The Last Thing He Wanted

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What to Make of It, I Don't Know

For Didion fans only

The Mannerisms Have Taken Over

Disappointed

The Last Thing He Wanted

The Last Thing He Wanted
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Didion, Joan | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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A Book of Common Prayer

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Democracy

After Henry

Where I Was From

ASIN: 0679752854
Release Date: 1997-09-02

Amazon.com

Elena McMahon is a reporter for the Washington Post and the unlikely inheritor of her father's complex and secretive life as an arms dealer for the U.S. Government in Central America. The year is 1984, and as she flies to an unnamed island off the coast of Costa Rica, she is oblivious to the spies, American military personnel, and the consequences of her father's errors that await her. She's also unprepared for the advances of Treat Morrison, an American diplomat whose service under six administrations has made him a "crisis junkie." Treat narrates this story, offering a unique perspective on Elena, a woman who abandons one life for another.

Book Description

In her first novel in twelve years, the legendary author of Play It As It Lays and Slouching Toward Bethlehem trains her eye on the far frontiers of the Monroe Doctrine, where history dissolves into conspiracy (Dallas in 1963, Iran Contra in 1984), and fashions a moral thriller as hypnotic and provacative as any by Joseph Conrad or Graham Greene.

In that latter year Elena McMahon walks off the presidential campaign she has been covering for a major newspaper to do a favor for her father. Elena's father does deals. And it is while acting as his agent in one such deal—a deal that shortly goes spectacularly wrong—that she finds herself on an island where tourism has been superseded by arms dealing, covert action, and assassination. The Last Thing He Wanted is a tour de force—persuasive in its detail, dazzling in its ambiguities, enchanting in its style.

Customer Reviews:

What to Make of It, I Don't Know.......2007-01-27

I have read several of Didion's non-fiction essay collections and this was the second of the writer's novels for me, after "Play It As It Lays." Reading "The Last Thing" made me feel stupid, and thus I was relieved to see that it averaged only three stars and that I was not the only one who found the prose somewhat irritating and the non-linear narrative quite confusing (for me, this was compounded by the fact that after putting it down I was generally not in a hurry to pick it up again). While I cared about the heroine, Elena, I gave up caring when it was revealed that so-and-so was really someone else, chiefly because these revelations were usually delivered much after the fact and in a way that seemed airless. Similar to "Play It As It Lays" (which is told in a generally linear fashion), Didion is masterful at instilling a sense of profound dread in the reader as the main character's world unravels and foreshadows her ultimate fate. However, Didion's usual bag of tricks, such as beginning a series of sentences with the same clause, repeating a quote/thought almost obsessively ("We used to have a real life and just because I'm your daughter I'm supposed to like it and I don't"), and cryptic sentences didn't seem to work here. One wants her to just get to the point. If you have never read Didion fiction I would recommend you start with the classic "Play It As It Lays." If you read "Last Thing" first you may never read another Didion anything, and that would be a damn shame.

For Didion fans only.......2006-12-05

Perhaps Didion has done as much as she can with her distinctive prose style, maybe she has gotten a little bored with it, and should have attempted something different. The protagonist is very familiar, as is her "almost" lover, and the narrator. The result is a book I can only recommend for those who have loved her previous novels - I fit in that category. It helps that the plot is actually pretty good. And whenever I am reluctant to let something go, I will remember Treat Morrison commenting "I mean you could add it up, but where does it get you". As good as anything in "Casablanca".

The Mannerisms Have Taken Over.......2003-11-15

In general I am an admirer of Joan Didion's work, especially the essay collections Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The White Album (and more recently her memoirs Where I Was From and The Year of Magical Thinking). In these, she observes with a clear eye and her writing is exactly to the point. Her novels are consistently rather less convincing: Her fiction always seems to willfully highlight writing style at the expense of everything else, e.g., narrative and character delineation.

This is partly understandable because of Ms. Didion's skepticism towards the very idea of narrative as imposed ("We tell ourselves stories in order to live") -- as unreliable (the penultimate words of A Book of Common Prayer are: "I am told, and so she said. I heard later. According to her passport. It was reported. Apparently.") -- and as ultimately arbitrary (what the story is depends entirely upon who's telling it). In her late essay "Pacific Distances" (in the collection titled After Henry) she announced that she has come to view narrative as "sentimental."

Yet (for reasons unclear to this reader) she has continued to write novels. And each successive work has increasingly relied upon sheer or mere prose style to sustain its interest.

