In this book; the distinguished writer Edward Luttwak presents the grand strategy of the eastern Roman empire we know as Byzantine; which lasted more than twice as long as the more familiar western Roman empire; eight hundred years by the shortest definition. This extraordinary endurance is all the more remarkable because the Byzantine empire was favored neither by geography nor by military preponderance. Yet it was the western empire that dissolved during the fifth century. The Byzantine empire so greatly outlasted its western counterpart because its rulers were able to adapt strategically to diminished circumstances; by devising new ways of coping with successive enemies. It relied less on military strength and more on persuasion―to recruit allies; dissuade threatening neighbors; and manipulate potential enemies into attacking one another instead. Even when the Byzantines fought―which they often did with great skill―they were less inclined to destroy their enemies than to contain them; for they were aware that today’s enemies could be tomorrow’s allies. Born in the fifth century when the formidable threat of Attila’s Huns were deflected with a minimum of force; Byzantine strategy continued to be refined over the centuries; incidentally leaving for us several fascinating guidebooks to statecraft and war. The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire is a broad; interpretive account of Byzantine strategy; intelligence; and diplomacy over the course of eight centuries that will appeal to scholars; classicists; military history buffs; and professional soldiers.
#255528 in Books White Augustus A Chanoff David 2011-01-15 2010-11-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.84 x 1.10 x 6.16l; 1.53 #File Name: 0674049055352 pagesSeeing Patients Unconscious Bias in Health Care
Review
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. It's slow growing but getting betterBy Roger J. MalebrancheI am in my 70s and can identify with Dr White's experiences. Being from Haiti I was not prepared for the harsh realities of the White American racism of the early 60s; but like Dr White I managed to persevere and survive. I wish I could have reached the position of power he is in but few physicians; Black or White; will and the advice I would give a fellow Black physician is to be as knowledgeable and competent as he can; be a caring role model and show the young African American; that he or she could also be a successful professional. I still remember a 6 years old black child I was checking for hernia; looking at his mother with disbelief and asking her :"Is he a doctor" ? and the pride on the mother's face when she answered " yes Honey he is; and one of the best ". We need the "Dr Whites"; they are the visible ones but we also need the foot soldiers; the average; competent Black generalist slaving on every city's hospital ward. We need the Super Blacks but we still need thousands of just good ones. The more good minority physicians there are out there; the more defenseless minority patients will benefit from being seen through understanding brotherly and sisterly eyes. One thing Dr White did not mention was a tendency in the 60s and 70s for minority patients to consciently make the choice to go to White surgeons because they did not think minority surgeons were as good as their White counterparts. Projected ingrained feelings for having been looking as inferiors for so many years. I saw that often and it broke my heart. Thank God I noticed a reversal in my later years; when I became well known and a White patient would insist on having me instead of one of the White surgeons on the staff. Yes; Thanks to Dr Augustus White and many unsung Black physicians; better days are coming; at last.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not what I expected it to be at all by ...By HowardNot what I expected it to be at all by the title. One has to cheer Dr. White for his accomplishments and focus0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is a very useful personal history expanded to the larger issue of healthcare ...By shepard hurwitzThis is a very useful personal history expanded to the larger issue of healthcare inequality in the US. While not condemning anyone; the book points out the systemic problems we have in the US in recognizing differences among race and socio-economic (class) status.
