Amazon.com
If you ponder life as an immature Icelandic slacker, then you'll want to check out Hallgrímur Helgason's novel 101 Reykjavík. Hlynur Bjorn lives at home, watches TV and porn when he's not getting high with his divorced mom and/or her lesbian lover, and sluffs off to bars most nights to put a dollar value on women (based on desirability) while hanging out with his equally bored friends. By the time Hlynur faces moral challenges, it's difficult to find reason to care. Hlynur's thoughts are detailed, shotgun style, with some wit and humor (though much is forced), and a strangeness one hopes is the result of Icelandic idiom lost in translation. In a gay couple's bedroom, Hylnur and Hofy enter into this exchange, typifying Helgason's disjointed style:
"Why did you sleep with me?"
Spock.
Hofy turns and looks at me propped up on my elbows with Rosy's hat on my head. Must look pretty weird, I suppose. I tilt my head to allow the hat to fall off, and look up at the ceiling. Looking down at me are two fat, hand-painted, and pretty well-hung angels. Nice one, guys. It's like that chapel in St. Peter's. Michelangelo was gay. Yeah. Maybe it's all in the Bible. I look at her again.
"Why did I sleep with you?"
To be sure, 101 Reykjavík captures the ennui of a cold, depressed generation (and nation), but if "[w]ords are snowflakes. They fall," Helgason might have tried to clear a better path. --Michael Ferch
Book Description
Hlynur Bjorn sleeps in. He surfs the Web. He tests the efficacy of various pornography. And at night, he hits the K-bar for a few drinks, maybe a tab of E, and perhaps a bit of sex before another crash. He'd blithely remain in this cycle forever, but when his part-time girlfriend reveals she's pregnant, his way of life is threatened. Hlynur withdraws and becomes obsessed with his mother's best friend, only to discover, after he's shagged her, that she's his mother's lesbian lover. And just when you believe he couldn't twist up his life any further, Hlynur finds a way.
Icelandic novelist HallgrÍmur Helgason inhabits his antihero's mind with marvelous acuity, subversive wit, and devilish charm. Hlynur is a true product of our postmodern global culture. Well beyond slackerdom, he lives at home with his mother and depends on social welfare. He's a quick-witted and articulate young man, and there's nothing wrong with him -- other than a total lack of ambition, an off-kilter sense of morality, and a nagging set of existential woes.
Against the backdrop of ReykjavÍk's storied nightlife and amid the swelling global presence of Icelandic culture, Helgason portrays with brutal honesty and humor a young man who takes uselessness to new extremes, and for whom redemption may not be an option. 101 ReykjavÍk is a spectacularly inventive, darkly comic tale of depraved and inspired humanity.
Customer Reviews:
addictively clever and stylish.......2005-04-27
This book is essentially a deconstruction of Hamlet, with more explicit drug use and pregnancies. A moral tome it is not. But the cleverness abounds. If you love wordplay and aren't too turned-off by self-conscious stylishness (which is here used artfully, I think, to indicate a kind of fumbling), you will greatly enjoy this book. It's the kind of book you read phrase to phrase rather than chapter to chaper - like Shakespeare, you don't read it for the twists and turns of plot, but instead for the twists and turns of phrase. But it's not Shakespeare, either. It's crap, really. But it's like, crap gold.
DID WE READ THE SAME BOOK?.......2003-04-03
Helgason's Hlynur is one of the most original characters I've come across lately. I found Hlynur's train of thought hilarious and laughed out loud throughout the book. I wasn't even aware Helgason hadn't written it in English. A lot of the humor rides on word play, so in my opinion, the translation is excellent.
I rooted for Hlynur even during the outrageous prediciments he continually got himself into. At times he stepped over the line between good and bad taste, if that's what it can be called, pushing me nearly to the point of disgust. Then another line that cracked me up put Hlynur back in my good graces again. Not since A Confederacy of Dunces has a character been more hard to take, yet loveable nonetheless.
I knew next to nothing about Iceland and Icelanders before reading this book. I feel as if I've just returned from a few days visit. I highly recommend this book.
Been there, done that..........2003-03-06
If www.Amazon.com allowed half-stars, I'd probably give it an extra half. Right down the middle. Not stellar, not a total dog.
