Customer Reviews:
great story, many points to discuss.......2007-04-11
I enjoyed Minke's story. Pram is an excellent writer. His prose invokes visual representation as you read through the pages and the pages seem to turn themselves. The book is set in a time and place of which I know little yet I felt, while reading this book, that I could see it and imagine it. I haven't yet gone on to read the rest of the books in the series, so don't know how the characters develop later. Annelies' character gives me much grist for the mill with her passive inability to cope with life or meet events as an equal with her mother and husband and her obsession with what she is not - 'native'. The constant reference in the book to pure, native, half blood is worthy of further analysis. Being from a former English colony (New Zealand) I don't get the impression that this narrative was nearly as prominent there as it seems to have been in Indonesia. I wonder, is this a reflection on the Dutch colonialists or on Indonesia? In all, a good read with much to occupy the reader's attention upon completion.
Sure to be a Classic.......2007-03-19
These 4 wonderful books by the late, great Pramoedya, should take their rightful place on the Classic Self with Dickens, Shakespeare, and Dostoevsky. I read the last one, "House of Glass", first and am not sure that is a good way to do it. This one I found even more beautiful. Cheers to the translator; and thanks to him for sacrificing his job for this art.
An upper class brilliant young Javanese scholar, being groomed by the Dutch, and a ravishingly beautiful young daughter of a rich Dutchman and his Javanese concubine fall hopelessly in love. The wicked brother and rightful heir intercedes, with overtones of the oppressed (Javanese) and the oppressor (Holland). What a story! Probably the most romantic and most beautifully written book I have read in years (of course the fact that I read it in central Java may have added even more emotion and meaning). Anyway, I cannot wait to get on to the next of the four.
The foundation of a mega-novel.......2007-01-31
'This Earth of Mankind' is the first novel in Pram Toer's Buru Quartet, and details the life of a unique Indonesian, Minke, whose awareness of the country and the world he lives in expands due to his education and interaction with a variety of characters, whose masks and motives are slowely revealed (in this and the other novels in the BQ). TEOM opened a whole new world to me. The depiction of the culture clash is especially good, the influence of European - mostly Dutch - and Asian ideas, and how Indonesia was a plaything of colonialism for centuries. And within that are the people, and those PT has peopled his novel with are richly drawn. Thus TEOM is part history lesson, part literature.
PT also has the gift of the epigram: 'pity is the feeling of well-intentioned people who are unable to act'; and 'the life of the soul and the psyche are not mentioned in offical letters'. The loftly pronouncement is often on display too: 'How can human beings be looked upon purely from the point of view of official documents and without considering their essence as human beings?' Only a man who has spent long periods of his life imprisoned could write a sentence as powerful as that - and PT has, and then some. The man has suffered. And the greatest insult is that he was never awarded the Nobel Prize that he so obviously earned.
Great book by a questionable author.......2006-09-01
This book is great and is an interesting insight into Indonesian culture. However, I have mixed feelings about the author, who to the end of his life was bitter that he had been imprisoned for political purposes (as he should be) but never understood the bitterness of others such as Mochtar Lubis at Pramoedya's hypocrisy.
Pramoedya was a supporter of Sukarno and the communist party in Indonesia (although he didn't officially join the party), and was a strong, outspoken advocate of having other authors banned if they didn't support 'the revolution'. He ridiculed a group that called for free speech, freedom of ideas and basic human rights for all - a group that objected to art and culture being censored for political reasons (the Manifes Kebudayaan). Pramoedya called for those advocating free speech to be 'pushed aside' (perhaps only figuratively - he hopefully didn't want them to be imprisoned, but he certainly wanted them banned).
One member of this group, Mochtar Lubis, spent years in jail for being anti-communist. Pramoedya never spoke a word against the way Lubis was treated. Yet when the next repressive dictator, Suharto (who was anti- rather than pro-communist), threw Promoedya in jail, Mochtar Lubis visited him while he was in exile on Buru Island and helped him to get paper and a typewriter. To the end of his life, Pramoedya was outspoken in condemning how he personally had been treated but never, as far as I've been able to find, said a word against the jailing of Lubis and other anti-communists.
Another aspect that appears inconsistent is that Pramoedya seemed to blame all of Indonesia's problems on foreign ideas and foreign influence, yet his proposed solution was to adopt China's version of communism. Did he think that Marx and Mao were Indonesian? How could an intelligent, reasonable person visit China during Mao's rule and come back thinking that another country should voluntarily condemn itself to a similar system?
