Women of Sand and Myrrh: A Novel

Book Description

A powerful and moving novel, by the Arab worlds leading woman novelist, about four women coping with the insular, oppressive society of an unnamed desert state.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Judge What You Don't Know.......2006-03-19

I liked this book, and though it is fiction it gives an arab womens perspective on life in the middle east. The author uses her own stlye of writing and reminds me of Azar Nifisi's book Reading Lolita In Tehran. I think to appreciate this book you need to know a little something about mid eastern culture, instead of just saying it gives stereotypes we use today towards arabs like one reviewer wrote.

Pretty much worthless.......2004-05-22

This book doesnt have any insight if this is what you are looking for it won't be found here. It is a cheap entertainment at best. If you want to know about Muslim/Arab culture(s) there are much more suitable places to find your information. This is just a book to tease the ideas and misconceptions which are so prevalent today.

A Lebanese View of the Gulf.......2004-03-16

Having been living in the Gulf for several years when I read _Women of Sand and Myrrh_ (which was freely available at our campus library there, by the way), I was struck most of all by the novel's harsh and perhaps distorted view of Gulf cultures. For instance, the view is attributed to Tamr at one point that the Lebanese Suha has essentially brought "civilization" to her desert world, a view that resembles what I heard occasionally from Palestinian or Lebanese students studying in the Gulf but never from the local women.

Other Westerners reading the novel as a look into "the Arab world" may not realize how various, sometimes even divided, that world is and how different Gulf cultures can be from other Arab cultures--both more repressive in some ways and more egalitarian in others. (Another view of the very robust and often outspoken women's cultures in Gulf societies is offered in Leila Ahmed's memoir _Border Passage_, which includes a chapter on a stint she did as an educator in the United Arab Emirates.)

Things you can't learn anywhere else.......2002-09-18

This is an extraordinary novel by any standard. Al-Shaykh's willingness to go deep into the hearts of her (yes, sometimes shallow) characters reveals the hidden depths of life behind the veil, and so much more. This is powerfully anti-lyrical writing, and important reading for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what's happening (and not happening) culturally between men and women, East and West, Islam and the rest of the world. Anyone who dares enter here will venture far beyond the politically correct, when it comes to female sexuality and lies, secrets, silences, customs, and intuition.

Parched.......2001-11-24

I picked this book up a while ago in the wake of reading Abdelrahman Munif's _Cities of Salt_ trilogy and some books by Naguib Mahfouz. Like Munif, al-Shaykh is mostly a journalist, and I find that the material, while interesting and somewhat informative, is presented drably, with little flavour or variety.

The subject matter of the book, which can briefly be said to deal with women and their place in a fundamentalist society, must be set aside. We can all admire a new perspective on lives that most likely remain mysterious. However, here the concern is with the artful presentation of material. If the author had allowed her imagination more freedom, and if she was able to fashion women who were distinct from each other (with the possible exception of Suzanne), then the story would have lifted off the ground and approached the realm of art.

Regrettably, it doesn't. The men are caricatures, and the narrative voice is not sufficiently adjusted to each story. For those looking to gather some understanding of life in these circumstances, the book provides much; for those looking for the transcendence of art, they will find it elsewhere.

Customer Reviews:

A truly wonderful story!.......2007-04-08

The two main characters, Katryn and Chip, are immensely likable. So very human and yet exemplifying all the best qualities you would want in your self or your children. I would love to see these two as main characters in future novels.

The scene with Chip and her sister Prudence was really well done and very emotionally moving.

For all the dark elements this story felt joyous to me. I really liked Katryn, she had heart. She rolled with the punches, never feeling sorry for herself, she had pride in herself and I found that very appealing. Chip is just terrific, fair and honest - confident in her abilities and caring for those around her - always wanting to do the right thing and see the right thing done. The romance and the passion shared by Katryn and Chip is simply lovely.

The last chapter is the book was absolutely fascinating and causes me to reflect long after finishing the book. Don't spoil it for yourself by reading it first.

I would not have expected to find a terrific murder mystery in the middle of a speculative fiction story but the sleuthing was the equal of any mystery I have ever read.

I said in an earlier review of The Temple at Landfall that I mainly enjoy romances so this took me by surprise. It is the story that you become enthralled with. I liked it so much I devoured the other three books in the series in one week. It really doesn't matter which order you read the novels in (I read Temple at Landfall first).

