Punk Like Me

Customer Reviews:

A little too much reality for me.......2007-09-20

I'm of two minds about this book. On the one, I think that the voice of the narrative is refreshingly original, or at least different than a lot of fiction out there. On the other, I have a minor pet peeve about starting a book at the end, then flashing back for no real reason (like a foregone conclusion, or skips back and forth in time to support the actions of certain characters, etc.), and the characters experiences a bit too much pain for this to be strictly an entertaining read.

But there are places for that type of fiction too. And while I praised the voice above, at times it seemed to affected for me, a little too much like "Rose of No Man's Land", another book I guess I didn't quite "get". The character was ultimately admirable in how she handled harsh events, and stayed true to herself despite some pretty steep odds, but too many times seemed to do and be things just to get a reaction. That's part of growing up I suppose.

I think that a lot of people will be interested in this book for its differences, and just as many will be put off by them. If you don't mind a bit of a mess, and don't mind disliking some of the main characters, I'd say you're the former, and should give it a shot.

Predictable and full of clichés .......2007-08-20

From the Book Cover:
Twenty-one year old Nina writes lyrics and plays guitar in the rock band, Adam's Rib, and she doesn't always play by the rules. And, oh yeah--she has a way with the girls. Even her brother Nicky's girlfriends think she's hot. But the road to CBGBs in the East Village where Blondie and Joan Jett and the Indigo Girls stomped, sweated, and dreamed hasn't always been easy. In fact, it was damn hard. There were plenty of roadblocks in her way--her own fears about being different, and the nuns, and the parents who didn't get it, just to name a few. But then there was Kerry. Her more than best friend Kerry--who made it impossible for Nina not to be tough, not to be honest, not to stand by what she knew was right--not to be...Punk.

I must confess that when "Punk Like Me" was published I was not that interested in the book, considering the book description made by the publisher. However, the fact that it was a finalist for a Lambda Award in Lesbian Fiction made me buy the book. The book description is misleading, since "Punk Like Me" deals not with an already grown-up person but with a sixteen-year old Nina and how the discovery of her lesbianism impacted her life. The book is written as a first person narrative, and that should help to connect the main character with the reader. However, Nina surfaces as a two-dimensional character and a superficial person who likes to play the apparent rebel. Even her being punk looks more like a way of being trendy than resulting from a real analysis and rejection of societal values. This is made quite obvious from her concomitant wish to continue her studies after finishing high school in a military academy. And it is also emphasized in the way that JD Glass deals with the subject of being punk in the book, i.e. en passant.
The story was quite predictable, and even in the middle of dramatic events such as those occurring in the last part of the book it is difficult to empathize with Nina. This is probably due to the overdose of clichés, both in terms of events and of rhetoric from Nina.
JD Glass spend too much of the book detailing events and too less developing her characters and giving them depth. The result is a book that will be easily forgotten by its readers. For a good and unforgettable coming of age book, try Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.

Fabulous coming of age novel.......2007-08-07

Well deserved Lambda Literary Award finalist.

I don't think enough is said about the humor in this novel. The humor is hip and human. I don't want to give anything of the plot away but to say the highs are joyful. I have friend in their 60's who thought this was the one of the best books they have read.

I learned so much about the punk mentality of teenagers, this broke every stereotype I held. Nina is a fabulous character. Everyone would be lucky to have a daughter like Nina - she is a good kid. Excellent and engaging writing, I was totally invested in 15 year old Nina and those who filled her world. Her Youthful experiences were so true to life! This author completely knows the values and mind set of Nina and her age group.

If you enjoyed this novel the author has two other novels -

Punk and Zen

Red Light

From the publisher's website - A coming of age story, a love story...a brave, brilliant story of strength and self-discovery. Twenty-one year old Nina writes lyrics and plays guitar in the rock band, Adam's Rib, and she doesn't always play by the rules. And, oh yeah--she has a way with the girls. Even her brother Nicky's girlfriends think she's hot. But the road to CBGBs in the East Village where Blondie and Joan Jett and the Indigo Girls stomped, sweated, and dreamed hasn't always been easy. In fact, it was damn hard. There were plenty of roadblocks in her way--her own fears about being different, and the nuns, and the parents who didn't get it, just to name a few. But then there was Kerry. Her more than best friend Kerry--who made it impossible for Nina not to be tough, not to be honest, not to stand by what she knew was right--not to be...Punk.