You should read his books, since Pramoedya was quite a writer and you'll learn something about Indonesian culture. But I plan to also look for some novels by Mochtar Lubis. Lubis' book Twilight in Djakarta was the first Indonesian novel ever translated into English.
A glimpse into why Indonesia is (still) a mess of a nation.......2006-05-26
I admire this book very much and I'm not at all surprised that it was subjected to a ban and Pramoedya prosecuted as a result. Without hesitation (or even, if I may say, guilt to his own "ancestors") Pramoedya bared in the open those very aspects of Indonesian people that have allowed colonialists to oppress them for hundreds of years. The book is as relevant today as when it was first written about 40 years ago as Indonesia clearly has not rid itself of colonialism, albeit a home-grown one. This book has in its own unique way helped me see why my birth country, Indonesia, is still a third-world country, despite the the vast natural resources that she owns.
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This Earth of Mankind
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HWTB9W |
Customer Reviews:
Something for a quick read.......2006-03-18
This is the final part of the Jet Set Wives miniseries. It tells the story of Lucy Blayne and Marcus Canning.
Lucy has finally divorced her cheating husband, is in debt and being blackmailed.
Marcus decides it's time to get married and be a father, therefore he proposes to Lucy.
In all honesty, can't say that this will go into my favourite list of books by Penny Jordan. Have read better previous works. Believe me as I have the whole P Jordan collection.
When I read books by P Jordan, I like those which tug at the heart strings and have me rooting for the hero and heroine. Unfortunately, this book left me cold and I could not really see any character development. Which is a pity as I was eagerly looking forward to this book after reading about Lucy and Marcus in "Bedding his Virgin Mistress".
This is just for a quick read to pass the time.
Worst book ever written.......2005-12-10
I hated this book. There was hardly a story line, the book was totally sex including female masturbation. Sorry, I don't read Harlequin Presents for soft-porn, I'm looking for romance. I hate this book so much it's headed for the trash can instead of the book swap or Salvation Army.
Average customer rating:
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A Spanish Affair, the Greek's Royal Mistress, By Royal Command, the Scorsolini Marriage Bargain, the Italian's Future Bride, a Mediterranean Marriage, the Sicilian's Bought Bride, Blackmailing the Society Bride, His Royal Love-child
Penny Jordan, Carol Marinelli, Lynne Graham, Michelle Reid, Robyn Donald, Jane Porter, Helen Brooks Lucy Monroe
Manufacturer: Harlequin Presents
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S0Z61U |
Product Description
Good selection of romance books with settings around the world for those who love to read about other countries.
Average customer rating:
- Graphic SF Reader
- Breaks the mold and then kicks its puppy
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Miracleman: The Red King Syndrome, Book Two
Manufacturer: Eclipse Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Moore, Alan
| ( M )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1560600365 |
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
There are those that are not big fans of Miracleman's return. Your evil mad scientist supervillain being one of these. They want to find a way of dealing with him, and losing the current control that they have over the world.
Their problems get far worse when Miracleman's child is born.
Breaks the mold and then kicks its puppy.......2000-05-03
Second volume in Moore's Miracleman series, The Red King syndrome is an almost mythic superhero adventure, but as in all things Moore, with as many twists and turnabouts as feasibly possible.
Begin with a Miracleman rendered utterly powerless by his arch-foe, Dr. Gargunza. He's been led there because his wife's been kidnapped. Too pedestrian? Add to it a genetically altered dog that's sent to hunt down the now-powerless superhero. Still not impressed?
Now have the dog eat Miracleman's companion and bite off two of our hero's fingers. Couple that with the hero's subsequent killing of the supervillain...and then a graphic (censored in many, many stores) representation of childbirth, and then the seeds of a story that will change a world, and then...and then...
Well, who am I to spoil it? It's a phenomenal read, deserving of space on anyone's shelf. If you can find a copy, treasure it; we're not likely to see another story of this caliber in a long while.
Book Description
Advance Praise
"From his pulpit at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Alan Jones has influenced for good an entire continent of struggling Christians. In this provoking and helpful new book, he extends his voice to those both within and beyond the Church. A thinking Christian in a thoughtless world is what he is and what he aims to make us. This is a very good start."
-- The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes
The Memorial Church, Harvard University, and author of The Good Book
"It used to be that Christian institutions and systems of dogma sustained the spiritual life of Christians. Increasingly, spirituality itself is what sustains everything else. Alan Jones is a pioneer in reimagining a Christian faith that emerges from authentic spirituality. His work stimulates and encourages me deeply."
