Social Sciences Books

This book I needed for my college statistics class. It does not offer many examples, and the ones it does offer do not go into great detail. It was useful in addition to my class, but would not have been useful just by itself.

I actually enjoyed my statistics class using this book, however the study guide was invaluable and gave me an opportunity to practice, practice, practice (and it had the answers to help). I will miss this course.

I have done poorly in statistics before but this book seems to be laid out with good clarity and is better than the first book I used.

This book is part the required texts for Sociology 210 at Loyola Marymount U. in Los Angeles.

This book has a handy layout map that allows the person learning or teaching to circumvent areas of the topic that are not of significant bearing to the class.

I am just starting so take my 5 star rating with the caviat that I am not too familiar with the text yet. Amazon is cheaper than my School book store though!!

This 6th edition is almost same as 5th edition. The only difference is the Micro statistics program domostration which almost of all people are not using. Anyway if you need to buy this book, I'd like to recommend 5 edition. It is cheaper.

The book covers most necessary areas of stats, but does it not in a brilliant way: 1)In persuit of making stats simple, the author seems to have left out crucial information in some places so that it leaves the reader confused - you understand HOW to make calculation, but not WHY you should do them. 2) Writting could have been clearer and consise. Examples aren't really well selected - some much more lucid and compelling ones could be brought up to illustrate the points made. 3) The book promises "a wide range of student resources" on its web site - in fact there is nothing there except a review of elementary math. 4) The lay out of the book isn't bad, but this merit is outweighted by the mess in referencing. E.g. Index indicates that info on t-distribution is on p.46 - there is not a single word about t-distribution there, whereas all the info is on pp. 197-199, which is not mentioned in the index at all; etc.

In general, if you just want to pass an exam in elementary stats and can do with rudimentary knowledge of the subject, go with this book. For real understanding of statistics look at different books.

I have the first edition of this book and, unlike other professors, he did not lecture verbatim from his own book. I appreciated this.

His lectures are dynamic, humorous and insightful. His books can give you a fine taste of his vast knowledge but don't adequately reflect his excellent teaching style.

Furthermore, his material applies directly to your career. No matter what career you choose. He makes certain that there are contemporary touchstones and references. I went directly from his upper level classes into a career in PR and Marketing Communications with confidence that I would never encounter issues similar to his case studies. Wrong!

The funny thing about his writings and lectures is that they trigger epiphanies over a period of years.

I made only average grades in his classes (they are VERY difficult and I admittedly didn't always apply myself) but I am able to quote key legal cases, recall ethics case-studies and comprehend media principles that most people with years in the MarCom/PR field can't even grasp.

If you get a chance, buy any of his publications. If you feel bold and really seek some enlightenment on Media Ethics and Law issues, you should call Oklahoma Christian University and request any of his lecture videos.

If you are reading this Dr. P, I'm still waiting on your book on Media Law. I liked ethics but your media law courses rocked!

I have gone on to become an Information Technology engineer and yet still find myself applying knowledge gained from his courses. (Such as Intellectual Property law, copyrights, libel and fair use.)

In case you folks think I'm a shill, it should be noted that I haven't been in contact with Dr. Patterson since around 1991 and I'm fairly certain I was among his least-promising students, so we had no casual relationship.

Regardless of this, I credit his classes and books as the major force for saving my professional and, to some extent, my personal life, from self-destruction.

I have the first edition of this book and, unlike other professors, he did not lecture verbatim from his own book. I appreciated this.

His lectures are dynamic, humorous and insightful. His books can give you a fine taste of his vast knowledge but don't adequately reflect his excellent teaching style.

Furthermore, his material applies directly to your career. He makes certain that there are contemporary touchstones and references. I went directly from his upper level classes into a career in PR and Marketing Communications with confidence that I would never be like any of his case-studies. Wrong!

The funny thing about his writings and lectures is that they trigger epiphanies over a period of years.

I made only average grades in his classes (they are VERY difficult and I admittedly didn't always apply myself) but I am able to quote key legal cases, recall ethics case-studies and comprehend media principles that most people with years in the MarCom/PR field can't even grasp.

If you get a chance, buy any of his publications. If you feel bold and really seek some enlightenment on Media Ethics and Law issues, you should call Oklahoma Christian University and request any of his lecture videos.

