A first-rate and highly accessible history of radicalism in rural America. Recent events, such as the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma, have brought to light an ugly element in American political life—militant agrarian groups who have decided to take the protection of this country into their own hands. The confusion sets in, of course, when we try to understand how bombing a government building achieves such purpose. To explicate this phenomenon, and identify the true position of these militants along the political spectrum, Stock (History and American Studies/Connecticut Coll.) first turns back to the very beginnings of American rural activism. Starting in colonial times, Stock identifies two divergent strands of grassroots activity in the American countryside: The first, which she terms ``rural producer radicalism,'' has traditionally manifested itself through demonstrations and organizations—like Shays' Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebels, the Farmers' Holiday Association—designed to protect the rights of small farmers. The second, ``the culture of vigilantism,'' has these same interests at heart, but manifests itself through violence and racism, in organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan. Stock presents these two cultures as distinct entities, but as she herself points out, rural producer radicalism and the culture of vigilantism are brought forth from the same soil: The same deeply rooted values that fostered the Mormon Church also nourish the fanatical beliefs of the militias. In fact, it is often harder to distinguish between the two cultures than Stock cares to admit. Ultimately, Stock refocuses our attention on what is perhaps the most frightening aspect of rural extremism: that it is not an aberration, but merely a violently skewed expression of our most deeply cherished national ideals. (8 b&w photos and 2 drawings, not seen) (History Book Club alternate selection)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8014-3294-4
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Cornell Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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