Book Description
The 1960s: news of riots, war, unheard-of behavior, and rampant crime crowds the papers and the airwaves. Spurned by his wife at home and by superiors at work, Earl Summerfield hunkers down in his cramped San Francisco apartment and keeps a diary that is a scratched record of a world going to pieces. The words he overhears, the words he wants to say, swim in his head, turning into fantasies of ambition, love, and retribution. He is sorry for himself. He is angry at everyone. He takes to going out at night, slipping into other people's houses. He is looking for something, and he fixes on one woman.
Customer Reviews:
Don't let the title scare you off........2006-07-03
"The Diary of a Rapist" is a middle-class "Taxi Driver." It is a modern "Crime and Punishment."
Connell has written one of the best novels I've ever read about fear, frustration and isolation. The main character, Earl Summerfield, is stuck in a loveless marriage, unhappy with his job, afraid of almost everything, and completely frustrated with how his life has played out. Earl alternates between self-love and self-loathing as he faces the ultimate fear: the possibility of a life wasted.
As the days go on, Earl obsesses about the violence surrounding him, the drudgery and squabbling at his office, the hate he feels from his wife, the constant abuses he feels he suffers. Typically, Earl thinks he could have been so much more. If it wasn't for his wife, his supervisor, his whoever, he'd be a great man, a wealthy man.
The frustration cracks him, and he latches onto a beauty queen he thinks represents what he considers the modern trampy female (Earl's incompetence with women leads to a deep misogyny). After the act the title of the book suggests takes place, Earl can't help but romanticize the woman. Thinking that he loves her, that he needs to marry her, that she enjoyed what happened.
I don't think I've ever read a novel that better understood loneliness. How internalizing the rage of your inadequacies can lead to delusions and acts of impulsive violence. Connell gives you a front-row seat to Earl's pitiful life -- his lack of will, his fantasies, his inability to function, his almost bipolar shifting attitudes, and how he eventually takes this out on someone else and hurts her -- and it is scary and it is sad.
The only other character study that so accurately reveals the dark conscience of the Broken American Male is Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver." But Connell's book is even better, because he puts you right in Earl's mind, and it is a place both fascinating and disturbing.
Deeply unsettling, utterly compelling.......2004-12-01
Earl Summerfield, 26, feckless junior clerk at the State Unemployment Bureau, miserably married to the loveless Bianca, 33, keeps a diary for one year. It becomes a record of marital hatred, the paranoia and pathetic rivalries of office life, and, increasingly, a record of violent crime - the rapes, robberies, senseless murders and gas chamber executions reported in the daily news. Earl's apparent disgust and dismay at the crime wave alternates with violent sexual fantasies of his own. Fleeing Bianca and his apartment some nights, he begins sneaking into other people's houses. When he becomes fixated with the local beauty queen, Mara St Johns, it's only a matter of time before Earl's fantasies become reality. Or do they?... I imagine many readers flee from this novel - even from the title - assuming it's some kind of exploitative or voyeuristic pornography. Far from it. It is relentlessly voyeuristic, but the object of that gaze is Earl's mind. This is a tremendously engaging novel of psychological realism, and what gives it that vivid quality is that Earl is as inconsistent as any real person. He loves himself, he's filled with self-loathing. He deserves to be promoted, he's an idiot for dreaming of it. One day he despises work, the next he can't wait to go in. One night he revels in personal insights and dreams of self-transformation, making life-changing decisions which are instantly reversed or forgotten by the next. He's a man unravelling; caught in the trap of middle-class existence which fuels his dreams without giving him any real hope of achieving them; caught, too, between desire and the Puritan legacy for which the circuit breaker is a violent rejection and punishment of sex. What's most compelling about Earl's diary is that the more deranged, anti-social and evangelical he becomes, the more consistent are his writing and behaviour. In the end, he lives up to his rhetoric.