If you are reading this Dr. P, I'm still waiting on your book on Media Law. I liked ethics but your media law courses rocked!

I have gone on to become an Information Technology engineer and yet still find myself applying knowledge gained from his courses. (Such as Intellectual Property law, copyrights, libel and fair use.)

In case, you folks think I'm a shill, it should be noted that I haven't been in contact with Dr. Patterson since around 1991 and I'm fairly certain I was among his least-promising students, so we had no casual relationship.

Regardless of this, I credit his classes and books as the major force for saving my professional and, to some extent, my personal life, from self-destruction.

Most books on ethics and laws are boring. And those that aren't boring usually lean towards not giving any practical information. This book, however, is different.

Each chapter has information to explain a specific ethical question, then a real-life example of how that question might come about, then more questions to stimulate responses. I had the honor of being in a Media Ethics class taught by the author, and our discussions were always A) in depth B) heated C) helpful.

If you are considering becoming a journalist, photographer, tv personality or any other sower of information, read this book. It will help you to formulate your opinions now, instead of being stuck in an ethical no-win situation later.

Read it.

I am from the Philippines and your book is one of the major references being used by the best professor and college instructor in our country. I have searched through and through but still couldn't get a copy of your book. I am in dire need to read your book. Where can i find it here ? Who are your local distributors or publisher ? pleeeassseeee help ???

I own an incredible amount of how to art books and this is the best among non figure drawing books. The exercises are of incredible help to me and there are an incredible amount of ideas to ignite my creativity.

With forty years of experience teaching basic drawing, this guide is probably the best I have seen for the beginning level university art student. It is clearly written and illustrated, thorough and pragmatic. Curtis does a very good job of explaining and illustrating linear and other perspective systems. The use of an imaginary clock face to estimate the angles of edges seen in perspective is very useful, and something I have done for years. (most students have difficulty comprehending a 45 or 90 angle, let alone something like a 27 degree angle).

I disagree with a previous reviewer's lack of interest in historical ideas such as the golden mean, and the Fibonacci sequence. While these certainly are not the only systems of visual organization, they demonstrate how some artists have designed their compositions. These ideas are about the relationships between various elements in a composition, and not just about perfecting a solitary object in the center of a blank page.

My only criticism is that the layout seems a bit cramped. It might look better with a larger page size, say 8.5 X 11 inches. This is a well done book and I hope it appears in a second edition.

Jim Nawara
Wayne State University

This text is the front-runner in our search for a text to teach visualization drawing for computer graphics students. Its methodology for perceiving and translating form and space into drawing very nicely parallels the principles used in computer modeling. The section on perspective clearly presents principles in such a way as to merge intuitive and analytical understanding. This is a hallmark of the book in general. In addition to practical clarity the text adds historical and theoretical perspectives to round out one's understanding of drawing. I appreciate this because, in the case of our program, it helps us to link the traditions of human visualization from ancient times to the computer age.

As a teacher of drawing, I have read many books on the subject. This book is the only one I would use as a textbook. I would agree with all the previous reviews but would only comment on the one review from the budding artist who felt the book is confusing and has too much art history for someone who only wants to learn to draw. I come to this book with over two decades of art experience so maybe that is why I find it so interesting, but even if the history is skipped and you read only the practical explanations and do the lessons in the back of the book, you will learn to draw from observation, as this book promises. The book is not meant to be read in two weeks. Learning to draw takes hard work and invested time.

Wonderful book for any artist; should be a required for all artist's library. Great reference as well as instuctional guide. Well organized, each aspect of drawing is fully covered, well written and appropiately illustrated.

Read and be very upset, just like reading about the atrocities being committed against the helpless Palestinians. What is this world coming to? Read the book to be aware and speak out about the truth you read here.

If you want to learn about some ways to actually try and change something in our world about the terrible things that are happening internationally then read this book. The authors are very practical in breaking down simple steps you can take as the average joe to change things. This is GREAT!

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR ANY AND ALL HUMAN BEINGS THAT HAVE COMPASSION AND HOPE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

Well now I know where Darfur is, not to mention Chad, Congo, Uganda, Kenya etc....this book does a pretty good job of explaining the conflict. But their main purpose is to get the reader to ACT. Which I am doing... if only to allay the deep sense of trajedy one gets from reading of the terror going on there...and here, as we turn our backs on the situation. At first I was put off by the seeming light-heartedness of the authors but now I realize they, and you, as the reader, have to put up some kind of boundry in order to not be swept away by dispair.

