Foreign Language Nonfiction Books

The Communist Manifesto (Penguin Classics)

Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 252 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Marx, communist manifesto 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

With this review I hope to cover some areas others have not. I would have the reader to read more than just my review of this product.

Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto, A Norton critical edition
Edited by Frederic L Bender.

The Communist Manifesto is by all means one of the most (if not the most) controversial documents of non-religious origin. This Norton Critical Edition does this work justice in many ways: It gives a bullet point historical outline of events leading up to the manifesto, provides a brief history leading up to the writing of the manifesto (a must read in my opinion), provides the manifesto itself, and then gives the reader commentary from various writers concerning the manifesto's historical impact and interpretation. All this in just over 200 pages. Those looking only for a brief description of the product need read no further.


The rest of this review is my impression of the manifesto and the historical context in this volume. Events leading up to the writing of "The Communist Manifesto" saw many Europeans in poverty. Marx himself lost three of his own children; to quote a note in Oxford's version of Marx's "Capital" stated, "Poverty was partly responsible for the death of three of his six children." At any rate Pauperism was the norm in European society, and Marx attempts to paint a grotesque picture for the reader: The Bourgeois (capitalists, the have's, the rich) vs. the Proletarians (impoverished). Background of the text sees the artisans (middle class) vanishing (loss of the middle class) , and an increase in number of the Proletarians. This helps the reader grasp a clear visual of European society prior to the writing of the manifesto (it is interesting to note that Germany was in ruins prior to the rise of Hitler). Let us now look at Marx himself.

What I found most interesting about Marx's writing is that he really saw no other alternative but to call for removal of all Bourgeois power, and abolition of owning property. To quote Marx, "The communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only be the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. WORKING MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!" Marx also openly criticized what he considered other forms of socialism that did not call for "forcible overthrow" and referred to one of them as "Utopian."

Marx states further, "There are, besides, eternal truths, such as Freedom, Justice, etc.; that are common to all states of society. But Communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality, instead of constituting them on a new basis; it therefore acts in contradiction to all past historical experience." This is one of the most shocking comments (to me personally) made by Marx in his manifesto. There are individuals that don't understand that under Marxist communism freedom of religion doesn't exist. There is a side note from another writing of Marx (supplied cleverly by Frederic L Bender the editor of this version ) where Marx is very critical of Christianity. To quote Marx,

"The social principles of Christianity preach cowardice, self -contempt, abasement, submissiveness and humbleness, in short all the qualities of the rabble, and the proletariat, which will not permit itself to be treated as rabble, needs its courage, its self-confidence, its pride and its sense of independence even more than its bread. The social principles of Christianity are sneaking and hypocritical, and the proletariat is revolutionary." (Marx, The Communism of the Rheinische Beobachter, Marx, Engels Collected works).

It is at this moment that I would like to divert momentarily into the difference between Christian thought and Marx. Marx writings are indignant toward Christianity in general, and call on the state to assume control over all aspects of life: religion, property, and all business. The Christianity of the Bible was never a political system. Peter told Ananias in Acts 5:3-4 that the property that Ananias sold was his own, and that "after it was sold was it not in thine own power?" Ananias could have chosen to not sell the property, or to keep a portion of the money for himself without lying about it. The record itself shows a spiritual decision that took Ananias outside God's protection. However, the important context is that the decision belonged to Ananias. No one forced him to sell his property. After all Peter stated, "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold , was it not in thine own power?" Christian doctrine did NOT involve the FORCED take over of property, nor did it impose a belief system on those who chose not to commit to Christian doctrine. Now what men have done in the name of God over the centuries is a much different story, and would not be prudent to indulge in at this time.
In closing, I would like to point out that Marx was a free trade advocate. The editor of this text points this out on numerous occasions that sited other works of Marx. Marx himself saw free trade as a vehicle to unite socialism. The reader needs to be aware that Marx vision was to see the rise of Capitalism as a necessity means to the bourgeois coming to power and a proletariat revolt. Unfortunately after deep consideration I can see these forces at work in the U.S.A.!!! The almost certain death of the middle class and the rise of huge corporations. Politicians who succumb to help the few at the expense of many. We are in fact becoming more of a have and have not society ourselves. The one great principle we as Americans have is the ability to start our own business. Small business is still the key to wealth in this country. Employers will never give an individual financial freedom. It is only the right we still hold by a thread to start our own business and make our own wealth that really keeps capitalism alive and thriving. Without it, you are left with a have and have not society, and with it will come the rise of another Marx. I pray that our country turns from this form of soft socialism that has been imposed upon us, and that we never have to witness those horrid words spring forth from another's pen, " WORKING MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES UNITE!"
That is the biggest lesson I took away from this.

