Social Sciences Books

This book is full of lies from the devil himself. The only truth is in the bible. The bible is 1/3 prophecy from God. Read it for yourself. The only way to eternal life in heaven is through Jesus Christ the son of God, who died to save us from eternal death in hell. Repent now, we are living in the end times.

Dawkins is highly skilled master of terminological inexactitude whereby he briskfully overlooks the employment of primary sources in his documentation outside of the science arena.

A master revisionist historian/scientist with a finely tuned sense for highly biased selective observations. The problem is, he knows next to nothing about history, theology, or approaching life as an entity other than a robot. Naturally, this catapults him into the revisionist category.

I could easily write a book in response to Dawkins. FTR, I believe in a Creator and I am a scientist. Go figure, I am a scientist with emotions and a sense of existence persisting of more than just logical, robotic thought-processes. I am the exception, not the rule.

Dawkins is clearly not a historian. I heard a debate at Oxford University, where one of the scientists claimed Stephen Jay Gould knows next to nothing about a plethora of scientific subjects in discrediting his "popular science" theories. Upon further investigation it is undeniable that Dawkins chooses, I hope it is purposeful, to understand next to nothing about history, and his use of secular quotations are disturbingly out of historical context. A difficult question is posed in regards to where I should begin in shredding his interpretation of history.

My recommendation to Dawkins is stick to science. Remain the example of what a person should not be outside of the laboratory.

I heard him speak in a public forum. His understanding of the biblical claims are so rudimentary, it would be like a Rabbi or Pope debating an astrophysicist, whereby the Rabbi or Pope starts his argument against science, "I do not know much about astrophysics, but..."

I am not making any claims about the biblical texts, because I am not yet qualified to assess their validity. One thing is unequivocally true, Dawkins is surely not qualified to provide an evaluation regarding the authenticity of the Hebrew Bible.

I would like to see Dawkins debate Gerald Schroeder. Dawkins is wise enough not to box the heavyweights. Schroeder not only knows more about science, he knows more about the Hebrew Bible than Dawkins.

To write a book about God not existing is completely morbid and sad in a way I can't describe. The pics above also are sad. That people actively try to discredit God blows my mind. What is the point? To try to take away people's hope? God is hope and love. Without God everything is completely meaningless. Might as well kill yourself now cause there's no point in living if you believe this stuff. God is real people, open your eyes and look around you.

All you need to know is: Richard Dawkins knows everything thats possible to know, he dismisses the idea of God, and you better do it, too if you know whats good for you. He especially dislikes the Judeo-Christian God, and walks meekly around the Muslims; they likely wont turn the other cheek to him.

When you know it all, there's nothing else to discover. When youre a famous scientist like Richard Dawkins you know and can dismiss every permutation and combination of ways God might occur. You certainly know why there is something rather than nothing in our universe.

It is my goal to provide an honest review of this book, as seen from my perspective. I appreciate what Dawkins says, from the viewpoint of his arguement. Dawkins also, surprisingly, admits that the existance of God is a 50/50 chance. He does, however, provide arguments for why he believes God is improbable. The book is split into two parts. The first half of the book is Dawkins' argument against religion. The second half is a scientific history of religion and a hypothesis for why it began.

Regardless of if you are Atheist or Theist, I think both sides can appreciate (not neccessarily agree with) Dawkins' arguments. For Atheist's, Dawkins provides a central scientific argument for Atheists beliefs. Saddly enough, Atheist's are persecuted everywhere, simply because of what they believe. This is eerily reminiscent of the persecutions of jews and christians elsewhere. Theist's should not look at this book in disdain, but see it as a resource. Challenge makes people stronger, and "The GOD Delusion" is definitely a challenge.

This book was written for the Atheist, not the Theist or Christian. Dawkins states repeatedly that its not his intent to convert people, but to provide his arguments to those who share his belief. I found his arguments well thoughtout, a bit over explained, and quite stimulating. For the Athiest this book is a true breath of fresh air and a source of solace.

