Davidson and Lytle's book is a study in historiography dealing with the interpretation and analysis of the sources used to report history.The authors concentrate on the several types of sources and the drawbacks of each, specifically biases.Examples include written, oral, video, psycho, cultural, economic and political history.This version includes an investigative CD which enhances the lessons in the book.After the Fact is a good companion to Richard Evans' In Defense of History, David Fischer's Historians' Fallacies, and Mark Gilderhus' History and Historians. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Historiography    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. Sociology    5. United States - General    6. United States History (General)    7. History / United States / General    8. Schools    9. USA   

Reviews (9)

AP Euro Student
I took AP Euro as a Sophmore. This book was a major factor in me getting a 5 on the test.Its dull a times but with the right teacher this book will do you woneders on the AP test in May. Im takin AP Us now and my book is anecdotal and written in a narrative style. thus its almost impossible to take notes in. This book separated into chapters, some of which pertain to social themes of that particular time, otheres to political and economic. In short if you are looking to get 3 or above on the AP Euro test, this is the book for you.

Bit convoluted, but still useful
Although the text tends to skip around in regards to dates (one paragraph is on the 1300s, then the next section is back to the 1200s) it is overall a good tool for the European history scholar.

To Kagan!
Within my AP Euro class we affectionately referred to this book as Kagan (the first listed author, as compared to McKay our other textbook).I must say the opposite of another review talking comparing this textbook to Bailey's The American Pageant.The concensus I have found now that my grade is studying American is a nostalgia for Kagan as we find Baily to be pretensiously written.Kagan was filledwith memorable yet not onoxious writing.The sort of high quality writing that when you answered a question in class your answer would automatically use the same used as in the textbook without your notice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    6. History: World    7. Western Europe - General    8. Western Europe - History    9. History / General   

Subjects:  1. History & Surveys - General    2. Identity (Philosophical concept)    3. Mind & Body    4. Philosophy    5. Self (Philosophy)    6. Self-knowledge, Theory of    7. History of ideas, intellectual history    8. Philosophy / General    9. Philosophy of mind   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - Naval    3. Military Science    4. Reference    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Pictorial    6. Yearbooks & Annuals    7. 21st century    8. Naval forces & warfare    9. Weapons & equipment    10. Yearbooks, annuals, almanacs   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture (Specific Aspects)    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    4. Individual Photographer    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Planning    8. Social Movements    9. Sociology - General    10. Sociology - Social Theory    11. North America    12. Social history   

Editorial Review

Richard Stolley knows a bit about what we want from the pictures of our century. He's the Read more

Reviews (28)

Amazing!
I first noticed this book in fourth grade, as my teacher liked collecting interesting books. I ended up reading it cover-to-cover about 6 times. I am a major fan of history, and always have been. I am in the seventh grade now, and when we talk about things in history class, some of the beautiful pictures still come back to me. I also really like how the written part of the chapters are written by authors like Avi. This falls in the class of my "most favorite books of all time," including the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card, The Breadwinner, and any and all E.L. Koningsburg books. A great read!

It's a family favorite!
I bought this book for my 85+ year old mother in law for Christmas 2005.She loved it so much, she later asked me to help her find one for a close family friend.A few weeks later, her sister Corrine came to visit, and they poured over the pictures in her copy of the book -"remembering when" they had seen this or that.They especially loved the pics of San Francisco in 1940's when they were young and going clubbing.I later ordered (yet) another copy for Aunt Corrine's 87th birthday - and she just loved it!It's so hard to buy gifts for someone over 80 - this is a sure fire hit!

A scrapbook of the century...
Life has done a superb job of pulling the whole century together into one book.I wont't tell you what picture was the first picture the started the book off with.But I'll tell you this;they got it right! This in not only the most important and best picture of the 20th century, but also; the most significient picture to portray what man has done;ever.Check out the book and see if you don't agree.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1900-1999 (20th century)    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Civilization, Modern    5. Documentary Photo Collections    6. Modern - 20th Century    7. Modern history    8. Photoessays & Documentaries    9. Photography    10. Pictorial    11. Pictorial works    12. Twentieth century    13. Art / Pictorial    14. Photographs: collections   

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. 19th century    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. George IV, 1820-1830    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. National characteristics, English    10. British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900    11. British Isles    12. History / Great Britain    13. History, World | British | 19th C    14. Social history    15. c 1700 to c 1800    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (14)

Microhistory of the masses
Borne of the microhistory genre, "The Cheese and the Worms" provides a glimpse into the life of a miller in medieval Italy.No ordinary miller is 'Menocchio', however, as he is inquisitioned for his radical religious philosophies.In a time and place where Catholicism was undoubtedly the religion of Europe, Menocchio harbored unique ideas about religious doctrine, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and man's purpose.Although some of his many ideas contradict others that he had, he was well-read and surprisingly well-educated for a man of his station.As Ginzburg says, though, we must look to the Protestant Reformation and the invention of the printing press as being major catalysts for such learning and religious evolution.Within the microhistory genre, "The Cheese and the Worms" is most fascinating when we ask the question: Was this an isolated phenonmenon or was this a reflection of many people's views?The answer, I suppose, lies with Menocchio, but there is still much to be gleaned from this book.

Well written, fascinating tale
Description of a miller with an intresting ('modern') cosmological belief whose rebellion in thought is prosecuted by the Taliban of that time, the Roman Catholic Church. Forced to explain his nonAristotelian views (and, if Ginzburg is telling the truth, he responded extremely well to the inquisitors' questions!), the miller outwits his arrogant, narrow-minded judges and so wins the reward of torture and imprisonment, losing his wife, family, everything in the end. Galileo, who had a higher social position and powerful protectors, suffered no worse than house arrest, in comparison.

Keep this book in mind
Anytime you want to tell yourself that the Catholic Church isn't that bad, just keep this book in mind. It is just more proof that the church is the most corrupt institution in the history of time. . .with that in mind. The book is very interesting, it deals with the trial of a smart man at the time who was accused of heresy. So throughout the trial we begin to realize how well read this man is and how well he has developed his ideas. It is a good case study of the life of a common man in 1599. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    2. Europe - Italy    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Medieval    6. Modern World History (Circa 1450 To Present)    7. Reformation (1517-1648)    8. Blasphemy, heresy, apostasy    9. Italy    10. Mathematics / Applied    11. Social history   

Reviews (11)

Costume in Detail: 1730-1930
I bought this as a gift but I want a copy for myself. Can I say better?

costume survey
the best of its kind. library copies constantly used by local stage costumers. a brilliant piece of work!

Very detailed
I would have loved to had seen the pieces of the garment drawn in their pattern shapes, but otherwise an excellent book with much detail written about each garment. Only other problem was that sometimes the writer's handwriting about the details on the drawings were a bit hard to decifer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Costume    3. Design - Textile & Costume    4. History    5. History: World    6. Performing Arts    7. Reference    8. Theater - Stagecraft    9. 20th century    10. Fashion design    11. c 1700 to c 1800    12. c 1800 to c 1900