The Social Health of the Nation: How America Is Really Doing

Book Description

For the past twelve years, the annual release of the Index of Social Health has been a major event, cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other national media our most reliable barometer of progress in addressing America's social ills. Now, in The Social Health of the Nation, the Index for 1999--an invaluable fount of information--is available for the first time in book form. Rejecting the notion that the Dow Jones Industrial Averages and its ilk are the sole valid measures of progress in the United States, the authors offer a fuller and deeper view of our nation's quality of life, gathering together statistical information on such factors as the well-being of America's children and youth, the accessibility of health care, the quality of education, or the adequacy of housing. Readers will find solid information about drug abuse, children in poverty, life expectancy, homicides, and health insurance coverage. And we get these facts in context, so that we know where we are improving--for instance, poverty among the elderly, infant mortality, and the high school dropout rate have all declined. Equally important, we discover where we are losing ground--suicide rates among the young are 40 percent higher than in 1970, for example, and income inequality is at its worst level in 50 years. Here then is the key to the true State of the Union. The first national survey in the U.S. to bring together varied aspects of social health, including education, work, family, medical care, American culture, and the arts, The Social Health of the Nation gives us a more finely focused picture of the national fabric--and reveals where that fabric needs mending.

Customer Reviews:

A Thought-Provoking Book on the Nation's Social Health.......2000-03-13

The authors persuasively argue that social indicators deserve more recognition among politicians and the media, and make several useful suggestions on how to accomplish this. The authors believe a growing disparity between the country's economic growth and social conditions since 1973 is not adequately measured by economic statistics but can and should be tracked by a national social health index. For this purpose, they present the Index of Social Health developed by the Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy.

Unfortunately, the authors fail make a case that their particular Index has any meaning whatsoever or a place in the national dialogue on social conditions. Despite this, the book is a worthwhile read. Its sixteen indicators of "social health" (infant mortality, child poverty, drug use, life expectance, crime, child abuse, etc.) are carefully researched and succinctly presented. Environmental, racism and quality-of-life indicators are missing, but this is possibly because they lack satisfactory statistical measures. The component data is fully referenced in extensive numerical appendices. Unfortunately, relevance of the individual measures departs when blended into the authors' single Index of Social Health. And, the authors surprisingly fail to provide the magic formula showing how these disparate statistics are weighed to produce their conclusion that social health has deteriorated manifestly since 1973.

Based on their Index, the authors assert the nation's social health peaked at 76.9 (out of a possible 100) in 1973 (during the Nixon/Ford administration), collapsed rapidly during the Carter Administration and has been bumping along around 40 ever since, with a slight upward trend towards 43 in1996, the most recent date presented.

The authors reveal an agenda early in the book with a misleading graph titled "Index of Social Health and GNP" (Chart 3.1). This shows GNP steadily climbing from $2.5 trillion in 1959 to $7 trillion in 1996 plotted against a version of their Index starting at 50 in 1959 and ending at around 40 in 1996. The two lines start at the same point in 1959, travel upward together for a while and then, of course, diverge (since GNP grows each year while the Index is constrained between 0 and 100). Miringoff states that the Index "tracked" GNP until the mid-70s, however "the relationship between the two measures has changed dramatically in the past twenty years." He calls this "growing wedge" between the always climbing GNP line and his almost horizontal Index line a trend that reflects "separate dynamics in society". I found this a misleading depiction of data by the authors on a critical point. Given the precision reflected elsewhere in the book, this is not easily explained.

Reviewing the component indicators in Part II is quite interesting. This is the real meat of the book and has many useful charts and graphs. Most of the indicators show positive and negative developments in line with common perceptions. One big exception is "child abuse." The authors chose to use data on the number of children reported for maltreatment, which skyrocketed from 10.1 to 47.0 cases per 1,000 from 1976 to 1996. As most people realize, there has been a sea change in attitudes towards reporting child abuse in the last generation that may have nothing to do with the underlying amount of child abuse occurring during the period. This indicator appears to be a major contributor to the reported decline in social health since 1973, yet the authors fail to explain how they addressed the obvious data limitation. The "poverty" percentage data (someone earning less than 1/2 of median income) is vivid, but no attempt is made to compare the actual standard of living of person living at the "poverty level" in the USA versus other countries. Disappointingly, the authors do not present data more recent than 1996/1997, which is readily available for many of the indicators. This makes the book less relevant to policymakers.

Book Description

Measurement of Community Health examines the underlying assumptions of, and the process of, constructing a social health index at the community level. Yoku Shaw-Taylor reviews the assumptions and thinking that informs the concepts of personal health and community social health to provide a sociologic framework of what social health means at the community level and how social health at the individual level differs from it. The author also explores and examines the process of obtaining this index accurately using data from each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Shaw-Taylor's analysis of the adequacy and power of the index suggests that to determine community social health, monitoring the set of socioeconomic indicators used in his research (poverty rate and crime rate) is advisable. Most importantly, the results of this study suggest a reliable method of targeting federal funds or block grants for economic opportunity to states.

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I actually need another copy I've used this so much...

