Conflict Of Laws

Understanding International Conflicts: An Introduction to Theory and History (Longman Classics in Political Science)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Detail of Topics Relating to International Politics
  • An interesting book indeed
  • Excellent book :)
  • Superb, Post 9-11 Update, Excellent Adult Foundation
  • excellent intro book to International Affairs
 Understanding International Conflicts: An Introduction to Theory and History (Longman Classics in Political Science)
Joseph S. Nye
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues (8th Edition)
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ASIN: 0321209451

Book Description

<B></B> Written by renowned international relations expert Joseph S. Nye, this lively book gives readers the background in history and political concepts they need to understand the issues facing our world today: the war in Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran, and much more. <B></B> Origins of the Great Twentieth-Century Conflicts; Balance of Power and World War I; The Failure of Collective Security and World War II; The Cold War; Intervention, Institutions, and Regional Conflicts; Interdependence and Globalization; The Information Age; A New World Order? <B></B> Anyone interested in understanding international relations today.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good Detail of Topics Relating to International Politics.......2006-03-01

I had to purchase this book as a second book for a class I had taken. This book helped cover many of the topics I had to study and this book did a better job of describing several topics relating to nationalism, imperialism history of international politics, foreign policies, international law and organization and human factors in international politics. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to learn the basics or even get more indepth details on certain topics of international politics.

5 out of 5 stars An interesting book indeed.......2003-12-22

An interesting book indeed, written by an excellent writer who took me in a journey through history beginning with the Peloponnesian war and passing through world war one and two and the cold war after that, and ending with the new world order.

The book starts with the two views of the anarchic politics ( Realism & Liberalism ) and a very wise explanation for both of them, and I liked the way the writer analyzed the two world wars and their reasons and I agree with him about the inevitability part as I believe that the war wasn't inevitable but I quote him by saying "Ironically the belief that war is inevitable played a major role in causing it", and also the part about ethics and morality is very interesting and I liked what the French diplomat said when he was asked about what's moral and his answer was "what's moral is whatever is good for France", and also the part about counterfactuals was very exciting.

I don't agree with the writer about some points concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict but the book as a whole is a very good one.

I agree with the "back to the future" theory in some points as all I see now is "the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accepts what they have to accept".

I'll quote him again to end my review by saying "Has global society made war socially and morally unthinkable? We have to hope so, because the next hegemonic war would probably be the last".

5 out of 5 stars Excellent book :).......2003-12-08

The basis for "Understanding International Conflicts: An Introduction to Theory and History" is, as the author explains in the preface, a course on international conflicts in the modern world he taught for a long time in Harvard. Nye says that the aim of the book is "to introduce students to the complexities of international politics by giving them a good grounding in the traditional realist theory before turning to liberal and constructivist approaches that became more prominent after the Cold War". I believe he excels at doing exactly that...

I found the book very interesting, and full of examples taken from history that made the concepts easier to grasp. Moreover, it takes into account the three levels of causation: the individual, the state and the international system. It also includes suggested reading material, that allows the reader to delve deeper in those subjects she/he finds more interesting...

The book is very well organized. It was a foreword, a preface, 9 chapters and an index. Each chapter deals with a main theme, and some related topics. The themes of the chapters are:


chapter 1:"Is there an enduring logic of conflict in world politics?";
chapter 2: "Origins of the great 20th century conflicts";
chapter 3: "Balance of power and World War I";
chapter 4: "The failure of collective security and World War II";
chapter 5: "The Cold War";
chapter 6: "Intervention, institutions and regional and ethnic conflicts";
chapter 7: "Globalization and interdependence";
chapter 8: "The information revolution, transnational actors, and the diffusion of power";
chapter 9: "A new world order?".

All in all, I strongly recommend this book to those interested in international relations... I think the author was successful in doing what he set out to do: he didn't want to give all the answers, he merely tried to help the readers to look for them. In his own words: "provide our students with conceptual tools that will help them shape their own answers as the future unfolds".

On the whole, a keeper :) Enjoy it !!!

5 out of 5 stars Superb, Post 9-11 Update, Excellent Adult Foundation.......2003-01-11


First, it is vital for prospective buyers to understand that the existing reviews are three years out of date--this is a five-star tutorial on international relations that has been most recently updated after 9-11. If I were to recommend only two books on international relations, for any adult including nominally sophisticated world travelers, this would be the first book; the second would be Shultz, Godson, & Quester's wonderful edited work, "Security Studies for the 21st Century."

I really want to stress the utility of this work to adults, including those like myself who earned a couple of graduate degrees in the last century (smile). I was surprised to find no mention of the author's stellar service as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council--not only has he had full access to everything that can be known by secret as well as non-secret means, but he has kept current, and this undergraduate and affordable paperback was a great way for me--despite the 400+ books I've read (most of them reviewed on Amazon.com) in the past four plus years--to come up to speed on the rigorous methodical scholarly understanding of both historical and current theories and practices in international relations. This book is worth anyone's time, no matter how experienced or educated.

Each chapter has a very satisfactory mix of figures, maps, chronologies, and photos--a special value is a block chart showing the causes for major wars or periods of conflict at the three levels of analysis--international system, national, and key individual personalities, and I found these quite original and helpful.

Excellent reference and orientation work. Took five hours to read, with annotation--this is not a mind-glazer, it's a mind-exerciser.

