Reviews (1)

Political Science and Theory
There remains a strong divide in the study of politics between people who consider themselves political scientists and political theorists.When Mansbridge's book first came out, it was praised for demonstrating that onecan do both.And the praise is deserved.Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Crisis intervention (Mental he    3. Crisis intervention (Mental health services)    4. Democracy    5. Local government    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Politics / Current Events    8. United States    9. Vermont    10. Political Science / Civil Rights    11. Political science & theory    12. Political structures: democracy    13. USA   

Reviews (2)

Best ethnography on undocumented aliens ever written
Anthropologist Leo Chavez presents a very descriptive and detailed account that takes readers into the lives and experiences of illegal immigrants living and working in the farms and orchards of San Diego County. Chavez avoids the technical and complex jargon so common among contemporary audiences, so this book will be readable by anyone. Detailed accounts are given concerning peoples' decisions to migrate, their experiences of crossing the border and living in the United States without documentation. Although the entire book is great, the best chapter by far is the Epilogue, where the author contextualizes the lives of undocumented immigrants within the larger political and social environment that has recently sought to crack down on illegal aliens.
A case study of human survial
Chavez provides a clear unbiased look at the harsh and often dangerous life of undocumented immigrants mainly in Southern California.Chavez engages the reader through accurate portrayals of people who remain on the fringes of American society for fear of deportation. Their stories are moving; their tenacity amazing.North American readers will be reminded of just how protected and sheltered they are by the virture of living in America.A must read for anyone trying to understand the complexities of illegal immigration or in the postion to make policy on the topic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. California    5. California, Southern    6. Emigration & Immigration    7. Illegal aliens    8. San Diego County    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Anthropology    12. Civil rights & citizenship    13. Gender studies    14. Immigration & emigration    15. Social Science / Anthropology / General    16. USA   

Reviews (2)

Ten Inspirational Women...
What do Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune and Shirley Chisholm all have in common?They're three of the ten extraordinary African American freedom fighters in Andrea Davis Pinkney's marvelous collection, Let It Shine.These are strong women who didn't just sit back and accept the status quo, but met challenges head on and took action to change the world and make it a better place.These ten dynamic women were never silent, even when they thought no one was listening, faced discrimination, inequality and racism, triumphed in their battles against oppression and for civil rights and inspired those who followed in their footsteps.Told in easy to read, conversational style, each chapter is rich in both anecdotal and historical detail and accompanied by Stephen Alcorn's beautiful and bold oil painting illustrations.Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, Let It Shine also makes a wonderful read-aloud book the entire family can share and enjoy.

Continuing the Legacy
"Let It Shine: The Stories of Ten Black Women Freedom Fighters" is an amazing, entertaining, and educational journey back through time for both children and adults alike.The stories accurately depict the changing face of America for all people.The author, Andrea Davis Pinkney, uses a combination of oral stories and historical facts to re-create the lives of ten African American women "freedom fighters" (a.k.a. civil rights activists.)The descriptive language Pinkney uses keeps the style of the text upbeat and enjoyable.Among the list of women are Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks.However, there is also a presence of many unknown women, such as Shirley Chisholm, an inspirational politician, and Biddy Mason, a one-time slave with never ending generosity.The stories are quite diverse, spanning a history of nearly the entire 20th century.Some of these historical references include the signing of the emancipation proclamation, the peaceful demonstrations of the civil rights movement, and the Democratic Convention of 1968. There is one common, underlying goal of each story- inspiration.From Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad to Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, there is a sublte undertone that promotes and requires action.These women learned that justice comes from not only speaking, but doing.Their stories and successes encourage people of all ages to get up and fight against inequality. The combination of descriptive oral stories and historical facts, along with the colorful illustrations, keep readers of any age interested in this text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American women    2. African American women civil r    3. African American women civil rights workers    4. African Americans    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    7. Biography & Autobiography - Political    8. Biography & Autobiography - Social Activists    9. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    10. Children: Grades 3-4    11. Civil rights    12. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    13. History    14. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    15. Social Science    16. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Blacks    17. Women In The U.S.    18. Women's Studies - General    19. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / People of Color   

