Over the course of two millennia; the Catholic Church has served as one of the key institutional influences on the development of political science. Papal writings on the social teachings of the Church and their application to the modern world reflect the important role the Church has played as a political evaluator and social critic of political ideas and realities and the concepts and methods through which we seek to understand them. Toward the Common Good critiques political science from a distinctly Catholic perspective. Essays in this work engage forthrightly with the origins and destiny of humanity and explore—through a Catholic lens—the natural inclination of human beings to aspire toward the attainment of the common good.This book examines how the subfields of political theory; comparative politics; American government; international relations; and public administration draw on foundational connections between moral and political philosophy and political science's natural affinities with history; law; anthropology; sociology; and theology. The contributors assess the quality of contemporary political analysis by applying the Catholic principles of the unity of knowledge and pursuit of truth to the traditional principles of justice; the common good; solidarity; and subsidiarity; all in direct contrast to the utilitarian; secularist; materialist; and relativist approaches that dominate political science today. The essays collected here address the question of method in the study of politics—especially the confining effects of regnant behavioralism—and offer in opposition a recovery of political philosophy; the natural law tradition; virtue ethics; and moral realism. Finally; each contributor suggests how the Catholic political scientist can draw upon the truths of the Catholic faith to enter into the study of politics and how that faith influences the kinds of questions and research a Catholic political scientist undertakes.
#541356 in Books Time-Life; Incorporated 1986-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.00 x 9.25 x .75l; #File Name: 0809447738176 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Campaign Overview; Outstanding ValueBy KJAGThis book; part of a 28-volume reference series covering the American Civil War that combine the aspects of both a book and an encyclopedia; effectively accomplishes what it is designed to do: condense a plethora of information into a succinct and accurate description of the Atlanta Campaign in a manner that is easy to read and comprehend by a diverse audience. It is effectively supported by numerous; well-chosen illustrations and sidebars. Being a student of the war and having read a number of in-depth books on various aspects this campaign; I wish I had come across this book earlier to aid in determining facets of the campaign for further reading. Although dating to the late 1980s; the book remains as an accurate and effective reference covering the campaign.SYNOPSISThe book covers the period of late spring and summer of 1864 as Sherman’s legions (Armies of the Tennessee; Ohio; and Cumberland) drive southward out of Chattanooga through northern Georgia toward the critical railroad hub and supply center of Atlanta; as Johnston’s Army of the Tennessee attempts to bleed them and turn them back. As the Federal armies descend upon Atlanta; Jefferson Davis replaces Johnston with the offensive-minded John Bell Hood; resulting in a series of desperate; large-scale battles around the city that ultimately determine the outcome of the campaign.Also included: Sherman’s controversial 5-week bombardment of Atlanta; the Confederate withdrawal from the city; its occupation by Union troops; the deportation of most of its citizens; and the burning and destruction of parts of the city and its resources as Union troops leave two months later to begin their march to the sea.This well-rounded and even-handed book effectively covers the politics and stakes of both sides associated with this critical campaign; as well as the personalities; the strategies and tactics involved; the maneuvering and battles; and the impacts on the opposing armies; Atlanta and its population; and on the outcome of the war itself.Although it does include an extensive bibliography; it does not provide notes.READABILITY AND STORYTELLINGThis book is very easy to read and comprehend; and flows well chronologically. The grammar; word choice; organization; and editing is polished and targeted to a wide audience. Being already familiar with the campaign; including the reading of very recent books; I could not find any errors in the material. Although not designed to be in-depth or provide a “you are there†experience; the book covers the important facts and facets of the campaign in a way that effectively keeps the reader’s interest.The book provides an excellent overview of the current political situation on both sides and even-handed descriptions of the leaders’ personalities; their strategies; and decision-making. I detected no bias regarding leaders or sides. Hero worshipers may disagree. Mistakes on both sides are described; as well as instances of heroism and outstanding leadership where it is due.Although the book is not designed to detail the battles in-depth; it does an excellent job of describing the lead-up to them; the strategy and tactics involved; the mistakes; major highlights; and the outcomes including estimated casualties. Selected first-person accounts by battle participants give the reader a sense of the horror; chaos; futility; privations; and carnage of the battlefield. Side stories highlight personal tragedies; important technologies; and other interesting aspects of the campaign.ILLUSTRATIONSIllustrations are what separate this book (and the others in this series) from others; and the period photographs are particularly notable due to quantity; size (some are full page or two-page); quality; and selection. There are a number I’ve never seen before. Detailed captions are provided. Included are portraits of key figures; photos of leaders with their staffs; and regimental/company photos; as well as period photographs of the battlefields; defensive works; and quite a few of Atlanta; including ones showing the destruction. Photographs are also included of surviving artifacts such as weapons; clothing; battle flags; and even the instruments used by Sherman’s topographical engineer. Detailed captions are provided with each photo.Numerous period drawings and paintings depicting various aspects of the campaign are also included. Six continuous pages are dedicated to showing the large-scale; highly-detailed; colored circular painting (cyclorama) depicting the “Battle of Atlanta†that took place 22 July; 1864.Maps are provided of the area of operations; army movements during the campaign; most of the major battles down to the brigade level; and of the Union and Confederate defensive lines around Atlanta. The colored maps are relatively large; easy to understand; and include named roads; waterways; railways; and key features; e.g.; buildings. The backgrounds also include representations of wooded; open; and elevated geography.HARDBACK BOOK QUALITYThe dimensions of the hardback book are larger than normal at 9 x 11; with a high quality; illustrated; textured; durable hard cover. The quality of the binding and the paper are excellent.CONCLUSIONS AND AFTERTHOUGHTSThis book serves as a professional and polished reference covering the Atlanta Campaign that is targeted to a wide audience. The book is valuable for the illustrations alone; and for the price is an outstanding value. I was so impressed I purchased the entire 28-volume series.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GREATBy Larry DeclueAS L!STED-A+++++0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Rejoice. The Civil War series for all time.By A. SmithRejoice. The Civil War series for all time.
