A HEALER AMONG US: THE STORY OF DOUGLAS JOHNSON

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A HEALER AMONG US: THE STORY OF DOUGLAS JOHNSON

Manufacturer: Cameo Art Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000CBG2WM

Product Description

The story of Douglas Johnson, from a sickly child with a life-threatening illness to one of the world's most notable psychic healers. Includes discussions of phenomena surrounding Johnson such as spirit apparitions and voices, psychic visions, precognitive dreams and accurate predictions.

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A Subversively Funny Send-up
A Classic from a Master

The Laying On of Hands: Stories
Alan Bennett
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312422253

Amazon.com

With his actor's ear for dialogue, his dead-on pacing, and his talent for social comedy, British playwright Alan Bennett (The Madness of King George) is hardly lacking in literary gifts. The three stories in The Laying On of Hands, two of which have been filmed by the BBC, are funny in different ways. The title piece is a slow-to-ripen satire set at the Anglican funeral service of a handsome young masseur, whose clients turn out to include cabinet ministers, soap opera stars, and the presiding clergyman. The second story, "Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet," describes the odd relationship a pure-minded middle-aged woman develops with her charming chiropodist (podiatrist). And the final story, "Father! Father! Burning Bright," follows a mousy schoolteacher named Midgley through the self-searching and nurse-hunting days preceding his father's death in Intensive Care. The range and subtle coloration of Bennett's humor will appeal, especially, to readers of Robertson Davies and Muriel Spark. --Regina Marler

Book Description

Alan Bennett's extraordinary ear for dialogue and sharpness of perception have made him a master storyteller. In 'Father! Father! Burning Bright' he writes with tragicomic insight about a son's vigil at his father's deathbed where their lifelong battle continues to the end. 'The Laying on of Hands,' a brilliantly funny satire, describes a society memorial service for a rather special masseur who died tragically young; and in 'Miss Fozzard Finds her Feet,' a lonely, unmarried department store clerk discovers there's more to life than looking after her brother through her only indulgence, her podiatrist.

Customer Reviews:

A Subversively Funny Send-up.......2007-05-07

The title story of Alan Bennett's "The Laying on of Hands," a novella that takes up half the book of three stories, demonstrates the playwright's sparkling versatility as a writer.

Anyone who has seen or read Bennett's recent Tony-award-winning play, "The History Boys," will appreciate the more subtle humor of "The Laying on of Hands," the focus of which is a memorial service for a highly attractive, skillful, and young (dead at age 34) masseur conducted by a High Anglican priest who, like most of those attending the service, has enjoyed the virile masseur's services, albeit without the knowledge of the others.

Among the attendees is wide selection of mourners, including many of England's wealthy and famous, male and female, a "version of England," as it were. Add a self-righteous Archdeacon, there to report on the conduct of Father Geoffrey Jolliffe, who is conducting the service, and you have the ingredients for a smart, subversive dark comedy revolving around the question of "What did he die of?"

To supply the answer would spoil the story. Read it and enjoy it; then read and see the movie version, available on DVD, of "The History Boys" if you haven't already.

Wrestling With Angels: A Tale of Two Brothers Bare Roots Loud Whisper

A Classic from a Master.......2002-11-02

Alan Bennett is the classiest act in literature. His personal style--wry, self-effacing--shades his writing, which manages to be delicate, ironic, and hysterically funny all at once. The title story is destined to be a classic, and if you loved "The Clothes They Stood Up In," it's sure to be something you read and reread. It's genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and it's quite astonishing how a seemingly lightweight take about the death of an ambisexual masseur can hone in on people's hopes and fears without ever becoming less than a breathtaking feat. The second, also more a novella than a shirt story, is less impressive but still very funny, sexy, and also sweet. The last is the least compelling--the prat of a protagonist makes it rough going--but this is the shortest of the lot by far. And the first take alone is well worth the price.

The Laying on of Hands (BBC Radio Collection)

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The Laying on of Hands (BBC Radio Collection)

Manufacturer: BBC Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

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Alan Bennett: Four Stories (Unabridged)
Alan Bennett
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000BTIP4I

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The Laying On of Hands: Stories
Alan Bennett
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTM8VQ

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The Laying on of Hands: Stories
Alan Bennett
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTDG1C

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Nice Ice

I disagree with NY

This is just bad....

A return of continuity and character from Lain

At last the return of Hennet
Plague of Ice (Dungeons & Dragons Novel)
T. H. Lain
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Living Dead (Dungeons & Dragons Novel)

The Savage Caves (Dungeons & Dragons Novel)

Oath of Nerull (Dungeons & Dragons Novel)

The Death Ray (Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Novel)

City of Fire (Dungeons & Dragons Novel)

ASIN: 0786929537
Release Date: 2003-05-01

Book Description

This title chronicles the latest adventure of various iconic characters from the Dungeons & Dragons core rulebooks. This series of novels is designed to bring readers closer to the feeling of actually playing a D&D adventure. This seventh title in the novel line features the iconic characters of the fighter and the rogue, both of whom appeared in the kickoff title of the line, The Savage Caves.

Frigid cold and ice sweep across the realm at the height of summer. Arctic monsters prowl the flash-frozen landscape. To unlock the mystery, a small band of heroes must traverse the depths of a ruined, ice-clogged city that now houses only unearthly creatures and deadly traps.

Will they find the key to salvation?

Customer Reviews:

Nice Ice.......2004-01-09

A well crafted tale of world saving and a complete turnaround for the series after the abysmal Treachery's Wake.

