Editorial Review

Francis Bacon, writing in 1620, remarked that the magnetic compass, the printing press, and gunpowder changed the appearance and state of the whole world. Bert S. Hall focuses closely on the last innovation to examine the effects of changes in military technology on European history in the late Middle Ages and early modern era. Strategists, he writes, first used guns as a means of inducing panic in an enemy. When rival armies gained access to this technology, the psychological use of firearms gave way to their employment as weapons of mass destruction. With increased military power came a transformation in the power of states, allowing greater centralization and force. Military history buffs will find much of interest in these pages. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Outstanding.
1.000 words could be not enough to praise this book. Bert Hall produced a long needed work that will remain a foundation-stone inmilitary technology of the black powder era.

Original thinking and excellent scholarship.
It didn't take long for me to be pleasantly surprised at the high level of scholarship and clearly presented facts, the sort of writing all too often lacking from this area of history.As the author notes, many technology historians, military historians, and arms and armor writers propagate continuing myths and assumptions that can't be supported when the facts are examined closely.Here, Hall does the topic justice and it is clear he did his homework.The chapter discussing the technology of gunpowder was especially interesting, and supports his case for the reasons firearms developed as they did.I recommend a trip to the Metropolitan Museum in New York to have a look at their firearms, where many aspects of his discussion will further illuminate the items on display.

technology and warfare
Best treatment of weapons and Renaissance-era warfare !! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military - Weapons    7. Military Science    8. Renaissance    9. Business & Economics / Economic Development    10. Europe    11. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    12. European history: c 500 to c 1500    13. History / Military / Strategy    14. History of science    15. History-Renaissance    16. Military art and science    17. Technology-Military Science    18. Weapons & equipment    19. c 1000 CE to c 1500    20. c 1500 to c 1600   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Economics - General    6. Structural Adjustment    7. Business & Economics / Structural Adjustment    8. Development economics   

Subjects:  1. Advertising    2. Advertising & Promotion    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Consumption (Economics)    7. India    8. Marketing    9. Social aspects    10. Advertising industry    11. Asian studies    12. Development studies    13. Ethnography   

Reviews (1)

The Comprehensive Look at EJ and Sustainability
This book does a wonderful job of taking different approaches and tools of looking at how sustainability and equity relate to each other. It scans the globe, distinct definitions of environmental justice, and a variety of environmental issues to create a less U.S. centered look at what environmental justice means and its relationship with sustainability around the world. The editors and contributors are well-known and distinguished in the field of environmental justice and sustainable development, making this book a must read for a comprehensive look at how two sometimes disparate and sometimes intertwined concepts interact. It also works well as an introduction to environmental justice and sustainability. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in equityissues; environmental justice is often one of the last considerations in environmental battles. Works like this will help make equity one of the first considerations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Development - Sustainable Development    5. Environmental justice    6. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    7. Globalization    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Public Policy - Economic Policy    10. Social justice    11. Sustainable development    12. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (1)

A Fascinating Way to Study History!!!
"Progress, Poverty and Exclusion. An Economic History of Latin America in the 20th Century" is a fascinating book from the cover to the annexes.The contrast between a XX th century modern city and a shanty town showed in the cover gives the reader an initial idea of the position of the writer regarding Latin American economic development.Poverty, exclusion and income concentration are problems that are inherent to the vast majority of Latin American economies and Rosemary Thorp makes sure that the reader remembers that throughout the book. Her social focus is perfectly compatible with a serious economic analysis based on well-documented facts and statistical data.Every student of Latin American history, politics and economics should have this book in his or her shelves.Furthermore, any scholar dealing with Latin American issues should not forget to read Thorp's work "every morning" to remember what is that the Latin American economies achieved in the course of a hundred years. Finally, I highly recommend accompanying the reading of this book with another masterpiece, "The Economic History of Latin America" by Victor Bulmer-Thomas ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Economic History    6. Economic History - 20th Century    7. Economic conditions    8. Economic development    9. History    10. Latin America    11. Latin America - General    12. Poverty    13. Central America    14. Development studies    15. Economics    16. South America   

Reviews (3)

It was NOT ancient tribal hatreds
Scott Straus is a certifiable genius when it comes to genocide.His class was the most informative and life-changing course in the history of the University of Oregon.The University of Wisconsin is extremely lucky to be gaining him as a faculty member.Everyone should buy this book and support this amazing man.Not only is Straus brilliant, but he is "much sexier in person", to quote a UN official. Scott Straus is PHENOMENAL
Let us say one thing...Scott Straus is a brilliant man. How do we know this? Scott Straus is our Professor and although we haven't read the book we have complete faith that his brilliance radiates from the work. Once we finish the monstrous amount of reading he assigned in his class we will be sure to read this book and we have no doubt we will enjoy it...and you will too.

