It is widely believed that most Americans not only distrust but also despise China. Considering the country's violent political history, unprecedented economic rise, and growing military capabilities, China has become America's strongest market competitor and arguably the most challenging global threat to the United States. Nevertheless, a full consideration of American opinion proves the opposite to be true. Carefully analyzing all available polls and surveys, Benjamin I. Page and Tao Xie find most Americans favor peaceful engagement with China. The public view has been surprisingly coherent and consistent, changing only in response to major events and new information. While a majority of Americans are not happy that China's economy is projected to become as large as that of the United States, they are prepared to live with it. "Unfair" Chinese trade practices and their impact on American jobs and wages are a concern, along with the quality and safety of Chinese-made goods. However, Americans favor free trade with China, provided it is tempered with environmental and workplace protections. They also believe that the United States should "balance" Chinese power through alliances with neighboring countries, such as Japan. Yet they oppose military action to defend Taiwan. Page and Xie examine these opinions in relation to facts about China and in light of current U.S. debates on diplomacy and policy.

This short book is distinguished by: 1) its systematic and comprehensive approach to the under-explored subject of unintended consequences; 2) its focus on the inherent unpredictability of human action as a major cause of such consequences; 3) its contention that these consequences pose serious challenges to the way in which moral philosophy has been done in the past; and 4) its exploration of methods and structures to help us identify possible unintended consequences before we act and to enable us to better cope with them as they arise.

Essays on religion, ethics, children, and the three perfections accompany an overview of Chinese history from the collapse of the Tang Dynasty through the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

When Al first came home with Dad, he was harmless and fun, but it soon became apparent that what seemed like fun could quickly get out of control. This story is a help to anyone trying to understand or discuss the heartbreak and hope of a family dealing with substance abuse or any life-controlling issue.

"Very positive and in tune with our needs today." LEO BUSCAGLIA Alan Cohen's story is an inspiration. From his roots as an Orthodox Jew, he took a mind-expanding tour of the teachings of Jesus, Ram Dass, Zen, Jung, the Esalen Institute, and Einstein, to name a few. In this extraordinary collection of lyrical, challenging essays, Cohen synthesizes what he has learned from these masters, and shares his journey with all of us. He discusses overcoming limitations, creating fulfilling relationships, tuning into the flow of life, transformation, finding a personal path, and the greatest gift of all, love. Read it straight through, or essay by essay, for daily meditations on the mysteries of God, love, and the spiritual path.

“Riding the Dragon gives the reader the chance to look for the lessons that are often hidden in our sorrows.”—Goodreads reviewer Twenty years and 70,000 copies after it was first released, Riding the Dragon—by popular author, speaker, and psychologist Robert J. Wicks—continues to help thousands each year to confront the “dragons” of stress, discouragement, burnout, and unexpected change that everyone struggles with in their daily lives. Instead of pretending these difficulties don’t exist or trying to remove them entirely, Wicks offers ten lessons to help us face them, overcome them, and grow from them. These simple yet profound lessons draw on the wisdom of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions as well as Wicks’s experience as a psychologist, and include pairing clarity with kindness, seeking perspective daily, and building a barrier of simplicity. Riding the Dragon is a concise, compassionate, and knowledgeable guide for anyone experiencing or supporting someone facing personal or professional challenges. This twentieth anniversary edition features a new preface from the author, highlighting how Riding the Dragon is, perhaps now more than ever, an indispensable spiritual and psychological companion for all of us who are yearning for our lives to be transformed.

“Bryan Davis writes with the scope of Tolkien, the focus of Lewis, the grandeur of Verne, and most of all the heart of Christ.” —Jeremiah F., reader Billy and Bonnie won the battle but how will they win the war? Billy and Bonnie’s hard-won victory in Circles of Seven came at a great cost as a vicious evil was unleashed on the earth. With Billy’s father missing, Billy and Bonnie must lead the dragons into war against the demonic beings known as Watchers. But in order to win the war, an ultimate sacrifice must be made, and Billy and Bonnie will be forced to make the greatest decision of their lives—a choice that will change their world forever. The fourth and final installment in the Dragons in our Midst series will leave you cheering, crying, and wishing for more adventures with these two friends.