The biggest problem this book has is character development. There's only one, Hlynur Bjorn. Everyone else is a prop, and Hlynur isn't much of an improvement. Lazy, cynical, unfeeling, uncaring. You read through page after page hoping he'll have a catharsis and turn into a human being, but it never really happens.
As www.Amazon.com's editorial reader mentioned, you get the feeling something is lost in translation. There seem to be some puns and word plays which are probably terribly funny in Icelandic, but fall down flat in English.
In all, I just failed to be compelled. There is a window opened to the quirks and culture in Iceland, and some stabs at what makes Icelanders unique as a people. The problem is, the arch attitude displayed by the characters was a turn-off. I can go to any bar and get that with much less effort.
Average customer rating:
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101 Reykjavik: A Novel
Hallgrimur Helgason
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1416575073 |
Book Description
Hlynur Bjorn sleeps in. He surfs the Web. He tests the efficacy of various pornography. And at night, he hits the K-bar for a few drinks, maybe a tab of E, and perhaps a bit of sex before another crash. He'd blithely remain in this cycle forever, but when his part-time girlfriend reveals she's pregnant, his way of life is threatened. Hlynur withdraws and becomes obsessed with his mother's best friend, only to discover, after he's shagged her, that she's his mother's lesbian lover. And just when you believe he couldn't twist up his life any further, Hlynur finds a way.
Icelandic novelist HallgrÍmur Helgason inhabits his antihero's mind with marvelous acuity, subversive wit, and devilish charm. Hlynur is a true product of our postmodern global culture. Well beyond slackerdom, he lives at home with his mother and depends on social welfare. He's a quick-witted and articulate young man, and there's nothing wrong with him -- other than a total lack of ambition, an off-kilter sense of morality, and a nagging set of existential woes.
Against the backdrop of ReykjavÍk's storied nightlife and amid the swelling global presence of Icelandic culture, Helgason portrays with brutal honesty and humor a young man who takes uselessness to new extremes, and for whom redemption may not be an option. 101 ReykjavÍk is a spectacularly inventive, darkly comic tale of depraved and inspired humanity.
Average customer rating:
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Sleepside: The Collected Fantasies
Greg Bear
Manufacturer: IBooks, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Anthologies | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Bear, Greg | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Bear, Greg | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
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Dead Lines: A Novel of Life . . . After Death
ASIN: 159687144X |
Book Description
From the depths of the abyss to the farthest reaches of space, Greg Bear has gained a well-deserved reputation as a masterful writer of hard science fiction. But there are other worlds and characters Bear has explored that readers might not be aware of: A woman longing for companionship, who ultimately turns to the most unexpected of sources for help in creating a lover; an innocent-looking child who holds the darkest of secrets; and a prostitute who offers far more than a night of passion to the one person she considers her last hope in exorcising a terrible curse. This is a different sort of haunted house story, set on an infinitely long space station called the Way, where portals to alternate realities await the traveler.
Average customer rating:
- An additional serving of Greg Bear
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Sleepside: The Collected Fantasies of Greg Bear
Greg Bear
Manufacturer: I Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Collections & Readers | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Anthologies | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Bear, Greg | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Hardcover | Bear, Greg | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0743498054 |
Book Description
Greg Bear has been called the "best working writer of science fiction" by The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. He has been awarded two Hugo and four Nebula Awards, and holds the distinction of being one of two authors to win a Nebula in every category. His novel Darwin's Radio, published by Ballantine Books, won the Nebula Award for "Best Novel of 2000," and was honored with the prestigious Endeavor Award. His novels and short stories have been translated into fifteen languages.
Now, ibooks is proud to present a fantasy-themed companion volume to the bestselling The Collected Stories of Greg Bear (published by Tor in 2003). This exclusive volume features the stories "Webster," "The White Horse Child," "Sleepside Story," "Dead Run," "Through Road No Whither," and "Petra." Also includes a new introduction by the author: "On Losing the Taint of Being a Cannibal."
Customer Reviews:
An additional serving of Greg Bear.......2006-07-29
Recently, I read "The Collected Stories of Greg Bear." Afterward, I went looking for more of his stories, and found this book: "The Collected Fantasies of Great Bear." While this collection isn't as good as the other collection, it does focus on my favorite genre of reading: fantasy. There are some really terrific stories in the mix (along with a few I could give or take). Recommend for Greg Bear readers.
