Reviews (6)

The Practice of Social Research (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Practice of Social Research)
This book is a course requirement; otherwise it would not have been purchased.In my opinion this is unquestionably the worst textbook I have every read.I have read a lot of textbooks, over 60 boxes worth, both as a student and a professor.Some have been a good read, others not.In all of them I have found at least something worthwhile.Not this time.
Textbook
I use this for my text for an upper division Soc class - is a good book - easy to read - wish I had the CD!

Fast, Accurate and Great Condition
I was skeptical when the description said they ship same day but took the chance because I had waited till the last minute to order my books. I placed the order Monday morning and received the book Wednesday just in time for class!!! Thank you for the fast delivery with no extra charge to me!!! And of course as promised the book was in excellent condition and everyone in class was jealous because I paid less and got better service then most of them!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Methodology    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Marriage, family & other relationships    7. Social Science / Sociology / Marriage & Family    8. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (6)

Interesting read
I have to disagree with the reviewers who consider this book Marxist and liberal. I took a sociology class back in 1989 in a South American country with a newly established democratic government. During the prior military dictatorships, public universities had shut down the psychology and sociology departments because they were perceived as dangerous for the status quo. So with these fields of study openly taught after years of silencing, sociology professors and students had a very politically charged, liberal and marxist bend. So, if you think this book is marxist, I can assure you it is not. It is much more balanced than what I expected and I actually enjoy the field of sociology now after reading this book. What gives me the authority to say this? I am a non-liberal Christian! Thank you.

Very opinionated to one political idealogy...
This text is by far the worst college text I have encountered in my educational career.Where most texts stick to relevant facts and figures relating to their area of study, this text delves into opinion coupled with unbridled conjecture.
A Great Introductory Text
I believe one of the previous reviews of this book tried to criticize it for its "preaching of liberal dogmas" and tried to say that it was unbalanced.This is simply not the case.The author of this text is merely trying to use an open approach to encompass all aspects of sociology and thereby be a little more open-minded in his writing. So there's a little subjectivity, who cares? It's nearly impossible to write something and be 100 percent objective because there will always be a bit of your own opinion of the matter leak into what you're trying to point out.The point is, this book is simply fascinating from front to back.It is extremely easy to relate to and understand (though it is not meant for high schoolers), the information is surprisingly up-to-date with many examples in the charts and graphs, and it is simply fun to read.The book covers everything from the sociological perspective and culture to global stratification and social change in such a broad manner that you'll never lose track of what you're reading.Not only this, but the book also comes with some amazing study materials including links to a website with some of the best quizzes I've seen (they've helped me tremendously on my tests) and also other study guides such as flash cards and outlines of the chapters to help you make a study guide.All in all, Henslin's book IS the best book out there on which to embark your study of sociology.Even if you don't like it, you will find yourself interested by the many examples that Henslin provides to relate to his concepts.The only gripe I have is the fact that the book is paperback.If you're able to find a hardback edition please do so because it will last longer and will be able to be used a lot more often than the paperback will. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Social Science    2. Sociology    3. Sociology (General)    4. Sociology - General    5. Social Science / Sociology / General    6. Sociology, Social Studies   

Editorial Review

Jared Diamond's Read more

Reviews (74)

