Book Description
What can German globe makers, British cartographers, the Marx brothers, and Roadrunner cartoons tell us about writers from Sappho to Italo Calvino? According to fiction writer Peter Turchi, both cartographers and writers draw from the same well of creativity, curiosity, and adventuresome spirit. "To ask for a map," says Turchi, "is to say, 'Tell me a story.'"
In Maps of the Imagination: The Writer as Cartographer, Turchi takes readers on a delightful journey that explores cartography's and writing's many parallels. For example, Turchi explores the challenges of blank space and the blank page, the role of geometry in maps and of formal devices in writing, the goals of exploration and challenges of presentation, and the balance of intuition with intention. Each idea is richly illustrated with maps, drawings and other illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Left brain 'jumper cables' for the right brained.......2006-12-10
Cartography is an analytical science ... mathematical, temporal, evolving. Novels are literal explorations. Perceiving a common link between the technical cartography and the creative novel becomes a fascinating common ground. Ever wonder how a left brainer thinks? Turchi gives us a hint.
Turchi makes a living from his application of the understanding of the technical structure of novels ... cartography is his hobby. Right brainers make a living from the technical ... novels are the hobby.
The subtleties and enjoyable descriptions of the structure and theory of great novels are merged with the structure and theory of great maps. How we use language and data to convey structural information is common ground in Turchi's premise.
For this reviewer, a great map improves efficiency in getting from "A" to "B". Turchi is revealing in his observation that humans use maps to reduce an anxious uncertainty of the unknown. As one of those 'if I'm lost, get loster' types, I suppose I do enjoy the ' ... get loster' adventure. The same is true in enjoying the unexpected adventures in the great novel. Turchi's insight into natural human motivation to seek a clearing of the veil of uncertainty left me thinking down a whole other set of rabbit holes.
This book is a box of chocolates.
Writers and Map Lovers: Unite!.......2006-12-06
What a terrific book! I read this around the same time I undertook Cowan's Mapmaker's Dream (which I have also reviewed on Amazon), and the two books -- ostensibly on similar subjects -- could not be more different!
Turchi's book is a genuine treasure! His prose is wonderful, full of rich images and musical language throughout. It could easily serve (and probably has done) as the text for a creative writing course, and there are thought-provoking passages on just about every page. The illustrations, too, as a prior reviewer has noted, are beautiful and fascinating. Turchi has unearthed kinds of maps I'd never conceived of before, placing them alongside medieval mappaemundi, early political maps, upside-down maps, maps drawn by children, maps drawn from memory -- you name it! Throughout the book, Turchi reinforces the point that cartography is an excellent metaphor for the way writers think, write, and revise. And as obvious a metaphor as you might be tempted to think that is, Turchi continues to surprise and delight with his imaginative insights, page after page.
The book, too, is an absolute jewel (I'm speaking of the first edition hardcover here). The perfect weight, with heavy boards bound in cloth and a sewn binding; the perfect paper weight, highly readable type, and excellent use of color throughout. This is how all books should be made.
I can't rave enough about it. Check it out for yourself, and I don't see how you could be disappointed. The only real disappointment comes when you turn the last page and find no others to follow it.
A Book for Writers and Map Lovers.......2006-04-07
This book defies genre. It is an examination of the correlation between writers and map-makers. If you love maps, and want to incorporate some of that passion into your writing, this is the book for you. I find myself coming back to it frequently, like a reference book on how to write the sort of story I'd like to read.
Especially interesting is the portion of the book devoted to the empty spaces on maps.
I can't resist Turchi's wonderful phrases, such as:
"...a blank on a map becomes a symbol of rigorous standards; the presence of absences lent authority to all on the map that was unblank."
Brilliant.
It will take you on a journey. And the book is lovely to look at and hold.
A satisfying read........2005-11-29
While I'm only just halfway through this book -- after purchasing it only a day ago, I couldn't stop reading! -- I can say I highly recommend this book. While not a "reference" book in the sense that I will go back to it for how-tos and guides, it is filled with gems of information, quotes and story snippets. This is the sort of book you go back to again and again for encouragement and inspiration. I can hardly wait to finish it.
Great Reading.......2005-01-22
This book is so well-written, and it branches out to cover so many different topics. Also, it is a beautiful book--just the right weight, beautiful paper and cloth binding, and it's easy to open the book flat for easy viewing of its many illustrations.