Don't miss any of the books in the Celaeno World Series by Jane Fletcher

The Rangers at Roadsend
The Temple at Landfall
The Walls of Westernfort
Dynasty of Rogues

From the publisher's web site -
Sergeant Chip Coppelli escaped the manipulative plots of her powerful family by becoming a soldier. After 9 years in the elite Rangers, dealing with thugs and wild predators, she has learned to spot trouble coming--and that is exactly what she sees in the mystery surrounding her new recruit, Katryn Nagata. But even so, Chip was not expecting murder. (Previous limited release as The Wrong Trail Knife).

Fascinating!.......2006-05-07

The other reviews have done justice to this wonderful book. However the overwhelmed feelings prompt me share my two cents about this book.

Despite that this story is set in an imaginary world, it itself can be counted as a mystery that can happen in any kind of situation during any period of time. The story is well-plotted and intriguing. It starts with the transfer of Katryn into 'Chip' Coppelli's patrol. While the readers learn about how Chip became a ranger, it also opens up many questions regarding Katryn's past, as Chip gradually draws into Katryn's mystery that is connected to a murder.

Even though the story doesn't emphasize on romance, the undercurrent of the feelings that Chip and Katry have for each other have kept up with reader's urge in reading as well. It is well-balanced with the main theme.

I am not into the speculative genre very much, so I was hesitated when picking up this book. When I started reading, I found I couldn't stop. I agree with the previous reviewer that this book is as good as, or even better than some of, the conventional fantasy/mystery/speculative fictions. I'm glad to find out this.

Speculative Fiction at its best! Review by Cheri Rosenberg.......2005-11-20

"Rangers at Roadsend," a murder mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie, has crossed many genres including speculative fiction, fantasy, romance, and adventure. The story is an incredible whodunit that has something for everyone. Jane Fletcher, winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award 2005 for "Walls at Westernfort," has created an intelligent and compelling story where the reader easily gets drawn into the fascinating world of Celaeno, becomes totally absorbed in the well-designed plot, and finds herself completely enamored with the multi-faceted characters.

Sergeant Chip Coppelli, of C Patrol, a Ranger at Fort Krowe, is the heroine in a land where women roam and rule the earth. A truly admirable character, Chip is a fearless leader who strives to keep the inhabitants of Celaeno safe from lawbreakers and wild beasts. When rumors abound about Chip's new recruit, Private Katryn Nagata, Chip will stop at nothing to discover the truth concerning these allegations. She intends to find out why Katryn, a militia sergeant of Woodside, was transferred to her squadron in Landfall as a private, especially since she is older than the average new recruit and proves to be an accomplished markswoman with a bow and arrow, indicative of a person of higher rank. It doesn't help that the attractive woman immediately captures Chip's attention and affection. Against the advice of her best friend, Sergeant Kim Ramon of B Patrol, Chip falls in love with Katryn despite the suspicions that surround her. Added to the mystery of Katryn's past actions, Chip has a few secrets of her own, further complicating the plot.

Besides the rich prose, a distinction that sets Fletcher above the norm, is the clever interweaving of clues -- the reader has fun trying to solve the murder of the unpopular, hated Sergeant Ellis. Fletcher takes special care so that the reader doesn't discover the killer too soon. Even with meticulously laid out clues, there are no plot holes to contradict the explanation of how the murder took place. All the bases are covered leaving no other person a viable candidate.

"Rangers at Roadsend" will captivate and delight readers of all tastes, even those who say they are not fond of speculative fiction, including fantasy. Fletcher writes an engaging and believable tale with humor, metaphors, and honesty. It's not just the story that is compelling, but the way the author writes it that grabs the reader's attention. Fletcher is able to convey volumes of emotion in a single sentence, for instance, p. 92, "Katryn's company was the most enjoyable torment she [Chip] had ever known." Her descriptions are vivid yet succinct as on p. 78, "As ever, the market was crowded. Sounds, smells and gaudy colors fought in a riot for the senses." Her humor is evident as on p. 79, "I'm trying to work out what `Chip' is short for." "It's not short for anything. It's a small fried piece of potato." Fletcher uses excellent metaphors throughout the text including how Chip feels about the romantic aspect of her life. The reader learns about Chip's track record with women when Katryn throws up in the gutter, and she thinks, "it was a pretty good summing-up of her love life in general" [p. 89].

A five-star novel, "Rangers at Roadsend" will have you riveted, all the while fantasizing about living in a society where women are the masters of the Universe...the rulers of the world. Jane Fletcher, an amazing talent, gifted storyteller, and extraordinary plot developer, is one of the best authors of contemporary fiction today - in all genres. "Rangers at Roadsend" will convince you of that.

