Alexandre de Tocqueville

Advantages: Clear concise overview of the development of the concept
Disadvantages: Obviously can't go into much depth, but neglects contemporary debate in favour of historical overview

...at each stage how the idea develops. In the course of his exegesis, he brings in the ideas of key thinkers, such as Rousseau, Machiavelli, Hobbes and a chapter devoted to ‘Comme disait M. de Tocqueville’. Discussion isn’t wholly confined to the past, however. Unlike some other Very Short Introductions (recycled from earlier material), this is original to 2002. Crick’s commentary is bang up to date, mentioning September 11th, New Labour spin-doctoring and, most entertainingly of all, devoting several pages to Big Brother under the heading of popularism. “Big Brother attracted a huge mob to come and watch on the ground the expulsions from the anti-Paradise of those they had voted out. Davina, the presenter, dashed through them, like a frenzied post-modernist Anglo-Saxon messenger in Alice, inciting and feeding their lines, but all scripted... Read review

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Advantages: Good suggestions and observations
Disadvantages: Limited audience

...of Bonhoeffer, de Tocqueville, and Buttrick to show ways in which preaching and listening/responding can help form community. In the chapter on 'Embodiment of the Sermon', contributor Diane Turner-Sharazz looks at many aspects such as eye contact, voice, gestures and movement, attire, and other physical aspects, but also the interesting item of 'perceived preacher preparation'. I recall from my own experience having a congregation member once tell me, 'I hate it when a preacher begins a sermon with something like, "On my way over here today I was thinking..."'. This speaks to this issue. If the preacher can't invest enough time in preparing the sermon, why should the listeners? Among the chapters Ronald Allen contributed is 'Listeners Respond to Preaching in Diverse Ways', which is related to the chapter Allen and Mulligan collaborated on... Read review

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Advantages: Very enjoyable, what more can i say
Disadvantages: OK so its not a thought provoking work full of deep insight into the human condition

...de Winter to steal two of them. The plan is that even if the Queen retrieves the diamonds she will ahve to explain where the missing stones are and thus ruin herself. The Queens lady in waiting, Constance knows D'artagnan and asks him to help. Taking the rest of the gang he charges of to England. Milady is imprisoned after the theft, but escapes and arranges for Buckingham to be killed. D'artagnan sleeps with her and then discovers that she is a murderess and Athos wife. Constance is killed by Milady who is then executed after a sort of trial. The Queen is saved and D'artagnan becomes a full musketeer, while the rest return to their country estates or churches. As you can see the plot is complicated. There are numerous twists and turns and every page is filled wiht action. As well as this there are touching scenes, especially... Read review

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