Book Description
Raymonde Carroll presents an intriguing and thoughtful analysis of the many ways French and Americans—and indeed any members of different cultures—can misinterpret each other, even when ostensibly speaking the same language. Cultural misunderstandings, Carroll points out, can arise even where we least expect them—in our closest relationships. The revealing vignettes that Carroll relates, and her perceptive comments, bring to light some fundamental differences in French and American presuppositions about love, friendship, and raising children, as well as such everyday activities as using the telephone or asking for information.
Customer Reviews:
Poor translation and Outdated info!.......2005-10-14
Raymonde Carroll's book, a must-read when it came out, is now unfortunately way outdated. To that, add a poorly done translation... I was going to use Carroll's book in my French classes, but it was so bad that I picked Polly Platt's "Savoir-Flair" instead.
Excellent book to understand both cultures........2004-09-04
This is one of the best books I've have read period. Raymonde Carroll has an unique approach, and the background to back it up. Have you ever wondered why French people have been judged arrogant by Americans? Why the Frenchs consider the Americans two-faced and not loyal? Well, this little book holds the answers. A definite read for the American going to France, and the French going to America.
Fascinating Differences.......2003-12-26
Fascinating to learn how cultural differences can lead to misunderstanding. Especially useful if you have French friends or relatives (or hope to!). I bought this book before a long trip to France and was glad to have read it before I left home. It made the trip more fum when I could spot cultural differences that I might not have previously noticed or understood. Chapters on "Conversation" - should you look people in the eye? - and "The Couple" and "Friendship" and "Obtaining Information" were especially amusing and instructive.
Impartial & well presented views on both cultures.......2002-07-17
This book presents impartially both French & American perspectives on some major topics in daily life (conversation, parent-child relationship, information exchange, blame, ...) through some simple daily cultural misunderstanding scenes. It shade some light on how both sides look at the same issue, and accordingly how they act, and how different they are! All is presented without some fancy theories, but in an elegantly concise and knowledgable way of an ethnologist.
I read the french version directly so I cannot comment on the quality of the translation. I doubt, however, that there would be important points lost in the translation as the author writes clearly and does not play with linguistic nuances.
I am not American nor French, but I have spent part of my life in both countries. This book brings back to mind the old experiences (both positive & negative) and provide some light on the questions I have on both cultures that I have finally come to love.
Very insightful book.......2001-07-18
While somewhat tedious and redundant in areas, this book was extremely insightful into some of the cultural differences between the French and Americans. Addressing many subtlties that wouldn't immediately come to mind otherwise, this book highlights the differences in communication styles and typical conduct in the context of friendship, and it also contains a particularly detailed examination of how American vs. French couples interact with each other. If you're planning an extended stay in France, or possibly re-locating, this book could definitely spare you a great deal of confusion and embarrassment.
Average customer rating:
- Accurate and scary, if somewhat incomplete
- How not to buy a weapon system
- Decent Legal Overview of A-12 Debacle
- A "must read" book !
- Not the last word on the subject - I hope
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The $5 Billion Misunderstanding: The Collapse of the Navy's A-12 Stealth Bomber Program
James P. Stevenson
Manufacturer: US Naval Institute Press
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The Pentagon Paradox: The Development of the F-18 Hornet
ASIN: 1557507775 |
Book Description
In April 1990 the U.S. Navy's A-12--a replacement aircraft for the outdated A-6 Intruder--had the support of the Secretary of Defense before Congress. Nine months later Secretary Cheney cancelled the A-12, making it the largest weapons program ever terminated by the Pentagon and the first cancelled for default with the Pentagon making demands that the contractors return the money already paid them. Ten years later, questions remain unanswered and lessons are still to be learned.
