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Showing posts with label philosophy. Show all posts

Life Changers: 13th Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)'Life Changers' written by Harold Begbie and republished by Carl "Tuchy" Palmieri and funded by [...] has been reprinted 12 times and is 100 years old but still is being read and is still helping to change lives. The book is about Frank Buchman, referred to as FB throughout, a man who had the ability to change lives of many through his teachings of self will and Christianity. This is a spiritual book and makes one question your own will and ability to change your life yourself. It is more about your own relationship with God and how you view your life than about a certain religion. It talks about sin and good and bad actions. FB's interpretation may be a little different than yours but it makes you think and possibly want to change your life. The stories are interesting but I found them a little hard to focus on them without wanting to put the book down for awhile. It is a good book to discuss with others and to take your time reading.

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Life Changers is comprised of century-old stories of men who had their lives changed so profoundly and so dramatically that the original book was reprinted 12 times.Now 100 years later, with its 13th printing, this precious classic is set to change the lives of many more men and women.The words in this book are as true today as they were then. Life Changers is also about a man, Frank Buchman, who was first and foremost a teacher.Buchman could change the lives of students and scholars in the course of a single conversation; changing those lives so profoundly and persuasively that the world was in disbelief.Buchman started a movement that reached the shores of America and lives today in the form of many 12-step programs.While the original movement was founded on Christianity, its principles and ideas moved beyond religion and Christianity into a more generic spiritual movement.

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Zombies, Vampires, and Philosophy: New Life for the Undead (Popular Culture and Philosophy) Review

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(More customer reviews)Incorporating pop culture into academia is quite the trick - you've got to remain true to source material in two very different areas. This collection of essays written by English or philosophy professors at 4-year colleges (or graduate students working on their Ph.D's) gets the philosophy right yet often stumbles on the pop culture details. It's important to get the pop culture details right because it indicates that you're taking the subject seriously and not just using it as a springboard for something else. Any horror fan worth his favorite Halloween mask can tell you that vampires and zombies have been portrayed in multiple ways in books and novels, and one has to be very careful in making generalizations. Given that horror fans tend to be a bit more obsessive than fans of other stripes, you'd better keep them happy!
The best essays in this book are the most focused. Several chapters are devoted to George Romero's "Dead" series, and these chapters (written by Matthew Walker, Simon Clark, and Leah A. Murray) have an appropriately fixed gaze on a small set of films that have been perhaps overanalyzed - and have surprisingly fresh things to say about them. Kudos! Noel Carroll's essay on the holiday of Halloween and Phillip Cole's exploration of Rousseau's philosophy as it relates to vampirism are two of the better essays I've read about the supernatural in a long, long while. I suspect they will be reprinted and quoted from elsewhere. And the cover is undoubtably one of the best photos I've seen on an occult-themed book in the recent past.
As for the worst? I am skeptical when the authors attempt to broaden the definition of "zombie" to Philip K. Dick-style androids or pod people, or when they ignore that many modern movie zombies really aren't undead at all but infected with bizarre viruses, or when they reference brain-eating as typical of all movie zombies even though it's only closely identified with "Return of the Living Dead." Playing too loosely with the facts suggest you haven't studied them that closely in the first place and are compensating by broadening your spectrum. And the "Treehouse of Horror"-type author biographical notes near the end are too jokey for my tastes and make it seem as if the contributors weren't serious about their work appearing in a pop culture book.
Given that the good-to-bad ratio is 50-50 I've given this book 3 stars. I can see it being immensely inspirational to any thoughtful horror or fantasy author looking for fresh approaches to venerable horrors. This would also be very useful for the Boris Karloffs and Robert Englunds of the future in trying to develop character motivation when portraying monsters. For those reasons and to those readers, I recommend it.

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Since 1968's Night of the Living Dead, zombie culture has steadily limped and clawed its way into the center of popular culture. Today, zombies and vampires have taken over TV shows, comic books, cartoons, video games, and movies. Zombies, Vampires, and Philosophy drags the theories of famous philosophers like Socrates and Descartes into the territory of the undead, exploring questions like: Why do vampires and vegetarians share a similar worldview? Why is understanding zombies the key to health care reform?And what does "healthy in mind and body" mean for vampires and zombies? Answers to these questions and more await readers brave enough to make this fun, philosophical foray into the undead.

