History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The New Oxford Picture Dictionary: Monolingual English Edition

Average customer rating:

Great for ESL or for teens and up learning Spanish
Excellent resource
Pretty Good
The new oxford picture dictionary
Great for teaching English!

The New Oxford Picture Dictionary: Monolingual English Edition
E. C. Parnwell
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0194341992

Book Description

The New Oxford Picture Dictionary and its components provide a complete, four-skills language development program. The program is: BLPractical - a wide range of topics introduce new words in their most common context. BLEasy to use - vocabulary items are presented without ambiguity or the need for translation. BLVersatile - the Dictionary itself and its components have unlimited applications. BLFlexible - the Dictionary can be used alone or with its components.

Customer Reviews:

Great for ESL or for teens and up learning Spanish.......2006-01-03

I used this for several years in my Adult ESL classes - the words, and matching up the numbers are a little cumbersome for any age younger than junior high, I think. The only drawback is the lack of phonetic spelling - I think we expect it from a dictionary, but most picture dictionaries leave that part out for some reason.

This is not a good book for young children - too many things to look at on one page...EXCELLENT resource for adults and teens, though, who are eager to increase vocabulary and are confident with pronunciation. I use it a lot in my Spanish classes, and even as a reference, when wanting to boost the vocabulary list for the week.

For the younger child learning Spanish, try Flip Flop Spanish, which comes with a CD. Or Al reves ingles - which will be out shortly.

Excellent resource.......2005-06-29

I use this book a lot even for adult ESL students. I find this a great resource for one of the basic ESL techniques--describe the picture. I've also used the verb pages to practice tenses. Pages on prepositions are also very good. The pictures are clear and easy to understand.

Pretty Good.......2004-01-27

I still like the original better, but the New Oxford Picture Dictionary is a good resource and is on my list of recommended visual dictionaries.

The new oxford picture dictionary.......2000-01-09

I have been teaching ESL to Spanish-speaking people for over 6 years and this has been a very useful aid in teaching. Now that I am teaching Spanish to English-speakers it is not as useful as it is when I teach English. Spanish words are not updated and I always have to change at least three words per page.

Great for teaching English!.......1999-08-06

I just returned from Mongolia, where a group was teaching English to the Mongolian children. This was a very valuable tool both for both in-class instruction and indepenent study. The real test is that the New Oxford Picture Dictionary (Monolingual version) was a real hit with the kids!

The Oxford Picture Dictionary: English-Russian Edition (Oxford Picture Dictionary Program)

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The Oxford Picture Dictionary: English-Russian Edition (Oxford Picture Dictionary Program)
Norma Shapiro , and Jayme Adelson-Goldstein
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0194351920

Book Description

A comprehensive, flexible, and up-to-date vocabulary reference and teaching tool for English language learning. The Oxford Picture Dictionary and its components create a highly teachable programme that can be used as a complete, four-skills beginning course, or as a language development supplement and practical reference. h4span style="font-size: smaller; color: #ff0000"NEW /span Grammar Activity Book/h4

The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries!

Average customer rating:

Funny, yet Frightening
Entertaining? hardly!
Pretty fun at first, but it gets old
Entertaining and Useful Book to Own
Entertaining and Useful Book to Own

The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook: Updated! New Entries!
Henry Beard , and Christopher Cerf
Manufacturer: Villard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0679749446
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Book Description

Newly expanded and up-to-the-minute, a bestselling guide to survival in multicultural America in the sensitive 1990s. Includes even more real and satirical definitions to help keep thought cops away. Illustrated throughout.

Customer Reviews:

Funny, yet Frightening.......2003-05-10

When I first bought the book, I was expecting high quality entertainment, providing razor-sharp satire on a society rapidly increasing its speed into the chasm of death. I got that, but I got so much more.

The book does an excellent job of providing a realistic look at the language the few schmucks in power have forced upon us.

Of course I laugh at everything, because it all seems so stupid. But, after finishing the book and going back out into the real world, I was shocked at exactly how true the book really was.

