Book Description
In the tradition of Jon KrakauerÂ's Into the Wild and Peter JenkinsÂ's Looking for Alaska, a riveting adventure story of one manÂ's passion to understand and protect the grizzly bear—and his last foolhardy, violent encounter with one
Ursus arctos horribilis, commonly known as the grizzly or brown bear, is one of the most feared animals on the planet. As its most outspoken protector, Timothy Treadwell tirelessly sought to overturn the perception of grizzlies as dangerously aggressive. It was therefore a media sensation when in October 2003 Treadwell and his girlfriend were fatally mauled by a bear in AlaskaÂ's Katmai National Park, the first such attack in the park in eighty-five years. The horrifying audiotape of TreadwellÂ's final, frantic screams begged the question: How could this happen?
In The Grizzly Maze, Nick Jans, who for years has written expertly and lyrically about the Alaskan wilderness, ventures to answer this question. Based on exclusive access to the killing site and his own and otherÂ's expert knowledge of Alaskan bears, Jans plots out TreadwellÂ's final expedition and encounter with the grizzly. In doing so, Jans provides a moving and complex portrait of the man known as the “Bear Whisperer,” whose controversial ideas earned him the scorn of hunters, the adoration of some animal lovers, and the skepticism of naturalists. The Grizzly Maze also offers a definitive, close-up look at bears, bear behavior, and our complicated relationship with them. It promises to be the blockbuster adventure read of the season.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book That Demonstrates What we Should NOT Do In Bear Country.......2007-03-04
There is no denying that this is an well written book, that does a great job of explaining the events that led up to Timothy Treadwell's death by the animals he loved.
Many people comment on how he lived his life the way he wanted and that alone justifies his actions.
In reality Timothy endangered not only himself but every other person who may have come in contact with these bears. He conditioned them not only to the presence of humans, but he reacted to them in ways that another person may not. In that case the bear could have interpreted the different action as hostile, and we would have had another mauled or dead person. Just like a visitor at Yellowstone who leaves open food contaniers at the campsite teaches bears that humans are a source of food, Timothy took away any natural fear the bears had of humans. That cost him his life.
Bears are wild animals, capable of killing. They should be respected and admired, but anything that conditions bears to the presence of people should be avoided.
This is a great book to try to understand Timothy but it is also a testament that wild, dangerous things need to be respected.
my hikes will never be the same..............2007-02-08
What a great book, informative, intersting and very well written.
Great job Nick!
As an avid hiker (from Juneau) I never even took a stick with me in the past and have seen many bears over the years.
Once I hiked a trail that had not been maintained anymore and ended up in a meadow full of recently used "nests" and plenty of poop.
I turned around and left, but never knew how dangerous this place could have been until I read the book.
I will change my (hiking-)ways for sure!
This book is a must for any outdoor enthusiast in bear country.
A Riveting love story of a man and the bears he adored.......2007-01-30
I loved this book. I am into nature reading and just stumbled across this book. It is a thriller to say the least and I read it in just a couple of days and could not put it down. Now I find myself seeking out everything I can find to read and hear about Timothy Treadwell. The author does a fairly neutral commentary on his story although slightly on the negative side. I have to say I did not come away with anger towards Timothy Treadwell, but a deep admiration of someone who did what he loved and tried to contribute something to the world. The information at the end regarding bear attacks I would think would be invaluable to persons that are wilderness people. It is very detailed and easy to understand. This book was very much an emotional experience for me and I am still grieving for Tim and Amy's deaths even though I never knew them. Even though I have no anger at all towards Tim, I do towards the so called overeducated experts who instead of rejecting Tim could have tried harder (in my opinion) to pull him in and help him. This might could have saved his life if he had gotten more support rather than just snobby rejection. I wish I could have met Timothy Treadwell. Although, I have doubts about his mental stability, he did have passion and that is rare in today's world.