Excellent book! However, WARNING!! Previously released under different title........2005-07-31

I highly recommend this book and this series, especially for any lesbian sci-fi/fantasy fans. However, what the book won't tell you (but the publisher's website does) is that this book is "The Wrong Trail Knife". It's been re-published and re-released under a different name. So, if you've already read that one, I recommend moving onto "The Walls at Westernfort". That one is new.

This book tells the story of a world of women where belief is law and herasy is punishable by death. The law enforcement/military on the planet are divided up between the Rangers, the Temple Guards and the Militia. The Rangers work in the wilds between towns, protecting the populace from robbers and wild animals. This book centers on a group of Rangers. It is love story, political/social commentary and, most important, a lot of fun and a very good read.

I highly suspect that the upcoming book "The Temple at Landfall" is in fact a re-packaged, re-named version of "The World Celano Chose".

Another exciting Celaeno adventure.......2005-07-30

With Jane Fletcher's mesmerizing stories, The Walls of Westernfort (winner of the 2005 Golden Crown Literary Awards- Sci-Fi/Fantasy) and Rangers at Roadsend, the first two books in her Celaeno Series, she has converted this reader into a sci fi lover. Each book takes us into a magical world fraught with danger and full of moral dilemmas.

Rangers at Roadsend is another absorbing tale of intrigue, murder and romance.

We are drawn into this story by the secrets of Sgt. Chip Coppelli and Private Katryn Nagata. Katryn is transferred to Chip's squadron under mysterious circumstances and together the two must track down rogue criminals. They learn that the crimes are part of a deeper conspiracy that involves the so-called good citizens of Landfall, Chip's former home where there are unpleasant memories for her. To succeed in this mission as Rangers, they must trust each other, but both have too many secrets. In the course of unraveling the conspiracy plot, Chip develops an emotional attachment to Katryn, but knows that as her superior, it must remain as unrequited love.

In Rangers at Roadsend, Fletcher skillfully cultivates a back story in the middle of their journey to expand on the past and secrets of Katryn. As Katryn's history is told through this back story, we discover a hero rather than a dishonest loathsome Ranger. We learn of Katryn's struggles and how valiantly she faced them against all odds and with no believers. When Fletcher seamlessly moves us back to the main plot, Chip becomes her champion, and a romantic subplot flows naturally from this. These two characters are expertly crafted into unlikely heroes that we, as the reader, must root for.

Fletcher not only gives us powerful characters, but she surprises us with an unexpected ending to the murder conspiracy plot, pushing the story in one direction only to have that direction reversed more than once. This is one thrill ride the reader will not want to get off.

In The Walls of Westernfort young Guard Natasha Ionadis accepts a dangerous undercover mission, knowing that its success may depend upon her dying. Natasha aka Jess and her two "mothers", Cal and Rohanna, must travel as spies to Westernfort to assassinate three leaders, Gina, Kimberly and Lynn, of a rebel heretic movement. Their movement must cease as it is evil and against all that Celaeno stands for. Along the journey to Westernfort and while living there, Natasha gets to know one of these "heretics", her guide Dani, to whom she is attracted. She begins to question everything she has learned and is left with some very difficult choices because someone will die no matter what she decides to do.

The ethical dilemma that Natasha must face is what makes The Walls of Westernfort so captivating. Every teaching she has learned until this journey is now in question. Natasha is discovering that when she gets to think for herself, there is not one right answer. These women are not evil because they do not possess the same beliefs as she does. By struggling with these questions, Natasha is even more confused because now her choices are not clear cut. On the one hand, she may be killing women that she does not believe are evil, and on the other hand she may be risking the lives of her comrades. Fletcher presents Natasha's inner turmoil so convincingly through her thoughts and interactions with the other characters that as a reader, I found it difficult to choose the right answer for Natasha.

This is a thought-provoking intelligent story that stays with the reader long after the last page is read.

(While Rangers at Roadsend was published in the United States after The Walls of Westernfort, it is not a sequel. The Celaeno Series is not a chronological series but does share the same characters.)

Book Description

When her Field Base is mysteriously attacked, Dr. Mackenzie Connor must flee for her life. Joining forces with an alien archaeologist, she escapes to his planet on a quest to find a defense against the unknown agressor-before they launch a full-scale invasion of Earth.

Fighting Words: The Origins Of Religious Violence
Average customer rating:

Evidence Supports Multiple Hypothesis

Sweet, sweet stuff...

A brief overview

Fighting Words: The Origins Of Religious Violence
Hector Avalos
Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
History | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Psychology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Violence in Society | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1591022843

Book Description

Is religion inherently violent? If not, what provokes violence in the name of religion? Do we mischaracterize religion by focusing too much on its violent side?