Reviews (6)

Mixed-bag
This book is a mixed bag- there are interesting and important arguments for a brand of multi-cultural citizenship, and for the idea that national minorities are morally distinct from immigrant groups.However, there are also serious problems.The historical analysis is often at least somewhat off- it's very odd to make a big deal that 19th centruy liberals supported nationalism w/o noting, at all, that this was largely due to their insidious racism and support for colonialism, even by liberals like Mill.That this isn't even mentioned or considered is a shocking omission.That's just one of many examples.Often the book seems to vastly over-generalize from the Canadian experience, w/o making this clear or noting what's being done.Much of the discussion of immigrant groups doesn't really fit that well w/ the facts, and lacks the sympathetic insight that Kymlicka displays towards national minorities.Several of the main thesies are challanged by the experience of the EU, and no mention of that is made at all.(Some of that is surely due to the book being nearly 10 years old, but even at that time some of the claims about what people want, what's possible, etc. were already being challanged by developments in the EU.)SO, the book should be read and considered, but the arguments are too full of gaps to be anywhere close to convincing now.

A strong argument for multiculturalism
Kymlicka's arguement is both forceful and articulate, making Multicultural Citizenship a valuable work for both specialists and those simply currious about political thought and multiculturalism. While by no means perfect, this book does an admirable and subtle job of reconciling individual and group rights within the context of the liberal-democratic state.

Individual and collective rights
Kymlicka covers the issues related to each of individual and collective rights, as well as comparing them to each other.He provides a really interesting outlook on the ways in which the quest for rights for any group of people can result in conflict.I suppose I like this book so well because it follows my own philosophical view on people claiming rights in general, that at some point if we were to claim all rights we believe we're entitled to, we would eventually come into conflict with someone else's human rights.As such, we must necessarily make sacrifices of some rights in order to live peaceably among all people.Kymlicka doesn't really say that as I do, but much of what he discusses seems to be related to it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History & Theory - General    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Civil rights & citizenship    7. Cultural studies    8. Ethnic studies    9. Immigration & emigration    10. Political Science / Political Ideologies / Conservatism & Liberalism    11. Political science & theory    12. Politics | Political Theory | Political Philosophy   

Reviews (9)

THE book to read!
This book is, undoubtedly, THE best book to read insofar as the history of voting in America.Keyssar writes a fabulous book - meticulously detailing critical historical information - in a manner that is readable and enjoyable.The author does a marvelous job in citing his sources. Don't take it for granted
The Right to Vote: The Contested History of Democracy in the United States should be on your required reading list if you are interested in the history of the democratic experiment in the United States.Alexander Keyssar has produced that most unusual book-both enjoyable and profoundly informative. The Coming of Democracy?
This is a very good history of the right to vote over the course of American history, with some surprises that shouldn't be for those left teary-eyed by the Fourth of July speeches concerning such matters. Democracy has evolved since the beginning of the American experiment, and we should hope that it will continue to do so, to earn its title. Created as a republic in the old-fashioned sense,with conditions of property for eligibility, the slow progression toward 'democracy' begins in the generations after the American Revolution, proceeding briskly yet with severe delimitations, the Civil, Reconstruction, the Second Reconstruction, and the woman's suffrage movement being important by-stations. This account does the job very well of refloatating the shadowy history, ending with a plaintive inspection of the steady retreat of voters from the voting booths. This book could be a useful introduction to the just published book, The Vanishing Voter, and is also, quite apart from its significance for the study of American history, a good companion to the study of the post-Civil War Reconstruction, where the general trend toward democratization actually reversed itself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: American    4. Political History    5. Political Ideologies - Democracy    6. United States - General    7. 20th century    8. American history    9. Civil rights & citizenship    10. Elections & referenda    11. Political structures: democracy    12. USA    13. c 1700 to c 1800    14. c 1800 to c 1900    15. Public Policy/Administration    16. Political Theory    17. American Government    18. American Studies   

Subjects:  1. Democracy    2. Equality    3. General    4. History & Theory - General    5. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    6. Political Freedom & Security - General    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Political Science / General    11. Political science & theory   

Reviews (7)

Joey
Well being young and unexperienced I found this book very helpful, it really opened my eyes to a new way of looking at things. I liked the way most of the information seemed to be first hand, rather than just many assumptions.