Book Description
To avoid a scandal that would devastate her family, Riona McKinsey has agreed to marry the wrong man -- though the one she yearns for is James MacRae. Had she not been maneuvered into a compromising position by a man of Edinburgh -- who covets her family's wealth more than Riona's love -- the dutiful Highland miss could have followed her heart into MacRae's strong and loving arms. But alas, it is not to be.
A man of the wild, tempest-tossed ocean, James MacRae never dreamed he'd find his greatest temptation on land. Yet from the instant the dashing adventurer first gazed deeply into Riona's haunting gray eyes, he knew there was no lass in all of Scotland he'd ever want more. The matchless lady is betrothed to another -- and unwilling to break off her engagement or share the reason why she will marry her intended. But how can MacRae ignore the passion that burns like fire inside, drawing him relentlessly toward a love that could ruin them both?
Customer Reviews:
My favorite of this whole series so far!.......2003-12-23
I absolutely loved this book! James is so ..what word can I use? "Va Va Voom" comes to mind! Well, that is three words, but, who is counting?! He is so gentle and loving towards Riona. He even kept a journal of his feelings! What a completely wonderful hero. Riona and he were so tortured by their feelings. I felt as though I was there going through it and the end made me just smile a huge smile! It made me sigh one of those long, heartfelt sighs. I would have liked to hear a little more about Lietis and Ian, a follow up, but, other than that this book is excellent! Everything that I look for in a novel!
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE.......2003-08-03
Could James be any more perfect? I fell in love with him just looking at his character in the picture on the back cover! He even keeps a journal of his feelings...what more can a woman want?
Although I would have liked Riona to be a little less dutiful, when the time came, the woman came through and gave it up for James...in a field...and bugs or itchy grass never entered my mind while reading that!
"Irresistible" must be Gaelic for "James."
Not as Good as Books One & Two.......2002-12-19
Having been sent to Edinburgh to be presented to society in hopes of finding a husband the very wealthy heiress Riona McKinsey has been maneuvered into a most compromising position by a calculating fortune hunter. Using Riona's love for her family as a weapon to threaten scandal and ruin upon her she grudgingly agrees to a betrothal and marriage with the odious greedy suitor.
Her mother, Susanna, had sent a plea to her friend Fergus MacRae to see if he could help her figure a way out of the mess Riona had fallen into. Fergus couldn't come but sent his nephew James MacRae as his emissary. Once Susanna, saw James she concocted a scheme to have him spend time at her estate half hoping that an attraction would happen between Riona and James. Naturally, as they try to ignore the attraction - James being honorable realizing that she was betrothed and Riona having committed herself to a betrothal and trying to honor her agreement to save her family from scandal, the inevitable happens and they fall in love.
I have to say that I've read all of Karen Ranney's novels to date and have been most satisfied up until now. Her prose of course, is outstanding and you get all warm and fuzzy as these two fall in love - James being the more poetically sensitive of the MacRae brothers, but the plot really does not make sense. Once the mother had agreed to her daughters sacrifice betrothal what on earth did she hope to accomplish by maneuvering her daughter and James into a lustful encounter? But more importantly, knowing what a toad her betrothed was for manipulating her into a compromising position, and Riona being portrayed as an independent and resourceful daughter - what difference did it make which scandal would be worse - the Riona breaking off a forced betrothal with a man she despised - or running off to Gretna Green with a man who was her love and kindred spirit? Never mind that Riona was supposedly doing it all for her sweet sister so that the sister could marry the man she was in love with. Why didn't the sister see how miserable Riona was being forced into marrying someone she did not love? The secondary plot of someone trying to kill James was not of primary importance to the plot and was dealt with rather haphazardly and used, I believe, as a vehicle solely to put James and Riona in a compromising position.
I am sorry to say that the third book of Highland Lords series just did not live up to my expectations of a Karen Ranney novel especially after having read everything else she has written plus the first two books of the series that had much more excitement and sensuality to them. She did manage to pull off the ending so I did not rate this so much by the weakness of the plot as I did by her exquisite prose - Rating a 3 would have been too low but with no 1/2 points in this rating system I am giving it a 4*.
Not as Good as Books One & Two.......2002-12-19
Having been sent to Edinburgh to be presented to society in hopes of finding a husband the very wealthy heiress Riona McKinsey has been maneuvered into a most compromising position by a calculating fortune hunter. Using Riona's love for her family as a weapon to threaten scandal and ruin upon her she grudgingly agrees to a betrothal and marriage with the odious greedy suitor.