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The Undead and Philosophy: Chicken Soup for the Soulless (Popular Culture and Philosophy) Review

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(More customer reviews)With plenty of blood sucking, flesh eating, seduction, grunting and more gore, (and some philosophy), this is one of the more interesting "Popular Culture and Philosophy" instalments from Open Court. Nineteen essays and more zombies than you can smash with a baseball bat.
Although there is some overlap, the first part deals main with Zombies, drawing heavily from the Romero zombie films, along with some others. The second half of the book seems to focus more on the vampires, with particular focus on the novel "Dracula", (no surprises there), and also heavily from Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire", including the movie itself. I am not sure of this separation was intended, but it works well and there are some unique features to each of these groups.
I found the first couple of essays, mainly those dealing with the nature of personhood and continued existence, a bit tough to get my head around. They were mainly in connection with zombies. If one finds it the same, wade through and persist, as it soon calms down and the essays are not only accessible overall, but very interesting and though provoking. I mean, I had never even considered a vampire who was not intrinsically evil to be a possibility. Some aspects of the "philosophical zombie thought experiment" left me a bit puzzled, as well.
I did not agree with everything the contributors concluded, (such as the vegetarian essay), but I have to say that the essays were all well-written and presented. I enjoyed the wander through a genre I do not generally get into. The only zombie film I have ever seen is Shaun of the Dead.
The elements of philosophy range from existentialism, (big bits on Heidegger and Neitzsche), through phenomenology and epistemology and more. This is a very thorough and varied book.
For fans of the series and new readers alike, this is definitely a "must have". A great book on a great topic.

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Though Bram Stoker coined the term, the undead have stalked the human imagination for eons, appearing in the myths and legends of nearly all cultures. The concept of people, or unpeople, interacting with others while devoid of humanity provides a wealth of material for philosophical speculation. Encompassing George Romero's radiation-spawned Living Dead, the "infected" of 28 Days Later, as well as more traditional zombies and vampires, the essays in The Undead and Philosophy ponder questions such as: Is it cool to be undead, or does it totally suck? Is a zombie simply someone with a brain but without a mind? Are some of the people around us undead, and how could we tell? Can the undead be held responsible for what they do? Is it always morally OK to kill the undead? Served up in a witty, entertaining style, these and other provocative questions present philosophical arguments in terms accessible to all readers.

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What a Coach Can Teach a Teacher (Counterpoints: Studies in the Postmodern Theory of Education) Review

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(More customer reviews)In this phenomenal book, Duncan-Andrade provides a handbook for anyone interested in education. Building on a solid theoretical framework, he weaves an argument on lessons one can draw from looking at the relationship successful coaches have with their athletes and shows how to apply them in the classroom. He teaches how to incorporate their coaching styles and philosophies to help students succeed. Following a basketball program over the course of a year, case studies shows readers the source and outcomes of these pedagogical lessons.
This book is very easy to read, but in no way is it a light read. The ideas discussed are rich; a reader will find themselves rereading this book to find new insights to incorporate into their teaching practices. This book should not only be a must read for instructors but can also be used by parents to help motivate their children's love of knowledge. Finally, to echo another reviewer, the subtitle misleads readers into thinking that this book is specific to education in an urban setting. Duncan-Andrade has written a book that is both essential and relevant to any learning environment.

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There is very little research and writing done by urban educators to document effective practices in urban schools. In response, this book has been written by a long-time urban classroom teacher and coach to provide insight into effective program building and educational practices. The book rejects the up-by-your-bootstraps theory of success, offering in its place a set of concrete strategies to teachers and educational leaders who are committed to fundamentally rethinking the business-as-usual approach which continues to fail urban school children. This book is well-suited for classes working with educational leaders, classroom teachers, sports coaches, and educational researchers.