Average customer rating:
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Yngling and the Circle of Power
Dalmas
Manufacturer: baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0671721062 |
Book Description
FROM GET-UP-AND-GO BREAKFASTS AND DELICIOUSLY SPEEDY ENTREES TO PASTA- AND CHOCOLATE-LOVERS' FAVORITES, NOW YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST MEAL IDEAS FROM THE POPULAR WEIGHT WATCHERS MAGAZINE, RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
For years, Weight Watchers has helped millions of people lose weight and have healthier lifestyles with their Winning Points® program. Now, here are 145 of the tastiest, healthiest, and most user-friendly recipes from Weight Watchers Magazine, all in one book!
This useful and fun collection of Weight Watchers Magazine favorites, all 9 POINTS or less, includes:
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STARTERS like Maple-Pear Oatmeal Muffins and Zucchini Omelet with Croutons
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SUPER BOWLS like Boeuf Bourguignon and Cilantro-Spiked Coleslaw
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5-POINT WONDERS like Turkey Burgers and Stir-Fried Beef with Vegetables
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LIGHTENING QUICK like Beef Marsala and Pad Thai
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GREAT GRILLING entrees like Lime-Glazed Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad and Corn on the Cob with Orange-Basil Butter
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THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT with menus for holidays and regular parties
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SPICE IT UP! with Cumin-Scented Oven Fries and Portobello-and-Onion Pita Sandwiches
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PASTA PLUS featuring Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Classic Macaroni Salad
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SWEETS & BAKED GOODS like Mosaic Fruit Sorbet and Pumpkin Custard with Caramelized Pecans
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THE YEAR IN CHOCOLATE with delights like Cocoa Roll with Creamy Mint Filling and Fudgy-Frosted Brownies
Customer Reviews:
This is a Great Cookbook.......2006-10-23
I love this cookbook. It's probably my favorite Weight Watchers cookbook, and I have maybe 5 of them, most of which are really good. The recipes in here really are "best of..." There are many you can serve to company for dinner. I even made the Pork Tenderloin with Snap Peas for my husband's birthday party and everyone raved about the food. The recipes I gave 10s to just go on and on. It's really a great cookbook--not the easiest recipes but not overly hard either. Trust me--it's a good investment!
Best of Weight Watchers Magazine: Over 145 Tasty Favorites.......2005-09-04
The recipes look great! Can't weight to try them!
Buy weight watchers take out tonight instead.......2003-12-31
This cookbook has to few pictures and requires too many ingrediants. The only thing its useful for is the sweets and deserts sections. Save your money and buy weight watchers take out tonight instead. This cookbook has pictures of virtually every recipe. You can show your family the cookbooks and they are sure to pick several things that look good they won't even know its healthy (or care). Oh and the weight watchers take out book gives helpful tips after each recipe such as what you can make ahead and what set to freeze the dish for future use.
This is a Diet Plan???? Shhhh....Nobody Will Know!!!.......2003-07-20
This is my tenth cookbook from Weight Watchers. To be truthful, I bought my first when I joined the organization. But now I purchase them because I can't believe how they can build such delicious meals for so few calories and points(the way WW calculates the diet plan). This latest offering contains 10 chapters beginning with 'Starters' and concluding with 'The Year in Chocolate'. There is a chocolate jelly roll dessert that only has 129 calories and 3 points for an almost 1" thick slice. The Chocolate Crispy bars...you know those gooey bars with marshmallow cream and crispy rice cereal....ONE POINT!!!
Desserts aside, I grilled the Southwest Chicken with Pineapple Salsa (5 points) and this almost paid for the book. Pot au Feu, Chicken Cacciatore and Seafood Gumbo, 3, 4, and 5 points respectively, were just scrumptious. There is a chapter in the book entitled '5-Point Wonders' and the recipes that I have tried certainly live up to the billing.
For those of you who like to spice up your food, there is a chapter dedicated to doing just that. Spices add few if any calories, but the flavors explode in your mouth. I tried the Pork Barbeque (9 points) and this was definitely in keeping with the North Carolina version of bbq'd pork.
In short, this is a comprehensive guide to meal planning. Even entertaining ideas are provided. The allure of Weight Watchers is that you don't have to give up entire food groups to control your weight. If you stay within the guidelines or daily point values for your given weight, you can choose to eat anything and still lose weight. This book is a wonderful testament to that strategy and the food will not disappoint you. You won't have tell anyone that it is 'diet food' although I'm sure that Weight Watchers would be pleased if you did.