What has happened to this country? Have we become so paranoid about the remote possiblity of offending someone that we've really created a euphemism for the word dead? I mean, how many dead people are going to be offened if we call them dead? Answer: None.

This book helped me realize exactly how pointless the whole process of political correctness is. When are these people going to realize that changing the word does not change the condition? It's not only pointless, but it's hurting this country. All these people are doing is sheilding people from reality. Political correctness is a stupid idea which needs to be eliminated (I'm sorry, neutralized).

Good book, bad idea.

Entertaining? hardly!.......2003-04-17

Far from being entertaining this book is scary stuff! Words whose meaning has been redefined, new incomprehensible words, ambiguous combinations of words, all in the apparent belief that we shouldn't upset anyone at anytime has a deadly seriousness about it! It reminds me of the Wolf Biermann song "Das Hoelderlin Lied", the first three lines of lines of which translate as: "in this country we live like strangers in our own house / our own language which we encounter we no longer understand / yet they who speak our language understand us"
The authors should be congratulated for producing this book and I think it should be made compulsory reading for all!

Pretty fun at first, but it gets old.......2002-03-11

Henry Beard and Christopher Cerf have written a book that is filled with irony and fun. It's meant as a dictionary for politically correct terms, and some of them are pretty well thought up, such as "optically challenged, hair disadvantaged and pharmacological preference, but unfortunately, the subject of ridicule, political correctness, is a fun but far from large subject, and in my opinion, the authors have written a much too large book on a much too small subject. At first it's pretty good entertainment, but it just gets old and corny, and it isn't funny once you reach page 40.

Entertaining and Useful Book to Own.......2000-07-25

As we enter the 21st century, it has become very imprtant to improve our language skills for everyday use. Due to the reality of frivilous lawsuits or the development of customer relations skills in today's global economy, it has become very important to acquire advanced communication skills that don't refer to a person's age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other human characteristic in a demeaning manner.

This is where "The Officially Politically Correct Dictionary & Handbook," comes into hand. Originally written as a humor book, this book is actually quite resourceful in anyday situations involving individuals who are different, irritating, or sensitive to what one might say. While working in retail, and later in marketing, I have found that this book allowed me to use proper terms that wouldn't offend anyone. While many of my coworkers and clients laughed at times, this book will come in handy for many service employees. Flight Attendants, Retail Workers, Human Resources Employees, etc..., this book has almost every correct word to say in today's complexed world of jargon.

Entertaining and Useful Book to Own.......2000-07-25

Book Description

This is the first and only ready-reference source on the Reagan-Bush years, 1980-1992. No other single volume provides readily available and concise information on the key developments and figures of this period. Organized A-Z, it features over 250 entries on key personalities, issues, events, political and governmental developments, foreign and domestic concerns, laws, terms and catchphrases, and social and cultural trends of the era. Entries are 100-1,000 words in length and conclude with a list of suggested readings. The work also features a chronology of events, statistical charts and tables, and photographs and is thoroughly cross-referenced in boldface for ease of use. The organizing principle of the work is a focus on individuals and events that directly relate to Presidents Reagan and Bush and their administrations. In addition there are entries on social trends, world events, and popular culture. The book presents a balanced account of the Reagan-Bush years. Entries favor description over judgment while at the same time offering a sense of the controversy that surrounded and in some cases still surrounds the events and actions of the Reagan-Bush presidencies. Biographies of key figures in their administrations, Supreme Court appointments, related players on the national and world stage, summaries of significant pieces of legislation, and balanced analyses of their domestic and foreign policies are featured. Entries also include many terms and catchphrases such as Reaganomics, "No New Taxes," and "A Thousand Points of Light." This is the perfect first-stop for information on all aspects of this important period in American history and will fill a gap in public and high school library reference collections.

A Political and Economic Dictionary of Latin America

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A Political and Economic Dictionary of Latin America
Peter Calvert
Manufacturer: Europa Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1857432118

Book Description

This title provides an impartial and valuable background to the region, vital for anyone interested in the current affairs, recent history and economy of this vast area. Entries provide definitions of terms, concepts, names and organizations key to discussions of Central and South America.