In The Last Thing He Wanted, the prose mannerisms have taken over entirely. Simple sentences and fragments, arranged like decorative lacework, endlessly try to take the place of a simple story thread: "Somebody had her lined up, somebody had her jacked in the headlights. Had her in the scope. Had her in the crosshairs." Or this: "A,B,C. One two three. Night follows day. Not rocket science." And so forth.

And Ms. Didion's own insistent skepticism, irony, emotional distance, and lack of affect eat away at any sense of her characters as living, breathing people. "Elena McMahon" and "Treat Morrison" here are uninvolving, cardboard figures, even more bloodless and washed-out than "Inez Victor" and "Jack Lovett," their predecessors in Ms. Didion's novel Democracy.

As a novel, The Last Thing He Wanted is a sunken ship, embedded on the ocean floor and encrusted with barnacles. The ship doesn't float, let alone sail anywhere. You can explore it like an artifact, if you wish, but there is zero narrative drive, no sense of "What happens next?" as one turns the pages. My eyes glazed over.

Disappointed.......2003-05-28

This book has a great story to tell, but through the stalling and back-telling the powerfulness of the message is lost. I found that I had to force myself to finish hoping to be swept away by the ending, but was instead left wondering what I had missed. The narrative is confusing and lacks any passion on the subject at hand. However I believe this could be an intriguing movie.

The Last Thing He Wanted.......2003-05-27

This book was absolutely not good! It never made any sense and skipped around that by the time it got back to a certain person, you had already forgotten who they were and why they were significant! I just read a review and they said it was a romeo and juliet book, i had no idea the main character was even in love, much less there was a second main character! If you have nothing to do for days, and time to write down every character and their significance, read this book, otherwise, really don't waste your time!

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The Last Thing He Wanted
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: New York: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IWJQRI

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The Last Thing He Wanted
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OR7TGC

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Last Thing He Wanted, The
Beautiful 2 page coloured frontispiece by Rafel Oblinski, Didion is Poet Laureate of California Joan Didion SIGNED
Manufacturer: Franklin Library First Edition Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000JD2TL6

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"UK The Last Thing He Wanted"
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: Flamingo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LWMMBC

Product Description

Didion's first novel after a twelve year break - gripping and haunting tale of family, Central America, and America

Ventanas. (crítica de libros; 3 de julio de 1997)(TT: Windows) (TA: critiques of books; July 3, 1997): An article from: Siempre!

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Ventanas. (crítica de libros; 3 de julio de 1997)(TT: Windows) (TA: critiques of books; July 3, 1997): An article from: Siempre!
Alejandro Pescador
Manufacturer: Edicional Siempre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097QOIQ
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on July 3, 1997. The length of the article is 899 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: Ventanas. (crítica de libros; 3 de julio de 1997)(TT: Windows) (TA: critiques of books; July 3, 1997)
Author: Alejandro Pescador
Publication: Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: July 3, 1997
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: v44 Issue: n2298 Page: p69(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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The Last Thing He Wanted
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: The Franklin Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000T2SHVI

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Last Thing He Wanted
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: RANDOM HOUSE @ TRADE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UC9H2A

The Last Thing He Wanted (Franklin Library Signed First Edition)

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The Last Thing He Wanted (Franklin Library Signed First Edition)

Manufacturer: The Franklin Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000HGYO7M

The Last Thing He Wanted Easel-Backed Author Poster

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The Last Thing He Wanted Easel-Backed Author Poster
Joan Didion
Manufacturer: Vintage Books USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
ASIN: 0676529917

Customer Reviews:

Earlier writing by Stephanie Laurens.......2007-06-30

This title is one of Stephanie Laurens earlier publications and shows many of the aspects of plot development that she has used to greater extent in her later writing.

Recommended for people who are interested in observing the ways writers develop their own style over time.

Laurens is currently engaged in a series of novels concerning the Bastion Club, possibly with occasional digressions to the Cynsters. There are no particular cross references between these series to date.

A good time..........2007-06-13

Being an avid reader, I was very surprised at the reviews posted for the book and "Tangled Reins" particular, and felt I needed to correct a horrible injustice.

I loved the story right from the beginning and I am fairly certain that were Hazelmere an actual person, my husband would have serious cause for concern. (I hung around the blackberry bush for days just to make certain, but I digress...)

If you are just looking for passionate sex, roll over and tap the husband...if you are looking for a interesting read, a bit of wit, and a touch of romance this is an excellent book. You could say it has a somewhat predictable ending, but as a romance, don't they all?

a disappointment - sad to say .......2006-03-14

This paperback was 2 books on one - honestly - I didn't even attempt the second story. I read the first story - praying for the end and threw the book away when I completed it. You couldn't pay me to start the second story.