3 out of 5 stars excellent intro book to International Affairs.......1999-11-11

One of the few textbooks I truly enjoyed, Nye's Understanding International Conflicts was a clear, easy-to-read, and yet insightful book. Its focus is on the three levels of influence on a state's behavior: the interstate system, intrastate politics, and individual. It is one of the few entry-level IA books to discuss the effect of personality on the actions of a state. Even in my graduate-level seminars and papers, I found it to be useful.
The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Detailed and theoretical
  • Great.
 The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict
Christopher W. Moore
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0787964468

Book Description

Since it was first published in 1986, The Mediation Process has become a landmark resource for mediation practitioners, trainers, students, and professionals in corporate, legal, health care, education, and governmental arenas. This thoroughly revised and expanded third edition has been updated to include coverage of the most contemporary issues in mediation practice and to provide updated bibliographical resources.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Detailed and theoretical.......2006-03-25

As a beginning mediator, I found this book very detailed and theoretical. I am sure that I will return to it again and again as I gain experience. I found "Basic Skills for the New Mediator (2d edition)" by Allan H. Goodman to provide a quicker and more practical overview. When used together, I believe both books are a good basis for the practicing mediator.

5 out of 5 stars Great........2005-10-01

This book was great and exactly how it was described in the review. I received it at a fast pace.
Thanks.
Unbending Gender: Why Family and Work Conflict and What to Do About It
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great book
  • Impeccable research, very readable
  • "Must Reading" for Men, Also
  • Critical Information for Family Therapists
  • Visions of a New Paradigm
 Unbending Gender: Why Family and Work Conflict and What to Do About It
Joan Williams
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195147146

Book Description

In Unbending Gender, Joan Williams takes a hard look at the state of feminism in America. Concerned by what she finds--young women who flatly refuse to identify themselves as feminists and working-class and minority women who feel the movement hasn't addressed the issues that dominate their daily lives--she outlines a new vision of feminism that calls for workplaces focused on the needs of families and, in divorce cases, recognition of the value of family work and its impact on women's earning power. Williams notes that good jobs in America are designed for the ideal employee, who works full-time and often overtime, with no career interruptions. Even today, most American mothers do not meet this ideal: a majority do not work full-time, and only a small fraction work overtime. Williams points out that women will never achieve equality until mothers do: she argues that employers need to implement parent-supportive policies--or face liability for sex discrimination. She also maintains that ideal-worker fathers are supported by a flow of family work from mothers, yet divorce courts treat the family wage as owned solely by the ideal worker. The result is the impoverishment of women and children, who comprise the bulk of the poor in the United States. Unbending Gender questions the idea that women simply choose between staying at home with their children or going to work. Given the limited options that contemporary American culture allows them, mothers are forced to make compromises. Joan Williams' solution is an inclusive, family-friendly feminism that supports both mothers and fathers as caregivers and as workers.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great book.......2006-05-16

My partner of more than half a decade and I, want to have children, but he is also facing the same scheduling problems. I picked a company that supports work from home and 1 day off a week - but great possibility that I will not get promoted the same rate as my male colleagues. While his company only gives 1 week paternity leave (using vacation hours), which is of no real help at all. That is why we are waiting 15-20 years (we will be about 40-45) to adopt a couple of kids. We will be one of those old yuppie couples with Asian babies.

My parents were also over achievers at work, they hired a nanny for 13 years. For us career oriented people, our choices are very limited, but it is up to us to convince the corporate world for change. I am glad that some companies have family friendly benefits (still a long way to go) - while during my grandmother and mother's time they had no options at all.

5 out of 5 stars Impeccable research, very readable.......2002-03-09

This is one of a handful of books that I wish I had written. It tackles the difficult subject of the work/family conflict with impeccable research and persuasive arguments for reform. It's not strident or hyperbolic, just great scholarship and great writing. You don't have to be a lawyer or law professor to read and enjoy it; it would give great support to any parent struggling to find time enough to work and raise a child. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the work/family balance movement, anyone who still calls themselves a feminist (I do), and all working parents.

5 out of 5 stars "Must Reading" for Men, Also.......2001-01-06

Now more than ever before, fathers and husbands (as well as uncles, brothers, and sons) need to understand how and why so many women experience so much stress when struggling to fulfill all manner of traditional gender-specific obligations in combination with other obligations related to the workplace. This same understanding is imperative for men with whom these women associate in their workplace. I'm not saying women's obligations are better or worse than those men have. But many of them are significantly different. True, assignment of marital and parental obligtions often has less to do with gender than with practicality. Of necessity, some Baby Boomers and many Generation Xers have re-defined concepts such as "partnering" and "division of labor." The process of re-definition or refinement will accelerate with Generation Yers. One of Williams' key points is that at work and in the home, indeed everywhere, men and women must have the courage and (yes) the patience to collaborate and accommodate in ways and to an extent which spouses and parents never have before. Those unable to "bend" with appropriate adjustment and (yes) with good will could well "break." Williams identifies various major problems and their causes, then suggests how those problems could be avoided or solved. You may not agree with all of her opinions (fair enough) but I think you will agree that she addresses important issues with care and concern. So must each of us.

5 out of 5 stars Critical Information for Family Therapists.......2000-10-25

As a family therapist with a special interest in the area of work and family, I have read a number of books on this issue. Unbending Gender is a tremendous contribution to the field and one of my favorites. It was highly recommended to me by a marriage and family therapist and university professor, and I am passing on the recommendation to many of my colleagues. Williams' book has important implications for family therapy, as many male and female clients struggle with how to combine market work and family work. It will change the way you educate, normalize, and approach this issue with clients.

