God is Calling... Got a Minute?

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God is Calling... Got a Minute?
Patrick Berkery
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1588987027
Release Date: 2002-05-13

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Today a lot of people experience deep loneliness. They think no one cares about them. This book shows how we are never alone because God is constantly trying to get our attention, offering us words of comfort and love.

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First published in 1941 to considerable acclaim, Berlin Embassy is the classic account of the last days of peace in Europe, and has been out-of-print for almost fifty years. William Russell was a young American diplomat working at the US Embassy, in Hermann Goering Strasses, during the grim days of 1939. He had studied in Germany, prior to becoming part of America's diplomatic mission, which placed him in a position to gain unheard of access to remote areas—both physically and ideologically—of German society during one of the most momentous times in world history. Russell does not miss any opportunity to capitalize on this unique position as he gives a totally absorbing account of both the horror and farce which so often defines such epic times. This quite remarkable account is sure to find a whole new readership.

Customer Reviews:

A hidden gem on the Nazi Regime.......2007-04-12

William Russell does an excellent job of setting the stage for Nazi oppression with his inside account of his days in the US embassy at the outbreak of the war. The first few pages draw the reader in with his discussion of the immigration desk and the sheer volume that were trying to escape the oppressive regime. The account that Russell provides of the regime trend from the absurd to the truly shocking and give a perspective that is hard to find. He provides an account that is a truly invaluable primary resource for historians. For those who want to learn a little about the chaotic nature of diplomacy and the life of diplomats it is a great portrait. This book does an excellent job of portraying life in Germany in 1939 and 1940. It is scattered around and the organization at times may not make sense but its value as a primary account overrides those flaws. The insight that Russell provides on the German people and the way that Americans and others saw them in the world is fantastic. The view of Hitler and the SS/propaganda machine shows just what the state looked like. While people like William Shrier were trying to tell a journalistic story (which is also a wonderful source and should not be discounted) this book gives great insight into the times. Very easy to read and a wonderful contribution to our literature.

A wonderful read.......2006-10-05

I found an old paperback edition of this book in a used bookstore recently. This was a book that quite simply I couldn't put down. The author vividly captures the pulse of Berlin life circa 1940. We learn about everyday occurances such as what it was like to take the Berlin subway, to eat out in a restaurant, how clothing and other items were rationed, what it was like to read a daily state run newspaper, to ski in a small town during the winter and celebrate the Christmas holiday. A "must read" for anyone interested in that period. I enjoyed it so much that I went out and purchased a new softcover edition.

Amazing Insight.......2006-09-14

The author was about 24 years old when he wrote this book. Throughout, one is struck by the grasp someone so young had of the psyche of the German people at that time. He also makes astute observations about peoples during wartime. I found the book extremely interesting because of its accurate, balanced picture of what it was like for a US embassy official to live in Berlin during 1939 and 1940. He also recounts his visits outside of Berlin and draws a clear contrast of how peoples' lives in the country villages differed from those in the capital. For World War II history buffs, this book is a gem.

Dutch Embassy In Berlin By Oma/Rem Koolhaas, The

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Dutch Embassy In Berlin By Oma/Rem Koolhaas, The
Francois Chaslin
Manufacturer: NAi Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9056623567
Release Date: 2004-05-02

Book Description

This past November, Berlin gained yet one more spectacular example of contemporary architecture. The new Dutch Embassy by OMA/Rem Koolhaas has been built on the River Spree in what used to be East Berlin. Renowned for his Kunsthal in Rotterdam, Congrexpo in Lille, and the villa in Bordeaux, among other extraordinary projects, Koolhaas will now also be recognized for his Berlin embassy, a structure that firmly attests to the astonishing design talent of the Netherlands' best-known architect. Two concepts underpin the design for the embassy, the first instigated by the city's strict planning regulations, which require that every corner of a city block be built up. Thus, Koolhaas designed one corner of the site to fit a freestanding cube that houses the actual embassy; the other corners are defined by an L-shaped block of three houses for embassy staff. But the principal organizing element is a continuous route that spirals through the building; the different embassy departments are strung off it discretely. The spiral winds its way through the cube accompanied by new and unexpected views of the building--and of the city. In this publication, sketches, drawings and models illustrate the design's points of departure, and Koolhaas himself expounds upon the project's context. German photographer Candida H fer, famous for her large-scale color photographs of architectural spaces, offers her personal perspective on the embassy's exterior and interior, while Parisian architecture critic Fran ois Chaslin provides a textual analysis.

