Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Constitutional    3. Courts - General    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Law    6. Legal History    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    9. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. United States.    12. Citizenship & nationality law    13. Civil rights & citizenship    14. Courts & procedure    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Legal Reference / Law Profession   

Editorial Review

The savvy, chatty author ofRead more

Reviews (17)

Good for history, bad for legal analysis
I give the author credit for explicitly revealing his biases in the book's opening pages.The author is a war protesting, left-leaning, liberal, and is a proponent of a "living Constitution" that conforms to his own ideas of a perfect society, rather than a view that treats the Constitution as a legal text.I strongly disagree with his views, but because he does not present his biases as fact, but instead openly warns the reader, I was able to continue reading.
We live by symbols
This is the book that provides an immense and readable amount of historical and political background informationon the evolution of the interpretation of the US Constitution from its very beginning until the end of the XX century. Constitutional law is seen through its cases throughout history and its main protagonists: the judges of the Supreme Court and those who brought their cases. It also shows that legalist interpretation of the Constitution has not followed the pedant use of syllogistic reasoning from the precedential principles set forth in previous similar cases, like Christopher Columbus Langdell, instead, had taught at Harvard Law School in the XIX century. When the Constitution was interpreted as if it were a pure and independent science, leaving nothing to the political context or the common sense, it created monsters that today look embarrassing. However, since the law was interpreted according to the sensitivities of the ruling class at the time, too, the output still remains curious today. Both ways, the Constitution was read for the benefit of the privileged. The book does not deal only with famous cases such as "Dred Scott v. Sandford", "Plessy v. Ferguson", "Brown v. Board of Education", "Miranda v. Arizona", "Roe v. Wade", but it deals with many more that cover many controversial political subjects of the last 200 years. Here an anecdote in the book that look funny in itself. Lawyers from the Dept. of Justice brought two thousand prosecutions under the Espionage Act. The most ironic is United States v. Spirit of '76, against the producer of a movie about the American Revolution, Robert Goldstein, because his depiction of British atrocities against the colonists tended "to question the good faith of our ally, Great Britain", according to the judge, who imposed a ten-year sentence on the producer. It is a highly recommended book for historians, political scientists, and, why not, lawyers and filmmakers.

Stimulating interpretation of the history of the Court
In this book, Peter Irons offers a refreshingly stimulating interpretation of the history of the Supreme Court.His approach, which focuses on understanding the personalities on the bench and behind the cases, serves as an invaluable reminder that laws and created and interpreted by people who bring their views and experiences into this process. Irons begins this process with himself; in the introduction he expresses his belief that "the Constitution's basic command is that every person must be accorded the dignity he or she deserves as a human being."(xv)This view serves as the basis for his analysis in the book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutional Law    2. Courts - Supreme Court    3. History    4. History: American    5. Law    6. Law and politics    7. Legal History    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Political aspects    10. Supreme Court    11. U.S. Supreme Court    12. United States    13. United States.    14. Political Science / General   

Subjects:  1. Commonwealth countries    2. Constitutional    3. Constitutional Law    4. International    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. British Commonwealth    8. Comparative law    9. Constitutional & administrative law    10. Constitutional law--Commonwealth countries    11. Law / International   

Reviews (5)

Please read and heed this book.
This is a book that could make a real difference in the world.Its chapters are written by a dazzling collection of experts in the field of child development, and It's interesting, readable and informative.Highly recommended!
Honoring Society's "Most Valuable Players" -- our Children
"At this critical point in the history of humankind, the irreducible needs of all children can offer a unifying ethic by which the cultures of our interdependent world might reorder their priorities. Child Honoring is a vision, an organizing principle, and a way of life--a revolution in values that calls for a profound redesign of every sphere of society." --Raffi
exciting new approach to sustainability
"Raffi Cavoukian's vision is a stunning wake-up call for all who care about the world our grandchildren will inherit.This book's exciting new approach to sustainability is an inspiration, for which we owe editors Cavoukian and Olfman great thanks."
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Studies    3. General    4. Psychology    5. Social conditions    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - Social Theory    8. Child & developmental psychology    9. Family & Health    10. Human rights    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    12. Public health & preventive medicine   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Human rights    3. Religion    4. Religion - Socialissues    5. Religious aspects    6. Religion & Beliefs    7. Religion / General   

Reviews (1)