"Animal Protection" Gone Awry.......2007-01-04
I found this book to be a real page-turner. Timothy Treadwell imagined himself to be a protector of bears, when in reality he was a great danger to them. He had access to a great deal of professional help and advice but unfortunately considered himself to be the greatest authority of all. Anyone who has the tiniest inkling to research bears versus human behavior would find out quickly that habituating bears to humans is anathema to both, at the least. View the DVD "Grizzly Man", and read this book to see a disturbed man destroying not only his own life but the life of another, innocent, human and possibly many bears.
Read with Confidence.......2006-09-05
Being a nature photographer but quite unfamiliar with bears, it was with great interest that I read comments in an on-line forum about Grizzly Man, Tim Treadwell, a Californian who went to Alaska for 13 summers to be with the brown bears on the Katmai coast. He raised California and Colorado money to fund these summers with the bears and foxes and subsequent programs for school kids. I had never heard of Timothy Treadwell or Amie H., the person who camped with him part of that final summer in 2003, until reading the threads and digging in to find out more. But the news of their hardships, ambiguous relationships with themselves and the bears, and subsequent shocking deaths as told by Alaskan writer-photographer Nick Jans in "The Grizzly Maze" was hard to put away. The book is a thriller, not only for what we learn about Ursus but that the reader, from a safe distance, can imagine the situation so clearly.
Nick Jans has a way with words. Whether morbid or having to do with human motivation, he cleanly lays out information but then turns around and presents the other sides or another plausible angle. There's all the possibility for a tangled mess in this maze, but the author leads clearly and we follow without getting lost. That's a neat feat. He has the ability to ask the questions we are thinking; yes, every one. Just as we're about to ask the next question, he asks it for us. It's as if Jans can read the reader.
For example, we wonder and he asks, "Why?" Who in their right minds would willingly camp at the crossroads of ancient bear trails, especially at the end of the season when bears were making final attempts to do what bears do, eat and den away in fat oblivion for the winter? On the other hand, given one's choices, who wouldn't exercise absolute ultimate control in their own life, living freely where and when possible, answering to few people until something better comes along? The answers are too complex; it may seem a bit too easy for some to say, "Only a crazy would do something like that."
The book is packed with facts, but beyond that, we watch with fascination as other humans go about picking up the pieces after the attack, literally and figuratively. Nick has the ability to let us see where we're going or why he took us somewhere. He knows some of us are plain stupid around bears but by the end of the book, we're with him for what he has to tell us about bears and those who seek them out. I never distrusted the author's style for leaving me hanging or hitting me over the head, so for those who really want to know all that is known about what went on there, you can read with confidence in "The Grizzly Maze."
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The Complete Veterans' Benefits Manual
Virgil Fernandez
Manufacturer: VFJ Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Veterans
| United States
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Consumer Guides
| Reference
| Subjects
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ASIN: 0967587603 |
Book Description
Material for this book was obtained from the VA, & other federal & state agencies. This detailed book covers both Federal & State Benefits for veterans and dependents. Included is complete information on all veterans' benefits including VA Loans, Education, Disability, Health, Burial, etc. As well as, chapters for Gulf War, Women, Older & Homeless Veterans. Also, the states' veterans' programs & the Veteran Organizations which help veterans and dependents.
