change Books

The book is not dense reading. Typical Sociology-oriented stuff about discrimination and whatnot. Not worth reading unless you need it for class. A decent textbook, though, if you need one.

This is a great vendor, I need the book right away and send the vendor a note and I got a response back right away. The vendor even kept me up do date on when the book was going to be shipped, this is a well trusted vendor...

I was very impressed with how quick I received my book, and the book was in great shape!

very good book and I have seen a lot of textbooks in my time

the book has helped me understand things that I didn't know or expect to see

Although they had visited two continents and settled in a third within the first month of their lives, I've often had to remind my children that books are the next best thing to travel. This volume is no exception. The excursions the reader embarks upon in this enjoyable collection are a remarkable adventure across six continents and fifteen cultures. More than geography or even culture, however, these stories tell intriguing tales of change -the inevitable, often frightening and at other times rejuvenating impact of both time and globalization. The change is all the more marked because it is recounted by an outsider who has become intimately acquainted with the culture, but following a distinct break in time since their last visit. I applaud the editors on their creative compilation.

Working on a doctorate linked to migration, I was first attracted to this volume by its subtitle. It wasn't until a few tales deep that I realized the ethnic groups described were moving less often, less swiftly -or at least, shorter distances-- then change itself. Far from being victims of that change, however, the authors eloquently describe cultures that show fierce resilience and crafty enterprise as they transform their identities to keep pace with a changing world. The most common change-related theme manifested in the fifteen chapters is identity. The second two most recurring themes are globalization and power.

Migration, in fact, took only the fourth place. Chavez has an excellent narrative that uses theory and history to compare the effect of migration on culture. It would have served well as an introductory piece in the section on migration (Part III); the other sections could likewise have benefitted from a global opening chapter. The tales specifically dealing with migration were as colorful as they are incomparable. The Yolmo in Nepal have a complex network enabling international labor migration, far from home. The Rashaayda of Sudan, a Bedouin tribe born in migration, see their culture evolving (and migration slowing) due to policy, war and economic pull factors in Saudi Arabia. The Mardu of Western Australia, originally nomadic hunter gatherers, started to settle under the influence of ecological change and colonization. Although not included in Part III, the chapter on the Vasilikans in Greece specifically describes migration networks that satisfy the growing need for consumer goods, marriage and labor networks. Migration in China has also contributed to an evolving construction of identity.

Change is described through these chapters as a result of time, of globalization, of capitalism, of simple exposure to external stimuli or other ways of living; usually change arrives softly and gradually, sometimes so much so that it is hard to discern. Setting aside migration, the most common catalysts of change among these fifteen cultures include market forces, state policy, colonization and technology. Seven of the adventures gave importance to transnational market forces, economics and/or wage labor: the Canela of Brazil, the Yaxbeos of Yucatan, the Rashaayda of Sudan, the Yolmo in Nepal, the Sambia of New Guinea and the Vasilikans in Greece. This is not to say that the economy was the only driver of change, but rather was accompanied by the influence of policy, modernity, marriage, colonization, religion, and schools. In four cultures, state/policy surfaced as a key driver of change: the Minangkabau of Sumatra, China, the Mardu of Australia and again, the Rashaayda of Sudan. Colonization was a focus in three cultures: those of the Sambia of New Guinea, the Mardu of Australia, and the Aztecs in Mexico, while Technology/modernity played a key role in China, the Crofters of Scotland and the Vasilikans in Greece. Among the Vice Lords in Chicago, kinship and the Nation of Islam drive recent changes, and in the Ju/'houansi of Nambia/Botswana, continuity and female autonomy.

Despite the colorful travels, as I turned the pages, I desired more information than that which was offered. At each frontier between chapters, a short biography is provided to describe the profiles of the tour guide / author. Although an excellent initiative, there seems to be no standard for these descriptions; some are written in first, others in third person; some give great detail, others offer little useful information. It would be helpful, especially to students or newcomers to anthropology, to be able to learn from these profiles the author's specialty within anthropology, his/her major contribution to the field and perspectives. Although in this era, much information can be extracted with little ingenuity from the internet, it is pleasant to learn effortlessly at the start of the voyage the key formative factors of one's tour guide, i.e. gender, nationality and specialty.