In this intriguing, original study of religious violence, Prof. Hector Avalos offers a new theory for the role of religion in violent conflicts. Starting with the premise that most violence is the result of real or perceived scarce resources, Avalos persuasively argues that religion creates new scarcities on the basis of unverifiable or illusory criteria. Through a careful analysis of the fundamental texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Dr. Avalos explains how four "scarce" resources have figured repeatedly in creating religious violence: sacred space (churches, temples, holy cities); the creation of holy scriptures (exclusive revelations); group privilege (chosen people, the predestined select few); and salvation (only some are saved). Thus, Avalos shows, religious violence is often the most unnecessary violence of all since the scarce resources over which religious conflicts ensue are not actually scarce or need not be scarce.

Comparing violence in religious and nonreligious contexts, Avalos makes the compelling argument that if we condemn violence caused by scarce resources as morally objectionable, then we must consider even more objectionable violence provoked by alleged scarcities that cannot be proven to exist.

Moreover, he shows how many modern academic biblical scholars and scholars of religion maintain the value of sacred texts despite their violence.

This serious philosophical examination of the roots of religious violence adds much to our understanding of a perennial source of widespread human suffering.

Customer Reviews:

Evidence Supports Multiple Hypothesis.......2007-09-25

I appreciate the author's hypothesis that religion creates "scarce resources" in four ways: inscripturation, sacred space, privileging, and salvation. In other words: "My group possesses THE book of salvation (you don't)," "My group possesses THE space of miracles (you don't)," "My group possesses THE right to do XYZ (you don't)," and "My group possesses THE true belief (and we have to make you believe or we won't go to heaven)."

What I don't appreciate is that he drags the reader through examples that also support the hypothesis that (bad) people manipulate religious belief to enhance personal or state power.

I also appreciated his list of possible "solutions" although I don't agree with them and they came after wading through the whole book. Most especially I liked his "zero-tolerance" argument that "just as we should reject all of Mein Kampf because of its racist and genocidal policies, we should reject the Bible for any genocidal policies it ever endorsed" (pages 360-361). I like this argument because it forces one to look at the whole without making excuses for parts that don't fit. For me it brought to mind the saying of George Fox (paraphrased), "The disciples said this and the disciples said that, but what can you say from your experience of Christ?" I read this as: They spoke from their context, now I am called to stand on their shoulders to speak from mine.

I think this book would have been much better had the author attempted to make his case between the hypotheses 1) that religion itself gives rise to violence and 2) that people in power use "sacred resources" to manipulate populations, etc. I suppose technically he would have had to formally exclude all other possible causes from the analysis in order for it to remain readable - but at least we might have come to some conclusion as to which of these two were more likely the culprit.

Sweet, sweet stuff..........2006-01-21

Oh, how I enjoyed reading this book.

I might as well say that right from the start, so I'll get it out of my system. Because I was thinking about it throughout the entire book. Not many books make me think that way, and especially not non-fiction books. But it was truly an honor to read Fighting Words. An honor? Yeah, because I saw it as a privilege to learn what Avalos had to say.

And so much for all that. Now I really should focus on the contents of the book, right? Well, Hector Avalos, anthropologist and associate professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University, has written a book about violence and its importance to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and if that wasn't enough, it's published by Prometheus Books, known to publish books that are - to say the least - quite skeptical towards religions at large.

Avalos uses a very straight-forward methodology. By applying what he calls the "scarce resource theory", he's able to demonstrate how the phenomenon of religion results in conflicts (violence) based on criteria that are unjustifiable and/or false. In other words, the teachings proposed by religious institutions can never be proven or justified, since religions can be defined as teachings using sources from supernatural beings or sources. Religious violence then turns out to be the most unnecessary of all violence, since the conflicts over the scarce resources fist and foremost are based on premises resulting from unjustified sources.

Even though Fighting Words is a brutal critique against religions in general and religious violence in particular, Avalos still is eager to point out that religions have their good sides, too. You don't HAVE to equate religion with violence, obviously some violence is perfectly secular, and a religious worldview doesn't necessary lead to violence. However, what he does say (and argue professionally for) on numerous occasions is that religions - especially Christianity, Islam, and Judaism - is a whole lot more violent that what most people believe or are even willing to admit, academics included. Furthermore, Avalos makes a tough crack against the latter when he shows how many of them continue their apologetic approach despite the fact that the teachings are based on unbelievably bloody and vicious texts and stories.

Fighting Words is sure to stir quite a buzz, since it more or less says that religions should be done away with. Critics of religion will have a field day, and believers will have to face the fact that what they've believed to be messages of love and goodness get a whole different meaning upon closer analysis.