While I have no doubt, that because I said positive things about this book that my review will be terribly rated, I felt compelled to share my view. As an Atheist living in the christian dominated American society, I'm often smothered by the religious beliefs of others. While the Constitution provides freedom of religion, it does not afford freedom FROM religion.

Mr. Dawkins, Thank you sir. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in my beliefs, and thank you for your richly inspiring arguments.

Absolutely dreadful; a complete waste of time and money; does not work on any level.

I read this book expecting it to be a "how-to" on meeting and getting to know women. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a captivating true story of a man's (and several other men's) metamorphosis from socially inept people to masters of attracting women. For anyone looking for the "how-to" material, it's all there, woven into the story. But there is more. We get to truly see these men for who they are and we see how becoming successful with women affects their lives in different ways. It is encouraging, extremely entertaining, and even heartwarming.

I gave some thought to purchasing this book after reading Tucker Max's "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell". I never would have figured it's a book on how to turn yourself from a social outcast into a player...by using magic tricks. Wow can you get any lamer? Do you honestly think that pulling a quarter out from behind your ear is going to get you women, you mine as well dress up in your star trek outfit and head out to the bars...don't forget your pointy ears.
Suggestion: Don't waste your money, I'd rate it lower if I could.

This book is about the chronicles his journey from a lonely man with no confidence to a master pickup artist. Eventually, the pendulum settles somewhere in the middle in this guys life. Even the ending is satisfying. Very interesting, very involving and very enlightening. I also recommend other book about relationships I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

Thanks Style, not only have you given hope to shlubs like me, but you have demonstrated that self-improvement, while done to get women, is still a good thing. Over the last 3 years you have done little more than learn how to become an interesting person. I only wish that some of the bores in my life would take the time to learn how to be a little more interesting. Of course, living in Washington DC, there are never going to be a shortage of boring people. Thanks to you, I am effortlessly rising above them.My friends are complimenting me on the transformation that has taken place since I became aware of you. Thanks again!

received the book quicker than expected. the book was in excellent condition. I highly recommend this seller

The author offers reader a book behind the fast food industry which mushrooms around the county with their joints which the majority of working class rely on for their quick meals.

His research on the growers, suppliers, processors, laborers, politics and health issue behind the smiling teenager order takers leads reader to the composition of the hamburger in blood, tears and sweat from thousands of cattle, handled by the chain of workers before going to your mouth. It also makes you wonder who is eating the steaks and leaving the "residue of fats, noses, ears, trims" grounded into a mixture enhanced with artificial favor - a virtue"100% beef".

Does fast food industry cost you an arm and a leg? By eating the cheap fast food, we may pay a dear price for healthcare later!

This book illustrates the Tao of food: good and bad, healthy and junk, natural and artificial, slow and fast, traditional and modern, real and illusion.

Who program the population in acting "the allegiance to the flag of fast food industry, one fast food nation under God with franchises around 50 states in offering cheap hamburgers and freedom fries for all"?

In Eric Schlosser's first devastating book on the malpractices of the fast food industry, he pieces together history, facts, and numerous sources to reveal some disturbing truths about their nature.

Fast Food Nation is less an expose` on how unhealthy junk food is than a look into the operations of the food industry, specifically McDonalds. The book is divided into two sections: the first, "The American Way," is concerned primarily with the growth and development of the fast food chains, beginning around the 40s in southern California and soon burgeoning into multiple restaurants across the US. Schlosser details the rise of the Speedee Service System, advertising techniques the emphasis on conformity by the chains, and their consolidation of power. The next section, "Meat and Potatoes," details various specifics about the machinations of the incredibly powerful fast food corporations. To the terrible conditions of workers in filthy (and dangerous) slaughterhouses, the employment of thousands of illegal immigrants in these buildings throughout the Midwest, and the diehard attempts by the corporations against possibilities of lawsuits by these workers after receiving any number of injuries. The companies further fight against the right to unionize.