Unfortunately, although westerners and Anglophones hold no monopoly on culture, change or ethnography, less than three out of fifteen authors seem to be from beyond North America, with almost none schooled far from the U.S. A Japanese perspective of the stereotypical Midwest USA between the 1980s and 21st Century in Wisconsin is particularly refreshing. A chapter or two more from other authors who view change through non-western or, at least less American glasses would greatly enhance the volume. Certainly there is no lack of modern anthropological works from foreign scholars.

The most jolting gap in the volume is the near total silence of the natural environment as a driver of major cultural change. Only once was the ecological climate -gradual or abrupt-- mentioned as an even remote force edging cultures towards forced adaptation and evolution. This was in the chapter on the Mardu of Western Australia and received a total of three lines (spanning pages 226-227). Most of the fifteen cultures are portrayed as largely detached from the natural environments in which they live. They are described to engage in the social, and at times economical, construction of their identities, leaving the influence of the environment to the imagination of the reader. Despite excellent and vivid ethnographies, the tales surface, thus, as partial. Nowhere was there even the hint of a political ecology of globalization where politics, economy and the environment join in a rich trio to mold new culture.

In our epoch, when climate change is awarded the ultimate Nobel Peace prize, it is time for anthropologists to specifically research the impact of the environment on cultures across the globe. It would be beneficial to give those persecuted by harsh environments voice and agency before western governments make them the next "public enemy". If anthropologists happen to be rare in this particular field, there are many geographers and other interdisciplinarians that avidly and astutely apply "Foucault". They could join together to produce the sequel volume: Climate and Change in Fifteen Cultures.

great book; we have had the author working in the netherlands many times now; his model is great for the public arena; we have introduced his work in cities, agencies and so on; worthwile for every worker and manager in the public sector; the book is easy to read with many practical tips and exercises; this is all about how you reach your customers and how you organise your agency!

This is a short, easy to read book that gets right to the heart of performanace measures in government agencies. A absolute "must read" book for anyone working in the public service.

Interesting book, hits you over the head with the point. could have been more and less at same time.

Common sense? Lack of jargon? Plain, understandable language? Minimal paper? Humor? How can this be in a text on managing social change?
The writing shows the broad span of Mark's expertise and interests. The structure of the approach reflects linear logic that can only come from a mind trained in math. No mushy thinking here! The style shows some experience with teaching, and the humor shows a person who is comfortable with himself and who has no need to impress. Very useful!

"Trying Hard is Not Good Enough" and the Results Accountability framework are proven and effective tools for all federal, state, local and non-profit organizations looking to improve conditions of well being for the clients they serve. Having trained or provided technical assistance in the implemention of Results Accountability to leaders in all sectors, including undergraduate students, I have found that the concepts in the book are easy to grasp by all. The book also shows how to effortlessly get from talk to action on the issues that matter most.

This was my all time Julia Cameron favorite. Something to seek out when in crisis -- like a prayer book for the spiritual personality. Very helpful.

*****
This book contains short prayers/meditations related to being an artist, writer, or really, creator of any type, done in a style reminiscent of Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way". If you are a fan of Cameron, the guru of creativity for artists and writers, you will certainly enjoy this. Each page has a quotation at the top, and then the author writes a meditative paragraph that is related to the quotation. She always ends with an affirmation, "Today...."---something that you can take with you into your day. The book has a topical index in the back too. Lovely book, highly recommended.
*****

There are some books that are so good, you almost want to keep their existence a secret-somewhat like finding a hidden treasure in a field, a needle in a haystack or a pearl of great price at a rummage sale. Julia Cameron's Transitions strikes me as one of those books.

Cameron is better known for her popular and sensitive book called The Artist's Way, which is a combination of creative and devotional insights and incentives for all who have the urge to paint, sculpt, build, compose and design from a faith-center. That book has been a much-thumbed companion for many artist friends of mine.

Transitions is perhaps a more intimate version of that better known work. In it, Cameron offers prayers and what she calls "declarations" for a changing world. These are presented in a form much like a daily devotional. There is a quotation from a source familiar or obscure, followed by reflections by Cameron herself.

