Some Prefer Nettles

Customer Reviews:

Frozen in time.......2007-09-18

I was accustomed to thinking all Japanese literature was the same after I read Mishima and Murakami but it seems I was mistaken. As the summary puts it, the story revolves around an impending divorce, a very normal situation, nothing close to Murakami and Mishima's fantasy worlds. Indeed it is a very slow book, something most people mistake to be a terrible thing in a book. The slowness I believe is intentional. Tanizaki's work is similar to modernist works that I have read in its emphasis on daily life and personal thoughts without any reference, or any rush to some actual plot. Without a plot to advance, Tanizaki chooses a different route. There is no beginning nor ending. It's simply a "photograph" of a particular episode. I haven't had much exposure to plotless fiction so I can't adhere to any standard.

The themes in the book are fairly obvious. The difficulty resides mainly in the Westerner, who is essentially looking through a small window into Japanese culture. It's akin to staring into an empty dark house, vaguely recognizing the silhouettes of furniture. What is the the Tokyo "natural reserve"? The Osaka "openness"? Why does it matter that Osaka puppets are superior to Awaji puppets? It's all very interesting, but it bears no personal significance to an outsider. Tanizaki has preserved cultures and behaviors that probably no longer exist in Japan. It's partially depressing because one can longer experience Tanizaki's world, but on the other hand, it's a relief because the oppressive aspects of the culture have long disappeared.

Important text..........2005-10-16

Elusive, difficult, and elegant are three adjectives which I would use to describe this 1928 Tanizaki text. Anybody interested in the dialogue between Asia and the West should definitely give this one a read, despite the occasional heavy-handed Freudian references.

A melancholic separation.......2003-09-04

This is a novel about the old and the young generation in the 1920s in Japan.
A couple of the new one wants to separate because their sexual passion has disappeared. The father of the woman tries to convince the couple to continue to stay together.
"The reason for their decision to separate was that they did not want to grow old, that they wanted to be free to live their youth again." (p.31)

The novel is autobiographic and symbolic, which is well explained by the well-known and outstanding translator E. Seidensticker.
But the story should more appeal to the Japanese than to foreign readers, because it refers regularly to authentic Japanese themes as the old and new Japanese puppet theatre or the motif of the woman as a doll.
It is shrouded in a sad and melancholic atmosphere.

Only for the Tanizaki aficionados.

A lovely book........2002-03-29

Tanizaki's powers of description are as potent here as in passages of "Sasame Yuki." As usual he brings time and place to vivid and delicately observed life.

His characters are also convincing - seemingly without effort. The messiness inside them is in no way culturally specific to Japan of a certain era - whether or not it is meant to comment upon the riot of societal changes that usually provide the petri dish in which Tanizaki's protagonists are swimming.

This book is worth reading slowly.

It is also worth someday reading again.

Subtle Heartbreak and Frustration.......2001-11-08

This is one of my all-time favorite novels, and I have read it about once a year for the last ten. It is a beautiful illustration of cultural struggle, as well as the personal frustrations of a marriage falling apart. It ends in classic Japanese style-- uncertainly-- allowing the reader to wonder and imagine what happens next.

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: CHARLES E TUTTLE COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000Q9VC8O

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Some Prefer Nettles
Tamozalo. Kimocjorp
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M4V39G

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Berkley Medallion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000M1RCAI

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing Corp. NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PNO1MK

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Berkely Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PC3CTO

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000DEMH1I

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Some prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M4V4GI

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SOME PREFER NETTLES

Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HS79IQ

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Some Prefer Nettles
Junichiro Tanizaki
Manufacturer: Berkely Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PBZGX0

Book Description

DESCRIPTION: SHOCKING! London's belle of the ball, Susannah Makepeace, is the last person who should suddenly be stuck in the sleepy village of Barnstable. In town, she would never have seen a man swimming naked in a pond. And she certainly would have resisted the urge to draw every single bit of him in astonishing detail! SIZZLING! Very few people know that Viscount Kit Whitelaw is the best spy in His Majesty's secret service. But his high-flying life has finally banished him from London. Not to worry#151;if Susannah's erotic sketches are any indication of her nature, she'll be a delicious stand-in for the thrill of espionage. SCANDALOUS! When odd accidents follow in Susannah's wake, Kit's spy senses start tingling. For what better mystery is there for England's greatest spy than the secrets of the delectable puzzle that is Susannah?

