In 1637; Anne Hutchinson; a forty-six-year-old midwife who was pregnant with her sixteenth child; stood before forty male judges of the Massachusetts General Court; charged with heresy and sedition. In a time when women could not vote; hold public office; or teach outside the home; the charismatic Hutchinson wielded remarkable political power. Her unconventional ideas had attracted a following of prominent citizens eager for social reform. Hutchinson defended herself brilliantly; but the judges; faced with a perceived threat to public order; banished her for behaving in a manner "not comely for [her] sex."Written by one of Hutchinson's direct descendants; American Jezebel brings both balance and perspective to Hutchinson's story. It captures this American heroine's life in all its complexity; presenting her not as a religious fanatic; a cardboard feminist; or a raging crank—as some have portrayed her—but as a flesh-and-blood wife; mother; theologian; and political leader. The book narrates her dramatic expulsion from Massachusetts; after which her judges; still threatened by her challenges; promptly built Harvard College to enforce religious and social orthodoxies—making her the mid-wife to the nation's first college. In exile; she settled Rhode Island; becoming the only woman ever to co-found an American colony.The seeds of the American struggle for women's and human rights can be found in the story of this one woman's courageous life. American Jezebel illuminates the origins of our modern concepts of religious freedom; equal rights; and free speech; and showcases an extraordinary woman whose achievements are astonishing by the standards of any era.
#95509 in Books Huston Smith 2004-12-14 2004-12-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .58 x 5.31l; .45 #File Name: 0060730676256 pagesBuddhism A Concise Introduction
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good; succinct; overview of a vast topic.By MettaHeadA true history of Buddhism would take up volumes; but for an basic introduction to essential buddhist ideas; a fast overview of buddhism's long history; with a timely; succinct discussion of the Buddhism's transmission to the West; particularly the United States. Other books cover these topics in far greater depth and detail; but for a good solid overview; there really is no substitute.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good overview dealing with different branches of BuddhismBy Mars BurnsideThe book talks about the fundamental beliefs of Buddhism and then goes into details on the various types of Buddhism. Helpful for anyone who wants to understand this non-theistic religion. Many people in the world find that it provides the answers they need in their lives. A Burmese (Myanmar) man I went to church with many years ago once told me that he was from one of the minority groups in Burma and that his people were animists. He said that it was not so hard to convert his people to Christianity because they were animists and didn't have a good religion. He said the Buddhists in his country would not become Christians because they already had a good religion. This book helped me to better understand that religion. I was dismayed though; after reading that one of the things the Buddha was pacifism; to read in the news that Buddhists in Myanmar were attacking foreign aid groups because they were perceived as favoring a Muslim minority group. But then I'm a Christian and I have to confess that although many refer to Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace; there have been an awful lot of wars fought in the name of Christ. We all ahve a hard time living up to the precepts of our various religions.23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent; Understandable Intro to BuddhismBy Mark R. SeilerOf the dozens of Buddhist books I've purchased; this book provides the clearest; most understandable introduction to Buddhism. It gives a succinct historical background; complete with context (religions that were prominent where Buddism's roots sprouted). It then lays out the foundations of Buddhism (4 noble truths; eightfold path; etc.).The authors do a great job explaining some of Buddhism's complex terms (dependent arising; nen-self; etc.); and do not confuse matters by relying to heavily on Sanskrit or Pali terminology.Although the description of the various branches of Buddhism was a bit short; it did lay out the fundamental thoughts of each branch; and compare/contrast with the others.The authors detail meditation types(vipassana; samantha) and how the different branches use meditation differently.Finally; there is a summary of how Buddhism migrated to the western world; and how it is practiced today.An excellent book; I would highly recommend it.
