Editorial Review

John Grisham tackles nonfiction for the first time with Read more

Reviews (26)

I must apologize
I wrote that the Broker was not the book I should strongly recommend. Well, I'm astonished now, because Mr Grisham knew about ties between Cia and Italian Telecom. How did he manage? Well, back to the Innocent man. I have read some of the recension before me. I think it could be hard to cope for a layman, but it's very interesting for a jurist, expecially for a no American one. The plot is intriguing, and the style is very dry. I read it in a day, and I learnt very much about American system. System is really good, sometimes men aren't, like everywhere. The clue is: American juries care more about what a convicted should do in the future, then about which crime one actually performed, if then. That's the reason why a dropout like Ronnie was a perfect candidate for lethal injection. He was crazy, noisy , arrogant, he slept most of the time and use to chase boozes and skirts. What's the use of let he in life? Grisham is great when at the end calculates to the penny what's the cost of such a court mistake for the american taxpayer. A cynical could rebuke: right, but only because it happened to be eventually corrected. The correction was the really burden, and not the mistake. I hope to read more nonfiction from Mr Grisham, that could even write a postfaction like Victor Hugo in the Miserables: Italy loves my books, but Italian judiciary ssystem isn't any better ( Hugo said Italy loved les Miserables, but Italy was really a worse country then France ).It's a book about justice, not simply a book about american judiciary system or small countries judicial oddities. I recommend it to all law students.

A Poignant and Compelling Story!
What would you do if you were suspected by the police of the rape and murder of a young woman? Whom would you turn to if you were convicted of a crime based on circumstantial evidence and shoddy legal tactics? Whoever believes we are all innocent until proven guilty hasn't truly been put to the test.
His best book yet
His first Nonfiction book was very well written.It was a major page turner and I finished it in 2 days.I liked it better than any of his other books and I"m a big Grisham fan.Please note, if you don't want to have anything given away I'd not read the captions under the photos because some of the story will be given away.It is a very one sided story and is easy to read his contempt for the the bad part of the criminal justice system, but it also made me think.Before I read this I was a strong supporter of capital punishment, and now I still believe in it, but I see why there are so many appeals etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Capital Punishment    2. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    3. Judicial error    4. Legal System    5. Murder - General    6. Oklahoma    7. Penology    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Trials (Murder)    11. True Crime / Espionage    12. Social Science / Penology   

Reviews (8)

A Real Cultural Warrior
Lou Dobbs doesn't pontificate, "bloviate," or make wild accusations and disparaging remarks about people who disagree with him like some inherent spin-meisters on FOX tend to do. Dobbs, of CNN, doesn't have to. In his book, "War on the Middle Class," he simply lays lays out the facts in a fair and honest way - facts that to anyone but the most ardent hermit are self evident as we all watch the strength and independence of the country get exported or "out-sourced" around the world.
America's Precarious Future
Author Lou Dobbs brings up a number of pressing issues in our country that are, for the most part, being ignored by our politicans in Washington.Border security, corporate business outsourcing jobs to other countries, failure in our public schools, and the shrinking middle class while the rich get richer are a few of the subjects that Dobbs tackles.What I find especially frightening is the fact the future of our country is at stake while politicans and corporate America engage in self-interest.Leadership is desperately needed and Dobbs suggests people designate themselves as Independents rather than Republicans or Democrats.Neither party should assume they have our vote.It is something to be earned.Education is woefully neglected while it once was a chance for equalization among students.No one can guarantee success for anyone, but all at least deserve a chance at success.College tuition costs have soared beyond the means of many students.Talented teachers are needed, but teachers are often hired into other higher paying jobs.Discipline in schools has deteriorated due to the breakup of the family.Illegal immigrants are taxing our schools, hospitals, jails, and social services in addition to bringing diseases into our country while the powers that be in Washington fiddle.My bottom line?This is not the time to be a kid in America.

