Reviews (2)

A must for public health professionals
This book presents a terrific introduction to the role of human rights in public health practice.While quite accessible, some may wish to augment this book with additional readings- perhaps Just Health Care by Normal Daniels?

Good Reference
This book was pretty thorough for documenting health and human rights in several areas of the world, apart from those in the middle east.A gross omission was the case of Iraq.It had an appendix with the declaration of human rights (plus others) for those interested in the "ideal"Otherwise, it was a great introduction into health and human rights. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics    2. Health aspects    3. Human rights    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Medical policy    7. Moral and ethical aspects    8. Public Health    9. Health systems & services    10. Medical / Ethics    11. Social welfare & social services   

Reviews (2)

Reclaiming Affirmative Action in the face of White Privilege
Again, as he did in "White Like Me", Wise forces America to look itself in the face and examine the reflection with honesty and integrity.In this book, Wise appeals to common sense, and "scientific minds" for those who need proof for the otherwise obvious, and makes one of the most compelling arguments for affirmative action while rebutting, with countless research, the dubious arguments of those who claim that affirmative action, particulary in college admissions policies, is reverse discrimination and a system of "handouts" to unqualified blacks, who in essence steal the seats from qualified whites.He demonstrates how subscribers to such arguments base their claims almost entirely on the "racial gap" in SAT, ACT, and GRE scores that supposedly "prove" how whites are being discriminated against when blacks with lower test scores take whites' "rightly earned" seats.However, through use of countless research, Wise demonstrates not only how research after research shows that these standardized test neither reflect ability nor determine grades in college.He further shows through research how the tests fail to predict graduation rates for students of any race.
Essential reading
Even as a person who cares about race issues and followed the Michigan cases with great interest, I found this book to be tremendously eye-opening.Mr. Wise examines many of the myths surrounding affirmative action programs and race, and methodically and persuasively "de-bunks" them, in many cases merely by unpacking the statistics that were cited in the Michigan cases themselves.I've already given this book to several friends to read, all of whom found it as absorbing and fascinating as I did.And I've cited it to many other friends, including a number of black friends, to point out the many myths that have heretofore gone unchallenged, even in the black community.I wish I could give a copy of this book to everyone in the United States.I'd love to witness and take part in the dialogue that came out of that reading project.I can't recommend this book highly enough.And do be sure to read White Like Me, Mr. Wise's other recently published book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Admission    3. Affirmative action programs in    4. Affirmative action programs in education    5. Chemistry - General    6. Discrimination & Racism    7. Discrimination in higher educa    8. Discrimination in higher education    9. Education / Teaching    10. Philosophy & Social Aspects    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. United States    14. Universities and colleges    15. Education / General    16. Human rights   

Reviews (21)

Magnificent.
Don't be put off by those reviewers who say it is the "New School" of writing or there are editing and gramatical errors that detract from this book.
Why hasn't this been made into a movie?
I had to read this book for a class, and unlike other historical works, this one reads like a novel.The background story of Ossian Sweet is so moving that I could picture prominent African-American actors portraying his character and winning Academy Awards.That a director has not made this story into a movie is a shame.I teach American history and I had never heard of this case before, and with leading characters like Clarence Darrow, I found that surprising.This book is well worth reading--it won't disappoint!

CRWWIIDEP
This should be at least 8 stars. This is one you will remember for a long time. It was hard to put this book down. No doubt you will enjoy it very much. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African Americans    3. Civil rights    4. Detroit    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    6. History    7. History: American    8. Michigan    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Sociology    11. Trials (Murder)    12. United States - 20th Century    13. United States - 20th Century/20s    14. United States - State & Local - Midwest    15. Human rights    16. Social Science / African-American Studies    17. USA   

Reviews (5)

Absolute Classic
Things are quite simple. If there is A contemporary debate in jurisprudence, it is the so-called Hart/Dworkin debate. It all starts with this wonderful book that cuts deeply and challenges the theory of legal positivism on many levels. As for the theory of rights, Dworkin is a proponent of one of the most coherent, interesting and complex articulations of liberalism. In short: to the extent that fundamental rights are in play, the "political majority" (if such a thing exists) does not have the moral right totell members of the minority what to do with their own lives. Is not this a simple but powerful moral truth?

Tyranny of a minority
Dworkin's thesis is that a tyranny of a minority is better than a tyranny of the majority. His argument is based on rigorous logic. But Justice Holmes observed that, "The life of the law has not been logic, it has been experience." Dworkin's theory is similar to those of Plato and Marx. But experience with the latters' theories has been negative. For an analysis of that experience, read Kark Popper's The Open Society and Its Enemies.