A Well Written Account Of How Poor Environmental Practices Can Lead To Social Collapse, But Too Mealy Mouthed InIt's Tone
Jared Diamond is a highly respected scholar who, like Bernard Lewis and Karen Armstrong, is able to write serious books that convey a wealth of knowledge but are also a pleasure to read. This is in contrast to the many dry, dull tomes written by some others in academia. In this aspect, "Collapse" is a success. But, unfortunately, it just doesn't rise to the extremely high standard set by his previous title, "Guns, Germs And Steel," one of my favorite non-fiction books.
Will Our Society Choose to Fail or Succeed?
How a society manages its natural resources, and how it responds to climate and environmental change, can spell the difference between its destruction or survival; this is Jared Diamond's essential message in Collapse. Dr. Diamond, professor of geography at UCLA, uses the example of a number of civilizations that either died out due to poor resource management and climate change, or survived through recognition of these problems and comprehensively addressing them.The book brings to the forefront an important question: are we managing *our* resources wisely today?
My 100-word book review
Collapse is a thoroughly researched and fascinating book offering reasons why civilisations have failed in the past. The Mayans, Easter Islanders and Greenland Norse each encountered complex problems that eventually became catastrophic. Jared Diamond offers no simplistic explanation but describes a number of causes, such as climate change, geography and psychological flaws, which can reinforce one another and lead to disaster. The author does not take an overly pro-environmental stance, recognising that industry has a vital role to play in protecting our world. He provides a salutary lesson from history that current and future generations would do well to heed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Civilization    3. Environmental Policy    4. General    5. Historical Geography    6. History - General History    7. Public Policy - Environmental Policy    8. Social Change    9. Social Science    10. Social history    11. Sociology    12. World - General    13. History / World   

Reviews (12)

The world doesn't always move in curves
This book is recommended, but with a caveat.Like most books about international relations written by social scientists who tend to simplify things for the sake of providing an over-arching structure, this one is to be read with a measure of skepticism.For a detailed review (or two), check out the recent debate in Slate.com between the journalists Bill Emmott and Fareed Zakaria, who are, respectively, an editor of The Economist and a columnist for Newsweek.(You can search within Slate by typing out their names and the title of the exchange: "Debating the J-Curve".)Here's two quotes from their exchanges.
Simplistic and Unoriginal
The main argument of the book is simple: as countries go from dictatorship to democracy things get worse before they get better. This has been a central argument of political science, and Mr. Bremmer neither acknowledges what others have said nor does he add much to them. All he book has to say comes in the first ten pages. After that it is snipets of histories of countries which do not add much.

Worth the Read
Whether you're an avid reader or professional investor, Ian Bremmer's book is worth your time. Ian's writing is organized, clear and concise. The book is written for the average reader; you do not need to be a policy wonk to understand his points. Whether you agree with his conclusions or not, Ian Bremmer's book provides an excellent basis for continuing debate regarding U.S. foreign policy.
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Government - Comparative    3. History & Theory - General    4. International Relations - General    5. Political Science    6. Political Theory    7. Political development    8. Political stability    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. World politics    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    13. Political Science / International Relations   

Reviews (28)

good material - too bible thumping though.. love your wife
The book follows on the vein of 'men are from mars, women venus', both excellent for men and relationships (not for dating). To be honest the authors admit the survey of womens results will be slanted to reflect their christian background. The points made are 'Excellent'... no really they are..... but his wife is a woman columnist writer(read feminist) and he goes on to bash 'porn' (he neglects that 51% of all books sold are romance novels...... the same as porn for males, how many women go to movies and drool over brad pitt etc?). If you're going to do a survey then give us the results of how women think without the christian lecturing.... isn't it about time men can honestly admit to women, that yes we enjoy looking at women, even naked women.... without having to be lectured we're bad...... author needs to explain and accept male behaviour as it is, not as how he wants it to be..... warts and all. Feminists had to do this for women!
Love IS Possible between the sexes
Finally you Can Understand Her! Women, complicated and impossible to understand? Do you love and want to please the woman in your life, but just can't seem to figure her out? That was before For Men Only . Now at your fingertips is the tool that will unlock the secret to her mysterious ways. Through hundreds of interviews and the results of a scientific national survey of women, this book demonstrates that women are actually not random and that they really can be systematized and mapped. In fact, much to men's delight, this book shows that women are actually quite easy to understand and please as long as you know what it is they need. This simple map will guide you to loving your wife or girlfriend in the way she needs to be loved.