With access to a wealth of government and contractor documents and more than a hundred players at all levels of involvement, James Stevenson takes readers into the once-forbidden world of "special access" programs to examine the demise of the A-12, charging that the documents exposed fraudulent and even illegal activity. He faults the navy not just for mismanagement but for ignoring the statutes and regulations that require Congress to appropriate money before entering into contracts. Rather than a single big mistake, he finds the A-12's path from honor to derision to be littered with hundreds of mistakes and attempts to right wrongs or cover them up. In recounting the events that eventually led to the Stealth bomber's cancellation, Stevenson cites countless examples of the mismatch between perception and reality experienced by navy program managers, the defense department, Congress, and the contractors. In the process of telling the story, he takes on the entire defense acquisition process and its responsibility for the program that cost American taxpayers over $5 billion yet produced not a single airplane for their defense.
Customer Reviews:
Accurate and scary, if somewhat incomplete.......2005-10-11
I was an analyist with the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the A-12 program life. As such, I knew most of the personalities in this book. Mr. Stevenson's presentation is accurate and correct, as to the best of my recollection. It is a great read, and truly astounding that such an important and expensive program was mananaged with such incompetance and blatant disrespect for the law. If you're not outraged at the Pentagon's procurement apparatus at the end of this book, check your pulse.
What I did feel was missing, was a telling of general euphoria, arrogance, and excitement that defined the Pentagon during the Regan adminstrations. Money flowed like water and every service -- not just the Navy or the Air Force -- rushed to the trough. Black programs, especially stealth, proliferated wildely, and all this was just considered "normal". Of course there were billions of dollars being wasted on programs such as the A-12, but then everybody was doing it! I wish a bit more of the popular attitudes of the times had been addressed to provide context.
How not to buy a weapon system.......2003-04-14
Mr. Stevenson does it again in his second book on the stpuid spending decisions that come from the Pentagon. In this book he covers the fraud, waste, mis-management, and general abuse of the laws and rules of both the Navy and the Nation in trying to buy a plane that even the Navy didn't want right away. This book talks about it all from the hatred of the various under secretary's of the project and how they tried to kill it. How the Navy went about skipping major milestones and reporting laws in the name of "National Security", how the USAF didn't want to share thier lessons learned in builiding the F-117A and B-2A under the same "National Security" banner (let alone they wanted to control all stealth projects) and finally after spending all of 5 billion US dollars and 10 yrs of development all that the American taxpayer had to gain from it was a non-working wooden mock up, thousands of thousands of sheets of memos and designs, and a bunch of bolts that did absoultely nothing. He uses this aqusition project as another attempt to show the world what is wrong with how the US buys its weapons systems. In this book you can pick up some more ideas as to how he thinks one should go about buying everything from thread to carriers and how the contracts should be written. When you read through the lines. There are numerous footnotes and a well stock biblograhpy so the reader can track down the source of a subject if then need to. This is a wonderful compainion to his previous book on the F-18 Horent.
Decent Legal Overview of A-12 Debacle.......2002-11-21
This book is a good managerial/legal overview but lacks technical depth and any analysis of the human cost incurred by the A-12 cancellation debacle. It exhaustively details program management missteps and lays out the legal argument which favors the contractor assertion that the program (excuse me, contract) was terminated for convenience. However, the reader is left with the misleading impression that most engineering problems (and there were many) were resolved by the time of cancellation. However, in January 1991, there were many challenges ahead that drawing release tracking charts did not reflect. In the final analysis, Dick Cheney did the right thing the wrong way and thousands of workers were fired virtually overnight by companies that had mortgaged their futures trying to get a piece of the stealth pie; Mr. Stevenson got it mostly right.
A "must read" book !.......2002-02-01
I was a test engineer for a sub-contractor on this "black hole" program . During my two year stay on the program , I certainly saw no "waste and fraud" nor did a good friend of mine at GD who was very closely associated with the program. For those two years we put in very long hours 6 to 7 days a week and had all of our "state of the art" test equipment up and running and certified ahead of schedule . The book tells it as it was , a program that was mis-managed by the Navy from the day the contract was signed . The airframe producers , General Dynamics and Mcdonnell Douglas , found their hands tied as they didn't get the support they were expecting from Northrop's "learning curve" on the B2 program . This coupled with the never ending design changes requested by the Navy brought on the inevitable cost over runs . This is a superbly written book by the author of "The Pentagon Paradox" , another "must read" book !