Excellent, thought-provoking and moving.A real eye-opener.
This is a work in the genre of Orwell's "Down and out in Paris andLondon."Immensely readable, despite the very serious nature of thework, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in development issues,untouchablity and in learningabout how it must be to live in abjectpoverty.Kudos to the author for this fine contribution to the few worksthat existon the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1947-    2. Asia - India    3. Asia - India & South Asia    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Business & Economics    6. Economic History    7. Economic conditions    8. Ethnic Cultures - General    9. History: World    10. India    11. Politics and government    12. Poverty    13. Social Classes    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Biography: general    16. Development studies    17. Human rights    18. Political Science / Economic Conditions    19. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    20. Social groups & communities   

Reviews (1)

An introduction to alternative thought on grassroots culture
Esteva and Prakash provide sources of alternative thought about what is important in and of the world.The book offers evidence of how grassroots cultures in non-western nations are combining people interests withenvironmental interests to assure a future for their cultures.The bookgives support to the idea that technological development is not inevitable,but a choice that may be much easier for non-western nations to make. Additionally, the authors offer food for thought for rural sustainablecommunity development in the U. S. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Culture conflict    5. Economic development    6. General    7. Human Geography    8. International - Economics    9. International cooperation    10. Postmodernism    11. Social Science    12. Social aspects    13. Sociology    14. Sociology - General    15. Cultural studies    16. Development studies    17. Human rights   

Subjects:  1. Cases    2. Constitutional    3. Election law    4. Government - State, Provincial & Municipal    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. United States   

Subjects:  1. Child Advocacy    2. Children    3. Children's rights    4. Domestic Relations - Children    5. Family Law - Children    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Legal status, laws, etc    9. Legal status, laws, etc.    10. Parent and child (Law)    11. United States    12. Constitutional & administrative law    13. Human rights    14. Law / Domestic Relations / Children   

Reviews (10)

A "Mental Adventure"
Capers in the Churchyard: Animal Rights Advocacy in the Age of Terror is a swift read, but a long mental journey. I feel the same sentiments as Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson when he writes in the book's foreward, "[The author, Lee Hall] thinks further than I have thought about certain areas, and I am thrilled to be able to follow her on this extraordinary mental adventure." Indeed, while reading the book, I was introduced to ways of thinking that are different from anything I have ever read in the literature, or heard at the conferences I've attended.
A Valuable Look at Methods of a Movement
(Originally posted on SuperVegan.com)
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF ANIMAL RIGHTS
This is absolutely the best book ever written on animal rights, what works and what does not. I rarely get speechless, but I don't know where to start (or stop) praising Lee Hall for outlining the path we must follow to achieve true abolition of humanity's custom of enslaving any beings defined as non-human.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Environmental    3. Law   

Reviews (13)

"the capstone of a fine career"
This book is actually the third of a sort of trilogy, begun with "We the People..." in 1958.It should be no surprise that Mc Donald thinks little of Charles Beard.In his earlier work (mentioned above) he did a great deal to discredit Beard's thesis that the founders created the Constitution in order to increase the values of the gov't securities that they held.He followed this in 1965 with "E Pluribus Unum", a work about the political wheeling and dealing that was behind the creation of, and opposition to, the Constitution.He turned his attention to the ideas that were important to the framers in "Novus Ordo Seclorum" in order to finish his career-spanning look at the basis of our government.I my view, the best thing about this book is the way that it is systematically put together.McDonald states the problem clearly early on, and then proceeds to analyze it step-by-step.His placing of the framing of the Constitution in its broader English context is outstanding, as is his discussion of the political and economic theory that the founders had available.But McDonald also makes it abundantly clear that the framers were no ivory tower theoreticians. They were pragmatic, hardnosed political realists who had a good grounding in the best available theory of their day.That combination of theoretical grounding and practical experience has always seemed to me to be the reason that the Constitution was so well crafted and enduring, and McDonald brings that out quite clearly.On another note, McDonald was characterized above as a "conservative historian".It is true that he has supported conservative causes and taken conservative stances throughout his career, but that seems to be beside the point here.McDonald was writing in an attempt to gain understanding about the framing of the Constitution, not to influence current political debate.To often today we look to the founders to resolve our current controversies.As a result people on both sides of the political spectrum have politicized our history in a way that I think leads to an impoverishment of understanding.I admire McDonald for trying to keep the scholarly ideal of detatchment in view, and doing the best he could to live up to it.

MJD
For those who are interested in US history and the origins of the US Constitution, this is a must read.McDonald is an excellent writer and has woven an wonderful outline of the philosophical underpinnings of our Constitution.The last section is particularly interesting.He goes through the debates during the summer of 1787.Many of the founders discussions are topical today, especially regarding the authority given to the executive and legislative branch.The book takes a bit to get into but is well worth it.For readers just into this exciting topic a good read before tackling this work might be Katherine Bowen's, "Miracle at Philadelphia."