Annual Report of The American Historical Association for the Year 1942 (volume II) Letters from the Berlin Embassy: 1871-1874, 1880-1885

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Annual Report of The American Historical Association for the Year 1942 (volume II) Letters from the Berlin Embassy: 1871-1874, 1880-1885
American Historical Association
Manufacturer: American Historical Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K6XKY2

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BERLIN EMBASSY
RUSSELL
Manufacturer: JOSEPH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S5M94M

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The Berlin Embassy
Michael Shea
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0006498760

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Berlin Embassy
William Russell
Manufacturer: Macfadden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OLKJ74

The Berlin Embassy of Lord D'abernon, 1920-1926

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The Berlin Embassy of Lord D'abernon, 1920-1926
Gaynor Johnson
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Lord D'Abernon was the first British ambassador to Berlin after the First World War. This study, which challenges his positive historical reputation, assesses all the key aspects of Anglo-German relations in the early 1920s. Particular attention is paid to the reparations question and to issues of international security. Other topics include D'Abernon's relationship with the principal British and German politicians of the period and his attitude towards American involvement in European diplomacy.

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BERLIN EMBASSY.

Manufacturer: Michael Joseph
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HGYYYU

Chapters From My Diplomatic Life: Embassy At Berlin 1897-1902

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Chapters From My Diplomatic Life: Embassy At Berlin 1897-1902
Andrew D. White
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1428611355

Book Description

Contains: Presentation At Court, The New Chancellor Von Bulow, Trials Of A Homeless Ambassador, An Embittered Feeling Against America, The Open Door In China, The Spanish War, Emperor William's Opinion Of The Destruction Of The U.S.S. Maine, Relations With The Spanish Ambassador, The Business Of Being A Monarch, Difficulties During The Spanish War, Protecting The Naturalized American Citizen, Professor Mommsen's Feeling Toward America, Etc. Portraits Include Franz Joseph Of Austria, And Empress Frederick.

Foreign Affairs: New Embassy Buildings and the German Foreign Office in Berlin

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Foreign Affairs: New Embassy Buildings and the German Foreign Office in Berlin
S. Redecke , and R. Stern
Manufacturer: Birkhauser
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Amazon.com

"The United States today is an empire—but a peculiar kind of empire," writes Niall Ferguson. Despite overwhelming military, economic, and cultural dominance, America has had a difficult time imposing its will on other nations, mostly because the country is uncomfortable with imperialism and thus unable to use this power most effectively and decisively. The origin of this attitude and its persistence is a principal theme of this thought-provoking book, including how domestic politics affects foreign policy, whether it is politicians worried about the next election or citizens who "like Social Security more than national security." Ferguson, a British historian, has no objection to an American empire, as long as it is a liberal one actively underwriting the free exchange of goods, labor, and capital. Further, he writes that "empire is more necessary in the twenty-first century than ever before" as a means to "contain epidemics, depose tyrants, end local wars and eradicate terrorist organizations." The sooner America embraces this role and acts on it confidently, the better. Ferguson contrasts this persistent anti-imperialistic urge with the attitude held by the British Empire and suggests that America has much to learn from that model if it is to achieve its stated foreign policy objectives of spreading social freedom, democracy, development, and the free market to the world. He suggests that the U.S. must be willing to send money, civilians, and troops for a sustained period of time to troubled spots if there is to be real change—as in Japan and Germany after World War II--an idea that many American citizens and leaders now find repulsive. Rather than devoting limited resources and striving to get complex jobs done in a rush, Americans must be willing to integrate themselves into a foreign culture until a full Americanization has occurred, he writes. Overall, a trenchant examination of a uniquely American dilemma and its implications for the rest of the world. --Shawn Carkonen

Book Description

Niall Ferguson brings his renowned historical and economic depth of field to bear on a bold and sweeping reckoning with America's imperial status and its consequences.