A real wake-up call ...
Corporations no longer influence our laws --now, they write them! As Dobbs chronicles, they are writing the economic laws of the world, unfettered by any one nation. Just consider the iPod, made north of Shanghai, China where young workers are kept in 100-person dorms at night, given a bucket to do their laundry, and paid $50 a month. Think this, and a multitude of stories just like it don't affect wages in America?
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Subjects:  1. Economic Policy    2. Economic conditions    3. Government - General    4. Government policy    5. Middle class    6. Pressure groups    7. Social Classes    8. Social Science    9. Social Stratification    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Social Science / Social Classes   

Reviews (97)

Pollan is my hero!
I am a pharmacist who is also very interested in how diet and exercise maintain people's health.Michael Pollan's book was an incredible eye-opener.I first heard him interviewed on Science Friday on NPR news (podcast) and decided to read his book.It is an extremely well researched book with an entire source list in the back.It is also very entertaining and easy to read.It is obvious he has a great sense of humor.His book encompasses the economics, politics, biology, ecology, and physiology regarding our current american diet.His book has surely changed the way I think about food and I was fairly well versed before I read his book.Now, I am a member of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and have been spreading the word! This is one of the best and most influential books I have ever read. Everyone should read it.Ignorance is not bliss.Just ask some of my pharmacy customers who have side effects from the medicines they take and have to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on those same medications.

My response to Vegan/Vegetarian horn-tutors
I'm about halfway through this book (I've been kind of skipping around to various parts--which is how I usually read non-fiction books). Modern agriculture, factory farming, and where our food comes from are all subjects near and dear to my heart. These are topics that only people in the industry or professionally trained chefs (which I am) usually know and care about. I don't think veganism/vegetarianism is a good response (and I don't think it will fix anything). Instead, we need to be voicing our displeasure with our dollars.
Must Read for the Health Conscious
The Omnivore's Dilemma is an exploration into the foods that are on our plates and why. The answers he delivers are at times frightening.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Food Science    4. Food habits    5. Food preferences    6. History    7. Manners And Customs    8. Nutrition    9. Popular Culture - General    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Health & Fitness / Nutrition   

Reviews (12)

The Face of North Dakota
If you are seeking the book on the geology of North Dakota, you can purchase new copies of the 3rd edition (2000) from The State Historical Society of North Dakota museum store in Bismarck for ten bucks including shipping.To find it, search for "museum store book" north dakota.
Great Service from Amazon
Hello,I was apprehensive at first about ordering my book from Amazon but I liked the price and after reading the other reviews I decided to take a chance.I did not want to buy a used book because I did not want to chance getting an 'as is' product. I got confirmation that the book was shipped 2 days after I ordered it and lo and behold to my major surprise, I got the book the NEXT day!! I was very happy about this but even happier when I saw that the book was exactly what I had wanted. Thanks Amazon for the great service. Hey I believe we should give credit where credit is due. As for the actual contents of the book, I will get back to you on that since I just started using the book for my first sociology class.It seems ok so far but I will let you know. Thanks again.

Complete Garbage
This book is ridiculous. Its extremly biased and racist. Total garbage. Its being tossed in the bonfire after this class is over. I have taken two sociology classes, one used "A down to earth approach" I hardly had as bad a taste in my mouth after reading that one than I do with this propaganda. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Social Science    2. Sociology    3. Sociology - General    4. Social Science / Sociology / General    5. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (55)

Disappointing
I was thinking negative thoughts waiting for the book to advise me on positive thoughts.

Encouragement is Like Miracle-Gro for Relationships
I have long been a proponent of encouragement as a means to build healthy, strong relationships and promote growth. This book offers a concrete plan for making that happen. I have observed people moved to tears by a little appreciation. People are starving for love and appreciation. Don't let the people in your life suffer any longer.

Good Service
I ordered this book on Friday August 25th at 4:53 p.m.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Interpersonal relations    3. Motivational    4. Negativism    5. Optimism    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Psychology    9. Social Interaction    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. Advice on careers & achieving success    14. Business & Economics / Management    15. Popular psychology    16. Management    17. Workplace Culture   

Reviews (138)

Not buying this xenophobia
Name one civilization that lasted forever. Does anyone sincerely believe that we would be better off today if the mighty Roman empire had not perished? Change is inevitable.
Good Research, Poor Recommendations
I enjoy reading Pat's books for their historical and factual research.But I have found that he fails to make his point when it comes to the conclusions and recommendations to fix the problems he outlines.This book is no exception.Great research, interesting, but it need a hard punch line conclusion at the end with specific, easy to follow recommendations.A specific chapter at the end with numbered recommendations listing exactly what can/should be done to stem the flow of immigration would make this a more powerful book.