Our three returning heros Regdar the fighter, Lidda the rogue and Hennet the sorceror are mostly who they were previously. There are some continuity problems with Hennet but nothing as egregious as previous continuity errors have been so I'm much more forgiving. The one-shot ice druidess was nicely developed, continuing with the tradition of the iconic characters being supporting casts almost to the better developed guest stars.

There is nothing special about the plot, but it is well crafted and does a great job of projecting the cold to the reader. The dungeon crawl late in the book was actually entertaining and had some surprises. For once Regdar and Lidda didn't run in like complete buffoons, Lidda actually did some scouting.

A bittersweet triumph, a return home and a nice night's reading is complete. This is the best iconic D&D book since Oath of Nerull, also featuring Hennet.

I disagree with NY.......2003-12-16

How when you have only ever read one of the D&D series dare to comment on how it should be written. This book is one of the best of the series and many agree. The writing is excellent and I cannot wait for many more from this author.

This is just bad...........2003-10-30

The story is bad enough (predictable, boring, and lacking in all creativity), but a novel that's supposedly true to the game mechanics should not have as many errors (not to mention typos and grammatical errors) as this one does. Magic missiles do not affect inanimate objects, nor do they make booming noises and cause avalanches. I can see the poor DM now arguing with a would-be tyro over this....
As for the story, why are the soon-to-be-facing-a-dragon heroes so worried about a few gnolls? Either they should be much more scared of the dragon (of course, with characters this wooden and writing this bad, it's hard to tell), or the gnolls should present no challenge whatsoever.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone--it was the first, and last, of the D&D novels I'll purchase.

A return of continuity and character from Lain.......2003-07-09

More mindless mind-candy D&D fluff from T.H. Lain. This one was quite good - and that has nothing to do with my bias towards bare-chested sorceror hunks with tattooes of dragons covering visible inches of their wonderful bronzed flesh... er. What was I saying?

The plot on this one continues the Regdar and Lidda thread from earlier books, which was a nice touch (they reference to how they met, and Jozan, for example, and more importantly, Regdar is on a bit of a death-wish ever since Naull disappeared). Ditto for Hennet, who is stinging somewhat over the parting of ways with Ember from a previous title. It's nice to see the plot unfolding over many titles, though there are some discrepancies, as noted by one other reviewer: (a) Hennet never uses Invisibility, which would have come in handy a few times, and (b) where's the wand he won in the competition? Y'know, the one that reflects magic back? Even mentioning that it had been used up would have been nice. Further, he seemed very chaotic and unfocused in his magic use and his mental processes - he really just leaps in and then tries to figure things out when it's too late.

When a deep cold seems to be spreading all across the land, can Lidda, Regdar, Hennet and an arctic druidess save the world? Of course. Duh. But as always, the fun is in the journey... And although there are some tedious battle scenes, the non-iconic druidess character, Sonja, is quite interesting as an "arctic druid."

'Nathan

At last the return of Hennet.......2003-05-27

I was happy to see Hennet return to the series, I like having a few brash characters around to givethe others a ard time. Regdar is still troubled over the loss of Naull and Lidda is... well Lidda, gotta love her. The new character in this one is Sonja a druid who feels much more like a druid than Vadania did in Treachery's Wake.

I liked that this story does not flash back and forth between heroes and villains, it just sticks with the party and we make discoveries as they do. In this way you are actually surprised once in a while about what is causing the ice plague and why.

I did have one gripe that keeps this one from getting 5 stars and that is while Sonja uses a nice variety of different druid spells to get throught the novel Hennet seems to only know magic missile and web. I understand that sorceres know fewer spells than wizards and priests but come on. For example when the characters encounter a dragon he fires a magic missile at it. Magic missile on a dragon, is that wise? He did acquire an invisibility spell in Oath of Nerull but hasn't found a need for it in this one. But as I said Sonja does use a lot of interesting magic.

There are some very interesting cold terrain monsters to be encountered in plague of ice which I liked and also two encounters with orcs and gnolls which I found tiresome. Don't get me wrong Lain has really gotten orcs and gnolls down I just wanted something new this late in the series.

I was liking the dialouge quite a bit, there are a couple of memorable lines especially from Sonja. And of course Lidda kept things lively.

Book Description

Beam aboard for a bold new era in Star Trek storytelling! Beginning with this thrilling all new trilogy, the original five-year mission of the Starship Enterprise™ is reimagined via the many valiant crew members who served under legendary command if Capt. James T. Kirk. Who are these exceptional men and women often asked to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of interstellar peace and exploration? What are their stories? Their saga begins in

THE JANUS GATE
book one of three
PRESENT TENSE

The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise™ is exploring the seemingly peaceful and uninhabited world of M-3107 when a bizarre and inexplicable transporter accident causes both Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy to vanish completely. Transporter records suggest that the two men were transported somewhere, but their ultimate destination remains a mystery.

Now in command of the Enterprise, Spock dispatches a search-and -rescue team -- consisting of Security Chief Giotto, Transporter Technician John Kyle, and Chief Helmsman Hikaru Sulu -- on an urgent mission to recover the missing officers.

But then the rescue team disappears as well!