Average customer rating:
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The Diary of a Rapist: A Novel
Evan S. Connell
Manufacturer: North Point Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0865473080 |
Customer Reviews:
Deeply Disturbing.......2003-10-18
This is the diary of a rapist. It is also an exploration of the degenerating thought patterns of this man's mind. The first thing one notices about this work is the lack of abject sexuality...there are no long erotic dream sequences, no detailed review of violent acts, no endless explorations into kinky sex.
Our main character (I refuse to use the term "anti-hero") thinks of himself as a witty bon vivant who SHOULD have the power to mesmerize a certain woman. You discover midway that at some point he abused this woman and is now taunting her. Then he begins to unravel and slowly descends into madness that we view through his increasingly obscure diary entries. Fascinating read.
Average customer rating:
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Diary of A Rapist
Anna Maria Pellegrino
Manufacturer: Strawhouse Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Erotica
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1892323249 |
Average customer rating:
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The Diary of A Rapist
Manufacturer: North Point Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HVZ8CM |
Average customer rating:
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The Diary of a Rapist
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000B1GY44 |
Product Description
As Earl Summerfield fills the emotional vacuum of his life with criminal violence, erotic fantasies, obsessive and horrifying acts, every reader will experience his own, very personal reaction.
Book Description
Torn between the possibilities . . .
Fleeing her centaur clan's increasingly militant beliefs, Brighid Dhianna has begun to find peace and acceptance among the humans of Clan MacCallan. Still, she agrees to leave her newly formed friendships to guide her clan chieftain's grieving brother home.
As she journeys, Brighid discovers that the long-dormant Shaman blood that runs so thickly in her veins will no longer be silenced. As seductive new powers begin to beckon, Brighid glimpses a future that is more impossible -- and more magical -- than any she could have dared to imagine.
But when tragedy summons her back to the Centaur Plains, Brighid must make a decision that will affect not only her friendship with the humans, but the centaur herd and indeed the world. For the Great Goddess Epona has set her on a new path that demands everything she has to give.
When the whole world is turning to her for help, healing the heart of a warrior doesn't sound so daunting . . .
Download Description
Centaur Brighid Dhianna has found peace and acceptance among humans but is forced to leave them to guide the brother of the centaur clan's chieftain home. On the journey, she discovers the long dormant Shaman blood running in her veins and, as seductive powers beckon, she glimpses an unimaginable future. Soon she must make a challenging decision affecting not only her friendship with the humans, but the centaur herd and the world.
Customer Reviews:
Brighid's Quest.......2007-07-12
I love all of PC Cast's books. It helps to do a little research and read the books in order to help track the characters and how the intertwine through each book. I liked this one in part because it stays in one time space. Each of her books asks that you stretch your imagination and they bring folklore alive. Can't wait for the next one!
Another Winner.......2007-05-25
I didn't come away from Elphame's Choice with a great liking for Brighid as a character, but I'm glad I picked this up anyway because it completely changed my mind abouut her. I was so impressed with her development, as I read and the power of her emotional conflict. There are so many moments in this book that make it well worth the length, not just involving Brighid and Cu's interaction. but also the absolutely amazing sequences regarding the New Fomorians. Plus you gotta love a cliff hanger ending. Brighid's Quest really adds to the depth and richness of the Partholon saga. and only adds to the anticipation for future books.
Excellent writing, dull characters, no plot.......2007-04-28
After hearing wonderful reviews for the works of P.C. Cast and one glowing one for this novel in particular, I rushed off to buy Brighid's Quest, intrigued by the premise of a centaur heroine.
I cannot in any way fault P.C. Cast's writing. Her prose is beautiful, her descriptions lush. The word she built is unique and detailed. It's a fascinating mix of mythologies with Goddesses Incarnate, centaurs, and Fomorians.
However, as lovely as the world and writing are, they can't make up for the total lack of conflict in the story. Everyone is just wonderful and lovely to everyone else. The children and bright, happy, and exuberant, not a brat in the bunch. Their leader is sweet, understanding, sweet, powerful, sweet... It's almost mind-numbing how perfect everyone is.