His Logic is Flawless
... and this is a welcome breeze in the current political fog of an America drowning in six-shooters and visceral-response-teams. The Dworkin-challenge before us is the discovery of rights as emanating from the individual, and their use in daily life. This is where Dworkin may break down. Unlike Dershowitz's "Shouting Fire", for example, Dworkin does not write as if there is a human behind the logic who is actually extolling our necessary freedoms. Perhaps it is just me, but I'd like to hold on to and celebrate my rights and yours; I'd also like to affect change-- as would Dworkin, on a global scale. Though he sees humanity's natural path to decency, his writing "feels" far too cold to be effective.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Philosophy    3. Human rights    4. International humanitarian law    5. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (3)

What a misguided book!
A lot of people consider this book a classic on social movements, but it provides no new research, offers no concepts original to McAdam, and sets up strawman opponents. Why is it still in print?

great analysis
We first used this book in Dr. Skocpol's class in Chicago, & it has become an invaluable resource on how to study social movements.I often refer to it in class--along with other now-classic analyses--and a colleague is using it as required reading this coming Spring.

Excellent source for social movement research
If one is interested in the dynamics of the civil rights movement, then this book is a must read. Also a must read for anyone doing research in the field of social movements and especially if interested in the processes ofcontent coding using annual indices. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African Americans    3. Civil rights    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    5. History    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political History    8. Political Science    9. Politics and government    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Race relations    12. Sociology    13. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Blacks    14. United States    15. Black studies    16. Demonstrations & protest movements    17. Human rights    18. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    19. Social Science / African-American Studies    20. USA   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (14)

A Call to Conscience - MLK Jr.
I was somewhat disappointed in this product. The sound quality on some of the speeches is pretty poor and amateurish. There is too much commentary and not enough of the speeches. Another cassette I had purchased before "The Voice of Greatness" ( which I believe you can find on Ebay in CD format) was much better.

Deserves More Than 5 Stars!
The book "A Call To Conscience" gives excellent information surrounding Dr. King's speeches but it is the audio, hearing the speechs come from Dr. King's heart, that every person should experience- you cannot describe it in written language.
Awakened Conscience
I got the CD version and it awakened me.Not that I have been totally alseep.It just re-awakened me to the power of MLK's voice and message.So much power, truth, and Godliness.In this world that we live in today, I would advise anyone to pick this up.It is a must have, for anyone that needs help in putting things in perspective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction (Unabridged)    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    6. Political Science    7. Unabridged Audio - Self Help    8. Black studies    9. Human rights    10. Political Science / Civil Rights   

Subjects:  1. Law    2. Legal Reference / Law Profession    3. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    4. Political Science    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Ethics & moral philosophy    7. Human rights    8. International humanitarian law    9. International relations    10. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law    11. Law / Human Rights   

Subjects:  1. Democracy    2. History & Theory - General    3. Individual And The State    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Social justice    9. Human rights    10. Political Science / History & Theory    11. Political science & theory    12. Political structures: democracy    13. Politics | International Studies | International Security & Strategic Studies    14. Social & political philosophy   

Reviews (3)

Excellent resource
To the torture apologists: You need to ask Mandel Al Jamadi and Diliwar about their "humiliation." Oh that's right, you can't because they're dead, hung from the ceiling and beaten to death.
Way too liberal
Once and for all, prisoners at Abu Ghraib were humiliated, not tortured. If you don't know the difference, well................

Torture from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib
Torture A Collection, by Sanford Levinson (book review)
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Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Human Rights    3. Law    4. Legal status, laws, etc    5. Moral and ethical aspects    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    8. Political Science    9. Political prisoners    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Torture    13. Law / Human Rights    14. Law | Public International Law | International Human Rights   

Subjects:  1. General Assembly    2. General Assembly.    3. Globalization    4. Human Rights    5. International Relations - Diplomacy    6. International Relations - General    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Ngos (Non-Governmental Organizations)    9. Political Advocacy    10. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics/International Relations    14. United Nations    15. United Nations.    16. Universal Declaration of Human    17. Universal Declaration of Human Rights    18. Political Science / NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Argentina    4. General    5. Human rights    6. Political Anthropology    7. Political Discontent And Violence    8. Political crimes and offenses    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Terrorism    13. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law   

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Civil rights    3. General    4. Government relations    5. Indians of South America    6. Indigenous peoples    7. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Human rights    13. Latin America    14. Political Science / General   