Please read the book before you review the book! Duh.
Two purposes for writing this review. First is that I LOVED the book.Jeff Feldhahn nailed the basic issues involved with understanding woman-kind a little better with humor and intelligence. Well done!
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Subjects:  1. Christian men    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Marriage    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Men's Issues    4. Conduct of life    5. General    6. Men (Christian theology)    7. Psychology    8. Psychology Of Women    9. Religion - Marriage & Family    10. Social Institutions    11. Sociology - General    12. Women's Studies - General    13. CHRISTIAN LIVING / PRACTICAL LIFE / MEN    14. Family & Relationships / Marriage   

Reviews (1)

Harry Truman's Secretary of State
Mr. Beiser is the author of several books on diplomacy ("American Foreign Relations Since 1600" -- 2003). This definitive and long (800 pages) biography of Dean Acheson, a Democratic player (through the Roosevelt and Truman administrations) and foreign affairs genius. As Truman's Secretary of State, he was present at the start of the post-war era and created the framework for the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, the occupation of the Axis countries and NATO. As a result, Mr. Acheson titled his memoirs, "Present at the Creation." The writing is engaging and interesting as is Mr. Acheson himself (he managed to alienate President Roosevelt). Though this book obviously can not be read at one setting, it is a good history tale. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Historical - U.S.    5. Political    6. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    7. Biography & Autobiography / Political    8. Biography: historical    9. History, American | Since 1945    10. Political leaders & leadership    11. The Americas   

Reviews (2)

Complete, Easy to Understand, and even...Entertaining
I really have to compliment Babbie on taking a potentially dry subject and making it fun.Not only is this book a very complete and easy to understand introduction to research methods, but it is also, at times, downright funny.I highly recommend this book.I gained a deeper understanding of research methods by reading The Basics of Social Research and Babbie's unique writing style made me want to learn more.

Easy to learn social research
I was dreading taking this required course in collge, "Methods of Social Research."This was the required text and it has made my life easier.I could actually understand the concepts.I highly recommend this text book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Methodology    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - Marriage & Family    7. Social Science / Sociology / Marriage & Family    8. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (4)

Good read
This is one of the better textbooks that I have been assigned to read. Throughout my introductory 101 Social Psychology class I've read pretty much the whole book. The examples were interesting, and I enjoyed how many of the concepts introduced at the beginning of each chapter correlated with something that had happened not too long ago in the real world. The illustrations facilate a better understanding of the theory or subject matter. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of social psychology.

Social Psychology 5th ed
This book is very easy to understand, and the real-world examples/analogies are helpful (even if they are a little in excess). It's one of the few textbooks I've bought that I don't consider a (total) waste of money.

Fuzzy, unstructured and too politically correct book
This is 5th edition of the book written in early 90th (first edition was in 1994). The book did not change much since. This is fuzzy, politically correct and watered down presentation of the subject. For example when you learn about cognitive dissonance you are not told that the original Festinger experiment was connected with the behavior of a flood doomsday cult after the target date of the flood passed.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Psychology    3. Social Psychology    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - General    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    7. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (16)

Magnificent
Informative, Logically sequenced book. I loved it. I wished if it has more illustrations, styling design, and format. It would have made it even more appealling.

Outstanding
I very much wanted to get into this little known science of NLP, brainchild of Richard Bandler and John Grinder, for some time. After careful examination of similar books I chose this one after reading some of the page excerpts.
Great intro
This book takes you right to the core without success stories and other stuffings. Info-packed as it is, it brings you into NLP quick and effortless, describing the concepts in a clear and consistent manner. Recommended reading for all NLP starters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Personal Growth - Success    5. Psychology    6. Communication Studies    7. Popular psychology    8. Psycholinguistics    9. Psychological methodology   

Editorial Review

In an effort to determine why people buy, Paco Underhill and his detailed-oriented band of retail researchers have camped out in stores over the course of 20 years, dedicating their lives to the "science of shopping." Armed with an array of video equipment, store maps, and customer-profile sheets, Underhill and his consulting firm, Envirosell, have observed over 900 aspects of interaction between shopper and store. They've discovered that men who take jeans into fitting rooms are more likely to buy than females (65 percent vs. 25 percent). They've learned how the "butt-brush factor" (bumped from behind, shoppers become irritated and move elsewhere) makes women avoid narrow aisles. They've quantified the importance of shopping baskets; contact between employees and shoppers; the "transition zone" (the area just inside the store's entrance); and "circulation patterns" (how shoppers move throughout a store). And they've explored the relationship between a customer's amenability and profitability, learning how good stores capitalize on a shopper's unspoken inclinations and desires.Read more

Reviews (123)

Brilliant
If you are in retail or you distribute your products through retail, this is a MUST read.