5 out of 5 stars Visions of a New Paradigm.......2000-08-12

This is the book that I had been waiting for! As a lawyer, feminist, wife and mother I have struggled with conflicts between work and career and found myself forced to make "choices" that later seemed unjust. After examining family law and employment discrimination law in the course of rethinking how our society structures the relationship of "market work" to "family work," Williams presents her visions for a new paradigm which she calls "reconstructive feminism" or "family humanism." She offers both legal strategies and policy initiatives for restructuring how we "work" and changing the ways we talk about gender. This book has had a tremendous impact on me. As a result, I am hoping to teach a law school course around this book next spring. Professor Williams has been extremely helpful in assisting me in that endeavor. In addition, I am urging everyone I know to read this book. We need to forge the coalitions Williams proposes if we are to be ultimately successful in "unbending" gender roles in our society.
The Cases That Haunt Us
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Interesting & Analytical, but Stiff
  • Murder most foul!
  • General Overview of Bizarre Cases, too obtuse for crime scholars.
  • very disappointing
  • chilling & sad
 The Cases That Haunt Us
John Douglas , and Mark Olshaker
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0684846004

Amazon.com

Confident in his opinions and systematic in his examination of high-profile whodunits, FBI veteran John Douglas proves his worth once again as one of the world's best psychological detectives. You may think you've read all there is about Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, and the Lindbergh kidnapping, but Douglas has a few surprise conclusions in his modern analysis of these gripping crimes. By applying criminal personality profiling techniques he developed while stalking more current killers, Douglas provides a fresh, sage outlook on some disturbing history. He also sheds new light on San Francisco's Zodiac Killer, the Black Dahlia murder, Bambi Bembenek, the Boston Strangler, and the continuing mystery of who killed 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey. Douglas sometimes reveals his chief suspect; other times he simply narrows down who the killer is not. In the JonBenét mystery (in which Douglas was hired by the Ramseys to find the killer), he presents a convincing case for why he believes the girl's parents are not guilty of murder. Douglas is founder of the FBI's Serial Killer Profiling Unit. His method of solving a crime by entering the mind of the killer inspired Thomas Harris's book The Silence of the Lambs. In this dissection of our most sensational crimes, Douglas proves that reality can be more horrifying than fiction. --Jodi Mailander Farrell

Book Description

America's foremost expert on criminal profiling provides his uniquely gripping analysis of seven of the most notorious murder cases in the history of crime -- from the Whitechapel murders to JonBenet Ramsey -- often contradicting conventional wisdom and legal decisions.

Jack the Ripper. Lizzie Borden. The Zodiac Killer. Certain homicide cases maintain an undeniable, almost mystical hold on the public imagination. They touch a nerve deep within us because of the personalities involved, their senseless depravity, the nagging doubts about whether justice was done, or because, in some instances, no suspect has ever been identified or caught.

In The Cases That Haunt Us, twenty-five-year-FBI-veteran John Douglas, profiling pioneer and master of modern criminal investigative analysis, and author and filmmaker Mark Olshaker, the team behind the bestselling Mindhunter series, explore the tantalizing mysteries that both their legions of fans and law enforcement professionals ask about most. Among the questions they tackle:

Was Jack the Ripper actually the Duke of Clarence, eldest grandson of Queen Victoria, or perhaps a practicing medical doctor? And did highly placed individuals within Scotland Yard have a good idea of the Ripper's identity, which they never revealed? Douglas and Olshaker create a detailed profile of the killer, and reveal their chief suspect.

Was Lizzie Borden truly innocent of the murder of her father and stepmother as the Fall River, Massachusetts, jury decided, or was she the one who took the ax and delivered those infamous "whacks"? Through a minute-by-minute behavioral analysis of the crime, the authors come to a convincing conclusion.

Did Bruno Richard Hauptmann single-handedly kidnap the baby son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, the most famous couple in the world, or was he an innocent man caught up and ultimately executed in a relentless rush to judgment in the "crime of the century"?

What kind of person could kill six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey on Christmas night in her own home? Douglas was called in on the case shortly after the horrifying murder, and his conclusions are hard-hitting and controversial. Why, in the face of the majority of public, media, and law enforcement opinion, including former FBI colleagues, does Douglas believe that John and Patricia Ramsey did not murder their daughter? And what is the forensic and behavioral evidence he brings to bear to make his claim?

Taking a fresh and penetrating look at each case, the authors reexamine and reinterpret accepted facts and victimology using modern profiling and the techniques of criminal analysis developed by Douglas within the FBI. This book deconstructs the evidence and widely held beliefs surrounding each case and rebuilds them -- with fascinating and haunting results.

Download Description

America's foremost expert on criminal profiling provides his uniquely gripping analysis of eight of the most notorious murder cases in the history of crime--including JonBenet Ramsey--often contradicting conventional wisdom and the courts' decisions.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Interesting & Analytical, but Stiff.......2007-04-08

FBI veteran John Douglas (with Mark Olshaker) takes a detailed, analytical look at several infamous crimes including Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, The Lindbergh Baby, Zodiac Killer, Joan Benet-Ramsey, etc. Only two of these crimes were solved, and even then some wondered if justice had prevailed. As an FBI agent Douglas has tracked killers via investigative techniques and personality profiling. Here he strives to establish truth without any seeming prejudices. Of course, establishing the truth in difficult cases isn't easy, and the result is many best guesses by the author. I found parts of their book to be a bit staid or long-winded, but a good investigator needs to be thorough. I particularly liked the coverage of the Lindbergh Kidnapping, where Douglas concludes that Bruno Hauptman was almost certainly guilty (he was hanged) but probably had accomplices (something the court doubted). I wasn't quite convinced in a couple other cases (like JonBenet Ramsey), but Douglas' approach remains logical and persuasive. Also, if Olshaker was not just co-author but co-investigator let's give him credit too. If you like thorough investigations and don't mind a detailed read, this book may be for you.