250 pages into the book, Brighid and Cu have helped bring the perfect children and their perfect leader through the Fomorian land and across a pass. Thinking back on it, I'd be hard pressed to remember anything else that occured over those pages... And those pages were a trial to get through because I kept putting the book down out of sheer boredom. Nothing about the characters made me want to explore their futures.
If you enjoy books where everyone is lovely and wonderful to each other, rather like a literary version of heaven, then this is the book for you. If you like something with conflict, characters making mistakes and learning from then, then you might want to give this a miss.
Awesome!.......2007-01-26
Brighid was a character you could relate to....I really enjoyed the way the author developed her characters. Another wonderful story!
Great Fairy Tale for Adults.......2006-12-14
I really enjoyed reading this book. I read this book last from all of PC Casts other goddess novels. Great story.
Customer Reviews:
Battletech!!!.......2007-02-02
This book got me addicted to the Battletech series of books! Pardoe does an excellent job of describing the battles and main events, I got very vivid images of the mechs battling about whilst reading this book. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves big mechs and powerful guns!! Totally awesome!
Best Battletech book I've read to date...........2005-02-22
I haven't read all of them, but this is definitely the best I've read so far. I own about 15 of the BattleTech/Mechwarrior books available. This is the first time I've gone online to research one of the authors. Pardoe brings the story to life and I found myself wanting to get back to the book each day after work.
It's a 4/5 in terms of all books, fantasy & sci-fi, that I've read. It's a 5/5 in terms of BattleTech books I've read. Pick this one up if you are a BattleTech/Mechwarrior fan.
I would recommend reading the "Blood of Kerensky" trilogy before starting this series though. Book 2, "Grave Covenant" refers to a lot of happenings from "Blood of Kerensky."
Enjoy!
The Clans continue to crumble.......2005-02-09
After launching their invasion of the Inner Sphere, the Clans have steadily disintegrated. Trent of the Smoke Jaguars is caught up in this decline and his life story is a microcosm of the Clan deterioration.
The Clans were founded on idealistic principles. Trent reflects:
"Nicholas Kerensky, the founder of the Clans, had envisioned a society where only warriors engaged in combat and the rules of warfare were honored by all. Where truth and justice were tested on the field of battle. Right and wrong were clear-cut, determined by prowess shown in trials of combat."
When the Clans sought to conquer the Inner Sphere, they faced a crisis of purpose. They split into two factions. The Crusaders want to conquer Terra and rule the Inner Sphere. The Wardens want to protect the Inner Sphere against outside enemies. The split later caused the Jade Falcons Clan and Wolves Clan to nearly destroy each other.
The Clans lost on Tukayyid, forcing them to accept a humiliating 15 year truce. Further divisiveness split the Clans. The young generations are raised to love combat, and to prove themselves in conquest. Denied the chance to find glory, and thereby stripped of their very identities, they blamed the warriors who failed on Tukayyid. Trent was one of the warriors involved in this fiasco, and is hated by nearly everyone.
The Jaguars, hidebound to their rules of war and their will to dominate, expect captured civilians to support them willingly. They do not understand that Sphere citizens despise the Clans and their ruthless society. The Jaguars will commit atrocities against rebelling populations. Trent is caught up in these acts.
Exodus Road maintains this theme of destructive energy eating Clan society from within.
Another prevalent theme is crisis of honor. Trent is the standard honorable man who questions his cruel society. He is an amazing warrior who respects the value of human life. He is fair in battle and honest. His fellow Jaguars, particularly two of his commanding officers, are despicable and psychotic. They use dirty politics, deceit, and sabotage against fellow Jaguars. I found the contrast between Trent and the others to be too exaggerated. Pardoe seemed intent on eliminating any ambiguity about Trent's hero status. Trent watches his enemies commit increasingly evil acts until he is clearly justified in taking action.
The story was interesting, but rather rushed. Only a few characters were fleshed out, and the rest were forgettable. The obligatory romance was neither romantic nor interesting.