Throughout the book, Cameron seeks to remind both herself and the reader that accepting change is the key to thriving through it. She is a tender and thoughtful traveler through the various life events that some would call surprise, others would term crisis, yet all will experience at one time or another.

For those who are convinced that change is always "bad", there are some outstanding sections on these aspects of change: abundance, clarity, compassion, courage, curiosity, expansion, happiness, love, protection, service, satisfaction and strength. What? You say that you had never considered these things as "change"? All the more reason to explore what Cameron has to say about them.

Then, there are sections having to do with relationships. I particularly like what Cameron has to say about genuine friendship. She begins by quoting our first President George Washington on that subject: "True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." Cameron goes on to encourage us to see those relationships we call friendships in the atmosphere of values that help us determine their verity: "Friendships require honesty and honesty requires courage. In all friendships there are moments when we must choose to be courageous. ...Honesty is healing and nutritious to my heart and its friendships." (pages 63-64). Cameron invites you to respond to your yearning for those genuine friendships, which surpass the superficial, the way a solid cherry table surpasses particleboard. You sense the kinds of support Cameron offers the adventurous traveler through life.

The reader may be surprised that Cameron quotes both well-known Christians and those of other faiths; moreover, that she brings gleams of light from cultures other than our own. The timid reader may keep such insights at arm's length. But to do so would miss the wonder and beauty to be had in these pages, as well as our Lord's pithy observation, "The Spirit blows where it will."

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction

I found this small book very powerful and helpful. There were quotes and small essays for all types of transitions.

This is an effective way to connect with the higher power and obtain the strength one needs during times of transition.

Bravo to Julia Cameron for a first-aid kit for us in transition.

I had bought this book early in the year (2005) but had somehow put it aside and forgotten about it. Three weeks after the death of my husband in December, the book "appeared" to me again and it was such a comfort to me. I am now reading it for the third time. It has been one of my best tools for dealing with my grief. Thank you Julia for such beautiful thoughts. Thank you God, for such a talented writer.

Clean, fairly priced, non monopolized energy sources and distribution are so important for the present and future. Lots of great ideas but why name the book after a pagan deity that with a simple wikipedia search reveals more than I wanted to know about Apollo as a demonic entity and his works. If you really wanted to get the message out, pull the title and rename it with out religious conitations (unless intentional). Please stop shooting yourself, and every one else who believes strongly in this issue, in the foot and lets get on with the task at hand.

On page 188, Rep. Inslee states: "A wind turbine's output rises exponentially with the length of its blades." Actually, the relationship is not exponential; it is polynomial. If the relationship were exponential, it would be possible to connect several sequential wind turbines to create a perpetual motion machine.

Rep. Inslee's home state of Washington has a math requirement for graduating high school students. This standard clearly states that high school graduates should understand the difference between exponential and polynomial relationships. Perhaps Rep. Inslee should repeat high school math before he expounds on "solutions" for the nations energy crisis.

The thing I like about this book is that it was a great crossover book for both my boyfriend and I. I don't follow energy issues nearly as closely as he does. I need a book that isn't too dry and keeps my interest, but provides the information I need to come up to speed on solutions to global warming and energy independence. This book accomplishes that by relaying that information through personal stories of individuals throughout the country, and contrasting their efforts with national policy. At the same time, judging from my partner's perspective, he was very happy with the book providing him with the latest on this fast moving subject and offering insights into the best investment opportunities in the clean energy space. The book also had some interesting anecdotes about interactions with politicians like Bill Clinton.

The only thing that I think can be considered a down side for the book is that it could have given the status of its policy proposals in Congress. However, I do recognize that doing this could make the whole book outdated when new laws are finally passed.

I think I speak for my partner and I when I say that it was inspiring. Finally, a proposed solution (or plan at least) to this problem!

Congressman Jay Inslee puts forth his view toward a solution to fuel prices and climate change. The field is rather crowded right now for books on this topic. Inslee approaches the angle of the economy and jobs more fully than his competitors. He remains more neutral on hydrogen, nuclear, and clean coal, while encouraging wind, solar, and tidal energy.

Inslee puts forth Ten Energy Enlightenments.