Is America an empire? Certainly not, according to our government. Despite the conquest of two sovereign states in as many years, despite the presence of more than 750 military installations in two thirds of the world's countries and despite his stated intention "to extend the benefits of freedom...to every corner of the world," George W. Bush maintains that "America has never been an empire." "We don't seek empires," insists Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. "We're not imperialistic."

Nonsense, says Niall Ferguson. In Colossus he argues that in both military and economic terms America is nothing less than the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. Just like the British Empire a century ago, the United States aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. In theory it's a good project, says Ferguson. Yet Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money that are indispensable if rogue regimes and failed states really are to be changed for the better. Ours, he argues, is an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing ever more unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions. Worse, it's an empire in denial-a hyperpower that simply refuses to admit the scale of its global responsibilities. And the negative consequences will be felt at home as well as abroad. In an alarmingly persuasive final chapter Ferguson warns that this chronic myopia also applies to our domestic responsibilities. When overstretch comes, he warns, it will come from within-and it will reveal that more than just the feet of the American colossus is made of clay.

Customer Reviews:

An Empty Feeling.......2007-08-13

Notwithstanding its current difficulties in Iraq, the United States stands alone as the world's sole superpower. Niall Ferguson goes further to suggest that America is an empire in all but name. While it does not have the trappings of empire in a Victorian sense, it is without peer in terms of the breadth and impact of its influence on the globe.

"Colossus: the Price of America's Empire" is an often meandering tome that somehow fails to live up to expectations. The premise of Ferguson's argument is that America is the modern world's imperial force. Many people, both supporters and enemies of America, would agree with this proposition. Yet, Ferguson fails to round out his argument. He is clearly sympathetic with America but the conviction of his argument seems half-hearted. His view of the world is simply too bland. The reader is certainly not excited. The book lacks spark.

Although Ferguson has an impressive intellect and an open and inquisitive attitude, "Colossus" somehow fails to land any "killer blows". While I can agree with the view that America is a reluctant emperor, to prone to failing to put in the hard yards, this seems to be the only firm view that I can draw from the book. While this is easy to accept as a proposition; remember "Mission Accomplished"; there seems to be some parts missing. I suspect that any reader of this review will accuse me of not being able to be more precise, I guess that I leave the book feeling not quite satisfied. I've had a meal but still feel hungry.

Well written and argued, whether you agree or not.......2005-10-16

In the 19th century a "Liberal" was someone who believed in free trade, meritocracy (instead of inherited privilege) and the advancement of science and civilization, the last meaning generally European civilization. Thus the "White Man's Burden".

Ferguson, though generally considered a Conservative in today's vernacular is really a 19th century liberal, not far from what we call a Neo-Con. As such he is unapologetic about America's potential role as a benevolent hegemon and in this book goes into considerable detail describing American and world attitudes, the history of 19th century liberal imperialism and argues persuasively the US should do more, rather than less of this, regardless of the cost.

Though clearly more on the side of the US Conservatives, Ferguson's view is actually a third way...combining some of the idealism of modern liberalism with the pragmatic self-interest of economic conservatives and dismissing entirely the social warriors of both sides. In other words alternatively furiating and enjoyable whichever side you are "on". I expect both sides will also manage to co-opt his arguments to their advantage...

The Case for "Liberal" Empire: Ferguson misses the point........2005-07-08

Niall Ferguson is an economic historian who is very good at writing for the general public. He tends to take conservative positions, and positions that are deliberately provocative. He also enjoys using irony, the "tongue-in-cheek" approach, and is a proponent of what is called "counter-factual" history, the "what-if" school of historical writing.