Though I did not like Pardoe's writing style in Highlander Gambit, he did an excellent job here. His prose is sharp and active. It flows well and moves quickly. The hand-to-hand combat scenes were intense. The exciting `Mech battles draw the reader into the brutal slugfest of the 12 meter killing machines.
Exodus Road is one of the better Battletech books that I have read. It maintains intensity and has a fairly good story. It provides great material about the Clans and it sets the stage for the popular Twilight of the Clans story arc.
-Zach Zelmar
AWESOME BOOK.......2003-04-12
i thought that this story of a clanner severly wronged was amazing. had me on the edge of my seat. the story is about trent, a member of clan smoke jaguar but someone who is wrapped up in red tape and does something about it. this whole series was good but this book was the best. backstabbing, deception, double crossing and justice all make this book a very easy, fun, exciting and good read.
Character Development 101.......2003-01-15
I liked this book, both as a fan of the Battletech series and as a science fiction fan, but I do have to say Pardoe should have tried a little character development. Truly you could see a turning point in which Trent has the final straw broken about Jag morality during his fight to prevent the razing of Chinn. However, in the next scene he agrees to betray his clan in a conversation of less than a page, but without any seeming internal transformation.
Also, the love story came out of nowhere, on one page near the end Judith and Trent reveal their love, then they kiss on the last page, with no internal development from either of them.
Otherwise the book is excellent as per most Battletech fiction. With political wheelings and dealings both in the rigid Clans and the chaotic Inner Sphere, plenty of mech showdowns, and a couple good old fashioned fistfights for good measure.
Book Description
Well-loved classic about Buddhism and the pitfalls and benefits of meditation. Illustrated.
Customer Reviews:
Favorite Quote.......1998-01-26
I stumbled across this quote outside of the book: Only he who, while fully reconginzing and understanding his Western heritage, penetrates and absorbs the heritage of the East, can gain the highest values of both worlds and do justice to them. East and West are the two halves of our human consciousness, comparable to the two poles of a magnet, which condition and correspond to each other and cannot be separated. Only if man realizes this fact will he become a complete human being.
Book Description
Low-Carb Green Salads for Lunch & Dinner contains over 140 recipes with superb dressings and vinaigrettes. These dishes target people who specialize in eating healthy food. I've employed updated methods, new techniques, and fresh presentations to create new dishes low in carbohydrates that are fit for any discriminating table. Working aboard the luxury yacht Celtic Pride has given me the opportunity to test out these recipes on celebrity guests such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some my audience's favorite dishes are: Pancetta and Watercress Salad with Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette, Grilled Oyster Mushroom and Roast Beef Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette, Grilled Halibut Salad with Lemon Pistachio Vinaigrette, Spring Mix, Gorgonzola and Chorizo Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette, Rib Eye Steak and Frisee Salad with Pecorino, Ahi Tuna and Mesclun Salad with Pumpkin-Seed Vinaigrette.
Book Description
Over 120 black and white photos and 175 patent drawing, charts, diagrams, and schematics trace a century's development of telephones, from Alexander Graham Bell's first phone of 1876 to Trimline models from Western Electric. This valuable reference also provides technical information about their electrical circuitry and electrical measurements required to successfully repair, restore, and maintain a collection. Also included are a bibliography, an index, and a price guide for the telephones displayed. This reference is essential for every serious telephone collector, dealer, and restorer.
Customer Reviews:
A Must Have for All Telephone Collectors.......2007-07-23
If you don't want just to collect antique telephones but also understand how they work, this book is the source for almost all your answers. Very detailed descriptions, very nice schematics and pictures.
Old-time Telephones.......2006-07-10
Very informative book: for the collector, restorer and even the technician. Probably the best technical information widely available on the development of the US Public Telephone system subscriber instruments from turn-of-the-century local battery-magneto to the Princess and Trimlines. Covers development, design and even touches on the corporate thinking which influenced this. Keeps the interest of the engineer but not so technical that the amateur shouldn't be able to follow it too. While the emphasis is on Bell phones, the other major competitor's equivalents are covered as well.