Her mother, Susanna, had sent a plea to her friend Fergus MacRae to see if he could help her figure a way out of the mess Riona had fallen into. Fergus couldn't come but sent his nephew James MacRae as his emissary. Once Susanna, saw James she concocted a scheme to have him spend time at her estate half hoping that an attraction would happen between Riona and James. Naturally, as they try to ignore the attraction - James being honorable realizing that she was betrothed and Riona having committed herself to a betrothal and trying to honor her agreement to save her family from scandal, the inevitable happens and they fall in love.
I have to say that I've read all of Karen Ranney's novels to date and have been most satisfied up until now. Her prose of course, is outstanding and you get all warm and fuzzy as these two fall in love - James being the more poetically sensitive of the MacRae brothers, but the plot really does not make sense. Once the mother had agreed to her daughters sacrifice betrothal what on earth did she hope to accomplish by maneuvering her daughter and James into a lustful encounter? But more importantly, knowing what a toad her betrothed was for manipulating her into a compromising position, and Riona being portrayed as an independent and resourceful daughter - what difference did it make which scandal would be worse - the Riona breaking off a forced betrothal with a man she despised - or running off to Gretna Green with a man who was her love and kindred spirit? Never mind that Riona was supposedly doing it all for her sweet sister so that the sister could marry the man she was in love with. Why didn't the sister see how miserable Riona was being forced into marrying someone she did not love? The secondary plot of someone trying to kill James was not of primary importance to the plot and was dealt with rather haphazardly and used, I believe, as a vehicle solely to put James and Riona in a compromising position.
I am sorry to say that the third book of Highland Lords series just did not live up to my expectations of a Karen Ranney novel especially after having read everything else she has written plus the first two books of the series that had much more excitement and sensuality to them. She did manage to pull off the ending so I did not rate this so much by the weakness of the plot as I did by her exquisite prose - Rating a 3 would have been too low but with no 1/2 points in this rating system I am giving it a 4*.
Nice, romantic & fun to read!.......2002-12-17
James is so good-looking that he is irresistible to others, but he hardly notices the other women except for Riona. She is engaged to another when they fall in love, so there is an element of sorrow throughout the book -- but that is Karen Ranney for you! I have read nearly every one of her books -- she is very good and this book was just as hard to put down as her others. There are 2 delightful sideline romances in it, too. I look forward to the other 2 installments in this series.
Book Description
One of Jack Vances enduring classics is his 1964 novel, The Dying Earth, and its sequelsa fascinating tale set on a far-future Earth, under a giant red sun that is soon to go out forever. This volume comprises all four books in the series, The Dying Earth, The Eyes of the Overworld, Cugels Saga and Rialto the Magnificent.
Customer Reviews:
From a weak beginning to supreme mastery.......2007-09-15
The first piece of this book is early Vance from 1950. The legendary Dying Earth. In reality, it's clearly the weakest of the lot, and it would be good for Vance's reputation if more people began to see beyond their nostalgia and acknowledge the fact. All real artists develop, and Vance is a real one and a big one. Only easy things come to even talented people early in their life, and, sadly for new writers, the modern publishing world isn't the place to grow. Marketing people of course try to hide this harsh reality. Fortunately for all true readers, Vance grew up in a different world. He would only have been exploited in today's.
The next piece from 1966 is better, and shows Vance as a work in solid progress. However, it's not until the stuff from the late 70s and early 80s that this collection shows Vance at his peak.
You hear many people these days saying that Vance's main worth is to be found in his influence on subsequent writers. This is absurd, and betrays a certain lack of sensitivity to what Vance is trying to do in his fiction. More people need to start reading him more carefully, especially his dialogues. They are often odd because they are often meant to be odd, as well as amusing in some way, often in a wry sort of way. Once you begin to appreciate Vance's style, you'll never be able to rank him below any writer. Vance is the favorite writer of people like G.R.R. Martin for a reason. And please, don't think that this is the only Vance you'll need to read. His ouvre is rich and varied, and the worst mistake you can make is to avoid the rest of it in the belief that he is a one trick pony. All of Vance's work from the 70s and later should be read and read again by every lover of good fiction.