What the media & elites don't want you to know
No one argues the immigration problem better than Mr. Buchanan. Through
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Emigration And Immigration    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Government policy    6. Illegal aliens    7. International Relations - General    8. Political Ideologies - General    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Public Policy - Cultural Policy    11. Race And Ethnic Relations    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. United States    15. Immigration & emigration    16. Political Science / Political Ideologies / General    17. USA   

Reviews (2)

criminology book
This book is alright but the reading is kinda boring.The subject is very interesting and I think that there could be a better book to go with it. The author uses words that a lot of people don't hear very often. He uses the word hence alot.

Criminology Today
This book is as good as it gets on Criminology.We are using it for Criminology in college.
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. United States    5. Crime & criminology    6. Social Science / Criminology   

Editorial Review

"The best way to understand the dramatic transformation of unknown books into bestsellers, or the rise of teenage smoking, or the phenomena of word of mouth or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life," writes Malcolm Gladwell, "is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do." Although anyone familiar with the theory of memetics will recognize this concept, Gladwell's Read more

Reviews (701)

Excellent book that describes how to create a trend
I was fascinated by the original perspective in this thought provoking book about the evolution of an idea into a trend.Using easy to understand examples, Malcolm Gladwell explains the mechanics of the process, and enlightens us about the the various people involved.I strongly recommend this book.I also recommend Robert Cialdini's book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.These books complement each other and should be read together.

The Tipping Point
Staff writer for The New York Post, Malcolm Gladwell, explains what causes a concept, idea or item to become an epidemic in The Tipping Point.Using case studies the reader will relate to (Sesame Street, Blues Clues, Crime in New York City in the 90's, Hush Puppies, Paul Revere's famous ride North), Gladwell discusses how and why people react the way they do in certain situations and to certain ideas/items.You'll look at your friends, co-workers and family in a different way as you consider who is a Connector, Maven or salesperson, you'll consider the context in which something happens as opposed to just the action, you'll think about everyday happenings in a different way after you read this book.
It had quite an unusual effect
I was looking for an original and valuable present for my boyfriend. I am very pleased with my decision to buy this book. It draws from several areas of knowledge and Malcolm Gladwell is a very skillful writer. He knows how to engage you from the first page till the last one and keeps you wondering what more you will learn from this incredible book. My boyfriend said that the tipping point and scientifically guaranteed male multiple orgasms and ultimate sex are the best, most valuable and eye-opening books he has ever received as a present. Well, I don't hear such compliment every day. It was such a small thing for me to give him a present and yet it turned so important for him. What better proof for Gladwell's thesis. I also agree that we all should start paying more attention to the small, small things and details from our daily lives and the result may astound us. It takes so little to even change someone's life for better. This is one of the books, which I definitely recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising & Promotion    2. Causation    3. Contagion (Social psychology)    4. Context effects (Psychology)    5. Marketing - General    6. Psychology    7. Social Psychology    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology   

Reviews (16)

The sad truth
This book is about the destruction of our country by elected officials and Big Business "Interests."
Thom hits the nail on the head in all but this: education
Education in this country is big business and is so hopelessly institutionalized (that is, it has become an institution) Institutions are self-perpetuating.It is extremely difficult--if not impossible--to change anything about an institution, let alone eliminate it, because the individuals currently occupying places in the institution no longer have much to do with it. The institution sustains itself despite any particular complement of workers within it. Yes, individuals in positions to direct policy and command the workforce can fiddle with some things, but the institution itself will go on. (Note that major legislation affecting schools comes several layers above a district superintendent or even the schools board.)Thus, what Thom is saying about "fixing the schools" or "change the way we are teaching" is way off the mark. Teachers are drones within that institution of public education. The best of teachers can sometimes "make a difference" for one or two kids a year. But because of the context of schooling--one teacher, 35 kids, classes rotating in and out every 45 minutes--the young minds are dumbed down and rigidified such that critical/creating thinking is not only impossible, it is prohibited.
Must reading
This book by Thom Hartmann should be required reading in every school in the United States.He lays out concisely what our country has done and needs to do to have a Democracy and a middle class and clearly demonstrates how the so called conservatives now and all the way back to the founding of the nation haave tried to destroy democracy and the middle class in favor of corporatocracy and an elite ruling class.Simple to follow and understand.The book really puts everything into a clear perspective.
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Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Economic Conditions    3. Economic Policy    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Freedom & Security - General    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Public Policy    10. Public Policy - Economic Policy    11. Social Classes    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    13. Political Science / Civics    14. USA   