An Enlightening Outlook
Scott Strauss and David K. Leonard marvelously delinate the African quagmire with a sense of optomism and honesty.The book boldy breaks down a myriad of preconcieved misconceptions and offers a scholarly aproach that shows the potential for a rebirth of the African continent.Many thanks to these brilliant men. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Africa    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Debts, External    5. Development - Economic Development    6. Economic conditions    7. Economic policy    8. International Relations - Diplomacy    9. Political Science    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Public Policy - Economic Policy    13. Technical assistance    14. Development economics    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (2)

A deep insight into the politics of foreign aid and economic
I was referred to this book by my lecturer in applied athropology. Reading it caused me to rethink and rewrite my assignment. Fergusson can be a bit irritating but he certainly has researched his field well and shows a greatinsight into the politics of foreign aid and economic development in the3rd World.

A dose of realism
Ferguson's study of development projects in Lesotho brings a much needed dose of reality to the subject of modernization and aid.While others might stress the need for appropriate technology or bog the reader down in economic formulae, Ferguson examines the ways in which local and globalpolitics influence the success of even the most carefully planned andwell-meaning of projects.A must-read for anyone interested in thedevelopment business. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bureaucracy    2. Case studies    3. Decentralization in government    4. Economic conditions    5. General    6. Industries - General    7. Lesotho    8. Rural Economic Development    9. Rural development projects    10. Sociology    11. Thaba Tseka Rural Development    12. Development studies    13. Economics    14. Political structure & processes   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Development - Economic Development    3. Economic Conditions    4. Economic policy    5. Forecasting    6. Globalization    7. Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. United States    12. Economics    13. USA   

Subjects:  1. Developing countries    2. Public Policy - Social Policy    3. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    4. Public welfare    5. Social Science    6. Social policy    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. Third World Development    10. Development studies    11. Social Science / Sociology / General    12. Social issues    13. Welfare & benefit systems   

Reviews (6)

Regarding Thomas Greco's Review
I believe that "The Lost Science of Money" is a very well written, serious, and thorough book. If you can't afford the cost based upon reviews then check it out of a library first, and judge for your self.
Massive historical detail with a cogent message
This book provides a huge service to understanding one of the most central and powerful artifacts in human civilization: money. The brilliance of Zarlenga's treatment of this subject and what makes it stand out from others, is that while including massive historical detail and richness, he brings a cogent message about money that anyone (viz. the non-specialist) can walk away with. And it is, that money systems are designed by the intelligence of humans and established and empowered through a collective authority. Thus, the more all of society understands money and willingly participates in backing its authority, the greater the possibility that it will serve all people, and not private elites who may be tempted to structure its design in their favor. This single human innovation - money - has many alternative ways of being socially constructed and politically established as a means of exchange. Get the design right, and the quality of life for all people can be dramatically altered. The structural design of money will directly affect the degree to which individual market action will be morally and socially responsible. Getting the money system right can lead to the alignment of individual and collective action of people. This understanding that money is a human-specified tool (and not some mystical object that we all use but don't really know where it came from or how it works) is so important in birthing a new awareness around emergent economic and market behavior. To me, this kind of writing is a great examplar of how economics should be performed: taking a historical perspective to see what worked and what didn't work. The metaphysical clap-trap around money, as well as the professional economist's mathematical obfuscations are avoided. Seeing it for what it truly is - a designable artifact - is really the gift of this study. Highly recommended, and in my recent reading, complements Kevin Phillips', Wealth and Democracy.
If you only read one book about money this is the one.
Having read numerous books on the issues of money systems I can say without equivocation this is the best by far of any I have come across including many of the Austrian economics books and those by Rothbard. All of them have their perspectives but Zarlenga's work and conclusions are a synthesis from history, well documented, and ring true on deep gut level. He makes his case very well and there is no hype or misplaced emotion as there are in many works on the money issues. Taken as a history book alone I would give the book 5 stars. Too many people, including me, have been ignorant of the historical roots of money and Zarlenga helps us to learn the dramas, political games, and debasement of money systems through the ages. It is fascinating and shocking story. What is taking place in the world now, including the Federal Reserve and World Bank is a slight variation of the historical power struggles over the control of money that go back thousands of years. The most informative issues that come out of this work is the history of gold and silver as money and how they are fiat currencies just like any other proclaimed currency. The money powers, governments, and kings have at various times decreed gold to be money (fiat) as they stood to benefit from it. Yes, gold can't be created out of nothing but it is just as fiat as a dollar bill. As a defender of the gold standard I have to admit that my notions of the gold standard have been flipped upside down even though I have read many of the Mises Institutes books. I can't say that a commodity-based money may not be useful or that the connection between paper money and its basis in gold adds integrity to the system but I do believe now that the issues is not black and white, gold or paper money.What Zarlenga elegantly makes clear is that all money, short of direct barter of goods, has always been a creature of law, i.e. someone decrees it so. As such it is open to abuse and perversion. The book, Subtitled " The Mythology of Money, the Story of Power", does a great service in taking the mythology issues and presenting them in a factual and understandable way. What I like about this book is it is common sense, down to earth, expertly researched and presented in a way that avoids the curse of too much economics jargon and pseudo-science. Money is not particle physics and it is an issue that touches each and every one of us every day. Money has, and continues to shape culture and the direction of life. Leaving the control of money, which seems to me to function as a sort of cultural economic DNA, to a private and secretive group of world elites is a recipe for life out of balance on all levels.It invites exploitation and abuse and as history show there has been much of that concerning the control of money.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Civilization    3. Economic history    4. History    5. History: World    6. Money    7. Motivational    8. Public Policy - Economic Policy    9. Usury    10. Monetary economics   