Reviews (14)

Johnson's Classic Novel of "Passing"
Many novels of the African-American experience in the United States use the theme of "passing". These novels generally involve a light-complexioned African-American who can "pass" for white.Among other things, novels based on a theme of "passing" allow the character and the author to comment upon black-white relationships in the United States from both sides -- from the black experience and from the white experience.
Wonderfully woven plot that holds your interest
I absolutely loved reading this book, and would eagerly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn of Johnson's America through the eyes of a man caught between two worlds. The sometimes humorous passages and vivid details held my interest and fueled my imagination. I have countless sections of the book underlined in red. Fantastic!
James Weldon creates a story line of unimaginable magnitude! This complex book makes the reader almost sympathetic for a character who may not deserve it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Classics    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Biography: general    5. Black studies    6. Fiction / Historical    7. Human rights    8. USA   

Reviews (9)

Chilling
This is not a book for the light hearted.It tells of the darkness of mankind.The exploitations of the Christian minority through stories of murder, rape, crucifixion, enslavent, beheadings, brutalizations, imprisonment.It is an incredibly well told story, although biased in its limited perspective of only persecution against Christians, it is nonetheless incredibly informative, and I would reccomend it to anyone.Not reading this book would be an injustice.

A clear and compassionate account of persecution today
"Their Blood Cries Out" (TBCO) is a masterfully written, meticulously researched, deeply compassionate and intellectually honest account of the persecution of millions of Christians around the world today. Marshall is careful to define a Christian as a person whose "Christian faith is a central aspect of their lives"(see Appendix D). Marshall has produced a much needed, up to date account of the suffering that is inflicted upon Christians today. TBCO surveys many countries and regions where persecution takes place, it examines the reasons and the causes of this persecution, and it tries to understand American (Western) apathy towards religious persecution. It is an honest, all round examination that informs, provokes and convicts. Fascinating and eye-opening book!
A true view of the persecution of believers in present day.The time of the gentiles has nearly been fulfilled. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian martyrs    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Church history    5. History    6. Persecution    7. Religion    8. Religion - Socialissues    9. Christianity    10. Human rights    11. Religion / Christian Life    12. Social Issues   

Reviews (2)

Highly recommended- (ALL ROYALTIES GO TO OXFAM!)
This is an excellent collection of essays by one of the most important intellectual figures in the international human rights arena. An engaging combination of philosophical, political, and economic analysis, World Poverty and Human Rights offers a fresh perspective on the problems facing our world as well as constructive steps we all can (and indeed have an obligation to) take to mitigate and one day end global poverty and social injustice. Pogge has a very impressive background in philosophy (he received his PhD under Rawls from Harvard) and his writings reflect the clarity of thought and cogent argumentation his subject matter deserve. And if that isn't incentive enough, remember that all proceeds go to support Oxfam UK.

Interesting argument, but too "Ivory Tower" for practicality
In a collection of essays on so broad a scope as Pogge's World Poverty and Human Rights it's difficult to narrow topics of possible discussion down to effectively address all aspects of Pogge's presented philosophy.I found Pogge's text extremely helpful in that it brought with it a wholly unique approach to looking at the issues we're faced unique aspect presented is the strong use of illustrative examples in the text, not in the fashion of Farmer's narratives of suffering and injustices in a world thought by many to be beyond that but realized by a few of us to still have a long way to go.This is also somewhat in contrast to Sen (Development as Freedom) who relied largely on definitions, but between the two I found Pogge's examples facts and figures to be much more moving as a call to action than was Sen's, if for shock value alone if nothing else.
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Subjects:  1. Cosmopolitanism    2. Development - Sustainable Development    3. Human Rights    4. International    5. International Relations - Diplomacy    6. Moral and ethical aspects    7. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Poverty    12. Social Science    13. Social justice    14. Ethical issues & debates    15. Ethics & moral philosophy    16. International relations    17. Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / Human Rights   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

An Eye-opener
This book is a spectacular down-to-earth attempt to trasnscend positivism as well as Marxism. The very logic of the erudite author's argument alights in a blind alley, where the Heideggerian ambivalence remains the only saviour. This daring milestone in the history of thought would always be an inspiring read.