In all mmy life have NEVER thrown a book out or not completed a novel... well I guess there is always a first time and this snoozer was it.

IT WENT NO WHERE - it was slow and a snore..... simply out it was boring. I am so very disappointed.

I have read Stephanie Laurens for years enjoying most of her work - but not this one - I wish I could get a refund.

A real romance.......2003-10-21

I love Stephanie Laurens books. This was a flook, I never knew it was 2 books in one. What I loved most about this book, is its ALL Romance and not almost all sex. I love how Ms. Laurens writes, so detailed... and you just drift right in her books.

This was pure Jane Austen kind of romance. The kind I love the most. The kind that makes your heart float. My kind of romance. I liked both stories. It is slower to read, but that is only because she writes with lush details, that make you enter the book as you read.
I hope Ms Laurens you keep writing like this.

SNOOZER!!.......2003-07-16

I was soooooooo disappointed by this book! I bought it purely for Ms. Laurens' name. I thought it would be a great read on vacation. I was so upset that it wasn't anywhere near the quality of the Bar Cynster books. Thank goodness I bought a Bar Cynster book with me and wound up rereading it on vacation just to entertain myself with a good book. Please Ms. Lauren stick to the Bar Cynster quality books that we have all come to love and romance over!

Book Description

Ray Bradbury is a painter who uses words rather than brushes--for he created lasting visual images that, once observed, are impossible to forget. Sinister mushrooms growing in a dank cellar. A family's first glimpse at Martians. A wonderful white vanilla ice-cream summer suit that changes everyone who wears it. A great artist drawing in the sand on the beach. A clunky contraption made out of household implements to help some kids play a game called Invasion. The most marvelous Christmas display a little boy ever saw. All those images and many more are inside this book, a new trade edition of thirty-one of Bradbury's most arresting tales--timeless short fiction that ranges from the farthest reaches of space to the innermost stirrings of the heart. Ray Bradbury is known worldwide as one of the century's great men of imagination. Here are thirty-one reasons why.Ray Bradbury is a painter who uses words rather than brushes--for he created lasting visual images that, once observed, are impossible to forget. Sinister mushrooms growing in a dank cellar. A familys first glimpse at Martians. A wonderful white vanilla ice-cream summer suit that changes everyone who wears it. A great artist drawing in the sand on the beach. A clunky contraption made out of household implements to help some kids play a game called Invasion. The most marvelous Christmas display a little boy ever saw. All those images and many more are inside this book, a new trade edition of thirty-one of Bradburys most arresting tales--timeless short fiction that ranges from the farthest reaches of space to the innermost stirrings of the heart. Ray Bradbury is known worldwide as one of the centurys great men of imagination. Here are thirty-one reasons why.

Customer Reviews:

Great Collection by a Master Short-Story Writer.......2002-05-18

Ray Bradbury is one of the most distinctive and talented writers that the sci-fi pulps of the 40's and 50's spawned. He's got a really unique voice, and his stories, usually very short and very readable, are certainly a example of sci-fi at its finest. Some really great stories in this collection. However, I guess it's kind of silly to call this a sci-fi collection. There's horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and a lot of plain old good short story in this collection. If you like to read short stories, I highly recommend any of his collections, because they seem consistently good to me.

Intriguing.......2001-04-15

Wow- this book is a creative, intelligent, easy-to-understand treasure! Each story is about 5-25 pages, some are shorter than others. They are not all alike, so you are guaranteed to like at least a few, but it is hard to believe that someone might not like most of them. ray bradbury writes very well and i am sure you will enjoy this book. try it!!

incredible.......2000-03-19

i can't believe no one has reviewed this book. i imagine the reason is that no one has read it! otherwise, this thing would be overflowing with reviews. this collection of short stories is simply incredible. so well done. the title says it all, and every story is just that: a medicine for melancholy. i was lucky to run across a copy.

Amazon.com

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is the pagan omnibus on death, much more than just a history of various cultural rituals and beliefs regarding death. This collection of essays, prayers, and songs is a living document that draws on the resources of today's entire pagan community and fills the void left by ancient sacramental rites lost over the centuries. Designed in such a way as to benefit both the leaders of the pagan community as well as the individual reader, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying encourages preparation under the obvious, but often neglected, understanding that death is seldom expected nor convenient but happens to everyone.

