June 2015

 Father's Day Doubleheader

This year, Father's Day falls on June 21st, which also happens to be the first day of summer! Way to go June 21st, you are really stepping up to the plate. So, in honor of this upcoming doubleheader, we thought we would do one of our own with two June titles that dads will enjoy.
David Alan Johnson introduces us to real-life American "top guns" who flew in the Royal Air Force before the United States even entered World War II. Yanks in the RAF is the story of American volunteer pilots who risked their lives in defense of Britain during the earliest days of WWII--more than a year before Pearl Harbor, when the US first became embroiled in the global conflict. As the author's research shows, their motives were various: some were idealistic; others were simply restless and looking for adventure. And though the British air force needed pilots, cultural conflicts between the raw American recruits and their reserved British commanders soon became evident. As much social as military history, Yanks in the RAF sheds new light on a little-known chapter of World War II and the earliest days of the sometimes fractious British-American alliance.

 

Yanks in the RAF is filled with one-on-one interviews and amazing photos. Check out this Daily Mail feature for a sample of some of the history.

 

"An accomplished storyteller has done it again! In clear, crisp prose, David Alan Johnson recounts the epic story of the RAF Eagle Squadrons in World War II. Well researched and illustrated, this is an exciting exploration of American heroes who braved the skies of war-torn Europe during the darkest days of the conflict with Nazi Germany--a tremendous read."

Michael E. Haskew, author of West Point 1915 and Appomattox,

and editor of WWII History Magazine

 

 


 

David Alan Johnson is the author of nine previous books, including The Battle of Britain: The American Factor and, most recently, Decided on the Battlefield: Grant, Sherman, Lincoln, and the Election of 1864.
Functional Inefficiency sets out to answer the question, 'How can we reduce unemployment?' As this insightful and counterintuitive book shows, the surprising answer is inefficiency. Some of the most labor-intensive sectors of the economy, the author notes, are also the most inefficient. But this inefficiency is functional--rather than impairing the economy, it bolsters employment and fosters economic growth. The author documents the waste of time and money in hospital systems, the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, automotive travel, road construction, and road maintenance. These inefficiencies are tolerated because they provide a lot of jobs and promote economic growth, making them functional inefficiencies. Functional Inefficiency offers a wealth of details and a unique analysis of our economic system, plus hope for our future prospects through reduced inefficiency.

 

 

 

 

"In this tour de force, Peter S. Wenz upends the cherished assumption of policymakers that promoting economic efficiency is always the best policy. What's good for economic efficiency, though, is not always good for people-as Wenz shows with some terrific examples. This well-founded and lucid critique of a prevailing economic assumption is as wise and humane as it is contrarian." 

 James W. Russell, author of Social Insecurity

 

"Wenz employs the creative concept of functional inefficiency to provide an illuminating diagnosis of the economic and political problems we face in the United States today as well as to support ways that we can ameliorate these problems.... This is a book that we all need to read!"

  James P. Sterba, author of From Rationality to Equality

 


Peter S. Wenz is emeritus professor of philosophy and University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Springfield and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He is the author of seven previous books, including Take Back the Center: Progressive Taxation for a New Progressive Agenda; Beyond Red and Blue: How Twelve Political Philosophies Shape American Debates; Environmental Ethics Today; and Political Philosophies in Moral Conflict.

That wraps up our June issue. Either of these books would be a great for Father's Day or the first day of summer reading season. Or, pick up both and have a doubleheader of your own! 

 

Remember, our current nonfiction catalog and all our previous catalogs are always available online for your convenience.

 

Jake Bonar

Prometheus Books

publicity@prometheusbooks.com







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