Customer Reviews:

Great Star Trek.......2005-01-24

In the last decade or so I haven't taken much time to read Star Trek in the written form. In the past, I've always enjoyed the Star Trek novels because the publishers seem much more willing to take chances. Chances in the form of relationsips, choices, and actions the television producers seems too scared to attempt. In addition, the novels always gave the secondary charcters an opporuntiy to shine. Again, in their focus on two or three main characters (Kirk/Spock/McCoy, Picard/Riker/Data) the supporting cast rarely had the chances to shine except in a few episodes written specifically for them. Present Tense is an example of the latter. Here Graf allows the secondary characters to shine and show their stuff, especially Uhura, Chekov and Sulu. Sulu especially is given more to do than he ever had in the series or movies (except possibly Undiscovered Country and his appearances on Voyager). The hallmark of the Original Series was the interaction between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. I have to say the author really captures that by-play better than any I've read so far. As to the plot, there are times when I found myself skimming but the ideas are intriguing and the action is good enough that I definately wanted to keep on reading. I'm actually reading an omnibus edition published by the Science Fiction Book Club so I won't have to wait long for the end. If you enjoyed classic Original Series shows, then the Janus Gate series is a must read. Even if your a Star Trek fan in general, this book series is a great and fun romp.

Well, I think this book was great!.......2004-06-26

But maybe I am a bit biased since I am a Star Trek Original Series fan from way back and a Star Trek fan in general. Not to mention a fan of all classic and soon-to-be classic sci-fi space operas such as: "Childhood's End", "I,Robot", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", "Advent of the Corps", and so forth.

Good but not Great.......2004-05-05

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. The story on the back cover bears no resemblance to the story between the covers, but what you do get is a pretty good read. Going is a bit slow at times, with more discussion about geology and cave exploration than I really would've cared to read, but this *is* the setup for a trilogy, so who knows what'll end up being important by the end of the story arc?

I love Star Trek books that exlpore the ramifications of decisions and actions from television episodes, ad in that regard, this book does shine quite brightly. I suspect the rest of the trilogy will follow suit. This is the first book I've read by L. A. Graf, and while it's not a Peter David read by any stretch of the imagination, it's a fun Star Trek romp. Probably won't go into my permanent collection, but I'm glad I read it anyway. Besides, as I said, that could change depending on the rest of the trilogy.

Fun but not much more.......2004-04-10

I read all three in this series. I have also read several other books by L.A. Graf. I have never found Mr. Graf's original series characters to have much insight or depth. The same holds true for this trilogy. The plot is okay but nothing new - unintentional time travel. These books are a brief diviersion, but not much else.

Boring--Star Trek stuck in a cave.......2003-08-15

The back cover of the book, and Amazon description of this book are different than the actual story inside the book.
I just finished Book One of this series (which I got from the library) and this book is pretty dull. 90% of the book is about being trapped in a frozen cave.There are sub-plots of course but this book was a real disappointment.I have book 2 and 3 of this series still to read.The only one of the series that I paid for was book 3 and I will probably regret having done that.Unless you can get this book for free at the library, or used for a [money amount], then I wouldn't waste my time or money on it.The Errand of Vengeance series by Kevin Ryan is a bit childish but much better than this series has been so far.If you want to buy a series, then buy that one instead.

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Excellent

The ultimate cookbook

This book is GREAT!!!

I don't know who couldn't use this

every cook needs this!

Le Cordon Bleu's Complete Cooking Techniques: the indispensable reference demonstrates over 700 illustrated techniques with 2,000 photos and 200 recipes
Le Cordon Bleu
Manufacturer: William Morrow Cookbooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Le Cordon Bleu Dessert Techniques: More Than 1,000 Photographs Illustrating 300 Preparation And Cooking Techniques For Making Tarts, Pi

Kitchen Essentials: The Complete Illustrated Reference to the Ingredients, Equipment, Terms, and Techniques used by Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu at Home

The Professional Chef, 8th Edition

Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cook: Home Collection

ASIN: 0688152066

Book Description

With this exceptional opus, over 100 years of unparalleled experience and expertise are put at the fingertips of every home cook using the same hands-on approach promoted in practical classes at Le Cordon Bleu's institutes. This indispensable and unique reference work teaches essential preparation and cooking skills and professional tricks-of-the-trade, with over 700 cooking techniques shown in more than 2,000 color images.

Whatever the interest -- providing family-pleasing everyday fare or mastering a top chef's recipe, or even attempting to re-create a dish from a restaurant menu -- Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cooking Techniques will enable people to cook what they want with success. Its hundreds of illustrated techniques are invaluable kitchen aids, as are the many integral recipes.

Cooks interested in ethnic cuisines, readers of chef inspired, ingredient-led, or occasion-oriented cookbooks, as well as devotees of simple home cooking will turn to this book again and again and wonder how they ever cooked without it. Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cooking Techniques is destined to become a classic kitchen reference.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-05-23

Le Cordon Bleu's Complete Cooking Techniques: the indispensable reference demonstrates over 700 illustrated techniques with 2,000 photos and 200 recipes

An excellent book, with easy to follow receipes and which allows you to see what the finish product should look like. Would recommend it to anyone.

The ultimate cookbook .......2007-05-07

As an avid cookbook collector I have used this cookbook as a basic for many years. I purchased another one for a friend. He owns a restaurant and uses this tool everyday. This is my go to book to find anything! Great for beginners to advanced cooks.

This book is GREAT!!!.......2007-02-01

If you would like to know some great techniques behind cooking then you should take a look at this book. In fact it inspired me so much, I have enrolled in a Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and will be earned a Associates degree in culinary arts that is certified by the Le Cordon Bleu program. This program has taught me even more indepth techniques for culinary arts.

All thanks to this book I will enjoy a lifetime of being a professionally trained chief.