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying discusses all aspects of death, from pagan thealogy (from thea meaning goddess, rather than theo meaning god) to the dying process itself, and it even covers sensitive subjects like helping children cope with death. Congenial essays such as Sharon Jackson's "Crash Course in Being Present with the Dying" and insightful perspectives like Diana Paxson's "Preliminary Thoughts Toward Midwifing Your Own Passage" offer a written spiritual resource for assisting and comforting the dying, and advice on facing one's own passage. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is simultaneously a practical guide, a comforting liturgy, and a new heritage that shows how to appreciate life through a closer relationship with death. --Brian Patterson

Book Description

In response to her own mother's death, Starhawk, the bestselling author of the classic Spiral Dance, along with other Pagan authors, created in inspiring collection of essays, original prayers, blessings, and meditations that present the Pagan way of dying. In the tradition of such bestsellers as How We Die and The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, it offers a new understanding of death and the rituals that surround it, adding insight and depth to spirituality.An inclusive, respectful, and deeply spiritual guidebook for those in the Pagan community and beyond, this powerful resource will help the dying make the transition between life and death, and their loved ones will find spiritual comfort and strength through the grieving process. It shows us that death can be a process of renewal and transformation.

Customer Reviews:

Thoughtful Guidance and Ideas.......2007-04-02

This book was very helpful at a time when I often felt overwhelmed and not sure where to turn. It's an excellent resource not only for the Pagan community, but for all who are involved in pallitive care or who are moving through the death and grief of losing a loved one. Blessed Be.

For the Serious Pagan Clergy!.......2007-03-09

With all we do as Pagan Clergy, we tend to forget we have a responsibility to help in the transition process. This book gives us means and ways of being True Clergy in a tough time for those we work with as well as ourselves.

I highly recommend this book. Tough subject matter? Yes it is. Want to be taken as a serious clergy member as other groups are? Then read this book and do the work. Time to step up to the plate and realize we are also doing the same work as other faiths, no venue required as this book states, just a call to serve!! Any tradition can work with this book after some thought, I urge you to do so.

ByM,
Lord Healer
Clan Head of Black Forest, Jade Spider Clan, NYC Metro Area

Paganism.......2007-01-16

This is a fantastic book. It's very informative and is filled with terrific meditations.

Exceptional look at death, be it you, your friend/family, or just anticipating the future........2006-04-21

I cannot say enough good things about this book!!! The layout of the book is very approachable. The personal stories, rituals, prayers, songs, chants, poems, and meditations are invaluable!

I especially enjoyed the story "Bo's Cremation" by Patricia Michael. The details given of his life and death are so personal and helpful. The instructions (and examples of trial/error) in obtaining a loved one's body, keeping it on dry ice, and setting up your own viewing and cremation ceremony was amazing.

I was also thoroughly drawn to the story "Aric Arthur Graf Dies (or Rickie Goes to Become an Ancestor)" by Donald L. Engstrom. This story was very intimate and striking. The idea of the author going into trance and being able to astrally project himself with his loved one on another plane about to cross over was mesmerizing.

The items about using the Tarot with death related activities was helpful. The last section of the book gives fabulous concrete things you can do do make sure all your "things" are in order for your own death. This should be read and acted upon by all, because you just never know when you may have to go (like one section of the book says--always keep your bags packed).

Being fairly new to the Wiccan religion still, I feel like I have a more concrete understanding in the Pagan beliefs of death and dying. I feel more enlightened about the subject in general as well. I found the section on suicide to help answer a lot of questions I had about that. The book doesn't just make it a cut-and-dried topic either, it talks about the intricies of suicide based on depression, long term health illness, and other topics.

It's been said in other reviews, but I must reiterate--This book belongs in EVERY Pagan home. The sooner the better.

What Is Remembered Lives.......2005-11-20

Sadly, I bought this book upon receiving the news that a friend's teenage daughter had been diagnosed with an incurable fatal illness. As one who came to Paganism by my own choice, I had no reference yet for how Pagans dealt with end of life passage.

It turns out it was that very reason that Starhawk and other members of Reclaiming wrote this book. Very few modern Pagans are raised in their chosen spirituality and often find they have no traditions or practices to guide them when dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This book is not a strict step-by-step ritual guide, but a sharing of experience that includes blessings, prayers and ritual details. The collected writings share how various people have dealt with the situations around long illness as well as sudden losses. There are accounts and suggestions for rituals not only to say farewell or bury the dead, but for how those still alive can honor those who have died and address their own grieving and healing.

I found the stories shared in this book to be incredibly personal and yet at the same time practical. I feel I will have a foundation of knowledge from which to draw when I have to deal with this issues and changes in my own family and circle of friends.

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations on Crossing Over

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The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations on Crossing Over
M. Macha Starhawk; NightMare
Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEZX9A

Average customer rating:

Oh the Irony

Not really a cookbook

A Chef's opinion

Are they kidding?!!!!!