Not the last word on the subject - I hope.......2001-11-22
The A-12 program is probably the single most expensive cancellation in the history of US defense acquisition. The US taxpayer ended up shelling out about $5 billion dollars and got.....nothing. (That would have bought over seven million of those $700 hammers you've heard about!) Mr. Stevenson takes a look at the origins of the program in the earliest research in "stealth" technology, how the Navy illegally started the program without Congressional funding, the lack of oversight of contractor performance, and the totally heinous behavior of the Secretary of Defense, who in April 1990 told Congress that "the program appears to be reasonably well-handled at this point" and six months later cancelled the program in such a manner that the prime contractors, McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics, were able to win in court over $2 billion in costs PLUS $400 million in legal fees.
I worked at McAir during the period covered by this book. I watched about 6,000 hard-working engineers and technicians get laid off in a single week, and I had to do the work of three peoople after those layoffs, so yes, I'm pretty bitter about the whole thing. But anyone who pays taxes ought to be bitter about the totally irresponsible (and yes, illegal) way the program was conceived, awarded, managed, and terminated.
My only complaint is that the book covers only the top-level decision-making. You won't find any "lessons learned" on program management or personal stories of the fraud, waste, and abuse that went on. Oh, yes, in spite of assertions to the contrary, McDonnell and GD BOTH cooked the books and overspent WILDLY on travel, overtime, and facilities (although the description of GD's Building 500 [page 196] is a nice appetizer for the KIND of waste that I saw SO VERY MUCH of.) Still, this is the first time the story has been brought to the attention of the general public, and it's one that is more relevant than ever today. "Black" programs make up increasingly large percentages of the defense budget and it is nearly impossible for Congress to see just exactly what is being done with that money. Highly recommended reading.
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Human Conflict: Disagreement, Misunderstanding, and Problematic Talk
C. David Mortensen
Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
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ASIN: 0742527301 |
Book Description
Human Conflict distinguishes between effective and ineffective forms of face-to-face interaction in cases where agreement, disagreement, understanding, or misunderstanding prevail. Following an in-depth look at the interplay of cognitive appraisals, value orientations, and social identity in the construction of everyday reality, the book analyzes social constructions that contribute to a wider ability to fashion working agreements and mutual understanding. Scholars of conflict study, mediators, and others interested in the cognitive processes behind agreement and understanding will enjoy this book. Visit our website for sample chapters!
Book Description
Misunderstanding Science? offers a challenging new perspective on the public understanding of science. In so doing, it also challenges existing ideas of the nature of science and its relationships with society. Its analysis and case presentation are highly relevant to current concerns over the uptake, authority, and effectiveness of science as expressed, for example, in areas such as education, medical/health practice, risk and the environment, technological innovation. Based on several in-depth case-studies, and informed theoretically by the sociology of scientific knowledge, the book shows how the public understanding of science questions raises issues of the epistemic commitments and institutional structures which constitute modern science. It suggests that many of the inadequacies in the social integration and uptake of science might be overcome if modern scientific institutions were more reflexive and open about the implicit normative commitments embedded in scientific cultures.
Download Description
Misunderstanding Science? offers a challenging new perspective on the public understanding of science. In so doing, it challenges existing ideas of the nature of science and its relationships with society. Its analysis and case presentation are highly relevant to current concerns over the uptake, authority and effectiveness of science as expressed, for example, in areas such as education, medical/health practice, risk and the environment, and technological innovation. Based on several in-depth case studies, and informed theoretically by the sociology of scientific knowledge, the book shows how the public understanding of science raises questions about the epistemic commitments and institutional structures that constitute modern science. These key aspects are usually ignored in standard treatments of the subject. The book suggests that many of the inadequacies in the social integration and support of science might be overcome if modern scientific institutions were more reflexive and open about the implicit normative commitments embedded in scientific cultures.
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European Misunderstanding
Andre Gauron
Manufacturer: Algora Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1892941074 |
Book Description
From the beginning, the building of a unified Europe was based on a misunderstanding, and a fear. Not fear of Communism, but fear of Germany. To assuage this persistent fear, based in the past, France and Germany decided to lead Europe together.