While Schlosser doesn't focus on the naturally unhealthy nature of fast food, he does describe the abundant diseases that can be found in the meat, such as E. coli O157:H7. The causes for these pathogens are the environments in the above-mentioned slaughterhouses, particularly the fact that feces often finds its way into the processed animals, or sick cattle are used along with healthy ones. Near the end of the book, fast food's spread around the globe and its effects on the societies of foreign nations are described. This and much more are brought up and examined by the determined author.

As for the writing style, Schlosser has a great ability for scene setting, as in the first pages of the introduction where he describes the Cheyenne Mountain base, where it feels like it's some sort of sci-fi novel. This book never really drags, although in the epilogue his writing abruptly seems to become more lackluster. Other than that and repeating E. coli O157:H7 one too many times, this book can be a useful weapon against the fast food empire. I still plan to eat McDonalds, but I'll definitely be thinking more when I bite into one of their products.


A note: many people will likely believe this book to be biased against the Republican party. But the fact is that the conservatives have all to often aided the corporations in their power grabs and take over of rivals. The Republicans are always accusing the Democrats of striking down competition in the free market, but it should be blatantly obvious that by buying off their other powerful competitors the corporations suppress any "free market" activity.

If you eat fast food, you need to read this book to understand what you're really putting into your body. Even if you don't eat fast food, this is an important read for the sake of understanding how the fast food industry has changed what we are as a country, and what we're becoming. It is a remarkable reality check.

You might think you know what this guy has to say, but rest assured that this book as full of surprises! It is also very interesting in a way that makes you read deep into the night.
The book doesn't only cover what fast food is doing to our health and families, but also at how it is changing industries across the world. It contains a shocking section on how minorities are being exploited, especially in the US meat industry.

It becomes more and more obvious how much research must have gone into the book, and it is refreshing, and maybe a little ironic, to see a product into which a lot of care and time was invested, especially in this fast-everything culture.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly, because it is interesting, well-researched, well-written, relevant and good value for money.

You'll never look at McDonalds the same way!

I received the book later than expected but when I emailed the seller about it. She immediately responded and shipped the book right away.

I ordered this book since it was for one of my classes and i was very disappointed with what i received. Grant it, it was page for page exactly the book that i ordered, but when i recieved it, it had this black border that said "free book, not for resale" all over it!! Like written in white all along this black border. BUT for some reason, it's NOT in the picture and that's just not right. Plus, it's not like i can sell it anywhere, i mean it says "dont sell" all over it. If i would've known that was what i was getting, then i probably would've just gone to the bookstore and spent a little more to get a regular one that i'd be able to sell back. But if it makes any difference at all, i got it on time. This is like one of the only disappointments i've ever gotten from amazon.

The product was everything that it had listed. It's in great shape and all the pages where there no extra marking of any sort.

I would like everyone to know that for a class that calls for the latest edition, which is usually hundreds of dollars, they can easily get an A with an older edition. I have proved it with this book. Even though the teacher said I would have a hard time I found everything where it was supposed to be maybe a page or two off but it was all there. This is a great book even if you are not taking a sociology class.

THIS TEXT BOOK CAME WITHIN DAYS; I WAS PLEASANTLY AND IMMEDIATELY ACCOMMODATED WITH DELIVERY TIME; CONDITION OF THE TEXT BOOK WAS CLEAN AND A GREAT PRICING ON IT!

I WILL ORDER AGAIN!

This quite possibly could turn out to be the most important book I've ever read. To be more accurate, the white book may be. The black book is a good read, and offers insight into the human condition and society, but the white covered book, the Stylelife Challenge, is nothing less than the Cliff Notes to the fundamentals of human attraction. It's a refresher course in projecting charisma for those of us who grew up without the benefit of a solid mentor in this department.
Neil manages to explain and asks you to demonstrate for yourself in a series of social laboratory exercises the mechanics of human attraction, and challenges you to be the sort of man that women want to meet. And he does this without making you feel dirty, sleazy, or embarrassed.
I feel like I'm starting to understand the mechanisms of social interaction in a way that I never have before, and can understand past successes and failures in a way that was never possible without this information. I feel like someone finally told me the rules to a game I've been playing badly all my life... and they weren't what I'd thought they were.
In short, it's amazing. Enough said.

