Book Description
Created by an avid Thirkell fan, this reference was designed to help fellow readers keep straight the hundreds of characters that populate the 29 novels of Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series. Organized alphabetically, the book includes the name of every character, a chronological list of the books in which he or she appears, and a summary of what readers learn about the character in each book.
Customer Reviews:
Barsetshire at Your Fingertips.......2002-11-05
As an avid and thorough reader of Angela Thirkell, I've often tried to sketch out family trees for the beautifully braided relationships in her Barsetshire books. And always failed, sometimes merely for lack of paper. But Barbara Burrell has done it with Angela Thirkell's World, in the only way it could be done: alphabetically. This is an essential resource for all Thirkellians with two minor caveats: one, be careful not to read beyond yourself (this makes sense when you see how Burrell's organized) or you'll discover who marries whom, etc., in upcoming books. Not that this really spoils the book, as Thirkell's delight is in her language, not her suspense. And, two, she might have listed houses as well as people, to remind us, for example, who lives at Rushwater.
But her task was Herculean and the result is truly wonderful, so I don't cavil.
Angela Thirkell's World lives on my nightstand, along with the current Thirkell of choice, and I refer to it often.
Book Description
Blue Isle, scene of a violent clash between its human native and the magical Fey, has now become the center of attention of the Fey king, Rugad. He is returning to finish the Fey invasion begun years ago but thwarted by the discovery that Blue Islander holy water was fatal to the aggressors. That stalemate has produced a wary coexistence, even intermarriage between royal families of the two races, but Rugad wants only one thing: total domination--and he will stop at nothing to get it
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Kristine Kathryn Rusch Fey series continues to intrigue and entertain, as characters grow, grow older, and die, sometimes violently. The political machinations are interesting, and the magic using Fey and mundane Blue Islanders with their more ordinary religion are well used, with their different viewpoints.
An outside threat in the form of a war leader raises new problems for the Blue Isle and their allies.
great series.......2002-05-21
I love this series and only wish it was possible to get the 4th book without paying an arm and a leg. Still I read them all and skipped the 4th. It is an excellant well thought out book with interesting characters and a completely captivating world. The characters are real people with multi dimensions. They react like real people and die like real people. KK Rusch has created a believable world with adult themes and lets not forget the great and original magic. The followup black king and black queen are great too.
A fantastic, enthralling series!.......2001-05-22
The Fey series is such a good read! What first got me hooked on fantasy stories and faeries is A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton (BEST book ever). My fave characters in this series are Jewel, Nicholas, Arianna, Gift, and Coulter. The love between Jewel and Nicholas, and (my guess is) between Arianna and Coulter is really poignant. The only reason that I didn't rate this series a five is 'cause the author mercilessly killed off several of the characters I enjoyed--Solanda, Burden, and especially Jewel. Sob, sob. I am also hunting up and down for the 4th book, THE RESISTANCE. I wish the publisher would just continue to print it. Happy reading!
Pure magick.......1999-10-27
This writer really is the best. Since Tolkien I've never read a serie like The Fey. What a beautiful plots, twists and turnings. The book is full of surprises and well plotted. I can't stop and have to get the next two books. Really marvelous Kristine. Your serie belongs to the top 3 in the world.
Well written,well plotted, engrossing, unpredictable........1998-02-06
Complex, well characterised and left me wanting the next installment now. My only criticism is that there are constant, short explanations of events covered in previous books which I found very annoying. I wondered about the point of them - if you hadn't read the previous two books, then none of the explanations would have been adequate. If you had read them, the explanations are redundant. Other than that, an excellent investment.
