Reviews (6)

Not a Gloss
What most impressed me about this very detailed biography was the complete treatment that was given to Du Bois' Communist connections. With the end the the Cold War we have learned conclusively that the Communist Party USA was not the possibly misguided, but good-hearted progressive folks of conventional wisdom. Instead, the CPUSA was a conscious and dedicated tool of Soviet foreign policy. A Magisterial Study of the Struggles of a Man and His Race
Prior to reading volume one of David Lewis' "W.E.B. Du Bois:Biography of a Race" I was somewhat puzzled by the subtitle.But the significance of the subtitle becomes clear as one progresses through the book because Lewis does a wonderful job of tying Du Bois' life, thought, personality, and political activity to the evolving fortunes of African Americans as a people.Like all great biographies this one places Du Bois squarely in his social and historical environment.The result is that one gains deep insight into the plight of African America in the Age of Jim Crow as well as the various divisions within that community over strategies for dealing with the greater society. thoroughly researched, great subject, but dull reading
I wanted to learn about W.E. B. Dubois and I did --the book is thoroughly researched --but at times there is too much detail; as an example, sometimes DuBois the man seemed hidden in digressions which covered his writings in what seemed to me excessive detail. I admired the work and analysis requiredto reach this level of specificity but regretted that there was relatively little about his day to day life and that there was not tighter editing and crisper prose. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1877-1964    2. Afro-Americans    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Civil rights    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    8. History    9. People of Color    10. United States - General    11. Biography: general    12. Human rights    13. Social Science / African-American Studies   

Reviews (1)

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS THE FIRST RIGHT
(condensed from my National Catholic Register review):The First Amendment guarantees Americans the "free exercise" of religion.If the law can't interfere with the practice of faith, why have courts ruled that Catholic hospitals must provide abortiofacient drugs? That a landlord cannot refuse to rent an apartment to people living together, despite the landlord's religious objections to non-marital cohabitation?If freedom of religion is a Constitutionally guaranteed right, why can't privately funded manger scenes stand in public places without being diluted, the Christ Child attended by Frosty in the light of a menorah while shepherds tend the reindeers?
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Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Courts - General    3. Courts - Supreme Court    4. Freedom of religion    5. Judicial process    6. Law    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Religion and state    9. Religion, Politics & State    10. United States    11. Human rights    12. USA   

Reviews (5)

balanced, thoughtful approach to tibet
Genocide. Ecocide. ugly words, but far worse is the actual doing of these atrocities. the book is passionate without being preachy, balanced in trying to stick to the facts without over dramatizing them. its is well written and easily read, convincing and deeply saddening. a must read for anyone desirous of knowing what is going on on The Roof of the World. Exceptional book with endless information on Tibet's losses.
I knew VERY LITTLE about what happened to Tibet and the Dalai Lama, until this book.It's a very good read....Please consider buying it and learning about the abuse of human rights in other parts of the world.

To understand China, Ask a Tibetan
China is now the newest trading partner for America. This bookand "In Exile from the Land of Snows" by John Avedon offer agreat deal of understanding tho the nature of the Government ofChina. If you are planning to do business or just buy the "Madein China" Label you should want to understand where much of yourinvestment goes and the horrors that your dollars pay for. This is nota read that will leave you unmoved. You will want to know more...Another Video to see is a chinese and Tibetan language film "Windhorse" Very accurate when compared to the other histories listed above and current news reports out of Tibet. For more on Tibet visit the website of the Tibetan Government in Exile at www.tibet.com or for a beginners introduction to Tibet visit www.tibetanphotoproject.com and then come back and get this book. Reading this book is a worthwhile journey in today's global marketplace. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Asia - General    3. Asia - Tibet    4. Buddhism - General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    9. China    10. Human rights    11. Political activism    12. Political control & influence    13. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    14. Tibet   

Reviews (5)

a powerful testament of courage by a catholic worker hera
Kathy Kelly, a two-time nominee for the Nobel Peace prize, powerfully documents the horrific effects of US military and economic intervention in the Middle East and Latin America. Like all the CounterPunch titles being published by AK Press, it is a necessary read. Kelly's compassion and commitment to peace and social justice shine through on every page. It's a shame that Kelly has not yet won the Nobel Peace prize, when such right-wing nutcases like Kissinger, Rabin and Mother Teresa have. (To learn more about Mother Teresa, read Christopher Hitchen's wonderful book, "The Missionary Position", written when he was still a leftist.) It's a shame too that Kelly, who exemplifies the true gospel message, is relatively unknown outside of the peace movement, unlike sexist,homophobic, racist war mongers like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. While I am not myself religous, I nevertheless honor Kelly's courage and solidarity with the poor, as I do also the thousands of radical nuns and priests who've disappeared in Latin America. Like Jesus said, "Blessed be the peacemakers."