Customer Reviews:

Engaging and fun.......2007-08-27

Likeable characters, adventure, suspense, and love. All in a well put together package. Recommended.

1st book in the Holt Sisters Trilogy .......2007-07-11

I read the books out order which was OK but I would have enjoyed them more not knowing how the mystery ended...before I read this first novel. In this trilogy three sister are seperated after their father is murdered and their mother is acusted of the murder. This novel starts with Susannah loosing her adopted father and having to move to the country. The mystery of who was really at fault for her father starts to reveal it's self. A great start - Check out the entire Holt Sisters Trilogy;
Beauty and the Spy (Book 1), Ways to be Wicked (Book 2),The Secret to Seduction (Book 3).

Simply Wonderful.......2007-03-07

I read a lot of romance novels and most of them don't linger in my mind two seconds past the time I finish reading them. So for me, the mark of a truly memorable romance novel is that I'm still thinking about it after I've put it aside. Such is the case with Beauty and the Spy.

Julie Anne Long reminds me a lot of my favorite historical romance writer, Julia Quinn, in that she writes witty dialogue, lets the sensuality build slowly, and always ties up every loose end in a very satisfying way. This book had a complicated plot and several point of view characters, but everything moved along at the perfect pace and the end was very satisfying.

Kit and Susannah are very likeable characters, and they come together slowly and believably. You'll feel for Susannah as she struggles to discover her identity and Kit's stubborn refusal to give into his feelings keeps the sexual tension going.

Julie Ann Long is truly talented and this is a fun, engaging read that will make you smile and sigh.

Sweet and Romantic.......2007-02-07

This is the kind of romance story I like. It's actually a romance, not an "instant lust" type situation. The characters grow and develop over the course of the story. They don't just fall into bed within days of knowing eachother, and being together actually makes them better people.

The reason that this did not get 5 stars? First of all, there were SOOOOO many typos/grammatical errors that it was distracting. I'm not overly picky about that in general, but these were some pretty obvious things if the book was just read over before submission/publishing. (Example: "Hush...," Susannah murmered, and cupped her face in her hands, pressed her lips against the top of his head.") Secondly, the story was very predictable. I guessed all of it, right down to the "surprise" twist at the end.

Some other things I liked? Susannah was human. Flaky, true, but not overtly so. The homosexual characters were not portrayed badly (or as bad people) and no one reacted negatively about it. Kit was fallible, but devoted (he was 34, maybe 35, by the way. They were a bit unclear about that. At some points she said 17, some 18 at the time of the duel, then 17 years later). He was a bit of a wimp when it came to his dad, but then again, his dad was also his boss. Remember, his dad wasn't just going to send him to Egypt as an exile from the family -- he was going to ASSIGN him there for work.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and I liked the story. This was the first of this author's books that I've read. I hope the others have been edited better.

Kudos Julie!.......2006-11-30

Darlings! I am here to tell you that this is one of the BEST romance novels you will EVER read! I was honestly blown-away by this wonderfully crafted gem of a book. The characters were superbly written, the story moved at a brisk pace and the romance was surprisingly touching and real. I found myself alternately sighing, laughing and having a wondeful time!

Kit Whitelaw plays the hero of this little story. A bored spy with too much time on his hands and not enough direction in his life. In order to force him out of his ennui, his father sends him on an assignment to the most boring, quiet, small town imaginable. Little does Kit know that Susannah Makepeace is waiting there to turn his world upside-down!

Miss Makepeace is beautiful, charming and very artistic. Intrigued, Kit employs her to help him create his sketchbook, but in the process Susannah ends up awakening his interest as well as his "spy senses." When Susannah's life is in jeopardy more than once, Kit begins to suspect there is something going on which is more than merely coincidence. Together they are drawn into a mysterious past that Susannah never knew she had.

Filled with wonderful secondary characters and packed with playful banter, sexual chemistry, and lots of intrigue, "Beauty and the Spy" is truly a diamond in the rough!

P.S. I bought a copy of this book for my girlfriends and sister-in-law.

