In Defense of Public Opinion Polling by Kenneth F. Warren @ Non-Fiction book store

In Defense of Public Opinion Polling by Kenneth F. Warren
What do we really know about public opinion polls? Are they as flawed as conventional wisdom implies? How accurate are the polls, really? How can we spot a bad poll? Why do politicians and journalists have a love-hate relationship with polls? How do polls help us interpret history? Why has public opinion polling become so popular in other countries?In the 2000 national elections $100 million was spent on campaign polling alone. A $5 billion industry from Gallup to Zogby, public opinion polling is growing rapidly with the explosion of consumer-oriented market research, political and media polling, and controversial Internet polling. By many measures-from editorial cartoons to bumper stickers-we hate pollsters and their polls. We think of polling as hopelessly flawed, invasive of our privacy, and just plain annoying. At times we even argue that polling is illegal, unconstitutional, and downright un-American. Yet we crave the information polling provides. What do other Americans think about gun control? School vouchers? Airline performance? Or the Yankees' chances for winning another World Series? Pollsters consult with jurists on the best venue for a controversial criminal trial. They advise car manufacturers on which paint colors to use for a new model. They guide city councils in how to divide public funding across competing priorities.Ken Warren closes this book with an especially candid report card on how 13 major pollsters fared in predicting the November 2000 presidential contest and how pollsters fared in making 136 projections in congressional and gubernatorial races across the United States. Despite the wild swings of the political season most pollsters were remarkably accurate in forecasting the results. Based on extensive interviews with major pollsters and a wide examination of current polling practices and results, IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC OPINION POLLING argues strongly that well conducted scientific polls are not only accurate, but are valuable tools in und

AUTHOR: Kenneth F. Warren
PUBLISHER: Westview Press
FORMAT: Hardcover
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Skinny-Dipping by Janet Lembke
The author of the acclaimed Dangerous Birds returns with a new collection of essays on the natural world, these connected by the theme of water--exploring issues as varied as the joy that water brings, the wistful rememberings it engenders, and its sacredness. Skinny Dipping is certain to delight anyone who appreciates the art of personal essay.

AUTHOR: Janet Lembke
PUBLISHER: Globe Pequot Press, The
FORMAT: Hardcover
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Lowell Blair, Malvina Vogel, Mitsu Yamamoto, Robert Charles Wilson
The classic novel of Edmond Dantes and his revenge against the men who caused him to be imprisoned unjustly.

AUTHOR: Alexandre Dumas, Lowell Blair, Malvina Vogel, Mitsu Yamamoto, Robert Charles Wilson
PUBLISHER: Bantam Dell Publishing Group
FORMAT: Paperback
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Miriam's Tambourine by Howard Schwartz
These fifty tales, drawn from nearly every age and every part of the world, reflect the length of Jewish history and the diversity of Jewish culture. Some will be recognized as variations (perhaps even the originals) of 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel', 'The Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor', and other familiar stories. But every tale is richly endowed with Jewish figures and themes.

AUTHOR: Howard Schwartz
PUBLISHER: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
FORMAT: Paperback
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Mola Book by Maricel Presilla
A look at the life of the Cuna Indians who live off the coast of Panama. The Cuna are world famous for their handmade molas--colorful pieces of cloth decorated with fabric designs. Readers will learn that the molas are more than just pieces of art--they are also a record of Cuna life and a testament to the talent of the Cuna women who create them. Color illustrations accompany the text.

AUTHOR: Maricel Presilla
PUBLISHER: Holt, Henry & Company, LLC
FORMAT: Hardcover
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction

Poems at 4 A. M. by Susan Minot
Renowned as a novelist, Minot presents a first book of poetry that addresses love and love lost.

AUTHOR: Susan Minot
PUBLISHER: Knopf, Alfred A. Incorporated
FORMAT: Paperback
CATEGORY: Non-Fiction