Showing posts with label craptacular. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craptacular. Show all posts

A Sallust Reader: Selections from Bellum Catilinae and Bellum Iugurthinum, and Historiae (Latin Readers) Review

A Sallust Reader:  Selections from Bellum Catilinae and Bellum Iugurthinum, and Historiae (Latin Readers)
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From her opening line in the preface to the end of the book, Pagan confidently and competently outfits her readers and guides them through the dazzling world of that brilliant artist-historian, Sallust. Pagan's words come from the heart and ring out. "...I am amazed at the clarity..." "...the brilliance of his language..." "...one is struck by the frightfully honest content..." - well, I had no choice - compelled by Pagan's overpowering enthusiasm and respect for Sallust I had to see for myself just what all the excitement is about.

I find I love Sallust and I love this book! Sallust's style, subject matter, and his sense of virtus and morality combine to create a compelling, dramatic narrative. He lived through the events he wrote about. He was a tribune and had a seat in the senate. Sallust was an "outside-insider" - that is, he had a seat in the senate but was not from a noble family. He deeply loved the Republic and knew he was watching it die. As I read about the debates in the senate I was struck by how familiar the arguments were - we are still hearing some of them today. Anyone interested in today's politics should read Sallust.
"A Sallust Reader" features selections from "Bellum Catilinae," "Bellum Iugurthinum," and "Historiae." It begins with a concise, useful introduction. I must confess I often skip through the introduction to a book, but this one flows so well and steps along so lively, it is a great read! Pagan has picked up Sallust's "Brevitas" and made good use of it. It is also very accessible. Pagan's comments are to-the-point, succinct, easily understood, and engaging. She not only easily guides readers through complex grammatical sentence structure, she makes it an adventure. The selections Pagan has taken from Sallust and woven together with her commentary make for a fast-paced, gripping narrative. Her comments are refreshingly balanced in this day of political agendas, informative, interesting, and bespeak a professional steeped in her discipline and in love with Sallust. This book is a "must have" for anyone beginning to explore the writings of Sallust.


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This reader aims to introduce advanced Latin students to the works of Sallust, unique among Roman historians for several reasons. Because he uses standard vocabulary and uncomplicated syntax, Sallust is an accessible author at this level. Unlike other Roman historians whose subject matter was a distant past, Sallust writes about events that occurred in his lifetime. His roller-coaster career afforded him a unique opportunity to critique the inner mechanisms of contemporary Roman politics from the vantage of an outsider.
Complete with introduction, text, commentary, vocabulary, and bibliography, this volume contains selections (556 lines) from the Bellum Catilinae, the Bellum Iugurthinum, and the Historiae. Selections include character sketches, conspiracy and its betrayal, ethnography, a political speech, and a description of a lavish banquet. Students are prepared for an eventual reading of the monographs in their entirety and become acquainted with the fragmentary Historiae. This reader teaches the rudiments of Latin prose by reinforcing transferable skills that can be applied to other prose authors. While attention is given to Sallusts distinctive style, emphasis is placed on general structures so that students achieve comprehension and appreciation of Latin prose as a distinct-and majestic-art form in its own right.
Special Features
* Introduction to Sallusts life, work, and style * Latin text selections (556 lines) from Sallusts Bellum Catilinae (232 lines: 3.3-4.2; 4.3-5.8, 15; 22-25; 27.2-29; 40-41; 53-54), the Bellum Iugurthinum (304 lines: 6-7; 17-19; 84-86), and Historiae (20 lines: 2.70) * Grammatical and historical commentary printed at the back of the book
For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Seuss books in Latin to Plato's Apology, Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar. We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books.
Some of the areas we publish in include:
Selections From The Aeneid Latin Grammar & Pronunciation Greek Grammar & Pronunciation Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin Classical author workbooks: Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections: Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace Greek Mythology Greek Lexicon Slovak Culture And History

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Hunting bin Laden: How al-Qaeda Is Winning the War on Terror Review

Hunting bin Laden: How al-Qaeda Is Winning the War on Terror
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After coming across Schultheis's new book, I've ordered copies for all my friends and family. This is one of the most important books of the year. It provides both a vital history to, and brillant analysis of, the origins of the war on terrror, and why we are losing it. After spending a great deal of time in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq, Schultheis is uniquely positioned to evaluate the misguided strategy that the US continues to pursue. If you want to understand the real nature of the conflcit between the US and radical Islam, without the fluff and spin of either the Bush administration or the mainstream news media, read this book.