Checks and Balances
Reading this book, comprised of info from many sources, I got frankly angered by the way this administration, as well as others in the past, used tragedies and wars to take our freedoms from us and invade our privacy on a whim.I understand some liberties must be sacrificed in times of conflict.The government just after 9-11 was running straight from the executive branch without any checks and balances.Of course who would dispute or bring up civil liberties in times of crisis, obviously not anyone in the courts.People were labeled enemy combatants and contained without right to trial, any proof of guilt, and held months without anyone even knowing their whereabouts.Many were probably guilty, but some were innocent and in the wrong place at the wrong time.Our government wanted to get people to act as spies, surveying their neighborhoods, spying on neighbors, getting your library to turn you in as a terrorist for reading muslim literature or something containing dissent to the govt.Luckily that brilliant plan of ashcrofts has not gone over to will not be tolerated, and should not be tolerated by the citizens that are supposed to be the backbone of our democracy.Very informative book.AMerica must fight to revise this orwellian act that is the patriot act.

Excellent book for understanding the legal issues
I read this book cover-to-cover on a flight from L.A. to New York, and found it both well-written and informative.Indeed, I thought it was such a good survey of the major legal issues in America's war on terrorism that I assigned it as required reading for my American Law & Terrorism seminar at UCLA.Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Essays    3. Political And Civil Rights    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    6. Political Science    7. Political Terrorism    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. September 11 Terrorist Attacks    11. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    12. Terrorism    13. United States    14. War on Terrorism, 2001-    15. Civil rights & citizenship    16. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Political Process - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Race relations    9. United States    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    11. Political Science / General    12. Political science & theory    13. Social groups & communities   

Reviews (28)

Extremes of Fundamentalism
This is an excellent, well researched and documented primer on the aims and tactics of the "Christian" right wing.I put "Christian" in quotes because I cannot believe that Jesus would be anything but horrified and disgusted with what they are trying to do in his name.How anyone can claim to believe that Jesus was the incarnation in human form of a loving God, while vehemently opposing nearly everything Jesus advocated, is beyond me.But the right-wing "Christian" push to turn America into a theocracy, forcing everyone else to live according to their dictates, is a clear and present danger to our religious freedom that everyone should be aware of.Read this book and encourage your friends to read it!

Fundamentals of Extremism: Theocracy in America by Kimberly Blaker
A lot of fascinating work examines the influence of religion and theocracy on government and socialism.Many authors worry about a future filled with religious persecution and totalitarianism. Most of the predictions need more information about the past, including the actual history of theocracy, government and socialism in the United States of America.
A thought-provoking counterpoint
I strongly encourage the thoughtful reader to consider this book alongside any of the sloppily-produced, poorly-edited, "these people are attempting to destroy our country" books produced by the far Christian right, for they are of exactly the same genre, and are born of the same unsympathetic fear of the other.
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Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Political Issues    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity and politics    5. Church and state    6. Fundamentalism    7. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Religion    10. Religion - Socialissues    11. Religion / Fundamentalism    12. Religion, Politics & State    13. Social Science / Women's Studies    14. Sociology of Religion    15. United States    16. Women's Studies - General    17. Christianity    18. Civil rights & citizenship    19. Conservatism    20. Controversial literature    21. Family violence    22. Religion / Church & State    23. Social conditions    24. Women    25. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. History & Theory - General    3. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    4. Political Science    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Civil rights & citizenship    9. Civil society    10. Political Science / General   

Editorial Review

"In a contest of violence against violence," the philosopher Hannah Arendt observed, "the superiority of the government has always been absolute." When confronted with nonviolent resistance on the part of the downtrodden, however, governments have often crumbled--witness the fall of South Africa's apartheid regime and the ousting of Slobodan Milosevic in Yugoslavia. Read more