Average customer rating:

WOW....
Enjoyable captor / captive romance that doesn't stray into abuse
Stockholm Syndrome on the A1
Great Escape
Really enjoyed this book!

The Beauty and the Spy
Gayle Callen
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060543957
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Book Description

For the many romance fans who can't get enough of romances set in England, as well as fans of Christina Dodd.

He kidnapped her to keep her safe, but the captor soon becomes a captive when she turns on her charm and has him falling in love.

Nicholas Wright is a spy. It's what he loves to do – his calling, even. His current mission brings him home to England, where he's on the trail of a spy.

When his plans are overheard by one Charlotte Sinclair, he has no choice but to kidnap her to keep her safe.

But Charlotte is not your typical London socialite and her wit, intelligence and beauty all threaten to corrupt Nick's resolve to never fall in love.

Customer Reviews:

WOW...........2007-08-10

This book is hilarious. I love books that are smartly written, funny, hott, sexy, and mysterious. I love the characters in this book as well. They are great! This is a book that I will read again. I'd recommend this book to anyone that has a sense of humor and adventurous spirit.

Enjoyable captor / captive romance that doesn't stray into abuse.......2007-01-27

From the back cover:

Over her head...

Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life--but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own--and Charlotte's--good.

Head over heels...

Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!

And my review:

I've enjoyed Gayle Callen's work before, and this book was no exception. I was a little worried about the whole captor / captive plot, as many authors use this for an excuse to write an abusive hero into the story. But that didn't happen here. Callen never even comes close to the "he rapes her and she loves it" theme. The hero was always honorable. Anything physical between them was completely consensual.

I really liked the heroine in this one. I felt that she was strong and spirited, and never came across as shrewish. Very few authors are about to manage a spirited heroine without having her come across as witchy, but this author did it. I was impressed. A lot of romance heroines are always weak, wailing and helpless. I liked to read about one who had a head on her shoulders and a strong will. It was a welcome change.

I really liked watching the gradual change from adversaries to lovers. I felt that it was really well done and never rushed. It was believable. It was as if the love came along so gradually that it was impossible to pinpoint where it started. Only the very best romances are like that, and I really enjoyed finding another one. I also liked that while the hero and heroine were physically attracted to one another, they didn't just rush into bed together.

However, I did feel that the "spy" storyline was a bit weak, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. This book's greatest strength lay in the relationship between the hero and heroine. Whenever the spy plot took over, I found myself skimming, just a little, in order to get back to the romance. The intrigue just didn't capture my interest the way the romance did. But that could just be a matter of personal preference; you'll have to decide for yourself. However, I never felt like the romance was pushed so far away that it was lost in the shuffle. That often happens in these kinds of books, but it didn't happen here.

While this is the second book in a series, you can also read it on its own. I hadn't read the first book, yet I never felt lost. I will be on the lookout for more of this author's books. While it wasn't one for my keeper shelf (very few books are), BEAUTY AND THE SPY was one I never regretted buying, and it was very difficult to put down once I got started. Recommended.

Stockholm Syndrome on the A1.......2006-12-28

This is the second Gayle Callen book I have read - the first, "No Ordinary Groom", is set at the same time as this book and with some of the same characters. In fact, one scene in this book is also in the other. We are following the fortunes of two sisters and their dealings with men who turn out to be spies in this pair of books.

"The Beauty And The Spy" features Charlotte Sinclair, widow and sister to Jane Whittington (who gets her man in "No Ordinary Groom"). Charlotte has just put off her mourning a year after her husband's unexpected death - not that she was genuinely mourning him as he turns out to have been a nasty chappie. Anyway, Charlotte is now back in the social world and theoretically looking for another husband, at least her mother wants her to, even though she herself is far from sure she wants to put herself at risk of another man like her dead husband.

Anyway, Charlotte is at a party and gets rather carried away when watching a man behave oddly. She recently found some journals of her father that prove he is a spymaster for the British Government and she consequently sees spies and intrigue under every bush. She follows the mystery man, ends up hiding in a cupboard whilst he has a conversation with another man which shows they are up to no good. Unfortunately they find her and one man threatens to kill her, other other says he will deal with her and kidnaps her.