-- Brian D. McLaren, pastor (crcc.org) and author of A New Kind of Christian
"This is a bracing breath of spiritual fresh air, an intelligent, witty, and passionate reclaiming of the goal of religious practice-the conversion of the heart to kindness and peace as the common faith in which we can all be believers."
-- Sylvia Boorstein, author of Pay Attention, for Goodness' Sake and It's Easier Than You Think
"Alan Jones is the best guide I know to lead us on the thorny but promising path that could lead to the renewal of Christianity."
-- Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly
"Compulsively readable, Alan Jones's book is a brave and brilliant attempt to res-cue Christianity from the clutches of the cruel reactionaries into which much of it has fallen. Generous-hearted Christians of all persuasions will cheer him on."
-- The Most Rev. Richard Holloway, retired as primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Edinburgh
"Alan Jones combines the power of the mystical, the honesty of the skeptical, and the eagerness of the romantic. His vision of faith and ministry for the time to come will be a gift for many readers."
-- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia
"A daring call to renew our relation to Christianity-and ourselves-through fac-ing the great questions of the heart that today permeate the life of every serious seeker and the life of our whole endangered world."
-- Jacob Needleman, author of The American Soul and Lost Christianity
Customer Reviews:
Here Comes Eveerybody.......2007-06-28
Alan Jones, Dead of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is a refreshing example of a Christian clergyman. He seeks and finds the essence of Christianity buried under centuries of dogmas and creeds. He believes that we must use our heart and imagination to resuscitate the message and meaning of Jesus. Literalism and scientism can be deadly, especially, to the soul.
One of the chapters that I especially like was "The God-Shaped Space in Our Hearts". "The hole in the soul is never fully filled. Even my friends who are skeptics and would call themselves atheists (often out of self-defense) are rather like the Dublin taxi driver, who when asked if he believed in leprechauns, 'Of course not, but they're there just the same!'"
Jones is a traditionalist in that he still loves The Creed, The Eucharist, holy water, angels and the liturgy. They nourish the heart. And it is the heart and love which is at the center of our quest for God.
Jones picks out three aspects of Christianity that he suggests could be the focus of a re-vitalization, a re-imaging of the faith: "Jesus the Broken Man," "Mary, the Pregnant Life," and "Trinity Means Communion."
Jones believes Christianity, if seen rightly and compassionately is a faith for "Everybody". "The coming of Jesus as both Baby and Judge offers access to God for all, including and especially those who have no claim of moral or spiritual privilege --- the unqualified. The God of Jesus is the God who sends rain on the just and the unjust, who loves everybody --- even the desperately wicked."
Oh, I forgot: Jones is an engaging writer possessing humor, a knack for words, fine use of anecdotes and quotes from everywhere.
Refreshing, Intense Look at Christianity.......2007-06-11
Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, is a deeply spiritual and incredibly smart man. These great qualities come forward on every page. For Jones, Christianity is not a bunch of rules to follow but instead a love affair, a journey through stories. Jones is critical of both evangelicals and secularists. Drawing on a variety of examples and sources, he says that Christianity needs imagination, a rethinking--it needs to embrace the things that religion too often tries to deny: anxiety, contradiction, diversity, mystery and our own brokenness. We do not need to deny science, but we also need to recognize that there is much more to life than the literal facts. Though we have become aware of other rich religions, we still owe dedication to our own. Jones' compassion is remarkable--his astute criticism paired with strong belief in forgiveness and his ultimate optimism. An extremely important book for our age.
Who needs a Christ anyway.......2006-02-23
Mr. Jones is clearly a heretic who cannot stand the gospel of Jesus Christ, nor the prophecy that announced his arrival. If Mr. Jones's theology is correct, then it doesn't matter what we believe. On the other hand, if he's wrong, there will be hell to pay. This is a risk i'm not willing to take his word for.
Christianity for the thinking, creative, and heart-centered.......2005-03-11
Alan Jones has written a book that invites us to take ownership of the Christian path, which he descibes as a living process rather than a proscribed set of rules. Our minds, our creativity, and our compassion are all tools for encountering Christ, and for a lifelong exploration of what it means to be Christian today, both in our fractured world and within our fractured Church. This is a book for people who are interested in commitment, community, and transformation, both internally and externally.
Spiritual and skeptical about religion?.......2004-12-28
Christianity took a wrong turn somewhere back and is painfully broken. This is not a book of blame but a book about redemption. The world is changing and there is an opportunity to begin again and reimage the story of our faith. This book is confirmation that there is movement in our society towards a maturing faith that lives out of the inclusive love of Jesus, not the exclusive shame of the church. Read it only if you have faith enough to question history, theology and tradition.