Overhyped Hodgpodge.......2007-01-29
I looked forward to a bunch of great stories about the future of earth and how mankind was dealing with it. Instead this was three or four books obviously done at different times that were were slapped together to form a somwhat continuous story for the most part. I liked the first couple of stories and then the repetitiveness of Cugel wore me out. Unrepentent, scurrilous Cugel was funny for the first 30 pages but after what seemed like 1000 pages I wanted to bump him off myself.
Please beware of the other reviews. Unless you want a semi humorous fantasy novel telling a bunch of semi linked stories about a dying earth with lots of magic then stay the heck away from this.
Sheer Brilliance.......2007-01-26
In both conception and execution, a work of genius. It is compulsory reading for all lovers of fantasy fiction. Jack Vance's writing is uniformly brilliant and it is a mystery why it hasn't been awarded the accolades it richly deserves. Do yourself a big favor and get this book and hole up with it. I know you'll treasure the experience.
Inspiring Wizard of Words.......2006-06-19
In the ancient Earth's Last Days, even the collected remnants of mankind's Forgotten Lore will make a man into a Magician King. My all time favorite fictional work. The chapter entitled Mazirian the Magician was actually my introduction to Master Vance, found in an ancient fantasy anthology. When I finally (desparately) got my hands on The Dying Earth it changed my life and my work forever. A truly awesome read.
Exaltation & Debasement, Hilarity & Wickedness.......2006-02-08
I'll try to be short, but I cannot resist this opportunity to bang the gong for one of our greatest American authors, the immortal JACK VANCE (b. 1917), and what will likely be his most enduring work, "The Dying Earth."
Folks, it's all here--drama, heroics, adventure, atmosphere, a keen understanding of human nature, all liberally garnished with one of the dryest senses of humor ever. I first encountered the lead-off short story of the opening collection "The Dying Earth" back in 1969 in a paperback short story collection, and it grabbed me by the throat even at age 12. I found a used paperback of "Dying Earth" just a few years later and discovered to my continuing delight that the promise of that anthologized tale, "Mazirian the Magician" was more than born out by the rest of the book.
Other critics have classified Vance as science fiction's "premier stylist" and I tend to agree. Characters in the end-of-time world Vance creates here speak in almost Shakesperian dialogue, with outlandish flourishes of verbosity. I can certainly understand if more literal minded readers are put off by what appears to be a pretentious or effete manner of writing. BUT if you can get on Jack's wavelength--and it isn't difficult--you are in for one of the most unique and imaginative collection of page-turners ever written.
I'll leave to new readers the pleasure of discovering for themselves Mazirian, T'sais & T'sain, Liane the Wayfarer, Chun the Unavoidable, and of course Cugel the Clever--not to ignore the redoubtable Rhialto the Marvellous. Fictional characters definitely, but also vehicles for Vance to express his sharply perceptive take on the human condition in all its extremes of exaltation and debasement, hilarity and wickedness. These stories represent Vance across his career as a professional author (the first of the "Dying Earth" tales were written while he was still a merchant seaman in the 1940's) through 1983, when "Rhialto" was published. Throughout, the quality and consistency of his writing is FORMIDABLE. His unique voice and style were apparent from the beginning, and if anything, as he matured, he tended more toward the sardonic humor that REALLY ran riot by the time "Rhialto" was published.
I envy you new readers the opportunity to laugh out loud for the first time at Vance's over-the-top characterizations and allegories; you like me will surely be dazzled by the threads of plot drawing all the early cast of characters together throughout "The Dying Earth" to make a complete (and intensely satisfying) story cycle. Really, the riches available here between two covers can be rediscovered for the rest of your life. For those of us who waited years between "Dying Earth" collections, you newcomers are on the shores of paradise; despite the crummy, knock off cover and shabby typos this omnibus collection is blighted with, the quality of the work outshines any such drawbacks.
-And don't stop there--Vance collections "The Demon Princes," "Lyonesse Trilogy" and "Planet of Adventure" are no less beguiling in their own uniquely Vancian way. However, for me, nothing can surpass "Dying Earth" for that thrill of discovery and the lingering golden-hour whisper of an exotic life of tingling weirdness awaiting man's last days on an indescribably ancient Earth where the sun spasms and casts long, ruddy shadows into eternity...
Average customer rating:
|
Morreion: A tale of the dying earth
Jack Vance
Manufacturer: Underwood-Miller
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Vance, Jack
| ( V )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 093443820X |
Book Description
Daily reflections on Saints, Prophets, and witnesses for our time.