I'm sure to use this book a lot in the future whenever I find myself in a religious debate.

A brief overview.......2005-06-27

Hector Avalos, an anthropologist and avowed secular humanist, provides a scathing critique of religion and its relationship with violence. Avalos uses scarce resource theory in order to show that religion is inherently violent. The author, also, believes that religious violence is always immoral, but this is not necessarily the case for secular violence. In order to achieve these goals, Avalos employs an empirico-rationalist strategy and divides his work into four sections.

In Part I of his book, Avalos looks at historical understandings of the relationship between religion and violence. From Late Antiquity to the Enlightenment, the author outlines theories of violence that have been proposed by prominent intellectual and church leaders. Next, Avalos provides theories from several scientific disciplines in order to show the broad range of theories on violence: biological/evolutionary, psychological, sociological, anthropological, and military. He concludes this part by critiquing the current religious theories on the interaction between religion and violence, examining such authors as Girard, Juergensmeyer, Kimball, and Schwartz.

Part II begins by examining the history of scarce resource theory, first proposed by Thomas Malthus and adapted to cover power dynamics on the familial, national, and global scales. Avalos then proposes his theory: four main scarce resources, ultimately unverifiable or non-existent, have repeatedly generated violence from the inception of religion to the present. Access to divine communication, particularly through inscripturation, becomes scarce when not everyone has access to the communications, usually in writing. Sacred space becomes a scarce resource when not everyone has access to, or the ability to live in, a certain religious area. Group privileging becomes a scarce resource when a certain religious group receives certain benefits, usually economic, that others in proximity do not receive. Salvation itself becomes a scarce resource when it is not available to everyone. Examining the religious texts and prominent historical leaders within the Abrahamic traditions, Avalos shows how violence ensues in each religion due to the creation of each of these four scarce resources. Finally Avalos critiques those scholars who seek to reappropriate or minimize violence within each Abrahamic tradition. Avalos is especially critical of `essentialist' scholars, or those who believe religion is essentially good and violence is a deviant form of religion.

In Part III, Avalos examines violence that is thought to have been caused by secularism or atheism. Avalos aims to show that secular philosophies do not provide as clear a motive for violence as has been proposed. Nazism is not an atheistic political theory, but is based on pseudoscience and biblical concepts of ethnocentrism and genealogical purity. As such, religion was a precursor to German anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. Stalinism and the Reign of Terror in the early twentieth century had more political undertones than atheistic. Current understanding of secular violence indicts nationalism and statism as root causes, but Avalos believes that famous instances of violence (e.g., the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre) attributed to the rise of secularized states were the result of religious factors.

Avalos concludes in Part IV, that religion is inherently prone to violence because religion is "predicated on the existence of unverifiable forces and/or beings. This means that disputes and claims are not easily settled by verifiable means, and violence is often the means to settle disputes and claims," (347). The author then seeks to explore the ethics of religious violence. Moral relativism, an academic pejorative, is necessary, and self-interest is the ultimate arbiter of human morality and judgment. As such, religious violence is always immoral, because violence for unverifiable or non-existent resources is more immoral than violence for verifiable and existent resources. Avalos proposes ways in which inscripturation, sacred space, group privileging, and salvation can be minimized to lessen religious violence, but he ultimately concludes that eliminating religion from human life is the correct solution. With these conclusions in mind, Avalos ends his work by applying these principles to American foreign policy.

Scarce spiritual resources.(Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence)(Book review): An article from: The Humanist

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Scarce spiritual resources.(Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence)(Book review): An article from: The Humanist
Kenneth W. Krause
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Humanist, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1180 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: Scarce spiritual resources.(Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence)(Book review)
Author: Kenneth W. Krause
Publication: The Humanist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 66 Issue: 1 Page: 42(2)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Retro Food Fiascos: A Collection of Curious Concoctions (Retro Series)
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How to make all the foods you prayed you'd never see again

Vivid flashbacks to the not-so-distant past

Retro Food Fiascos: A Collection of Curious Concoctions (Retro Series)

Manufacturer: Collectors Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1888054883

Book Description

Banana meatloaf, tuna Jell-O salad, and Spam smoothies—borderline tummy-turners to downright doubtful, RETRO FOOD FIASCOS is a showcase of culinary curiosities from some of America's favorite magazines, cookbooks, and food companies. In the name of nutrition and creative cooking, the marketing and recipe writers of the 1950s cooked up some very suspicious combinations. Innovations in food processing and new products tempted everyone to play with their food—from the amateur cook to the professional chef. And the results? We'll let you be the judge. The pages are filled with actual recipes and images of some of the most daring dishes to ever leave the kitchen. So get out your Jell-O mold, canned meat, and best casserole dish—it's time to get funky and answer the question "What were they thinking?"