Book Description
Food should be a pleasure, yet far too often we lose sight of this simple truth and spend too many anxious hours in the kitchen. Fran Warde's approachable book urges us to enjoy food as a fun part of everyday life to be shared with friends, family, a partner, or savoured on our own. From a weekend brunch with friends to a romantic dinner for two or a lunchtime snack at the desk, this delightful collection offers more than 150 simple-to-prepare, stylish recipes complemented with inspirational ideas for serving food and drinks with flair. Start with breakfast delights like French Toast with Cinnamon and Bananas; try Chicken and Vegetable Satay Sticks with Noodle Salad for lunch; and end the day with Steamed Sea Bass with Thai Soup. Let "Eat Drink Live" help you celebrate the good things in life.
Customer Reviews:
Please Patron.......2006-06-30
Thank you for the prompt service and the great price on this cookbook. You are great! I would recommend Amazon shopping to anyone!
Shamelessly take the credit for Fran Warde's easy, chic recipes!.......2005-10-20
I actually bought this book twice. Once, it was for around $75 in a Tokyo bookstore. (The second time was a few weeks ago from Amazon.) It was difficult to part with the $75, but after a month or so of wavering, I splurged. I never regretted it for a minute! Believe it or not, the first copy was stolen from me during a party (but at least the thief had good taste), and I looked for another copy ever since then. Imagine my delight when I saw the softcover edition in a local bookstore!
First, Fran's recipes are very easy to follow and execute to perfection. Believe me when I say that piecrusts were my Waterloo. However, the very first time I attempted the steak and mushroom pie, I almost couldn't believe in the vision of golden-brown perfection that emerged from my own oven. My in-laws, who didn't know about my "piecrust issue" (usually accompanied by sobbing and cries of "It's doing it on PURPOSE!" that led my husband to ban piemaking from the home), requested the dish, and I didn't want to admit that I couldn't do it...so I pulled out the book and soldiered on. We were rewarded with a gorgeous, meaty stew with a light, flaky crust that melted in the mouth - Pie Perfection - that still amazes me to this very day. My mother-in-law praised me to the skies with exclamations on my culinary talent, and I was thrilled, delighted, and a bit dumbfounded.
Fran's Banoffi Pie is a legendary dish in a small valley, high in the Japan Alps, to this very day. I trotted it out any time friends requested "something different" for a local event. Bake sales, Sports Days, cultural gatherings - I was there with trays of Banoffi Pie to wow the locals with banana-caramel-chocolate ecstasy. I have never had a better Banoffi anywhere.
The best part of Fran's recipes are that they appeal to practically everybody (N.B. - there are only a few vegan recipes included; in general, the book is written for omnivores. However, there are many recipes for vegetarians who also eat dairy and/or eggs.) Most of the ingredients are readily available (or easily substituted with something else), so you won't have to run all over town and spend a fortune to have a really memorable meal. Many of her recipes are English classics (like the aforementioned steak and mushroom pie), but she also has many that aren't (crusty rice pilaf, vegetable noodle stir-fry, etc) to give you a bit of variety.
The photography in the book is nice (in the best sense of the word.) I don't know if it really is the case, but the photos in the book look like family and friends of Fran's, all gathered together to enjoy each other's company over a meal. The pictures were an important part of the book's strong appeal to me - call me lacking in imagination, but unless I can see the finished product in advance (and even better, the happy faces of people enjoying it), I am none too inspired to make it.
It should be rather obvious by now that I have shamelessly appropriated Fran's recipes and taken credit for them - but clearly someone was on to me! I wonder who stole my first copy of Eat, Drink, Live?? Whoever it was, I'm all right with it now. Enjoy!!
Book Description
This book is the first of its kind and the result of a labor of love by the authors, who researched the history of cameos and took over 500 color photographs of cameo jewelry. Over 1400 examples of cameo jewelry are depicted, representing a time span from the 1700s to the present. Subjects covered include mythological motifs of classical gods and goddesses, religious subjects and scenes, and the ever-present anonymous woman. A history of the cameo is provided, followed by individual chapters covering each of the materials used to make cameos, including amber, amethyst, glass, jasper ware, lava, mother-of-pearl, opal, plastics, quartz, shell, topaz, and Wedgwood. The beautiful, detailed photographs show the unique artistry and design of the cameos and their settings. This extensive book and price guide will appeal to all who appreciates the cameo's timeless appeal.