Mad cows and toxic wastes flowing from one country to another, diplomats working behind closed doors, Germany holding the rest of Europe in a monetary strait-jacket and the French dreaming of the days when they were a superpower -Andre Gauron regales us with the failures of this union and its chaotic progress.
Book Description
Is God male or female? Why do women flush public toilets with their feet? Why do men feel guilty about nothing and women about everything? These philosophical quandaries are finally debated in an uproariously funny dialogue between Weingarten, the gleefully misogynistic Washington Post humor columnist, and Barreca, the gleefully feminist Hartford Courant columnist and University of Connecticut professor.
Available only in Nonfiction 4.
Download Description
Is God male or female? Why do women, but not men, flush public toilets with their feet? Why are men, but not women, obsessed with parallel parking? Why do women, but not men, leave eleven-minute messages on answering machines? Why do men feel guilty about nothing, and women feel guilty about everything? Was Marilyn Monroe...fat?
Customer Reviews:
A bit slow, but some great moments.......2006-07-31
I got this book for our first datingaversary (anniversary between those not yet married or engaged) -- great gift idea, by the way, since it was a hit with the boyfriend and his friends found the gift idea pretty funny as well.
If you're familiar with Gene and Gina, then this book is very similar to the articles featured in the Washington Post. Be prepared for the same sort of slow build-up, then laughing-so-hard-sides-aching humour that Gene and Gina put together. Some weeks are gems, other weeks are a bit off. My only major criticism of this book is that Gina is so polar to the point where it is ridiculous exaggeration or just plain unbelievable that someone could be that ornery and bitchy. Her polemic ideas and thoughts do set up for some of the best *zings!* though.
All in all, not a bad book, you'd just bookmark the funny chapters and only reread those parts.
Boys Suck! According to me (...).......2006-02-27
This book was excellent. When I saw the title of this book in the bookstore I knew I would love it. I relate to this book in so many ways. Sadly every boy I know annoys me. I wanted to be friends with boys but I just didn't know how at this age. Then I read this book,it showed me how different the male and female sex is. It helped me realize how to ignore boy's stupidity (to a point) and just know for the most part boys are funny and fun to be with. This book was hilarious and I loved it. It's a little over the top but still definitely worth reading.If your interested in realistic-fiction you should definetly read this book. Also write your own review,so other teens like you and me can read this great book.
just out in a paperback version and this means I can own it!.......2006-01-28
I saw these guys at a reading a couple of years ago but couldn't afford to buy it which is why I moved to a better job in a new city but now that the paperback is out I am getting it for anybody I know who complains about their relationship, which is everybody! because they make it impossible not to laugh at yourself and your partner. It is an easy read, keep it next to the bathroom! and you'll laugh at every page.
I love these writers.......2006-01-26
This is a funny, funy book. They are a great team. No where else can you get 2 people who give you ideas of what it is like from the other person's perspective. This is a book to read more than once. W. is a great writer.
For Typicals only.......2006-01-18
If you are a "typical," meaning, you're typically female or typically male, you will enjoy this book.
As an atypical female, I am offended by Regina's acceptance only of women who are just like she is. Any woman who does not fit her pre-identified mold of "woman" is not welcomed in the world at large, nor is she represented in this "book." Having read "I'm with Stupid" only affirms my stance as proud-to-be-atypical.
This "book" reads exactly as it is: several IM/email sessions between two strangers who have never met, and who, at the end of the "book," debate on whether or not they should meet in the future. After all, they have "written a book together." (rolleyes) When all is said and done, these are two middle aged writers who thought this concept would be "cool," but instead, they come across as the only two people who think this "concept" is cool.
Other reviewers have mentioned funny banter, and this is present. However, reading both sides' inane explanations, excuses and reasonings to back up his/her theories as fact is for those who are satisfied with the current state of men vs women, male v female.
Enough already with the battle of the sexes!!! We're always asking men to change for women but perhaps if women changed how they did things (face things with integrity rather than manipulation), men would really wise up and start paying attention, because then they would be able to respect women. Until then, let's not look to Regina Barreca for her outdated thoughts on this subject.