So Charlotte is tied up, covered with a blanket, lowered out of a window and taken away in a carriage with "Nick", the rather dishy man she followed into the room. He explains that he's trying to uncover a spy who caused a lot of deaths in Afghanistan and that he's working for the government - Charlotte doesn't think she can believe him. And thus the book turns into "Stockholm Syndrome on the A1" as they travel northwards by carriage chasing after the mystery spy woman, Julia Reed. As her captivity continues Charlotte starts to trust Nick her captor and ends up helping him. He also does his part in helping her - helping her to get over the bad ways in which her husband treated her, mainly in bed; guess how Nick helps her with THAT problem?

The story periodically interweaves with Will and Jane (the couple in "No Ordinary Groom") but most of the time they are stuck in a bedroom in an inn discussing captivity, spying and what's happening next - oh, and dealing with her issues about sex too, of course. The book slowly builds to a fairly unspectacular finale where Julia Reed is caught but then is rescued by a baddie but most of the action is actually happening within our lead characters' heads - and body parts.

Sadly this book didn't work for me. I found it quite slow going as the basic plot wasn't really enough to keep my attention. Nick as a character didn't seem all that well formed (I suppose, as a spy, he must be hard to read!) and Charlotte, too, seemed rather irritating. The whole spying sub-plot seemed rather far-fetched and the fact that Nick didn't just stash Charlotte somewhere else right at the beginning, rather than bringing her along with him and thus massively overcomplicating his plans, seems rather a plot hole. Although set in Regency times and travelling by carriage to Leeds from London (presumably the Great North Road then) there is almost no period detail and the characters speak to each other in American English; an example from Nick: "Sam, take Cox and go retrieve the body for me. It's at the entrance to the park a couple blocks east of here." Three non-English but American word-forms in those two sentences so evidently the author and her editor haven't checked it that closely.

If you just want a romance with some sex and some handsome/beautiful people you might like this; if you want more of a story, more genuine character development, more accurate historical detail and depth, you need to give this one a miss.

Great Escape.......2005-09-24

This is the second book in Callen's "Spies and Lovers" series. It's a fast paced, action- espionage love story that offers full-bodied characters, and a delightfully romantic storyline.

This book is a great escape. I was particularly impressed and inspired by Callen's well-rounded and substantial secondary characters. They never stole the spotlight, but they definitely claimed my interest. I also greatly enjoyed the author's wit and mastery of the language. I am looking forward to Sam and Julia's story that will arrive in Spring of 2005.

Really enjoyed this book!.......2004-12-20

This was a very good book - a lot of action, good plot and well developed characters. The attraction between Nick and Charlotte was very intense and you really hoped that this love between them would work out in the end. The book kept my interest throughout - I could not put it down!

Average customer rating:

The Beauty and the Spy

Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Product Description

Over Her Head Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life -- but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own -- and Charlotte's -- good. Head Over Heels Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!

Big Cats & Other Animals: Their Beauty, Dignity & Survival

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Big Cats & Other Animals: Their Beauty, Dignity & Survival
Joseph Spies
Manufacturer: Lifetime Books, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811909077

Book Description

The perfect gift for all animal-lovers, this glossy paged gallery of over 225 photographs showcases the fascinating world of the animal kingdom.

Big Cats and Other Animals: Their Beauty, Dignity and Survival

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Big Cats and Other Animals: Their Beauty, Dignity and Survival
Joseph R. Spies
Manufacturer: Frederick Fell Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0811907376

Spies and Lovers Trilogy: No Ordinary Groom, The Beauty And The Spy, A Woman's Innocence

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Spies and Lovers Trilogy: No Ordinary Groom, The Beauty And The Spy, A Woman's Innocence
Gayle Callen
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PYIFTO

Book Description

Fresh insights and practical guidelines peel away the mystery behind the elusive art of persuasion.

There's really nothing mysterious about getting people to change their minds. No special, inborn gifts. No subliminal tricks. Instead, the best persuaders--advertisers, salespeople, politicians, spin doctors--depend on the fact that everyone responds to messages in just two ways: thoughtfully or mindlessly. And they know how to manipulate these two persuasion routes to make even the most doubtful say "yes."