Reviews (6)

Deserves Six Stars
This is a very important book and deserves consideration for inclusion in ALL history education classes in America, if not the world. Of course, many powers-that-be would be adverse to this subversive idea, since it would in effect, instruct people on how to take control of their own lives out of the hands of malfeasant, greedy politicians and instead empower democracy through democracy, rather than the current American vogue of democracy at the point of a gun. The book describes several of the well-known non-violent movements as well as lesser known ones, such as the German women who embarrassed the Nazis into returning their arrested Jewish husbands from certain death. The associated documentary is also outstanding. A must-have for anyone who hopes the world can save itself from itself (and I'm not sure I'm in that category.)

Keep Struggling
Excellent!One of the most powerful books I have ever read.Explodes the left-wing myth that revolutions only occur through violence a la Che Guevara, cites many examples where non-violence protest has ultimately changed the executive power of states from the Phillipines to El Salvador, and won people civil rights. Includes Gandhi and also the Civil Rights movement in the USA in the 60s as case studies.

Icing on the cause
If your a social activists, and you sometimes feel that "progress" is a lost cause... READ THIS BOOK. If you are a political organizer, and it just doesn't seem worth it anymore... READ THIS BOOK. If you really believe in the power of Direct Action, but feel all used up and stale in your efforts... READ THIS BOOK. This is one of the few books available for people with leftisits, or humanist, causes that will make you smile and give you hope, and remind you that sometimes "the good fight" is a long one - but well worth it. It also takes one out of a self centered reality, and pays homage to those who have faught so hard before us. (and I am not talking about soldiers or fireman..) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Modern - 20th Century    5. Peace    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Social History    8. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    9. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (4)

As if Studs Terkel met Asian America
Studs Terkel meets Asian America.The author, affiliated with Queens College at the time the book was compiled, records oral histories from first through fourth generation Asian Americans from China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and Pacific Islands. (Chinese immigrants began to officially arrive in 1848; they were not allowed to apply for citizenship until 1943.Japanese and Koreans were not allowed citizenship until 1952; Filipinos and Asian Indians beat them by six years) These histories are grouped into three major section: Living In America; Americanization; and Refections on Interracial Marriage.In "Living In America", selections include Will Hao on being a true Hawaiian, and Andrea Kim on being born and raised in Hawaii, but not being Hawaiian.Sam Sue, a Chinese American lawyer, talks about growing up bitterly in Clarksdale Mississippi during a time of segregation.The Americanization section includes stories of escape and exodus, the bumpy road of acculturation, 3 stories just on run-ins with traffic cops (driving while Asian), and over 9 stories on Americanization, racism, tension, being Asian versus being American, and even on being a minority within a minority.Cao O discusses life as an ethnic Chinese in Vietnam and being Chinese-Vietnamese in America and dealing with social service agencies in Chinatown that is staffed by Hong-Kong born Chinese.In "No Tea, Thank You", Setsuko K. discusses the subtleties between the generations, such as politeness and their hidden meanings (when "no" means "yes", and "yes" means "no").In a sub-section of nine stories about family, Cao O discusses the idea of `obligation', while Hideo K talks about the "Company as Friend".Tony Ham discusses Mah-Jonng as a family social focus.In a sub-section on religion, there is an interesting piece on Koreans and church membership.In one of eight stories on "Interracial Marriage", Jody Sandler writes talks about "So He's Not a Jewish Doctor", in which a 23 year old Woodmere Long Island Five Town girl marries an Asian America and faces pressures from family and friends, and contrasts Tony's values with those she grew up with in Five Towns.