A Very Dramatic, Intense Story!.......2007-02-24

The cover of Punk Like Me contains the words; "A coming of age story, a love story...a brave, brilliant story of strength and self-discovery." The story contained within the pages of this book is truly a tribute to that statement. Coming of age is sometimes a very tough road to travel.

Nina is young, energetic and in high school. Going through high school is a unique experience in itself. There are classes, sports to participate in, teachers to antagonize and a boy to date...if that's what you want. Nina has always known what she wants and where she wants to go so why is there suddenly a question of just where that is? Kerry is Nina's best friend and a contributing factor to the unexpected question. What happens between the two girls to even pose such a question?

Suddenly Nina`s running a fight for survival each and every day so imagine what happens when that fight hits close to home...really close. Seems Nina's mother isn't too happy with the news of who her daughter has become. However, her mother's reaction is something that Nina would have never seen coming...not in a million years. Betrayed by those she thought loved her the most, and the loss of the life she has always known hits hard. It's a tragedy no child should ever have to suffer. Will she survive the loss? Will her friends, one friend in particular, come to her aid or betray her like everyone else?

Times goes by, friends have come and gone, Nina has gone on with her life. Just as she figures she has it all sorted out, an old acquaintance returns. A friend who was once a bright spot in Nina's world...Samantha. A friend who was there for her when everyone else had abandoned her. Samantha, once a girl, now a woman offering Nina a future...if she'll accept it.

JD Glass has given readers an intensely dramatic offering in her first book. There is a wide range of emotions that will be experienced while reading: amusement at teenage antics, amazement, anger, and disbelief as well as admiration for the character's courage. JD's next offering, Punk and Zen continues Nina's story and is certain to be as intense, as dramatic, as much of a terrific read as Punk Like Me.

Teen Angst - Coming Out to One's Self.......2006-11-27

If there is one thing that bothers me, it's when a book's back cover doesn't accurately describe the story inside. Such is the case with `Punk Like Me,' but the story is so engaging and enjoyable, I'll forgive the publisher... this time.

The cover describes a story about Nina, a 21-year-old musician, and her prowess with women. The book is actually about a teenaged Nina, her struggle with her feelings for friend Kerry, and her tribulations after her parents find out she's a lesbian. This coming-of-age story is simultaneously heartwarming, heartbreaking, and enraging.

Nina is such a believable character it's almost scary. She reminds me of friends from high school and is one of the many gay and lesbian teens who struggle daily with their fundamental selves. Nina deals with her growing feelings for Kerry, her best friend. Kerry seemingly returns Nina's feelings and willingly takes their physical relationship to the next level. This confuses Nina even more, as she tries to reconcile her parents' strong moral stance against homosexuality with her new feelings. Worst of all, Nina has no one to turn to as a mentor and relies only on an older friend after her parents learn her new, "unforgivable" secret.

This book is truly for the strong of heart. As a lesbian who fought nature for several years before giving in, and as a mother, it truly disturbs me that there are so few places for our young people to turn. This book is a genuinely solid place to start. It's even better than books like `Deliver Us From Evie' and `Keeping You A Secret.' I'm looking forward to the sequel which is due out soon.

Book Description

In an altered America where machines no longer work and magic holds sway, former lawyer-turned-visionary leader Cal Griffin guides his small band on a quest toward the Source of the Change -- following a trail he hopes will reunite him with his abducted sister, Christina, transformed into one of the powerful, enigmatic beings called "flares." Armed with little more than compassion and a determination to heal the world, Cal, the warrior Colleen Brooks, Russian physician Doc Lysenko, and bipolar street wizard Herman "Goldie" Goldman encounter old foes and new friends in a landscape of unimaginable beauties and magnificent horrors -- forced to confront the frightful secrets of an emissary from a dread region and to trust in a brilliant triumvirate of grad students who could get things running again ... at a terrible cost—as the final moves in humankind's ultimate nightmare are played out in the depths of the Ghostlands.