Customer Reviews:

How to make all the foods you prayed you'd never see again.......2005-08-11

I thought Retro Food Fiascos was nothing more than a blatant ripoff of James Lileks's "Gallery of Regrettable Food". The cover art, the typeface, even the design of the book, are very reminiscent of Lileks's oeuvre, and I expected it to be nothing more than a tired retread of the Lileks book with the same dull wit and the same snide, sardonic comments.

I was wrong.

This book is so much better! The comedy of the food itself far surpasses Mr. Lileks's sarcastic comments. What's more, this book includes recipes and even tips on preparing the food. I mean, what do you do with dried beef, canned potatoes, or pressed lamb if by some strange course of events you are presented with such? Retro Food Fiascos has the answer.

As for Jellied Moose Nose: that recipe comes from the very useful and humorous "Northern Cookbook", and has been made a number of times by cooks in northern Canada, although with mixed results. But, God forbid, should you be left with nothing in the kitchen but a moose nose, isn't it useful to know what to do?

Vivid flashbacks to the not-so-distant past.......2004-09-18

I was prepared not to like this book, because it is very similar in theme, approach, appearance, and even some of the specific recipes featured, to James Lileks' "The Gallery of Regrettable Food" (Crown, 2001). Very similar.

Very.

Two things set this title apart, however. One is that there is generally less commentary on the recipes here, and I tended to find Lileks' ironic tone a little tiresome when taken in large doses. Here, though, it was much easier to sit down and digest, so to speak, much of this book all at once. A second difference is that author and chef Kathy Casey (go Seattle!) apparently actually gave some of these recipes a try, which I'm not sure, or can't remember whether, Lileks ever did. That bravery on her part gives her commentary a bit more personal insight.

As with Lileks' book, the overwhelming conclusion the reader comes to after flinching his way through these cringe-inducing recipes, is, "How in the world could they eat this stuff?" Also: What was the deal with all the gelatin? I do, however, have to call B.S. (as the saying goes) on a couple of the recipes here. Short of seeing primary documentation, I absolutely refuse to believe that Jellied Moose Nose (p. 67) is a real period recipe [edit: I've since been informed that yes, it is]. And I have my doubts about Gingersnap Tongue (p. 80) and Heart With Apple-Raisin Stuffing (p. 88) too. But apart from them, I mostly marvel at the twisted and/or desperate minds that could come up with things like Veal-Oyster Loaf (p. 70), three words that should NEVER appear in sequence, or the magnificent Crown Roast of Frankfurters (p. 75), which I believe, again, is in Lileks' book too. Who knew the dry heaves were such a good abs workout?

I'm looking forward to tracking down other books in this Retro series, because they, presumably, will be charting some newer ground in the ironic-look-back-at-times-less-cool-than-today genre. As far as this title is concerned, be prepared to see things you may have seen before -- in this case, flashing back to 2001, not 1954.

Book Description

Collectors of both advertising memorabilia and thermometers will be thrilled with this all new price guide devoted completely to advertising thermometers. Arranged by category, the book includes soda pop (Coca-Cola, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Barq's Root Beer, Sunkist), restaurant, cigarette and snuff, all types of businesses, from insurance companies to funeral homes, food products, gasoline, dairy, and hundreds of miscellaneous advertising thermometers. Readers will view over 400 color photos of all typs of thermometers - glass, bubble, mirror, and more.2001 values. AUTHORBIO: Advertising and promotional items have always fascinated Curtis Merritt. When he first began collecting, he mainly dealt with old advertising distillery jugs and signs. It wasn't long before he was also interested in advertising thermometers and the colors and graphics used on them. He decided to put together a price guide, Advertising Thermometers, published in 2001. REVIEW: This book is compiled from some of the largest collections of advertising thermometers in the country. Organized by category, including agriculture, beverage, food, healthcare, industry, tobacco, and miscellaneous, each thermometer is given a size, date, and current collector value.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Little Book For Ad Thermometer Collectors !!.......2001-12-15

This is a brand new year 2001 book with more than 400 large, full color, sharp photos of every type of advertising thermometer. Values are year 2001. There's not a lot of text in this softbound, small format book, but it's loaded with beautiful pictures of this popular collectible. Major topics include: agriculture, automotive, beverage, food, funeral and ambulance, healthcare, industry, and tobacco. The smaller size makes it handy to take with you when you shop for these items. Collectors will find it of value.

