The Paradox of American Power: Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone

Book Description

Not since the Roman Empire has any nation had as much economic, cultural, and military power as the United States does today. Yet, as has become all too evident through the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the impending threat of the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran, that power is not enough to solve global problems--like terrorism, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction--without involving other nations. Here Joseph S. Nye, Jr. focuses on the rise of these and other new challenges and explains clearly why America must adopt a more cooperative engagement with the rest of the world.

Customer Reviews:

The paradox is a problem; Nye has some answers.......2007-02-10

Although 40 people have reviewed Nye's book thus far, no one has directly quoted Nye's clearest expression on what the PARADOX of American power is. What is the paradox about America's power? The thesis is at the end of the 1st chapter. "The paradox of America power at the end of this millennium is that it is too great to be challenged by any other state, yet not great enough to solve problems such as global terrorism and nuclear proliferation. America needs the help and respect of other nations" (pg. 40; Nye borrows this, adeptly, from Sebastian Mallaby).
In order to earn the "help and respect of other nations" America needs, what Nye calls, "soft power." "Soft power rests on the ability to set the political agenda in a way that shapes the preferences of others" (pg. 9). Soft power is needed now more than ever, because hard power (e.g. military force) is becoming less relevant in this technological revolution the world is undergoing. "Today the foundations of power have been moving away from the emphasis on military force and conquest" (pg. 5).
Soft power and the information age are the two topics Nye deals with primarily and skillfully. There are 2 nice quotations which summarize these topics well:
On Soft Power -
"The countries that are likely to gain soft power in an information age are (1) those whose dominant culture and ideas are closer to prevailing global norms (which now emphasize liberalism, pluralism, and autonomy), (2) those with the most access to multiple channels of communication and thus more influence over how issues are framed, and (3) those whose credibility is enhanced by their domestic and international performance" (pg. 69).
On the Information Age -
"...power in a global information age is distributed like a three-dimensional chess game. The top military board is unipolar, with the United States far outstripping all other states, but the middle economic board is multipolar, with the United States, Europe, and Japan accounting for two-thirds of world product, and the bottom board of transnational relations that cross borders outside the control of governments has a widely dispersed structure of power" (pg. 140).

Simple Read with some Good Points.......2006-11-10

The book is written in easy to read tone, and has some good starting points for anyone wanting to read up on the concept of 'soft power'. Not merely a book about American's soft power, but the "West's"

Soft Power is Only Influence.......2006-08-03

Joseph Nye is brilliant, but completely off with his theory that there is any such thing as "soft power" beyond mere influence. He makes a case that so-called soft power, which comes from cultural exports and good will, are comparable to hard power (as expressed in terms of the capacity for military or economic coercion) in terms of accomplishing a nation's (specifically, America's) objectives on the world stage. What he's done, though, is merely to elevate influence based on popularity to the level of actionable power, which is totally wrong. Look at the entire history of bilateral relations between any two friendly nations, and you will see that over and over again, accomodation was made when it was in the interest of both states, or when one had the hard power to coerce the other to go along. No nation ever acts in the interest of another just because they like that other country's pop music and blue jeans!

sage advice from a great theorist.......2006-06-21

Nye has produced a brilliant and concise plea for American humility in The Paradox of American Power. The central thesis of the book is that the ideas and concepts of power are changing and that ultimately, the U.S. is going to have to adjust to these changes if it wishes to remain "the" country in the world.

The first chapter covers familiar territory for Nye witha a discussion of power, particularly what Nye calls soft power or the power of ideas and culture. In this chapter, Nye convincingly states that there is more to power than just a strong military and that the U.S. has to cultivate its soft power as well. Nye also discusses potential competitors here, such as China and Europe and how these countries could challenge the U.S.

Chapters two and three discuss the emergence of an information revolution and globalization, respectively, and how both of these phenomena can and will change the global environment. Nye is making the case for how the U.S. can stay on top, and while some might fault him for that, this book is not a call for U.S. dominance to the detriment of others; it is a call for a more responsible and responsive U.S. that will benefit the vast majority of other countries.

Chapter four deals with domestic issues such as the economy and education and how these issues could potentially undermine American power. Chapter five concludes the book with the theme of redefining the national interest. This final chapter is particularly helpful because it provides real ideas for what the U.S. should be doing in the world and how doing it will benefit us in the long run. That is perhaps the most impressive idea he articulates in this book...that we should do all we can now to create a world that will be more congenial to our basic values in preparation for a time when we might not have the level of power and influence we have now.

