Amazing research and analysis
579765
I bought this book as a follow-up on the David Irving-Deborah Lipstadt trial. Professor Lipstadt listed it, I believe, in the bibliography of her book on that same trial. Longerich was called as a special witness, along with Robert Jan Van Pelt. This book, to me, as a student of the Holocaust, is amazing.

There is NO single document in which Hitler orders the Final Solution. Deniers use that to say that Hitler did not know about the Final Solution and even tried to stop it. Dr. Longerich traces the long, fragmented, documentary route of Hitler's thought on the subject and how the Third Reich functioned to prove beyond a doubt that Hitler did indeed know and was definitely in charge.

This book will clear up any doubt that one might have on the subject. Along with this book, I would recommend to the serious student of Holocaust Studies the following:

1)The Holocaust on Trial by Guttenplan

2) History of Trial by Lipstadt

3) Lying About History by Evans

All this will give the reader a more complete picture of the responsibility of the Historian to report history in an objective way.
2960965
Don't let the provocative title scare you away, this is actually a very well researched book that breaks down several myths regarding getting fit and staying healthy. I was very surprised at the level of research that went into the this book and Mike does a good job of breaking all the studies down and making them accessible for general readers. And if your  doubting anything he has to say, you can go ahead and refer to the very expansive list of sources in the back.

Overall there is a ton of information here, but I can't help but feel like some of the way the research is presented is slightly skewed.
1877994
This is a massive work!  At some 800 pages (hard copy), Dr. Speckhard provides an almost-exhausting (if not exhaustive) look at the factors that influence individuals to adopt terrorism as a means of forcing political change.  Much of the text (I admit I am only part way through it at present) consists of Speckhard's narrative of interviews with terrorists, families of suicide bombers, radical ideologues, and others, reflecting her ten years of field study.  As an academic, I appreciate the depth of her research and analysis; as a former security practitioner, I value the insights her work provides for understanding terrorism.  One caution: this book is not for casual summer-time reading.  It will take you to places that -- even in narrative form -- you are likely to find very uncomfortable.  On the other hand, careful reading of this text will provide insights that offset the oft-repeated notion that terrorists are just plain crazy.  Dr. Speckhard may not answer all your questions, but her book will go a long way toward shaping your understanding the challenge of terrorism.
2647354
This book is chock full of wonderful scholarly case studies, theoretical material and concepts, and excellent research.  I am an anthropologist; very important work in thinking about communities and individuals who are in distress and the resources that help them to resiliate.  Ungar presents a very fine overview and detailing of the concept of social ecology of resilience.  Please see excellent case study of community resilience in Greenland; refugee studies in Australia, and adolescent resilience vs. cultural entrapment in Afghanistan.