The Challenge book may be just what I need to get my AFC self back in the game again the pocket size format of this book means I can have it with me at all times. I also recommend I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn'tI Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

Neil Strauss is an excellent writer. His autobiography 'The Game' is an awesome read. And this collection is the perfect follow up. The first book left you exactly where i would assume he wanted you, thirsty wanting to know how you could do it yourself- and heres why.

Although I enjoyed the Stlyleife Diaries, what was truly worth the money was the Stylelife challenge.

Why do all self help books always give you philosophical advice with no practical ways of incorporating it into your life?

This guide truly changed my dating life. It gives just enough theory while encouraging you to practice every day. It also doesn't allow you to skip ahead so you can learn in small chunks.

What keeps it from 5 stars is the fact that Neil essentially advertises his dating academy throughout the book which I thought ate into his integrity a bit.

Any man looking to improve his dating life should buy this ASAP.

Another awesome project by one of our best contemporary writers. Neil Strauss is a bestselling author who first got his notoriety as a staff writer for The Rolling Stone magazine. From there, he wrote books for & with some controversial artists such as Motley Crue, Marilyn Manson, and even porn star Jenna Jameson. But his biggest success came when he started writing about the secret society of the Pick-Up artist. If you haven't yet had the chance to read 'The Game,' by him, GET IT NOW! You won't be able to put it down. Read the review if you like, but just trust me & get it - you won't regret it.

Also highly recommended "The Exclusive Layguide: When Dating and Having Sex with Incredibly Hot Women is No Longer Mirage Even If You Don't Look Like a Model or Don't Make a Fortune" Both books are worth reading!

It's been a long time since I got hooked on a series of books BUT these did it. I just got Eclispe and almost done... ready to start Breaking Dawn by tomorrow. What will I do until the next one is out??? I only hope Bella and Edward live forever...............

I bought this book for my 12 year old granddaughter. She is reading the series and sent me an e-mail asking for it because it was the one she didn't have. She loves it! "Granny, you have to read these books, they are awesome!" What more can I say, she said it all.

once again that effortless flow from one volume to another without loosing your interest. great read

Stephenie Meyers twilight series is an automatic addiction, prepare to be living and breathing edward and bella!

Fab!

Stephenie Meyer just keeps 'em coming.
Another amazing book from her Twilight series...you have to read these books!

Well, I'm 14 and perfectly authorized to write a review for this book since it IS for teenagers. The entire freshman class is being required to read this book as a part of our 48 Books Program and some of us like it and some of us absolutely can't stand it. I would give it the fact that it's remotely interesting but it's mean in a way that if you do something wrong you're totally undermining your self-esteem and I think that's just plain wrong. To make this book better he should have put more in that are popular that people actually know about and are funny, not just being used to prove a point. Also, the way he wants us to write in the book and stuff just doesn't appeal to ANY of us because of the way it's phrased before a line to write. Most of us just kind of think about it and go on. It's hard to hold my attention on it for very long because just reading through Habit #2 makes you read over a hundred pages of boring text. My school is in the top 36 elite high schools in the nation and they expect us to read this boring book that's of little or no help to the majority of it's freshmen? I mean, my math teacher thinks it's the best book on the planet, but seriously, he's kind of old. Us teens (who the book was actually written for) think it's not all that great. Whatever. Read it yourself and see what you think, this is only my opinion after all, not that a whole lot of people are going to read it or anything.

This book helps to answer the question- What must I
do to be successful? The author discusses good habits of
highly effective teens, as well as planning and win-win
scenarios. Above all, a teen must be a good listener in
order to influence people. Poor listeners are identified
by the author; as follows:

o Do you pretend to listen?
o Is your listening selective?
o Do you listen to words only or take in other things
like body language?
o Are you empathetic?
o Does your mind wander in another galaxy?

These are all good questions which the author poses.
Each of us has a style. Some students are imaginative,
creative or spatial. Others are investigative or
inquisitive. Still others tend to be realists or
fatalists. A minority of people tend to be too analytical.
This phenomenon is called "analysis paralysis". Our
tendency to over analyze a problem actually gets in the way
of successfully executing a practical solution on an
immediate basis.