WORST COOKBOOK EVER

Art of Aureole
Charlie Palmer , and Judith Choate
Manufacturer: Ten Speed Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1580084761

Book Description

Charlie Palmer burst onto the culinary scene in the mid-'80s—fresh out of culinary school—and almost immediately earned three stars at the River Café from the New York Times. Growing up on a farm in upstate New York, Palmer was raised on quality produce, dairy, and meats, instilling in him a passion for the best ingredients long before it was fashionable. So with an education in classic European cooking, a commitment to hand-crafted foods, and a designer's eye for creating art on the plate, he was perfectly primed to shed new light on contemporary American cuisine. At age 28, Palmer opened Aureole and was instantly showered with accolades, establishing its stellar reputation on his talent for blending uptown drama with country inn warmth. Now in its fifteenth year of unflagging popularity, the art of Aureole's cuisine has never been more brilliant. With more than 75 signature recipes, each photographed in a bold, artful composition inspired by the character of the dish, this collection captures the enduring qualities that have made Aureole a Manhattan classic.

Customer Reviews:

Oh the Irony.......2006-08-23

I didn't listen to other reviewers who panned this booked before I bought it. I've eaten at Aureole in New York and was wowed by its commitment to excellence. Surely the cookbook maintains those standards. Sadly it does not.
First, every page of the book is white on black. Images of the dishes (if that's what they are since they are nearly impossible to make out) are in negative. Completely unappetizing. The text of the recipes is at 45 degree angles on the page and not easy to read or follow.
Was this an experiment that failed horribly? I think so. The most ironic is the word "art" in the title which is not what you find inside the book.

Not really a cookbook.......2005-02-09

I will agree with the other reviewers that this is not, by any means, a great cookbook. Really, I've seen this as a 'coffee table cookbook' since the day I first saw it. I think the layout of this book is absolutely gorgeous and it's well worth just flipping through to see the wide array of beautiful food inside. While I doubt I'd ever try the recipies in it, I do think one could glean lots of fun tidbits of information to try in one's own way.

A Chef's opinion.......2004-08-06

This cookbook, in my opinion is a great book for any chef or aspiring chefs out their. This is a great inspirational book for plate presentations due to the buitiful full colored pictures throughout the book. Also some great ideas such as "Pan-Roasted Sea Scallops and Truffle-Braised Pork Cheeks with WatercressCoulis." The only thing I will agree on with the other reviews is that the format of the writing is on a angle so it makes it a little harder to read, but yet still easy to follow. Some people forgot that their is a art to culinary and this book shows that perfectly. In my words i would have to simply say "Inovative."

Are they kidding?!!!!!.......2004-06-11

This is possibly, no I take that back, this is the worst cookbook I have ever seen. I couldn't tell you if the recipes worked, because the type is so difficult to read, never mind the fact that it runs in different directions, that i couldn't and wouldn't begin to try and cook from it. Too frustrating and insulting. I realize that some people purchase chefs' cookbooks for the art, and never really intend to cook from them. Even for these people, this book would be a waste of money. I was stunned when I opened it up. I actually thought it was a gag. Whoever thought the design up should be fired. I'm not even certain that I would take this book if someone gave it to me. I've got limited shelf space, considering my weakness for cookbooks, and there are many, many, many, other books that deserve that valuable space because they take their audience seriously, and know the difference between real art and creativity and a sad attempt to grab attention in a crowded market. If I could give it a negative number of stars I would. The one star I did give is for spelling the chef's name properly ( and right side up) on the cover!

What a shame for Charlie Palmer!

WORST COOKBOOK EVER.......2004-01-23

This is the worst cookbook I've ever seen. Don't be fooled into thinking it's an inspiring art book, either. Not only would it be useless in the kitchen, it would never end up on my coffee table, either. This is bad art, too.

The photos are totally unappetizing. The design is lame. It's like a display of how horrific you can make food look. It's disgusting. I'm surprised at Charlie Palmer and Ten Speed Press. His other books and his cooking are awesome.

Even if these recipes are fabulous, I'll never know it because the book is not useable -- with stark type going in many different directions on each page -- it's impossible to cook from it.

Design professors! You can use this book as an example of how function should never follow form. Or in this case, how function can actually cease to exist because of irresponsible use of design.

Average customer rating:
Estoy bien con Cenas y con Lpez Obrador: Silvano Aureoles/senador perredista.(elecciones en Michoac(Entrevista): An article from: Siempre!
Nora Rodrez Aceves
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000NA7AH8
Release Date: 2007-02-07

Average customer rating:

Brand New Beautiful Scottie Dog Collectibles Reference

Guide to Scottie Dog Collectables, Volume 1

A wonderful book!