4 out of 5 stars Murder most foul!.......2007-01-07

Jack the Ripper. Lizzie Borden. The Zodiac. Bruno Richard Hauptmann. The psycho who killed JonBenet Ramsey. Crispin Glover. O.k., that last name doesn't belong there, but the guy is so weird I thought I'd throw him in for good measure. All of these folks (except for Crispin Glover), according to former FBI profiler turned author John Douglas, share a common theme. One is murder, of course, but the other is their involvement in criminal cases that continue to haunt the public imagination. Plug in any one of the abovementioned names into a search engine and you'll understand why the authors chose "The Cases That Haunt Us" as the title of the book. On one of the most popular search engines JonBenet Ramsey brings up 780,000 returns. Jack the Ripper has over two million, Zodiac a million and a half. While not all of these links directly relate to these infamous cases, obviously, the numbers do show how these names have worked their way into the popular consciousness. And that occurred, sadly, because the crimes documented in this book are truly hideous, bone-chilling incidents of murder most foul that stand out even in a country as violent as America.

John Douglas is a familiar name to those of us who follow dastardly deeds. He once worked as one of the premier criminal profilers at the FBI. Profiling is a cutting edge psychological approach to fighting crime that attained national prominence thanks to the film "The Silence of the Lambs". It's also a lot older than the FBI. Profiling an unknown criminal in an attempt to catch him or her stretches all the way back to the 19th century. But Douglas and his ilk updated the techniques and have used them to catch many murderers. Clever killers who would never have been captured are now sitting in prison thanks to profiling. So what exactly is profiling? Well, according to this book it involves assembling every scrap of available evidence and using said evidence to assemble a mental profile of the suspect. Douglas and his colleagues then determine if the killer is "organized" or "disorganized". They can then use the profile to identify likely suspects. Many times their profile matches a person being held in another, minor case. The purpose of "The Cases That Haunt Us" is, therefore, an attempt to apply profiling to major unsolved crimes. The results are, to say the least, interesting and likely controversial.

If you believe Lizzie Borden killed her father with forty whacks, Douglas agrees with you--except for the forty whacks part. It took far fewer blows to do in Andrew Borden. But Douglas does believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lizzie killed her father and stepmother. He also comes up with a compelling suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders, although it's nothing we haven't seen in other treatments on the monster of Whitechapel. His analysis of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping endorses the view taken by history, i.e. that Bruno Richard Hauptmann was guilty of the crime, if not its prime architect. As for the Zodiac case...well...Douglas does a great job summarizing his terrible crime spree. Coming up with a viable, living suspect is another matter entirely. He also tackles the Black Dahlia mutilation, Bambi Bembenek, and the Boston Strangler outrages. He doesn't really shed new light on these cases, at least not in my opinion, but he does do an excellent job of assembling the facts and giving us an insight or two into the twisted minds that carried out the crimes. Ahh, to have had a modern profiler back in Jack the Ripper's day!

The most controversial part of the book deals with the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. If you ever want to read about a crime that chills the blood, peruse the various accounts of this horrific killing. It's a case so bizarre in nearly every one of its aspects that solving the crime has proved insurmountable to everyone involved. That doesn't stop Douglas, who once worked as a paid advisor to John and Patsy Ramsey, from taking a crack at this mystifying incident. Those who believe the Ramseys killed their daughter will fume at Douglas's conclusions. He believes that an intruder invaded the house and murdered the young beauty queen. So do I, actually, although there's always that little part of me that suspects the parents. How else to explain the pineapple on the table, or that weird ransom note? To totally exclude the parents, one has to believe them incapable of carrying out such an evil act, and we know from the newspapers and television that such evil acts (and far worse) occur every day. We can't seem to rely on the evidence, which points to just about everyone in JonBenet's life as a possible suspect. Douglas does a great job of condensing the pertinent facts down to a few pages, but his analysis will do nothing to stop the endless speculation concerning the case that continues unabated to this day.

On the whole, I'd say "The Cases That Haunt Us" is a worthy effort. It's not going to solve any of these cases, or even bring about a seismic shift in how we view these crimes, but it is a well-written account of these nightmarish events. I would definitely recommend this book to someone just starting to read about famous crimes. Douglas's ability to summarize the evidence is masterful, always a plus when you're refreshing the old memory banks or just charting a course into the dark waters of real life murder and mayhem. If you're an old hand looking for new information on Saucy Jacky, Lizzie, and JonBenet, I'd probably look elsewhere. You have already seen everything that appears here, and you have already heard about the suspects Douglas names in these pages.

2 out of 5 stars General Overview of Bizarre Cases, too obtuse for crime scholars........2006-09-25

A Dummy's Guide to Understanding Bizarre Murder Cases.-I would read this if you were a new immigrant to the Western world. So, i would look around for weightier books ,on a specific crime topic.This book is too broad and not informative enough .The reason why these cases haunt the FBI is that they need to turn on the light-switch.

1 out of 5 stars very disappointing.......2006-09-09

The description of JonBenet Ramsey case is very lengthy, detailed and so boooooring (already known from the media !)

The "psychic part" of this chapter is short, just 2 pages. Short and disappointing, author writes: "I don't claim to know who did it ..."

That's it.