Even though Nye barely mentions it, the ultimate validation of this book is to look at what's happening in Iraq. It is clearly a problem the U.S. can't handle on its own and one that has been made worse because the types of recommendations that Nye makes have been ignored. The book is eerily prophetic when viewed through this particular lens. You could easily think that Nye was writing this book in 2005 or 2006 as a response to Iraq, rather than 2001-02. Nye's basic premise holds true here and that is that the U.S. will be better off if we can get other countries to want to help us.

What stands out about this book the most to me is that it can be largely interpreted as a response to the Bush administration, but Nye hardly mentions Bush or specific Bush policies at all. Rather than producing just another boring and predictable polemic against Bush (who certainly deserves strong criticism), Nye has produced a wonderfully precise critique of post 9/11 American policy that blends pragmatism and realism in a way that reminds me of Noah Feldman (another great author I would highly recommend).

The Paradox of American Power, while not necessarily an easy read, should still be read by anyone that cares about the direction American foreign policy is going. I feel better about our government knowing that someone like Nye was on the inside. Hopefully he'll find his way into an influential position in the McCain administration in 2009.

Nye wants us to handcuff ourselves and sing Coombayah with the rest of the world........2005-11-05

There were many times when I had to mentally and physically shake my head as Nye supports his thesis that America's dominance in this globalized system actually necessitates its interdependence with the rest of the world (read; France and Germany).

The underlying idealism of Nye points to a world where if only the United States of America would submit, just a little, to other states and respect (read; follow) their opinions then BY GOLLY our Air will be cleaner and North Korea and Iran will give up their nuke programs. Also, Europe will magically create a more robust military transport capability and actively participate in counterterrorism and ethno-religious conflicts abroad which, will be on the decline.

My biggest gripe was Nye believing that self constraint will somehow lead to greater leadership opportunities above when these tools of self constraint are tools used by weaker countries to limit US power. That's why, 'they' want to make US weaker. Nye, in one sentence by my count, concedes this point but still argues that in the long term it'll be for the good. However, Nye does not recognize the ulterior motives by countries such as Germany and a nostalgic France (Europe is given way too much credit and attention in his book as well). Given the self interests of other states and the entrenched problems associated with failing states, failed states, and the Middle East it is a stretch to believe that countries will unite with the United States (who will still be the 100 ton gorilla in the room) and make the world a better place.

I don't buy it. So...don't buy it.

Book Description

During the initial wave of powered farming in the early 20th century, most medium- to large-scale farmers traded in their mules for tractors. In the 1930s, when manufacturers began marketing their wares to smaller farm operations, they began building smaller, inexpensive tractors designed to do the work of two mules. This color history covers John Deeres entries in the market, namely its extremely popular two-cylinder models: the L, LA, M, MC, 40, 420, 320, 430, and 330. Today, these models are some of the most popular among the old-tractor crowd. New color photography features restored models and is supplemented by archival images from the early 20th century.

Book Description

The phase space of the spatial three-body problem is an open subset in ${\mathbb R}^{18}$. Holding the ten classical integrals of energy, center of mass, linear and angular momentum fixed defines an eight dimensional submanifold. For fixed nonzero angular momentum, the topology of this manifold depends only on the energy. This volume computes the homology of this manifold for all energy values. This table of homology shows that for negative energy, the integral manifolds undergo seven bifurcations. Four of these are the well-known bifurcations due to central configurations, and three are due to "critical points at infinity". This disproves Birkhoff's conjecture that the bifurcations occur only at central configurations.

Book Description

In an honest, direct and thought provoking style, the reader is transported into the inner realm of the wondrous earth upon which we live. Through various personal accounts of interactions with nature and the conclusions that are drawn, the author provides a doorway through which the reader can step into her experience. Sometimes joyful, sometimes tranquil, and sometimes utterly spiritual, each page brings new meaning to stepping outdoors. Practical advice, step-by-step instruction and meditative exercises are also offered, in order for the readers to establish their own personal connected-ness and intimacy with the natural world.