Customer Reviews:
Let The Buyer Understand . . . .......2007-05-14
. . . what this book is, and more importantly, what this book is not.
The book IS a collection of brief biographies of inspirational and prophetic persons throughout the ages, presented in a "saint of the day" format. (As another reviewer has pointed out, many of the persons presented are done so on their "official" feast day.)
The book is NOT an exclusive collection of Catholic (or Orthodox or Anglican) saints; nor is it limited even to Christians. The buyer needs to be aware of this fact prior to purchase, as this will undoubtedly turn off some potential readers -- and, most likely, pique the interest of others. If a buyer is looking for a "Lives of the Saints" in the strict, ecclesial sense of the word, this is not what you are looking for.
Some readers may also be put off by the rather obvious left-wing bias of the author evident both in some of the individuals chosen for mention -- and, frankly, in a certain amount of historical revisionism. (I read the entry for "Heloise" today, and as a professional historian, absolutely cringed.)
This is not to say, however, that the book is without value. Indeed, it is an eye-opening read, especially for those unfamiliar with some of the great spiritual and philosophical minds outside the realm of Christianity. There's a great deal of brilliance out there!
Just know what you're purchasing.
Wonderful compendium.......2007-03-08
I have taken to reading the life described for each day of the year as my inspiration morning reading. A wonderfully inclusive broadly based choice of prophets and witnesses for our time, not forgetting those formally canonized, who qualify as speaking to us now.
A wonderful daily resource for hope.......2006-08-02
This is one of our favorite books. We pray from it daily. It has been a wonderful resource. I was asked to give a morning retreat based on hope. I used this book as the basis for the prayer. Our hope resides in one another as we seek God in our daily lives. The saints,the prophets and witnesses in Ellsberg's book are living examples of this simple truth.
Saint Carlos....November 4th.......2006-04-12
I beautiful book..! I could not find Saint Carlos, though, traditionally on November the 4th.
The best Saints Lives I Have Ever Encountered.......2006-02-26
I have been using Mr. Ellsberg's book for several years in my weekday sermons. It is light years away from the old standard Lives of the Saints. The biographies are insightful, well-researched and by far the best that is out there right now. I have given it as a gift to many friends.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Other Side, published by The Other Side on November 1, 1999. The length of the article is 5723 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Books and Music.(Review) (book review) (book reviews)
Publication:
The Other Side (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 1999
Publisher: The Other Side
Volume: 35
Issue: 6
Page: 25
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
Daily Devotionals.(Review) (book review): An article from: The Other Side
Manufacturer: The Other Side
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Mariology
| Catholicism
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
General
| Nonfiction
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: B0008HI0SE
Release Date: 2005-06-01 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Other Side, published by The Other Side on November 1, 2000. The length of the article is 2690 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Daily Devotionals.(Review) (book review)
Publication:
The Other Side (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2000
Publisher: The Other Side
Volume: 36
Issue: 6
Page: 27
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
It’s the best cookbook on the subject, and it sells for a price that’s simply unbeatable. These are gourmet recipes made simple—that’s their magic. Avner Laskin trained at the renowned Cordon Bleu school in Paris, but he knows that most home bakers haven’t, so he takes the intimidation out of the baking process with wonderfully easy-to-follow guidelines. With his help, making such delicacies as French-Style Brioche and Peach “Tarletette” Rolls become real possibilities for almost anyone. Laskin discusses the raw materials (wheat, cereals, and flours); goes through all the techniques, from kneading to shaping; and covers fermented, sponge, and sour doughs. Bake up Heavenly Apple-Cinnamon Bread, Amaretto Almond Rolls, Russian Chocolate Crunch Cake, plus a selection of superb sandwich, everyday, and festive breads.
Customer Reviews:
Not for beginners.......2006-03-03
I am disappointed in this book. If you have never made bread, there are no descriptions to tell you what your dough should look and feel like. If you've been making bread for a while, you'll wonder why the author doesn't provide weights for ingredients. While this book is aimed for the home kitchen, Mr. Laskin recommends that you use at least an 800 watt mixer for his recipes. If you don't have one, don't buy the book. I used my Kitchen Aid Pro (575 watts) and burned the motor out following recipe directions.