Improve the Quality of your Telephoning, Throw away your cell.......2006-03-16
I fell in love with old telephones when I bought my first oak wall telephone at an uncle's farm sale in S/E Minnesota way back in 1967. It didn't make any difference to me that it didn't work ... I just liked oak. I bought more wall phones, oak, then walnut and even one with a cherrywood case. The house got filled up with phones that were as much as 5 feet tall. I started collecting desk telephones and candlestick telephones instead. Very few of them worked but that didn't make any difference ... it was a history thing. Besides, I had no training in telephony and there weren't any books on the subject anyway.
And back then most folks, including me, were scared to death of Ma Bell's "Telephone Police."
But now Dr. Meyer's book is out ... I already knew the history of most of my phones but now with the information in Dr. Meyer's book I can actually make some of those old timers work again. If you are a newcomer to the telephone collecting hobby, you have a tremendous advantage over me ... it took me 40 years to learn the history of the telephone. You can buy Dr. Meyer's book, learn the history of the telephone in one weekend and at the same time have the technical information provided to you that will enable you to put grandpa's phone back on line again. The telephones from the 40s, 50s and 60s were the best ever made.
Put your offshore throwaway phone in the drawer ... use Old-Time Telephones as a guide to hook up grandpa's Western Electric 302 or 500 set, or a comparable A/E, Stromberg or Kellogg phone ... put a good phone in service in your house.
BTW ... I don't recall that Dr. Meyer's book gives instructions on the use of a rotary dial. You and your kids will have to figure out on your own how to do that.
A Comprehensive Guide For Beginner Or Expert.......2006-01-16
I have worked with old telephones for more than 40 years, and the repair and restoration of them is part of my livelihood. I can state, with authority, that Ralph Meyer has brought together everything a person needs to know about old telephone theory, repair, restoration, and history. I highly recommend Old Time Telephones! to beginners and seasoned collectors or technicians who need an indispensable reference source. Dr. Meyer's book sets the standard for old telephone reference material.
A Valuable Reference of Telephone Technical Information .......2006-01-09
I bought Dr. Meyer's first book, Old-Time Telephones, fifteen years ago. It was a great reference on the technical workings of the telephone concepts from the early years. Dr. Meyers out does himself with his Second edition of Old-Time Telephones. He has expanded the information provided in the first reference and added much new data in twenty-two chapters. Including high quality print, pictures, drawings, etc. of circuits, transmitters, receivers, induction coils and wiring schematics. At first glance you will recognize the dedication and time Dr. Meyers has contributed to this reference. He explains the concepts and early developments of the ninetieth century pioneers who developed telegraph systems prior to the invention of the telephone. Meyers explains the experiments of Bell, Gray and others who developed and invented telephone communication, used for more that a century. He has dissected and compares telephone circuits of major manufactures of the last century up to and including the present times. Dr Meyers has written all this in simple language anyone can understand. Old Time Telephones 2nd Edition has received some great reviews from numerous telephone collectors who have worked in the industry and collected telephones, more than thirty years. This book is a valuable reference of technical information for anyone interested in telephone communications past and present. Enjoy!!
Rick Saint, Houston Texas
Average customer rating:
- Bad Book!
- Excellent book on the history and technology of W.E. Phones
- Provides schematics and restoration information.
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Old-Time Telephones!: Technology, Restoration, and Repair
Ralph O. Meyer
Manufacturer: Tab Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Electrical & Electronics
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Telephone Systems
| Telecommunications
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| History & Philosophy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
History of Technology
| Technology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Applied
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0070418179 |
Customer Reviews:
Bad Book!.......2000-04-19
I checked with the local telephone man and the drawings on how to hook up the telephone are illegal and can get you hurt. The restoration methods will damade the telephone and a collector will not want your phone. I feel that this book is a sham and would not recommend it. If you are looking for some help restoreing a old telephone check out your local telephone collecting group.