Jam-packed with fascinating case studies and surprising examples, this comprehensive, entertaining how-to guide puts the powerful tool of persuasion at anyone's disposal. It explains: * How the master persuaders--the Churchills, Lincolns, and Roosevelts--create powerful, memorable messages that convince people of their arguments' logic and rightness * How successful persuaders exploit the psychological triggers that cause people to subconsciously move from "no" to "yes."

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining & Valuable.......2007-07-18

I never imagined a self-improvement book could be so entertaining. I literally couldn't pull myself away from this book, reading the entire book in one sitting!

Not having read the other "Influence" book recommended in Amazon's reviews, I can't objectively comment; however, I can say that "Artful Persuasion" is without question the most interesting and enjoyable of all self-improvement books I've read.

Knowledge Deployment 101 - 103.......2006-05-05

Artful Persuasion is a compilation of tips, tricks and wisdom on how to persuade others, change their minds, align, and influence people favourably.
Just shy of 300 pages, Harry Mills introduces and expounds on the topic through chapters divided into 'Thoughtful Persuasion' (credibility, impressions, talking, asking targeted messaging. et cetra) and 'Mindless Influence' (contrast, reciprocation, consistency, authority, scarcity, conformity and liking). The book also features several quizzes, by-lines and diagrams to better illustrate the point. Oddly enough, the book ends with a chapter wherein an expected explanation on examples of influence and leadership goes awry and becomes a silly iconography of sorts.
That little biased narrative aside, Artful Persuasion is an informative book, even if it soon becomes apparent that there are no short cuts per se; just techniques that need to be learnt and practiced.
A bigger question, in the meanwhile, is the legitimacy of such techniques. You decide.

Good, yet lacking detail on some vital topics.......2005-05-25

Like other books on the market, this book offers examples and case studies of successful professionals. Mills emphasizes the critical value of winning the attention of your audience or customer. Would like to have seen a bit more on developing the right verbal skills to permit one's message to be heard in a world where everything demands our attention.

very good book.......2005-03-01

This book is written in an authoritative tone and has some incredible insight into how people in the last century were able to influence the masses.

It brings up stories about Churchhill, Rosevelt, the Clintons ect. Toward the last 50 pages it talks about more practical ways we can benefit in our own lives. The book is a great read and has lots of great insight.

You can get some good tips about how to deal with your day to day life. Of course each of us has to decide which strategy works best for different situations. a book that I found very helpful and very practical is called " How to outnegotiate anyone including a car dealer".

Artful persuasion is a great starter and there are other books out there no doubt that can add to your effectiveness and help you apply the techniques to your day to day life. ENJOY!

Artfully Engaging How-to.......2003-09-13

Artful Persuasion is hard to put down. Highly instructive and most engaging, it distills the key thinking on the art and science of persuasion - including the conscious and unconscious factors people base their decision making on. Everyone can learn something from it.

Even for those who don't often need to sell to or negotiate with others, there's lots to learn about how others try to persuade YOU.

Each chapter concludes with a handy bullet list of key lessons. Mills draws upon a rich and eclectic trove of witty, sometimes salty, real-world examples from business, politics, history, and elsewhere. To his credit, he reminds the reader throughout about the unethical uses of persuasion; there's a handy section on how people and organizations (like the media) mislead through graphics.

This is a book that will be on my desk, within reach - as long as I have clients. (And a husband. And a family. And neighbors. You get the point.)

Since rating scales are relative, and I'm not familiar with all the leading books on the subject, I can't rightly give the book 5 stars. So consider my 4 stars an absolute rating of "terrific."

Average customer rating:

Understanding Capitalism

I learned more from this than from a year of economics classes

Great Intro to Social Democratic Economics

Understanding Capitalism: Competition, Command, and Change
Samuel Bowles , Richard Edwards , and Frank Roosevelt
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195138651

