In his new book; Two Shining Souls; James Cracraft explores the decades-long encounter of Jane Addams; the famous American social reformer and peace activist; with Leo Tolstoy; the acclaimed Russian writer and sage. He documents Tolstoy’s influence in Progressive-era America and particularly on Addams’s career; citing previously unknown or neglected sources. In addition to her study of Tolstoy’s writings—his now largely forgotten religious tracts more than his celebrated fiction—Addams traveled to Russia to see him personally; a meeting that is recounted in detail. Late in her life; Addams described Tolstoy as a rare “shining soul;†a term; Cracraft suggests; that applies equally well to her. His book adds an enduring religious dimension to Addams’s rich legacy while newly delimiting; by contrast; the legacy of Tolstoy.The story of Addams and Tolstoy brings into focus issues of continuing public concern; including the often conflicting demands on the individual—particularly women—of family and society; the legitimacy of violence in pursuit of political aims; the problem of poverty; the role of government in social reform; and the place of religion in both public and private life. The distinctive ways in which these emblematic figures dealt with such controversial issues offer insights that may be valuable even today.Yet the single most important link between Addams and Tolstoy was their preoccupation with the question of peace; which they understood as a value subsuming all other values or goods. So Two Shining Souls is also about the invention and spread of “pacifism†in 19th-century Europe and America and the great crisis in its history precipitated by World War I.
#158739 in Books Ziomkowski Robert 2012-12-17 2012-11-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.90 x 1.10 x 6.70l; .85 #File Name: 0738610488368 pagesCLEP Western Civilization I
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Read It Cover To Cover And FailedBy Todd M PabstI read this book as my primary resource and did a good deal of preparation for the test. I missed the passing score by 2 points. I've successfully tested out of Macroeconomics; Microeconomics; Marketing; Management and Business Law. I also have a strong GPA and generally test really well. While the test was certainly challenging; I really didn't feel like this book did too great of a job in preparing me overall. I found myself reviewing a great deal of material that was not on my test while I was scratching my head at plenty of questions that I didn't recall being covered. The photos identifying various types of art and architecture weren't useful at all and the maps weren't even close to what I encountered on the test.Additionally; I found numerous typos and that just strikes me as sloppy and unprofessional. Chapter summaries; better organization; better proofreading; a glossary and more relevant graphics would have been helpful.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. EXCELLENT test prep resourceBy Kevin DawidOf several study guides I purchased to prepare myself for the Western Civ. I CLEP exam; this was undoubtedly the best. It is condensed and to the point; but still gives you all the facts and details you need to thoroughly prepare yourself for the exam. It is also well-organized; so that the sections and chapters build on each other and make it easier to absorb all the information you're given (some guides jump around chronologically and geographically so that it's hard to keep everything straight; and there's no "flow"). I found a few minor typographical errors; but not enough for me to drop the review to four stars.I give complete credit to this book (and the included online practice tests) for the excellent score I got on my CLEP exam. The online test is exactly the same as the real thing in order to prepare you for the computer format of the exam; and has the additional benefits of breaking down which "areas" (i.e. ancient Greece; Renaissance; etc.) you are strong or weak in and providing detailed explanations of all the answers. The book itself covers all the necessary information to pass; if not ace; the exam -- after studying the book and taking the online tests (1 diagnostic "pre-test" and 2 full-length practice tests); I actually felt that the real CLEP exam was easier than the intense studying and practicing I went through.This is just based on my individual experience; but in my opinion; if you study this guide and can pass the provided practice tests; you'll do GREAT on the CLEP exam!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Cheryl BostromGreat