4 out of 5 stars chilling & sad.......2006-08-05

This book gives an inside look into some of histories most watched cases. Written from the perspective of those on the inside you get a look into what its like to have to deal with these horrors first hand.
Bringing Peace Into the Room: How the Personal Qualities of the Mediator Impact the Process of Conflict Resolution
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Bringing Peace Into the Room: How the Personal Qualities of the Mediator Impact the Process of Conflict Resolution

    Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
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    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0787968501

    Book Description

    Bringing Peace Into the Room examines the personal qualities that make a mediator effective. The eminent authors of this volume go beyond traditional descriptions of academic training, theoretical orientation, and refinement of technique to confront issues related to personal temperament and the crucial psychological, intellectual and spiritual qualities of the mediation professional— qualities that are often the most potent elements of successful mediation. In this comprehensive resource, Daniel Bowling and David Hoffman bring together a stellar panel of practitioners, academics, teachers, and trainers in the field— Michele LeBaron, Kenneth Cloke, Robert Benjamin, Don Saposnek, Sara Cobb, Peter Adler, Jonathan Reitman, Lois Gold, Marvin Johnson, and others— ?who share their personal experiences as mediators. Each contributor demonstrates that at the very heart of conflict resolution is the subtle interaction between the parties and the mediator's personal and authentic style.

    Basic Skills for the New Arbitrator, Second Edition
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Exquisitely Cogent Primer
    • Two Thumbs Up For Judge Goodman's Book for New Arbitrators!
    • Book Fills in the Gaps Left by Arbitrator Trainings
    • Good Information for Experienced Arbitrators, Too
    • Basic Skills For The New Arbitrator
    		 Basic Skills for the New Arbitrator, Second Edition
    Allan H. Goodman
    Manufacturer: Solomon Publications
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0967097320

    Book Description

    Basic Skills for the New Arbitrator provides a detailed overview of arbitration, from the prehearing phase through the hearing and deliberation of the award. It guides the new arbitrator through the arbitration process by answering the one hundred questions most frequently asked by new arbitrators. BASIC SKILLS FOR THE NEW ARBITRATOR has been used successfully for self-instruction and as a training manual. It is not just for new arbitrators! Experienced arbitrators and attorneys who represent clients in arbitration will find this manual extremely useful. The discussion of evidentiary concepts is especially valuable for non-attorney arbitrators, who must deal with the evidentiary vocabulary of the legal profession. You will learn to provide the necessary ethical disclosures, conduct a preliminary conference issue prehearing orders, establish a discovery schedule, resolve discovery disputes, deal with attempted delays, preside at a hearing, render an award, and avoid prejudicial conduct.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Exquisitely Cogent Primer.......2005-04-07

    Mr. Goodman's book is the finest quick primer for a new arbitrator I have ever read. For virtually anyone familiar with any type of legal procedure or mediation, the book lays out the differences specific to Arbitration. Mr. Goodman has arranged the book, so that he presents the answers to the 100 most commonly asked questions about Arbitration.

    The layout that he uses is in order of the Arbitration process, and thus, the questions and answers are in "as needed" sequence. This makes the book a very useful quick reference tool on all the major topics of the process of Arbitration.

    The book is very highly recommended to attorneys, mediators and other legal professionals as a very compact and explicit guide and quick reference book about the procedures of Arbitration.

    5 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs Up For Judge Goodman's Book for New Arbitrators!.......2001-12-09

    As a new volunteer arbitrator for my local bar association, I found Judge Goodman's book to be indispensable in acquiring the skills and expertise for this new task. His experience in this field are excellent and he uses this experience in a question and answer format which lends itself to an easy, but extremely effective format, for new, as well as experienced, arbitrators. His hints and tips give new arbitrators the guidance and confidence necessary to lead an effective, but expedient, arbitration. This is the number one book for those new to arbitration, or those needing a review of arbitration methods and techniques.

    5 out of 5 stars Book Fills in the Gaps Left by Arbitrator Trainings.......2001-08-18

    I first purchased and read Judge Goodman's Basic Skills For the New Arbitrator in 1994 when I began arbitrating. Having just finished reading the most recent edition, I am struck by the continuing usefulness of the detailed and practical advice contained in this book. While I have participated in arbitrator trainings over the years, they usually do not cover the nitty gritty "how to" issues this work addresses. These issues are easy to find as the Table of Contents is organized into sections devoted to each stage of an arbitration with an enumeration, under each heading, of all the questions addressed. Judge Goodman's style is clear and concise which makes the book a quick and easy read. It seems directed primarily at non-lawyers, but many lawyers, such as myself, will find in it their money's worth of advice. Personally, as much of my practice is devoted to mediation, I find reviewing the book helpful when I need to switch hats and assume a judicial (as opposed to a mediator's) demeanor. His advice in this regard, touching on body language, facial expression, and utterances, is invaluable in cultivating the proper persona of the neutral arbitrator. I highly recommend this thoughful, easy-to-read book to anyone who is starting to engage in arbitration and for those for whom it is not a weekly endeavor.

    5 out of 5 stars Good Information for Experienced Arbitrators, Too.......2000-12-24

    As an experienced arbitrator, I am always looking for good information from those who actually are arbitrators. There are alot of books written by academics filled with theory and psychology, but this is a book by someone who obviously arbitrates for a living. As an arbitrator who is not an attorney, I found the information about dealing with attorneys, documents, objections and evidence quite helpful, as one can easily be intimidated by attorneys if they are involved in the process. The section on "Getting Paid" hit home. I too have had the experience of not getting paid by a party after the arbitration. The author's suggestion to hold the award until payment is received may sound harsh, but it certainly is sound business advice. The arrangement of the book as questions and answers, with the questions listed in the table of contents, makes this book easy to use as a quick reference. Definitely worth the price.