Heavy Explanation of Oscillators

Superb book on Momentum

Momentum applied to daytrading terrible

Gives more insight into popular indicators.

Martin Pring on Market Momentum
Martin J. Pring
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Master Swing Trader: Tools and Techniques to Profit from Outstanding Short-Term Trading Opportunities

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications (New York Institute of Finance)

Trading in the Zone: Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline and a Winning Attitude

Momentum Explained, Volume II

Pring on Price Patterns : The Definitive Guide to Price Pattern Analysis and Intrepretation

ASIN: 0786311762

Book Description

The book examines the principles underlying market momentum and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various oscillators used to measure momentum. Written by one of the world's foremost technical analysts, the book breaks new ground in its in-depth discussion of stochastics, relative strength and the very popular MACD indicator. Pring's unique KST system combines oscillators and time cycles to produce very reliable trading signals. Topics include: Interpretation of momentum indicators; Characteristics of overbought and oversold markets; Trends analysis using momentum indicators; pros and cons of all major oscillators; How to use Wilder's directional movement system.

Customer Reviews:

I actually need another copy I've used this so much..........2004-05-01

Readers of reviews on financial books need to be careful. For every 100 people who speculate in the financial markets, less than 10 are successful. People often have psychological blindspots that prevent them from noticing profitable info when they see it. I'm convinced that blindspot applies not only to the market, but books about profiting in the market.

Despite my skepticism, I had decided to study technical analysis after reading Larry McMillian's advice in Options as a Strategic Investment. Pring's book on Momentum was one of my first purchases. Combined with observation of market action using my TC2000 software, I'd say it is one of my best purchases. And that was over 4 years ago.

This isn't easy reading. It requires you to--THINK! Imagine that! Those who are looking for wealth through trading and investing expect the process to be easy. When they discover it isn't, they blame authors for writing accuarte, but difficult books, rather than changing their ideas about profiting from the market.

Other books cover momentum indicators in brief detail, but
Pring devotes significant space to principles of momentum interpretation, as well as how different indicators are constructed. Of crucial importance is the pros and cons of the construction of various indicators: Momentum or Rate of Change vs RSI, MACD vs Stochastics. After reading this, you will learn which indicators complement each other, and which ones are simply different variations of the same idea.

Unfortunately, as Pring instructs, interpreting momentum indicators requires practice as well as judgement. Knowing how to interpret momentum doesn't mean you can trade eaily. There is much more to trading than understanding momentum indicators.

Read this book, THINK about the logic of the indicators, then observe the market action using what you have learned. In due time, you will use the ideas in this book to develop your own indicators, improving on the ideas in this book to suit your own style.

Heavy Explanation of Oscillators.......2002-01-05

If you want an elpanation of how various oscillators are calculated and applied this is a good resource for active traders. The book contains some solid explanations of how to interpret divergences between an underlying security and oscillators. Additionally, several good points made for traders and investors.

Why three stars? Mr Pring's book was a very heavy dry read. There was very little comment on how he might have approaced these trades, or if he took them at all. There was a lot of reference to other people's work. Which is fine, but I look for two things in an investment book. The first is ideas that can help me be a better investor/trader, but the second is enjoyment.
Something like The Visual Investor (John Murphy) is just much more practical for all but die hard TA students.

Superb book on Momentum.......2001-06-12

You will find the KST formula in Chapter 7 on page 159. This is not a book on day trading. It is a book on momentum. It can be applied to all time frames like daily, weekly, and monthly. For day trading, you need to read a lot more books on day trading to prepare for that task. The KST is a superb indicator. It allows you to zero in on the maintrend. You know the addage, the trend is your frend. KST will show you if the trend is your frend before you put on your trade. Most traders who lose money trade against the main trend. With KST, you can make sure you are trading with the trend.

Mr. Pring does a superb job in a layman language as to how to interpret and use momentum. No other author does as a good job and most books will mislead you and cost you big losses as a result. Martin has it all when it comes to momentum!!

Momentum applied to daytrading terrible.......2000-02-28

I recently purchased this book to strengthen my momentum skills. Being somewhat new to TA, it is has came easy having a extensive computer background. I found Prings explanation on oscillators complete but lacks application to daytrading/investing. I met him at a recent show asking him pertinent questions as they apply to the market and trading and he replied...."I need to buy another book". This book is good on how oscillators are made....NOT HOW THEY ARE USED.

Gives more insight into popular indicators........1998-10-18

Talks a great deal about the "KST System". Could not find any material showing how to calculate it. However the book includes detailed calculations for Stochastics, MACD, ROI etc.etc all of which is readily available without this book. All I could find was a table which the book keeps referring to as the "KST FORMULA", and can in no way help creating this indicator!!!