Profound study of Asian-Americana
This book by Joann Lee is an excellent book on Asian-Americans. It tells the life stories of Asian-Americans without so much stereotypical baggage found elsewhere. Asain Americans: An OrAl History
An excellent overview of what it is to be Asian American in America today.Joann Lee writes beautifully and puts you in touch with the individual struggles and victories of her subjects.A must read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian Americans    2. Biography    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. Minority Studies - Ethnic American    7. Oral history    8. Social conditions    9. United States - General    10. ASIA    11. Civil rights & citizenship    12. Cultural studies    13. Immigration & emigration    14. USA   

Reviews (2)

Crucial book on civil liberties during wartime
Neely gives an excellent and detailed review of how civil liberties suffered during the War Between the States.The right of habeas corpus is Neely's main concern, but trials by military commissons and international law are covered among other topics. Excellent study of a misunderstood aspect of the Civil War
This book gives an excellent look into the policies of the Lincoln administration and the effects of these policies on civil liberties in the United States.A common misconception regarding this subject is that the majority of those arrested as a result of the suspension of habeas corpus were political enemies of Lincoln.This book, however, demonstrates how many of the arrests were not based upon politics, but upon how the crimes committed affected the war effort.Most attention in the past has focused on a few famous cases such as Clement Vallandingham, but this book shows that this case was an exception to the rule.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1809-1865    2. 19th century    3. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    4. Civil rights    5. Habeas corpus    6. History    7. History - U.S.    8. History: American    9. Lincoln, Abraham,    10. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    11. President U.S    12. Religion    13. United States    14. United States - Civil War    15. Views on civil rights    16. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    17. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)    18. History, American | Civil War & Reconstruction    19. Human rights    20. USA   

Reviews (1)

If you ever buy any men's studies text, this should be it!
Messner basically develops a sociological chart for analyzing writings and activism from men's groups.He reviews the literature in this field over the past three decades.This book will help you to understand much about antisexist men, the Million Man March, gay male pornography, and many other topics.This is definitely one of my favorite men's studies text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Masculinity    3. Men    4. Men's Studies - General    5. Men's movement    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Sex role    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Men's studies    13. Social Science / Gender Studies    14. Social Science / Men's Studies   

Reviews (2)

Very, Very Helpful
Aldon Morris writes the history of the Civil Rights Movement as the gradual organization of black communities in the South in response to Jim Crow.Morris' account begins with early protests in North Carolina, Tennessee and other peripheral states that multiplied and culminated in the more well-known actions in Alabama and Georiga.Throughout the account, Morris emphasizes the indigenous nature of the movement - black communities organizing around black institutions (the black church) with their own financial and infrastructural resources.
Origins of the Civil Rights Movement
Articulate and provocative, Aldon Morris' study of the American CivilRights Movement is a comprehensive and comprehensible analysis of astrategic struggle for human survival and essential dignity.Emphasizingthat African Americans have rarely accepted the subordinate position forcedupon them, that the Civil Rights Movement was carefully orchestrated ratherthan a series of random events, and that women played a critical role inthe organization and implementation of the movement, Morris incisivelyresurrects and dismantles official discourses.In the tradition of JohnHope Franklin's "From Slavery to Freedom", Lerone Bennett's"Forced into Glory", and Ivan Van Sertima's "They CameBefore Columbus", Morris reconstructs history with a freshperspective.Morris' extensive use of the interview technique enablesthe reader to probe the minds of the makers and shakers of the movement, aswe hear them speak in their own words.Somewhat academic in its approach,yet eminently readable, "Origins of the Civil Rights Movement"can be understood and appreciated by middle school students, academicians,and history buffs alike.It is a must-read for those interested in acomplete understanding of American history in general and of AfricanAmerican history in particular. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Afro-Americans    3. Blacks    4. Civil rights    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: American    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Southern States    11. United States - General    12. Racism & racial discrimination    13. Social Science / General    14. USA   

Reviews (13)