Excellent Review of the Concept of Justice in Postmodernism
Harvey presents an excellent review of the concept of justice (both social and environmental) and its survival in postmodern context.Also a nice treatment of dialectical reasoning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Cultural relativism    3. Global environmental change    4. Social Science    5. Social change    6. Social justice    7. Social values    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. SPACE AND TIME    11. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (13)

Interesting and Infomative Read
As a white man from the deep south, it boggles my mind how a totally free republic could twist the best Constitution ever written to deny a class of people their freedom.Civil right, the Vietnam war, the 1960's in general fascinate me.
An Illuminating Read about an Imporant Historical Figure
Juan Williams' biography of Thurgood Marshall is a worthwhile read.Williams has a great sense of the dramatic story in this man's life and he firmly sets him in the historical context of a nation in turmoil.I went away from this book with a better understanding of Marshall's life, personality and importance in American History.Williams also does a very good job with contrasting Marshall's social and political opinions with those of civil rights leaders in the 60s and 70s, with whom he occasionally butted heads.Williams paints him as the feisty individual that he was but he also does not sugar coat his flaws and mistakes.For me, the most interesting aspects of the autobiography were the accounts of Marshall's trials and travels with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and his inexhaustible energy to confront the laws of the times.If you have any interest in learning about this man and his place both in history and in the Civil Rights Movement, defintely pick up this worthwhile book.

Very tedious, superficial
Maybe its unfair that I read this book after reading the spectacular autobiography of John Lewis, Walking in the Wind.However, I found that this book was too detached from the man.I did not come away from this book with a better understanding of this man than I did before hand.Thurgood Marshall is one of the most important people of 20th century America but you don't see why in this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Civil rights workers    6. Historical - U.S.    7. Judges    8. Lawyers & Judges    9. People of Color    10. United States    11. Biography & Autobiography / Lawyers & Judges    12. Biography: general    13. Black studies    14. Human rights    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Civil rights    2. Cultural relativism    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. History & Theory - General    5. Human rights    6. International    7. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    8. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. International human rights law   

Reviews (10)

Horrifying
This book clearly shows man's ability to use science for evil knows no bounds.What I truly don't understand is why none of the "testing" people are in prison.

A Shocking Expose Relevant in Today's World
And you thought that horrible "medical" experiments on humans only took place in Germany and Japan during World War II?This exhaustively researched and documented book about using prisoners in Pennsylvania as guinea pigs to test the safety and efficacy of various types of medical, pharmacutical, cosmetic, and military products during the post-war years was an enormous surprise to this reader.
Fluff
My god man. How much fluff can you put into one book. Mr. Hornblum, I have so much information to attain and so many books waiting on a list to be read that anything with useless time wasting fluff, aka long drawn out paragraphs, automatically goes on my "how not to write a book" list. I am sorry but your book made me more frustrated than enlightened, with all of your redundant repeats of what people said, told in eight differing ways, I am not sure if you thought the audience needed this much repeating or if you just needed to add a couple 20 pages to the final draft for appearances. But nonetheless I cannot sit and waste my precious time reading words of nothingness when there is an eternity of usefull information sitting out there waiting for me. *No arrogance intended, "I" as in us, humans.* I just don't see any excuse for this. Out of the 100% of book I would say there is about 25-35% of usefull concise information in it. Au Revoir` ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Convict labor    3. General    4. History    5. Holmesburg Prison    6. Human experimentation in medic    7. Human experimentation in medicine    8. Medical    9. Medical Research    10. Medical care    11. Penal Institutions    12. Pennsylvania    13. Philadelphia    14. Politics / Current Events    15. Prisoners    16. Research    17. Social Science    18. Sociology - General    19. Human rights    20. Medical / Ethics    21. Medical ethics    22. Offenders    23. Penology & punishment    24. USA    25. c 1945 to c 1960    26. c 1960 to c 1970    27. c 1970 to c 1980   

Reviews (6)

Beating Cultural Studies At Its Own Game And Laughing All The Way Up The Ivory Tower With Meticulous History
In American Babylon, Robert Self attempts to synthesize consistently isolated renderings of urban, suburban, white black, economic and sociocultural histories in postwar metropolitan development. He seeks to join the histories of "modernist city planning" with "politics and social struggle (9)." In doing so, he centers his study around three primary transitions, each roughly beginning in the New Deal era and reaching completion around the advent of Johnson's Great Society. First, the remaking the white labor movement into what he terms "conservative populism."Second, the remaking of progressive black labor and urban activism into black militarism, nationalism, and Maoism. Finally, the remaking of liberal state aid from infrastructure development to human development, from direct financial subsidy for low-income whites to mobilization against pathology for low-income blacks.
rigorous and accessible
I read American Babylon after hearing about it on the radio, and came away impressed wit