Editorial Review:

"A spectre is haunting Europe," Karl Marx and Frederic Engels wrote in 1848, "the spectre of Communism." This new edition of The Communist Manifesto, commemorating the 150th anniversary of its publication, includes an introduction by renowned historian Eric Hobsbawm which reminds us of the document's continued relevance. Marx and Engels's critique of capitalism and its deleterious effect on all aspects of life, from the increasing rift between the classes to the destruction of the nuclear family, has proven remarkably prescient. Their spectre, manifested in the Manifesto's vivid prose, continues to haunt the capitalist world, lingering as a ghostly apparition even after the collapse of those governments which claimed to be enacting its principles.

Prentice Hall Molecular Model Set For Organic Chemistry

Prentice Hall

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 51 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Organic chem set 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a kind of awkward model set. It does what its supposed to but the length of the plastic bonds is hard to differentiate to tell between the different types of bonds. Also, I did not find it that helpful to studying like I thought it would be. I would say save your money and buy study guides with gobs and gobs of practice problems.

Editorial Review:

This kit enables users to build virtually all simple molecules encountered in organic chemistry. Includes space-filling models that simulate the true shape of saturated compounds. Provides open models that form realistic single, double, and triple bonds — even strained rings. Allows smooth rotation of the bonds to make conformational analysis easy. Contains enough components to create several models at once. The components are precision-tooled from quality plastics, are virtually indestructible, and come in a sturdy plastic case for easy storage. Provides a useful Instruction Book — with photos, diagrams, and concise discussions of chemical principles.

El Secreto (The Secret)

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Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

El Secreto siempre ha estado parcialmente presente en las tradiciones orales, en la literatura, en las religiones y en las distintas filosofías de todos los tiempos. Por primera vez, todos estos fragmentos han sido reunidos en una increíble revelación que transformará la vida de todo aquel que lo experimente.

En este libro aprenderás a cómo utilizar El Secreto en todos los aspectos de tu vida: dinero, salud, relaciones, felicidad y en todas tus interacciones con el mundo. Empezarás a entender el poder oculto que hay en tu interior, El Secreto te traerá felicidad en todas las áreas de tu vida.

El Secreto encierra la sabiduría de los grandes maestros actuales-quienes lo han utilizado para conseguir salud, fortuna y felicidad. Al aplicar el conocimiento de El Secreto los maestros nos revelan increíbles historias de sanación, de generación de riqueza económica, de superación de obstáculos y de cómo alcanzar cualquier logro que pueda calificarse de imposible.

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series)

Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John M. Vlissides

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 249 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Why are people still buying this book? 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I give this book a 3 because it was great when it was written. But now, it is not a very good book to read. Most people who read it acknowledge they can't understand it. There are two excellent books on the market that should be read if you want to learn design patterns.

Head First Design Patterns (Head First) - is the best book to read on what patterns are as solutions to a problem in a context. Fun to read, useful, really wonderful *****.

However, if you want to learn what patterns really are - the thought process behind them, read Design Patterns Explained: A New Perspective on Object-Oriented Design (2nd Edition) (Software Patterns Series) *****

A related book that would also be a good read is Scott Bain's Emergent Design: The Evolutionary Nature of Professional Software Development (Net Objectives Product Development Series) *****

Let's give tribute to the acknowledged #1 classic in the modern software industry. But it is not the book to read to learn patterns anymore.

Editorial Review:

Design Patterns is a modern classic in the literature of object-oriented development, offering timeless and elegant solutions to common problems in software design. It describes patterns for managing object creation, composing objects into larger structures, and coordinating control flow between objects. The book provides numerous examples where using composition rather than inheritance can improve the reusability and flexibility of code. Note, though, that it's not a tutorial but a catalog that you can use to find an object-oriented design pattern that's appropriate for the needs of your particular application--a selection for virtuoso programmers who appreciate (or require) consistent, well-engineered object-oriented designs.

Le Petit Prince (French Language Edition)

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 68 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great philosophy behind it 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I half-expected this book to be a children's book but it actually contained philosophical ideals people would often ask themselves in life. Highly recommended

Easy reader 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is perfect for French reading comprehension. It's an easy read, with an entertaining story!

Editorial Review:

In 2000 Harcourt proudly reissued Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's masterpiece, The Little Prince, in a sparkling new format. Newly translated by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Richard Howard, this timeless classic was embraced by critics and readers across the country for its purity and beauty of expression. And Saint-Exupéry's beloved artwork was restored and remastered to present his work in its original and vibrant colors.

Now Harcourt is issuing uniform full-color foreign language editions. The restored artwork glows like never before. These affordable and beautiful editions are sure to delight an entire new generation of readers, students, children, and adults for whom Saint-Exupéry's story will open the door to a new understanding of life.

2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews: Ready-to-Use Words and Phrases That Really Get Results

Paul Falcone

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Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Reviews 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent tool for assisting managers with written comments on the performance reviews they are required to do on their employees. It especially helps managers with new phrases for employees they have been reviewing for years.