Key features:
* Provides a unique insight to the political and economic dimensions of this diverse region
* Covers some 48 countries and territories

Entries include:
* Alianza Nacional Popular (ANAPO), Colombia
* Bananas
* Banco Central do Brasil
* Guevara de la Serna, Dr Ernesto ('Che')
* Panama Canal
* Platt Amendment
* South Georgia
* Southern Common Market
* Stroessner Mattiauda, Gen. Alfredo
* Unión Industrial Argentina
* Vargas Llosa, Mario

Countries and territories covered include:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands,Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, Uruguay and Venezuela

Dictionary of Latino Civil Rights History (Hispanic Civil Rights)

Average customer rating:

An excellent and easy-to-use reference

Dictionary of Latino Civil Rights History (Hispanic Civil Rights)
F. Arturo Rosales
Manufacturer: Arte Publico Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Civil Rights & Liberties | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1558853472

Book Description

From the Alianza Hispano-Americana, a mutual aid society founded in Tucson, Arizona in 1894, to the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles in 1943, this first-ever dictionary of important issues in the U.S. Latino struggle for civil rights defines a wide-ranging list of key terms. With over 922 entries on significant events, figures, laws, and other historical items, this ground-breaking reference work covers the fight for equality from the mid-nineteenth century to the present by the various Hispanic groups in the U.S.

Rosales chronicles such landmark events as the development of farm worker unions and immigrant rights groups to the forces behind bilingual-bicultural education, feminist activities, and protests over discrimination, segregation, and police brutality. In this volume, he provides a comprehensive look at the history of the Latino civil rights movement. In addition to covering all of the major events in labor, politics, land reclamation, and education, this pioneering work includes never-before-published biographies of the major players in the history of America's largest minority group.

An array of historical photos and entries outline the activities of all Hispanic populations in the United States, including citizens and immigrants, men and women. A complete subject index, timeline, and bibliographic documentation complement this definitive reference work compiled by one of the most respected authorities on Latino civil rights.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent and easy-to-use reference.......2007-06-05

Written by F. Arturo Rosales (professor of history at Arizona State University), Dictionary of Latino Civil Rights History is a solid, first-of-its-kind dictionary reference of people, places, events, issues, and terms crucial to Latino history, particularly Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican history. Entries are arranged alphabetically, with cross references; a handful of black-and-white photographs, a chronology, bibliography, and index further enhance utility. Each entry also cites its source, which is frequently a functioning website. "National Day of Solidarity: On October 27, 1974, the Puerto Rican Socialist Party mobilized twenty thousand people, filling up Madison Square Garden in solidarity for the independence of Puerto Rico. Not only did this represent the largest political assembly of Puerto Ricans in the United States, but it also demonstrated the strong support that independence organizations had obtained during the decade. [SOURCE: Torres and Velazquez, 'The Puerto Rican Movement', 54.]" An excellent and easy-to-use reference especially recommended for college libraries and Latino Studies shelves.

To the Best of My Ability: The American Presidents

Average customer rating:

A PRESIDENTIAL TREASURE TROVE
Hello,Mr.President!
Short, Concise, Complete
Interesting, but Slanted
Even A Brief History Shows Warts

To the Best of My Ability: The American Presidents
David Rubel
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0789450739

Amazon.com

From the beginning, Americans have loved and hated their presidents, and memorialized them both for their achievements and their foibles. In this collection of essays, written by members of the prestigious Society of American Historians, we're gifted with a lively interpretive history of the 41 presidents to date with an emphasis on their dominant themes and achievements as influenced by their personalities and ideologies.

With the focus on presidential style, Joseph J. Ellis examines the ironies in Thomas Jefferson's ideals and actions, as well as his inveterate shyness (imagine a modern-day president who only spoke at his inauguration and presented all legislative proposals in writing). Robert Dallek discusses Lyndon B. Johnson's contradictions as evidenced in his significant domestic achievements and the terrible failure of the Vietnam War. And in the pieces on also-rans like Grant and Coolidge and the disgraced such as Nixon, these historians often use the benefit of hindsight and scholarship to focus on the more redeeming features of each man. The most recent president covered does not get off so lightly, however, as Evan Thomas devotes an inordinate amount of space to Bill Clinton's philandering and slams him with such adjectives as "calculating, shrewd and slovenly."