I don't know who couldn't use this.......2006-06-03

Having been cooking for most of my adult life, and some of my childhood as well, I am well versed in many of the finer points of cooking and I totally found this to be one of the most amazing books I have come across. There is no lack of information about what this book covers and everything is very clear and right to the point. The pictures are very detailed and comprehensive.

This book covers so many diffrent areas that I find it hard to believe that unless someone has been to culinary school, that there isn't something new they could learn from this book.

If your just starting to take intrest in the culinary arts, this is a great place to start.

If you are a veteran, its still a great book to pick up incase someone needs explaining that you can't do.

Well worth the purchase

every cook needs this!.......2006-04-29

In the three days that ive had this book ive cooked chocolate covered strawberrys, steak, salmon and smoothies. Big help, i got it at barnes and noble (sorry amazon) its about 50 at bn, so if you dont mind the wait definetly order it here. Anyways my foods 1 teacher looked a little surprised when all her "difficult" recipes took me a matter of minutes to prepare. She didnt say anything but gave me a nasty look. All thanks to this book! Thanks

Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cooking Techniques: The Indispensable Reference Demonstrates over 700 Illustrated Techniques With 2,000 Photos and 200 Recipes

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Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cooking Techniques: The Indispensable Reference Demonstrates over 700 Illustrated Techniques With 2,000 Photos and 200 Recipes
Jeni; Treuille, Eric Wright
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KWSUXM

Average customer rating:

Okay but some ideas were too wacky

Move than you expect

A great how-to manual for cat lovers

Good Cat

The best cat book out there.

Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss
Pam Johnson-Bennett
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Care & Health | Cats | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Cats | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat

Twisted Whiskers: Solving Your Cat's Behavior Problems

Hiss and Tell: True Stories from the Files of a Cat Shrink

Psycho Kitty?

The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats

ASIN: 0140288546
Release Date: 2000-01-31

Book Description

A popular cat expert and award-winning author of four books on feline behavior reveals the key to a satisfying and rewarding relationship with your cat.

Think it's impossible to train a cat? Think again! Yes, you can learn to understand your cat. No, cats are not always aloof. No, they don't ruin furniture out of spite. Most often feline "misbehavior" is the result of owners not understanding their cat's needs. In this comprehensive book that takes readers through every step of cat ownership, Pam Johnson-Bennett helps you understand the instincts that determine feline behavior, positive and negative. An authoritative resource for cat owners of all stripes, Think Like a Cat covers everything from where to get a kitten to choosing a vet; from basic health care to treating more serious medical problems; from selecting an irresistible scratching post to avoiding litter box problems. A seasoned therapist and former veterinary technician, Johnson-Bennett offers welcome advice in a straightforward manner that will help cats--and their owners--share a happy, healthy life together.

Johnson-Bennett's first book, Cat Love, was chosen by Cat Fancy magazine as one of the best books ever published on cats.

Customer Reviews:

Okay but some ideas were too wacky.......2007-09-17

In general it was alright. But some of her ideas were too bizarre. You can't teach a cat to come! And her idea of giving cat treats to get them to learn new things? Okay but if you have a cat who needs to lose weight that is not the best thing to be encouraging. Cats are not children. You can't reward them and then decide one day not to anymore. Also, the idea that if you don't play everyday with your cat that you are going to somehow ruin them? Please. I don't play with my cat every day and he is just fine. Also the idea that you have to give your cat the "Right" toys? They are CATS, not children. My cat has several "Inanimate" toys and he doesn't seem bored. Plus many of these interactive toys are not cheap and the fishing rod type toys break.
For the person who said cats belong outside? Maybe so.But I live in an apartment and letting my cat outdoors is out of the questions.
I skipped many parts of the book because my cat does not have those issues. And as for the litter box? I own an automatic one which she seems to frown on and I love it. It is so much easier to clean. If my cat has any problems I can still tell.
Shoe me a cat that can learn to sit and stay and I will show you a frog who can talk!

Move than you expect.......2007-09-16

This book was written very well.It is one of those books to keep on the bedside table as you will always refer to it. I have been looking after cats for 15 years now and this book still managed to teach me a few new things. A great book both for beginners to experts!

A great how-to manual for cat lovers.......2007-05-15

This book is an excellent tool for the novice or expert cat owner. I've read this book from cover to cover and find it a useful reference tool whenever I'm unsure of how to deal with a situation with my cat. It covers issues such as, how to introduce a second cat to the family, preparing kitty for a new baby, moving day, how to remedy behavior problems, etc, etc. I personally have purchased multiple copies of this book to give to friends and family with cats. Highly recommended.

Good Cat.......2007-04-06

It's a crazy title but once you get into reading it, fits perfectly. We gave a kitten to my mother and noticed it was starting to rule the household and develop bad habits. "Think Like A Cat" to the rescue. It opened our eyes to the cause and the problems were nipped in the bud. Who's boss? Not the cat.

The best cat book out there........2007-03-12

This is the perfect book for the novice cat owner, the timid cat owner, the at-wits-end cat owner, the child cat owner, and even the very experienced cat owner. It's easy enough for an 8 year old to read & understand yet is crammed with useful information on everything from water bowls & cat litter to medical information your vet won't think to tell you. Best of all, it contains no bad information! If you read this book through you will truly be able to see the world from your cat's point of view.

Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss

Average customer rating:

Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss
Pam Johnson-Bennett
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ6LJ6

Customer Reviews:

At long last: A book on this subject! We waited 30 years........2003-09-03

Book Review by Fortunat F. Mueller-Maerki, Sussex NJ

Precision Pendulum Clocks, The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping,
by Derek Roberts.

Schiffer Publishing, Atglen PA, published 2003, ISBN 0-7643-1636-2, 24x31 cm, 224 pages; Glossary, Index,

Purchase for ca. [with money]at amazon.com. ...

The subtitle of this book "The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping" neatly sums up the very essence, the raison d'être, for the art and science of mechanical. Given the central importance of the subject, it is hard to understand why there has not been any serious, in-depth book published on precision horology in 25 years (since Erbrich, Präzisionspenduluhren, 1978, was published, but only in German), and never a book in English. Not only the precision timekeeping enthusiasts, but any serious horologist, owes Derek Roberts thanks for having finally filled this gap. Anybody familiar with prior books by Roberts, such as his volumes on Skeleton Clocks, Mystery Clocks, or Carriage Clocks will have high expectations, and will not be disappointed.

However I must point out that the title is somewhat misleading. Roberts set out to produce the comprehensive treatise on precision timekeeping, a vast and broad subject, and after many years of research, collecting material and writing he had produced a work that could never fit into one volume, and indeed he had planed this to be a three volume work. Schiffer Publishing balked at that concept and forced the author to publish it as three separate books. (The second and third, named "English Precision Pendulum Clocks" and "Precision Pendulum Clocks: France, Germany, America and Recent Advancements", are due out in intervals of half a year). The publisher must have felt that there were better market opportunities in selling at first one book only. Marketing considerations must also have driven the misleading title; something along the lines of "An introduction to Precision ..." or "An overview of Precision ..." would have been more accurate and more descriptive for this book. Furthermore it soon becomes clear to the reader that abandoning the original "one-title, three volumes" concept came late in the production, because the text repeatedly refers to examples in the yet unpublished companion books. In one instance the reader is told to go to chapter 28 (in a 10 chapter book) for further information. To this reviewer such sloppiness in the final editing is slightly annoying.

Once the reader however realizes that the text was designed to set the stage, to merely introduce the topic of precision timekeeping, it becomes clear that such goal is achieved in a superb manner. The specialist reader will find a concise and very readable introduction, while the more casual horologist may well be content with getting a good overview of the subject, without the burden of the details and technicalities of the volumes yet to be published.

Unlike in his earlier books, Roberts does not attempt to write it all himself; actually 4 of the 10 chapters appear under the byline of eminent experts in their specialized fields (Jonathan Betts on Astronomy and Precision Time; John Martin on Escapements; Denys Vaughn on Electric Clocks, and A.D. Stewart provides a 200 year timeline style summary of the subject). The core of this volume - and the core in the quest for the perfect pendulum clock - is the 50 page chapter on the compensated pendulum, dealing with all the various approaches to both temperature and barometric compensation. This subject obviously is also close to the heart of the author. The last two chapters deal with the achievements of Thompion and Graham (the early strivers in the UK for more perfect pendulums) and Harrison (the first horologist utterly devoted to perfect timekeeping).

The value of the book is as much in its illustrations as it is in the text. Some 280+ illustrations have been carefully selected to illustrate the points made, with careful attention to assuring that the photograph taken clearly shows the feature described in the text. Many illustrations are functional, technical diagrams, with captions (often in the style of "Lever A, lifts the Notch B, releasing pin C, letting wheel E turn ...") sometimes taking more space than the image. Clearly Roberts has taken as much effort and pride to get the illustrations and captions right, as he has devoted to the text. He follows the convention of showing most of the sample clocks he describes in several images, often from different angles, all under one illustration number.

The book succeeds in working well for various types of readers: On one level it is an enjoyable "coffee table" book with pretty pictures of superb world-class clocks, as well as interesting tid-bits of technical knowledge to be learned by the casual, unsystematic browser. Unlike most books appealing also to the superficial reader, Roberts however also succeeds in producing a scholarly text that stands up to highest scrutiny for the individual who is willing to read every caption and pursue every footnote. The references to sources and further bibliographic resources (grouped at the end of every chapter) are voluminous; the compensated pendulum chapter alone lists 32 publications providing additional details.

"Precision Pendulum Clocks: The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping", and its future companion volumes, are indeed destined to become the standard text on the subject, and should be part of any well rounded horological library.

Fortunat Mueller-Maerki, Sussex NJ

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The M1 Garand, 1936-1957, 4th Edition
Joe Poyer , and Craig Riesch
Manufacturer: North Cape Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Firearms | Conventional | Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1882391195

Book Description

New, 4th Edition, revised and expanded with new serial number information, parts descriptions, and photos.

The M1 Garand was the battle rifle issued to American forces during World War II and the Korean War. It was the first semiautomatic rifle design to be used by combat forces in any army of the world. Developed in the 1930s, it was standardized in 1936 and saw its first combat in the Philippines in December 1941. Few other rifles have developed such a distinguished record as both a battle rifle and a match target rifle in the history of this or any other nation. General George Patton called the M1 Garand "the greatest battle implement ever devised." The M1 Garand with its capability of firing one round every time the trigger was pulled gave the American soldier a distinct firepower advantage over enemy soldiers armed with bolt action rifles that had to be cocked before each shot. During World War II, nearly four million M1 Garands were built at the Springfield National Armory and Winchester Repeating Firearms factories. They were issued to American troops in training camps and combat zones in every theater of the war. And hundreds of thousands were issued to French, Belgian, Greek, Italian and Philippine allies as well. During the Cold War years until the early 1960s, he M1 Garand was the mainstay of our small arms support programs to allied and friendly nations. In the last days of World War II, special variations of the M1 Garand, designated the M1C were developed and produced as sniper rifles. More were built during and after the! Korean War as the M1D. Also, during the Korean War, the M1 Garand was put back into production at Springfield, and in the factories of two private concerns, bringing the total production to almost 6,000,000. Hundreds of thousands of M1 Garands were issued to soldiers of the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam. Thousands of M1 Garands were manufactured in the 1950s as Match Target rifles and these are also eagerly sought by collectors.