Reviews (21)

A landmark (but dated) study on the ecological dimension of European expansion
Alfred Crosby is widely credited for popularising the ecological dimension of the history of imperial expansion. For this reason, and perhaps this reason alone, his book is worth a read.
Book Review:"Ecological Imperialism"

Triumph of the pig, the rat, the dandelion, the smallpox virus... and the European humans who gave them a ride across the ocean
The most impressive and pleasant aspect of this new approach to world history is the non-anthropocentric perspective Crosby adopts. He tells the story of the expansion of a tightly connected group of European organisms, which includes humans alongside with other domesticated animals, crops, weeds, viruses and bacteria.
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Subjects:  1. Biogeography    2. Europeans    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Human ecology    7. Human geography    8. Migrations    9. World - General    10. Development studies    11. Europe    12. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    13. History / World    14. World history: c 1750 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Economics - General    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental Studies    4. Environmental economics    5. Environmental policy    6. Global environmental change    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Public Policy - Economic Policy    9. Public Policy - Environmental Policy    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Science / Environmental Science    13. The Environment   

Subjects:  1. Portugal    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Europe - Spain & Portugal    5. Business & Economics / Economics / General    6. Economic history    7. Europe    8. Political economy    9. Business/Economics    10. 1974-    11. Economic conditions   

Reviews (5)

Good, but dated
This is, as other reviewers have said, a good reader for opening up one's mind to diverse points of view on development and its primary topic areas -- poverty, population and the like.
Paradigmmatic Transcendence
I prescribe this book for an Executive MBA Class that I teach on Global Strategy. Most of the 20 students this year talked about this book as one of the most profound life-changing, world-view altering books they have ever read! I think the book is profound and thought provoking. I have earned four Master's Degrees and a Ph.D and nothing I have ever read in my life comes even close to The Development Dictionary in terms of the level of intellectual stimulation that it engenders. This is a wake up call and I hope more of my former colleagues in the World Bank and IMF would read it! It has been of immense scholarly and practical benefit in my work.

Mandatory Reading
Like the related Post-Development Reader, this stunning collection of essays are mandatory for any development student or practitioner. It is essential for complementing all the traditional readings and providing an important critical outlook. The advantage of this book lies in its organization. Broken up by topic such as "Development", "Poverty", "Market", and "Science", the book provides excellent insights into these concepts. In fact it's critiques reach much further than just development, to science, the state, and modernity overall. A must read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Economics - General    4. General    5. Sociology    6. Business & Economics / Economics / General    7. Development studies    8. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (2)

India-specific analysis is excellent
Anyone researching the role of women in India won't want to miss this -- the author speaks insightfully about her feminism being a result of her personal experiences in India, while her mother and others accuse her ofbeing "brainwashed" by Westerners.Narayan makes a strong casefor "organic" Third World feminism.