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Customer Reviews:

Excelent Read.......2006-03-23

I really enjoyed the "Magic Time" series. This book was by far my favorite out of the series. Unlike the first in the series, this book was easy to get into right from the start. It finalized the story line in a very conclusive manor.

excellent fantasy.......2004-11-15

The experiment Source devastated nature by destroying electric energy and changing people by enhancing their key traits into a caricature like magical essence. Many have died including those who have trusted weary former attorney Cal Griffen; he feels he failed them all in the end though none would fault him. Still he has no time to mourn as his evanescent younger sister Christina the ballerina vanished to wherever the storm floated her like a bubble.

His quest to find Tina took him from New York to Chicago where Magritte, one of the people Cal feels he failed died. The journey for Cal and his pilgrims continue westward through deadly cities where the Source holds sway with magic that threaten to destroy the earth. Cal's band of brothers, sisters, and other essences enter the dangerous Ghostlands reaching Mount Rushmore, pivotal foci of the Source. The troupe faces their worst magically enhanced customized nightmarish fears in this last stand to save human existence on this plane; to succeed against the overwhelming powers of the enemy, they need Tina on their side and not part of the Source.

Fantasy fans will devour the final Magic Time tale that is a terrific confrontation between the remnants of metamorphosis humanity vs. the offspring Source. Interestingly the theme is not a simplistic good vs. evil scenario, but instead is more along the lines of the Frankenstein warning. The story line is action-packed from the first pyre to the final fire, but never neglects the key characters as their characteristics remain critical to the entertaining story line. MAGIC TIME GHOSTLANDS can stand alone, but is further enhanced with reading the previous two novels, MAGIC TIME and MAGIC TIME ANGELFIRE.

Harriet Klausner

Magic Time: Ghostlands -library Edition (Magic Time (Blackstone Audiobooks))

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Magic Time: Ghostlands -library Edition (Magic Time (Blackstone Audiobooks))
Marc Scott Zicree , and Robert Charles Wilson
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0786176490

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Magic Time: Ghostlands (Unabridged)
Wilson, Marc, Robert Scott, Charles Zicree
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000BND01M

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Magic Time: Ghostlands
Marc Scott Zicree
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEXLEO

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Beverly Lewis Does It Again

Amish cookbook

Just what I wanted

Good Food

excellent read

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Amish & Mennonite | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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The Crossroad (Amish Country Crossroads #2)

ASIN: 0764229176
Release Date: 2004-05-01

Book Description

A homespun, authentic collection of Amish recipes collected over the years by Beverly Lewis. Many are from her grandmother and other family members as well as dear friends from the Amish world she writes about with such power and authenticity. Now she lovingly shares these with her millions of readers who have come to treasure her fictional insights into Amish life. The additional Amish sayings and line drawings make for an appealing gift.

Customer Reviews:

Beverly Lewis Does It Again.......2007-08-01

I ordered this for my landlady, she said she hasn't cooked from it yet, but she loves it, we both looked through it when it arrived and we loved the little notes from Beverly Lewis, the recipes look delicious and very down to earth, my husband loves to watch the food channel but so much of it is too fancy and strange ingredients, that stinks! I will probably buy this sometime for myself. It is a lovely cookbook, and I recommend it to anyone who likes Beverly Lewis, Cooking, or collecting cookbooks, it is a must have. Go for it you'll not regret it. Have fun in your kitchen.

Amish cookbook.......2007-03-19

This is a great cookbook, I have been looking for one that I thought would be worth buying. I love the receipes in it. I have tried some of them and they are really good. Thank You

Just what I wanted.......2007-03-09

While the title says it is an Amish Heritage Cookbook I was pleased to find recipes that included store bought ingredients. This gives me the opportunity to try more of the recipies since I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Also it included the recipie I was looking for. The recipies I have tried have been easy to follow and turned out wonderfully. My family loved them. As a mother of two it is nice to have a book of wholesome easy to reproduce oldfashioned flavor recipies on hand. If you like the flavor of old world but like new world ease i would recomend this cookbook to you.