Well worth the hefty price.
4158610
I am amazed at the research that went into this book, at the specific, documented information and the number of interviews conducted. I read this book with a combination of feelings, for I am the daughter of E. Jack Neuman, the man who created the series, and the stepdaughter of Marian Collier Neuman. This show was an epoch in my household and a formative experience of my youth.
Chuck Harter has captured the intensity of this project, which even as children, my siblings and I could feel around us. My father traveled the country - and even out of the country - for years, dedicated to understanding the modern high school. He also traveled to receive a multitude of awards for the program, though it aired only two seasons.
My dad was a dedicated researcher, and he saw a project through from start to finish with intensity and pride. This was his baby, as Harter says - and it was magnificent.
I have had the opportunity to review several of the episodes, and frankly, it is hard to believe how relevant the subject matter remains. The character development is phenomenal.
I am an investigative journalist - and I know what it takes to research. I also know how hard it is to make a subject come to life, to retain the interest of the reader, to convey the intensity of events and to do it all in a comprehensive, linear fashion that is easy to read. "It t'ain't easy," as my dad would say. But he did it.
Harter also criss-crossed the country - to get interviews, including with a die-hard fan of the series who was a student-extra on the show. It is extraordinary. I happened to know how hard it was to get some of those interviews with people like my stepmother, Dick Donner and so forth.
One thing they all had to say was that dad was a great guy to work with. That was satisfying to see. That is a personal note, and one that I cannot help but to include in this review.
Hollywood has changed dramatically, and the television industry has no resemblance to what it was fifty years ago. Those actors and writers had to pass ethical screenings. Imagine that. 90% of TV wouldn't get through the censors today. So those scripts, which were absolutely cutting edge, had to walk a discreet line to come into our living rooms. Harter conveys the momentum and urgency to portray real high schools, real students, and real teachers in an era of "Our Miss Brooks."
Topics such as teen pregnancy, dropping out, racism, bullying, drugs, financial problems for teachers, romantic interests for teachers, and my favorite - the teacher who married one of his students - and she has a drinking problem that she brings to school... these are heady and relevant today, and they did not treat them with kid gloves. They ate them up.
So, for the person who is a fan of old television series, I heartily recommend this book. You will be astonished at the quality of information that is in this book about my dad, of course, and Dean Jagger, James Franciscus, and the rest of the cast. You have to buy this book to add to your collection.
For the screenwriter - I recommend the incredible "Writer's Guide," a feature at the back of the book. It was my dad's description of the characters and the meaning and the purpose of this series, and it was intended to make sure that whoever took over the writing of the series knew what he set out to do. This invaluable description will show anyone what distinguishes a great writer from a good one.
Unfortunately, given the modern-day business of screenwriting, it probably doesn't matter anymore. Its all about the money. But great is great, and if you are a writer like me, you want to know.
For the fan - it is a cornucopia of great stuff.
It seems that the series will soon be released on DVD, and if you read this, you will be chomping at the bit.
Harter aced it.
4637366
Spectacularly researched piece of work. Snyder has provided readers with harrowing, yet insightful accounts of this horrific era for people living within these lands of Eastern Europe. He is able to relate thousands of separate sources together into an even larger scope; I'm addition, the analysis is tremendously impressive. Recommend this book for everyone seeking interest in WWII and/or the origins of the Cold War. Although disturbing (especially the Ukrainian Starvation and Nazi death pits), Snyder's account has brought this little understood topic to light and has successfully brought the perspectives and psychologies of both the victims and the perpetrators to better understanding for people who, thankfully, did not witness or experience it.
3500944
Duhigg did a great service here by synthesizing an enormous collection of scientific and case studies to give us not only a clear picture of current understanding in this area but also a bit of a history of the study of habits.  He reveals the findings through specific case studies, people we get to know as they struggle with their behavior patterns and try to explain them, that bring the concepts home in ways that will strike a familiar note for everyone.  Great new tome on brain science --- please keep them coming, Mr. Duhigg!  By the way -- read the acknowledgements and and marvel at the number of references he researched and authorities he consulted.  Bravo!
2000730
This is an exquisitely well researched book that is also a pleasure to read.  Coffey's arguments are cogent and her conclusions sound, all supported by a tremendous amount of work in French and Vatican archives.  The book's analysis of Harmel and his work provides us with a penetrating glimpse into the late Second Empire, the Third Republic and the role of the Catholic Church in Republican France.  Highly recommended for scholars of modern France.
3004034
Mark has done a great job of investigating all the points he brings up in this book. The amount of references sited is very impressive. His conclusion at the end was quite a nice touch as well. If you are interested in this kind of information, I highly recommend this book.
821034
Professor Aday clearly did an abundance of quality research.  He makes points and states facts that most readers would not think of.  It is chilling to consider what the societal costs will be if we do not prepare for incarcerating the aging prison population.  Normally, when we think of prisons we think gender specific--male.  Aday looks at some of the special needs of women and specifically women in prison.  Persons over 50 is the fastest growning segment of our prison populations unless we include the federal system--then women become the fastest growing segement with persons over 50 in second place.  As a Ph. D. student at the Goldman School of Public Policy, U.C. Berkeley studying criminal justice I found this book to be a facinating read.  I recommend it to any intelligent person.  Every page covered information I had not considered in the broad picture.  I hope Professor Aday has more to offer as he will certainly be responsible for changes in our criminal justice which is a train wreck now.
Ralph Spinelli
4057628
Essential research  presented in a clear, understandable style
292963
I learned so much while reading this book by John Egerton. The amount of research done to produce all of this information in one book is amazing. I plan to read his other books now. I highly recommend this book. It's not a fast read, but a very good one.
3325959
I thought this was exceptionally well done. I was already familiar with much of the research covered in the book but it is very helpful to have this material summarized in such readable, non-technical language. I will consider using this in one of the courses I teach. A few additional thoughts are available here: http://www.fullerinstitute.org/?p=811
4638173
As a cultural historian, I found this book meticulously researched. For anyone who has ever wondered how something like this could happen, the book provides extensive evidence while leaving the reader to ponder its ramifications. It takes one so deeply into the minds of Klebold and Harris that the reader will find those chapters staying with him. A must-read. Highly recommended.
1581466
Surosh Shafihie has put together, what had to be, mounds of research in order to bring this work to the reader. The first half of the book makes a very detailed case for the existence of God. No stone is left unturned as the author draws you into an in-depth look at existence on virtually all levels. This is all accomplished with a smooth and easy-to-read writing style. The information that is provided is well supported by examples and numerous facts.
The second half of the book supports the authors conclusions through the use of scripture and explanations. I will not give away the authors final conclusions. I will only say that major truths are revealed within this text.
Surosh Shafihie shares details and revelations gained from a personal perspective.  The profound search that this book takes you on adds up to a master class in spiritual understanding.
This book is well written and well edited. If you have an interest in this subject matter, it is a great read!
1417026
The author is a great writer and researcher. Tons of great info and nice commentary to make it enjoyable. Easy to recommend to anyone interested in this topic.
2633318
I wanted to read this book in hopes of helping me understand my introverted and sometimes shy daughter.  By the end of the book, I had a better insight into my whole family and most of the people I work with.  This book is a fascinating tour of the research on how different introverts and extroverts really are - and yet how they can work so well together.

What Cain has done here, and why this book is so well-written, is pull together a wonderful mixture of university research, interviews with dozens of people, and her own life experiences. I never felt like I was being bogged down in boring details of some 1,000+ page research paper or that this was simply some gathering of anecdotal evidence.  It is apparent that Cain did her research, laid out the work in a logical and easy to follow manner, and created a book that should be required reading in college sociology courses.

Usually I skip around in non-fiction books, but found myself reading every chapter of this one.

Fascinating reading - highly recommended.