The men and ideas behind the American Constitution
I picked up this book to read for several reasons.The American founding era is one of my favorite periods of history to study.I am in awe of our founding father's abilities to cobble a government together despite their socio-economic differences.Don't we all wish that our political leaders today had the same capability to compromise and act on important issues of the day?I am also a great student of finding out the kinds of books our founders read so that I can read them myself.As a student of philosophy, I enjoy studying the philosophical influences on the founders.Aristotle's "good life", Locke's principles of life, liberty, and property in his "Second Treatise", and the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment philosophers like Hume, Reid, and Kames.I can say unequivocally that Forrest McDonald's book does not disappoint.
Read more

Subjects:  1. (1787)    2. 18th century    3. Constitutional    4. Constitutional Convention    5. History    6. History & Theory - General    7. History - General History    8. History: American    9. Law    10. Political science    11. United States    12. United States - Colonial Period    13. United States.    14. American history    15. USA   

Reviews (3)

Interesting thesis but ultimately unfulfilling
The author presents a fairly unique thesis that the Lochner Court was actually more progressive than is commonly assumed. To support this he classifies all substantive due process cases and boils them down to numbers from which he spins off statistical analysises. Excellent Revisionist Work
Professor Phillips punctures several myths regarding the Lochner era, and does so through a surprisingly underused methodology: he actually read every case purportedly involving substantive due process during the Lochner era. Among the myths shattered by Phillips: "The Lochner era Court was practically out of control; it struck down approximately two hundred economic regulations on substantive due process grounds." "Economic substantive due process was a radical innovation supported only by reactionary Justices." "The Lochner era Court's substantive due process decisions overturned `social legislation' that would have aided the poor and necessitous at the expense of the wealthy and powerful." "The Lochner era Court's reactionary nature is demonstrated by the fact that it limited its concern for `liberty' to `liberty of contract.'" "Most, perhaps all, of the regulations invalidated by the Lochner era Court served the public interest." Excellent Revionist Work
Professor Phillips punctures several myths regarding the Lochner era, and does so through a surprisingly underused methodology: he actually read every case purportedly involving substantive due process during the Lochner era.Among the myths shattered by Phillips:Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Procedure    2. Constitutional    3. Constitutional Law    4. Due process of law    5. History    6. Law    7. Legal History    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. U.S. Supreme Court    10. United States    11. Law / Legal History   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Law   

Reviews (5)

Fascinating and terrible
Daniel Mannix has written an extraordinarily detailed and intriguing treatise on the history and validity of torture, through every culture, era and continent in the world. From the earliest societies in Greece to modern-day usage, every aspect of torture is covered in this exhaustive volume. Interesting compilation of facts, rumors, and ideals
Daniel P. Mannix has given us a great compilation of facts, rumors, and ideals in "The History of Torture." He examines the pros and cons of torture, discussing whether it even works and in what circumstances it works best, as well as when and why it can be totally ineffective. He discusses the reactions and ideals of the people who did the torturing, delving into what they hoped to accomplish by torturing each other and how the different ways of torturing affected the person being tortured and the people watching, if any. Historical confirmation of the value of love
This book has it all---murder, cruelty, history, execution, murder, boiling oil, cruelty, and lots of enigmatically depraved sentences. Mannix is the MAN!nix. The guy can write---he puts these sentences down that are novels in themselves. I've read most of his books, but none of them touches this one for haiku-like brilliance of his prose. He can roll of a description of the most depraved acts known to man with a terseness befitting a VCR manual. Ace stuff.Read more

Subjects:  1. Correction Of Crime And Delinquency    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Criminology    4. History - General History    5. Law    6. World - General    7. Crime & criminology    8. History / World    9. History of specific subjects    10. Human rights   

Reviews (3)

.....but this one fits in your pocket
The Table of Contents of this book is nearly indentical to the "Code of Federal Regulations" issued by the Justice Department and provided free of charge to anyone who asks for it. But at roughly 6x9 inches, it doesn't fit in my pocket. So if the pocket thing is important to you, I highly recommend this book!