Moose in the Water/Bamboo on the Bench : A Journal and a Journey
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Great book!

Pleasant reading

Moose in the Water/Bamboo on the Bench : A Journal and a Journey
Kathy J. Scott
Manufacturer: Alder Creek Enterprises Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Splitting Cane: Conversations With Bamboo Rodmakers

At the River's Edge: Lessons Learned in a Life of Fly Fishing

ASIN: 0965766322

Book Description

Moose in the Water/Bamboo on the Bench provides an intimate look into the rodmaker's world and the lives of two people who followed in the footsteps of yesterday's artisans. Set at the edge of the "North Woods" of Maine, it is a story of lasting relationships, of lakes and mountaintops, of dogs and rodmaking dogma, and of autumn landscapes made breathless by the resounding wingbeats of migrating waterfowl. a celebration of the out-doors, craftsmanship and the deep meaning of friendship

Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2004-02-14

Kathy Scott has written a wonderful book that captures the quiet, peace and joy of the Maine countryside. Adding to that, she has interweaved it with the story of the construction of a bamboo rod by her husband, David. I think the best thing I can say about it is that it reads as if you were in the same room with her, talking about things that please and things that matter. She continues this story in the second book, Headwaters Fall As Snow, another wonderful book.

Pleasant reading.......2002-05-30

I found the reading of Moose in the Water Bamboo on the Bench so enjoyable I couldn't put it down until I had read the whole book. This was one of the most enjoyable books I had read in a long time concerning flyfishing and the outdoors. Kathy Scott has done a fantastic job taking you on a journey from start to finish through the adventures she and her husband experience in the Maine woods and his building of a bamboo fly rod. I have read this book 3 times I find that enjoyable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and and loves to just read a good book. I greatly anticipate Kathy's next book.

Book Description

This book offers practical advice and plans to help you transport your daily life into the romantic and artistic trappings of Provence. It introduces you to this French region as well as an overview of French Country architecture and interior design. There are over 100 French-inspired home and landscape designs accompanied by striking renderings and easy-to-read plans.

Graphic Design USA: 20
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Outstanding examples of graphic design

Graphic Design USA: 20
Steven Heller , Paula Scher , Veronique Vienne , Lorraine Wild , and The American Institute of Graphic Arts
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Graphic Design USA 19: The Annual of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (365: Aiga Year in Design)

Graphic Design USA 18: The Annual of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (365: Aiga Year in Design)

365: AIGA Year in Design 23

365: AIGA Year in Design 21

365: AIGA Year in Design 22

ASIN: 0823072347

Book Description

Brought together in this distinguished annual are all of the fine graphic design showpieces that appeared in AIGA's juried exhibitions during the 1998-1999 season. Defining standards of excellence in American design, the works that appear in the annual were selected from thousands of entries, spanning every category of print and multi-media graphics. Jurors evaluated entries in terms of both aesthetic criteria and effectiveness in meeting the client's objective. Project statements reveal the challenges designers faced in executing the notable work. Also featured are the 1999 Gold Medalists-Tibor Kalman, Katherine McCoy, and Steven Heller, who are profiled in biographical essays and retrospective portfolios of their work.

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Outstanding examples of graphic design.......2000-06-12

Not only is this a collection of the best and brightest works in graphic design today, it's an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to know the direction in which the field is moving today. This book is illustrated with plenty of pictures of recipients of the AIGA's medals, and is also a good place to go for inspiration because it just contains SO MUCH STUFF!

Graph Drawing: 8th International Symposium, GD 2000, Colonial Williamsburg, VA, USA, September 20-23, 2000, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

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Graph Drawing: 8th International Symposium, GD 2000, Colonial Williamsburg, VA, USA, September 20-23, 2000, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3540415548

Book Description

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Graph Drawing, GD 2000, held in Colonial Williamsburg, VA, USA, in September 2000.The 36 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 68 submissions. The book presents topical sections on empirical studies and standards, theory, application and systems, force-directed layout, k-level graph layout, orthogonal drawing, symmetry and incremental layout, and reports on a workshop on graph data formats and on the annual GD graph drawing contest.

Graph Drawing: Symposium on Graph Drawing GD'96, Berkeley, California, USA, September 18 - 20, 1996, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

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Graph Drawing: Symposium on Graph Drawing GD'96, Berkeley, California, USA, September 18 - 20, 1996, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3540624953

Book Description

This book constitutes the strictly refereed post-conference proceedings of the International Symposium on Graph Drawing, GD'96, held in Berkeley, California, in September 1996.The 24 revised full papers and the 8 systems demonstrations presented in the book were carefully selected from a total of 50 papers and 24 demos submitted. Also included is a summary of the annual graph drawing competition. Among the topics covered are planarity, upward and orthogonal drawing, heuristics, experimental results, and graph drawing systems.