This book will stir your outrage and fuel within you a tremendous desire to help. To do something! It is well-written to engage you and it evokes powerful emotions -- disgust, horror, hope.

But in the end, what a let-down!

The course of action recommended? The community of nations should come together to end this. Hasn't all this useless talking been going on for decades?

There is more to this story.

Sudan is an Islamic nation that has spent two decades ELIMINATING in evil and horrendous ways its Christian and non-Muslim populations. People get a real taste for it, after a whole generation. So now the various Muslim factions are turning against one another, sort of a Muslim-purity civil war, if you will. And the atrocities, the inhumanity, the disgusting, animalistic, sickening actions of these factions are finally getting a little attention.

But the U.N. is not going to do a thing about it. And the Sudanese are not likely to be convinced by chatter.

To end this horror in Darfur, you'd better put together an elite coalition of American, British, and Australian forces and go in there to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. Declare martial law and shut the place down. Permanently.

Because if you are going to declare "Not on our Watch," you had best take steps to ensure that it isn't just useless talk.

This text provided the most basic background for selecting the sampling technique. This book is an excellent introduction to basic survey research and provided the framework from which to consider this project. As this project goes beyond the scope of this text, it became necessarily to imagine what alternatives existed given the material provided in this text. Some of the options were available in other texts, such as books on SPSS and GIS computer software, as well as some of the information in Ethnography Step by Step, which provided additional information on computer data collection options available to researchers.

An observation and common criticism of the book, both in this little Amazon fishbowl and elsewhere, is that Nozick takes givens, starts the arguments, and proceeds without initial justification of his givens.

The charge is accurate. So throughout the logic of the case he builds one finds comments like, "This does not take seriously the person as an individual" with no support or clarification. What are these statements? Are they broad appeals to what everyone has already recognized through some moral sensory apparatus, a moral fact? Are they simply what Nozick has taken as true beyond dispute, or at least, beyond fruitful argument?

Some times they are. Some times, as with property rights, Nozick has simply accepted the work of previous thinkers, there John Locke. Are there flaws with Locke's property rights base? Yes, indeed there are flaws with any theory, and one must accept the least flawed if he ever wants to advance to a higher subject. This is especially true of ethics. But Locke is certainly no insignificant thinker, but rather a reliable starting point of an analysis. And what the author perceives as commonly accepted (but not necessarily unanimously accepted) principles are fair game when one is presenting an argument--without such data, we have nothing but skepticism unbounded.

And yet many seem intent on criticizing Nozick for not reinventing the wheel--for simply filling in gaps in other theories, weaving certain ones together in new ways without going through the substrata of the entire philosophy of Western civilization, doublechecking each vein.

I find that criticism unfair. Each writer, each theoretician, must accept certain truths to begin with, accept some axioms and from thence go forward. It simply won't do to demand an entire universe in every book. Some times the premisses a writer starts with will be bizarre to the reader, and so he will not accept the conclusions. Those skeptical of "rights" in general will find trouble accepting where we are led--and if the premisses started with are so absurd perhaps we can rebuke the author for his warped view on reality. But nothing presumed here can be dismissed so easily. You may charge, accurately, that Nozick has yet to prove the existence of external reality, and ergo, this political argument is unsupported. But you're a silly person to do so.

And some of you take the idea that a progressive tax could be immoral to be simply insane, and thus you find the book's conclusion contrary to reality as such. But I tell you the quality of the book is not merely its truth (though I do believe Nozick has presented here a powerful moral truth), but also the case Nozick builds from the (often widely-held) premisses he selects, and the mastery and beauty of that case. I don't think anyone can fairly deny the grandness of what he has done here. (I am not arguing that truth is insignificant--I am arguing it is one of many components of quality).

To be honest, I loved this book. I loved the honesty, I loved the politics he justified, I loved the vibrancy of Nozick's arguments, the freshness of his methods, the power of the Rawlsian critique, the dangling tantalizing questions. I loved the parts I agreed with and those I didn't agree with.