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The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade Review

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(More customer reviews)As a mother of three -- one in public school, one in private and one home-schooled -- I am deeply concerned about my children's education. I've lost count of the number of books I've read in the past 16 years on educating children. Some books were worth my time, many were not. Mr. Bennett's book is standing tall at the top of my list of "best reads". I'm sure we all have horror stories coming out of our kids' education (i.e., the huge amount of wasted time in the classroom, the lack of control in the class, the political correctness of revisionist history), but this book really can help. Mr. Bennett begins by explaining the importance of a solid education that engages a child's imagination by first making sure that child can read well. He builds on that by reminding parents that the main responsibility for educating our kids rests on our shoulders, not the school's. The book goes into detail about more than the Three R's, but covers those subjects extremely well, also. He reminds us that as parents it's up to us to speak up and go to bat for our kids throughout their education thus insuring they get the help they need. Throughout the book are checklists, questions to ask your child's teachers, book lists for you to insure that your child reads what is truly worthy of his time, and tips for incorporating the arts into your child's life. This book is like having a one-on-one conversation with a great educator who will give you the confidence you need to take control of your child's education. Help your child succeed by reading this book and then putting it into practice!

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Thinking Philosophically: An Introduction to Critical Reflection and Rational Dialogue Review

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(More customer reviews)Among the enormous supply of introductory textbooks on philosophy, I find this one outstanding in its clarity and stringency. I particularly commend the outline of what philosophy is, and the various reasons for philosophizing. This book is not going to make you bristle with eagerness to philosophize, but it will help you know what philosophizing is all about. a pretty good start, i would say.

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Thinking Philosophically begins by helping the reader acquire a lively sense of what philosophy is, how it began, why it persists, and how it is related to other fields of study, especially science.

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The Laws of Plato Review

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(More customer reviews)Plato's "Republic" is used most often in college courses to illustrate Plato's thoughts on politics, but it does not seem to contain a serious political program. The characters in the "Republic" are mostly young men not yet entrusted with political responsibility who are, nevertheless, concerned with justice and how a city would have to be composed in order to be fully just. That such a city could never, in fact, come about becomes less important than the questions of justice and soul that the discussion raises. Obviously (and by Plato's intention) the "Republic" does not present a practical political program. Students relying on this dialogue alone to get a sense of Plato's thoughts on the best regime may be led astray, especially if they are guided by a bad teacher (of which there are many in the universities). The best corrective to this is to read Pangle's translation of Plato's "Laws". In this dialogue an Athenian Stranger discusses various proposed laws with a Cretan who is shortly to assist in the founding of the new colony of Magnesia. The laws and regulations proposed by the Stranger are concessions to the way men are, rather than idealistic portraits of how they should be. The rule of philosopher-kings is not proposed, and the fact that all three interlocutors come from cities that at one time or another were at war with one another introduces a note of distrust and seriousness that is missing in the more playful "Republic"; this seriousness befits the discussion's more practical nature. Pangle's translation is literal and trustworthy where other translations take liberties with Plato's terminology, while the notes ameliorate the limitations of the translation form. If you are unsatisfied with this, prepare to learn the Greek since a better translation is not likely to be forthcoming. If Pangle's Interpretive Essay leaves a bad taste in your mout, feel free to read "The Argument and the Action of Plato's Laws" by Leo Strauss. My impression, however, is that Pangle's essay is more appropriate for readers who may find the unfamiliar "Laws" more, well, unfamiliar than, say, the "Republic". No one can deny that the "Laws" is more complex than the "Republic" and builds on many of that dialogue's insights, coming as it does at the end of Plato's career. To my mind, however, it is as indispensable as the "Republic" and teachers do their students a great disservice by not assigning the "Laws" more often. In conclusion, I highly recommend this dialogue and translation--accept no substitutes.

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The Laws of Plato, written by legendary author Plato is widely considered to be one of the greatest classic and historical texts of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, The Laws of Plato is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Plato is highly recommended. Published by Classic Books International and beautifully produced, The Laws of Plato would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library.

