This book examines the evolution of China's entrepreneurial class and prospects for entrepreneurial-driven political institutional change. The author argues that decades of economic reforms and social transformation have illuminated a fundamental contradiction in contemporary China-a rule by law closed political system governing over an emergent entrepreneurial class requiring property protection-that requires resolution. The author argues that the Chinese Communist Party has one of two choices: crush the entrepreneurial class, and with it, economic growth and the party's legitimacy, or cede to the entrepreneurs' demands for the rule of law and political representation. The author's interviews with Chinese entrepreneurs show the rise of liberal qualities-rationality, autonomy, property-law interests, political awareness and political agency-among China's new entrepreneurial class. As such, the author believes that this liberal trajectory among China's entrepreneurs, in conjunction with a lack of viable alternatives for the party, will translate into a new Chinese liberalism and ultimately political change.

In this detailed study of population change in Norway in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Dr Drake has assembled a great deal of literary and statistical material. He pays particular attention to the interplay between marriage, economic conditions, social custom and fertility. The book also introduces English readers to the writings of Eilert Sundt, a very productive pioneer sociologist whose important work of the 1850s and 1860s is little known outside Scandinavia. Malthus's work, by comparison, is shown to be much less reliable. As Dr Drake demonstrates, remarkably reliable and comprehensive demographic statistics are available in Norway in the century before industrialization. This case study is therefore a valuable contribution to the debate amongst historians on the demographic characteristics of the pre-industrial west and the links between population change and industrialization. His conclusions are also clearly relevant to the current international discussion on the relationship between population change and economic and social conditions in under developed countries.

In his third drum guide, Shamanic Drumming: Calling the Spirits, Michael Drake recounts his journey into shamanic practice and explores what someone should do if they feel the call to become a shaman. Following up on his definitive handbook on shamanic drumming, The Shamanic Drum, the author provides a new series of exercises and lessons that allow for a deeper understanding and utilization of this core shamanic practice. He has written a guide to becoming a shamanic healer that encompasses the power of the drum, of community, and of the accountability inherent in authentic shamanic practice. This empowering book is a call to build relationships with helping spirits. Spirit helpers are the caretakers in the unseen world who want to support the earth and her inhabitants at this time. They are here to teach us how to gather wisdom from the spiritual realms, the natural world, the past, the present and the future in order to give birth to new ways of being. The shamanic relationship between humans and helping spirits supports our spirit's quest for self-realization. The spirits are here to assist us in doing the principal, unique thing we have come here to do in a way that benefits all living things.

Shamanic drumming is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression. Trained as a ceremonial drummer in the Mongolian shamanic tradition, Michael presents the first practical guide to applying this ancient healing art to our modern lives. Through a series of simple exercises and lessons, he teaches the basic shamanic methods of drumming. The focus is on creating sacred space, journeying, power practice, power animals, drum therapy, drum circles and the therapeutic effects of drumming. Whether you are an accomplished percussionist or a total beginner, this user-friendly book will help you harness the power of drumming. Recent studies demonstrate that drumming is a valuable treatment for stress, chronic pain, cancer, stroke, trauma, addictions, mental illness, emotional disorders and a wide range of physical disabilities. The benefits include relaxation, healing, more energy, greater mental clarity, enhanced creativity and deeper self-awareness.

58 Colorfully Rhymed & illustrated Pages I've been a verbal, musical lyricist my entire life. Kay Lum, the visual lyricist, has been a perfect fit. Please enjoy our humble offerings The Growing Books Volume 1 A collection of 4 whimsical children's poem/picture books that inspire creativity. These are lovingly dedicated to my grandchildren Victoria and Ferris and to all the other childrens' children of the world I Think I'd like to Be a Bee is about the curiosity and imagination a child has with what and who a Bee is and does and thinks "What is he really trying to do? Is he chasing from or running to?" Dancing With Mr. Brussel Sprout what more fun can this ever be? This time I'll take the lead no doubt, Mr. Brussel and Mrs. Me." Mr. Russell Brussel and all his vegetable friends go dancing with Mrs. Me. "We'll do a Cha Cha or a Tango, Merengue or some swing. Viennese waltz, the Chicken Dance, almost anything " The Blue Swing - What does a child think of when swinging on a swing?"My hands and feet are flying free all four of them are a part of me " "Tic Toc just like a clock...." Mootsy The Rootsy - "Mootsy is a root from an old oak tree, this for sure you can most definitely see" Mootsy has his friend Wendel the worm to hang out with him below the ground but he can see above the ground with his branches and leaves and as the years would grow by, so did the tree "He never traveled anywhere else anywhere else at all " Written by Michael Drake Illustrations by Kay Lum Order directly thru me and I will personalize it with your name of choice, autograph and date it with a serial number www.thegrowingbooks.com

In this user-friendly interpretation of the I Ching, Michael Drake presents drumming as a revolutionary way to approach the ancient Chinese oracle. A synthesis of shamanic drum ways and Taoist philosophy, I Ching: The Tao of Drumming provides for the first time the rhythmic structure of the 64 hexagrams or potential human situations. Drum patterns derived from the hexagram images render the essence of each archetype of experience into sound, giving it physical, mental, and spiritual impulse. Through the natural law of resonance, the drummer then embodies the qualities and attributes necessary to effect change or harmonize with change in any given situation. With clear and practical explanations of each of the 64 hexagrams along with useful exercises and illustrations, the author demonstrates how drumming these simple rhythm archetypes brings the essential self into accord with the pattern or way of cyclical change, and that way is known as Tao.