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An in-depth look at why America is losing the War on Terror and what we should do if we really want to defeat Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda."I first met al-Qaeda before there was an al-Qaeda, way back in the winter of 1984. It was an encounter that came within a split second of costing me my life."So begins Rob Schultheis's gripping account of his journey into the heart of one of the world's most dangerous places, on the trail of the world's most wanted man. A veteran war correspondent (he was one of a handful of Western journalists who covered the Russian war in Afghanistan from inside the country), Schultheis offers a first-hand look at how the seeds of al-Qaeda were planted by foreign jihadists in the 1980s, before most Americans knew what the word "jihad" meant. He then offers a radical assessment of why bin Laden remains at large, detailing the complicit role Pakistan has played in both offering him sanctuary and in helping al-Qaeda establish an almost impregnable stronghold in the Middle East. Finally, fresh from a recent visit to Afghanistan and armed with analysis of current satellite imagery, Schultheis makes his case for where exactly Osama bin Laden is hiding-and why the U.S. government is not acting on this information.

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The Stupidest Things Ever Said by Politicians Review

The Stupidest Things Ever Said by Politicians
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This has to be the funniest book I've read in years! I literally couldn't stop laughing -- it's a stunning indictment of all politicians -- at least now I'm laughing at them! I thought the authors picked an excellent range of stupid quotes -- by mixing them all up every page had at least one or two gems on it -- and the collection as a whole was A++. I also loved the special sections where the authors skewer certain types of political behavior -- It makes me watch politcians on Sunday morning news shows with just a little more cynicism! All in all, I just loved this book!

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Rise up, America -- and laugh out loud at the greatest gaffes that no spin doctor could possibly fix! The bestselling authors of The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said have concocted the perfect antidote to today's political mayhem and bad behavior. The Stupidest Things Ever Said By Politicians is a nonpartisan hall of shame featuring the idiotic utterances,ridiculous slogans, mixed metaphors, and lame excuses that have fallen from the mouths of our fearless leaders around the world, and from the present and past (because stupidity knows no age). Read their lips -- your eyes won't believe your ears!

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Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex Review

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex
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Before writing this review, I spent some time looking over many of the other reviews on here. The spread is interesting, and I think it comes from a misunderstanding of the very limited scope of this book.
First off, if you're looking for a book to explain the innate differences (if there are any?) between men and women, this is definitely not it. Further, if you're looking for a book that dives deep into communication theory and has profound statements regarding the nature of good communication, this is equally lacking. The title betrays the purpose. This book is a badly written collection of common sense ideas and tactics to use when communicating in a relationship.
Why 4 stars? Because common sense is not as common as people think. I am amazed at the 1-star ratings by "intellectuals" who charge that this book stands on very shaky philosophic ground, and that it does not live up to the high caliber of true scientific studies into communication fundamentals and/or gender differences. Get a grip! That's not the purpose of the book!
This book is equivalent to an "Idiot's Guide to Listening, Respect, and Communication, with Easy-to-Remember Examples." Intellectuals charging that the common person should read XYZ's scientific study about the fundamentals is missing the basic point -- I don't want to know the fundamentals of communication (at the moment), I just want to know why my last girlfriend got offended when I offered solutions when she was complaining about work. Sounds simple? Not for all of us.
I have a degree in rocket engineering and I am very confident that I could tear a book about "Physics for the common person" to ribbons for making vast over-generalizations and ignoring (what I consider to be) key details in the trade. I could easily humble half the readers of this review if we were talking about rocket dynamics. But would I criticize a beginner's physics book if it generates interest in my favorite subject? Of course not! You can't mock a beginner's book for not addressing the advanced issues.
Further, it is hard to argue with the couples who say their marriage has been saved by this book. All idealism and charges of misogynistic text aside - if it works, it works. Period.
I find it kind of humorous that those most offended by the generalizations made in this book are the ones most quickly to generalize. You must remember: Not all stereotypes are false, or even bad. When I go to China and sit down at a restaurant, I'm going to ask for chopsticks, and not forks. Why? Because I stereotype all people in China as eating with chopsticks. Is this bad, or just efficient?
Many men and women fall into the stereotypes as described in this book. Whether or not you agree with those stereotypes as being "right" or "acceptable" is really irrelevant to the point. Further, the stereotypes are just a method of conveying the information. Gray is just trying to document the two different most common reactions to stress, and labels them "male" and "female" according to stereotype. He might as well have labeled them "North" and "South" for all I care -- the point is not the male/female generalizations, the point is understanding BOTH ways of dealing with stress (talking about it or receding into thought) and how to correctly handle it when you or your partner starts doing either.
Last, but certainly not least, let's get off the charges of women-hating. The book is almost literally a mirror within itself, as every paragraph generalizing women has its counterpart generalizing men. While you can charge that he mislabels both equally, those who look at this evenly stacked book and somehow derive a women-bashing lean are simply playing up their own insecurities, opinions, and political stances regarding the genders. The book is an almost word-for-word split between the two (if you don't believe me, go back and look!). If you can only see the women-bashing side of things, while nonchalantly accepting all the male generalizations, then you are reading through your own mental filter, and should take a moment to consider that.
I recommend this book to those of you who may not have the common sense that the elitist intellectuals profess, nor the ludicrous sensitivity to one side of an equally balanced portrayal of (admittedly overgeneralized) gender roles.


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