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Myths, Misdeeds, and Misunderstandings: The Roots of Conflict in U.S.-Mexican Relations (Latin American Silhouettes)
Vincent Kathryn
Manufacturer: SR Books
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0842026622 |
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Shocking Science: 5,000 Years of Mishaps and Misunderstandings
Steve Parker
Manufacturer: Turner Pub
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1570362696 |
Amazon.com
A fun, cartoonish book for the scientifically-inclined -- ages 8 to 80 -- that records some of the more embarrassing cases of scientific muddles, misunderstandings, and mishaps.
Customer Reviews:
Shockingly Good!.......2004-06-03
I guess this might be marketed as a kid's book but the content is well written and contains enough facts that it could be bought for readers of all ages. It's like a PG movie, kid friendly and adults secretly want to see it too. This sensational collection of interesting facts, history of ancient beliefs, modern beliefs, and inventions throughout history is laid out in picture book format with brilliant illustrations alongside short paragraphs.
A great book containing interesting facts if your holding a trivia night, want to learn about different religious and scientific beliefs about the earth's creation, want to learn about history, inventors or bizarre inventions that were never successful compared to brilliant ones discovered by mistake. If you want to get kids interested in science or history then this is also an excellent introduction book as well. Great book, buy it!
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- "There's No Misunderstanding This Book...."
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Understanding Misunderstandings: A Guide to More Successful Human Interaction
Robert L. Young
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
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ASIN: 0292796056 |
Book Description
"To my knowledge no other book pursues this particular topic so relentlessly and so widely. The sheer number of sources of misunderstanding that Young considers is extraordinarily broad. . . . In short, this book is about the problems that everyone deals with all of the time." --Andre Modigliani, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Michigan Have you ever meant one thing, but said another? Reacted angrily when no offense was intended? Wished that the earth would open up and swallow you? Understanding Misunderstandings will help you get out and stay out of these difficulties. Robert L. Young explains why many common types of misunderstandings arise and how they can be avoided or corrected. In the first part of the book, he breaks the process of misunderstanding down into stages, showing how it can occur when we misspeak, mishear, misinterpret, or react in inappropriate ways. In the second part, he expertly analyzes the kinds of misunderstandings that can arise from differences in culture, social class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Real-life examples illustrate many of the problems and solutions he describes. Because misunderstanding can destroy friendships and marriages, wreck careers, and lead to clashes between whole segments of society, understanding and diffusing it is of the utmost importance. This reader-friendly book provides the practical guidance to do just that. Educators, business people, psychologists, parents--in fact, everyone who interacts with other people--will benefit from it.
Customer Reviews:
"There's No Misunderstanding This Book....".......2000-03-15
"Understanding Misunderstandings" is a practical, yet theoretically grounded book which will assist you with better understanding human interaction, and more generally, human nature. Through use of various insightful examples and theory, Young does a great job explaining how misunderstandings can and do occur. From marital strife to culture clash, readers are provided with accounts of how conflict, or disagreements evolve, when, given a bit of thought, they could have easily been avoided. The information is nicely organized and presented in a manner that: (1) applies to just about everyone in society, and (2) is easy to read. While not necessarily a self-help book, "Understanding Misunderstandings" provides readers with tools for creating/updating their understanding of and appreciation for many forms of human behavior. Young does a wonderful job avoiding over-use, or over-dependence upon theory, yet recognizes its role in explaining human interaction. He also presents the material in a "reader friendly" manner, while avoiding the role of a "know it all" who lectures, or dictates. It is rare that you will read a book that simultaneously entertains and educates. However, "Understanding Misundertandings" does just that. While reading the text, I sometimes found my self thinking "yeah... I've had that happen to me...," while having read the book, I often find myself relating recent events to those that Young skillfully presented. As can be inferred, I strongly recommend this book to all who have an interest in better understanding human interaction.
Books:
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- Edge City: Life on the New Frontier
- Emotional Vampires: Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry
- Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master Review and Tutorial for the National Counselor Examination and State Exams
- Exploring Socio-Cultural Themes in Education: Readings in Social Foundations (2nd Edition)
- Fame Junkies: The Hidden Truths Behind America's Favorite Addiction
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