Book Description
Bestselling author, psychologist, and world-renowned expert on dog behavior and training Dr. Stanley Coren presents the most informative, in-depth, fascinating book yet on dogs. Acclaimed for its solid scientific research and entertaining, eminently readable style, How Dogs Think gives you the insight that you need to understand the silly, quirky, and apparently irrational behaviors that dogs demonstrate, as well as those stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity that they also can display. It lets you see through a dog's eyes, hear through his ears, and even sense the world through his nose, as Coren presents a fascinating picture of the way dogs interpret their world and their human companions, and of how they solve problems, learn, and take in new information.
How Dogs Think also answers questions about our canine companions that have puzzled many: Can dogs count? Do they have an appreciation of art or music? Can a dog learn how to do something just by watching another dog or even a person do it? Do dogs dream? What is the nature of dog personality? Which behaviors are prewired into your dog, and which can you actually change? And, can dogs actually sense future earthquakes or detect cancer?
With sound behavioral science and numerous funny, informative anecdotes, experiments, and firsthand observations, How Dogs Think shatters many common myths and misconceptions about our four-legged friends and reveals a wealth of surprises about their mental abilities and potential. It will make you love and appreciate all dogs -- including your own -- in wonderful new ways.
Customer Reviews:
Not at all what I expected!.......2007-03-31
The book was not at all a fun read! Almost every chapter was boring and non informative. The book goes on and on and yet you still feel you have not read anything of intrest.
How Dogs Think: What the World Looks Like to Them and Why They Act the Way They Do.......2007-03-30
Fantastic Book! If you're a dog owner, dog lover or BOTH then this is the book for you. If you want to understand your dog like never before then do yourself a favour and purchase this book. It gives a wonderful incite through the dogs eyes how they see us and why they do certain things. This book certainly goes hand in hand with How to Speak Dog. A must read.
Questionable facts.......2006-03-29
The author cites research of mine on deafness, but gets the facts about my research wrong and gets the reference citation wrong. Hopefully he does a better job with the other research he quotes.
How Dogs (and Humans) Think!.......2006-03-05
This is an excellent book to give an overview of how dogs views the world as well as how that view compares to the view of humans. Dr. Cohen not only explains how dogs think but also how their senses work to perceive the world, again as compared to humans. The information is not just based on casual observations and anecdotal tales, although those are used, but also based on many laboratory studies over the years to give a good solid foundation.
This book is invaluable if you live with a dog, train dogs, work with dogs, or just love and admire dogs. I would consider this a must read for dog owners and especially trainers - after all you cannot teach if you don't understand how the mind receives and process the information you are trying get across. Dr. Cohen also does a beautiful job of dispelling many myths - like dogs don't see color - and provides the scientific proof to back it up.
Many of the studies used in this book go towards demonstrating how brilliant nature is in creating and how amazing the mind is - whether it is canine or primate!
Dog's don't think they are people, they think we are dogs........2006-02-06
In his usual thorough and "text-booky" approach, before he takes on the real question of how dogs think, Coren wants us to fully understand how information, used in the thought process, gets into the mind of the dog in the first place. To this end, he takes us on a detailed study of eyes, ears, nose, tongue and touch. Many implications for animal trainers are strewn throughout the entire manuscript. Along the way, he imbeds other useful suggestions for dog owners on how to get finicky eaters to eat, how to test your elderly dog's eyesight and hearing and how to compensate for weaknesses that commonly afflict elderly dogs. He even addresses the question of whether dogs have a sixth sense that allows them to predict earthquakes or anticipate exactly when their master will arrive home. Yes, I love the way he puts this section together and, no, I won't divulge his conclusion.
Did I say "text-booky"? How Dogs Think has been very thoroughly researched with over 241 citations. It would make a fine text book as part of an extensive canine trainer certification program like that offered by the Animal Behavior College http://animalbehaviorcollege.com for example. Coren can be rather technical at times, using and defining terms like "invisible displacement test", "implicit", "explicit", "episodic", and "semantic" memory. Bottom line, it's his approach that's both the good and the bad about the book. While it's what I was looking for, it may not be what you are looking for.
Finally, on page 290 (with less than 10% left to read), Coren asks the real question: are dogs conscious and do they have a mind similar to our own? His conclusion, they are considerably different from us in degree but not really all that different in kind. For example, although not necessarily something to be proud of, he cites evidence that dogs do lie. I've seen that myself.