Reviews (4)

Ideological leanings way too obvious; not a good characteristic for an educational text
I was assigned this textbook for my high school Sociology class that I took as an elective in the last semester of my Senior year.I had gone into the class expecting an intriguing, thought-provoking subject that led students to ask the big questions about why people and society are the way they are, and that the textbook would help guide me along the way.Unfortunately, I was pretty dissapointed, to say the least.
Fun and informative
I have to admit, I hate the soft sciences, but I had to take Sociology 101 for a requirement.Thank goodness this was the textbook assigned to the course!Everything is perfectly clear and it's actually really fun to read.Even if you're not taking a course, I'd recommend this book to anyone who would like to call themselves knowledgable.It is a fun read, and you'll come out so much more informed in the end - painlessly!

great
Excellent service. Book was shipped same day and I received it 2 days later. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Social Science    2. Sociology    3. Sociology (General)    4. Sociology - General    5. Social Science / Sociology / General    6. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (43)

Easy to read, easy to Learn
The set up of this book make it really easy to read.The print is a reasonable size for people with poor eyesight and this makes it quicker to read.To really know and understand, you will need to read several times but this will be worthwhile.

positive thinking
I really loved this book. It made me really look at my life and the way i was attracting negative vibes into my life without really wanting to. It helped me turn things around as far as my way of thinking and my life has been so much better.It has even helped me with my stress. I want all my friends to read it.

Read Abraham-Hicks instead
I can't say this book is all bad. It would be suitable for someone who is not at all familiar with the "Law of Attraction" principal. Perhaps you might present it to someone who has neverheard of these concepts. However...
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Subjects:  1. Social Science    2. Sociology    3. Statistics   

Reviews (33)

You're kidding me, right?
Not insightful, not even humorous. I am willing to admit that maybe I just don't get his writing style, whatever that might be. I hope Mr. Rakoff gets into a new line of work

Well Written, but Non-Productive
This is some brilliant writing.It moves right along, it keeps you interested, and it has a very clear voice and strong point of view.I defintely think it's worth reading, but it's like a bucket of KFC -- delicious, satisfying, but probably bad for you.

ShoppersParadise
If you're like a man like me, you hate to shop. But my wife is a shopaholic, that's why I've found this book to be so delightful, I didn't actually have to leave the house, to go shopping. Too bad it doesn't really count with my wife, I'm going to the mall where I'll sit on anything stationary this afternoon
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Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Essays    4. Form - Essays    5. Humor    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Social Science / Essays   

Editorial Review

Essayist and cultural critic Barbara Ehrenreich has always specialized in turning received wisdom on its head with intelligence, clarity, and verve. With some 12 million women being pushed into the labor market by welfare reform, she decided to do some good old-fashioned journalism and find out just how they were going to survive on the wages of the unskilled--at $6 to $7 an hour, only half of what is considered a living wage. So she did what millions of Americans do, she looked for a job and a place to live, worked that job, and tried to make ends meet. Read more

Reviews (979)