Customer Reviews:
Too expensive and not comprehensive.......2006-07-27
It definitely should have been better! Pictures and info lack any real knowledge of the subject, and often times just had wrong information. Very disappointed. A big book with little value to me.
Only for a beginner, and not terribly informative.......2002-05-15
Expectations of visual and historical information for this expensive book should be high. But exceptionally poor photography and lack of any rigorous understanding of the history of jewelry and design in the text from these authors rate this book a tepid two stars only. It should have been better, coming from this antique specialty publisher, since it is a facinating subject, and there isn't much available in print.
cameos classical to costume.......2000-08-11
I have had this book for the past year and have been a cameo collector for 25 years and this is my favorite book of all my collectors books ,I use it nearly every day to chech things out or to just browse and wish.It is very informative and the pictures are clear .I highly recommend this book to any cameo collector ,
Book Description
A comprehensive volume of detailed instructions and illustrations on how to make Cherokee clothing, head dresses, hair styles, and ornaments for both men and women. Methods of cutting and piercing the ears, the use of body paint and tattooing, as well as sources for project materials and supplies are given.
Book Description
Everyone dreams of owning a country home; a private getaway far from the cares of everyday life customized to fit your ideal lifestyle. Nowadays, more and more people are making that dream come true. Rather than settling for two weeks at a favorite vacation spot, why not incorporate the leisure, beauty and fun of vacation in a home that can be enjoyed year-round for quiet relaxation or to share with family and friends.Within these pages you will find the very best of the best country homes that combine beautiful settings and stunning houses created in harmony with their owners' notions of the perfect refuge. Organized into five distinct categories#151;cottages, stately homes, contemporary style, cabins and Mediterranean style#151;each home exemplifies a pinnacle in design and decorating, whether you're renovating an existing home or building the ideal home to match your particular needs. Over 250 illustrations of fabulous country homes with hundreds of ideas at your fingertips to help you realize the vacation home of your dreams.
Average customer rating:
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Mattmo
Manufacturer: BIS (Holland)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9063690142 |
Average customer rating:
- Great Writing on a Legendary Band
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The Stones: The Acclaimed Biography
Philip Norman
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Entertainers
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Musicals
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Rock
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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Look Inside Entertainment Books
| Trip
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ASIN: 033048057X |
Book Description
Philip Normans biography of the Rolling Stones is hailed as the definitive work on these anti-heroes of pop whose rise to fameand notorietycame to represent the excesses of the Sixties. Completely updated and published to coincide with their fortieth anniversary, The Stones is a witty, eloquent journey through the life of the worlds greatest rock n roll band, from teen rebels to stadium superstars, with death, drugs and devilry along the way. The author of Sir Elton and Shout, Philip Norman also writes regularly for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail.
Customer Reviews:
Great Writing on a Legendary Band.......2007-03-13
Philip Norman is an eloquent writer with a detailed knowledge of his subject. I couldn't put this book down. It starts with the Stones' early years and influences and follows them through the end of the Seventies. We understand what makes the Stones so unique artistically, having been the first group to introduce American R&B to a wide audience in England. I read this book in early 2007 and wished there had been a sequel covering the 30-odd years after Norman ends his narrative. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the evolution of Rock music and the music business in general. And, of course, the main subject of the book is one the most fascinating tales in the history of popular culture.
Books:
- Trace Evidence: A Novel (Unabridged)
- TREE BRIDE, THE
- True History of the Kelly Gang: A Novel
- What the Body Remembers: A Novel
- William Faulkner : Novels 1942-1954 : Go Down, Moses / Intruder in the Dust / Requiem for a Nun / A Fable (Library of America)
- Your Oasis on Flame Lake (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
- Zeke and Ned
- 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide
- A Compass Error: A Novel
- A Gracious Plenty: A Novel
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Biological Science and CW+ Grade Tracker Access Card
- A Grammar Book for You and I
- The Genus Aeromonas
- The Strange Story of the Quantum: An Account for the General Reader of the Growth of the Ideas Under
- West of the Imagination
- Administrative Law: Bureaucracy in a Democracy
- Zen Cat
- Sketching Cats: Pen and Pencil Techniques
- The Weight of the Image : Teaching Design and Computing in Architecture
- Well-Schooled in Murder
Child of All Nations (Buru Quartet)
Footsteps (Buru Quartet)
House of Glass (Buru Quartet)
A History of Modern Indonesia
Max Havelaar: Or the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (Penguin Classics)
