A short, snappy handbook countering the anti-tax, anti-government rhetoric that permeates our culture and reminding us why taxes lie at the heart of a... functioning democracy."Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society."—Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.Paying taxes. It's something almost everyone loves to hate. 10 Excellent Reasons Not to Hate Taxes makes the case for thinking about taxes in a fresh and progressive way and offers plenty of material for anyone interested in countering the conservative anti-government, anti-tax agenda.Written by activists, economists, teachers, political scientists, and businesspeople, 10 Excellent Reasons Not to Hate Taxes offers an array of powerful arguments that will reframe the tax debate. Chapters on the effect of taxes on the economy, education, the environment, and the distribution of opportunity will arm readers with a wealth of arguments to turn the tables when thinking—or arguing—about taxes and provide a menu of ideas for how to transform the tax code into a tool for social justice.This book will spark a lively and much-needed debate about all manner of tax issues, from the inheritance tax and flat taxes to tax cuts and the role that taxes play in the growing economic divide in the United States.

"Perhaps not all the stories that follow are true. They could, however, be true, and the Reader is invited to ponder this."So begins Insurmountable... Simplicities, Roberto Casati and Achille Varzi's colorful incarnation of the many philosophical conundrums that hide in the wrinkles of everyday life. Why do mirrors seem to invert left and right but not up and down? How do we know whether strawberries taste the same for everyone? Where is it written that we must observe the law, and if it is not written, why should we observe it? What if we could swap brains-or the rest of our bodies? Insurmountable Simplicities is filled with stories, dialogues, and epistolary exchanges that cover a range of themes-such as personal identity, causality and responsibility, fortune, the nature of things, the paradoxes of time and space, the interface between logic and language-in captivating and inventive ways.Clear, concise, and intellectually engaging, this internationally acclaimed book brilliantly demonstrates that the beauty of philosophy resides in its thorough engagement with the simplicities of the world, insurmountable as they might initially appear. (5/15/2006)

"A wonderfully engaging book for those who wish to appreciate better the contributions made by geographers toward a better understanding of our world.... It describes success stories that challenge geographers to achieve more." --Edward A. Fernald, past president National Council for Geographic Education and professor of geography, Florida State University "An excellent and very readable introduction to the subject of modern geography." --Risa Palm, professor of geography and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oregon When geographic ideas change the world in our heads, the impact can be read on the ground and in our lives. In these thought-provoking, witty essays, some of America's most distinguished geographers explore ten geographic ideas that have literally changed the world and the way we think and act. They tackle ideas that impose shape on the world, ideas that mold our understanding of the natural environment, and ideas that establish relationships between people and places. Every one of these ideas has had--and continues to have--a deep effect on the way we understand the world and our place in it. The contributors, who include several past presidents of the Association of American Geographers, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and authors of major works in the discipline, are: Elizabeth K. Burns, Patricia Gober, Anne Godlewska, Michael F. Goodchild, Susan Hanson, Robert W. Kates, John R. Mather, William B. Meyer, Mark Monmonier, Edward Relph, Edward J. Taaffe, and B. L. Turner, II. 10 Geographic Ideas That Changed the World, a compelling introduction to the discipline of geography, will change the way you look at both geography and the world! Susan Hanson is a professor of geography, Clark University, and a past president of the Association of American Geographers.

Gary Short’s new collection is the work of a mature poet at the peak of his powers, confident of his ability to speak of human betrayal and the... fragility of life without bitterness or cheap sentiment, to find poignancy in loss and exaltation in the outwardly mundane. His voice is lyrical, tough, and capable of touching us profoundly. Short knows Nevada’s austere landscape, its ephemeral beauty, and its stoic people as few writers in any genre do. He also understands the complexities of the human soul and the contradictions of love. So he tells of how his mother, dying of cancer, revisits a day thirty years in the past when her sons trapped a trout and kept it in their father’s horse trough and how now, in her mind’s eye, she carries the boxed-in fish to the stream to release it, “a moment/of having, not loss.” And of how the feathers of a dead owl in a long-dead oak tree have blown loose, “caught and leafed out/from each taloned twig and limb . . . each feather/a separate flight, shining to live.”

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the... publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... to the acre. A more uninteresting country than this portion of the State of Mississippi I have never witnessed. There was some variety of scenery about Holly Springs, where undulating ground covered with wood diversified the aspect of the flat, but since that we have been travelling through mile after mile of insignificantly grown timber and swamps. On approaching Memphis the line ascends towards the bluff of the Mississippi, and farms of a better appearance come in sight on the side of the rail; but after all I do not envy the fate of the man who, surrounded by slaves and shut out from the world, has to pass his life in this dismal region, be the crops never so good. At a station where a stone pillar marks the limit between the sovereign State of Mississippi and that of Tennessee, there was a house two stories high, from the windows of which a number of negro girls and young men were staring on the passengers. Some of them smiled, laughed, and chatted, but the majority of them looked gloomy and sad enough. They were packed as close as they could, and I observed that at the door a very ruffianly looking fellow in a straw hat, long straight hair, flannel shirt, and slippers, was standing with his legs across and a heavy whip in his hand. One of the passengers walked Over and chatted to him. They looked in and up at the negroes and laughed, and when the man came near the carriage in which I sat, a friend called out, " Whose are they, Sam?" " He's a dealer at Jackson, Mr. Smith. They're as prime a lot of fine Virginny niggers as I've seen this long time, and he wants to realise, for the news looks so bad." It was 1.40 p.m. when the train arrived at Memphis. I was speedily on my way to the Gayoso House, so called after an old...