One fantastic book

A Treasury of Scottie Dog Collectibles: Identification & Values (Treasury of Scottie Dog Collectibles)
Candace Sten Davis , and Patricia Baugh
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Book Description

The authors of our popular 'A Treasury of Scottie Dog Collectibles' have put together a second volume on these terrific terrier collectibles with no repeats from Book 1. Collectors can dig up almost 800 full-color photographs of hundreds of Scottie items in this book, set up in the same chapter format as the first volume for easy reference. Each section is arranged according to material used to create the item. A discussion on the care and feeding of Scottie collectibles and displaying your collection is included, as well as a listing of Scottie merchandisers and publications. 2000 values. AUTHORBIO: Candace Davis owns and operates several small businesses, including Scottie Treasures, Nana's Cottage, Fancywork, and Angus Stitches. Besides collecting Scottie dog items, she collects Russian lacquer boxes, chocolate molds, needlework samplers, and books. AUTHORBIO: A musician and teacher by trade, Patricia Baugh's passion is collecting. Not only does she collect Scottie dog collectibles, but her house is filled with flamingos, Depression glass, Blue Willow china, vintage music books, cairn terrier collectibles, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer books. REVIEW: This 656-page book is arranged alphabetically by manufacturers. It is chock-full of useful information for collectors. Each manufacturer's section includes history, location and dates of production, date code information, examples of backstamps, and other production information as well as color photos of dinnerware and examples of product brochures, advertisements, and catalog pages.

Customer Reviews:

Brand New Beautiful Scottie Dog Collectibles Reference.......2001-11-01

Brand new, year 2001, 192 page volume is the 3rd in the series. It features 192 pages with every page loaded with large, sharp, full color photos. There's a nice introduction to the topic. A variety of Scottie collectibles are covered ranging from banks, bookends, doorstops, planters, statues, calendars and advertisements, to greeting cards, movies, and more. If you love Scotties, you'll really enjoy this book. Add it to your library.

Guide to Scottie Dog Collectables, Volume 1.......2000-06-01

This is a guide to the many items produced with the Scottie Dog (Scottish Terrier)image. The Scottie's heyday was in the 1930's when the registration with the AKC was at it's highest. Also in this same era, U.S. President, Franklin Roosevelt had a Scottish Terrier named Fala, who was world famous. Therefore a large amount of items were produced with the likeness of the Scottie in the past, and of course in the present as well. This book has a sampling of those items in various categories such as banks, bookends, paper products, figurines, smoking sets, tins, kitchen, etc. In fact almost anything you can think of, has at one time, probably been produced with a Scottie on it! This book also gives a dollar value to each item, usually in a range. The text is accompanied by good color photgraphs of the representative items. At the end of the book is a listing of books with Scotties, films with Scotties. The cover is an attractive plaid with photographs of various Scottie items. There has long been a large cult of Scottie collectors, finally there is a guide! One drawback however, is the noticeable increase in price for Scottie items since this book was published as more antique dealers now realize they can command higher prices for these items. Readers should also be advised that there is now a volume 2 in this series.

A wonderful book!.......1999-09-01

This book contains beautiful pictures of various Scottie Dog collectibles, some with manufacturers listed and all with values. I can not say enough wonderful things about this book. Anybody who is into dog collectibles must have this book. Anxiously awaiting the next edition! The only change I would suggest in future editions is to give more educational information about the manufacturers. Order this book, you will not be disappointed!

One fantastic book.......1997-10-25

If you are a scottie lover then this is the book for you! Even though this book isn't published yet I know the care and thought that went into this book. The author is a wonderful person to know and a true lover of scotties. This is a most have book for scottie collectors. It would be money well spent on your part.

Book Description

Richly imaginative letters, elaborately patterned, filled with traditional Celtic motifs. 6 decorative Celtic alphabets, plus a basic alphabet of calligraphic Celtic letters. Some punctuation marks and decorative elements also featured. Clearly printed, easily reproducible. Add a distinctive touch to book illustration, textiles, posters — almost any graphic art. Royalty-free.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource!.......2000-06-03

A variety of celtic alphabets from the incredibly ornate to the classic simple calligraphy makes this a worthwhile resource for anyone working with celtic design. I can think of dozens of potential uses for mine...

Awesome!.......2000-03-27

This book contains, as the title implies, seven complete Celtic alphabets, one of which is a reproduction of a lettering style used in the book of Kells, another a plain Celtic style calligraphy, and five other sets, decorated with spirals, birds, hounds and a variety of Celtic knots. Many letters are printed in double or triplicate, only on one side, so they can be cutout for stenciling etc. without fear of ruining the letter, or other letters.