Teams have all kinds of people. Some are plodders.
Others are followers. Some may innovate while a minority
of people harmonize the group and aid in its ultimate
cohesion as a unit.

The book is an excellent value, The author poses
questions aimed at getting teens to identify and correct
sloppy habits/predispositions. These negative aspects
may hinder academic performance later on.

This is a very good book for middle and high school age kids. It gives them a direction and a way to plan how they live and interact with other teens and adults. I'd also recommend getting the companion workbook The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workbook [[ASIN:1929494173 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workbook. It helps cement the concepts covered in the book

Like many of the reviewers on here, I too was one of the unfortunate teens who had this book thrust upon them in high school. I was always a negativist at heart, so I am naturally critical of self-help programs and feel-good books like this one. But since I was going through a rough patch in my life, I decided to give it an honest chance. Plus, it was given to us at no charge, which I did appreciate.

Unfortunately, this book is only helpful to one of two different types of teens, neither category of which I happened to fall into. First are the type of individuals who are already happy-go-lucky, self-confident, and have already fully developed a sense of identity. Teens who are depressed, have a bad family situation, have financial troubles, or have issues with self-image should forget this book even exists. The second type of rare teenage breed who might actually benefit from this book is the one who has the dedication and the energy to uproot his or her entire life in order to live it according to Sean Covey's strict specifications.

Personally, I found the book to be so overly enthusiastic that it actually sickened me. Covey seems to assume every teenager is of the same mold. He doesn't account for some very important variables which often contribute to teenage stress and hardship (i.e., moving to a new location, domestic violence, the death of a loved one, mental illness, etc.) and the issues he does address are often glossed over in a goofy, unrealistic manner. It's plain to see that Covey, despite his "I-used-to-be-just-like-you" attitude, didn't have too many problems growing up. Perhaps he should have let someone more qualified write this book.

Even the people who might enjoy this text will be turned off by its blatant profiteering. There are copious references to a companion planner that you are supposed to buy, as if all other day planners are somehow incompatible.

My advice for troubled teens: burn this book and keep listening to angry music and playing violent video games. It is far more therapeutic than reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens".

I come from a horrible background, my family has no moral structure, they're either on drugs or selling drugs.

My freshmen year of high school was really hard for me, my moms drug use escalated and I felt trapped. I was about to give up and go towards the bad stuff my family did/does. I just wanted to be accepted, I was too weird for the normal kids, but not hardcore enough the kids that let me hang with them.

I had no support, and I felt like I couldn't reach out, after a suicide attempt, I was put into a leadership class and the Curriculum was the Seven habits of highly effective teens

This book helped me:
Over come my family (I moved out when I was 16)
Get better grades (I went from a 1.6-3.8 in one year and graduated with a 2.5)
It helped strengthen my moral goals (and give me some also)
and It helped me take care of myself

I am now 19 a freshmen in college and working towards becoming an abnormal Child Psychologist.

A few good teachers and this book saved me from a life of crime and drugs.

I feel like there are a lot kids out there that need this book, and a few good teachers.


P.s. I still have my copy from my freshmen year, all beat up and highlighted and I re-read it every so often to remind myself of all the awesome stuff in there.

Goldberg's book wanders from time to time and there are parts that are hard to follow because of this. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book. Goldberg correctly identifies fascism as a left wing movement, a fact that most do not seem to recognize. He exposes the continuity of thought from the so-called progressives a century ago to the so-called progressives today. While identifying similarities between fascism over the last 100 years and today's liberals, he takes pains to insist that he is not saying that today's liberals are just like Nazis (in contrast to some of the other reviews you may read). This is a thought-provoking and enlightening book. Hopefully the skeptical will be motivated to learn the truth.

I was genuinely interested in reading this, but he was so caught up with his fervor, talking points, and preconceived notions of reality that I couldn't get to the wonderfully researched history.