Book Description
It should have been a straightforward investigation of an Arthur Steel Foundation employee who had been murdered in San Diego. Never in Nina Steel's wildest dreams did she think it would lead her to a head to head confrontation with terrorists so incredibly vindictive that nothing would stop them from achieving their goal--even each other! Once these terrorists realize Nina Steel is hunting them down, they attack her with the ferocity of red fire ants. Except these ants have nuclear weapons! In the wild melee that follows, Nina Steel makes a critical oversight and one of her genetically engineered counterparts is dealt a mortal blow. With all of this, it does not seem possible Nina Steel will prevail. To make matters worse, Dr. Betty Marsh, the genetic engineer who designed Nina Steel, has just finished developing a virus that could exterminate the human race and create something totally new to take its place. With the upper hand, Dr. Marsh can now force Nina Steel to destroy humanity herself if she tries to stop her human redesign plans. In classic Ray Hansen style, A Hamster in a Microwave takes you on a heart-stopping, rocket sled ride that leaves you a little winded by the end. Every action-packed page builds the excitement at an unrelenting pace. Nina faces one deadly crisis after another and finds herself unable to save the life of a new friend. Never has Nina Steel been up against such violently cruel terrorists--terrorists that think nothing of using a nuclear weapon to kill just one person, Nina Steel.
Customer Reviews:
Riveting! If you have a heart condion don't read this book........1999-06-02
The story starts out with what should have been a straightforward investigation of an Arthur Steel Foundation employee who had been murdered in San Diego. Never in Nina Steel's(the main character) wildest dreams did she think it would lead her to a head to head confrontation with terrorists so incredibly vindictive that nothing would stop them from achieving their goal--even each other! Once the terrorists realize Nina Steel is hunting them down, they attack her and her team with the ferocity of red fire ants. Except these ants have nuclear weapons! In the wild melee that follows Nina Steel makes a critical oversight and one of her genetically engineered counterparts is dealt a mortal blow. With all of this, it does not seem possible Nina Steel will prevail. To make matters worse, Dr. Betty Marsh, the genetic engineer who designed Nina Steel, has just finished developing a virus that could exterminate the human race and create something totally new to take its place.
A Hamster in a Microwave took me on a rocket sled ride that left not only me, but the characters a little winded by the end. Every page built the excitement at an unrelenting pace. Nina faces one deadly crisis after another and finds herself unable to save the life of a new friend. Never has Nina Steel been up against such violently cruel terrorists. Terrorists that think nothing of using a nuclear weapon to kill just one person. Furthermore, unknown to Nina Steel, Dr. Betty Marsh has broken all the rules and is working on super human technology again. This, in her plan to redesign every person on earth to create a totally new species. Can Nina Steel deal with these terrorists in time to stop Dr. Marsh? Or does Dr. Marsh already have the upper hand and will force Nina Steel to destroy humanity herself if she tries to stop the human redesign plan. This book took my breathe away. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Book Description
When it comes to making the most of life, nobody does it better than the French. Now, with Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living, an inspired fusion of art, style, and easy-to-implement ideas, anyone can feel like they spent a weekend in the French countryside, no matter where they live.
Renowned restaurateur Robert Arbor puts a refreshing emphasis on simplicity and accessibility, explaining the rituals and traditions that comprise a typical French day. Featuring dozens of simple, everyday recipes, Joie de Vivre captures the family meals, market trips, and charming domestic settings that make the French way of life so plea- surable. In eight chapters, illustrated with 85 full-color and black-and-white photographs, Arbor details how you, too, can achieve the simplicity and relaxing life the French treasure.
Le Matin (The Morning) lays out the elements of a relaxing breakfast (as well as the secret to great coffee), and Le Potager (The Garden) describes the pleasures and rewards of growing your own own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Le Marché (The Market) and Le Déjeuner (Lunchtime) follow Arbor to the market, the butcher, and the baker before serving up a trove of delicious ideas for light lunches and snacks. Le Dîner (Supper) outlines strategies for crafting cozy family dinners; creating enchanting dinner parties of all sizes; and preparing fun, simple meals for children.
Arbor's memories and experiences of growing up in France and his flair for casual elegance can't help but inspire the chef and decorator in everyone.