I loved the setup--the journey through economic theory to bring us a just minimal state from the anarchist's state of nature. I loved the detours along the way--the discussion of animal rights, utilitarianism, punishment and deterrence. I loved the minimal state, and the crisp arguments that ruled any increase in it immoral. I loved the discussion of utopia, born like dessert after a full meal, a whole new set of fun arguments, providing us with more rich analytic devices, and exploding possibilities.

I loved Nozick's style--never, not for a second, patronizing. Smart, quick, concise and dense, poignant with its thoughts, and yet neighborly, polite, forthright and friendly. Were I not already a libertarian I'd be one now. Were I not already interested in philosophy, I would be now. Were I not already an ardent Nozick groupie, I would be now.

There is a passage where Nozick gives a short paean to Rawls, the beauty of his theory, the mastery of his technique. Surely Rawls deserves it, but there can be no doubt that after this work, Nozick deserves no less glowing praise. It is hard to stress sufficiently the warmth and artistry of what the author accomplishes: the birth of a political philosophy, and a journey there with every step amazing. No cliches, no tricks, just light.

With this book, the libertarians have carved a slice of truth from the world. We can be defeated--but now we must at least be faced.

Nozick's argument for individual rights as a response to Rawls's "Theory of Justice" is very strong in many ways. although his acceptance of the Lockean proviso is a sticking point for many (and, Hampton would argue, for Nozick himself), His careful look at property rights shows some of the best political thinking in the 20th century.
Unlike the proverbial anarchist, he does see the state as necessary to securing the property rights he so vigorously defends.
I highly recommend this work to anyone wishing to better understand the philosophical argument for libertarianism. The writing and reasoning are clear and easy to follow.

To understand this work in the context of the other major theories of distributive justice, I also recommend reading Rawls's "Justice As Fairness: A Restatement", Hampton's "Political Philosophy", and Simmons's "Moral Priniciples and Political Obligations".

Nozick's trenchant arguments for freedom emanate from moral conviction rather than economic theory. Life affirming to the core, they are framed in a delightful style leavened with wit. The spirited quality omniscient in his analyses consistently inspires whilst the skill and precision of his definitions, distinctions and diction impress throughout. He clearly derived much joy from the pursuit of philosophy.

To Nozick, the individual is sacred, self-owning and inviolable. Individuals are ends in themselves, not the means through which other individuals may attain ends. From this conviction issues the right to life, liberty and property. The first part is devoted to finding justification for the existence of the state as an agent of monopoly power.

He defends the minimal or "night watchman" state by isolating through analysis the detailed procedural matters involved in the use of force. Force is applied in reaction to crime, in order to protect rights and for settling disputes. The state is thus restricted to defending society from outside coercion, deterring & punishing force & fraud and ensuring the honoring of contracts.

Nozick then proceeds to criticize any type of state of which the power exceeds the minimal, a harmful entity that inevitably wrongs the sovereign individual.

Here he defines the entitlement theory of justice which comprises justice in acquisition (& in rectification should it be violated), holding and transfer. Briefly this means property is justified if it derives from procedures like voluntary transfer or acquisition that is just; it is a non-patterned principle. "From each as they choose, to each as they are chosen." Justice is not a passive state but a process.

Although agreeing with Hayek on all points, their style & reasoning differ markedly. Nozick's analytical method is far removed from the approach of the author of The Road to Serfdom.

Neither conservative nor anarchist, Nozick was a classical liberal or libertarian. He rejects the distinction between economic rights and civil liberties, and between the market and the civil spheres which in any case overlap in many instances. "Capitalist acts between consenting adults" is an example of the way he clarifies with wit.

And in confronting the lunatic fringe represented by Rothbard, he explains convincingly why Anarcho-capitalism is unstable and impossible in reality.

Back to the statist side, Nozick elegantly dismantles the case for egalitarianism in his engagement with John Rawls, illustrating the fallacies & injustice of redistribution, regulation of commerce and welfarism by means of innovative and memorable arguments.

His objection to "positive rights" like equality of opportunity is based on the fact that they require a substructure of materials & actions that may belong to others. On this subject Chantal Delsol's criticism of the European welfare state came to mind. Observing how welfarism smothers citizens in perpetual adolescence so that they conflate rights and desires, she defines this process of inhibited growth leading to selfish demands as the "sacralization" of rights.