The book is packed with photographs, illustrations, inaugural addresses, and memorable quotes ("When Theodore attends a wedding, he wants to be the bride, and when he attends a funeral, he wants to be the corpse"). A light sense of humor is even displayed, as in a photograph of William Howard Taft's mammoth bathtub, specially built after the 355-pound man got stuck in an ordinary tub, and the story of the Kennedy-Nixon campaign captured in two campaign photos--one of a sexy, bare-chested JFK in his PT-109 and the other of a stiff Nixon in his Navy dress blues. It's also a treasure trove of presidential trivia--which presidents proposed to their wives on the first date? Who were the only three vice presidents to be successfully promoted by election? This is a terrific reference book--an informative, revealing, and fun way to learn about America's chosen few. --Lesley Reed

Book Description

America's most respected historians offer thoughtful, authoritative profiles of the nation's forty-one chief executives.

Every generation of historians reviews and revises the work of its predecessors. With this book, the best historical writers of today's generation undertake such a task. Displaying wit and narrative flair, their elegant essays offer a fresh perspective on the most fascinating group of Americans: the American presidents. Who better to write a new assessment of the presidents than the most respected (and best-selling) historians of our time? In To the Best of My Ability: The American Presidents, members of the prestigious Society of American Historians deliver engaging, thoughtful analyses of the forty-one men who have led this country- some, of course, more successfully than others. In this copiously illustrated volume, edited by Pulitzer Prize-winner James M. McPherson, you will learn from Gordon S. Wood how George Washington, an extraordinary man, made it possible for ordinary men to govern; from Allen Weinstein how Theodore Roosevelt tested and extended the limits of the presidency; from Tom Wicker how Richard Nixon's hatreds and insecurities gripped him ever more tightly as he achieved his long-sought goal of power; and from Evan Thomas how much Bill Clinton cares about his place in the new presidential pecking order.

Customer Reviews:

A PRESIDENTIAL TREASURE TROVE.......2005-03-20

I absolutely adored this book. I have long been fascinated by the nature and character of the men who held the office of President. Each of the mini-biographies sheds new light on the manner in which each of our Presidents approached and executed the powers of the Presidency. Fascinating pieces of Presidential trivia can also be found in this marvelous work. I loved it!

Hello,Mr.President!.......2005-03-07

This is just the kind of book I've been looking for on the American Presidents.I do a lot of reading about American Politics and History and end up chasing through books looking for information about the President at the time .Sometimes I find what I am looking for but not always.The people who put this book together have done a superlative job of creating a reference book that covers all the same things about each of the Presidents.It doesn't take long to get to know what you can expect to find.Important dates,family members,famous statements,major events during their terms ,pictures,campaigns,Inaugural Addresses,election statistics,running mates,opponents,and so forth.I must stress,they didn't just include what they had on hand to fill the space;they dug up all the same things for each President.When you want to know something,you won't be wondering if it will be there;you'll be confident you'll find it.
Another thing I found quite interesting was that each President's signature was included with their picture.Also.the first picture was of the time when in office.I happen to have a book signed by President Truman,while in office.It was fun to compare it with the one in this book.It is also interesting to compare the various signatures.For,instance,who had the best penmanship?In my opinion,James Buchanan wins hands down.I particularly admire Andrew Johnson's and Andrew Jackson's,which were quite similar. For the most intricate,that has to go to James Polk.
What a great cast of characters ,have come forward to lead America;and no two even remotely alike.
A wonderful reference source,and I know I'll turn to it often.

Short, Concise, Complete.......2005-02-23

Reaching back for more than two hundred years, through forty three men, the Presidency of the United States has been held by a wide range of people. Some have been brilliant, some less honest than others, but in the end most have been honorable people.

They have been responsible for setting the direction of the country in times of war, depression, and good times.