Sidebars sprinkled throughout the book offer tips and insights on how to make the perfect cup of hot chocolate, a French perspective on truffles and foie gras, the French and their love of chocolate, and why French butter tastes so good.
Joie de Vivre is a lavishly illustrated guide to the French style of living that will show you how to bring a little joie to your life.
Amazon.com
In Joie de Vivre, Robert Arbor, a Frenchman transplanted to New York City, explains the French philosophy on life and argues for its adoption by stressed Americans. In a funny way, this is sort of a self-help book for people who admire the French lifestyle, and for those who believe that good food is the secret to a happy life. The premise of the book is that you will find "domestic happiness" when you learn to enjoy the most mundane details of your everyday life: "It's about making time for family, growing some vegetables in your garden, chatting with the butcher, and cooking for your family and friends." Quality of life, explains Arbor, is only improved when your pillowcases smell like lavender, and you make your own hot chocolate.
Although there are 50 recipes dispersed throughout the book, Joie de Vivre is not a cookbook. Most of the recipes are for dishes like A Really Good Fried Egg, mayonnaise, and café au lait, but there are interesting as well, such as Carrot Râpée, Beet Vinaigrette, and Fish in Papillotte. The recipes are included more as a way to better describe the French experience and to show how easy it is to adopt as a way of life; a method which works particularly well for those of us who know that the best way to understand and appreciate a foreign culture is through its food. --Leora Y. Bloom
Customer Reviews:
It doesn't have to apologize for idealism.......2007-05-24
I bought this book, on the recommendation of Diane F. Von Behren and Lee Mellott, two reviewers that I've begun to really trust here on Amazon. I was delighted to find, that typical of the other books I've bought on their say so, this one too is a joy to read and own.
It is idealistic. That IS the point.
This is a book ABOUT slowing down, thinking thru the day, not rushing from 7 am into eternity with one's head down, speeding thru an ever increasing load of chores till you drop dead wondering what life was all about.
I think this whole French/North American contrast genre of books, whether it's French women not getting fat or the Entre Nous book are all about re thinking an approach to life.
A little wake up call to examine what is important.
There are plenty of things I love about being a Canadian that make me very different from the French in France, or the American in America and that I prefer to hang onto. Some things won't change. They work for me.
But not because I hit the default button and just am Canadian because I was born here, and never thought about changing anything about me.
I think one of the joys of life is changing those things we don't like to stuff we do like.
Taking a broad cultural over view of the French way of life, and comparing it to the American (or British/Canadian/Australian etc) way makes it easy to spot the areas where we can borrow a better way and add it into our lives.
Enriching my life with some excellent recipes, and a conscious re thinking of life patterns (thru my day, my year or how I run my life) is the value in this book.
It is NOT a critique of America, rather it is an explanation of one mans view of life as he lives it, complete with recipes, side notes, cultural observations and the like.
IT is the reader who is allowed to then observe, contrast, and critique their own life and decide whether or not doing things differently would be a worthwhile change, something that could add to one's joie de vivre.
In my case it has. I'm stopping and enjoying life more as a result. My life is better, and yes, I have a little more joie de vivre as a result of this book.
I think it is a wonderful addition to my library and plan to keep it.
A favourite now and always.......2007-03-22
I purchased this book from Amazon more than 2 years ago. I find myself time and time again turning to Joie de Vivre for recipes, dinner party ideas and general inspiration. It is so wonderful! So stylish, yet so warm, cozy and inviting. Robert Arbor takes the 'gently gently' approach with his readers - he knows we're all stressed, overworked and unwilling victims of a processed food culture. He knows that we want to slow things down a little, enjoy life more. He knows that we want to have less mind numbing TV and mass-media in our lives (and MUCH less exposure to this ridiculous celebrity worship going on right now) and more quality interaction with friends and family. Monsieur Arbor completely understands that we don't all live in gorgeous French farmhouses or bohemian Parisian maisons (he is a New Yorker for much of the year)and he encourages readers from all walks of life to basically 'get a life'. I love it and I recommend this book to all.