Book Description

An attractive step-by-step guide to turning old flea-market finds and other inexpensive diamonds in the rough into stylish furnishings for the porch, deck, or garden. Flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, and even big discount operations can be treasure troves for the eclectic home decorator. With a little creativity, inexpensive castoffs and bargain furniture can be turned into charming and stylish furnishings for your favorite outdoor living spaces. Crafting expert BJ Berti identifies such diamonds-in-the-rough and gives them new life. FLEA MARKET MAKEOVERS FOR THE OUTDOORS features complete step-by-step instructions and photos for 25 projects, from the simple task of embellishing a plain tablecloth or making planters from old galvanized buckets, to more complex projects like applying floral dcoupage to an old table or creating gorgeous and inexpensive outdoor lighting by recycling a chandelier into a decorative candelabra.

Customer Reviews:

ho hum. just was not for me........2007-02-17

Nothing out of the ordinary...sorry! Might be OK for someone with very little imagination, but for the artistic, or creative at heart, nope.

Pretty, Feminine Projects for Flea Market Finds--Too "Pretty" For Me.......2006-06-13

Each of the pages of this book contains detailed instructions for creating something new and fresh-looking from a flea market or yard sale find. With few exceptions, I found the finished look of the projects to be very feminine--polka-dot painted glasses and trays, pastel painted wood and metal furniture, floral decoupage, gilded metal, tile mosaics, fleur-de-lis stenciled screens, etc. Gone was the chippy paint, rust and old wood that I cherish. The thrift-store metal tray project which gave directions for applying spray paint over beautiful, aged silver-plated trays broke my heart! The end result was summer-colored polka dots that you would find in most dollar stores. The best thing about the book is the detail of the instructions for cleaning, restoring and refinishing. One could easily follow these instructions using the materials of their choice. I would have preferred to see the metal-and-mosaic table made from broken bits of old china vs. new tiles or the porch swing distressed in a soft white instead of being painted with sea blue and green stripes. I did really like the antique wooden trellis (probably because the wood was left in it's aged state) and the rustic hanging planter made from a corn-seed planter (again, left in it's state of demise). I think this book is worth adding to your home library if you can find it at a bargain price as I did. I would check it out of the library before I paid full price.

Flea Market Makeovers for the Outdoors.......2005-10-04

The condition of the book exceeded my expectations and I received it promptly as indicated. I will most definitely look to order from you again. Thanks

Great Project Ideas.......2005-08-12

This book is wonderful. I have used several ideas and have others in the works. The directions are easy to follow. The items shown are not difficulty to come across in small town tag sales or flea markets.

A Beautiful and Practical Book.......2004-06-30

So often, magazine articles on this subject assume that you have found an amazing work of art at the flea market. Probably all of us could figure out how to make good use of a charming Roseville vase without much guidance. Berti's book tells you how wo make good use of things like old wool sweaters, metal trays, and rusty lawn furniture -- things you might easily find or have around the house (garage?) already.
Articles on this subject also frequently give you directions like "refinish an old X" or "reupholster a discarded Y". Berti's book gives step-by-step directions with large, clear color photographs. There are materials lists at the beginning of each project and suggestions for using different kinds of items.
Projects range from the very simple (using old glassware for candles) to the very complex (building a wooden cabinet). Skills involved include needlework, woodworking, mosaic, gardening, and more. No expertise is assumed, and there are basic instructions and techniques for all the projects.
The finished pieces are attractive and the photographs are very appealing, but the book is clearly designed to allow readers to use their own tastes -- and their own flea market finds -- to make their own one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you want to refurbish and repair older outdoor furniture, create elegant handmade pieces, or follow the shabby-chic style, this book will help you do it.

Book Description

Extraordinary Graphics for Unusual Surfaces will show the finest and most innovative graphic design solutions for non-standard shapes. Each project will provide insights from the designers illustrating the design process and special techniques and materials.

Branding the tube of a bike tire, a logo for placement on a ski binding, or those annoying stickers that identify the different varieties of apples at the market are all examples of unusual surfaces featured. The opportunity to design for these difficult spaces is increasing. Shoppers are obsessed with branding. Every part of every object is graced with the identity of the company that made it, reinforcing the brand and rewarding the consumer.

Customer Reviews:

Encourages graphics designers to think beyond the cube.......2002-11-05

Get graphics right for hard-to-design spaces and surfaces using this designer's guide, which covers everything from three-dimensional surfaces to unusual themes from sports to funerals. Examples of designs where space or shape is a consideration encourage graphics designers to think beyond the cube.