Good Food.......2007-01-19

This is great.My daughter recently visited the Amish in Pennsylvania and brought me this and another one.It's great.Nadia Rehmani

excellent read.......2007-01-09

Great cookbook with information into the lives of the Amish culture
and meals they prepare. Good source of overall recipes with insight
into the Amish life and their fruitful ability to use the foods they
produce.

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

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The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

Manufacturer: Bethany House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0739442570

Product Description

Over 200 FavorIte Time-Tested Recipes ColLected by the Author of THE HERITAGE OF LANCASETR COUNTY

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Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0739442848

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Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook
Beverly Lewis
Manufacturer: Bethany House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: B000VQYBFI

Amazon.com

Finding nutritional data for dogs can be a difficult business--and while much of the information in Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog is presented by anecdote, there's still plenty of worthwhile reading here. Aimed at dog owners that are already fairly committed to nonallopathic forms of health care for their pets, much of the book is based around author Wendy Volhard's Natural Diet. The Natural Diet is fairly labor intensive, as Volhard is the first to admit, but she provides page after page of testimonials that credit the diet with improved temperaments, better activity levels, and exemplary physical health. Each ingredient in this diet is discussed in depth, so owners not ready to take the step of providing a complete diet from scratch can still learn about potentially valuable supplements, as well as what ingredients to look for in a commercial diet.

Beyond the dietary information provided, there are several chapters that give solid explanations of different types of health care available, including homeopathy, kinesiology, and the five-element theory. For those who still prefer allopathic care for their dogs, the chapters that cover standard lab tests are extremely useful, finally giving a layman's guide for urinalysis, blood serum, liver function, and thyroid testing. A glossary defines various terms such as acidosis and hepatic, and each description is easily understandable, even by those with no medical background whatsoever. For puppy owners, the chapter discussing vaccinations is informative--Volhard questions the necessity of many we take for granted, and suggests several methods for lowering the required number for your pup.

Ultimately, the majority of this book is geared toward folks who are already committed to providing their pooches with alternative health care and homemade food. No matter how interesting the dietary concepts presented here, if you aren't already a true believer it's not likely that Volhard's anecdotes will provide you with enough statistical proof to completely overhaul your dog's way of life. --Jill Lightner

Book Description

A complete revision of a ground-breaking reference.

Designed to provide updated information found in the original book, as well as lots of new topics, and a new organization—this second edition is more user-friendly than ever!

Readers will get the latest on:

Healthful diets for dogs of every age and activity level
How to modify your dog's diet to best meet seasonal needs
Natural ways to keep your dog healthy throughout all stages of life
How to care for a dog in poor health
The vaccine controversy—the pros, the cons and how to sort them out * Homeopathic remedies
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, chiropractics and use of medicinal herbs

Customer Reviews:

Close, but no cigar.......2007-05-09

This book is worth its price purely for the information on interpreting blood and urine testing. She also offers some great ideas on supplements for specific health concerns. Thirdly, her recommendations for vaccinations or lack thereof are excellent. That's the good part.

However, by far and large, I couldn't disagree more with Wendy Volhard's dietary recommendations. If she can show me a canine running around the forest looking for oatmeal or any of the other grains she recommends, I might give her recommendations a second look.

Until then, from my experience, BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods a la Ian Billinghurst's recommendations) is the only way to feed dogs. Three dogs, 9 years, no vet bills, says it all. My Keeshond, who died at the age of 16, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatitis at the age of 7 and given 6 months to live. The vet wanted to put her on PID canned food, largely barley based. At that time, we brought our Giant Schnauzer home from Skansen Kennels. The breeder strongly recommended the BARF diet, so I immediately switched the old Keeshond and our 6 month old Rottie to a raw meaty bones/fresh raw veggies and fruits diet, along with the Giant Schnauzer baby. The vet said I'd kill my dog. I told him that she's dead meat in 6 months anyway, so I might as well kill her my way.