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Learn From one of the Best

Pump it up

A Must-Have for the Competitor

awesome book

Bodybuilding

Championship Bodybuilding: Chris Aceto's Instruction Book For Bodybuilding
Chris Aceto
Manufacturer: Nutramedia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

Bodybuilding & Weight Training | Training | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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Macrobolic Nutrition: Priming Your Body to Build Muscle & Burn Fat

ASIN: 0966916808

Book Description

This is a comprehensive, easy to understand, guide for the man or woman who wants to build a great body or for the competition type bodybuilder. The author divides the training section into 3 parts; training for the novice or very beginner, training for the intermediate or more experienced trainee and training for the advanced bodybuilder. Within each training section, Aceto covers training schedules, repitition ranges for building muscle strength, size and endurance, set selection, and exercise prescription. Each exercise is described with a 3 dimensional drawing allowing the reader to grasp the range of motion that best fits each exercise. He also covers muscle physiology, the comparison between 2b fibers and 2a muscle fibers and the importance of developing specific training methods to maximize your gains. The delicate issue of aerobics is also covered with exact guidelines for the pre-contest bodybuilder as well as the trainee simply trying to lose some body fat. Specifically, Aceto calls aerobics, "One of the biggest myths in body fat control. Getting lean is about building your metabolic rate by building lean body mass and manipulating your nutrition plan. For most, aerobics is a way to short circuit progress, not enhance it." The nutrition section sets down exact formulas to find precise amounts of calories, carbs, protein and fat one needs to build up or lean down-whatever his or her goal. The latest supplement are also covered from creatine to glutamine and contest bodybuilders will appreciate the sodium and carbo loading techniques. Championship Bodybuilding is all about instruction. A thorough plan that will help you transform your physique!

Customer Reviews:

Learn From one of the Best.......2007-10-18

This is a great book!! Chris tells you how it is and doesn't beat around the bush!! If your smart you'll buy the book.Everything You Need To Know About Fat Loss

Pump it up.......2007-07-25

This is a great beginners book for bodybuilding. I learned alot about the different aspects on dieting that I didn't already know. It feels like there could be a second book though. There is just so much information to know.

A Must-Have for the Competitor.......2007-04-10

All serious bodybuilders should have this book in their library. The easy-to-follow tips will explain how you should eat and train, in addition to explaining supplements.

awesome book.......2007-02-03

Nothing really revolutionary but an easy read that contains many important aspects into how to train, eat, and supplement for awesome gains. Only thing I hate is how the book is cheaply made into a hard cover.

Bodybuilding.......2007-01-16

If you're really serious about competing, this book is a must. I don't think there was a question that came to mind that was not answered in this book.

Average customer rating:

genuinine love the deck!

Dissatisfied with color quality

Uncle Al's legacy

Creepy, Bad Energy

Must have

Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck
Aleister Crowley
Manufacturer: U.S. Games Systems
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards

Tarot | Divination | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Book of Thoth A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Equinox Volume III, No. V

Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot

The Tarot Handbook: practical applications of ancient visual symbols

Tarot: Mirror of the Soul : Handbook for the Aleister Crowley Tarot

The Book of the Law/Liber Al Vel Legis

ASIN: 0913866156

Book Description

The magnificent Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck contains the kabbalistic and astrological attributions described in Aleister Crowley's The Book Of Throth.

Customer Reviews:

genuinine love the deck!.......2007-10-03

avoid the so-called green tints! When I first opened it, I just can't stop thinking that the deck will really enhance the esoteric feel and environment while meditating upon the cards!

Dissatisfied with color quality.......2007-08-08

After reading the book The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien, in which she gives detailed descriptions of the very beautiful artwork on the Thoth deck designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Francis Harris, I purchased this deck expecting the cards to be as described in the book. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed upon receiving this deck. Most cards were only one color, looking bland. Artwork details were unrecognizable due to the lack of color variation. I returned the deck but am still interested in purchashing the colorful cards described in the book if found.

Uncle Al's legacy.......2007-04-25

Crowley broke ties with his former compatriots at the Golden Dawn and set out to turn the world on its collective ear. Along the way he created this breathtaking deck, with the gracious assistance of Lady Frieda Harris. This is an occult masterpiece of mythic proportions. It is his greatest work, and one of his few not riddled with lies and deceptions. It has been the tool of many a gifted reader and scores of magicians, prognosticators, charlatans, and even a few nefarious scoundrels of magic. It is alpha and omega - for it is both an extension of, and the counterpart to Waite's tarot.

The feel is dark elegance, with heavy usage of blues and gold/yellows, with grays and greens finding their way into the backgrounds. It is not that there is ANY lack of other colors contained herein. The notation is a hint at Crowley's disposition affecting the implied symbolism of such usage in that it guided the direction of creation of this deck. this deck reeks energy, even before you pick it up - but it has a life of its own and you must fit the deck, or it will not 'behave.' Until you experience the bond (or aggravated agitation) possible with this deck, you simply have to guess at how dominant a force this can (and will) be in your readings and ritual use.