Excellent book on the history and technology of W.E. Phones.......1998-06-28
This book covers the technical history of telephones, focusing on main-line American (Western Electric) and closely related phones. Early local battery systems are covered, and detailed descriptions are given of the telephone circuits and how they work. The book progresses to common battery, dial, touch tone and so on, with circuits and descriptions for virtually every Western Electric phone type. It is incredibly valuable as a reference, as well as a good read for anyone interested in the technical history of telephones.
Provides schematics and restoration information........1996-08-15
We were able to locate hard to find technical data and schematics for older, classic telephones. Also includes a good index and bibliography
Average customer rating:
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Holding the Line: The Telephone in Old Order Mennonite and Amish Life (Center Books in Anabaptist Studies)
Diane Zimmerman Umble
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Anthropology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Cultural
| Ethnobotany
| Ethnology
| Evolution
| General
| History & Philosophy
| Physical
| Primitive
| Religious
| Sociobiology
Culture
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Protestantism
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Mennonite
| Protestantism
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Sociology
| Religious Studies
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Telecommunications
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0801853125 |
Book Description
Among the Old Order Mennonite and Amish communities of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the coming of the telephone posed a serious challenge to the longstanding traditions of work, worship, silence, and visiting. In 1907, Mennonites crafted a compromise in order to avoid a church split and grudgingly allowed telephones for lay people while prohibiting telephone ownership among the clergy. By 1909, the Amish had banned the telephone completely from their homes. Since then, the vigorous and sometimes painful debates about the meaning of the telephone reveal intense concerns about the maintenance of boundaries between the community and the outside world and the processes Old Order communities use to confront and mediate change.
In Holding the Line, Diane Zimmerman Umble offers a historical and ethnographic study of how the Old Order Mennonites and Amish responded to and accommodated the telephone from the turn of the twentieth century to the present. For Old Order communities, Umble writes, appropriate use of the telephone marks the edges of appropriate association--who can be connected to whom, in what context, and under what circumstances. Umble's analysis of the social meaning of the telephone explores the effect of technology on community identity and the maintenance of cultural values through the regulation of the means of communication.
"An excellent piece of work that makes an original and substantial contribution to multiple fields: anthropology, sociology, American studies, communication, history, and cultural studies. The scholarship is sound and the analysis is superb. Well-written and highly readable, this book is wonderful."--Lana Rakow, University of North Dakota
Average customer rating:
- Telephone Collector Review of Old Telephones
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Old Telephones (Shire Albums)
Andrew Emmerson
Manufacturer: Shire Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Popular Culture
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0852637810 |
Customer Reviews:
Telephone Collector Review of Old Telephones.......2001-03-06
This publication contains the best collection of wall mounted and desk telephones used by Britain's telephone system over a 75 to 100 year period. There are pictures of most of the models used as well as a written description of how these phones worked, where and when they were used, and information about the many manufacturers who provided the telephone equipment. What may not be known to the average telephone collector is that many American firms provided telephone equipment to Britain either direct or through British manufacturing branches of these companies.
British telephones are very collectible by British, Australian, and American collectors as well as collectors from many other parts of the world. There are many collectors in Europe who collect not only telephones used and produced in their own countries but from Britain and the U.S. as well.
The book contains a huge array of photos of many designs and types with full explanations and details for each. This publication is a valuable reference and should be in any collector's library.
Average customer rating:
- Good introduction to knitting in Australia
- I want to be invited!!
- the New Knitting in an Austrailian context
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It's My Party and I'll Knit If I Want To! (Food, Family & Friends Cookbook)
Sharon Aris
Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Cooking
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Essays
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Knitting
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1741140730 |
Book Description
This lighthearted, philosophical look at the current knitting craze views its popularity as third-wave feminism in action. Part how-to, part social criticism, it addresses such issues as the appropriateness of knitting in public, sharing needles, and the use of natural versus synthetic yarns. A dozen knitting patterns for hot water bottle covers, scarves, baby clothes, and doggie sweaters are also included.