His thesis relies on his own (rather uninteresting, though mildly creative) manipulation of semantics. At best his arguments are eye-rolling. More disgracefully, he completely discounts general historic attitudes that were pervasive across party lines.

All in all, rather than being an informative piece, he just comes across as a condescending jerk who only loves the sound of his voice. The kind of guy that clears the room at a party.

I touch on the connection between historical European liberal facism and our own political left in the United States in my newest book, Reason For Life; Further Social and Political Reflections of an American Conservative Atheist. I encourage you to read it, not for the meager revenue it generates, but because it could appeal to many of you on either side of the aisle.

Reason For Life. Further Social and Political Reflections of an American Conservative Atheist

Frank Cress

First of all, allow me to say that I have purchased and read this book -- something I believe few, if any, of the negative reviewers have done.

This is an important work, tracing the intellectual development of the idea that the all-powerful people's State should always trump the individual and be in firm control of all aspects of the population's culture, education, defense or military expansion, information, health and economy, from its modern beginnings under Wilson to the currently epoused nanny state. One could go further back to the French Revolution or further to Thomas More, of course, but given the deplorable state of history knowledge in the US, this might well be counter-productive. Monarchies need not be considered as they are not states that derive their legitimacy from the people -- but rather from God and inheritance.

The most negative aspect of this book is its title, "Liberal Fascism." A careful reader will learn what is meant by the author, but the vast majority will simply see the juxtaposition of the two words, "Liberal" and "Fascism" and read into this anything their pre-conceived ideas suggest. Actually, the author meant to describe something like "Benevolent Fascism", "Soft Fascism", "Smiley-Face Fascism", or my favorite, "Fuzzy Fascism" (e.g. Fascism that will not hurt you.) The word "Liberal" is used to put a more moderate or liberal face on Fascism, something more appropriate to nanny-state fascism. If the reader misinterprets the title, then little rational discussion can ensue.

The strengths of the book are in its rediscovery of the truly disturbing policies of the Wilson administration in 1917 and 1918 whereby opponents of his administration and policies were brutally suppressed. One should review the repressive Alien and Sedition Act and the Espionage Acts that Wilson promulgated. Nor did he shrink from meddling in other countries' affairs and supporting leaders he favored. The reader is advised to study his backing of Carranza and his Vera Cruz expedition in Mexico. At any rate, the Progressive movement in the US really did bring many ideas into the mainstream of American political thought that were later used as cornerstones of fascist ideology.

The author traces the support of communist and fascist states by American progressives until World War II -- an historical fact that should not be denied today as an inconvenient truth.

He also argues succinctly that Fascism replaces a religion based on a supreme being (God) with a religion based on a supreme State. So does communism as a matter of fact. The new God becomes the will of the people as interpreted and enforced by the State's elite for the people's benefit. Hence the development of the nanny-state political philosophy is a direct descendent of Fascism and features many of its evils. Bill O'Reilly has coined the name "Secular-Progressive" to describe thie political philosophy, although I wonder if he realized the historical accuracy of his term. The missing part is the militarism and genocide associated today with Fascism, which were outgrowths of the core ideas of Fascism and may well yet develop in the nanny state. After all, what would there be to stop such a development? It should be remembered that one of Hitler's early steps was to introduce full gun control in Germany to reduce any possibility of internal resistance to his regime.

The argument that "it can't happen here" should be revisited in light of Wilson's actions, Roosevelt's creation of concentration camps for Japanese during World War II, and the more recent Patriot Act. Unfortunately, many turn to the ACLU for solace, but it must be remembered that this organization was founded to foster the spread of communist ideology, and consistently supports the all-powerful leftist and secular state against the individual and religion.

The book bogs down somewhat in the argument that fascism is a product of the left and not of the right (politically.) The author is correct here, but he is swimming upstream against a powerful current from the mainstream American media which is firmly leftist and committed to the creation of a nanny state. In addition, he is trumped by the educational industry, both in public schools and in universities which has consistently taught socialist ideology since World War Two under the rubric of liberal teaching. As of this date, we have had a steady diet of socialist propaganda in our schools and universities for so long than no national or local figure has escaped its pernicious effects. What was thought to be "far-left" in 1960 is now centrist -- so far have we gone down the road towards a fascist state.