Comparative Reading questions first appeared in the LSAT in 2007. The new 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests book is the first one ever to include... previously administered Comparative Reading questions. This essential LSAT preparation tool encompasses PrepTest 52 (the September 2007 LSAT) through PrepTest 61 (the October 2010 LSAT). For pure practice at an unbelievable price, you can't beat the 10 Actual series. Each book includes: 10 previously administered LSATs an answer key for each test a writing sample for each test score-conversion tables

In a church culture that is rapidly losing its unique, intergenerational make-up in favor of small groups and even entire churches designed to target... specific age groups, it can be difficult for ministers to relate to those who are not in their own demographic. But Warren and David Wiersbe, representing two generations, believe that generational differences should not keep ministers from relating to their congregations. In this thoughtful and practical book, they offer ten principles for Christian service that always work, at all times and in all places, inviting ministers to get back to the basics of serving others. New and seasoned pastors alike will find this a welcome source of inspiration and instruction on how they can relate and minister to people of all ages.

Is your life path lit by your inner candle flame, or are you stumbling along in the dark? In Dr. Wayne Dyer's new book, he reminds us of what so many... people easily forget in the day-today grind of life -- that material success isn't what we're ultimately trying to achieve, and therefore it shouldn't be our driving force. Within each of us lies success and inner peace, which can be found once we understand that a deeper, richer life experience is characterized by a burning desire, or as Dr. Dyer describes it, an "inner candle flame."In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Dyer offers simple ways to change your life -- and your outlook on life. The ten principles presented here apply to people who are just beginning their journey of discovery, as well as those who have already embarked on life's winding path. Dr. Dyer urges us to listen with an open heart, and to apply the secrets that resonate with them and discard the rest. By doing so, we'll learn to feel the peace of God that truly defines success.

Powerful Tools for Dealing with StressStress. We all struggle with it. We know it can shorten our lives, age us prematurely, make us fat-yet we can't... seem to escape it. One more thing we know is that, ultimately, we're the only ones who can stop stress from taking over our lives. So what are you waiting for? This little book offers ten simple solutions you can put into practice right now to reduce stress.Based on positive psychology, mind-body medicine, and cognitive behavioral therapy, the ten simple solutions in this book offer powerful antidotes to stress. These practices and stress-rescue techniques will help you to cope effectively with stressful moments throughout your day. Try them and, in no time at all, you'll start enjoying better health and a balanced, more fulfilling life.Stress is like the weather. Everyone talks about it, but no one does anything about it. That can change if you read this book and take its lessons to heart. The author is an expert in physical and psychology well-being, and she knows what she is talking about. Her good sense shows through on every page, and the book abounds with concrete suggestions not only about how to manage stress but more importantly about how to thrive. I highly recommend 10 Simple Solutions to Stress. -Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., professor of psychology and former director of clinical psychology training at the University of Michigan and author of Character Strengths and Virtues and A Primer in Positive PsychologyIf Dr. Wheeler's 10 Simple Solutions to Stress could be put into a pill, it would be prescribed in record numbers. This book teaches a set of skills that will substantially improve your quality of life and health. I will be recommending Dr. Wheeler's book to my patients and make it required reading for my medical students. -Meg Hayes, MD, assistant professor of family medicine at Oregon Health and Science UniversityThis is a fine, fine book by a thoughtful, caring physician-a clearly written, well documented, eminently practical guide to reducing your stress, decreasing your risk of chronic illness, and just plain feeling better. -James S. Gordon, MD, founder and director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, and author of Manifesto for a New Medicine

Updated to conform to today's academic standards and the most recent Internet research sources, this succinct, easy-to-follow guide gives students clear... directions for writing papers in virtually all academic subjects. The authors describe how to determine a subject, formulate and outline a provisional thesis, prepare a bibliography, take notes from sources, write a draft, then revise and edit the paper, bringing it to its final form. Added advice includes avoiding plagiarism and making the most of library and Internet resources.

Updated to conform to current standards and computerized research sources, this succinct, easy-to-follow guide gives students clear directions for... writing papers in virtually all academic subjects. The authors describe how to determine a subject, formulate and outline a provisional thesis, prepare a bibliography, take notes from sources, write a draft, then revise and edit the paper, bringing it to its final form. Added advice includes avoiding plagiarism and making the most of library resources.

Following an economic tsunami of historic proportions, American democracy finds itself plagued by partisan polarization, a rigidly divided Congress,... superficial political debate, and political paralysis. Even before the economic crisis, the United States was beleaguered by choiceless elections, out-of-control campaign spending, suspicious voting equipment, partisan election officials, even a partisan U.S. Supreme Court. Americans are growing increasingly frustrated and tuned out, as the middle collapses and the partisans take over. Just in time for the 2012 elections, 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy: A More Perfect Union addresses head-on the mine field built into our political system. In a brand new edition, political critic Steven Hill expands on his ten-step program to improve American democracy. He proposes specific reforms to give voters more choices at the ballot box, boost voter turnout, calm the Senate's filibuster gone wild ways, modernize our media institutions, turn off the spigot of corporate donations, and bring the U.S. government back to the mainstream. In the face of mounting cynicism about the American political system, 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy is a refreshing blueprint for how to resurrect our Founders' democratic vision. It will change the way you think about American politics.