Fun and Relaxing Reading.......2007-01-19
I borrowed this book from my library and liked it so much that I bought it on Amazon. Mr. Arbor's writing is very enjoyable and takes you back to a simpler form of eating; reminding you to relish the purchase and preparation of your food as well as the end result!
Loved the Book.......2007-01-09
My husband purchased this book for me when I was feeling depressed due to having to come home after our wonderful European vacation. Joie de Vivre helped to keep me immersed in the beautiful French culture a little longer. The author brings the reader intimately into his life, sharing details concerning the French culture that I would not otherwise have known, even having spent weeks in France. The author, Arbor, is very gentle, the famous French snobbery (which we never encountered on our vacation), is completely absent. The recipes are just icing on the cake. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this charming book.
The Perfect Seller!.......2007-01-03
Received book in flawless condition, and got it FAST! Highly recommend this seller.
Book Description
With a well-earned reputation as man's — as well as woman's — best friend, dogs have an uncanny ability to sense exactly what their human friends need. Gathered from thousands of stories Allen and Linda Anderson have received, as well as their own experiences, Angel Dogs demonstrates that dogs are not only faithful companions but also spiritual guides. Stories include the four-legged speech therapist who helped a scared boy find his voice; the dog who came “special delivery” through the mail at just the right moment in a family’s life; the dog who helped guard Air Force One; dogs from the canine corps; service dogs; and many others. The book also details new scientific findings on how dogs can save lives, sniff out cancerous tumors, and warn epileptics of impending seizures. Each story is followed by a short meditation that helps readers focus on the messages of love that dogs bring to their lives.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book Seller.......2007-07-04
My book arrived quickly was as described and I am very pleased. Great book seller. Will use again! Thank you.
I loved this book.......2007-03-29
As a dog lover I enjoyed every page. Everything was as advertised.
Angel Doggies.......2007-02-20
This book was so good to read. I laughed and cried as I read each of the stories. I am now passing it around my job so others can enjoy it too. Anyone who loves dogs, lost a dog will love to read this book. This is a must buy and read book.
Dog lovers must read.......2006-12-30
Recently we lost our Chocolate Lab "Moose" who was 13yrs old and reading this comforted me!
Great Book!.......2005-10-31
Talk about a warm, fuzzy, heart touching book, this is it. Authors Allen & Linda Anderson have touched on the very core of the existence of our beloved pet, the dog.
Taking accounts from numerous people they share with us stories of courage, love,loyalty, sacrifice and more that our four legged friends have bestowed on humans. After each story we have a short meditation that enhances the read.
I am a dog lover so for me this just re-enforced their need in our world and helped me appreciate them more. Are they indeed sent from our Maker as messengers of love? I believe that may well be true. If you love dogs, or even if you just want to understand their unique service to man; this book is for you.Written in a tender, honest, interesting and absorbing way; you will find it difficult to put this book down. I recommend "Angel Dogs" highly. Absolutely amazing insight!
Book Description
The first comprehensive survey of Finnish ceramic art, covering its pioneers, personalities, techniques, and unique works, with over 130 color photographs of key pieces.
Beautifully illustrated, Ceramic Art in Finland presents a wide range of work by ceramic artists, from late-nineteenth-century masters through internationally recognized designers of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, to emerging talents in the twenty-first century.
More than 170 ceramists are included, and the book examines their use of materials, individual techniques, working environments, and sources of inspiration. The entire spectrum of ceramic art is covered from traditional vessels to free forms, sculpture, and architectural installations.
In addition to artists working in individual studios, the book also examines the role of Arabia, the leading Finnish producer of domestic ware, in whose art department individuals such as Birger Kaipiainen, Toini Muona, Rut Bryk, Michael Schilkin, Aune Siimes, and many others have had exceptional opportunities to develop and display their creative talents.