So you think you know your rights?
If you've ever been surprised by the ruling of a court or a judge in regards to matters whose resolution would seem obvious to the casual legal observer, then perhaps you should read this book.Kennedy and Alderman walk through each of the "rights" we are guaranteed by the Constitution and give examples of court cases and decisions that often might seem counter-intuitive.
Entertaining and Informative
I was assigned this book as supplementary reading for my AP government class, and while some of my friends didn't like it, I loved and am now re-reading it. Review of In Our Defense
This book gave a good illustration of the Bill of Rights in Action. It gave a court case to outline each of the principles in each amendment. For example the first amendment has a case for freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly. These cases demonstrate how our laws are interpreted, how they have changed since the framers wrote the constitution, and exactly how our rights are limited. Each case also helps to define parts of each amendment that are in question. In other words, the cases are good examples of judicial decisions that help to defne our laws. I think that this book is amazing if you are in school, because it gives a very nice alternative to a textbook approach. Rather than just another boring textbook, this can be a helpful tool to teach the Bill of Rights with examples of the judicial process. Though this is a good book, I think that the Authors left out an important part of the book. It is lacking a historical background of the Bill of Rights. This book never illustrates what the framers intent was, nor does it try and communicate legal concepts. Though it may have been a good decision to leave out the legal concepts so the book would appeal to those without any legal experience, it would have been nice to at least get some information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cases    2. Civil rights    3. Constitutional    4. History: American    5. Human Rights    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Popular works    10. United States    11. International human rights law    12. Law / General    13. USA   

Reviews (1)

almost TOO fair
Ms. Raymond goes all out to prove Heston a "principled" conservative -- and yes, they do exist, even in this day of Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush and Foley.Much of the information is very interesting. Amazingly, though, she does not seem to know of the use Michael Moore made of Heston in his film "Bowling for Columbine," which is the indelible image that most of us have in mind when we think of Charlton Heston. Was this ignorance, or just kindness to an old man suffering from dementia?
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Subjects:  1. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Heston, Charlton    4. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    5. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    6. Political Science    7. Political and social views    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Biography: film, television & music    11. Conservatism & right-of-centre democratic ideologies    12. Films, cinema    13. Individual actors & performers    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

An Excellent, Updated Survey of the Women's Movement
This just-updated history of the women's movement is an excellent introduction to the field.The book surveys the 150-year history of the movement and provides lots of good-looking graphs and tables of the current situation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism & Feminist Theory    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Political Process - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Sociology    7. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Women    8. United States    9. Women And Politics    10. Women in politics    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Women's rights    13. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Reviews (3)

Unique in bringing Central American history into the debate
Harbury is at her best when exploring the CIA's involvement in Latin America. She draws striking parallels between the torture and abuses committed in Central America in the 1980s & 90s and the heinous situation in Iraq today.
Truth, Torture, and the American Way
Ms. Harbury's book is a must read for anyone interested in the facts surrounding America's all too frequent resort to terror and torture.Ms. Harbury is a true patriot who holds up a mirror to America and forces us to take a good long look at what's done by our Government in our name.

A Must Read for Anyone Who Cares About Human Rights
This book chillingly places the Bush Administration's torture policies in the proper historical perspective. The so-called war on terror is not the first time the U.S. has employed abduction, torture, and murder to further its political agenda. As Ms. Harbury thoroughly and unflinchingly reveals, throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the United States (directly and by proxy) abducted, tortured, murdered, and "disappeared" thousands of people in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, all in the name of fighting communism. It is a history that American nationalists ignore or claim never really happened. It did happen and we are witnessing history repeated itself in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the various nations to which we ship detainees to be tortured. Anyone who cares about human rights should read this book. Anyone who does not care about human rights should also read this book, on the off chance that it may resuscitate his/her soul or conscience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Government policy    2. Human rights    3. International Relations - General    4. Latin America    5. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Torture    10. United States    11. Cultural studies    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    13. Political Science / International Relations    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

Human Rights Explored
This book has illustrated for me the real need for western peoples to familiarize themselves with some elements of eastern life, literature and culture.One glance at the extensive bibliography shows that there is much to be learned before we can engage in meaningful dialogue with eastern peoples on sensitive issues that will influence the policies of nations and the lives of all of us, east and west alike.Read more

Subjects:  1. China    2. History & Theory - General    3. Human rights    4. Philosophy    5. Political    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    8. Politics / Current Events    9. East Asia, Far East    10. Human rights--China    11. Philosophy / General