Book Description

The third edition of Understanding Capitalism: Competition, Command, and Change is an introduction to economics that explains how capitalism works, why it sometimes does not work as well as we would like it to, and how over time it not only changes but also revolutionizes the world around us. The "three-dimensional approach" of the text focuses on competition in markets; command in firms, governments, and international relations; and change as a permanent feature of a capitalist economy driven by technical innovation and conflict over the distribution of income. The book covers the standard topics of supply and demand, market competition, imperfect competition, aggregate demand, inflation, and unemployment. It emphasizes the extraordinary dynamism and material productivity of the capitalist economy; the psychological foundations of human behavior; the logic and limitations of Adam Smith's invisible hand; technical change and the new information-based economy; global economic integration and its impact on national economies; the impact of economic activity on the environment; and inequality both within and among nations. In addition, it provides a critical evaluation of the tenets of neoclassical economics, a clear introduction to contract theory, and material drawn from new research in behavioral, institutional, and information economics. Understanding Capitalism, Third Edition, is ideal for undergraduate courses in economics and political economy. An Instructor's Manual is available to adopters. FEATURES OF THE THIRD EDITION BLOffers a new chapter on the behavioral foundations of economics, showing that the selfishness of the "economic man" leaves out the important role of other social motives and how individual tastes and values evolve in response to experiences BLIncludes a new chapter that examines how economic success (and poverty) are passed on from parents to children and also looks at the increasing inequality of income and wealth along lines of race and gender BLPresents a completely revised and expanded treatment of the revolutionary changes that have been associated with capitalism over the past three centuries BLProvides boxed treatments of issues that can serve as the basis of classroom discussions BLDefines important terms in the margins throughout the text BLContains a section entitled "Sources of Economic Information" that helps readers locate relevant outside data, both in print and online

Customer Reviews:

Understanding Capitalism.......2007-09-03

I've always found studying economics to be an extremely frustrating experience. It seems my only options for learning about capitalism are (1) academic economists who study free-market processes but act as though political economy doesn't and never did exist, or (2) Marxist activists, who DO talk about political economy, but whose actual grasp of it is somewhat weak (and whose grasp of free-market principles is even weaker). Understanding Capitalism is really an anomaly in that it doesn't fit neatly into either of the aforementioned groups. This may be partly explained by the fact that at least one of the authors is a political scientist. Anyway, the book covers both free-market capitalist economics AND political economy, as well as providing (in the first chapter) a masterful summary of the rise and explosive growth of capitalism, first in England, then Europe, and now the world. I wish I could give you the whole table of contents so you could see how wide the scope of this book really is. Just to convince you that it isn't your standard college economic textbook, however, I'll give you a taste.

Here are the titles of a few sections within the book:
"Values in Political Economy"
"Karl Marx"
"Capitalism, the Surplus Product and Profits"
"Class and Class Relationships"
"The Capitalist Firm as a Command Economy"
"Race and Inequality" (!)
"The Limits of Democratic Control of the Capitalist Economy"

Here are the titles of a few chapters within the book:
"Capitalism Shakes the World"
"Political Economy, Past and Present"
"Competition and Concentration"
"The Mosaic of Inequality"
"Progress and Poverty on a World Scale"
"The Future of Capitalism"

If you have only heard criticisms of capitalism from Marxist literature, this book will be extremely valuable. You'll get a more scientific understanding of the same principles and a good presentation of the critique of capitalism scattered throughout the entire book. At the same time, you're sure to learn more about the workings of a free-market economy in the absence of government control (from both a neoclassical perspective and other perspectives). Most economics textbooks practically seem like they're written for business students, and they sure aren't interested in helping the reader really "understand capitalism." Read this book, and you will understand capitalism.

I learned more from this than from a year of economics classes.......2006-08-17

Although this book is written by social democrats, and I am nowhere near a social democrat, I found it to be a very fair and accurate (as far as I know) treatment of economics. Instead of the one dimensional approach favored by the neoclassical economics that dominates American universities, it uses a three dimensional "political economy" approach. It analyzes markets, power relations, and economic growth. And it tells you a lot of very important things that textbooks leave out, mostly relating to flaws with markets. I recommend this book to anyone who is seriously interested in economics. However, it easy enough for anyone to understand.

Great Intro to Social Democratic Economics.......2005-07-06

As taught in most undergraduate courses, the world of mainstream economics is an orderly place where markets clear, economic actors are rational, and social harmony prevails. Readers wanting more realism should read "Understanding Capitalism," a superb introduction to economics written from a social democratic perspective. As in any introductory econ text, the book carefully analyzes market processes. However, it also analyzes "command" relationships within firms and the relationship between capitalist dynamics and economic growth. This "three dimensional" approach to economics -- the authors prefer the term "political economy" -- offers a comprehensive view of the subject.