After Congress approved the reimportation of certain military rifles for collecting purposes in 1986, it is estimated that nearly half a million of the 1.5 to 2 million M1 Garands shipped overseas to allied and friendly nations were allowed to be reimported. Collector's snapped them up eagerly and began to restore them to original condition. But the M1 Garand had undergone a such continuous process of improvement and upgrading that by the end of production in 1955, hardly a single part remained as it had originally been designed.

The collector attempting to restore an M1 Garand to original, as-manufactured condition must first determine when his rifle was manufactured, then which part or parts need replacing. Keep in mind that there were four different manufacturers of the rifle, all of whom also made spare parts.

Fortunately, every part of the M1 Garand carries at least one clue to its manufacturer and the date when it was made. Every major part was stamped with a "part number" and these part numbers were changed every time the part was redesigned for improvement. Other clues are the type and color of finish, specific machine tool marks, factory codes and so on, all translated in "The M1 Garand: 1936 to 1957." With this book in hand, the collector will find it easy to examine his or her rifle and determine which parts must be replaced to return it to its original state. The book also explains how to determine if replacement parts are correct and if they are of original manufacture or are so-called "after-market" parts of non-military origin.

The book also describes and tells how to identify the real sniper versions of the M1 Garand, also the match target versions. It also tells how to determine which rifles were sent to various armies overseas. For instance, did a particular rifle serve with British forces, Greek, Italian, Danish, Philippine allies or any of the dozen or so other nations receiving the M1 Garand as military aid.

If you are a collector of the M1 Garand, or are interested in the history of American

Book Description

Today there is a broad trend towards an architecture that could be called ecstatic - partly motivated by pure architectural ideas pushed to their limits and a shift from functional concerns to sensual ones. Ecstatic Architecture is stimulating, holistic and overpowering; its primary contemporary monument is Frank Gehry's New Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa.

Ecstatic Architecture has opened up architectural thought and made links with historic building. The term encompasses buildings widely distant in function and time, from cave art to the new cinema centre in Dresden, from explicitly erotic architecture to buildings which have a spiritual role, from conceptual and cybernetic artefacts to pure architecture. It suggests comparisons between the current practice of leading architects such as Hans Hollein, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Nigel Coates and Egyptian, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.

Essays examining the historic and philosophical implications are complemented by major projects in the genre by Frank Gehry, Will Alsop, Ron Arad, Odile Decq, Eric Owen Moss and Shin Takamatsu. Major rhetorical tropes of Ecstatic Architecture are clarified in two extensive photo essays by Charles Jencks. The surprise is that Ecstatic Architecture links such widely divergent strands and forces us to reconsider architecture in a new key.

Customer Reviews:

Charles Jencks and Nikos A. Salingaros.......2003-08-22

Perhaps the most interesting reason nowadays cause me read jencks' book is the funny challenge and argument between him and salingaros, sometimes it may be confusing but always there r much to learn,

Charles Jencks and Nikos A. Salingaros.......2003-08-22

Perhaps the most interesting reason nowadays cause me read jencks' book is the funny challenge and argument between him and salingaros, sometimes it may be confusing but always there r much to learn,

Book Description

8 7/8 x 11 3/4 900 color illustrations US and Canada Distribution ART A comprehensive visual reference work detailing the fascinating history of modern American illustration, The Illustrator in America covers 140 years and over 450 artists. Walt Reed, a respected historian, has done a masterful job of selecting the most important and appropriate works to represent each artist in this remarkable guide. The book, which is organized chronologically, begins with a timeline presenting the various influences of styles, schools, and "isms" over the course of the entire period covered-1860-2000. Each chapter is devoted to a single decade, and opens with introductory commentary on the general history and artistic trends of the period; this is followed by individual entries on the lives and work of the outstanding artists of the decade. Packed with color illustrations and clearly presented information, this invaluable reference deserves a place in the library of anyone interested in understanding the history of modern illustration in the United States. Most comprehensive reference guide available detailing the history of modern American Illustration Covers the work and life of more than 450 great American illustrators Beautifully photographed and designed includes visual studies of over 450 premier artists including.... John Wolcott Adams Harold Anderson Vernon Howe Bailey John Collier Joe DeMers Frank Vincent DuMond Robert Fawcett Gervasio Gallardo Theodore Geisel Charlotte Harding Maud Humphrey Rockwell Kent Louis Loeb Louise Patterson Marsh Maxwell Parrish Chris Payne Norman Rockwell Nancy Stahl Ross Barron Storey Leslie Thrasher Alberto Vargas Sarah S. Stilwell Weber Jack W. Welch

Customer Reviews:

You'll Love These Ilustrations.......2007-09-25

Note: I made some Mormon reader angry over my reviews of books written by Mormons out to prove the Book of Mormon, and that person has been slamming my reviews. This review is fairly good if I do say so myself. I noted some of the illustrations that are worth looking at.