Merchandising practical lessons for US culture
A compelling book,loaded with insightful comments of the way customers responses at the retail world, ideas gathered in many years ofexperience the author and his team had expended watching people behave naturaly in a retail enviroment. A good book for business people interested in learning consumer behavior in a practical sense.
Flash of the obvious
An awesome new business book I read was Why we Buy- The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill.This one is a business book primarily of interest to retailers (although I see similarities in retail and online habits).Paco (and his researchers) followed and recorded the behavior of tens of thousands of shoppers.From this he is able to run a consulting business that makes recommendations to retailers on minor changes they can make to increase their sales.
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Subjects:  1. Marketing - Research    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Marketing research    4. Anthropology - Cultural    5. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)    6. Business & Economics / Consumer Behavior    7. Consumer Behavior - General    8. Shopping    9. Business/Economics    10. Business & Economics    11. Consumer behavior   

Reviews (19)

Why spend the money on an MBA or a business degree, when you can get this book
I got a top tier MBA, spent tens of thousands of dollars and two years, but didn't learn the important stuff.(And I was the valedictorian, and got some really great jobs).I really enjoyed Greene's book 42 laws of power (I can't remember if it's 42 or some other number), but this book is a great reminder and educator of the way things work behind the scenes, in people's minds, and at the macro level of every business and political dealing.I'm convinced that there is either a conspiracy in our educational system to make us dumb workerbees, 99% of our teachers just don't get it, or our measurement system for the quality and effectiveness of our eductional system is severely broken.(Or all the above!)
Life Strategies seen through Warfare
Most people see war as a seperate activity unrelated to other realms of human life. But in fact war is a form of power - Carl von Clausewitz called it "politics by other means" - and all forms of power share the same essential structures.

Robert Greene's art of War for the general population!
Having been a previous owner of "48 Laws of Power" and the "Art of Seduction" I was awaiting this foray into the art of warfare... and I have not been disappointed! After receiving this book as a birthday gift, I have not put it down in the last 10 days; managing it a piece at a time, and adding some highlighting to key phrases...
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Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Conduct of life    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Personal Guidance    5. Self-Help    6. Social Psychology    7. Sociology    8. Violence in Society    9. Psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Great Self-Help/Success Book for Christian Women
The Confident Woman is a great book for Christian women who feel a calling to do more in their lives (regardless of their age). Joyce leads you through claiming your confidence, becoming bold without being overbearing, and overcoming fear in order to succeed in life.In the beginning of the book she covers Adam vs. Eve issues and weaves the message that men and women are and should be partners not enemies.Keep your bible with you for this book as you may want to cross reference, although most biblical passages are included in The Confident Woman, some are only mentioned to be referenced.

A great book encouraging its target audience to have a positive, "can-do" attitude
In "The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear," the writer Joyce Meyer encourages women to start thinking positively and more confidently about their abilities. She provides a set of seven guidelines that are designed to help them accomplish just that. There are also passages in the book showing that any woman can be an independent, fearless leader and she wastes no time in proving to them that even God has their support, as indicated by the inclusion of several Biblical passages, in which they learn how God feels about them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christian women    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    6. Religion    7. Religion - Christian Life    8. Religious aspects    9. Religious life    10. Self-confidence    11. Women    12. Women And Religion (General)    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (2)

Fun Book
Sexy pics and lots of imaginative positions = a fun little book for couples.