This deck was specifically designed for ritual more than simple divination. Each card is a magical statement of human will over nature's wild (untamed) energies. In this way it clashed head on with Waite's vision of the magician in harmony. Just as there are many paths to your destination (whatever that may be) this deck is one of many. It either fits you, or it does not. But s to divinatory quality, none EXISTING [as of this writing] surpass this most excellent tool. I would not suggest this to anyone as a starter deck, as there is far too much occult (hidden) symbolism to learn of The Tarot that the novice cannot grasp from viewing these cards.

Note: This card draws far more heavily on astrological influences than others (Waite for instance) but it is not at all an astrological construct. A great ritual tool that is also a quality divination device if you have a solid foundation of knowledge in the Tarot AND Astrology (and other sciences here unmentioned, should you be so inclined). This is the best deck on the mass market for use with necromancy.

Creepy, Bad Energy.......2007-01-30

I've tried this deck on multiple occasions and find it creepy with bad energy. I think Crowley was a genius but he clearly abused whatever knowledge he was given and that negativity pervades these cards in an uncomfortable way. I'm not saying they're not accurate and this isn't a visually rich, masterful body of work on Crowley's part. But there are other decks out there that bring together the same elements without the strong negativity present here. (Try Haindl instead -- earthy & grounded but just as symbolically rich.)

Must have.......2007-01-10

What to say about this deck. Simply the best, and most complicated. But it does not mean that it is not for beginer. If you begin with this one you probably wont need another for rest of your life.

Average customer rating:

Learn the Tarot in the Initiated Tradition
Excellent!
Excellent deck for divination
This is the better of the two deck versions.
Vibrant Deck

Thoth Tarot Deck with Other and Booklet
Aleister Crowley
Manufacturer: U.S. Games Systems
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1572815108

Customer Reviews:

Learn the Tarot in the Initiated Tradition.......2007-10-14

This edition of the Crowley Thoth Tarot has "standard" size cards smaller than the usual large edition, measuring 2-7/8" x 4-3/8". This is probably a better size for doing readings. The larger size cards are fine for meditation and ritual use, but too cumbersome for reading purposes. Also, this edition comes in a large box, with the deck in its own smaller box, a 20" x 17" Celtic Cross layout sheet, and a small 48 page instruction booklet. Although this edition is printed in Belgium, it comes with the two extra Magus cards normally found in the Swiss decks, and does not include the OTO cards.

The Thoth deck was designed by Aleister Crowley, and painted by Lady Frieda Harris. The project spanned some five years, from 1938 to 1943, and it might be instructive to think about what was happening in the world during that time. Crowley was a member of the Golden Dawn, a secret society that pursued occult studies and magickal workings based in part upon the ancient Hebrew Cabala. The GD had its own Tarot deck, based upon its cabalistic teachings, which was given to initiates who were required to make their own copies, and who often did so with their own embellishments -- not surprising, since at that time there were no copy machines. Members were sworn to secrecy regarding the deck itself, but several members, including Crowley and Arthur Edward Waite, later designed and published decks based on the order's symbolism. Crowley eventually split with the GD, founding several orders of his own, among which the OTO -- Ordo Templi Orientis -- still exists and operates. In 1904, Crowley had a mystical experience of sorts, which fundamentally changed the way he looked at the world, and influenced all of his writings thereafter, including his Tarot. For this reason, there are significant differences between Crowley's Tarot and other Tarots based on the GD system.

The deck itself is of the usual Tarot structure, having 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The court cards are rearranged to suit the esoteric GD interpretations. The court cards are Knight, Queen, Prince, and Princess. The Kings of the old packs are renamed Princes, and shown seated in chariots, to reflect the GD's assignment of them to elemental Air.

What makes these cards truly unique is their abstract imagery. While the deck is fully illustrated, the cards do not have the "personalized" illustrations found in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. With the exception of the court cards, the Arcana in the GD system were never intended to represent persons, or their personal characteristics. They were intended to represent the impersonal forces and energies described by the Cabala, as understood by the Order's initiates. The design of the Crowley deck helps to avoid the trap into which readers of the Rider-Waite deck all too often fall -- projecting one's personal beliefs and characteristics into the cards, and winding up believing the cards are all about one's own personality and beliefs. It is easy to fall into that trap using cards that are illustrated with human figures, as are the Rider-Waite. Whether Waite did that intentionally, to hide the true meaning of the cards from the uninitiated, or because he really was the mental baboon Crowley thought he was, is difficult to say. I suspect neither -- Waite probably thought he was doing everyone a real favor by making the Tarot accessible, while at the same time honoring his Oath of Secrecy. In any case, the effect has been to lead readers and students down the very path the GD sought to avoid. The Tarot, at least in the initiated system of the GD and its offshoots, is an esoteric system that yields insights into otherwise invisible forces and events. It has nothing to do with "counseling," "personal growth," "empowerment," or any of the other absurdities with which the nihilism of modern revisionists has associated it.

