E. Davis

Adding my praise, Nov 17 2009

This is the best book I've read in a very long time. Without repeating what other reviewers have said, what I found most impressive is just how much research and academic theory he brings into such an easy, enjoyable read. The first half of the book summarizes the key findings of 30 years of research in evolutionary psychology and sociology on how humans make decisions about risk, and what things trigger us to make bad decisions. It's fascinating, and acts as a very solid foundation from which to systematically analyze, in the second half of the book, those societal actors that are (intentionally or inadvertently) pulling the triggers -- primarily the media, politicians, corporations,… Read more

Blatant Cash Grab, Mar 7 2004

Sorry, I just don't buy it. You can't disappear from the music scene for 20 years and then show up just to record an album of other people's music. It just reeks of trading on your past fame...can't imagine it's about much other than infusing some extra cash into her bank account.

As for the music...BORING. Although she sings several of the songs competently, that's the best that can be said about them...she doesn't bring anything unique or interesting to the pieces at all. The whole point of a standard is in the interpretation, and she really doesn't have one in most cases.

A definite disappointment.

A No-B.S. Historical Work, Feb 6 2000

There is a lot of garbage out there on the topic of Secret Societies. This book is a refreshing change from all that, and a delight for the serious student of fraternal orders.

The author is an academic, and the book is exhaustively researched. This is no mean feat given the lack of public information on fraternal rituals. However, through what was undoubtedly a painstaking data-triangularization process and a good modicum of common sense, he seem to have cut through a lot of the hype.

The book focuses on what drove the huge growth in the membership of fraternal orders in the US in the latter half of the 19th Century. Particularly, it takes a look at how mid-century revisions… Read more