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Globalization: Culture and Education in the New Millennium Review

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(More customer reviews)I had a great experience ordering this book! It is a very useful resource and less expensive than my school book store.

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Globalization defines our era. While it has created a great deal of debate in economic, policy, and grassroots circles, many aspects of the phenomenon remain virtual terra incognita. Education is at the heart of this continent of the unknown. This pathbreaking book examines how globalization and large-scale immigration are affecting children and youth, both in and out of schools. Taking into consideration broad historical, cultural, technological, and demographic changes, the contributors--all leading social scientists in their fields--suggest that these global transformations will require youth to develop new skills, sensibilities, and habits of mind that are far ahead of what most educational systems can now deliver. Drawing from comparative and interdisciplinary materials, the authors examine the complex psychological, sociocultural, and historical implications of globalization for children and youth growing up today. The book explores why new and broader global visions are needed to educate children and youth to be informed, engaged, and critical citizens in the new millennium. Published in association with the Ross Institute

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The Laws Review

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(More customer reviews)I read this book as part of my research into Plato himself.
It's hard for me to see how relevant a book like this is today. Plato's world was very different than today. People owned slaves, there was no internet or mass communications, Christianity didn't even exist yet, etc..
However it did provide some of the insights I was looking for about Plato himself.
Plato's writings have a smooth quality. St. Augustine called Plato's philosophy very 'clear'. Reading his works can almost be like a sort of religious experience since he often talks about the various mythological gods and God Himself. A book carries the spirit of the author I guess.
Plato believed in reincarnation and the law of karma. For example he felt that the death penalty is a blessing in disguise for incorrigible criminals since it prevents them from contaminating their souls with even more evil.
I feel this book shows the influence of two things that were very important for Plato; his belief in Atlantis and the books in the old testament of the bible that talk about the details of those laws that were given from on high. These two things were always there deep in his thoughts.
Atlantis was a utopian society at first and it seems that for all of his life Plato was trying to recreate this ideal society. But I doubt that he could have imagined the information that came out in the 1900s from the great Edgar Cayce (Osiris). Sometimes when people see flying saucers those are our ancestors from Atlantis travelling through time.
It is not a coincidence that fate chose Plato to preserve the legend of Atlantis for future generations. He was there on Atlantis himself at the very beginning.
Interestingly the author of this translation doesn't agree that The Laws shows how Plato became more realistic when he realized that the idealistic society described in The Republic could never become a reality. That is a common theory that many people believe.
Rather he feels Plato would have known that The Republic could never beome a reality.
I think the next thing I'll read about Plato is a biography as part of my ongoing research.
Jeff Marzano
Fulcanelli: Master Alchemist: Le Mystere des Cathedrales, Esoteric Intrepretation of the Hermetic Symbols of The Great Work (Le Mystere Des Cathedrales ... of the Hermetic Symbols of Great Work)
The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past, Present, and Future
Ufo...Contact from Planet Iarga
The Giza Power Plant : Technologies of Ancient Egypt
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Reader's Edition)
Initiation
Initiation in the Great Pyramid (Astara's Library of Mystical Classics)
Edgar Cayce's Story of the Old Testament From the Birth of Souls to the Death of Moses
Forbidden History: Prehistoric Technologies, Extraterrestrial Intervention, and the Suppressed Origins of Civilization
Edgar Cayce's Atlantis and Lemuria: The Lost Civilizations in the Light of Modern Discoveries

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"The Laws", Plato's most lengthy dialogue, has longbeen regarded as the most comprehensive explanation of the possible consequences of a practical application of his philosophy.We might expect the first question Plato ponders to be "What is Law?"Instead, the question posed is "Who is given the credit for laying down your laws?"We are privy to an interaction between a powerfulstatesman and an Athenian philosopher on theisland of Crete.We watch as a plan for a new political order is worked out that embodiesmany of the issues that we still struggle withtoday, such as the status of women, the statusof homosexuals, the family, criminal law, andthe role of religion in a healthy society.We at Timeless Classic Books hope that you enjoy this ancient thought-provoking story that may change the way you think about modern day issues.(Timeless Classic Books)