Little book of fun
This book (equipped with informative photographs) is just what anyone needs to add some zing to the bedroom.I would recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Love / Sex / Marriage    2. Self-Help    3. Sex Education    4. Sex Relations    5. Sex instruction    6. Sexual Instruction    7. Sociology - General    8. Self-Help / Sexual Instruction   

Reviews (6)

Business purchase
I ordered these for independent adjusters who work for my firm, and they find them indispensable. Because I am not an adjuster, I am unable to evaluate them.

this is the book you have to use in california to do disability
This book requires that you attend several seminars, buy several other books explainig how to use the charts, what the
I thought less emotional review is needed...
I still feel that those people below who feel that this book is the greatest thing since sliced bread are biased and must have some interest in the book.This book does have many contributors.
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Subjects:  1. Diagnosis    2. Disability evaluation    3. Forensic Medicine    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Human Services    6. Medical    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Medical Law & Legislation    9. Medical jurisprudence    10. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    11. Reference    12. Services For The Physically Challenged    13. Medical diagnosis    14. Medical screening    15. USA   

Reviews (18)

Supervision of Police Personnel
Same like the Criminal Investigation book. I needed it so that I can studyfor the Sergeant exam. And Amazon.com was the only place that I could've order the book from. Keep selling the special books.

Must have!Must buy!... but that doesn't make it good...
For promotion exams in my area, this is THE book that the examiners use for the supervision questions.
dry as dry could be
This book was very dry and difficult reading due to the fact the contents could not keep my attention. The 15 questions on the sergeants exam that pertained to this book were lengthy questions that were the demise of all test takers scores. Although everyone passed the exam all test takers complained about the 15 responsibility questions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Police    4. Police Administration    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Supervision of    10. United States    11. Police & security services    12. Political Science / Law Enforcement    13. Political structure & processes   

Subjects:  1. 1638-1715    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Favorites, Royal    7. France    8. France - History    9. General    10. Historical - General    11. King of France,    12. Kings and rulers    13. Louis    14. Monarchy And Aristocracy    15. Relations with women    16. Royalty    17. XIV,    18. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (9)

Info wanted
What is the CDfor in the 11th edition? I'm interested in the book, but most editions don't diff dramatically, but I do notice the 11th comes with a cd.

I don't know why the other reviews are so critical
I bought this because it is needed for my Cultural Anthropology class and it's a pretty smooth read. It has a definate liberal bias but no more than any other college book I've had to buy, if anything it's a bit less liberal bias than some of the books I've had to suffer through.
A Good Introductory Text
This is one of the better anthropology texts available today.It is very comprehensive, well-organized, and takes a very broad view of the human condition.The problem with textbooks is that they sometimes summarize issues as if they were settled questions, when, in reality, many of the problems involved are the subjects of complex debate.This is not necessarily a bad thing, since the majority of undergraduate students are not interested in primary sources that are very difficult to read and take a lot of work to understand.As an instructor I found the book to be very good as a basic resource that allowed me to teach my perspective of the discipline to students using supplementary materials and lectures.The major drawback is that it is so expensive, but not more so than other textbooks out there.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Anthropology - General    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Ethnology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Social & cultural anthropology    8. Social Science / Anthropology / General    9. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (20)

Great, Succinct Expose of anti-American Corporate Actions (4.5*s)
Many predicted that so-called free trade agreements, which ignore social, economic, and legal imbalances between First World and Third World countries, would be disastrous for American workers. Senator Dorgan was one of the critics of handing corporations a ticket for a ride on cheap labor, and he and others were right. The book is an easy to read expose of the consequences of free-trade. Wow, what an eye-opener...
The Senator takes some pretty complex subjects and boils them down so that average folks like me can digest them.I always had the impression that outsourcing was bad and that corporations did some shady things to maximize their profits.Now I'm convinced.This book shows me the money and names names.The truly surprising thing was exactly how much of an accomplice our own government has been.Read it--and vote accordingly.

EXPORT GOODS, NOT JOBS!
Senator Dorgan is not one of your wishy-washy politicians. He takes a stand on NAFTA and CAFTA: He's against them.He makes it clear that we're not just sending low-paid work to other countries, but we're rapidly losing our manufacturing jobs. Those are jobs that paid well and provided thousands of Americans with middle-class life-styles.