Customer Reviews:
Good introduction to knitting in Australia.......2007-04-16
This book is a light, personal account of a novice knitter's introduction to the craft in Australia. The author visits knitting groups, wool mills, yarn shops and classes, and offers some insight into the PR motives behind the Australian knitting boom. The patterns at the back of the book weren't very useful, but apart from that it was an enjoyable read.
I want to be invited!!.......2005-06-12
As a new knitter, I wanted to learn about other knitters and their thoughts and ideas. I love reading chicklit novels and this book fit right in! This book provided me just that and more! I received great "knit-bits," if you will, about the history and the present day knitting. I also found the diary-style writting to be quick and more fun! Wonderful for knitters new and experienced!!
the New Knitting in an Austrailian context.......2004-01-03
As a new knitter, Sharon Aris explores the history & culture of knitting in Australia. She participates in drop in knit clinics, knitting guild meetings, an engineered pub knitting event and an online knitting community. She interviews shop owners, teachers, mill employees and other knitters about their hobby. I liked the way this book set the context for the current knitting boomlet in terms of the history of the craft, third-wave feminism, and the modern reliance on marketing & trend analysis. The book is very readable & fun, including (short!) snippets from Sharon's knitting diary showing her increasing fascination with fiber. The author is australian and so is the book. American readers will have to look up or skip over words like daggy and arvo and may miss some of the cultural context like names of TV shows and stores in Australia. I thought the central ideas (craft as feminist, the upswing in creativity in knitting, finding your knitting niche) were clear despite Aussie-speak. Does anyone know of a similar book for American knitting?
Average customer rating:
- A sturdy bridge from tradition to technology
- Interesting for artists with NO digital experience
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Going Digital: An Artist's Guide to Computer Illustration
John Ennis
Manufacturer: Madison Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0942604504 |
Customer Reviews:
A sturdy bridge from tradition to technology.......1999-03-17
For any artist working in traditional media, this book will open your eyes to the world offered by the computer. In an age of technology, it is necessary to keep an open mind to survive in art. The computer does not have to signal the end of art as we know it but give us another avenue to explore and expand our creativity. Going Digital: An Artist's Guide to Computer Illustration is an excellent source of insight as well as inspiration. I recommend this book to anyone who has not yet experienced the true potential of the computer to enhance art.
Interesting for artists with NO digital experience.......1999-01-20
When I bought this book, I had fairly good Photoshop skills, a little Bryce 3D and not much more.
I was looking for something that would give me a few more advanced pointers and techniques on creating illustrations in the Digital media and "Going Digital : An Artist's Guide to Computer Illustration" sounded promising.
However when I received the book, I was somewhat disappointed... it is a good book for its intended audience, but not for my needs.
It's intended audience are traditional media artists who are wondering what Digital Art is all about but most likely had never turned on a Mac.
It is an overview on what digital art is, the benefits of using it, some very fine examples of what can be done, discussions on how to set up your digital studio and the costs involved, and an overview of the steps etc... but not much actually useful tips in creating digital art.
So it could also be summerised as "A Traditional Media Artist's Guide to Going Digital." In this light it would be worth five stars.
The illustrations are sumptuous and beautifully executed and fill the book and certainly act as an inspiration.
But I'm afraid that if you want some hands-on pointers on illustrating in Photoshop or Painter etc, it's best to look elsewhere.
Average customer rating:
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Two Million Mile Drive
Bob Garber
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1414021178 |
Books:
- The Disapparation of James
- The Good Wife Strikes Back
- The Horus Road: Lords of the Two Lands: Volume 3
- The Ice Chorus: A Novel
- The Known World CD
- The Man Who Fell in Love With the Moon: A Novel
- The MULCHING OF AMERICA: A Novel
- The Mystery of Breathing: A Novel
- The Old Manor House (Broadview Literary Texts)
- The Oracle Glass: A Novel
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