Review essay

Manuale di Antropologia Visuale by Paolo Chiozzi. Milano: Edizioni Unicopli S.P.A.,1993. Lira 32,000 paper. ISBN: 88–400–0298–7

Sociologia Visuale by Francesco Mattioli. Torino: Nuova Eri/Edizioni RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, 1991. Lira 24,000 paper. ISBN: 88–397–0642–9.

Introduzione alia Sociologia Visuale by Contantino Cipolla and Patrizia Faccioli, editors. Milano: Franco Angeli s.r.l., 1993. Lira 45,000 paper. ISBN 88–204–8077–8     

Review essay

This paper describes the use of a new teaching method that was developed to encourage students in their first years of study in social work at the Department of Social Work in Athens/Greece to improve their empathy and understanding toward vulnerable populations. The so called ‘diversity dolls’ method is a powerful as well as creative multiapproach that uses dolls (hand crafted dolls and/or readymade commercial dolls) as a basic means for helping students acquire knowledge about more complex or unfamiliar concepts like vulnerable populations and empathy. Dolls appear in all cultures and have a fascinating influence on people all around the world; they look like human beings and as such, can represent different characters. Thus, they are deemed suitable for teaching subjects like vulnerable populations. The ‘diversity dolls’ method proved to be a creative teaching approach for transferring and retaining valuable knowledge so that it can be used by students to achieve their learning goals. This paper looks into both the benefits and implications of using this creative teaching method in social work education.     

Review essay: Slavery in Africa

The Ideology of Slavery in Africa. Edited by Paul E. Lovejoy. Beverly Hills and London: Sage Publications, 1981. 311pp.

Transformations in slavery: a history of slavery in Africa. By Paul E. Lovejoy. Cambridge University Press, 1983. xvi + 347pp. Bibl., Index.     

Review essay: Abolition and its aftermath

Abolition and its Aftermath: The Historical Context 1790–1916. D. Richardson (ed.). London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd., 1985. ix, 179pp.

Out of Slavery: Abolition and After 1833–1983. J. Hayward (ed.). London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd., 1985. xiii, 200pp.     

Review essay: empires, ancient and modern

This essay drews attention to two books on empires by historians which deserve the attention of sociologists. Bang's model of the workings of the Roman economy powerfully demonstrates the tributary nature of per-industrial tributary empires. Darwin's analysis concentrates on modern overseas empires, wholly different in character as they involved the transportation of consumption items for the many rather than luxury goods for the few. Darwin is especially good at describing the conditions of existence of late nineteenth century empires, noting that their demise was caused most of all by the failure of balance of power politics in Europe. Concluding thoughts are offered about the USA.     

Review essay: A world the slaves made

Down by the Riverside: A South Carolina Slave Community. CHARLES JOYNER. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, xxii, 345 pp. £27.50.     

Review essay - Recent Reference Books on Slavery

Editors: DRESCHER, SEYMOUR and ENGERMAN, STANLEY L.; A Historical Guide to World Slavery     

Review essay: Slavery now: Unfree labour and modern capitalism

Capitalism and Unfree Labour: Anomaly or Necessity? Robert Miles. London and New York: Tavistock Publications. 1987. 250pp. £10.95 pbk.

The New Helots: Migrants in the International Division of Labour. Robin Cohen. Aldershot: Gower Publishing Co. 1987. 290pp. £8.95 pbk; £27.50 hbk.

Sugar and Modern Slavery: A Tale of Two Countries. Roger Plant. London: Zed Press, 1987. 177pp. £7.95 pbk; £24.95 hbk.

Slavery in the Twentieth Century. Roger Sawyer. London and New York: Routledge &; Kegan Paul. 1986. 274pp. £15.95 hbk.     

Review essay - The Road to 1848: Interpreting French Anti-Slavery

Author: JENNINGS, LAWRENCE C.; French Anti-Slavery: The Movement for the Abolition of Slavery in France, 1802-1848; Author: KIELSTRA, PAUL MICHAEL; The Politics of Slave Trade Suppression in Britain and France, 1814-48     

Review essay — administrative delay at the NLRB: Some modest proposals

V. Conclusion The latest edition of Miller’s Appraisal provides an updated glimpse into the inner workings of the NLRB. Miller’s observations are knowledgeable and understandable, and his book is an important contribution for academics, the labor bar, and the Board itself. We hope it spurs further study of the Board’s administration of the Act and exploration of ways to improve it. Miller’s pessimism about potential reforms, short of his proposed abolition of the five-member Board in favor of a new labor and employment division of the federal district courts, goes too far. We have suggested a few changes that would make the Board more efficient without affecting the Board’s substantive mission. Hopefully, with further efforts like Miller’s in the future, the Board will effect a consistent improvement upon its somewhat spotty record of efficiency and will keep the NLRA vibrant well into this new century. We especially thank former NLRB Regional Director Daniel Silverman for his invaluable contributions to this article.