Product Description
This unique book and CD-ROM set combines our new ring-bound book reproduction of the government guide, 2007 Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents and additional material, with our comprehensive and updated 65,000 page two CD-ROM set on every aspect of veterans affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The book describes federal benefits available to veterans and their dependents, with information on eligibility, special groups outside of wartime service, important documents, health care benefits and enrollment, priority groups, financial information required, health care programs, disability compensation, POWs, vocational rehabilitation and employment, children of Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects, education and training, Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), life insurance, survivor benefits, homeless, overseas benefits, small and disadvantaged businesses, appeals, workplace benefits, VA facilities, Montgomery GI Bill, Summary of VA Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Personnel. The two CD-ROMs presents an enormous library of federal government documents and publications covering all aspects of veterans benefits and the VA, the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some of the topics covered by this material include: * Compensation * Pensions * Education Programs, GI Bill, Training Programs * Home Loan Guaranty * Life Insurance * Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment * Survivors' and Dependents' Benefits * Medical Care and the VA Hospital System * Disability Programs * Service-connected Disabilities * Transition Assistance * Alternative Dispute Resolution * Benefits Timetables * Burial and Plot Allowances, Burial Flag * National Cemetery Administration * Death Pension Benefits * Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) * Forms * Health Benefits * Jobs and Business Programs * Reservists * Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) * Board of Veterans Appeals * Women Veterans * Fourteen Reports on Special Veterans' Heal
Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive electronic book on two CD-ROMs presents an enormous library of federal government documents and publications covering all aspects of veterans benefits and the VA, the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some of the topics covered by this material include: * Compensation * Pensions * Education Programs, GI Bill, Training Programs * Home Loan Guaranty * Life Insurance * Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment * Survivors' and Dependents' Benefits * Medical Care and the VA Hospital System * Disability Programs * Service-connected Disabilities * Transition Assistance * Alternative Dispute Resolution * Benefits Timetables * Burial and Plot Allowances, Burial Flag * National Cemetery Administration * Death Pension Benefits * Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) * Forms * Health Benefits * Jobs and Business Programs * Reservists * Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) * Board of Veterans Appeals * Women Veterans * 2007 Edition of VA s Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents Phone Numbers, Facilities, General Eligibility, Documents Needed for Claims, Acronyms, Enrollment, Priority Groups, Health Registries, Readjustment Counseling Services, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids, Mental Health Care Treatment, Outpatient Dental Treatment, Pharmacy Services, Nursing Home Care, Presumptive Conditions for Disability, Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments, Combat-related Special Compensation, Eligibility for Disability Pension, Improved Disability Pension, Payment Rates, Protected Pension Programs, Medal of Honor Pension, Montgomery GI Bill, VEAP, VA Life Insurance, Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, Traumatic Injury Protection, Family coverage, Funeral Honors, Headstones and Markers, Reserve and National Guard, Outreach to Homeless, Living or Traveling Overseas * Fourteen Reports on Special Veterans' Health Issues - including Agent Orange, Caring for War Wounded, Cold Injury, Infectious Diseases of Iraq and Afghanistan, Gulf War,
Product Description
This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM provides a fantastic collection of official Federal government documents and publications about Agent Orange and its health effects on Vietnam veterans, including material from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense. Every aspect of the issue is fully covered. Approximately 20 million gallons of herbicides were used in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 to remove unwanted plant life and leaves which otherwise provided cover for enemy forces during the Vietnam Conflict. Shortly following their military service in Vietnam, some veterans reported a variety of health problems and concerns which some of them attributed to exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a comprehensive program to respond to these medical problems and concerns. The principal elements of this program include quality healthcare services, disability compensation for veterans with service-connected illnesses, scientific research and outreach and education. Some contents include: Association with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Extension of Benefits, Agent Orange General Information and Agent Orange Information Bulletin, Veterans Benefits for those exposed to Agent Orange, Agent Orange Handbook, Veterans Health Initiative (VHI) Agent Orange, DoD Report on Herbicides Used Outside of Vietnam, Agent Orange Registry, Disability Compensation and Benefits, Health Conditions Recognized for Service Connection Disability Related to Agent Orange, Where to Get Help, Complete Series of Fact Sheets including Research Updates, Legal Decisions, Recognition of Conditions, Health Care Eligibility, Birth Defects, Chloracne, Lymphoma, Sarcomas, Neuropathy, Hodgkins Disease, Porphyria Cutanea tarda, myelomas, respiratory cancers, spina bifida, diabetes, and much more.
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Veterans Benefits: The Complete Guide
Keith D. Snyder ,
Richard E. O'Dell , and
Craig Kubey
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Intelligence & Espionage
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Social Services & Welfare
| Poverty
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0062731467 |
Book Description
An essential resource that eliminates the confusion that can separate vets and their families from the benefits to which they are entitled.