On the ground, trying to show us the reality of war and sanctions.
From Letters from Iraq, 4/15/03, Other Hearts
A True American Hero
Kathy Kelly is a true American hero. Not only is she willing to put her life on the line for her ideals, she's also a genuine voice of peace in a time of conflict and war. I think it would be hard for anyone to walk away from this book and not feel empathy for those that have suffered at the hands of US foreign policy. The right-wing doesn't like the Kellys of the world. They'd rather sit back and breath in the smoke of propaganda puffed out by Republican spin machines. But Kelly doesn't inhale. She's articulate and honest. She's hopeful, but realistic. If there were more Americans like Kelly out there, willing to sacrifice it all for a better tomorrow, the United States would not be as hated or despised as it is today. Indeed Kelly truly is the anti-terrorist. Buy this book and take it home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. General    3. History    4. History: American    5. Pacifists    6. Political Advocacy    7. Political prisoners    8. Politics / Current Events    9. United States    10. United States - 20th Century    11. Women political activists    12. History / United States / 20th Century    13. Human rights    14. Peace studies    15. USA   

Reviews (3)

A insight into Cointelpro
This books details the relationship of The FBI and its director J. Edgar Hoover with Black America. It is clear from reading this book, that the FBI was the enemy. It only supported Civil Rights because of popular opinion. The FBI investigated the Viola Luizzo and Mississippi murders because whites were murdered and a FBI informant was riding in the car with the murderers of Mrs. Luizzo. This book shows how Hoover used his prestige during the 1960's riots to undermine Lyndon Johnson and help elect Richard Nixon. In addition to the character assination of Dr. King, this book details the harassment of the Black movement in general. The operations against The Black Panther Party are also in this book. This book is worth reading.

It's worth the purchase.
To answer the reviewer's question, it's worth the purchase.I read this book when I was a high school student working at a public library.I came across it and read word for word what the author has written.The spearhead of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, were instigators of the civil rights movement, slandering prominent and potent leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X and bringing down the Black Panther's Party. how about an on-line review of the book so that we can deter
determine if its worth purchasing or no ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    2. Government - National    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. United States - 20th Century    8. United States - 20th Century/60s    9. Afro-Americans    10. Black studies    11. History / Modern / 20th Century    12. History-United States - 20th Century/60s    13. Human rights    14. Political Science-Government - U.S. Government    15. Racism & racial discrimination    16. Social history    17. USA    18. c 1960 to c 1970    19. c 1970 to c 1980   

Reviews (6)

Stimulating Read
This is a book that I think anyone interested in the Civil Rights movement should read. It will make you think about the Brown v. Board decision in a different way. The book puts the decision into the context of the times, while shocking you with Bell's main argument. While I found Bell's argument interesting, and parts of it compelling, I could not bring myself to endorse it full heartedly. I still side with the likes of Thurgood Marshall on this one!

As always Derrick Bell is thought provoking
Excellent, Derrick Bell gives a deeper meaning to the Brown decision.

Thinking about Brown v. Board of Ed--not honoring it
Read this book.It makes you think critically, challenge your assumptions, and argue with the author.What more can you ask of a book?
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Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. History    3. History: American    4. Law and legislation    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. School integration    8. Segregation in education    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. Citizenship & nationality law    12. History / United States / General    13. Human rights    14. Law | Civil Rights Law    15. Racism & racial discrimination    16. Social law    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Children    4. Children's Studies    5. Children's rights    6. Ethnicity in children    7. Government policy    8. Social Science    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. Adolescents    12. Anthropology    13. Human rights    14. Political Science and International Relations    15. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Human Rights    3. Law    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Public    6. English law: constitutional & administrative    7. International human rights law    8. Law / Public    9. Law | Constitutional Law   

Reviews (2)

I really really DISLIKE this book.
I have never read such a confusing book before.Talbott makes references that are hard to relate to modern word.In the first few chapters he tries to equate situtations with equations.He makes references to further chapters and his other book instead of giving straight-forward examples ie. "I explain this in chapter..."and he does that very very often.You might find yourself re-reading much of the material to even get a sense of what is going on.Many of the sentences are lenghty, run-on and fill with sophiticated words, so be ready with a dictionary nearby.There is no glossary for terms such as, "epistemically immodest, metaphysical modesty, incommensurability thesis", etc.. so get ready to comprehend.Good luck reading the book!!