    3 out of 5 stars Basic Skills For The New Arbitrator.......2000-11-13

    While this book provides some very good basic information, especially for a new arbitrator, some of Mr. Goodman's ideas are radically different from the practice of most main stream arbitrators. Certainly the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the American Arbitration Association would disagree with Mr. Goodman's statement that "No reasons are given for the award" when a decision is rendered. I personally do not know any arbitrator who does not clearly state the basis for a decision/award. Also, it is not common practice, and certainly not good advice for a novice, to hold the rendered decision hostage until payment for the arbitration service is received. The author is addressing "basic skills" for new arbitrators and could mislead them in these and other opinions stated in this book which, incidentally, I believe is over-priced for its size and paper bound format.
    Mediator's Handbook
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Great Introductory Text
    • A Welcome Addition to My Library
    • God is in the details, and vice versa
    • Couldn't Be Better
    • Recommended for beginners and experienced mediators alike
    		 Mediator's Handbook
    Jennifer E. Beer , and Eileen Stief
    Manufacturer: New Society Publishers
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    5. The Promise of Mediation: The Transformative Approach to Conflict

    ASIN: 0865713596

    Book Description

    The field of mediation has expanded dramatically since Friends Conflict Resolution Programs published the original MediatorIs Handbook in 1982, the first "how-to" mediation manual available to the public. Since then, mediation has evolved from an alternative approach to conflict resolution for community activists to a process that has become part of our everyday landscape.<BR><BR>Continuously in print for fifteen years, The Mediator's Handbook provides a time-tested, flexible model for effective mediation in diverse environments and situations. Completely revised, the new edition provides a clear overview of mediation and conflict; a section that walks through each step in the mediation process; a large "Toolbox" section that details the skills and approaches used by professional mediators; and a final section that looks at informal mediation. Whether new to the art of mediation or an experienced professional, people working in corporations, government agencies, community organizations, schools, and any other situation where there is a need to build bridges between diverse perspectives will find The MediatorIs Handbook a valuable resource. <BR><BR><B>Jennifer E. Beer</B> is the author of the original Mediator's Handbook and helped develop Friends Conflict Resolution Programs' well-known mediation training course. She is the founder of JB Intercultural Consulting. Eileen Stief created FCRP's mediation program and training course 20 years ago. She is now a partner in PennACCORD Associates, a firm specializing in dispute resolution and conflict management. She is co-author of FCRP's School Mediation Trainer's Manual. Friends Conflict Resolution Programs is a program of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and is one of the longest-running mediation programs in the United States.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Great Introductory Text.......2007-06-25

    This was used as a course textbook in an introductory ADR class, and I think it serves that purpose well. A great book for those new to ADR and mediation that clearly outlines the purpose and procedures of mediation. This text does not really discuss the psychological motivations behind party behavior except for briefly touching on cultural patterns. The focus is on the process.

    The topics are dealt with step-by-step, and while the illustrations aren't necessary, especially for university-level courses or professionals, this is still a great textbook that adequately covers the role of the mediator and all the steps in mediation as well as tips for how to move the process along and recognize problems.

    5 out of 5 stars A Welcome Addition to My Library.......2002-02-04

    I am a mediator, arbitrator, and trainer. The Mediator's Handbook is a welcome addition to my library. It is filled with practical advice,theoretical information, wonderful charts, and the nuts and bolts of mediation. I am sure every mediator, new or experienced, will benefit from this book. I recommend that every mediator skim the "Mediator's Handbook" as well as "Basic Skills for the New Mediator" by Allan H. Goodman (which I purchased at the same time) before every mediation.

    5 out of 5 stars God is in the details, and vice versa.......2001-09-04

    Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has received lots of attention over the last decade or so, and I'd like it to receive more. Here's a good place to start.

    As an [ahem] older law student, I recently signed up to participate in a mediation program through a local courthouse. As I looked around for helpful references, my eye fell naturally on this modern classic by Jennifer Beer. Continuously in print since 1982 and now in its third edition, it's probably _the_ book that did most to teach the American public how to "do" mediation.

    It's full of nuts-and-bolts advice on everything from what to say to where to put the chairs. And it's got something some other mediation books lack: a sense of the "spirituality" of mediation.

    For the techniques in this volume grew out of the Friends Conflict Resolution Programs (FCRP). And the Religious Society of Friends ("Quakers") is pretty good at conflict resolution.

    (It's those "meetings." Some readers may know that in the early days of the United States, a half-century of so before the Emancipation Proclamation, the Friends unilaterally, voluntarily, and unanimously freed every last one of their slaves -- and paid them to boot, if I'm not mistaken. And anybody who has ever attended a Quaker meeting will understand why, even if they've never heard of John Woolman.)

    I've got quite a few Quakers in my family tree, so I'm pleased by this approach. But it's very understated and mostly behind the scenes, so the casual reader will notice only that the book has a certain mood or tone.

    What's really going on is that the mediation advice herein is implicitly predicated on the presumption that people are competent to settle their own disputes because each of them has "that of God" within. And the extraordinary sensitivity of the advice is based firmly on Quaker sensibilities: namely, respect for the individual conscience as the very voice of God, and a profound belief in the power of _listening_ both to others and to oneself.

    The result is a book of advice on mediation that looks an awful lot like a book on how to grasp the "sense of a meeting." Even beyond the nuts and bolts, the "flavor" of the book will itself help the reader get a feel for what mediation is all about. That's a nice feature in a book on ADR, and it's no wonder Beer's book has been in print for so long.