Book Description

This new edition of the ultimate reference book for blues lovers by renowned music authority Robert Santelli contains more than 650 entries profiling every important blues artist-from Bessie Smith to Koko Taylor, Charlie Patton to Robert Cray, Blind Willie McTell to Stevie Ray Vaughn. Each biographical sketch is concise and informative, going beyond basic biographical data and discographies to include a discussion of the artist's style, musical contribution, and "essential listening"-the recordings you must go to if you want to hear that person's best work. Existing entries have been completely updated, and fifty new entries have been added. This one-of-a-kind, richly informative guide will be a beloved and much-used reference for blues aficionados and new listeners alike for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

Great book, new edition needed.......2005-11-07

This is a great biographical guide to blues musicians and their careers, but it's time for an updated edition. The book contains 600+ entries with fairly detailed bio info in each, with musicians ranging from Bessie Smith to Robert Cray, and even including crossover groups like the Yardbirds. But the book predates the CD era somewhat, with the "essential listening" section for each musician lacking in CD listings. For some, this is a major omission (I'm thinking of the 1,000 or so Document CDs that could have been accessed with so many of the pre-war musicians).

Books like this often impel people to go through them to note who was left out as well as who made it in. Some of the earlier female blues singers who recorded many important sides in the 1920s seem under represented: Viola McCoy, Josie Miles, Monette Moore, and Merlene Johnson (The Yas Yas Girl) were all left out, though each recorded dozens of sides. Of course, artists who have come on the scene since 1993, when the book was published, are not included either (Keb Mo, Jerry Ricks, and Corey Harris to name just three come to mind). No book, obviously, that is documenting an on-going subject will ever be complete, but this one is valuable enough to warrant a revised edition. Hopefully one is in the planning stages. In the meantime, this is (along with Harris's BLUES WHO'S WHO, which also needs updating) an important reference book for lovers of the blues. A must-have book.

Definitive, but not definitive..........2000-08-02

This is a great book to have in your collection if you're a fan of blues music and history. By far, it's not the ONLY book out there. There are a number of notable artists this book is missing. Hopefully, future editions of this book will begin to fill some of the gaps. That being said, this is a very good reference just the same.

A good referance to accompany other reading or listening........1998-08-24

The information provided in the biographical encyclopaedia is a good referance when reading other publications on the "Blues" or listening to recordings by a performer with whome you may not be familiar. Whilst the referances are not complete, it is nevertheless a source of sound information on numerous blues performers from the 1890's to the present. (I found I had a number of recordings in my collection made in the 1920's and 1930's by individuals not referenced in the book.)

The book is a very good "handbook" to have by your side when you want to learn or simply recap on some details of an individual whose story you may be absorbing either through reading or listening.

A good referance to accompany other reading or listening........1998-08-09

The book is a very good "handbook" to have by your side when you want to learn or simply recap on some details of an individual whose story you may be absorbing either through reading or listening.

Comprehensive, highly recommended for any fan of the blues.......1996-05-26

I recently picked up a copy of "The Big Book of Blues" by Robert Santelli at the Delta Blues Museum bookstore in Clarksdale Mississippi. Billed as "a biographical encyclopedia with more than 600 entries covering classic blues, country and urban blues, rhythm and blues, and blues rock", the author has achieved his daunting goal of creating a definitive reference for both the uninitiated and the true blues aficionado.

Rather than a dry, vital statistics only type of approach, Robert Santelli's comprehensive reference presents a brief vignette of each artist's career and their influences, along with in depth discussion and subjective observations on their style of playing and songwriting.

The entry for Robert Johnson is a great example of the folksy storytelling style employed by the author. It tells of Johnson's illegitimate birth in 1911 and his untimely death from poisoning by a jealous husband in 1938, and covers all the significant highlights of his short career including details of the infamous "crossroads" myth.

The author also includes "essential listening" for each artist. These lists of recordings are not complete discographies as found in some references, compilation of which would take years for such a diverse group of artists whose recordings appear on the most obscure labels imaginable. Instead, the "essential listening" references cover the artist's major works and significant career milestones, and represent the best examples of the artist's style.

From world renowned performers such as B. B. King and John Lee Hooker to more obscure local club players like Cripple Clarence Lofton, the author covers a lot of ground and has done extensive research into the lives and times of nearly every artist who ever played the blues. The author's extensive knowledge and resourcefulness is clearly evident in this informative, entertaining, and well researched volume, which appears to be a true "labor of love". I highly recommend this book

Average customer rating:
The Big Book of Blues. a Biographical Encyclopedia.

Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I33UGU

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