Good Book
In this volume, Talbott argues that the practice of securing a broad range of human rights would dramatically increase the well-being of the world's citizens, present and future.Moreover, and more interestingly, he argues that this increase provides the underlying justification for such rights.His position is a novel addition to the contemporary scene, dominated by non-consequentialist approaches like those of Rawls.Talbott clearly and effectively challenges Rawls's position in The Law of Peoples and, on the way, offers fascinating historical illustrations of moral progress and the psychological mechanisms that sustain or inhibit it. His response to Richard Rorty in the last chapter is also worth reading, although I found it somewhat less convincing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human rights    2. Moral and ethical aspects    3. Philosophy    4. Political    5. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    6. Philosophy / Political    7. Philosophy | Political   

Reviews (2)

Very detailed and informative
Though it can get a bit dry at times, reading this book through is very well worth it.It covers a lot of material, whether it be foiling foot, vehicular, or technical surveillance attempts.Unlike some books that will include a few pages on eluding surveillance, listing techniques like "leave the TV on if you think you're bugged" or "make two right turns if you think you're followed" and leaving it at that, this one will provide you with more discreet and effective ways at accomplishing these goals.
How To Watch Your Backside?
In the ever changing "Information Age" in which we exist, more and more of us are voicing concerns about our fear of "Big Brother" and the amount of privacy that we can continue to maintain. With government agencies and pseudo-agencies, as well as more and moreonline businesses requesting more of our personal data, and storing thisinfo in larger and larger databases, we all should be rightly alarmed andconcerned.This book, I find, provides very helpful advice to the consumeron how to try and preserve their privacy while also making you aware of howothers (crooks) are constantly looking for ways to pilfer your identity. While some areas of the book I did not consider to be detailed enough(particularly, areas on surveillance), overall, I considered the book to bevery informative. However, be aware, that the everyday consumer is not theonly one who may be reading this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eavesdropping    2. Electronic surveillance    3. Espionage    4. Forensic Science    5. Investigations    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Personal & Practical Guides    8. Prevention    9. Problems & Exercises    10. Reference    11. Criminal investigation & detection    12. Human rights    13. True Crime / Espionage   

Reviews (3)

A Great Man
Any book by Desmond Tutu is inspirational, and he always has an appealingly humorous style.Read this and "An African Prayer Book."And if you are intriqued by this great man, read "A TELLING TIME" by Glynnis Hayward, too. There is a character in this moving South African novel, Rev Mkize, who is a Zulu priest. I feel he is inspired by the famous Archbishop, whom he quotes respectfully.

Outstanding collection of Tutu's antiapartheid efforts
The Rainbow People of God is a must-have anthology of Desmond Tutu's most motivating and inspiring letters, sermons and addresses between 1974 and 1994.John Allen (editor) includes some of Tutu's most memorable public addresses and skillfully weaves historical background information into the public addresses for the reader's benefit.This proves extremely helpful in painting an overall picture of the antiapartheid movement in South Africa.Anyone who has listened to Tutu speak understands that he often employs humor to illustrate the darkness and oppression caused by apartheid.Readers expecting such humor will enjoy complete satisfaction in this collection of Tutu's speeches.Through Tutu's voice, we learn how he successfully merged African and Christian philosophy to become one of the key players in defeating apartheid.

WOW!
Desmond Tutu is definately a man of God. His love, forgiveness and courage is set firmly in his belief of the Gospel. Through this book he clearly demonstrates the power that comes from a belief. The journals will inspire anybody. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anglican Communion    2. Church of the Province of Sout    3. General    4. History    5. Inspirational - General    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Race relations    8. Religion    9. Sermons    10. Sermons, English    11. South Africa    12. African history    13. Human rights    14. Religion / History    15. Republic of South Africa   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (3)

Not Much of Value
'Human Rights' is a small book that discusses some current issues pertaining to human rights from an idealistic western foreign policy perspective.Ignatieff is a Canadian born foreign policy commentator who has spent the majority of his professional life in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Excellent, insightful
Ignatieff offers a measured, limited, and explicitly political, i.e., dialogic, nondogmatic, nonmetaphysical, pragmatic, approach to human rights advocacy and questions of international jurisdiction.Excellent, compelling, convincing.I can't say I'm entirely convinced, mind you.One surprise is that I found Appiah's essay--I am a great admirer of Appiah and, in my estimation, his reply to Taylor in _Multiculturalism: The Politics of Recognition_ is among the finest essays ever written--unconvincing, particularly with regards to the question of "rights and majorities."On this, see Jeremy Waldron's _Law and Disagreement_.