In this collection of essays a short chapter covers each of the forty three men. Each written by an authority on that particular era, on that particular man. They cover:

the major events that occurred during each president's term in office,
election results for each cycle by popular and electoral votes,
complete text of every inaugural address,
memorable quotes illustrating the president's image while in office,
outstanding accomplishments and contributions of unforgettable first ladies.

The book formed the basis of the series of shows created for the History channel. It's the best short summary I've ever read.

Interesting, but Slanted.......2005-01-21

Lot of good information and a quick history, but the authors seemingly never met a government regulation or expansion that they didn't approve of. They provide an interesting service in showing that the political leaders, including the presidents, have generally been largely incompetent and hypocritical, with little understanding or regard for the principles of the Constitution.

Even A Brief History Shows Warts .......2004-10-03

If you are looking for a nice, easy to read and somewhat flashy overview book on all the American Presidents then this book should fit the bill. The book provides the reader with a brief overview of each of the Presidents. The overview includes details of their life's before they took office and an overview of their administrations. There are a number of photos in each section and side of the page inserts that hold additional interesting facts. The book ends with an overview of each election with a run down of what took place in the campaigns and the final vote count. Within this section are a number of additional pictures of campaign paraphernalia that I really enjoyed. There is also the inaugural address for each of the Presidents, and if you can get through all of them you have more stamina then I did. Some of these men were on the long winded side and the advent of professional speech writers has helped the readability of Presidential speeches.

Each chapter is written by a different American historian who, judging by the biographies in the back of the book, are all well thought off, many the average reader will know by name. I found it interesting that the book takes a no holds barred approach in its reporting. The authors are not afraid to call out Presidents that were down right bad and except for a few (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, TR, FDR and Truman) the authors are a bit harsh. Then again we expect a great deal from our Presidents so maybe a tough look is needed for a historical overview. Overall I enjoyed the book for what it was, a brief history of each of the Presidents. Other then providing the basic facts the best this book will do is direct you to the men you are most interested in for further reading. I did have a few complaints, the authors did not provide a bibliography or even a suggested reading list at the end of the book and it would have been nice if they could have gathered in a table the complete list for an easy look at the trends that have taken place.

Doublespeak Defined: Cut Through the Bull**** and Get the Point!

Average customer rating:

Good job!
Beware doublespeak III

Doublespeak Defined: Cut Through the Bull**** and Get the Point!
William D. Lutz
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0062734121

Book Description

In an increasingly Orwellian world, everyone should be armed with this hilarious, slyly subversive deconstruction of the slippery locutions of spinmeisters from all walks of public life. Doublespeak guru William Lutz (Doublespeak, The New Doublespeak) is uniquely qualified to bring you this supremely funny expos, of the juiciest ways THEY are trying to bamboozle you!

A sampling of Doublespeak Defined:

Bald n./ :hair disadvantaged
Men in Japan aren't bald; they're "hair disadvantaged," according to The Japan Economic Journal.

Diet n./ :1.nutrional avoidance therapy 2. caloric reduction program

Frozen adj./ :1 deep chilled 2. fresh 3. hard chilled 4. previously frozen

The USDA considers processed chickens "fresh," not frozen, if they have been chilled to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Chickens so processed have not been frozen but "deep chilled."

Light Switch n./ :ideogram illumination intensity adjustment potentiometer

Waste paper basket n./ :user-friendly, space-effective, flexible desk side sortation unit

Government officials in Toronto, Canada, paid $123.80 (Canadian) each for these items.

Customer Reviews:

Good job!.......2005-07-28

Lutz' "Doublespeak Redefined" is even better that his original "Doublespeak". The approximately 18 years between them has provided ample time for business and government people to forget plain Emglish and resort to all manner of euphemisms to obfuscate what they really mean.

Lutz is to be commended for taking perpetrators who are ruining our language to task in a reasonably controlled way. I don't believe I could have!

"Doublespeak Redefined" ought to be mandatory reading for high school juniors and seniors as well as collegians who hope to make their way in business, education, government, communica tions and related disciplines. It would be beneficial for all old college grads and equivalents to peruse it on occasion so they don't fall into the euphemism abyss.