Product Description
Helpful post-WWII guide for veterans. Military; Veterans; Benefits.
Book Description
In his most recent State of the Union Address, President Bush called upon Congress to enact legislation that would extend the time-limited provisions of the controversial anti-terror law known as the Patriot Act (they are scheduled to expire on December 31st, 2005). Championed by Attorney General John Ashcroft and approved by Congress in the fearful aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Patriot Act has been cast by its critics as the greatest threat to our civil liberties since the Alien and Sedition Acts or the suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War. Yet, as Amitai Etzioni argues, 'any reasonable deliberation about our national security is the recognition that we face two profound commitments: protecting our homeland and safeguarding our rights.'
In this short book, Etzioni, the well-known and respected public intellectual and communitarian thinker, charts a middle course, or third way 'between those who are committed to shore up our liberties but blind to the needs of public security, as well as those who never met a right they are not willing to curtail to give authorities an even freer hand.' This book will prove a useful guide for citizens looking for a thought provoking, well-reasoned and sober analysis of one of the hot button issues of our time.
Customer Reviews:
The Best They Can Do.......2007-03-11
As compelling as it may seem, the "Geniuses" in Washington have come up with a whopper of a lie this time. "We need to spy on otherwise law abiding citizens to secure our nation". At the same time we get what we deserve, because we as a nation have become complacent. We seem to feel the folks in Washington will ensure our Constitutional rights. After all they took an oath to do so-right?
This author opens up the whole can of worms, tells us just exactly what the government is snooping in. What you do on-line, which web-sites you visit, how much money is in your savings account, and whether or not your check book is overdrawn. Wow! They also want to know if you have a library card, and what books you read if you have one, and listen in on your call home to mother. All in the name of security. At least that is what they say. We cannot, or wiil not secure our "Swiss Cheese Borders", or secure our ports, but we can listen in on your phone call, just because we can.
This author explains the shadeness of National Security, and how the government will use any excuse to spy on its citizens. At the same time it does appear we are asleep. Why just last week it was revealed the FBI has been doing just what the alarmist said they would do with this power, over step the boundaries, and dig into the business of the innocent. You know what we heard was only about 20% of the whole picture.
If this book does not remind you of the Secret Police in some Commmunist nations I do not know what will. Take the Government, and pair it with the likes of Choice Point, or Axiom, and how much information collectively they have on the average American, and we may as well be walking around naked in public.
For an eye opening look at just what we as Americans have given up in the name of Security, read this very revealing book, and make up your own mind, as to whether or not this remains the land of the "FREE".
The Most Precious Thing We Have Is Our Freedom.......2005-06-19
America is about our freedom. It is the most important thing we have. The slogan on the New Hampshire license tells how very important our freedom is. It reads "Live Free or Die." If the American people allow fear to change their thinking - it will be a very sad day. Fear of terrorism could very well be far more dangerous to us than actual terrorism.
The tragedy of 9/11 is far more than the terrible suicide attack of that day. The greatest tragedy could be in our own hands. If the American people give up their freedoms to the government for the illusion of safety from terrorism it would be a huge tragedy. The worst terrorism in history has always been committed by out-of-control governments such as what happened in Russia and Germany in the last 100 years. American People, do not ever give up your freedoms to the government such as some of the provisions in the patriot act that give away your freedom. The entire vitality of the American experience has been and always will be, if we are to stay vital, the placing of individual freedom as the most important value in the land. No amount of marginal illusionary additional security gained by giving up our freedoms could ever be worth it as we would watch the destruction of the vitality of our land.
Comments on How Patriotic is the Patriot Act?.......2005-03-12
On Amitai Etzioni's How Patriotic is the Patriot Act?: Freedom versus Security in the Age of Terrorism, comments by Robert B. Smith, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Patrick Henry proclaimed, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Amitai Etzioni asks: If you are dead, what good is liberty? He then assesses the trade-offs between stricter governmental security measures designed to prevent deaths due to terrorists, and the consequences of these measures for reducing freedom. Drawing upon interpretations of the fall of Germany's Weimar Republic (pp. 12-14), Etzioni suggests that governmental ineffectiveness will precipitate a breakdown of democracy. To preserve its legitimacy after 9/11, the US government needed to effectively combat terrorism; the Patriot Act, with all its flaws and restrictions on liberty (p. 9), was designed as a means to that end.