Tarnished Reputation
Ignatieff's credibility, particularly in the field of human rights, is forever tarnished by his marked appeasement of Serb ethnic cleansers in Bosnia several years ago. It is only because Bosnia was ignored, and those responsible never held accountable, that their appeasers still publish and get read. I recommend, for those who want some perpective on Ignatieff, to read his works pertaining to the Balkans written during the period 1992-1995. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History & Theory - General    3. Human Rights    4. Philosophy    5. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. World politics    10. European History    11. History of specific subjects    12. Political Philosophy    13. Political Science / History & Theory    14. Political Science and International Relations    15. Political science & theory   

Reviews (9)

Thunder of Angels: E.D. Nixon finally enters the history books:
THUNDER OF ANGELS helps introduce E.D. Nixon to the rest of the world who may not realize the scope of his tremendous influence on the structure and foundation of the Civil Rights Movement in America.
The inspiring story of E.D. Nixon and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Although it is pretty early in the new year I suspect that "The Thunder of Angels" just might be one of the best books I will read in 2006.Donnie Williams and Wayne Greenhaw have the uncanny knack of transporting the reader right back into the middle of the historic events that were taking place in Montgomery, Al back in 1955 and 1956. More importantly, the authors introduce us to E.D.Nixon, a humble Pullman car porter and largely unknown figure up to this point, who in myriad ways over a period of two decades helped to create what we all know today as the civil rights movement in America. "The Thunder of Angels" reveals the untold story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.You cannot help but be struck by the courage and determination displayed by so many people during those troubled times in Alabama's capitol city.
Superbly researched, lovingly written...
This remarkable book is a joy to read and it made a great gift for the holidays.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African American civil rights workers    3. African Americans    4. Alabama    5. Alabama - Local History    6. Biography    7. Blacks In The U.S.    8. Civil rights    9. Civil rights movements    10. Discrimination & Racism    11. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    12. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Lifest    13. History    14. Montgomery    15. Social Science    16. Sociology    17. United States - 20th Century    18. United States - State & Local - General    19. Human rights    20. Political activism    21. Social Science / Discrimination & Race Relations    22. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Human Services    2. Humanitarian assistance    3. International Relations - General    4. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Services for    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. War victims    10. Bosnia-Herzegovina    11. Cambodia    12. Economics    13. Haiti    14. Human rights    15. International relations    16. Political Science / International Relations    17. Rwanda    18. Somalia    19. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    2. Christianity - Theology - General    3. Ethics    4. God (Theology)    5. Human rights    6. Political And Civil Rights    7. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    8. Religion    9. Religion - Christian Living    10. Religion - Theology    11. Religious aspects    12. Religious social & pastoral thought & activity   

Reviews (2)

a balanced, reasoned account by a liberal
The main purpose and content of this book is to present four case studies.In the first two, those of U. Penn and U. Wisconsin, thanks to efforts made by faculty and students in the last few years, gains were made in restoring some degree of free speech and other Bill-of-Rights protections to faculty and students.In the other two, Columbia and Berkeley, no such efforts have been made and the status quo continues.The author states that most or all other campuses resemble the latter two.
What happened to free speech on American campuses?
One would think that American universities would be centers of free speech, where all sorts of views could be stated freely.Well, that hasn't been entirely the case recently.And this book examines some of the problems that have arisen.
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Subjects:  1. Academic freedom    2. Civil rights    3. College students    4. Education / Teaching    5. Faculty    6. General    7. Higher    8. History    9. Philosophy & Social Aspects    10. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics/International Relations    14. United States    15. Universities and colleges    16. Human rights    17. Political Science / General   

Reviews (8)

must read
This is a small and excellent book.The second half is outstanding.

a bit too short
King is as eloquent as always, and I knew this was a short book, but it was filled with a lot more pictures than I expected and it was more purely theological than connecting theology with his nonviolent philosophy.I'd go for something else if you want to read King.