Kunstlerplakate: Frankreich/USA, zweite Halfte 20. Jahrhundert (Industrial design--graphic design)

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Kunstlerplakate: Frankreich/USA, zweite Halfte 20. Jahrhundert (Industrial design--graphic design)
Hans Wichmann
Manufacturer: Birkhauser
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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American Illustration 20
Amilus Inc.
Manufacturer: Amilus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1886212163

Book Description

Informed, creative, strategic, dynamic-these are the hallmarks of great illustration, and "American Illustration" is the place to find them. Volume 20 presents the best of the best: over 390 extraordinary illustrations by the top artists working today. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the founding committee of American Illustration joined a distinguished panel of jurors to choose this year's selection. From the winning images, this volume includes a special section, "The Best 20 Images of the Year." For art directors and designers, "American Illustration" is the key source for today's top talent. For people tuned in to the visual arts, this large-format, strikingly designed, and beautifully reproduced book is the most talked about gallery in print.

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9.25 x 12.25 in.

Graphic Design USA 20: The Annual of the American Institute of Graphic Arts
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Graphic Design USA 20: The Annual of the American Institute of Graphic Arts
Steven Heller
Manufacturer: WATSON-GUPTILL PUBLICATIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000R0G408

Book Description

Routledge Performance Practitioners is a series of introductory guides to the key theatre-makers of the last century. Each volume explains the background to and the work of one of the major influences on twentieth- and twenty-first-century performance.

A leading figure in the development of twentieth century theatre practice, Jacques Copeau pioneered work on actor-training, physical theatre and ensemble acting, and was a key innovator in the movement to de-centralize theatre and culture to the regions. This is the first book to combine:
· an overview of Copeau's life and work
· an analysis of his key ideas
· a detailed commentary of his 1917 production of Moliere's late farce Les Fourberies de Scapin - the opening performance of his influential New York season
· a series of practical exercises offering an introduction to Copeau's working methods.

As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners are unbeatable value for today's student.

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Jacques Copeau: Biography of a Theater
Maurice Kurtz
Manufacturer: Southern Illinois University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0809322579

Book Description

The French writer, editor, and drama critic Jacques Copeau (1879–1949) opened his Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier in Paris in 1913. Copeau was well on his way to exerting a major influence in the theater in the year that saw the end of the career of the dominant innovator of an earlier generation, André Antoine, whose Théâtre Libre (Free Stage) had featured an uncompromising realism.

In marked contrast to Antoine, Copeau returned the poetry and freshness to Shakespeare and Moliére. By May 1914, Paris and Europe had recognized his genius and his special gift to the theater. Yet like Antoine, Copeau wanted to sweep "staginess" from the stage, to banish overacting, overdressing, and flashy house trappings. To cleanse the stage of its artificiality, he created a fixed, architectural acting space where dramatic literature and theater technique could live in harmony and thrive in freedom of thought and movement. A major part of his program was teaching actors and actresses their craft.

Maurice Kurtz points out that the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier incarnates the "ideal of Copeau's stubborn struggle to remain strong in the face of indifference, independent in the face of success, proud in the face of defeat. It is the story of group spirit in its purest, most eloquent form, the spirit of personal sacrifice of all for the dignity of their art."

Kurtz here re-creates the vitality Copeau imbued in theater artists throughout the world. He conveys Copeau's enthusiasm, the crusading spirit that enabled Copeau and his Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier to transform experimentation into tradition, into the heritage of civilization. He has written a biography of a theater that was tremendously influential in Europe and America.

Jacques Copeau (Directors in Perspective)

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Jacques Copeau (Directors in Perspective)
John Rudlin
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This is the first readily available assessment of the work and influence as a director of Jacques Copeau (1879–1949), who has long been regarded as one of the fathers of twentieth-century French theatre. Along with Antoine and his own pupils Dullin and Jouvet, Copeau is known to have been instrumental in restoring the traditional values of theatre at the same time as seeking, through training and experiment, a vital contemporary function. The work of Brook’s company and research centre in Paris today is, for example, in direct descent from that of Copeau. John Rudlin examines the course of Copeau’s directorial career, concentrating on his techniques in rehearsal and performance, charting his relationships with those who collaborated and worked with him, and elucidating his ideas of theatre.

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