I love this book, and there are several illustrations that I return to again and again. Here are a few of them:

"Leaving Southfield," by Ben Prins. It shows a cop giving a man a ticket next to a sign that reads, "Southfield, the Friendly City."

The cover illustration for "The American Weekly," 1951, by E. Everett Henry. It shows some children playing by the road on a beautiful fall day.

The Coca-Cola advertising illustration, 1922, by Irving Nurick. It shows a young woman sitting in a hammock at night.

"The Art Director," by Robert Fawcett, 1951. This funny illustration shows a cynical-faced boss looking at a picture held up by an employee.

There are too many great illustrations to list, but I'll note one final illustration as one of my favorites. It's James Bingham's illustration of the Perry Mason story for the Saturday Evening Post, 1958. It shows a man in a trench coat at the top of a curves stairs. He's saying good night to a woman. The purples, blues, and yellows are super.

A great book to lose yourself in.......2007-08-14

In music, I've always preferred chamber music, a woodwind quintet, over a full-blown symphony orchestra. Similarly, ever since high school I've been fascinated by book and magazine illustration over Rembrandt and Picasso. I've built up quite a collection of illustrated books and magazines, plus covers and jackets, ranging from Leyendecker and Rockwell to Frazetta and the Hildebrandts. This volume is less a history of American illustration than an encyclopedic catalog of some 650 of its practitioners, from the HARPER'S WEEKLY "special artists" of the Civil War period to modern artists of science fiction paperback covers. There's a brief bio sketch for each with an example or two of their work, organized by decade -- though placement within a decade is somewhat arbitrary for those with lengthy careers. All my old favorites are here, like John Held (I used to work with his grandson), Gordon Hope Grant, Hannes Bok, N. C. Wyeth, Winsor McCay, Donald Teague, Floyd Davis, and many, many others. I also discovered many artists whose work I had seen but whom I knew nothing about. Besides being a first-rate reference book, this is a great time-sink, and it will have a permanent place on my art shelf -- if I can every bring myself to put it down.

Great Art, little organizational forethought.......2004-05-21

If you are an artist, illustrator, or simply love fine figurative art, this book is a must-buy. Most of the greatest illustrators are represented here. As a painter, illustrator, I especially revere the works of the Brandywine artists and those from the 1920's thru the 1960's. The colors are terrific and the vast array of illustrators is wonderfull. I have always felt that commercial illustrators were better trained and more disiciplined therefore more competent and confident in experimenting with style and media than those trained in the fine arts. However, as great as the images were in The Illustrator in America, for those who seek a bit more,especially those who paint, several things are lacking: Editorial content-the tag line that always accompanies book or magazine illustration which explains the event captured in paint, would be so helpful to have, and as a painter to me knowing the size and media of eaach piece is invaluable and instructive. I own the last two issues but I hope the authors do a bit more research and give us the above information, as well as a bibliography because in case we want to buy old magazines for the larger full-size reproductions, having the year and month or issue number would be extremely helpful.

Not what I was looking for, but not so bad..........2003-04-25

What I wanted out of this book was an engaging art history examination of american illustration over the past two centuries. Something that gave proper respect and weight to a much maligned art form (Something exactly like the extraordinary Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels published by phaidon). Instead I got a hybrid illustration annual and encyclopedia of artist bios. It's an ecclectic mix of greats rubbing elbows with the bad: NC Wyeth, Frazetta, Howard Pyle, Gibson, and Nast are presented beside a horde of Norman Rockwell clones and gaudy cowboy paintings. General overviews of time periods and the external influences on the art world in general are too brief for my liking. I would have liked to see more pictures per illustrator, but at five hundred pages it's already quite a hefty publication and a great deal of fun to spend tome time with. So despite my initial disappointment I have grown to like the book quite a bit and have spent many hours leafing through it.

One major complaint regards the selection of recent illustrators profiled, because their account of the state of contemporary illustration totally SUCKS. I think they only profiled society members because they waste pages on some seriously weak artists while avoiding the kind of great artists that jam pack the Spectrum annuals year after year. There is so much great work in those books but not a stitch of it shows up here. Not Phil Hale not Dave McKean not Rick Berry, not even Michael Wheelan. It's a disappointing conclusion for such a thoroughly researched book but nothing that can't be remedied in the Fourth Edition.

Beautiful Book.......2002-06-18

This book is well organized, with gorgeous prints. Illustrations like these simply aren't being produced anymore, making this book all the more fascinating and valuable.

Book Description

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., electrified the nation when he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In The Dream, Drew D. Hansen explores the fascinating and little-known history of King's legendary address. The Dream insightfully considers how King's speech "has slowly remade the American imagination," and led us closer to King's visionary goal of a redeemed America.

Customer Reviews:

An Insider View of Greatness.......2006-05-01

Few speeches in American history are as well known or had the impact of the "Dream Speech". Hansen's wonderful book gives us a unique and insider's view of how the speech was developed, its roots in scripture and in King's lifetime of words up to that point. The analysis of the composition gives the reader a new appreciation of the speech's powerful messages, but also of the sheer beauty of the rhythm and cadence of the words. You can almost hear King's voice come off the pages.