    Allan Goodman's _Basic Skills for the New Mediator_ is a good companion volume, by the way. His book is more aimed at people who do mediation in "courtlike" settings, whereas Beer's is for pretty much any context (including workplace and family, both of which she discusses). The two together are a powerful combination of resources, arguably surpassing many more expensive books on the subject.

    And for a good history of the subject of ADR, see Linda Singer's _Settling Disputes_, which I've also reviewed.

    5 out of 5 stars Couldn't Be Better.......2000-11-12

    As a mediator and one who trains others how to mediate, I highly recommend this clearly written,comprehensive mediation handbook. I have yet to see a more practical book on mediation skills.

    5 out of 5 stars Recommended for beginners and experienced mediators alike.......1999-07-25

    As a trainer of community mediators, I am often asked to suggest books on the subject. One book I definitely recommend is Jennifer Beer's Mediator's Handbook -- and it is also a book I often go back to myself. It's like having a smart, experienced and helpful colleague available whenever I want, whether for specific problem solving or for more general inspirational conversation!
    The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution: Mediation Theory and Practice (The Jossey-Bass Library of Conflict Resolution)
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • A Nice Springboard for Discussion in Class
    		 The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution: Mediation Theory and Practice (The Jossey-Bass Library of Conflict Resolution)
    Alison Taylor
    Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0787956392

    Book Description

    No matter your profession (attorney, clinician, family therapist) or skill level (seasoned professional or novice), The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is an invaluable resource that outlines the most effective mediation approaches, techniques, and skills. The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution is a practical and comprehensive guide that includes <ul>
  • A review of professional ethics and standards
  • Help for attorneys who are not trained in the skills needed for working with families
  • Information about cultural issues that affect families during mediation
  • Highlights of key legal and negotiation skills
  • Guidelines for understanding complex family dynamics and conflicts
  • A screening tool for evaluating domestic violence
  • A matrix for starting discussions of parenting plans based on children's needs
  • An examination of specialized practices for family mediation
  • Direction for assessing one's professional approach to family mediation

    </ul>

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars A Nice Springboard for Discussion in Class.......2007-06-01

    This is a terrific reference and a springboard for discussion in class, but as far as books go, it's nothing so terrific that would turn me on to mediation if I were in a book store flipping through books for something to read.

    The book is easy to read and follow as far as topics are concerned and if you need to look something up, topics are easy to find and outline.
    The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • The perfect mix of analysis, narrative and good writing
    • War is the last stage of diplomacy but small wars come first
    • A good overview...
    • Highly Recommend
    • A must read on foreign policy, especially on Vietnam
    		 The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power
    Max Boot
    Manufacturer: Basic Books
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 046500721X
    Release Date: 2003-05-27

    Amazon.com

    Whether fought for commercial or strategic concessions or even moral reasons, whether little-known or well-publicized, America's "small wars"--against, say, the Barbary pirates and the rebellious Boxers--played a large part in the development of what historian Max Boot does not hesitate to call an American empire. All arguments to the contrary, Boot insists, America has never been an isolationist power; it has "been involved in other countries' internal affairs since at least 1805," when American marines landed on the shores of Tripoli, and it has "never confined the use of force to those situations that meet the narrow definition of American interests preferred by realpolitikers and isolationists." Closely examining the record of those small wars, which far outnumber major conflicts, Boot argues that Americans have a historic duty to deliver foreign nations from aggression, even to intervene in civil wars abroad, especially if the product is greater freedom--for, he writes, "a world of liberal democracies would be a world much more amenable to American interests than any conceivable alternative." Readers may take issue with some of Boot's conclusions, but they merit wide discussion, especially in a time when small--and perhaps large--wars are looming. Boot's book is thus timely, and most instructive. --Gregory McNamee

    Book Description

    Reviewed and debated everywhere, this book has become a key volume in the case for a new policy of interventionism.

    America's "small wars," "imperial wars," or, as the Pentagon now terms them, "low-intensity conflicts," have played an essential but little-appreciated role in its growth as a world power. Beginning with Jefferson's expedition against the Barbary Pirates, Max Boot tells the exciting stories of our sometimes minor but often bloody landings in Samoa, the Philippines, China, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Russia, and elsewhere. Along the way he sketches colorful portraits of little-known military heroes such as Stephen Decatur, "Fighting Fred" Funston, and Smedley Butler.

    From 1800 to the present day, such undeclared wars have made up the vast majority of our military engagements. Yet the military has often resisted preparing itself for small wars, preferring instead to train for big conflicts that seldom come. Boot re-examines the tragedy of Vietnam through a "small war" prism. He concludes with a devastating critique of the Powell Doctrine and a convincing argument that the armed forces must reorient themselves to better handle small-war missions, because such clashes are an inevitable result of America's far-flung imperial responsibilities.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The perfect mix of analysis, narrative and good writing.......2007-06-18

    The more history I read, the more I admire historians. Writing good history is not easy. You can be overly academic and the book becomes dry and boring, or if one just strings together interesting stories the book lacks intellectual weight.

    The Savage Wars of Peace hits the mark. It finds new ways to tell old stories in a new light. Most military history focuses on the big wars and big battles (think D-day and Gettysburg). Many prominent historians have made careers stating the American way of war is based on mass and attrition.