An alternative interpretation of the breakdown of democracy in the Weimar Republic explains the reasons for governmental ineffectiveness as the result of the polarization between the far Right (the aristocracy, big business, nationalists, and antisemites) and the far Left (communists); all of these groupings denied legitimacy to the Republic at its inception. Their failure to support the Republic prevented effective governmental actions that would minimize the impacts of hyperinflation and unemployment. It was in this environment that Hitler rose to power. He was not elected to office; rather a group of ultra conservatives persuaded the senile von Hindenberg to give Hitler power, which he then used to restrict civil liberties, annihilate Jews, and wage war (Henry Ashby Turner, Jr., Hitler's Thirty Days to Power: January 1933. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1996).
The Patriot Act enables the government to restrict civil liberties in order to provide security, thereby alleviating the public's fears of future terrorist attacks. But governmental agencies can manipulate the climate of fear of terrorists and thus may garner support for tightening restrictions on civil liberties. Etzioni's analysis of public opinion data (pp. 16-21) documents that after 9/11 the apprehensive public wanted security and, unlike Patrick Henry, not death; therefore the public supported restrictions on civil liberties. As time passed, and as their fears abated, the public desired fewer restrictions on freedom. However, the Patriot Act lowered the level of freedom in the US and, apparently, the public has accommodated to this change, believing that that these measures, although they have been somewhat softened, are now at the appropriate level for the US (p. 21). After the threats are removed, rolling back the restrictions on liberty may be difficult because some elites may resist a rollback, and the general public may not sufficiently value liberty (p. 20).
Etzioni advocates a national ID card that would uniquely identify an individual and prevent identity theft. He states: "It is essential to develop reliable means of identification that work both online and offline" (p. 108). Toward this end he develops the following three-phase process: (1) Fortify drivers' licenses by standardizing their design across the states, issuing them only on the basis of appropriate breeder documents, and using technology to ensure that they are authentic (pp. 111-116). (2) Add biometrics -- fingerprints, iris and retina scans, signature recognition, and voice recognition (p. 118). (3) In the future use pure biometrics: "One's finger, face, iris, or some other unique feature will provide all the identification one needs"(p. 119). One should note, however, that fake IDs did not cause the attack of 9/11; zealots with appropriate identification may be willing to undertake suicidal attacks so as to advance their political or religious goals.
The vast majority of fake IDs are either produced by college students who are underage for drinking beer (but not for fighting in Iraq) or by companies catering to this demand (Warren St. John, "In the ID Wars, the Fakes Gain," Fashion & Style section, NY Times, 3/6/05); Richard A. Clarke, NY Times Magazine, 3/6/05, p. 20). The demand for fake IDs would be considerably reduced if the age limit for drinking alcohol were lowered to eighteen and seductive beer advertisements eliminated. These measures would take the profit out of fake ID services, and slow the development of technologies for producing fakes. This change could enhance both liberty and security; these desirable goals are not necessarily in conflict.
Nation building is difficult: it requires the simultaneous development of the economy, the polity, educational and health-related institutions, national identities that transcend the local and idiosyncratic, and a common culture of tolerance. As Etzioni points out, when preconditions for a transition to democracy are sparse, US interventions aimed to accelerate change will have limited effects. He lists both factors facilitating the formation of democracy and the constituting factors enabling a democracy to function. The former include sufficient social and economic development, rule of law, and civility; the latter include political rights, civil rights, transparency, and free, competitive elections (pp. 138-139). Rather than imposing change on a country, which most likely will be resisted by its elites and citizens, Etzioni advocates that the US pursue a restrained approach by working with existing elites, gradually moving them toward sustainable political, economic, and social change (pp. 146-150).