Beware doublespeak III.......2001-03-21

William Lutz is out to save us from the doublespeak ogres. In this his third book on the subject Lutz provides hundreds of obtuse and difficult examples of contorted language from a variety of fields. The primary offenders, of course, are big government and big industry. Lutz assures the reader that his book is a "survival manual for the contemporary linguistic jungle." Without his help we might succumb to the confusing "substance abuse" and "passanger facility charges" of this brave new world.

Book Description

This book was conceived by Jonathan Safran Foer, Dave Eggers, Nicole Krauss, and the staff of McSweeney's as a way to bring over a hundred authors together to promote progressive causes in the November 2004 election. An imagining of what a dictionary might look like about thirty years hence, when the world's problems are solved and our current president is a distant memory, the book is by turns funny, outraged, utopian, and dyspeptic. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to a mix of political organizations to support progressive candidates in the upcoming elections. Over 150 writers contributed to the book, including: Stephen King, Robert Olen Butler, Glen David Gold, Richard Powers, Susan Straight, Sarah Vowell, Billy Collins, C.K. Williams, Colson Whitehead, Donald Antrim, Jonathan Franzen, Edwidge Danticat, Edward Hirsch, Joyce Carol Oates, Katha Pollitt, Padgett Powell, Paul Auster, Anthony Swofford, Julia Alvarez, Susan Choi, Jim Shepard, Aimee Bender, and Art Spiegelman. Released in partnership with Barsuk Records, the book will include a CD compilation, with exclusive songs by the best musicians working. Among them: David Byrne, R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, Bright Eyes, They Might Be Giants, Nada Surf, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Customer Reviews:

great book, lovely CD, fantastic cause.......2004-10-08

Not only did I enjoy this book both for straight-out reading as well as random dipping, but I've bought it for three different friends AND I've purchased more copies as insurance for the looming gift-giving season. It really is the perfect book for every shelf.

Hopeful.......2004-10-04

This book is a positive contribution to our current state of disunion in the United States. Yes, there are entries that look back at the Shrub administration with contempt, but others look at a positive future where we overcame the myopia, nepotism, and greed of the bushies. It is positive in itself that the future is there to write the entries. I would have given it 4 stars, but a reviewer that obviously did not read it compared it to Ann Coulter and only gave it one star. I am canceling out that vote. Thanks are owed to Foer, Eggers, et al. for their quality writing, work, and discerning eyes.

One of a kind.......2004-09-28

I've never read a book quite like this. It's delightful, philosophical, inventive, poignant, unique, funny. The "dictionary" format lets you read it a paragraph at a time or in long stretches; a perfect book for the crapper or a long plane ride. Most importantly, the book reminds us there is a future. All we need now is a more useful present. If we are lucky, this book will help us get there.

unique, fun.......2004-08-27

This is a really unique book. I kept hearing about how it was supposed to be really funny, and some of it is funny, but a lot of the entries are philosophical, or just artsy writing, or fun to think about in a science fiction kind of way; some of them aren't really political at all. Though I don't agree with conservative politics I don't like personal, mean attacks on people with different opinions and I was happy to find that overall, this book isn't caustic. With a few exceptions. Mostly its just fun, and the $$ is for a good cause.

It also contains some interesting extras like the Declaration of Independence and a charting of the evolution of Indo-European language families (I don't want to give a lot of stuff away). It's definitely worth having, I would like to give it 4 1/2 stars. But, the CD that comes with the book is truly a jewel and it definitely deserves 5 stars.

The CD contains several folksy type songs, several good rock songs, a couple of punk songs, a good r&b song, an interesting a capella song, and a remake of a real 19th century campaign ditty.

Ha ha ha sob.......2004-08-21

What a funny book, but also sad. This is exactly the kind of thing that will make people think about this year's issues without giving them headaches. Superb work generally, but I especially like Sarah Vowell, Robert Olen Butler, and Ben Greenman. I hope this has the desired effect.

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