Reviews (2)

I agree with the above review
The authors of this book are truely using this "text" as a platform to preach their ideals.The authors about how unfair the U.S. system is and how it is going to change to conform to their views (this will never happen)is sickening.
Not as textbook, but a liberal manifesto
As a Criminal Justice instructor who has reviewed this text (and almost had to use it) I cannot recommend this book.It portends to be a book about solutions, when in fact it essentially attacks every aspect of policing and the criminal justice system as it exists today, and the only solutions it provides are from the left to far left.There is no balance of opinion, no counter-point, and absolutely no effort on the part of the authors to inform students that they are in fact only getting one side of the issue.Far too often do I see this approach by liberal writers and educators: attempting to pass off their out of the mainstream ideas as fact.College is a marketplace of ideas, discussion, and debate.However, this book turns the debate into a one sided discussion on how awful and wholly without merit the current system is.I am not one as a CJ educator that believes we are to be cheerleaders for law enforcement.However, we do need to present the good with the bad, and this book would do nothing but discourage would-be law enforcement professionals.If the goal is to make such persons believe the profession they are about to enter into is completely corrupt and without merit, this is the "test" to use.If forced to use this book, I would suggest supplementing it with articles or texts that offer a counterpoint.That is, if you are interested in giving your students both sides of the issue - which I believe we as educators are charged to do, not just simply indoctrinate them with the opinions of those with whom you might agree.This book is nothing more than an attempt to indoctrinate, not foster intelligent debate and discussion on the topics contained therein. A candidate for zero stars, if that choice were available. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Criminology    4. Criminology (General)    5. Jurisprudence    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Police Science    8. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Crime & criminology    12. Law / Jurisprudence    13. USA   

Reviews (5)

time-tested excellence
I remember getting an earlier rendition of this book when I was in grade school, and now while in law school, it still comes in handy. If you are in any class or position where you need to write letters, compositions or just about anything else, you need this book. It will tell you when to use what word, when not to use what word, and is easy to use. Can't beat it!

Great reference, very friendly.
The Redbook is a great have-by-your-side manual for legal or other writing.

Should be on all attorneys' book shelves
As a gramarian and etymologist by avocation, my tastes are a bit weird.Maybe that's why I actually enjoyed reading this bookcasually.Each of Garner's books belongs on the bookshelf of any attorney who considers himself a professional.My pet peeve is the attorney who I know is writing to impress the reader with his writing skills as opposed to the attorney who is writing to persuade the reader.The former will not have Garner's books in his library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Law    3. Legal composition    4. Reference    5. Terminology    6. United States    7. Jurisprudence & General Issues    8. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Financial    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business Law    5. Business/Economics    6. Law / Business   

Reviews (9)

Extremely Useful
I'm starting my second year of law school. I got this book near the end of my first year, and it proved to be an invaluable tool for editing journals and working for law firms over the summer. I wish I had this earlier.
The Best
This is, by far, the single best resource on legal usage one can buy.I never cease to be amazed at how often I pull this book off of my shelf to find it giving me a clear and accurate answer to a usage question.I purchased this book several years ago after attending one of Garner's legal writing seminars.That seminar and this book have dramatically improved my legal writing skills.Those two tools positively influence my writing every single day.If you follow Garner's advice and guidance, you will eliminate deadening and condescending legalese from your legal writing and replace it with clear and concise prose.My clients appreciate receiving contracts that are actually readable and my contracts are less frequently subject to alternative interpretations because ambiguities are largely eliminated.As a lawyer or paralegal, do yourself a favor and buy this book.Better yet, buy this book and take Garner's Advanced Legal Drafting seminar.You won't regret it.

Superb Work
This is a must-have and a must-read by all who use the English language professionally, including attorneys, journalists, teachers, etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries & Terminology    2. Dictionaries - General    3. Law    4. Law (General)    5. Reference    6. Jurisprudence & General Issues    7. Law / Dictionaries & Terminology    8. Law | Legal Writing, Skills & Methods    9. Reference works   

Editorial Review

During Mobutu Sese Seko's 30 years as president of Zaire (now the Congo), he managed to plunder his nation's economy and live a life of excess unparalleled in modern history. A foreign correspondent in Zaire for six years, Michela Wrong has plenty of titillating stories to tell about Mobutu's excesses, such as the Versailles-like palace he built in the jungle, or his insistence that he needed $10 million a month to live on. However, these are not the stories that most interest Wrong. Her aim is to understand Read more

Reviews (42)

Somewhat interesting, but poorly written
A number of the reviewers sum this up quite adequately.The is not at all scholarly and is a jumbled mess of vignettes.I give it 3 because there are so few books written on the subject and because she tried to be balanced in her reporting.This seems to be a very long winded news article with little depth and real insight.Just a mass of reporting on insignificant experiences she encountered rather than a serious recount of the history.Dissappointed and trying to slog through for any nuggets of insight.Even the brief recount of Congo/Belgium in "The Scramble for Africa" was a much better treatment of the subject, albeit solely focused on Belium's colonial period.