The core chapters deal with microeconomics and macroeconomics. The micro section borrows from Marx and Schumpeter, and focuses on profit-seeking and "accumulation" as the keys to capitalist dynamics. The macro chapters draw on and update Keynes, and explain why unemployment is a persistent feature of U.S.-style capitalism (Swedish-style capitalism is a different matter). Throughout, economic concepts are related to ideas from anthropology, history, political science, and environmental science. Key points are illustrated with examples from the daily news; there is much algebra, but no calculus; the writing is clear. This is a very reader-friendly econ text.

It is also refreshingly non-dogmatic. Although the authors are leftists, they acknowledge that capitalism obliterates archaic economic structures and lifts standards of living. They also highlight the role of profit-seeking in the development of new technologies and production methods. Their tone is consistently reasonable and fair to all points of view. Of course, no book is perfect. I would have preferred a more traditional analysis of microeconomics (complete with graphs showing average cost, marginal cost, and so forth). The sections on international trade and finance are too skimpy for a book trying to make sense of modern globalized capitalism. But overall, "Understanding Capitalism" is superb. No one taking a mainstream lower-division course on economics should miss it -- and anyone teaching such a course should consider using it as a supplemental text.

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Change Of Command

Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000F6Z6F8

Book Description

THEIR UNIVERSE IS FALLING APART!

Rejuvenants fear the backlash caused by bad drugs; they want to ensure that nothing interferes with their pursuit of long life -- or the profit that comes from promising it to others. Neighbor states fear the aggressive expansion of the Familias Regnant, fuelled by population growth and extended lifespan. Within the Regular Space Service, those who have received experimental rejuvenations fear they may have been given bad drugs on purpose. Esmay Suiza's family fears that her marriage to an offworlder will damage their position. Barin Serrano's family fears that his marriage to a Landbride of Altiplano will damage his career and their reputation.

Fear begets violent reactions -- from foreign governments, from great Families determined to maintain or increase their power, from internal rivalries in the Fleet -- and nothing escapes the resultant bloodbath unscathed. As Esmay and Barin struggle to reconcile their families, others have more cosmic struggles to win.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2000-03-27

As a technical project manager, I find this a wonderful source to deal with office politics. It help sell your ideas, overcome change resistance

One of the best books that I've bought in a long time

Add dazzle to your work.......1998-09-12

Hit a block? Does the material you're producing seem uninspiring and, maybe, pedestrian? Pick up this book for a wonderful source of ideas and suggestions that will create results.

Understanding Capitalism: Competition, Command, and Change in the U.S. Economy

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Understanding Capitalism: Competition, Command, and Change in the U.S. Economy
Samuel Bowles , and Richard Edwards
Manufacturer: Harpercollins College Div
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Air Education and Training Command Cost and Capacity System: Implications for Organizational and Data Flow Changes

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Air Education and Training Command Cost and Capacity System: Implications for Organizational and Data Flow Changes
Thomas Manacapilli
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ASIN: 0833035037

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Improving the Air Force's training management and decision processes.

Anatomy of a reform: The expeditionary aerospace force

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Anatomy of a reform: The expeditionary aerospace force
Richard G Davis
Manufacturer: Air Force History and Museums Program
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Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006S6AW8

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Change of Command
Elizabeth Moon
Manufacturer: ORBIT (LITT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GTHR5Q

Change of Command (Captain Apache Novel)

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Change of Command (Captain Apache Novel)

Manufacturer: Berkley F1293
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000ASL5OC

Book Description

This workshop, recorded live in Chicago, Illinois, focuses on how to find your life’s mission, or “Sacred Contract.” By coming to know your mission, you can live your life in a way that makes best use of your energy. Finding out where you invest your energetic currency can show you how to manage your power as opposed to being managed by it. When you’re working well with your energy, you’re also making the best expression of it and living in accord with your Sacred Contract.

Caroline Myss shows you how to discover your archetypal patterns, both symbolically and literally, and how to find the four archetypes we all share and the eight that are uniquely ours. By using these patterns, she teaches you how to use the “Archetypal Wheel” as an intuitive method to interpret the behind-the-scenes patterns of your life, revealing that your experiences and relationships to be spiritual dramas that are filled with opportunities for personal transformation.