What began as freedoms are transformed into entitlements. This process also transforms those who are responsible & productive into the slaves of the petulant adolescents, a situation that brings to mind another Nozickian saying: "Marxist exploitation is the exploitation of people's lack of understanding of economics."

Having demonstrated the irrationality and injustice of attempts to enforce equality, Nozick lovingly restores individual freedom as the primary principle. His cutting analyses is enhanced by entertaining and thought-provoking observations on alienation, equal opportunities, exploitation, love, the psychology of envy, drugs, sex and rock `n roll (sigh ... no, but a word or two would have been rapturous).

Oddly enough, this book first came to my attention when I bought The Patti Smith Group's Radio Ethiopia way back in the late 70s. The artwork inside showed a disheveled Patti sitting against a brick wall with the slogan VIVE L'ANARCHIE. Thus the punk band's Anarchy & Ethiopia became associated with Nozick's Utopia in the mind of a confused teenager.

Finally, the utopian concept is explored.

A free society serves as framework for utopia, offering a meta-utopia that permits voluntary movement between dimensions where everybody benefits from the presence of everybody else. The gist of it is voluntary association for mutual benefit.

The innumerable attempts to "refute" Nozick bear witness to the abiding light so eloquently revealed in this masterpiece of political philosophy. A further measure of its success is the influence that Anarchy, State & Utopia has exercised on various other disciplines.

I appreciate Nozick's remarkable insight, his analytical excellence and his admirable elucidatory skills. But it is the exuberance, the optimism implying meaning and purpose, and above all the love of life radiating from his writing that resonate with this reader.

Nozick's A, S, and U is a great work of philosophy; not merely for its clear and forceful arguments, but because of its ability to act like a textbook. With ASU, you get a broad coverage of political theories, ethical theories, theories about argument, economics, government and more. Highly recommended for anyone who is doing philosophy at an undergraduate level.

When I neared the end of this book, I was learning so much, I couldn't believe how I drudged through it in the beginning. Except that I did so for a reason.

This book is divided into 10 chapters. The first 6 answer claims of anarchists--they establish the existence of the state as legitimate. These 6 chapters are tedious, tedious reading. To be honest, I got very little out of them. Yet, you have to read these to be able to understand the rest of the book (sadly).

The reason? Chapters 7-10 are flat out GREAT. He crushes the welfare state beautifully, humiliates Marxism, and so on. Excellent stuff. I got tons out of these chapters.

So, half of this book is tedious drudgery (though still very brilliant stuff, to be sure), while the other half is very beneficial and enjoyable.

Recommended, with conditions.

I think this book its OK. It gives you more of a theatrical background than theatrical techniques. Backgroung information of theater, though, is essential so that we could understand theater as a whole. The book includes exerpts and many short plays. Like I had said before, it OK.

THE CREATIVE SPIRIT takes a very refreshing, multicultural view to American Theater, while still giving good, basic information about theater history and the process of theater production. This text was written to accompany introductory theater courses, (perhaps in community colleges or in a theater for non-majors context), not to try to be a definitive guide to all theater. Hence, the subtitle "An Introduction to Theatre."

Reading plays is a huge part of learning about theater, and this text includes many plays for analysis and discussion. The plays included are each unique and important, reflecting the diverse experience of the people of the United States (and probably the students who are reading them), while still teaching the same concepts as if they were reading the plays that most intro textbooks offer. Each play is preceded by contextual information including an author biography, the artistic and cultural influences that contributed to the inspiration of the writing, information about a production of the play, etc.

There are individual chapters about the role of each theater practicioner (director, designer, actor, etc.) which include interviews with professionals who discuss their craft.

New to recent editions is the addition of an entire chapter about musical theater. An important part of American theater, recent and historical musical productions are discussed.

The text is richly illustrated, with many color plates, black and white photos and drawings. Photos of Broadway, regional and college productions are included, as well as historically important people and places.

In addition, the final chapter of the text (at least in the last edition, I have not seen the most recent edition) includes a number or project ideas for students to become the producers of a show, choosing directorial concepts, set and costume designs, etc. At the end of each of the other chapters are suggested discussion questions for that chapter's content as well.

Many of us practicing theater today could even benefit from reviewing some of the basic information in this book, or expanding our knowledge of what's out there by reading about and seeing photos from varied regional productions.

In my mind, THE CREATIVE SPIRIT: AN INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE is an excellent book for what it aims to be.