David A. Livermore

This Great Courses selection is extremely informative and educational in a subject matter that I think could benefit every citizen of the world. Professor David Livermore is a superb lecturer and is extremely knowledgeable in his chosen field of study: cultures around the world. He covers a broad specctrum of knowledge in the course time allotted and by the time I finished the course I felt well grounded with a basic knowledge of the study of the cultures and customs of a large portion of show more the planet. Certainly enough to know what a fascinating topic it is and we are given motivation and reference materials to help us further our studies in this subject and increase our Cultural knowledge (CQ).

We learn the names and definitions of the main indicators used in the study of customs and cultures and how to analyze and calculate the value of these various indices for different geographical locations around the world. Professor Livermore teaches us about ten global clusters that the world is divided into by scholars. While there are no clear cut and perfect ways to divide the world's population neatly into groups, it is done to the best of scholars' who specialize in cultural studies abilities in order to be able to have manageable segments to study and focus on.

I urge everyone to listen to this Great Courses audio book on Customs of the World. I feel if everyone expanded their CQ (Cultural knowledge); the divisions, hatreds, wars and violence in the world would lessen immensely. Knowledge is more than power, knowledge is everything and this book promotes that in a wonderful, positive way. As far as I'm concerned, CQ is every bit as important as IQ, EQ (Emotional intelligence). show less

Read fall/winter of 2010 with a small group preparing to go on a short-term mission trip to Honduras with Orphan Helpers. Very good, but can make you question whether should be even going on a short-term mission trip. I would hesitate to recommend it to someone new to mission trips. Would recommend it to any facilitator or leader of a missions team (short or long-term)! Will read again.

I thought this was a great book. It has some important information for those who are seeking to serve others in any form. Focusing mainly on short-term missions trips, Livermore exposes common perspectives of Americans who go out of the country to serve and those who are served by Americans. It offers some eye-opening thoughts on our motives for going, and what those, who are being served, really think of what we're doing for them. There is so much more to be learned about Cultural show more Intelligence. I'm greatful to live in the same city as David Livermore, so that I can continue to learn from him through seminars and, hopefully, more books. show less

If you are going on a mission trip, you must read this book. I used in my Intro to Missions course. The students loved it.