Next week on The Simple Life, Barb joins Paris and Nicole for shift work at the local Wallyworld!
She Made It Even Harder To Get By
Ehrenreich is the kind of journalist I despise. One who thinks her insights are so important that it doesn't matter how much she inconveniences others to make her point.
Bring your own grain of salt.
This is not a bad book, but it's not a good one. Although I certainly gained some insight from reading this book, I was disappointed (and surprised) by Ms. Ehrenreich's (or the editor's?) lack of fact-checking/ attention to detail, and/or embellishment.
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Subjects:  1. Government - U.S. Government    2. Labor    3. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    4. Labor Economics (General)    5. Minimum wage    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Poverty    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - Social Theory    11. United States    12. Unskilled labor    13. Labour economics    14. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (2)

Written for children
...The problem is that this books seems like it was written for high school students. The first chapter opens with a self-diagnosis: "I clarify the group's goals and ensure that the goals are formulated so members 'sink or swim' together and are committed to achieve them." Or how about, "I advocate my views and challenge the views of others in order to create high-quality and creative decions." Joining Together is a Great Resource
I read this book as an assignment in a university sociology course.It is a great resouce to have on hand if you work with teams or are intersted in organizational/group behavior.Some of the activities have been used in my"Effective Social Relations" class and we found them not onlyfun, but educational.I have not read the 1999 edition, but am hoping toget it for a graduation present this April! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Group relations training    3. Leadership    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Group    6. Social groups    7. Counselling    8. Education / Leadership    9. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (3)

Quality
This book was received quickly and was in perfect shape.I appreciate the promptness.

Excellent introductory text!
Parrillo's text is a helpful overview of the sociology of race and ethnicity in the United States taken from a group-to-groupapproach.Major sociological contributions on these matters are covered through the lens of particular groups that are most affected (e.g. LA riots are covered under black Americans but not under Korean Americans).The most recent edition is especially helpful as comments are made in conjunction with post-September 11th consequences on race and ethnic issues.The role of religion in racial dynamics and the continuing changes in immigration is a helpful addition as well as it is a rising area of study with race and ethnicity. From the Foreword author:
Strangers to These Shores is a comprehensive examination of the sharpest edges and more nuanced qualities of American pluralism.In its 14 chapters, Professor Parrillo provides students/readers--and those for whomit is not assigned--with a well conceived, carefully constructed, andhighly readable introduction to a very complex subject. --Peter I. Rose, Smith College ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Discrimination & Racism    3. Ethnic relations    4. Race And Ethnic Relations    5. Race relations    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. United States    10. Ethnic studies    11. Social Science / Sociology / General    12. Sociology, Social Studies   

Editorial Review

"Until one morning in mid-November of 1959, few Americans--in fact, few Kansans--had ever heard of Holcomb. Like the waters of the river, like the motorists on the highway, and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptional happenings, had never stopped there." If all Truman Capote did was invent a new genre--journalism written with the language and structure of literature--this "nonfiction novel" about the brutal slaying of the Clutter family by two would-be robbers would be remembered as a trail-blazing experiment that has influenced countless writers. But Capote achieved more than that. He wrote a true masterpiece of creative nonfiction. The images of this tale continue to resonate in our minds: 16-year-old Nancy Clutter teaching a friend how to bake a cherry pie, Dick Hickock's black '49 Chevrolet sedan, Perry Smith's Gibson guitar and his dreams of gold in a tropical paradise--the blood on the walls and the final "thud-snap" of the rope-broken necks. ... Read more

Reviews (371)

One of the best I've read.
I had no idea what this book was about when I bought it.It was years ago now, and I was given a list of "Good Books" to read as a present: A deck of cards, each card representing a great work in American Literature that everyone should read.This was one of the books.I liked it a lot. At the time, I had no idea who Capote was (I still don't) and it wasn't until recently when movie after movie keeps coming out about this "Capote" character that I realized he was the author of this book.It's a good book, and a well-told story, but I don't see why Capote has recently been thrown up on a pedestal and worshiped by Hollywood. Regardless, this book is worth your time.

amazing on all levels
Intrigued, I wondered how Capote could manage to write a book about a crime that, while gruesome, at first glance doesn't appear to be the sort to sustain a book. Upon starting it I was hooked, he not only found the story but manages to tell it from many different perspectives while keeping the raw emotion intact, putting you right there throughout. At the same time he comes across as unbiased in his telling. Not only does he create a genre with this book, he defines what it is at it's best. As an aside, to watch the mov