Just OK
What a fascinating subject! I couldn't wait to read this book. I'm sorry to say I was a little disappointed when I put it down, however. This book is an updated version of the memoirs that 19th-early 20th century European and American explorers turned out. After spending some time in the DRC as a journalist, the author seems to believe that her rather brief and privileged experience there puts her in a unique position to tell the world what is "wrong" with the country and its people. Instead of meaningful research and interviews, she presents an endless supply of sketches that render almost all of the events and characters who pass through her pages cartoonish (if memorable). Although I found the book interesting and a fun read, I can't say I found much insight into the DRC or its people and the writer's patronizing tone toward her subject annoyed me.

not as good as King Leopold's ghost, but still worth the read...
After reading King Leopold's Ghost, I was looking for a good synopsis of what happened in the post-colonial era.After a few weeks of searching, I settled on In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz. Both were fascinating books that give great insight on the problems with the Congo.Both are written in a style that is highly readable, entrhalling and at the same time informative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. Government - Comparative    3. History    4. History & Theory - General    5. History: World    6. Political    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations   

Reviews (8)

Good organization but disappointing content
The organization of the work is excellent and many of the chapters (including those written by John Baylis) were clear, concise, and easy for a graduate class to follow.Unfortunately, other selections in the work are diffuse, rambling, or awkwardly-written.Moreover, despite an attempt to provide a balanced perspective on whether globalization is actually occurring, the work tends to support the globalization argument without providing strong evidence.Baylis' brilliant initial chapter actually presents a plausible case against globalization.Finally, despite the importance of nationalist and religious-based ideologies in motivating transnational behavior, these concepts receive less coverage than, for example, feminist theories.I had to construct an entire unit on Christian and Islamic principles of transnational relations from supplementary materials.Although I might assign Baylis' first chapter as required reading, the quality of the writing in the remaining 400+ pages is too inconsistent to be a good text.

Great piece of academic work
This book helped me understand my initial international relations module at college. It is concise, informative and provides detailed analysis of key issues, and sets out typologies on how best to understand international issues.

I belive it is fantastic
I�m a master degree student from Colombia. I was searching an international relations book focused in globalization matters and I found it. It is very clear, easy to understand. I�m very happy to pourchased it. I recommend you ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Globalization    2. Government - Comparative    3. International Relations - General    4. Political Process - General    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. International relations    9. Political Science / International Relations    10. Politics | International Studies   

Reviews (4)

Fighting the good fight.
Darrow takes the reader through some of his most famous cases and explains the philosophy with which he approached his career and the law in general. Any reader interested in the history of the period should find his accounts fascinating: Eugene Debs, John P. Altgeld, the MacNamara Case, the Loeb-Leopold murders, and the famous Scopes"monkey trial" case are just some of the points touched upon in the Darrow autobiography.
Pessimist by Profession
Interesting for style as well as insight into courtroom tactics, psychology of jurors, crime and muckraking.His basic premise about jurors: If he can get them to imagine, he can get them to doubt.So his approach, always personal, was perpetually appealing to imagination.It worked, mostly, even when clients were guilty.It's his reliance on reason that makes him a skeptic.Causation is the basis of his world and personal views. Seeing the effect of the law, he argues that judging is worse than judgement, and he would dispense with both.He is at some pain to describe what he gave up to plead, rather than the life he gained by it.His seriousness can be attributed to the injustices he saw, effects he attributes more to chance than choice.He espouses the theory of continental drift, in 1939! A sharp mind interested in everything.As he says himself, if he had to do it over, . . . he'd have been a scientist.

A Must Read Book for Lawyers-Want-to-Be
This book successfully captured the life of Clarence Darrow, who is no doubt one of the greatest attorneys of the early 20th century.His abilities to defend the indefensible are most extrordinary.I will certainly recommend this book to anyone espeically pre-law or law school students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1857-1938    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Darrow, Clarence,    6. General    7. Lawyers    8. United States    9. Biography: general    10. Darrow, Clarence    11. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    12. USA   

Reviews (6)

Another handsome collection of writings from El Sup
Without a doubt, Subcomandante Marcos is one of the most important present day writers and activists in the Americas. "Our Word is Our Weapon" is a huge collection of his essays and short stories about the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas.As such, I highly recommend it for peace and justice activists engaged in Latin American solidarity work, the anti-corporate globalization movement and indigenous struggles. Moreover, it is an interesting study of grassroots participatory democracy in action. Read it and be inspired!

