Slightly off topic (actually, much off topic re: the Philippines, but right on topic re: Empire); but last night there was a terrific 2-hour special on PBS called something like "The Ascent of Money" --written and hosted by Niall Ferguson, that I recommend to all on the LIST who wish to know more about the current Empire that is oppressing us all. They said at the end of the program that it is available on-line; and probably they will be showing it again, so keep your eyes open for it -- I learned so much more about the money empire behind all of this mess than I knew before. It is one helluva scary documentary. Ferguson is quite the rising star (he looks pretty youngish, in fact, which surprised me), and he comes off brilliantly on the show. I'd be interested to hear any views LIST-members have of his books; I have not read any of them yet, to be honest. A partial list of his books includes the following: Ferguson, Niall (2008). The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 978-1846141065. Ferguson, Niall (2006). The War of the World: History's Age of Hatred. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0-7139-9708-7. (also a Channel 4 series[18]) Ferguson, Niall (2003). Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-02328-2. Ferguson, Niall (2005). 1914. Pocket Penguins 70s S.. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd. ISBN 0-14-102220-5. Ferguson, Niall (2004). Colossus: The Rise And Fall Of The American Empire. Gardners Books. ISBN 0-7139-9770-2. Ferguson, Niall (2003). Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0-7139-9615-3. Ferguson, Niall (2001). The Cash Nexus: Money and Power in the Modern World, 1700-2000. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0-7139-9465-7. -- Harold K. Bush, Ph.D Saint Louis University