One cold winter evening, our two youngest dogs were lying by my feet taking up all the high priced real estate. Their mother, who generally staked her claim first, came in and found her favorite spot taken. Her next step was to walk out on the back porch and bark "something interesting is going on out here".
< cite Coren > The young ones flew out to see what was going on and, while they were barking it up, mom came back in and lay at my feet.
Dogs are excellent keep-away players. How could this be so unless dogs are constantly working to figure out how we think? Empirical evidence says they play that complex game much better than we do. Coren's conclusion is that dogs understand how we think far better than we understand how they think. I'm willing to believe that.
He sites evidence that challenges many common beliefs. Dogs are not actually color blind but rather have eyes that evolution has optimized for hunting at dawn and dusk when color offers little survival advantage. Dogs learn very well from observation, particularly from watching humans. The "Theory of mind" actually does apply to dogs at least to some extent. This is so because the social brain of the dog is similar to that of a human in that both have evolved to solve social problems. Dogs can distinguish more from less, they can count, and even perform minimal addition. Finally, dogs can pass a very limited version of the Turing test.
Major author's message: dogs are much like we are. They are a little worse in some ways (dogs could never even come close to passing a eye test for a driver's license), but better in others (like hearing, smell, and seeing things in motion). Perhaps dogs don't so much think that they are people, but rather, think that we are dogs with some amazing strengths and some absolutely baffling weaknesses.
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Historic Vehicles in Miniature: The Genius of Ivan Collins
Ron Brenteno , and
Ron Brentano
Manufacturer: Oregon Historical Society Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Company Profiles
| Biography & History
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Production & Operations
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Transportation
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Toys
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Transportation
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Oregon
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0875952682 |
Book Description
Ivan Collins, an Oregon genius, researched, planned, and built 62 of the most accurate, meticulous, and beautiful model horse-drawn vehicles to be found anywhere. Collins focused his considerable artistry on 1/8 scale vehicles that helped to settle the western United States. Collins's Brougham, Concord coach, Albany sleigh, phaeton, omnibus, Victoria, medicine wagon, and other models have enchanted visitors to the exhibit of his models at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland for over three decades. This book is a catalog of Collins's works, with photographs of each model, model dimensions, and brief information about the model and the historical vehicle it represents. It also includes an overview of Collins's life and work and sample details of several of his plans.
Book Description
The fast, fun way to become a computer whiz!
Do you love drawing, writing, or just playing games? Now you can have an even better time doing them on your computer. With the amazing activities in this book, you can become a spy, a newspaper reporter, even a comic book illustrator. And you can do it on any computer.
With the click of a mouse and this fun-filled book, you will be able to draw pictures and create graphics, design books and a newspaper, exchange secret codes and write stories with your friends, and more—all without buying any special programs!
You can also learn how to:
- Publish your own newspaper—complete with pictures
- Print play money (don't try to spend it!)
- Create mazes, puzzles, and word games
- Invent all sorts of new computer projects of your own
- Draw maps for treasure hunts
- Chat with your friends through circular E-mail
- And more!
So what are you waiting for? Start having more fun with your computer today!
Customer Reviews:
An Outstanding Resource for Teachers and Parents.......2001-03-03
Ms. Saltveit's book challenges its readers to think of new and creative ways to engage children and stimulate their learning throught the use of computers. She shows us that there are interactive activities that stretch children's imagination and creativity much further than a mere game could ever do.
a most practical and fun way to approach computers.......2000-03-31
Ms. Saltveit's work is the most practical and fun approach to computer education that I have discovered. Although not intended as a teacher's aid, I actually like it just as much as "Hit Enter", which was designed for teachers. Both books have been a big hit at our school (Marymount, Paris). The books erase any feeling that computers are too intimidating or complex. I'm looking forward to her next work.
Average customer rating:
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Immobilization of Polymers (New Concepts in Polymer Science)
M. I. Shtilman
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General & Reference
| Chemistry
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General & Reference
| Chemistry
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9067641499 |
Book Description
This first comprehensive handbook on this exciting field provides readers with a clear understanding of the current state of the art, ingenious solutions and opportunities. Researchers from academia and industry present such emerging topics as multi-component systems and computational chemistry, as well as the latest developments in competing and complementary technologies. The result is a well-balanced and up-to-date overview.