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On Market Momentum
Martin J. Pring
Manufacturer: Orient Paperbacks,India
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

"Bob Cover was and remains the dominant voice of his generation among legal scholars. These essays, each one magnificent in itself, are, when taken together, even more important. The wisdom they impart is forever." --Guido Calabresi, Dean and Sterling Professor of Law, Yale University

"Robert Cover drew his sources for the authority of law--for its violence, but also for its paideic potential--from the structuring stories that spark our communal imaginations. Literally until the day of his untimely death, his irreplaceably restless spirit was binding itself with the pages of the Midrash, of The Brothers Karamazov, of Billy Budd, Sailor. It is for us now to work also with these--Bob Cover's stories."--Richard Weisberg, Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School, Yeshiva University

"The writings of Robert Cover were usually provocative, sometimes exasperating, but always relevant. In his last years, he concentrated on Jewish sources as well as mystical and Messianic thought. This collection of his articles is a thesaurus of some of his finest writings."--Robert F. Drinan, S.J., Georgetown University Law Center

The late Robert Cover was Professor of Law, Yale Law School. Martha Minow is Professor of Law, Harvard Law School. Michael Ryan is Professor of English, Northeastern University. Austin Sarat is William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science and Chair of the Program in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought, Amherst College.

Narrative, Violence, and the Law; the Essays of Robert Cover. Edited by Martha Minow, Michael Ryan, and Austin Sarat.

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Narrative, Violence, and the Law; the Essays of Robert Cover. Edited by Martha Minow, Michael Ryan, and Austin Sarat.
Robert M. Cover
Manufacturer: Univ. of Michigan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N2T5U6

Customer Reviews:

Goat Kissing.......2002-03-07

This is truly a 'keeper'. It was not only very funny to read about the family's adventures, it was also a 'How-to' book for living 'off-the-land'. The author shared memorable awe-inspiring moments that let you understand why someone would want to leave the city but at the same time he let you see reality of what the experience would require of you as he gives you a wealth of good self-help information that will be useful. He did the 'trial run' for the reader and left me smiling.

although dated, this book is a great read!.......1998-02-03

although dated, this book is a must for anyone who wants to live with alternative power or lifestyles. a must for anyone who is a homesteader or "back to the land" person!

Book Description

This package includes transparencies for overhead purposes.

Book Description

A unified account of the principles of theoretical physics, A Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics, Second Edition stresses the inter-relationships between areas that are usually treated as independent. The profound unifying influence of geometrical ideas, the powerful formal similarities between statistical mechanics and quantum field theory, and the ubiquitous role of symmetries in determining the essential structure of physical theories are emphasized throughout. This second edition conducts a grand tour of the fundamental theories that shape our modern understanding of the physical world. The book covers the central themes of space-time geometry and the general relativistic account of gravity, quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, gauge theories and the fundamental forces of nature, statistical mechanics, and the theory of phase transitions. The basic structure of each theory is explained in explicit mathematical detail with emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than on the technical details of specialized applications. The book gives straightforward accounts of the standard models of particle physics and cosmology.

Customer Reviews:

The book is laced with penetrating little insights delivered.......1998-09-15

A conducted grand tour of the fundamental theories which shape our modern understanding of the physical world. This book covers the central themes of spacetime geometry and the general-relativistic account of gravity; quantum mechanics and quantum field theory; gauge theories and the fundamental forces of nature, statistical mechanics and the theory of phase transitions. The basic structure of each theory is explained in explicit mathematical detail with emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than on the technical details of specialized applications. Straightforward accounts are given of the standard models of particle physics and cosmology, and some of the more speculative ideas of modern theoretical physics are examined. This book is unique in bringing together the diverse areas of physics which are usually treated as independent. Designed to be accessible to final year undergraduates in physics and mathematics and to provide first year graduate students with a broad introductory view of theoretical physics, it will also be of interest to scientists and engineers in other disciplines who need an account of the subject at a level intermediate between semi-popular and technical research.

Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics, A

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Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics, A
Ian D. Lawrie
Manufacturer: Adam Hilger
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KX9QA2

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive study of St John's Gospel for nearly forty years. The author provides new and coherent answers to its two most important questions: the position of the Gospel in the history of Christian thought, and its central or governing idea. In the course of the book, he looks at the Gospel from a variety of viewpoints: historical, literary, and theological. The discussion is balanced and comprehensive and brings into play questions of origins, content, and readership. Detailed exegetical arguments that advance scholarly debate, and intricate questions of specialized concern, are for the most part dealt with conveniently in five major excursuses. All non-English sources are translated.

Customer Reviews:

Everything About John the Evangelist You Ever Wanted to Know.......2007-04-04

Ashton has left no stone unturned. Every pebble has been picked up, looked at, cataloged, set aside, and used. There is no aspect of Johannine studies that Ashton has not read, learned, mastered and presented here in this literal encyclopedia of Johannine learning. This is not an easy bedtime book to read. Like climbing a mountain. It requires effort. It requires patience. It requires seriousness and diligence. But for the person willing to work through this massively written, theologically dense, literate work on John's gospel -- the view and scenery are breathtaking and you will never be the same. Once I finished reading it, it took my breath away when I considered what Ashton was up to here. Ashton shows himself a master of Johannine studies as few others are, and there are many brilliant commentators on John. Not for the faint of heart, but worthy of study and reflection.

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