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Stagg's University: The Rise, Decline, and Fall of Big-Time Football at Chicago (Sport and Society) Review

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(More customer reviews)Problems facing college football programs today include paying players, questionable player eligibility, and the fact that the bottom line is money-money-money. This book shows that these same problems were a factor in the development, rise, and fall of one of the pioneer college football programs.
Book gives insight into the history of the University of Chicago football program. Book focuses on the policy behind opponent scheduling, maintaining the eligibility of marginal students, and the issues of money-money-money. Good review of Stagg's career at the school, where he was viewed as the most important figure at the university for most of his tenure. Fine review of the decision to discontinue the sport, the first school from a major conference to do so.

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For this first case study of college football by a social historian, Lester has brought life to the story of a university football program that had an unusual beginning, a glorious middle, and a unique and inglorious conclusion. The nation's first tenured coach and the most creative and entrepreneurial of all college coaches from the 1890s to the 1920s, Amos Alonzo Stagg headed a program marked by creation of the letterman's club and by the dominant use of the forward pass, of jersey numbers, and of the collegiate modern T formation. Stagg, who had been an all-American football player at Yale University, joined the company of nine former college or seminary presidents and academic notables including John Dewey, Thorstein Veblen, and Albert Michelson when he was named associate professor of physical culture and coach of the football team at the University of Chicago in 1892. Within fifteen years the charismatic Stagg had developed a program so powerful that more Americans knew of it than of the physics experiments of Michelson, who in 1907 became the first U.S. citizen to win the Nobel Prize.The logical commercial trail established by Stagg and University President William Rainey Harper helped change football into a mass entertainment industry on American campuses. This fascinating look at the birth of bigtime college sport shows how today's gridiron glory and scandal were prefigured in Chicago's football industry of the early twentieth century, presided over by the brilliant, combative, saintly, but very human Amos Alonzo Stagg.

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Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why Review

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(More customer reviews)Laurence Gonzales has written a riveting book, not about survival technique, but survival philosophy. The points he makes can be applied to any situation in which you find yourself endangered physically, mentally, or emotionally. He weaves together the tao te ching, chaos theory, musings on Roman military tactics, biological lessons on how the brain works to help us preserve the species by preserving ourselves, true-life experiences from people who have endured some of the more bizarre "accidents", and his own taste for thrills.
Gonzales bookends the essays with the story of his father, a scientist who, as a young flier during WWII, was shot down over Germany. He FELL out of his plane--he didn't parachute, he literally fell--and lived through a harrowing recovery as a POW.
Why did his dad make it when the rest of his crew was killed?
Some of this has to do with events you can't control, and some of it has to do with how to control yourself so that you can find a way out of dire straits. He points out that some people can make every correct decision and end up being killed, while others make every wrong decision and walk out of the woods (or off a mountain...) unscathed. But, you can learn to THINK like a survivor, and greatly increase your chances of getting through what may seem, even to others in the same sinking boat, like a no-win situation.
Gonzales's dad taught him, "Plan the flight. Fly the plan, but don't fall in love with the plan." Being prepared is only part of the equation; being able to adjust to changing circumstances is what a lot of us forget about.
Reading this book is an adventure in itself. If you're a city dweller, like me, and don't anticipate not having the Sears Tower in your line of sight if you get disoriented, it's still enjoyable, and applicable to what you will eventually experience.
This book should be on every high school reading list. (Preferably BEFORE the kid takes driver's ed.)
I also recommend Gavin DeBecker's books, such as THE GIFT OF FEAR. He discusses some of what Gonzales does, insofar as honing your inner resources so they work FOR you, but he is also very specific regarding cases of direct threats from other people. Gonzales does discuss how non-survivors can compromise a survivor, but most of what he talks about is environmental.
If you are planning a wilderness trip or just a seemingly innocuous weekend hike, this book is a great reality check. It's also an inspiration. Some of these stories are just amazing, and they prove how tough, and sometimes dumb, a species we are.

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