The specially commissioned color photographs of ceramic pieces are complemented by more than 100 photos of artists at work in their studios, exhibition installations, and unique works in their original interiors. A comprehensive section on artists' signatures and stamps used by studios and cooperatives complete this book, which will be an indispensable reference for ceramic artists and collectors, museum curators, art and antique dealers, designers, and architects. 264 illustrations, 137 in color.
Book Description
Upholstery, curtains, linens, cushions, and pillows: these are all soft furnishings, and they offer the decorating novice an array of stylish and inexpensive options for making a home look great. From selecting the right material and figuring out costs to caring for each type, the information here shows how to make the most of these handy accessories. There’s an overview of fabrics, patterns, and styles, as well as a host of quick fixes and easy projects, such as beautiful pillowcases to sew and attractive window treatments to enhance individual spaces. A special section on solving furnishing problems deals with tricky areas and choosing items according to your lifestyle and budget.
Book Description
Five complete makeovers—bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room—show exactly how to transform a space with great results. From choosing the look to laying the flooring, here’s how to decorate a first home with flair and on a budget. See how to create an effective color scheme; work with paint, paper, and tiles; figure out measurements and quantity; set up focal points; restore a floor or cover it up; and take the house from bare to beautiful.
Average customer rating:
|
The Imagen Corporativa En El Siglo XXI
Joan Costa
Manufacturer: La Crujia La Crujia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Política
| No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 9879749898 |
Average customer rating:
|
Imagen Corporativa En El Siglo XXI
Manufacturer: La Crujia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Communication
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Referencia
| Educación
| No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 9871004370 |
Average customer rating:
|
Imagen Corporativa Internacional
Wally Olins
Manufacturer: Editorial Gustavo Gili
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
General
| Arquitectura
| Profesional y Técnico
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 8425216605 |
Average customer rating:
|
Imagen Corporativa, La
Norberto Chaves
Manufacturer: Diaz de Santos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arte
| Arte, arquitectura y fotografía
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
Artes Gráficos
| Diseño Gráfico
| Arte, arquitectura y fotografía
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
ASIN: 8479780258 |
Average customer rating:
|
La gestion profesional de la imagen corporativa / The Professional Management of the Corporate Image (Empresa Y Gestion / Business and Management)
Justo Villafane
Manufacturer: Piramide
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Gestión
| Gestión & Liderazgo
| Negocios e inversiones
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
Dirección Comercial
| Profesional y Técnico
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 8436813847 |
Average customer rating:
|
Mas Alla de La Imagen Corporativa - Encuadernado
Daniel Scheinsohn
Manufacturer: Macchi Grupo Editor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Marketing
| Marketing & Sales
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Mercadotecnia
| Mercadeo y Ventas
| Negocios e inversiones
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
Dirección Comercial
| Profesional y Técnico
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 9505374070 |
Average customer rating:
|
Mas Alla de La Imagen Corporativa - Rustica
Daniel Scheinsohn
Manufacturer: Macchi Grupo Editor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Marketing
| Marketing & Sales
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Mercadotecnia
| Mercadeo y Ventas
| Negocios e inversiones
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
Dirección Comercial
| Profesional y Técnico
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 9505375182 |
Average customer rating:
|
Planificacion Estrategica de La Imagen Corporativa (Ariel Comunicacion)
Paul Capriotti
Manufacturer: Ariel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Gestión
| Gestión & Liderazgo
| Negocios e inversiones
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
Dirección Comercial
| Profesional y Técnico
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: 8434412756 |
Book Description
To Nini Karpel, growing up in Vienna during the 1920s was a romantic confection. Whether schussing down ski slopes or speaking of politics in coffee houses, she cherished the city of her birth. But in the 1930s an undercurrent of conflict and hate began to seize the former imperial capital. This struggle came to a head when Hitler took possession of neighboring Germany. Anti-Semitism, which Nini and her idealistic friends believed was impossible in the socially advanced world of Vienna, became widespread and virulent.