Editorial Review:

No managerial or administrative task is as universally dreaded as the performance review. Supervisors may know the points they need to get across, but putting them on paper is another matter. This book puts the the right words at their fingertips, with ready-to-use phrases and words, action items, and descriptions that managers, supervisors, and HR professionals can use to evaluate performance, prepare development plans, and address performance problems.

2600 Phrases for Effective Performance Appraisals covers the 25 most commonly rated factors, including productivity, time management, decision making, and teamwork, as well as specific roles such as customer service, finance, sales, and more. The book provides hundreds of phrases to use in performance improvement plans, plus an appendix of helpful individual words.

En Espanol: Level 1 Mas Practica Cuaderno

Estella Gahala, Carlin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

New product - terrible delivery time 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 7 people found this review helpful.

This item was ordered as a new product and received in excellent condition. Unfortunately it took weeks to receive it. This is not the first time I have had this problem with Amazon.

Book was received promptly and in excellent condition. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Book was received promptly and in excellent condition. Very pleased in this service. Will use again.

Realidades 3

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

REalidades 3 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The book is in excellent condition and we are very satisfied with the book and service.

great value 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Realidades 3 provided a great value for the money. The book was shipped quickly. I would buy from this sight again.

The Histories (Penguin Classics)

Herodotus

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Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

His story and history - Herodotus' view on his world. 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I always loved history in school, so it seems a bit strange that I'm finally coming back to read some actual documents that were written in the time periods I'm interested in. I picked up this version of "The Histories" at a museum, after spending the day looking at ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. I didn't really know what to expect.

What I discovered was a grand set of stories about different cultures in the ancient world. I wasn't expecting to delve into the folk lore of Egypt, the kingdoms of the Scythians, or the creation of the Persian Empire. I did get more of what I expected as well: stories of the Greek city states banding together to face the Persians, and the causes of this epic conflict. On top of all that, I also got a bunch of mythic stories, tales of oracles, even a bit of information about Heracles that I was never privy too. Herodotus takes many different elements that would be outside of a modern history and weaves them all together and in a compelling fashion. The block of history he chooses to examine is also presented in a way to fits his thematic ideas of destiny, conflict and hubris. His stories illustrate his views and inform at the same time.

Of course as a modern reader, I began to seriously doubt some of his claims (even without the notes). But I soon got over the idea of reading a true history. After all, what history written by any person could be "true"? As long as a writer has a perspective, there will always be bias in the writing. Instead, I enjoyed the stories that were being told.

This version of the book includes a clean and easy to read translation by Aubrey De Selincourt. In addition there is an excellent introduction by John Marincola that explains a bit about Herodotus and points out some of the themes of the work. There are extensive notes at the end of the book, which will require at least two bookmarks (one for the place you are reading and one for your spot in the notes). These notes give a bit more information either provided by modern authors, later ancient authors, or archeological evidence. There is an extensive list of books for additional reading, a time line of events covered in the book, a list of the kings of key countries, a glossary, a table of monetary values and four maps. The maps are very helpful, but not as detailed as I wish they could be. The notes often point out other books with more detailed maps (especially of battle sites).

All in all, this was a great book for a first time reader of ancient history by an ancient historian. I definitely recommend this edition to anyone looking to jump into ancient Greek history. Just know going in that this is Herodotus' version of events.

Editorial Review:

Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt with an introduction and Notes by John M. Marincola.

Confessions (Penguin Classics)

Saint Augustine of Hippo

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Worthwhile even for agnostics 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Before reading any St. Augustine, I had formed an image of him as an intolerant puritan, almost Taliban-esque. As an agnostic, I did not at all expect to find him a sympathetic figure. The "Confessions," however, reveal a warmly human, hugely intelligent man, relating his own open-minded spiritual journey, which included way-stops at Manicheeism and neo-Platonism. Augustine formulated his religious and ethical systems through careful deliberation and observation, aided by an epiphany or two; his is not a story of blind, unthinking faith or of mysterious visions. His concept of God seems little different from the Chinese concept of the Tao, and his concept of grace little different from the Buddhist concept of enlightenment. Thus, there is considerable interest in his viewpoint even for non-Catholics, non-Christians, and non-believers.

In addition, this book also constitutes an autobiography of material existence in the waning years of the Western Roman Empire, and thus should be of great interest to any classicist. Little examples: Augustine confirms that, at least around 400 A.D., the normal way to read, even among the most highly literate, was aloud; Ambrose's habit of reading silently to himself inspires considerable comment and speculation. We learn that high school students were rowdy, then as now. The Roman Emperor didn't seem to matter much in the lives of citizens.

The Penguin translation by Mr. Pine-Coffin is excellent and very readable. He avoids the archaic "thou's" that plague many translations. Regrettably, the cover material chooses to emphasize the translator's status as a Roman Catholic as his single most important attribute, and his introductory comments are likely to strike non-Catholics as intolerant. Skip over that, and get right into Augustine's writing itself.