Nevertheless, the use of terms that everyone interprets in their own fashion by the author colors this discussion so markedly that constructive dialog between liberals and conservatives over this work is highly improbable. That is a great loss to our democracy.

So what is the solution? There probably isn't one. Politicians eloquently espousing "change" and "hope" have already very effectively learned how to evade issues in favor of vacuous but thrilling demogogy to rise to power. It must be remembered that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama studied Saul Alinsky thoroughly, making him possibly the most important individual in the background of the 2008 election. Senator Clinton even did double duty traveling to California to study under an unrepentant Stalinist. Perhaps they do not understand the road on which they are traveling -- after all, they've never been taught anything different. (That's why home schooling and even charter schools are such threats.) I suspect that the US will survive anything they do in the short term, but they are harbingers of things to come. The trend is there from the days of Wilson, and the ultimate denouement is in sight with Europe cheering us on out of envy every day. Even the mass demonstrations so loved by fascism to demonstrate the power and popularity of the State and its leaders are now being copied.

Before I receive thousands of hate comments from Obama supporters, allow me to state that the epithet "Fascist" does not fit Barack Obama in any way, shape or form. But the parallels I noted should not be overlooked in a study of the historical sweep of events and the acceptance of ideas. There is no question that the US has taken many steps on the road to the author's fascist nanny state, and opposition to this trend is fast being suppressed.

Liberal fascism?

It's understandable why liberals get angry when they see this book displayed. When I saw its cover and title, my first reaction to Jonah Goldberg's LIBERAL FASCISM was to disregard it. It looked like another partisan hatchet job on liberal/progressive politics, and a tacky one at that. That impression soon disappeared, however, once I started browsing its pages. Don't let Hitler Smiley Face on the cover or its ostensibly oxymoronic title (which was actually coined by H.G. Wells back in the 1930s) fool you: LIBERAL FASCISM undoubtedly is a polemic, and not without flaws, but it's also a good book, with a startling and provocative perspective.

To give a short version to the long story behind this controversial book, Los Angeles Times columnist and National Review contributing editor Jonah Goldberg argues that much of modern liberalism is actually the offspring of 20th century progressivism, which in turn shares intellectual roots with both Marxism and European fascism. Throughout much of Europe the communitarian impulse expressed itself in socio-political movements that were militarist, nationalist, and often racist. In the United States this same impulse took the form of progressivism which was better suited to American culture, but no less militant in its crusading spirit, and at times just as nationalist and as racist in expression, as its fascist counterpart. The ultimate goal of American progressivism was holistic society, similar to what the writer and social critic H.G. Wells approvingly dubbed "liberal fascism." (People interested to further explore Wells' fascist/totalitarian tendencies, should read his THE SHAPE Of THINGS To COME, which speculates on a future course of world history from the 20th to the 22nd century.)

Like I mentioned, the book does have its flaws, most of them due to Goldberg's static and often deliberately simplistic ideas for what constitutes "liberal" and "conservative," and his refusal to consider these terms ever as relative signifiers, or to use them outside a 21st century American context.

Such a point brings me to Goldberg's habit of grouping all communitarianism/collectivism exclusively in the left corner. It's just not true. Goldberg ignores, for example, the fact that collectivism was at the heart of traditional Russian society, long predating Marxist and other forms of modern socialism. He makes no mention of the communistic aspirations at the heart of Christian millennialist sects like the Levellers and Diggers of mid-seventeenth century England, both groups being offshoots of Oliver Cromwell's Puritan New Model Army. Such historical phenomena don't fall neatly within the clearly drawn lines of contemporary America's liberal vs. conservative dichotomy. Neither does neopaganism, the occult or ethically-based vegetarianism, anti-vivisectionism or a host of other things which fascinated nineteenth and early twentieth century European society as a whole. Occult and neopagan beliefs, in fact, were prominent within certain elements of Europe's Right, not its Left.

