 "Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom." Ron
Paul, Grand Central Publishing, 2011, 328 pages.Congressman Ron Paul has
announced his bid for the 2012 Republican nomination for president. He is a
favorite of the tea party movement, and his newest book, "Liberty Defined,"
is in support of his candidacy. The book is described as "his most
provocative and compelling arguments for personal freedom to date."
The book's thesis is based on the idea of liberty -- its meaning,
promises and effect on our daily lives. He says that believing "in liberty
is to trust in the spontaneous actions and circumstances that emerge when
the government does not intervene in human volition and cooperation." He
further clarifies his position by examining 50 essential issues that form
the special ideal of American liberty.
Paul believes in the principle of civil disobedience as "one way that the
impulse to liberty checks the powerful." As an example he cites many
well-known speeches in our nation's history that protested against slavery,
segregation and war.
He has also argued repeatedly against the unchecked power of the Federal
Reserve Bank. The issue of our monetary policy is of concern to him, and he
argues that the government's power to print money as it wishes creates
economic instability. He advocates against such power emanating from a
central bank that causes "an unchecked expansion of the state and a brutal
and long inflation that has reduced our living standards in deceptive ways."
Ron Paul's book is important reading as America approaches the 20102
presidential campaign.
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 |
"The Twilight Garden: Creating a Garden That Entrances by Day
and Comes Alive at Night." Lia Leendertz, Ball Publishing, 2011,
207 pages.
Gardens can conjure many different images -- the beauty of the
flora, the diversity of color and intoxication of scent. One image
not as evident is the garden in the after-hours of evening and
nighttime. In her new book, "The Twilight Garden," writer Lia
Leendertz describes the joys and wonders of a twilight garden, the
different kinds of gardens you can develop, and some ingenious
entertaining ideas for your evening space.
According to Leendertz, "after dark, your garden could be a
magical place. … It really pays to make your garden into a place
where you want to be when darkness falls." So what exactly is a
twilight garden? Leendertz explains that twilight gardens are
planned around your personal needs, the mood you want to create, the
colors on display, the wildlife you want to attract -- all for the
purpose of drawing you to this space evening after evening.
In designing a twilight garden, you want to think about seven
basic themes -- color, scent, lighting, water, wildlife, space and
style. By striking the right balance between these elements, you
ensure that your garden's design will influence its use and the
amount of time you spend there. To help you with these decisions,
Leendertz has devoted a considerable portion of the book to the
myriad of flowers, plants and planting options available to help you
create your perfect evening garden.
This book is recommended to anyone with a green thumb or those of
us seeking fresh ideas for their outdoor spaces.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