Customer Reviews:

Confirmed Feelings I always Had.......2007-10-11

If you feel that you were sent to this world to accomplish a task that only you could complete,and that your life indeed has purpose that could benefit the entire world you will find this tape very interesting. Life is wonderful but along with enjoyment we have work to complete, certain people to meet and a contract to complete. One sentence that you may say to an individual could be the main purpose of your life. And...that sentence could be as simple as saying "You are important". And...You may never realize that your sentence was the most important statement in your life. This tape will help you understand the Real reason that you are on this journey that we call life.

Spirituality & Caroline Myss fans.......2007-10-05

I'm grateful these books/CD's are available to help shift the human/my consciousness. As a spiritual being having a human experience, this incarnation has been very challenging, so when I hear divine wisdom with guidance my heart just sings. Dear readers Just know even our beloved gifted Ms. Myss has humanity mixed with the divine, as we all do. Take what you can recieve and leave the rest.
My dream is we could broad cast these workshops instead of on Air News Debates.

High Voltage stuff!.......2007-01-15

I always knew that arquetypes are a tool for understanding my enviroment.Caroline Myss organizes my bits and pieces and shows me how to work with this magnificent tool in order to find my sacred contract.I recomend strongly this material to the "responsible","self esteemed",to "the seeker" that wants to FIND and works on himself with the wise guidence of this blessed soul and teacher,Caroline Myss.

Attitude and language created a barrier.......2006-04-23

This was my first experience with Caroline's work and I was very disapointed in the way she talked about and to other people. I tried to get past the first CD but finally I just decided that I wasn't going to listen to it. I expect someone who wants to be a spiritual leader to at least be kind enough not to verbally attack their audience.

I thought.........2006-04-22

we where going to cast our "archetypal wheels" with the workshop participants, but not the case. The first three CD's are informative, but mostly filled with Caroline's stories, many of which I had already heard. In the last CD Caroline talks about the first two positions on the wheel, then asks the audience something to the effect, do I have to go any further with you people, and then stops. She is assuming that everyone has the book Sacred Contracts, which I do. The reason I got the CD was because I found that casting the wheel on my own was confusing. So I thought that casting it with the workshop and hearing Caroline helping the participants with their wheels would shed some light on mine.
Very disappointing.

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Well-described path into illusion

Finding Your Sacred Contract

Manufacturer: Celebrating Life Resources
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 1893869660

Product Description

4-Tape Series. Recorded Live in Chicago Illinois 2002. Caroline Myss shows us how to discover our archetypal patterns both symbolically and literally. She explains the four archetypes we all share and the eight that are uniquely ours. She teaches us how to use the "Archetypal Wheel" as a method to interpret the patterns of our lives.

Customer Reviews:

Well-described path into illusion.......2005-09-04

Caroline Myss writes well and has collected many interesting ideas from diverse sources to blend them into an interesting premise. Ideas are harvested from old legends, cultural traditions, religions, and psychology. From psychology, Jung's archetypes are used (just as did Robert Bly in "Iron John").

One problem: As with many books on self-discovery, philosophy, and religion, it seeks a preexisting answer that doesn't (pre-)exist. It acts as if it were having people find the answer from within, in a sacred contract for life made by the soul before birth. But, made by who? Were we preexisting people who decided our reincarnated lives? Did someone else preprogram us? Are we divinely preprogrammed? Free will seems to get lost in the shuffle. The truth that I have found, through the fires of tragedy, is that there is no external, or internally preexisting Meaning of Life for us to find and follow. We are not travelers along someone else's paths! The Meaning of Life comes into existence as we create it, through the nature of our interactions with other people and our environment. Of course, our choices are influenced by DNA, society, who we know, and archetypes, but the choices are still ours. To say otherwise lifts the burden of responsibility, but also abdicates our freedom and our right to be responsible for ourselves. Running from responsibility, while coveting freedom, is a common problem in our society. Delegating responsibility for who we are to a preordained, predetermined contract by the soul, is another delegation or abdication of personal responsibility. To abdicate responsibility is to relinquish freedom. I don't, and won't, buy the book's premise! The cost is too dear to me. I'll take my freedom, and the lumps that go along with it.

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