The man is a myth
Subcomandante Marcos is not just a man, he is a myth in his own lifetime. The cult of personality that surrounds him is completely deserved. His poetic voice is so sharp and poignant you can not help but feel sympathetic for his Zapatistan cause.
A movement of Now.
Too often those of us who seek social justice for people who have been traditionally oppressed tend to just reminisce on the past.Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - Comparative    2. Latin America - Mexico    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. History / Latin America   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Law    3. Legal Profession    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Legal Research    6. Legal Writing    7. Legal composition    8. Research    9. United States    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Foreign trade regulation    4. Free trade    5. General Agreement on Tariffs a    6. Government - Comparative    7. International    8. International - General    9. International Relations - Trade & Tariffs    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Regionalism    13. World Trade Organization    14. Economics    15. International trade    16. Law    17. Political Science / International Relations / Trade & Tariffs    18. Political Science and International Relations    19. Trade agreements & tariffs   

Reviews (1)

Brainy prof painlessly debunks gridlock assumptions
I had very low expectations, to be sure. All said and done, however, this is a v. fine book, considering that my brother-in-law wrote it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Law    4. Law and politics    5. Legislation    6. Political Process - Political Parties    7. Political aspects    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Public    12. Separation of powers    13. United States    14. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law    15. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    16. Political Science / Political Parties    17. Political structure & processes    18. USA   

Reviews (1)

juvenile delinquency a sociological approach
excelent. I am interest to read this book, because it that can made me seriouslly to anticipation juvenile delinquency, especially about kid behavior. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Juvenile Delinquency    3. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Sociology Of Youth    8. United States    9. Violence in Society    10. Juvenile offenders    11. Law / Jurisprudence   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Government - Comparative    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. International Relations - General    7. Political History    8. Political Science    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Russia (Federation)    11. Russia - History    12. European studies    13. Political Science / International Relations    14. Russia   

Reviews (16)

Nothing you probably already didn't know
I tend to agree with "PNC2007" on that this is a very generic book on law school admissions and survival.I'm not a law school student (yet) that's why I was looking for some information.Like many For Dummies books, the book tries to be humorous and claims to give you the "insider secrets," but there's really absolutely nothing "secret" about what the author dispenses in way of advice.Want to get into a good law school?She says you need a high LSAT score, a high GPA, a good essay, and good recommendations.Duh.Don't we already know this?I mean, if you didn't already know this, you really shouldn't be even thinking about attending law school.The author spends two or three chapters letting you in on some studying tips.You know what?These ain't tips; they just tell you to "do your homework; organize your studying schedules; study hard."Duh, again.If the message is that law school is really tough, you don't need a 350-page book peppered with bogus humor to learn that.
Regal Legal Boook
John Ventura gives very strong and detailed information for many legal wheelings and dealings.He covers may situations the average person might find him/herself in, and the majority of this book is outstanding.The only problem is that I try to absorb all this knowledge, but it's so detailed that you have to read it more than once to keep it in your head.

Good read, but should look into other topics...
This book was a good read.It will help calm your nerves before entering the first year of law school.Law 101 was also and excellent book.However, in retrospect, I would concentrate on learning about getting a job (resumes, interviewing, cover letters.)You will be expected start this right around finals time of your first semester.Most people were worried about their first finals and got a late start on this.It is easy to fall behind and once you are there it is difficult to catch up.Most people found that the job search was last on the priority list until after first year classes were over.You will be well ahead of the game if you are prepared for a job search.It will allow you to concentrate more on studying.While the first sumeer jobs aren't crucial they can provide good experience for landing second summer jobs.Also, reading about different law specialties is a good idea.You don't have to know what you want to do going into law school but the sooner you have a direction the better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. General    3. Graduate Departments And Schools    4. Higher    5. Law    6. Law (General)    7. Law schools    8. Law students    9. Legal Education    10. Legal Reference / Law Profession    11. Students & Student Life    12. Study and teaching    13. United States    14. Advice on careers & achieving success    15. Education / Students & Student Life    16. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    17. Study & learning skills    18. USA    19. Universities / polytechnics   

Subjects:  1. Business & Financial    2. Business Law    3. Corporate    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Law / Business   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Construction Management    4. Construction contracts    5. Engineering - Civil    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Management - General    8. Taxation    9. United States    10. Building construction & materials    11. English law: environment law    12. English law: planning law    13. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    14. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (1)

A Must Read for Any China Watcher
I am fortunate enough to have been a student of Professor Peerenboom's at the UCLA School of Law where he practically teaches the contents of this book in his Comparative Law: China course.Read more

Subjects:  1. China    2. General    3. International    4. Jurisprudence    5. Law    6. Law reform    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Rule of law    9. International Law    10. Jurisprudence & General Issues    11. Law / Jurisprudence    12. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law   

Subjects:  1. Jurisprudence    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Methodology    5. Philosophy    6. Rule of law    7. Foundations of law    8. Law / Jurisprudence    9. Law | Jurisprudence and Legal Philosophy   

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

Reviews (1)

Classroom keeper
This is a great overview of the five main areas of law and a number of real-life legal relationships with which we all should be familiar.It also has good case studies and assignments.A teacher's manual isavailable.Most of my students keep the book rather than resell it; thatis high praise for this above-average-price textbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Law    2. Legal Reference / Law Profession    3. Practical Guides    4. Reference    5. United States    6. Business law    7. Commercial law    8. Law / Business    9. USA