ADA Compliance Simplified!
This little book is easy to carry around and contains all of the ADAAG info you could ever need! I've been using mine for 2 years and would be lost without it!Thomas Schmokel - ADA Consultant

Get a grip on ADA, pocket size.
Are you tired of tracking down the office copy of the ADA standards?Is the only copy within the workstation of King Tornado?Get your hands on this little number.Keep it by you at all times.I have used this reference guide for two years now and it has saved me a lot of time.This is a very easy to use condensed version of the state issued ADA guide.It is accurate and reliable and it does not have to go back to the office library.And don't let the words "pocket guide" scare you off, this is not a brochure, it is a book.It's just smaller and smarter, not to mention lighter than the stardard issue.So get a grip on ADA, pocket size. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Barrier-free design    3. Civil Rights    4. Disability    5. Law    6. Law and legislation    7. Mountaineering    8. Reference    9. Study & Teaching    10. United States    11. Architecture / Reference    12. Construction industry    13. Disability: social aspects    14. Environment law    15. Property, real estate, land & tenancy law    16. USA   

Reviews (7)

Joey
Well being young and unexperienced I found this book very helpful, it really opened my eyes to a new way of looking at things. I liked the way most of the information seemed to be first hand, rather than just many assumptions.

Checks and Balances
Reading this book, comprised of info from many sources, I got frankly angered by the way this administration, as well as others in the past, used tragedies and wars to take our freedoms from us and invade our privacy on a whim.I understand some liberties must be sacrificed in times of conflict.The government just after 9-11 was running straight from the executive branch without any checks and balances.Of course who would dispute or bring up civil liberties in times of crisis, obviously not anyone in the courts.People were labeled enemy combatants and contained without right to trial, any proof of guilt, and held months without anyone even knowing their whereabouts.Many were probably guilty, but some were innocent and in the wrong place at the wrong time.Our government wanted to get people to act as spies, surveying their neighborhoods, spying on neighbors, getting your library to turn you in as a terrorist for reading muslim literature or something containing dissent to the govt.Luckily that brilliant plan of ashcrofts has not gone over to will not be tolerated, and should not be tolerated by the citizens that are supposed to be the backbone of our democracy.Very informative book.AMerica must fight to revise this orwellian act that is the patriot act.

Excellent book for understanding the legal issues
I read this book cover-to-cover on a flight from L.A. to New York, and found it both well-written and informative.Indeed, I thought it was such a good survey of the major legal issues in America's war on terrorism that I assigned it as required reading for my American Law & Terrorism seminar at UCLA.Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Essays    3. Political And Civil Rights    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    6. Political Science    7. Political Terrorism    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. September 11 Terrorist Attacks    11. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    12. Terrorism    13. United States    14. War on Terrorism, 2001-    15. Civil rights & citizenship    16. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    17. USA   

Reviews (2)

Highest Recommendation
Even if you're not an activist and don't want to be, as long as you have any sort of interest in social change, this book will be well worth reading. Packed with examples of how movements have succeeded and failed, this extremely readable handbook will inspire through its analysis of strategies and tactics that can be used to accomplish what many of us desperately want. Most of us understand already that simply arguing for social justice will fail to achieve it, but -- as Shaw demonstrates -- Herculean efforts, if miscalculated, will just as surely fail. In this book, Shaw describes successful strategies for community organizers, effective relationships with elected officials, the use of coalitions, ballot initiatives, the media, lawyers, and direct action strategies. The most persuasive theme tying each of these discussions together is that the best defense is an effective offense, that a failure to aggressively pursue positive change is a strategy for worsening the status quo.

GREAT ideas and examples for Activists
This book is highly readable and has GREAT examples and tips.The author shows examples where organizations succeeded and where they failed.As a novice activist, I found it to be very helpful.The examples are diverse so I think there is a great deal for more experienced activits to learn as well.The only drawback of this book is that it focuses only on domestic issues.For those whose causes are on the international level as well as the domestic level would find that to be the only draw back.Still, this is a useful book with great examples and ideas that any activist could use and relate to their own campaign. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Community organization    2. Political Process - General    3. Political activists    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    6. Social Science    7. Social action    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - Urban    10. United States    11. Human rights    12. Political Science / General    13. Political activism    14. Social issues    15. USA   

Editorial Review

In April 1960, Chinese Communist authorities arrested Harry Wu, the son of a well-to-do Shanghai banker. He was cast into a prison camp and, though never formally charged or tried, he spent the next nineteen years in a hellish netherworld of grinding labor, systematic starvation, and torture. Read more

Reviews (9)

Shocking expose of China's hideous gulags that still exist today
Harry Wu spent 19 years in a hellish Chinese Gulag for having come from a Bourgeouis background , and having been judged as insufficiently reformed into a 'new Socialist person'.
One Man¡¯s Response to the Problem if Injustice.
To start with, Harry Wu is a very good storyteller.This is a good story before it is anything else.I make a point of saying that, because there are several other things I liked about the book which probably would not have been as effective if the book had not been, before anything else, a good story.