1. Opportunity Is Best Found in Crisis
2. Boldness Is Required - Tinkering at the Edges Didn't Put a Man on the Moon
3. We Must Reject the Tyranny of the Present
4. There Are No Silver Bullets
5. Everybody Needs to Get on the Bus
6. If Government Sets the Road Signs, the Market Will Drive
7. Failure Is an Option
8. Prejudices Are Best Left at the Door
9. Clean Energy Will Be Powered by New Politics
10. No More Free Lunches

"Failure Is an Option" is one that has been forgotten. As a nation it seems that fear of risk in the short-term is setting America up for absolute failure in the long-term. Like Apollo 13, failure is a necessary part of exploration.

Inslee sizes up energy situation and climate change well, and does thorough descriptions of energy alternatives - solar, wind, biofuels, clean coal, nuclear, tidal. His description of the "Four Horsemen of the Energy Apocalypse" is memorable.

1. Inertia - ideas can represent change in investments, policies and behavior. Inertia wears down efforts to change the status quo.

2. Special interests

3. Miasma of ideology - issues are viewed through an ideological prism rather than a scientific, pragmatic one.

4. Fear - we cannot adopt policies that can succeed.

I would add one more. Fashion. Once ideas sit for too long the media will migrate back to other things, such as Britney, Paris or Lindsay.

I love Jay Inslee and I think he is a great politician, BUT, solving the global warming climate crises ISN'T Rocket Science! It is within our grasp today. American waste twice as much energy as Europeans to achieve the same lifestyle and per-capita GDP. That's just stupid. Fixing much of this is trivial: I bought CFLs, turn off the lights when not in the room, saved 50% on my electrical bill, and applied 10% of that savings to sign up for my electrical utilities "100% green" option to make sure my electricity is coming only from solar and windmills. And I saved myself money. That ISN'T Rocket Science. Rather it is common sense -- something that has been conspicuously absent from American Politics for the last 30 years! And for God's Sake Buy A Prius!

This is an inspiring book that gives a good sense of 'complexity theory' and how social change can come from many directions.

I head about this book at the 10th Regenstrief Biennial conference on system transformation of healthcare in the United States. It was mentioned particularly by Paul Biondich and Burke Mamlin with regards to their work to create effective treatment for people with HIV/AIDS in Africa through an open source electronic medical record. (See more at http://www.slideshare.net/bmamlin/openmrs-transformation)

The book essentially describes a Zen-Canadian approach to social change. Although loosely based on complexity theory (the one where a butterfly creates a hurricane), complexity theory is very complex, so I would have to say that it is very loosely based.

Reading its stories of how profound changes had occurred in social systems such as Muhammad Yunus' Grameen Bank and anti-poverty and anti-racist activists in Canada, it makes a case the change proceeds from a number of phenomena:

A deep and human level understanding of social ills nurtured over time which leads to tentative hypothesized solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all quick fix or a certain recipe.

A sense of being called to action in a way that almost makes taking action a non-decision for the change agent.

An openness to feedback in the problem solving work (a fair amount of time is spent pointing out the ultimate futility of structured plans given the complexity of the world.)

A willingness to confront the powerful - be that oneself, ones fears or other social stakeholders who may oppose change.

Of interest to me as program staff person at a medium sized US foundation, there is a fairly extensive discussion of the sins of philanthropy with regards to social change. We tend to require more specific objectives and reporting than is realistic given this model of change. We tend to over-evaluate our grantees in terms of these foolish metrics and quantifiable outputs rather than using methods of appreciative inquiry or developmental evaluation to understand the process. I get the sense that at least one of the authors is an evaluator and is tired of being hired to do the wrong thing.

Most moving to me were the observations that change is so very hard. Most social innovations fail in important ways. Even when they do succeed, that success is only temporary or limited - it can be reversed by changed circumstances or become a new baseline from which to aspire very quickly. Social innovators in this view face enormous challenges - they are fundamentally alone, necessarily always questioning everything, and doomed by the complexity of the world and human limitation. Is there such a thing as Zen-Existentialism?

There seems to me to be a lot of truth in these views. However, I have to say that these change agents' program officers are lousy. In addition to handing out checks and demanding unreasonable reports and evaluations, our major job is to support the grantees. No grantee should ever feel alone, if their program staff person knows what he or she is doing.