Closer to home, Goldberg does better work with the incipient fascism in 1930s American populism; correctly exposing, for instance, the left-wing roots of Louisiana governor Huey Long and radio commentator Fr. Charles Coughlin. On the other hand, the omission of William Dudley Pelley, George Lincoln Rockwell, or movements like the Silver Shirts and the Black Legion from a book focusing on fascist tendencies in American politics makes one suspicious. The aforementioned names and groups all were openly and proudly fascist--and all also shared origins in traditional American conservatism. By not mentioning any of these individuals or organizations it makes Goldberg look like he was cherry picking facts; ultimately this is more detrimental to the book's worth than either the title or the Smiley Hitler graphics of the cover.

Nevertheless, Goldberg still would've been better off, in the long run, choosing Orwell's "Oligarchical Collectivism" for the title.

Diamond traces the spread of human culture, language, and empire-building across the globe in terms of "geographic determinism"--a pejorative term he deplores: ". . . Societies developed differently on different continents because of differences in continental environments, not in human biology."

Specifically, he traces the ultimate causes that some human societies who (literally and sometimes figuratively) developed guns, germs and steel were able to subjugate the continental areas of the globe: domestication of plants for food, domestication of animals for food, transportation, power, and military purposes, and east/west continental axes that enabled food production techniques and the resulting political organization, language, and technology to spread most quickly.

Diamond makes a compelling case in a way that takes the racism out of much of the "manifest destiny" writing that surrounds this topic. Doing so, however, he takes a purely evolutionary view of human history. No allowance is made, for example, for events such as a single point of creation, dispersal of language from Babel outward (even though it would address a mystery he is unable to solve), or a world-wide flood which wiped out existing patterns of human dispersal and restarted human history from another single point.

This book is interesting for those who prefer non-fiction. I bought this book for a friend.

While this book is difficult for many high school students, its ideas and the methods used to create his thesis are concepts your students can get. This would be a great jumping off point for an interdisciplinary unit and as the years go on, history and social studies teachers need to change the way we present history if we want students to be ready for the 21st century. In a time when students can get facts right off of Google faster than we could give it to them, we need to teach history as concepts and not focus on students learning only facts. Diamond interprets the facts to create a a thesis on why certain societies excel and come out on top. You could compare and contrast his thesis to the Human Web or the Kennedy's Rise and Fall of Great Powers. On its own, GGS could be a powerful tool in the classroom and teachers of all disciplines should read this text. All texts are biased and no one should expect perfection so if you want to be convinced of one particular view then you shouldn't read it. But if you are open to learning more and having more questions when you are finished (which is not a bad thing), then you should read this and give select passages to students.
For non-teachers, this book really makes learning history easy and interesting which may be different from your own educational experience.

Many reviews claim this book to be biased and bereft of some important additional components that have influenced human evolutionary history. Diamond actually does mention many of these components, but seems to think they're merely subsidiaries of the broader agents behind history's patterns (which he lists as government/religion, germs, writing, and technology).

This book isn't perfect, but it's a great start and leaves the door wide open for those interested in pursuing the study of human evolution. It's boldest claim is that geography was the greatest SINGLE determinant of the evolution of human societies (continental axes, climate, biology, geology, etc.). He doesn't claim geography did it all and does indeed discuss important other factors such as cultural receptivity to new technology, progress, and change. But I think it's interesting that he goes so far as to claim that the essence of it all is mere geographical location, and from that simple starting point our many complex differences have spawned.

Without a doubt, this has got to be the worst book I have read in a long time. What would have been an interesting blurb in the sociology section of 'Time' magazine, becomes hundreds of pages of pure mindless dreck in the hands of Jared Diamond. Let me save you a few days of your life by summing up the book: The reason why white, western / European societies flourished and the rest of the of the non-white, non-western world did not was because the European climate and terrain favored domestication of plants and animals while the rest of the world's terrain and climate did not. Therefore, western man had more free time on his hands to invent stuff and put a man on the moon, while the rest of the world, to this day, is still screwed up. Wow. I am so annoyed I read this book and wasted so much time doing so.