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Elvgren Girls I (Artist Archives) (Artist Archives)
Max Allan Collins
Manufacturer: Collectors Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Pop Culture
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Photographers, A-Z
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
| Adams, Ansel
| Avedon, Richard
| Bourke-White, Margaret
| Brady, Mathew
| Bubley, Esther
| Callahan, Harry
| Capa, Robert
| Caro, Anthony
| Carroll, Lewis
| Cartier-Bresson, Henri
| Clark, Larry
| Cunningham, Imogen
| Doisneau, Robert
| Eisenstaedt, Alfred
| Evans, Walker
| Feininger, Andreas
| Gatewood, Charles
| Geddes, Anne
| General
| Goldin, Nan
| Goldsworthy, Andy
| Hamilton, David
| Haskins, Sam
| Hine, Lewis Wickes
| Hurrell, Geoerge
| Jackson, William Henry
| Kenna, Michael
| Kern, Richard
| Kinsey, Darius
| Lange, Dorothea
| Leibovitz, Annie
| Leonard, Herman
| Mann, Sally
| Mapplethorpe, Robert
| Mark, Mary Ellen
| Miller, Lee
| Modotti, Tina
| Muybridge, Eadweard
| Newton, Helmut
| Orkin, Ruth
| Ray, Man
| Ritts, Herb
| Seymour, David
| Sherman, Cindy
| Steichen, Edward
| Stieglitz, Alfred
| Sturges, Jock
| Uelsmann, Jerry
| Wegman, William
| Weston, Edward
| Wiggins, Myra Albert
General
| Artists, A-Z
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
| Asia
| Eastern Front
| Europe
| General
| Hiroshima & Nagasaki
| Home Front
| Intelligence Operations
| Iwo Jima
| Naval
| Normandy
| Pearl Harbor
| Personal Narratives
| Stalingrad
| Western Front
| Women
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The Best of Gil Elvgren
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Jeepers Peepers!: A Gallery of American Pin-up Art (Graphic Art)
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Pin-Up Nudes II (Artist Archives)
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Bad Girls of Pulp Fiction (Miniature Editions)
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Calendar Girl: Sweet & Sexy Pin-Ups of the Postwar Era
ASIN: 1888054336 |
Book Description
A visual record of work done by the "Father of Cheesecake Pin-Up." Everywhere men gathered during WWII their focus was on Elvgren's beautiful women.
Book Description
"Voyages deep into the frenzied, complex world of LBO transactions."—BusinessWeek
"Sheds light on an important chapter in both African-American and American business history."—Earl G. Graves, Publisher, Black Enterprise magazine
When Reginald Lewis was six years old, his grandparents asked his opinion about employment discrimination against blacks. Reg replied simply, "Why should white guys have all the fun?" Why, indeed! Lewis grew up to become the wealthiest black man in history and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time, reigning over a commercial empire that spanned four continents. At the time of his death in 1993, his personal fortune was estimated at $400 million.
"Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" traces Lewis's rise from a working-class neighborhood in east Baltimore to Harvard Law School and, ultimately, into the elite circle of Wall Street deal-makers. Expanding on Lewis's unfinished autobiography, journalist Blair Walker completes a vivid portrait of a proud, fiercely determined man with a razor-sharp tongue—and an intellect to match. He shows how Lewis's lifelong hunger for wealth and personal glory fueled his success on the playing field, in the classroom, and in the boardroom. Walker also provides a rare insider's view of Lewis, the iron-willed negotiator and brilliant business strategist in action as he finesses one phenomenal deal after another.
A moving saga of personal courage and determination as well as a virtual how-to book for those who would like to follow in Lewis's footsteps, "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" is every bit as memorable as the man whose story it tells.
Customer Reviews:
Enthusiastic........2007-07-05
This work tells the story of a black man who rose to become a top CEO.
Author BLAIR S. WALKER, discusses the chronicle of his subject's private life based on dozens of interviews and also consulting many sources and borrowing on an unfinished autobiography Reginald Lewis wrote shortly before his death from brain cancer in order to give a full and accurate account of this intense, goal-oriented man's life.
If motivation and inspiration is what you seek, you will find it in various chapters throughout the book. Power packed with valuable business lessons on deal making and negotiations, this book has the ability to cultivate your mind set in many a positive ways.
Lewis was a tough- minded narcissistic individual. He was a man set on being an exception to life's ugly stereotypes towards African Americans.