This book, a sequel of sorts to his previous book on the British Empire, identifies what he calls the American "Empire", and then attempts to justify it as a good thing for the world. He makes a number of very good points in the process.

- America since its independence has been an expansionist power.
- We have tended to deny or ignore our expansionist tendencies, or attribute them to self-defense.
- We don't have a very good track record of exporting democracy. He points to the long list of American failures, from the Philippine Insurrection to Vietnam to substantiate this point.
- Our successes, which he limits to Japan, Germany, and South Korea, were occupied by us for many years, and still contain substantial numbers of American troops.

He is able to identify America as an "empire" by stretching the definition of "empire" quite a bit, but he makes a valid point. American influence is global, backed by overwhelming military power, technological sophistication, and cultural magnetism.

He then makes his case for the benefits of what he calls "liberal" empire. I would summarize the concept as basically that of forcing good government on unruly foreigners, whether they want it or not. And he adds that the world would be better off if we could do this without so much hand-wringing. He correctly identifies the Europeans as being demoralized, unwilling and almost incapable of defending themselves. And he correctly shows that the decolonization movement of the past 40 years has been a failure.

He rightly states that empires usually die from within. He doesn't see any external threat on the horizon capable of destroying America's power. He considers Muslim terrorism to be a transient and relatively minor threat, and considers China likewise to be a "hollow threat". He says America's internal weaknesses are its lack of able administrators for its overseas "empire", its fiscal indiscipline, and its lack of interest in having an empire, and that these will result inevitably in the decline of American power.

Ferguson says he likes empires, especially "liberal" empires, and therefore considers the last named weakness the most serious one. Empires have seldom been maintained for very long when the imperial power has lost interest in doing so. However, all is not lost if the US retreats from its position as the world's hegemonic power. Ferguson thinks that it is quite likely that the world would become "a-polar", rather than "multipolar", with no major power interested in or able to mount a major threat to any other major power.

In many ways, Ferguson makes the same points that Noam Chomsky so numbingly expounds, but unlike Chomsky, Fergsuon is a good writer and, as noted above, he LIKES the idea of an American Empire. He just wishes we would do a better job of it than we have so far.

Although Ferguson is a good writer, the book shows signs of having been put together rather hurriedly.

There are two major weaknesses in Ferguson's argument. The first is a conceptual one, and it applies not only to this book but to Ferguson's work in general, illustrated by his interest in "counterfactual" history. The historian's primary duty is to TELL US WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. That is usually a very difficult task, more than sufficient for most historians. Ferguson is more interested in telling us what COULD happen in the future, or what COULD HAVE happened in the past, if only such and such had happened. Thus Ferguson easily slips into wishful thinking and sloppy analysis, as in the looseness of his definition of "empire" at the very beginning of the book.

The second major weakness, and I consider it a very serious one, is that he never asks the first question an American would ask: What's in it for America? A case can be made, as it was by Woodrow Wilson in 1918, that America's security depends on the spread of democracy and freedom around the world. This is a debatable concept. Some would say that we would be more secure if we just minded our own business, or if we became Socialist. In any case, this is the most important aspect of the whole issue, in my opinion, one that Ferguson hardly considers. In the end, therefore, "Colossus", while an interesting read, is rather pointless.

Anti-Imperial Empire, Anti-Historical History.......2005-06-09

I find it difficult to nail down whatever point Niall Ferguson is trying to make here, and must conclude that this is an academic exercise that does not succeed. A British scholar's take on America's imperial behavior can be useful, and he does come up with a few great insights on how empires operate now and in the past. For example, there is plenty of evidence that America's behavior around the world is that of an empire, even though our politicians and population refuse to admit it, while we don't have the will or fortitude to occupy and administer countries for the many years that are necessary for our own "regime change" missions to succeed. Unfortunately, these few solid points are lost in Ferguson's awkward attempts to apply his area of expertise, financial history, to world politics.