An award-winning book!
This book was awarded the American Political Science Association'sVictoria Schuck Award for the best book on women and politics for 1997. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Developing countries    3. Economic Conditions    4. Feminism    5. Feminism & Feminist Theory    6. General    7. Identity    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Women    11. Cultural studies    12. Development studies   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Economics    6. Economics - General    7. Industrial organization (Econo    8. Industrial organization (Economic theory)    9. Mathematical models    10. Reference - General   

Reviews (3)

Crafting Effective Sanctions
Over the last two decades, American policymakers have increasingly used sanctions to punish countries that transgress U.S. and international norms, or attack U.S. interests.Sometimes these sanctions are coordinated with multilateral sanctions; sometimes the U.S. applies them alone.Sometimes the U.S. puts forward comprehensive sanctions against a country; sometimes it only sanctions particular companies or organizations in a country rather than the country itself.In some cases, the U.S. continually adjusts its sanctions against a particular country; in other cases, those sanctions remain fairly static. Best in Class
It is unfortunate that the debate with respect to the use of sanctions so often boils down to a religious one - sanctions good or sanctions bad.What nuance there is in that argument often seems as similarly simplistic - multi-lateral sanctions good, unilateral sanctions bad.In this context, Meghan O'Sullivan's "Shrewd Sanctions" presents a timely and carefully reasoned call for a more finely calibrated approach to the use of sanctions as a tool of foreign policy.In each of four case studies covering Libya, Iraq, Iran and Sudan, O'Sullivan evaluates sanctions regimes against a set of criteria which includes their economic and political impact, effectiveness relative to the goals laid out for them, the varied costs associated with their imposition, and the relative effectiveness of these sanctions regimes vs. alternative policy instruments.In her final chapter, O'Sullivan lays out a series of specific recommendations for policy makers to strengthen the performance of sanctions. A well-balanced perspective
Most of us want the interational community to check countries that support terrorism, violate the human rights of their citizens, or threaten cross-border aggression.At the same time, we hope to avoid resort to projecting military power in the event of each transgression.Sanctions, therefore, should be the ideal tool.Yet, looking back in recent history, have sanctions really worked efficiently and effectively in any important case?Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic sanctions, American    5. Government policy    6. International - Economics    7. International - General    8. International Relations - General    9. Prevention    10. Public Policy - Economic Policy    11. Relations    12. Terrorism    13. United States    14. Central government policies    15. Embargos & sanctions    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Earth Sciences - Geography    3. Economic Conditions    4. Economic Geography    5. Economics - Theory    6. Management - General    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - Economic Policy    9. Science    10. Business & Economics / Economics / Theory   

Reviews (2)

This book gave me purpose
Before Lift-Off is a wonderfully detailed look at the entire process that a Space Shuttle crew goes through in preparing for a mission, from selection, through all their training, and on to the flight itself.You get a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes, and you get a glimpse of just how much work goes into it, not just from the astronauts, but from the thousands of people in the background.I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to work in the space industry, or just dreams of being an astronaut. excellent reading
This book allows the reader to trail along the astronauts & their instructors during training, and it also lets the reader get to know the people involved. It's a wonderful adventure with the crew of 41G! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Astronauts    3. General    4. History    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Space Navigation    8. Training    9. Training of    10. United States    11. Aircraft: general interest    12. Business & Economics / Economic Development   

Reviews (2)

Bowditch Is Bullish On Ghana
I balked at paying $55 but this book has proved to be a bargain at the price.Bowditch has successfully distilled--in highly readable and enjoyable fashion--seven years of experience as a publicly financed developer of Ghana's newest national park.His insights are informed, not only by his impressive academic training (Harvard A.B. 1966; Princeton M.P.A. 1974), but by the obstacles he faced as a white American newcomer and the comparisons he can draw to his earlier endeavors in a number of countries in Asia and, before that, as Maine's Secretary for Economic Development. Bowditch's enthusiasm for Ghana is heartfelt and contagious.He gives many good reasons why Ghana is likely to be every bit as competitive in the new Millenium as were the so-called Asian Tigers at the end of the last.Whether or not Ghana will prove to be an African Lion, Bowditch can be said to be bullish on its prospects.His famous ancestor and namesake was known as "The Practical Navigator" of the open seas. This generation's Bowditch may well become the practical navigator for the American investor/entrepreneur, or those just interested in Ghana.I therefore highly recommend this book!

Ghana and It's Future Opportunities
I found this book to be very interesting and well organized. The author's personal experiences keep your attention. They make it much easier to follow and understand the points the author is making as he examines Ghana as a country of potential opportunity in the economically emerging continent of Africa. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Enterprise    4. Business enterprises    5. Business enterprises, Foreign    6. Business/Economics    7. Businesspeople    8. Civilization    9. Development - Economic Development    10. Economic Conditions    11. Economics Of Developing Countries    12. General    13. Ghana    14. Infrastructure    15. International - General    16. Business & Economics / International