    Max Boot takes a different angle. Those "small wars" that pop up in-between the big wars are just as vital to U.S. military history as the big wars. As America looks toward the future of warfare it is looking less like Battle of the Bulge and more like numerous occupations of Haiti. The book carefully moves though American's small wars and demonstrates how similar they are and how regular, irregular warfare really is. The book is very pro-Marine Corps, but they are the ones who fought most of America's small wars and published the now famous "Small Wars Manual" in the late 1930s.

    The book was written before the U.S. intervention into Iraq, but it does predict many of its problems. The first half of the book is stronger than the last half, and the last chapter sort of rambles, but it is by far the best military history book I have read this year. Well worth your time.

    5 out of 5 stars War is the last stage of diplomacy but small wars come first.......2007-04-23

    When I first grabbed Boot's book, I was dreading yet another look at conflicts and was stopped at the first page. Boot's knowledge and depth in the small intensity conflicts of the US from Tripoli to the Banana wars of the 80's, is quite astonishing. Having been an avid reader of military history literature, I was caught surprised to learn something new at nearly every page.

    I would offer that most readers need to have a good understanding of the main (or popular) opinion of the times the various events Boot refers to occur. This will help to expand the understanding gained by the reader. However, anyone with an interest in the lesser known acts of "diplomacy" engaged by the US government is well advised to add this book to thier collection.

    I did find a certain sense of bias toward the Marine Corps (given that the USMC's focus has been predominantly centered on low-intensity conflicts, this is almost unavoidable). Still, being a former Marine, the read was quite motivational as well.

    Given the topics of todays counterinsurgency (COIN) activites, this book will add depth and clarity to small unit leaders as well as policy-makers into the challenges the US faces in the near future. Like it has been said time and again, a firm understanding in the past will shed enlightenment of the future.

    A must read.

    While not supporting or defending the tactics of guerrilla forces of the past, to gain a first-hand dimension of COIN, consider reading Moshe Dayan: Story of my life. Its a bit older and obviously bias toward what may be considered unpopular (or even deploarable) actions of a nation in engaging in diplommatic conflict, but worth the read nontheless.

    5 out of 5 stars A good overview..........2007-02-07

    Max Boot's book does a service in covering some lesser known aspects of US military history. The general history of small scale landings/naval activity to protect American citizens and trade is well known to many but some of the more obscure events like unofficial American attempts to control some western Pacific islands make interesting reading. This book covers events from the time of national birth to post Gulf War I.

    Mr. Boot's writing style does not bore a reader but gives sufficent detail to elevate the book above a popular history. Especially enlightening are the chapters on the history of US military presense in China, the successful(during the actual occupations)efforts in the Caribbean and Central America and the Philipines.

    The ending chapter on the lasting effects of these efforts and the likelihood of future efforts is maybe even more interesting. Agree or not with him, Mr Boot lays out some good arguments for most of these efforts to have been beneficial to both the Americans and the localities concerned. His points on Vietnam while not new, are concise and quite valid. The chapter dealing with the myths concerning US military incursions such as "need for exit strategies", "need for declarations of war", etc are excellent. His points on the current emphasis on force protection/casuality minimization are thought provoking also.

    My problems with the book were actually minor. This book is unabashedly pro USMC, given the fact that a majority of the small actions were Marine not Army, this makes sense but to a retired Army infantryman...well its annoying (sorry)

    One excellent and overriding point he makes however is this. The Armed Forces have overwhelmingly succeeded in their missions if allowed to do so, generally only homefront political interference, not their erstwhile enemies caused failure. With Iraq raging and an almost as hot a war being waged on the home front on the issue, history might be worth looking at.

    5 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend.......2007-01-01

    This book is very enjoyable. Not only did I
    learn a lot of history, but I greatly enjoyed the writing. It is lively,
    full of good facts, willing to offer an opinion or two, and chocked full of
    footnotes to verify the perspective.
    I have avoided reading books about wars in the past but found this book balanced and very helpful as well as interesting. I highly recommend.

    5 out of 5 stars A must read on foreign policy, especially on Vietnam.......2006-12-06

    This book is extremely easy to read; it is written like a novel. It is also about very interesting things. What makes it uniquely important, however, is its focus on a neglected subject in American history: small wars. This is an extraordinarily important subject, given that we have fought and will continue to fight so many of these wars.

    I find it amazing, given the oceans of ink spilled over the Vietnam War, but this book -- most of which is about other wars -- is the best thing that I have read on Vietnam. It is not for or against the Vietnam War. Rather, it explains the Vietnam War, why and how we lost, in a way that I have never seen before.

    If you are remotely interested in foreign policy, read this book.
    Conflict Diagnosis and Alternative Dispute Resolution
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Conflict Diagnosis and Alternative Dispute Resolution
      Laurie S. Coltri
      Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

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      ASIN: 0130981095

      Book Description

      Filling a void in the market, Conflict Diagnosis, Brief Edition</B></U> uses the innovation of the Conflict Diagnosis concept to provide an in-depth appreciation of ADR processes. The survey takes both a true sociological perspective on the interdisciplinary topic of alternative disputes and prefaces these descriptions with an in-depth exploration of the theoretical and empirical basis for understanding their uses, misuses, indications and counterindications to provide readers with a thorough and complete approach to understanding, evaluating and developing strategies and tactics to address interpersonal conflict. The survey addresses basic definitions, dispute resolution processes, preconceptions about conflict and how they short change us, conflict diagnosis, the nine steps of conflict diagnosis, alternative dispute resolution processes, using conflict diagnosis to manage legal disputes and select ADR processes. For human resources personnel, dispute resolution system designers, trainers and ombuds, as well as ADR neutrals and neutrals-in-training.

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