Although the book does fall short in not talking about the deaths of two keystone figures in Lewis's life which was his grand pop and grand mom who were considered some of his greatest strength as a boy.
Lewis and his two LBO's became a greater success than the famous "burning bed" blunder by the former First Boston Corp..
Overall, you will find this book an entertaining read.
A Strong Mind and An Example of How to Achieve Success.......2007-05-29
I was blown away by this book, more so for the similarities between Lewis and myself. I think he was proud of being black but I agree with him that its only an aspect of who you are. Americans as a whole, whether they are black and white tend to group successful blacks as some sort of exception, which is a done and TIRED story. Reginald is a man's man that did things his way successfully. Too bad his life was cut short no telling where he might of been and how much more successful he would have become.
For readers its a look at an intense, fearless, determined, and extremely ambitious man who just happened to be African-American.
Why Should You Enjoy This Book?.......2006-10-22
The Lewis and Walker edition of 'Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?' is one of the most well-researched and written books that exist from a partial business autobiography/biography standpoint. When you read (and study) this book you feel as if you know Reginald Lewis (Reg) personally. You felt that you have sat at the same table, in the same room, with the same true characters that made him the man that he was.
Reginald Lewis was no saint. But, he was driven by passion and a determination to be the best. Walker (the co-author) has created many things within the context of this book: A bio, a blueprint, an academic view of business, a detailed account (diary) of a very accomplished man. But most importantly, Walker and Lewis together have created a great story. It's more than just mere inspiration, it's a book that when you're done, you will want to make Reg a member of your advisory counsel (the kind that motivates and drives you when their physical presence is no longer here). Reg is now a part of my advisory counsel - and he's given me good advice. Read this book regardless of your ethnic background because it truly drives home a point: We can all have fun!
(Elite Print by biographer Walker);(italics by autobiographer Lewis).......2006-05-01
There was a consistent pattern of the italic matter in which Lewis* kept to his focus "business" and businessman (and bussiness women) and just a brief mention of activity with his wife and children(the book opens with a lengthy discussion of his "humble beginnings" and how his older relatives,especially his grandmother were his greatest strength as a boy, although he does mention his great love for his mother and respect for his step-father and siblings)...His thrill for being accepted at "Harvard" never left him and there is a bldg for law students named after him on Harvard's campus.He gives insight into the wars within in the brokerage world(and how one should be careful what one sells,even with biggies like "McCall Patterns" since if the company should falter in any way shortly after you've sold it,you might be legally held responsible to the buyers) and how "other values" matter more when he gets in swiftly fading health... his biographer ,Blair(co-author of the book published posthumously) does a marvelous insert between the Lewis's italics and also includes : an epilogue(others were left to mourn for him on 01/19/1993); an index ; & a list of all who contributed to "his* story).It was a book worth reading.
Bio/autobiography of a superstrong personality.......2006-04-01
I've been reading more business related stuff as of late, and I picked up "Why Should White Guys..." a while back. Reginald Lewis earns tremendous respect in my eyes for his intense energy and willingness to take risks to achieve. Reading this book, you can see what a trailblazer he actually was as he pulled off a seemingly impossible buyout of Beatrice Foods and then drove them to strong economic performance.
I give this 4 stars because I'm ambivalent on Lewis' significance for black Americans. He achieved and he's given back a lot to the community, as evidenced by the Reginald Lewis Library in Baltimore. But this book also reveals that his success was greatly aided by Michael Milken's junk bonds [although in the book's defense Milken was still positively regarded at the time of writing] and he deeply loved being part of Harvard Law School and chose to make a very public donation of a multimillion dollar building to them as he became established.
I think the lack of discussion of some of these issues reflects the time period that this book was written in rather than any fault of the author. This is an authorized biography with large samplings of Lewis' own words. Lewis' amazing rise deserves a full-scale critical biography, and I'll give this a high rating until something else comes out to supplant it.
4 stars.
--SD
Books:
- A Day in the Strait (French Series)
- A Southern Tragedy, In Crimson And Yellow
- A Wodehouse Miscellany & William Tell Told Again
- Adele: Jane Eyre's Hidden Story
- Agua Viva / Live Water
- Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
- Alguien Que Cuide de Mi
- Archie's Way: A Memoir of Friendship and Craftsmanship
- Asphalt : A Novel
- Bamboozle!
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