Large portions of the book are devoted to a mostly economic history of the old British Empire and the current European Union, representing longwinded and unsuccessful attempts to draw comparisons with modern America. These actually defeat Ferguson's main thesis by focusing on what empires have done wrong in the past. Ferguson relies on a parade of selective and inconclusive economic statistics, including some supremely useless figures like the percentage of Yale graduates working abroad or the average cost per acre of old American territorial purchases. What this really boils down to is that Ferguson has an economic/financial explanation for all historical processes. For example, he summarily dismisses colonialism as an explanation for Africa's problems, tossing aside a universe of knowledge (such as the illogical forcing of nation-state structures on tribal peoples or the use of weak nations as pawns in the Cold War) in favor of an easy explanation concerning spendthrift dictators.

Ferguson also myopically uses finance as his basic interpretation of current events. For example, the fact that Halliburton's share price has recently declined apparently makes the control of Iraq's oil a non-factor in current American operations there. Furthermore, Ferguson believes in the supposed miracle of free trade (including, despicably, the free international movement of exploitable migrant labor) as the utopian cure for all the world's problems, as if the flow of cash and consumer goods can overcome vast issues of culture, religion, and politics. This is ideology, not historical analysis, and it goes hand in hand with the most problematic aspect of Ferguson's thesis - the underlying contention that stronger imperial behavior by the Unites States, as an economic empire, will be advantageous for all of the world's problematic regions. With its unsuccessful economic interpretations of history and dismissal of modern realities of war and culture, this book ultimately defeats itself. [~doomsdayer520~]

Niall Ferguson does it again.......2005-05-29

Ferguson eloquently and effectively delivers to his reader the argument for an American Empire in the 21st century. Emphasizing the role of this empire to be one that promotes democracy and openness or liberalism in the world much like the British Empire that fought the Slave Trade in the 19th century. Additionally, he explains the history of American and some parts of British Foreign Policy in his work. Moreover, he discusses the rise of the European union and what it means for America and the rest the world. Finally, he writes floridly, and beautifully. Even if you do not like the topic, or his views you will admire his style of writing and the vocabulary he employs with great success. I strongly recommend reading Colossus without any reservation.

Colossus: The Price of America's Empire.(Book review) : An article from: Parameters

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Colossus: The Price of America's Empire.(Book review) : An article from: Parameters
William J. Gregor
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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This digital document is an article from Parameters, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2006. The length of the article is 1049 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Colossus: The Price of America's Empire.(Book review)
Author: William J. Gregor
Publication: Parameters (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Page: 133(3)

Article Type: Book review

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Colossus: the Price of America's Empire.(Book Review): An article from: The Cato Journal

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Colossus: the Price of America's Empire.(Book Review): An article from: The Cato Journal
Christopher Preble
Manufacturer: Cato Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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This digital document is an article from The Cato Journal, published by Cato Institute on September 22, 2004. The length of the article is 1319 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Colossus: the Price of America's Empire.(Book Review)
Author: Christopher Preble
Publication: The Cato Journal (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 2004
Publisher: Cato Institute
Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Page: 386(3)

Article Type: Book Review

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Pheasant Days
Chris Dorsey
Manufacturer: Voyageur Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0896582590

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An evaluation of pheasant stocking through the day-old chick program in Wisconsin (Technical bulletin)
Carroll D Besadny
Manufacturer: Wisconsin State Conservation Dept
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007EEQPY

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Opening day of the 1976 put-take pheasant season (Report / Michigan. Wildlife Division)
Victor S Janson
Manufacturer: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00071RDC0

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Sexing day-old game pheasant chicks (Danish review of game biology)
Holger Madsen
Manufacturer: Vildtbiologisk Station
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007J404Q

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A simple method of sexing day-old ringneck pheasant chicks (Pennsylvania. Game Commission. Research circular)
Roger Marion Latham
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania Game Commission
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0007FXLXQ

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