The Power of God in Man.......2004-01-24

Martin Luther King was not an unusual black man; in fact, he wanted much of what many black men before him, probably all black men and women wanted. But Martin Luther King was a very unusual man, who happened to be black. His degree of passion, his conviction, his hope, and his perseverance were unlike most before him, and most after him, with the inspired, God given desire to make the world a better place for everyone, including blacks. His vision was not just the result of respect and reliance by his people, it was divinely inspired so that his passion, his hope emerged and blossomed before millions, many of whom were not familiar with him, his history, or his prominence and reputation. He was possessed of those rare qualities, and that rare talent, of the ability to inspire others to believe in themselves, and the world, that they had the dignity to alter their own dynamics, the manner in which they lived, and in the manner in which they were treated by others. As an evangelist, he was superb. For that, like Jesus, and many other prophets who have been threatening to the status quo, his ability to show others the way to self respect and to peace were certainly the force of why his life was taken so early, and so brutally. He was more than a leader; he was a messiah for the many black people who had waited so long for one to lead them out of the psychological bondage which was still very real to them. He positioned himself to show the way, and how to do it in the least offensive manner possible, by non-violence. He was a pillar of strength that even whites unfamiliar with him understood the necessity of yielding to God's will, instinctively knowing that all men were equal, and that all needed the recognition of being equal. Indeed, whites were aware of their obligation under the Constitution to recognize that equality but felt no compulsion to expect it of themselves until Martin forced them to face the truth they had so long avoided. Not only did he demand of blacks the energy and commitment to themselves, he demanded the energy and commitment of whites to respect themselves by being brave enough to help resolve the problem that had long festered in American social reality. The timing was right; the message was right, and Martin was right. He allowed none out of God's boat and helped everyone see that upon that ship, we were all afloat upon the ocean of humanity, and would indeed survive or perish. That message remains very much a part of his legacy, and today's reality although we face other issues as well, and the issues are now broader than ever. No one on earth has the option to say no to God and expect that it will be of no consequence to the world. He was the most remarkable of men that America has ever produced guided by his own devine light within as a beacon of humanity for all to follow.

More than a cuddly icon.......2003-08-12

Let me get first vent about the frustrating parts of this book before I get to the good stuff. First, at 229 pages of text, this was a rather short book, made shorter by Hansen's annoying habit of repeating important stretches of speeches. Second, the chapter analyzing the various drafts of the speech is probably better suited to a scholarly dissection of the speech than to a popular book. As was the chapter describing King's preaching style. And I got tired of ascribing every change in the speech to MLK's "genius". The man was exhausted, under threat and working on the run. Surely some of his decisions could have gone differently?

But minor grumpiness aside, I found this book hard to put down. The description of the organization for the August 1963 March on Washington was fascinating in its details about the people who attended it. One got the impression that the day was pretty disorganized, with the crowd making decisions on its own about when to start marching. Hansen also did a nice job of showing the internal disharmonies among groups within "the movement," as well as hinting that MLK's leadership done to him rather than pursued by him -- less because of his ability to manage and lead than because of his philosophical sophistication, personal courage, stamina and eloquence. That King comes across as a preacher and a prophet (as opposed to a great organizer) does him no disservice, but actually helps to humanize him and make the Civil Rights movement more real. Hansen did a nice job handling the post-1963 life of the speech. He is honest about the impatience that some blacks felt about the 'dreaminess' of the speech, especially as the movement's gains stalled and the violence continued. Hansen nicely captures the slightly radioactive nature of the speech among national politicians (many of whom were wary of King's alleged Communist sympathies) in the years before King's death and the cloyingly hagiographic tributes about King and the speech after 1968.

Hansen shows how King's memory has been sanitized and rendered harmless by linking him exclusively with the "I Have a Dream" speech. In opposing the Jim Crow laws, a main (but not the only) point of the speech, King targeted a system that was abhorrent to Northern whites and a source of shame to many in the South. Getting rid of it was the relatively easy matter of making the abuses public. But King's next targets proved more difficult -- the hard work of eliminating more subtle forms of racism from American hearts on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. King's premature death allowed Americans to accept him as a national martyr and prophet, but ironically delayed the more difficult soul-searching about America's war plans in Vietnam, its endemic racism and the blind economic violence perpetrated against the poor and powerless.

"I have a dream" - more than just a speech.......2003-08-07

I read "The Dream" in one sitting this weekend. The book vividly recaptures the spirit of the time during which Rev. King developed and delivered this inspiring and world-changing speech. At first I was afraid that the author's decomposition of the speech would diminish the power and effectiveness of the speech. On the contrary, his deep exploration into the speech itself and the events leading up to that day, together with fresh perspectives on the moment itself and the years following its delivery enhanced my admiration for both the speech and Rev. King. The author's inescapable conclusion is that there was much, much more at work than a man delivering a televised speech to a supportive crowd. This singular moment in Rev. King's life was the catalyst for much of the advancement that we all benefit from today. Yet this same event is also being used by some to impede further progress in the complete fulfillment of The Dream. This is a book I can wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who wants to learn about the history of that day and its subsequent impact over the next 40 years. It will also be of particular relevance to those with an interest in public speaking.

King of the Dream.......2003-07-17

I've listened to King's famous speech dozens of times and read a number of books on King, but it wasn't until reading Hansen's captivating description and analysis of the speech that I realized how little I knew about this seminal event in American history. This book is unusual in that it is both hugely readable and phenomenally informative and insightful.

Thorndike American History - Large Print - The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech That Inspired a Nation (Thorndike American History - Large Print)

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Thorndike American History - Large Print - The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech That Inspired a Nation (Thorndike American History - Large Print)
Drew D. Hansen
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press 2004
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MCFETI

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