I still don't know what to make of this book. I look forward to seeing more reviews from others.

This is an extraordinary book that changed my view of the world in the first 25 pages. While the main focus of the book is a set of principles and approaches to adopt if one is trying to make the world a better place, the principles can be applied more broadly to everyday life. The authors show how small interactions with complex systems can produce disproportionately significant results if one first understands the system, using examples such as Yunus's micro-lending in bangladesh.
Everyone should read this book.

Great process easy and fast the book was received in great shape and a quick ship.

Brilliant is the best word to describe this work. Kurzweil has brought the future into something of a focus with this amazing look into the future. What really makes this work is that you can't 'see' exactly what the future will be even though he brings you further along than you have been. We can't see past the singularity - it will be something amazing - but we cannot truly conceive of what will be.
This will change the way you view our world and the future of our race.

In my opinion, this is an exceptional book. I was astonished to read some of the criticisms it has received on amazon.com. I truly could not put this book down. The depth of the subjects covered is great. For anyone who is interested in futurism, this should be on your bookshelf.

First of all, the author is an extremely accomplished man. Chances are you use one of his inventions everyday. Kurzweil was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, received thirteen--yes, thirteen--honorary doctorates, the National Medal of Technology, the Lemelson MIT Prize (the world's largest award for innovation), and awards from three US Presidents. This makes me more than comfortable when reading this book.

I very much enjoy books of this nature, but have never encountered a book such as this; with every claim and prediction, Kurzweil provides more than ample evidence to support himself. Reading this book was an intellectual revolution.

Some of the criticisms I read about this book on amazon.com stated that the book lacked emotion and was quite dry. I couldn't disagree more. I find it impossible to be without emotion when discussing the things Kurzweil touches on and noticed no apathy in his writing. At times, his writing was quite humorous; the dialogue of a fictional character named Molly with various other characters at the end of every chapter was very entertaining.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It will truly change your outlook on the human civilization and its future. I plan to read it again and again.

Excellent description of how the universe seems to be progressing from the simpler to the more complex.

Perhaps, also a metaphor of how what age we live in changes our perspective of how we view the evolution of the universe and the intelligence that is spawned.

In the old industrial era, it was thought that civilization would increase it's usage of energy, building Dyson spheres.

In the new information age, it seems that the vision is about a "Singularity Wave" speeding out to convert as much of the matter in the universe into the most efficient materials to process exponentially increasing information and intelligence.

I believe the basics are, as best as I can tell, very good and I enthusiastically embrace his humanistic (and post or trans humanistic) philosophy.

Only a couple of things which I might differ on, and that would be..

1. Not much mention of quantum computing. That would represent the absolute manifestation of Richard Feynman's "Plenty of Room at the Bottom", and in the case of quantum computing, the bottom of a potentially unlimited, 5Th dimensional matrix of alternate world-lines to employ. Much better than dealing with the delays of linking together multi-billion light year networks.

2. Because of the above, and also the "s" curve of population growth in post agricultural/industrial/hyper-industrial-info civilization, there may well be a trillion or so "Singularity" worlds out there, many within a few hundred light years from Earth.

These worlds may send small probes, perhaps with super intelligent entities to explore, but wouldn't need any more resources than exist in their native solar system.

Futurism is an imperfect art, and many of Kurzweil's prognostications will probably unfold in different ways from what is expected, but I fully embrace a vision of this new world unfolding to the benefit of conscious life on Earth.

Futurists are seductive and so are their fantastical predictions, even when one has absolutely no idea exactly how to evaluate the soundness of their claims. Kurzweil tries with all his might to answer this criticism of the genre but fails nonetheless, offering mound upon mound of at best incomplete graphs that bury his theses behind the madness of immeasurable technological erudition, so (alas) the reader is probably left to do one of two things: ignorantly object or ignorantly serve. It's good fun, much like a fireside game of "what if" at summer camp, and Bill Gates's official endorsement makes it feel populist enough to recommend to your inquisitive friends.

The book presents an interesting premise that humans will evolve from purely biological to biological/technological and ultimately to technological beings. Whether or not Kurzweil has gotten the time frame right is the question. If he is right, humans are only 20 to 30 years from this singularity. A most thought provoking read.