King the Theologian
Before reading this short book I had a limited appretiation for Martin Luther King Jr. I only revered him for his social action and not for his theology. Now I realize his elequance as a theologian. This quick-read is life changing and is an amazing perspective on humanity and the nature of his exsistence ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Studies - History    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Theology - Anthropology    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    5. Inspirational    6. Inspirational - General    7. Man (Christian theology)    8. Man (Theology)    9. Religion    10. Spiritual life    11. Theological anthropology   

Editorial Review

Gunnar Myrdal belongs in a category with Alexis de Tocqueville and J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur--non-American authors who have written essential works on the American character. In 1954, the Swedish-born Myrdal delivered this massive (and massively influential) book on the status of American blacks. It is a somewhat depressing account of segregation and lynch law, but it is also full of optimism. Myrdal's hopefulness appears to have been justified. Black Americans still face many problems, but their place in American life has much improved, thanks to a near-complete revolution in racial attitudes among whites and a highly successful civil rights movement. If we learn about the present by reading about the past, then Read more

Reviews (3)

Monumental - but not without flaws
The importance of this book cannot be overstated - it is still the most exhaustive effort to date to document every aspect of the black American condition, from medical history to birth rates to the black church and social clubs. Myrdal systematically shreds the institutions of segregation and racial indocrination. As for providing groundwork for changing these systems, however, he falls short. Myrdal is too vague in his theories of white morality and causation of black poverty and never draws solid conclusions. There is also no mention of actual contact or conversation with any black people - Myrdal fails to see blacks as much more than a palimpsest of the white experience. I think he would have done better to push the white psyche aside and interact more with the focus of his study. Ralph Ellison noted, "Can a people live and develop over three hundred years simply by _reacting_? Are American Negroes simply the creation of white men, or have they at least helped to create themselves out of what they found around them?"

Thoughtful and Thought-Provoking
Writing against the backdrop of WWII, Myrdal confronted the contradiction between the US belief "All men are created equal" and the reality that African-Americans earned less for the same work as whites, lived in atrocious conditions, died at an earlier age. He argues that if Americans had believed that God made some poor, others rich, this contradiction could have been acceptable.But because Americans believed "all men are equal," the fact that African-Americans were manifestly living in worse conditions lead US society to seek a justification in the doctrine of racial inferiority. This book grasped the contradiction in US society, and foresaw that change was imminent, but Myrdal did not see that it was those under-educated and overworked African-American men and women themselves who would form the backbone of Civil Rights Movement. He expected that the white elites in power would have to change in order for the situation of African-Americans to improve.One reason this book is relevant today is Myrdal's theory of cumulative causation, which suggests that government intervention will be necessary to reverse the tendency of white race prejudice to maintain a low standard of living for African-Americans.In days where economic theories attacking the logic of affirmative action are widespread, here is an eloquent statement of the logic behind the original ideas for affirmative action.

Myrdal's Analysis Too Important to be Ignored
During the long course of our studies of social trends that undermine our collective humanity, we have frequently come across significant research studies that provide critical keys to our understanding.Such is the casewith AN AMERICAN DILEMMA: THE NEGRO PROBLEM AND MODERN DEMOCRACY.TheSwedish researcher Gunnar Myrdal, under a grant sponsored by the CarnegieFoundation, produced this landmark study which was published in 1944 byHarper and Row publishers.Some fifty years after its publication ANAMERICAN DILEMMA still stands as perhaps the most comprehensive, andunsettling, analysis of America's relationship with its African members. At nearly 1500 pages, including footnotes and index, Myrdal's study isawesomely comprehensive.Disturbing revelation follows revelation as thescientist, trained in economics, explores every imaginable aspect of Negrolife and at various times even proposes methods by which America mighteventually relieve itself of its longstanding "problem." From thebeginning of this country's history, at the heart of America's ethniccrisis lies the very real potential of sustained and systematic planning tomanage Blacks as a material resource as opposed to human beings in alltheir potential.I will take this thought further to state that Myrdal'sstudy stands as a virtual blueprint for a contemporary campaign toundermine the aspirations of the Black citizenry.The ultimate form ofthis repression can only be described as systematic genocide--by everydefinition of the word.By Myrdal's own words, his study is quitethorough, encompassing not only every aspect of Negro life but examiningthe varied attitudes of the dominant white majority. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Black American Sociology    3. Discrimination & Racism    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. People of Color    6. Race And Ethnic Relations    7. Race relations    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Black studies    12. Human rights    13. Political structures: democracy    14. Social Science / African-American Studies    15. USA   

Reviews (3)

Power Is In The Truth
The Black Panther Party is perhaps one of the most misunderstood political movements in the U.S. due to government disinformation and harrassment and misperceptions magnified over the years that fiction is now considered fact.
Important corrective to mainstream stereotypes
This is the first book to attempt to discuss the legacy of the Black Panther Party. The fact that a second book, Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party, managed to continue the work begun here without significant overlap shows what a rich legacy it was. A balanced view from the inside
This book is the first book that comes close to giving a balanced view of the history of the Black Panther party, its problems and its ultimate demise. It includes a viewby regular rank and file members. It is well worth reading for those looking for an alternative to those books written by Party leaders, informants, or critics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Black Pant