That makes the Thoth deck one of the best to learn with, assuming one wants to learn the Tarot as its designers in the esoteric tradition intended it. Its imagery is abstract, symbolic, suggestive, and evocative. Lady Harris is often given short shrift in terms of her esoteric knowledge, but any serious study of the deck will show that her ability to translate the abstract and complex ideas of both the Order's teachings, and Crowley's elaborations thereupon, is nothing short of genius.

The booklet that comes with the deck is, in actuality, an excellent introduction to the cards and how to read them. It contains the original essay by James Wasserman, accompanied by two essays written by Lady Harris herself, which together give some excellent insights into the cards and their interpretation. The title page indicates that it has been "edited and updated" -- uhh-ohh, when I read that, I can't help thinking of the Grand Inquisitor's "We have corrected thy work!" There is a little of that, but no real harm done.

Those who would like further information on the use of the Tarot in the Golden Dawn tradition will find Introduction to the Golden Dawn Tarot and The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy, both by Dr. Robert Wang, excellent sources. The definitive guidebook to the Thoth Tarot is Crowley's own Book of Thoth A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Equinox Volume III, No. V which contains detailed historical and theoretical analyses, descriptions, and suggested interpretations.

Excellent!.......2007-06-10

The best Tarot Deck I ever used, good quality of the cards, good size to work, medium size. I recommend it.

Excellent deck for divination.......2007-04-21

This smaller Thoth deck is the only one I use for readings - and it's excellent. The colours are great and the artwork is of course legendary. You should put the extra Magus cards aside and only use the standard one, as the others are supposedly designs rejected by Crowley, so they are really just curiosities (according to expert Hajo Banzhaf). I have the larger deck too but I would find it a bit too unwieldy for shuffling.

The best book to help with divinations for beginners is Banzhaf's "Keywords for the Crowley Tarot" which explains the symbolism of each card and shows what the cards mean in different situations - general, work, consciousness and love - plus it includes some great spreads.

This is the better of the two deck versions........2007-01-29

I like this one over the larger version as the cards are easier for me to handle, plus the quality of the card art is more vibrant. This is one of four tarot decks that I own, and one that I have found is best used on a more intuitive level. This is a deck that not many people will be able to use unless they read Aleister Crowley's "Book of Thoth" first...for me it is best to get the facts straight from the man himself than have someone else explain it. This is a deck that I reserve for those certain times where my regular deck just won't cut it. It helps me look within myself through the artwork, and I am always surprised at what I find.

Vibrant Deck.......2006-06-09

This deck has smaller cards than the other version. It makes doing readings easier. The deck has more dynamic pictures than other decks. There is a sense of vibrancy and energy. Another feature of this deck is that it has Knight, Queen, Prince, and Princess as the court cards. This makes the deck more gender balanced than the ones that have King, Queen, Knight and Page. This is an important feature to look for, since the Qabalah, the underpinnings of the Tarot, is partly about the Middle Pillar and balance. The other deck that I am aware of that has this balance is the Golden Dawn version.

Book Description

The Apastron Reports: Quest for Life, is the story of two teen age boys who travel through the universe and visit ten different planets while having many exciting adventures. They meet a number of strange- and a few not so strange- creatures and characters and find evidence of God everywhere they go.On several planets the boys have special missions to fulfill, narrowly escaping death- or worse- in the process.

Customer Reviews:

A sci-fi fantasy feast for the imagination.......2005-05-13

In The Apastron Reports: Quest For Life, author John Senneff presents the adventures of two teen-age brothers looking for life beyond earth. Their journey will take them beyond the edges of space and time. They see a wide variety of bizarre worlds, and evidence of God everywhere they go - as well as corruption and evil intentions. From a deadly close call with the sea monster Leviathan to a city ruled by a fallen angel to a sun-god worshipping planet on the brink of survival, the fantastic settings delight and amaze while the spiritual theme of the adventure is reminiscent of C. S. Lewis' classic Narnia series. The Apastron Reports is a sci-fi fantasy feast for the imagination.

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The Apastron Reports: Quest for Life
John Senneff
Manufacturer: Quality Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUELES

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