Book Description
"Childhood Treasures" by Caroline Zoob is packed with ideas for gifts to make for children of all ages - exquisite handcrafted items that they will treasure forever. There are suggestions for decorating a nursery, marking the arrival of a new baby with a stitched sampler and creating simple stuffed toys. You needn't be an expert with the needle - many of the ideas involve customizing bought treasures with the simplest techniques. At the heart of the book are ten step-by-step projects, from an appliqued cot quilt to an adorable stuffed rabbit. *A treasure trove of enchanting gifts and keepsakes, with captivating photography by Caroline Arber - now available in paperback.
Customer Reviews:
A great guide!.......2004-08-06
The book reviews a wide range of digital illustration issues in a very graphical and clear way. Its illustrations are beautiful and its very well designed. Unfortunately its huge amount of themes makes it a little bit superficial. A great guide or reference book, not recommended for total beginners. Due to its techical information, the book will become practically useless very soon.
Average customer rating:
- Not Merely A Genius Of Jazz...But Rather A Musical Genius!!!
- Top Ellington biography of the 3 I've read so far
- Better late than never
- excellently researched book
- A compeling portrait of one of America's greatest composers
|
Beyond Category: The Life and Genius of Duke Ellington
John Edward Hasse
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Composers & Musicians
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Jazz
| Composers & Musicians
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
African-American & Black
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Blues
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Jazz
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Theory, Composition & Performance
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
| Appreciation
| Composition
| Conducting
| Exercises
| Instruction & Study
| MIDI, Mixers, etc.
| Sheet Music & Scores
| Songbooks
| Songwriting
| Techniques
| Theory
| Vocal
Similar Items:
-
The Duke Ellington Reader
-
Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn
-
Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie
-
Wisdom Of The Ego: Sources of Resilience in Adult Life
-
The World of Duke Ellington
ASIN: 0306806142 |
Amazon.com
One of the 20th century's greatest composers, Duke Ellington (1899-1974) led a fascinating life. The first biography to draw on the vast Duke Ellington archives at the Smithsonian Institution, this book recounts the entirety of his remarkable career: his childhood in Washington, D.C. and musical apprenticeship in Harlem; his long engagement at the glamorous, gangster-owned Cotton Club; the challenging years during the Depression; his tours to Europe and into America's deep South, where he helped lower racial barriers; the postwar years when television and bebop threatened to eclipse the big bands; Ellington's own triumphant comeback at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival; his collaborations with Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane, among others; and of course, the music itself, five decades of hits and masterpieces that constantly broke new ground.
John Edward Hasse serves as Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution, curator of its traveling exhibition Beyond Category, and producer and annotator of the boxed set of recordings by the same name.
Book Description
One of the twentieth century's greatest composers, Duke Ellington (1899-1974) led a fascinating life. Beyond Category, the first biography to draw on the vast Duke Ellington archives at the Smithsonian Institution, recounts his remarkable career: his childhood in Washington, D.C., and his musical apprenticeship in Harlem; his long engagement at the Cotton Club; the challenging years of the depression; his tours to Europe and into America's deep South, where he helped lower racial barriers; the postwar years when television and bebop threatened to eclipse the big bands; Ellington's own triumphant comeback at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival; his collaborations with Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges, and Ella Fitzgerald; as well as five decades of hits and masterpieces that constantly broke new ground. The art of Duke Ellington was a musical expression of the African-American experience, in all its pain, pride, and glory. He composed his music as he composed his life-with flair, passion, and individuality-and no book reveals the man and his artistic evolution more brilliantly than Beyond Category.
Customer Reviews:
Not Merely A Genius Of Jazz...But Rather A Musical Genius!!!.......2005-06-02
His music has resonated all around us for nearly a century. We almost unconsciously react to the melodic rhythms of his brilliant compositions as we watch television or listen to the radio. Often the arrangements are backdrops to our daily lives...soothing our mood or stimulating us to tap our feet or simply sway to its almost spiritual cadences. Such is the music of the Great Duke Ellington. In "Beyond Category" we find an outstanding biography of arguably the greatest composer the world has ever known. From his early days as an aspiring composer/bandleader in Washington, D.C.; through his New York days at the Cotton Club; and onto his unprecedented tours of Europe, Africa and the Far East, this book takes you on a delightful journey into the creative mindset and personality genius of Ellington. Unlike many writings of this nature, Hasse manages to avoid sentimental veneration in conveying many of Ellington's talents in regards to people, business dealings, and his relationship with women. The book is a well-written, enjoyable composition that draws the reader into Ellington's world. Additionally, the author grants appropriate respect to the musicians, artists and businessmen who aided Ellington throughout his career, thus balancing the text superbly. I highly recommend "Beyond Category", not only for the Ellington fan or even a Jazz fan, but for anyone interested in the life and times of a musical genius and an icon of American history.