Etzioni's brief book can serve as a model for policy analysis. It deals with an important issue -- the balance between personal freedom and collective security in the age of terrorism; it presents principled analyses and suggestions for change; and it is thoroughly documented and uses empirical data consistent with his interpretations. Etzioni assumes that some restrictions on personal freedom are needed to enhance collective security, especially from terrorists' attacks; he aims to define a centrist position between the extremes. Given that threats to our security may have abated, the centrist position can now move more toward the libertarian pole. Now the key challenge to policymakers is to formulate strategies and programs that would enhance both individual freedom and collective security.
scroll down and read the reviews for yourself.......2004-12-16
In the new book, HOW PATRIOTIC IS THE PATRIOT ACT?: FREEDOM VERSUS SECURITY IN THE AGE OF TERRORISM (Routledge, 2004), a communitarian way of thinking is applied to one of the hottest topics of the day. The author, Dr. Amitai Etzioni, argues that when it comes to national security we face two profound commitments: protecting our homeland and safeguarding our rights. Demonstrating that extremism in the defense of either security or liberty is not a virtue, the book charts a middle course between those who are committed to the preservation of our liberties but blind to the needs of public security and those who are willing to sacrifice our cherished freedoms for the sake of preventing terrorism.
For the unfamiliar, communitarianism is a moderate brand of political and sociological philosophy that seeks to balance rights and responsibilities in our society. Led by Dr. Etzioni, The Communitarian Network actively seeks to engage people in this ongoing discussion of communitarian thought, policy, and society, and very much encourages anyone interested in joining into a dialogue to e-mail the Communitarian Network office at comnet@gwu.edu.
Below are comments from various leaders and scholars about the book.
NADINE STROSSEN
PRESIDENT, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
PROFESSOR OF LAW, NEW YORK LAW SCHOOL
"Amitai Etzioni presents a thoughtful assessment of the controversial post 9/11 measures and proposals that undermine civil liberties in the name of national security. Even for those of us who disagree with some of his conclusions, this book provides valuable insights into the essential task of maximizing safety while minimizing invasions of liberty."
LARRY D. THOMPSON
SENIOR FELLOW, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
"Etzioni has produced a detailed, very thoughtful, balanced but provocative examination of how our nation MUST respond to the very real threat of terrorism. He demonstrates decisively that the notion that we should not increase governmental authority to protect innocent civilians from ruthless terrorists, lest we sacrifice our precious freedoms, is simply based on a false premise."
MARK KNOBLAUCH
BOOK REVIEWER, BOOKLIST
"Etzioni concerns himself less with the Patriot Act itself than with broader questions of how well in a post-9/11 environment American society can protect citizens against terrorist threats without damaging or discarding those individual rights that are the nation's legal hallmarks...Etzioni saves his most profound criticism for current American efforts to build democratic societies in countries lacking either the social or political institutions and traditions within which to build rational orders respectful of individual rights and tolerant of diverse opinion. Readers looking for a rigorous legal encounter with the Patriot Act may be disappointed, but Etzioni has provided a very approachable resource for student essays and debates."
DOUGLAS W. KMIEC
CHAIR OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL COUNCIL TO RONALD REGAN
"This book is very welcome. Dr. Etzioni shows us how to avoid the paired vices anchored in terrorist-induced fear or police state-abetted oppression. It would indeed be cowardly and unpatriotic not to take reasoned steps against the purveyors of hate, but it would be equally rash to under-appreciate the significance of a rule of law that aspires to advance human dignity. Finding the balance between civil liberty and national security requires wisdom, and this volume orients the public debate toward it."
VIET D. DINH
PROFESSOR OF LAW, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
FORMER U.S. ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LEGAL POLICY
"Favoring facts over rhetoric and supporting his analysis with solid research, Etzioni sheds light on debates dominated by heat and smoke. Beyond answering the specific question posed in the title of the book, `How Patriotic is the Patriot Act?' is an indispensable guide in the quest for those elusive policies that make America both safe and free."