The Karpel's Jewish identity suddenly made them foreigners in their own homeland. Tormented, disenfranchised, and with a broken heart, Nini and her family sought refuge in a land seven thousand miles across the world.
Shanghai, China, one of the few countries accepting Jewish immigrants, became their new home and refuge. Stepping off the boat, the Karpel family found themselves in a land they could never have imagined. Shanghai presented an incongruent world of immense wealth and privilege for some and poverty for the masses, with opium dens and decadent clubs as well as rampant disease and a raging war between nations.
Ten Green Bottles is the story of Nini Karpel's struggles as she told it to her daughter Vivian so many years ago. This true story depicts the fierce perseverance of one family, victims of the forces of evil, who overcame suffering of biblical proportion to survive. It was a time when ordinary people became heroes.
Customer Reviews:
Not a must read........2007-03-10
The account of a Jewish familys' descent in Vienna through the Nazi hell to the foreign shores of Shanghai is interesting from an historical perspective. The writing is amateurish with the point of view jumping around and the verb tenses as well. It could have used a good editor.
Disappointing.......2006-08-05
The story of the blind hatred and inhumanity whipped up by the Nazis needs to be told - and told often. But it deserves a more nuanced telling than this single-dimensional presentation. This account is all bright colors (first quarter) and darkness (remainder), with little in between.
What is particularly striking is that the narrator makes no effort to relate to the suffering of Shanghai's indigenous Chinese population. Her flat and parenthetical references to the pervasive poverty, disease and oppression reveal little or no interest in the historical or social context that created such dreadful conditions, not to mention any empathy with the people so afflicted. Its detachment is disturbing. Could it be that one's humanity is so degraded by abuse that one cannot see beyond one's own suffering? Perhaps, but without any attempt at explanation it comes across as heartless indifference.
As a tribute by a daughter to a mother and a family who endured hideous persecution the book is a worthy effort. But in providing any real insights it falls sadly short.
Decadence and Poverty of Wartime Shanghai .......2006-05-10
I thoroughly enjoyed "Ten Green Bottles". Unlike other books on Shanghai of that period, I particularly relished the intimate glimpse of the extreme wealth and decadence that was ongoing alongside the abject poverty of the immigrants that fled Europe. Much is written here of how people of many nations with unimaginable wealth made Shanghai their "sumptuous playground" between the stench and filth of the city.
In particular, the author's description of the Bolero Club through the eyes of Nini, who worked as a hostess there, was so exciting and so descriptive and so alive that I was sure I was in the room with some of the most powerful men and glamorous women of the time. Her detailed description of the opium den next door, a "grand salon" established exclusively for the very rich, is breathtaking.
This book is a must read for anyone who wants to live the Shanghai of World War II from its lows to its highs.
A story that should not be forgotten.......2005-11-13
This story about the experiences of a Viennese Jewish family in Shanghai perfectly fulfills two raison d'etre of books - on the one hand it allows the reader to enter a time-warp machine and be transplanted to another time and another place and vicariously live through the emotional upheavals, the smells, sights, sounds and most importantly the feelings of fear, frustration, Angst and yes, fortunately also joy, of the main characters. Vivian Kaplan is a master of setting the scene and allowing the reader to slip into the protagonist's skin. I have lived and worked in Vienna and also in Northern China (albeit at a much later time) and Vivian's writing rings true. The chapters in the book are like 3-D images conjured up for the reader (and would make a very gripping screenplay). The other raison d'etre of books is to preserve and hand down important happenings and narrate them in a gripping and thought-provoking manner. The manner in which the Jews in Austria and elsewhere were treated by an Austrian madman who managed to come to power in Germany should never be forgotten. More importantly, we all need to be vigilant that such events happen less and less frequently in the history of humankind. Although familiar with the story of displaced Jews from German-speaking countries as I (like the author) am offspring, I was unable to put down the book. What Nini Karpel's mother had to experience in one short lifetime is more than most people should have to live through. The book also helped me understand the initial inertia of many Jews in Vienna to the anti-Semitic flare-up in the 1920s and 30s. "Oh, we've seen this many times, let's just lie low and wait for it to blow over". Writing in the present tense made the story more immediate. However, despite the fact that the book had its share of gruesome scenes, overall the manner in which Nini viewed the world seemed overly rosy-colored and syrupy sweet. The naive tone that permeates the book distracts from the serious situation in which these refugees find themselves. Even a five-year old would know better than to state 'we are awed by the changes in the baby within his first year. Every day he seems to learn some new word...' p.5. Should the book get reprinted, I suggest a German-speaking editor correct some of the German words. The great Ferris wheel in Vienna is no 'Reisenrad' p.77 and the 'Fuhrer' should be spelled 'Fuehrer'. But overall we are better off for having another story capture the senseless suffering human beings will inflict upon one another.