Top Ellington biography of the 3 I've read so far.......2004-05-29
Beyond Category is the best introduction to Duke Ellington's life and music. It was created to coincide with a Smithsonian exhibit and it offers a quality professional biography of Ellington's life and times. The author considers Ellington's life a series of problems to solve for his mind. Some of these problems are how to learn piano, how to start a band, how to compose with a partner, how to react to the recording band, how to deal with the loss of key soloists, how to compose larger works and ends up hitting many of the high points of Ellington's life and works.
Most of the new research at the time came from Mercer Ellington's enormous donation of his warehouse of materials for the Duke Ellington collectionl. Yet as a book intended for a popular audience, the musical content of this trove was not really fully dealt with. Mercer's collection comes through in the fabulous photographs that are interspersed throughout the book. It may have been better to have all the photographs grouped in several sections as not everyone will have time to read the entire book I suppose.
One very helpful aspect to the book was that at the end of each chapter there was a guide to key recordings of Ellington's life. This type of material is very helpful to those new to Ellington's life.
I found the prose to be clear and adequate although not as lively as some of the other excellent jazz biographies I've read such as Chambers' Milestones.
This book gets a 4.5 star rating for anyone new to Ellington. It's accessible, readable, and gives you several ideas to approach the true gold mine of Ellington's music.
For jazz researchers and scholars, there's still room for a knockout biography of Ellington that adds the information from the Smithsonian collection to wide ranging interviews and even better prose. Researchers will want to read this, but I'm not sure how much of this material is groundbreaking.
4.5 stars for neophytes
3.5 stars for Ellington scholars
4 stars overall
Better late than never.......2003-11-08
No sentimentality here. Just warm, rich story telling of a great man. I'm actually embarrassed to say that after lifetime of jazz I just dicovered The Duke. This is a very well written and balanced portrayal of a man,his music and his times. If there's more to say I don't want to read it; it's time to listen.
excellently researched book.......2000-04-12
As an old time lover of Jazz, but rather new to really examining the lives behind its great musicians, and particularly Duke Ellington, I started out with "Duke Ellington: A Spiritual Biography" by Janna Tull Steed (great book (and just 192 pages) for anyone new to the Duke & jazz). It was Steed's book that really built the interest to explore Ellington in more depth and, Hasse's book is just what I was looking for. It is a hefty book but it is absolutely and completely accessible, just what is required to approach this great man of Jazz.
A compeling portrait of one of America's greatest composers.......1999-04-08
This is a thoroughly enjoyable story of the life and times of one of America's greatest and most prolific composer/musicians. It characterises the "Duke" as a caring, people loving person with close family ties, and a quest for excellence against all odds. The Forward by Wynton Marsalis is clear and insightful. The author has accomplished an easy to follow sequence of events enhanced by photos and drawings. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the genre.
Average customer rating:
|
Beyond Category: The Life & Genius of Duke Ellington
John Edward Hasse
Manufacturer: Omnibus Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Entertainers
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
African-American & Black
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Blues
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Jazz
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0711942757 |
Books:
- Music Through the Floor: Stories
- Myths for the Modern Age: Philip Jose Farmer's Wold Newton Universe
- Night of Many Dreams: A Novel
- Night of the Jaguar: A Novel
- No Great Mischief: A Novel
- Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less
- Novia Oscura, La
- Out of the Mist
- Portrait in Sepia: A Novel (P.S.)
- Queen of the Darkness: The Black Jewels Trilogy 3 (Archive)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society
- Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills
- Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement: Vegetable Crops, Volume 3
- Environmental Engineering
- History: Fiction or Science
- Introduction to Law and the Legal System
- Nose to Nose: A Memoir of Healing
- Architecture of the Night: The Illuminated Building
- From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship
- Irish Crystal: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel
You Are Here
The Atlas of Experience
Wordless Diagrams
Else/Where: Mapping New Cartographies of Networks and Territories
The Story Behind the Story: 26 Stories by Contemporary Writers and How They Work