PAUL ROSENZWEIG
SENIOR LEGAL RESEARCH FELLOW, THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
"Amitai Etzioni's comprehensive survey of freedom and security issues is iconoclastic and thought-provoking. Breaking the tired paradigm of balancing safety and liberty, Etzioni seeks a third way, grounded in history and in a sense of community. Though many will debate his prescriptions, none should ignore them. This book is must reading for anyone concerned with issues relating to civil liberties and national security."
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - How Liberty is Lost
Chapter 2 - An Overview of Security Measures
Chapter 3 - Privacy and Security in Electronic Communications
Chapter 4 - Public Health and the Threat of Bioterrorism
Chapter 5 - A Case for National ID Cards?
Chapter 6 - The Limits of Nation Building
Senior Advisor to the Carter White House, Dr. Etzioni is currently a University Professor at The George Washington University. To order one of his books (including the recent FROM EMPIRE TO COMMUNITY: A NEW APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS), visit any major bookstore, or go to the Communitarian Network's website at www.communitariannetwork.com. For his most current communitarian musings, visit www.amitai-notes.com/blog/.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Pocket Birding Guide to Southern Florida.......2003-06-06
This is a recent book of 144 pages in length, illustrating over 250 species of birds in 335 full color photographs one might likely see in South Florida . This area is defined by the authors as an area "extending south of route 70, broadly from a line drawn from Fort Pierce to Sarasota, and also includes the Keys and the Dry Tortugas". This book is a handy compendium meant to aid birders, and especially visiting birders, who may not want to carry several field guides or larger tomes while traveling, for use in bird identification.
As a "pocket book" (4" by 7.5"), the authors state that this book is not a complete guide and that other works are needed to compliment it. They proffer other more well known field guides such as the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, (3rd edition) and the ABA/Lane Guide: A Birder's Guide to Florida by Bill Pranty as supplemental reading. Further, the authors realize the limitations of a single photograph of a single species for the use of bird identification. (Cf. the pictures of Northern Rough-winged Swallow or Chimney Swift as examples!) Given the fact that the authors are not resident Florida birders, I feel that they did a very good job of organizing the material as well as making it available in an easy-to-read format. The latter is accomplished through the use of colored corner tabs representing the various avian families. Noted East Coast Florida birder Wally George is credited as having supplied the range and distributional data for the birds of Southern Florida.
Chapters of the book include: Introduction, How to use this book, Birding habitats in southern Florida, Key to corner tabs, Where to find birds in southern Florida, Species descriptions, Glossary, Further reading, Useful addresses and Index. The most useful aspect of this book, in my opinion, is the chapter on birding habitats and the species one may encounter in them. Knowing what can be expected to be seen in a given habitat makes it easier for the birder to maximize one's time birding and the species to be seen, especially in unfamiliar locations.
Another useful aspect of this book is the photographs of several of the "exotics" including psittiscids and mynas one might encounter in South Florida. Rose-ringed Parakeet, Budgerigar and Yellow-headed Parrot are illustrated as well as Common and Hill Mynas. My only wish would be for more psitticid photos such as White-winged and Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, as well as Black-hooded Parakeet and perhaps Monk. Still, some photosof exotics are better than nothing.
The glossary is another useful section of this book, but one can understand its limitations given the books size.
In short, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to add to their library of local bird books covering our area of South Florida. In the field, it is an easy book to put in one's shirt pocket when carrying other larger books is impractical. I would also recommend it to visiting and casual birders with the admonition to supplement it with a more thorough avian treatment such as National Audubon's The Sibley Guide to Birds.
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Death in the Grizzly Maze: The Timothy Treadwell Story
Among Grizzlies: Living with Wild Bears in Alaska
Grizzly Man
Mark of the Grizzly: True Stories of Recent Bear Attacks and the Hard Lessons Learned
Bear Attacks of the Century: True Stories of Courage and Survival