A Very Outstanding Book.......2005-08-05
Ten Green Bottles is one of the most powerful, emotional, fascinating and beautifully written books I have ever read. Where has this author been?
The story begins in the early 1920s in Vienna where a five year old Jewish girl, called Nini, begins to experience what it is to be the youngest of three sisters. It is written in Nini's voice and throughout the book you seem to live every moment of her life as if you were in her skin. You laugh, cry, feel and experience everything that happens to her as if it were happening to you, yet the book is non-fiction.
The story tells of her life in a growing family and the hardships of her mother in raising her children and carrying on their business after her father's death. As Nini grows into her teenage years, your senses are filled with the excitement of Vienna and the thrill of skiing in the mountains nearby. Then the Nazis come and everything changes.
As Jews are now considered vermin, they must flee the city or they will surely die. With the help of a gentile lawyer they are able to leave Vienna for Shanghai. On arriving in this no-man's land with almost no money, they find themselves in the middle of another war between China and Japan. Living in squalor and trying to survive, their life is made even more miserable. Japan, an ally of Germany, forces them and about 20,000 other Jews into a small ghetto with over 100,000 of the poorest Chinese. The story tells of their life and the life of the Jewish community as they try to make it through to the end of the war under the most deplorable conditions imaginable. They are eventually liberated by the Americans and stay until the Communist takeover in the late 1940s when they leave. The story ends with their exceptionally well written arrival in the white winter of Canada where they do not have to fear anymore.
I read a lot and to me this book was a literary masterpiece. I also learned about a very interesting part of the Holocaust that I had not known.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Midstream, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2045 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Survival in Shanghai.(Ten Green Bottles: The True Story of One Family's Journey from War-Torn Austria to the Ghettos of Shanghai)(Book Review)
Author: George Jochnowitz
Publication:
Midstream (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 51
Issue: 6
Page: 39(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Books:
- Both Sides of the Shield
- Canada Geese and Apple Chatney: stories
- Carmen la Coja
- Circle K Cycles
- Club Revelation: A Novel
- Colored Grits: Colored Girls Raised in the South
- Cooperstown: A Novel
- Dear Rafe/ Mi Querido Rafa (Klail City Death Trip Series)
- Destined To Die: A Novel About Palestinian Youth As Fighters And Suicide Bombers
- Detective from Barrett Island
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization
- Get Organized Without Losing It
- Chemical Topology: Introduction and Fundamentals
- Dictionary of the Khazars
- Dragon of the Red Dawn
- Discovering the Essential Universe
- Children's Counting Types: Philosophy, Theory, and Application
- The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration
- Artwords 2: Discourse on the Early 80s
- Birds of the Night
Going to Barsetshire
Character and Concept in the Barsetshire Novels of Angela Thirkell
O, These Men, These Men
August Folly
Close Quarters: A Novel (Thirkell, Angela Mackail, Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series.)