Within 3 months, she was a puppy again, and lived to 16. All if this without the silly grain meal Wendy Volhard recommends! The big dogs are closing in on 10. The rottie has already outlived his predicted life span of 7 to 9 years. I love it! Their coats are gorgeous, and their teeth are perfect. No bad breath either. I wouldn't feed any other way.

Please don't get me wrong. I would still buy this book for its reference value, but don't buy into her dietary recommendations!

Super Reference Book.......2007-01-29

I found the Holistic Guide for Healthy Dog just super and full of useful information and other references. It's also very easy to read and divided quite nicely.

Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog.......2006-04-13

This book is the best source for a Raw Diet available. It is very comprehensive. There are lots of sources available with this diet to help you along the way, such as the website (www.volhard.com) and the Volhard Yahoo Group discussions, which provide all the answers to your questions. If you want to provide the best life for your dog, this is definately the way to do it. The research carried out on this diet is extremely comprehensive and a proven success for over 30 years.

Single best Guide for pet owners.......2005-03-02

If you can only have one book and you own a dog this is the one to have. Wendy Volhard brings decades of research and experience together in easy to follow examples, recipes and some of th emost comprehensive tables you'll find on canine nutrition. Food is the basis of all good health and happiness and this book tells you how to keep your dog healthy naturally, how to recognize if they are out of balance and empowers you with tools to help you dog while working with your vet.

If you consider your dog a member of your family.......2004-05-12

Discovering the Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog is one of the best discoveries I have made in my life! If you consider your dog a member of your family and you want to do everything you can to hlep it have a long, healthy, long life this book is for you. It comes complete with a chat room of wonderful people who can answer most any question you have regarding the diet.

It's a book that you will refer to over and over - the first thing you will consult when you think there might be a problem.
We have used the diet recommended in the book for two for more than 5 years. Our vet applauds our efforts.

Average customer rating:
Health handbooks: fortify your library with titles on canine holistic health and healthcare.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(book reviews)(Book review): An article from: Whole Dog Journal
Nancy Kerns
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000WCWR8E
Release Date: 2007-09-20

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Whole Dog Journal, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2007. The length of the article is 951 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: Health handbooks: fortify your library with titles on canine holistic health and healthcare.(PRODUCT REVIEW)(book reviews)(Book review)
Author: Nancy Kerns
Publication: Whole Dog Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 10 Issue: 6 Page: 10(2)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Ceramics in America 2004 (Ceramics in America)

Manufacturer: Chipstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Mocha and Related Dipped Wares, 1770--1939

If These Pots Could Talk: Collecting 2,000 Years of British Household Pottery

ASIN: 0972435336

Book Description

The 2004 issue features many important articles including the first color publication of America's earliest stoneware factory-The Poor Potter of Yorktown. In addition, other articles feature previously unpublished information about several important American Salt-glazed stoneware potters. The redware products of Morgantown West Virginia are presented along with information about English porcelain, Maryland tobacco pipes, and a wonderful essay about Bernard Leach's travels in America.

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Lighthouse Designs for Quilters
Pat Aho
Manufacturer: Down East Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Lighthouses of New England (Quilting)

Machine Quilting Made Easy

ASIN: 0892725990

Book Description

Twelve Maine lighthouses inspired the quilt block designs in this collection, and Pat Aho includes interesting short histories of the lights along with her always lucid, simple directions and diagrams for making the blocks. In addition to the lighthouse motifs, she gives a variety of attractive nautical-related quilting patterns for the final stitching: shells, dories, an anchor, oars, a sailing ship, stars, etc. She also provides directions for ways to use the lighthouse quilt blocks on smaller projects such as pillows, as alternatives to combining them into a quilt. In addition to the lighthouse blocks, Pat provides a fascinating pieced design inspired by the beautiful faceted prismatic Fresnel lenses used to focus lighthouse beams. There's also a whimsical lighthouse wall hanging that includes a feisty crow mascot in a spruce tree.

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Gordon Onslow Ford: Paintings of the inner worlds, May 21-June 30, 1993, Harcourts Modern and Contemporary Art, San Francisco, California
Gordon Onslow-Ford
Manufacturer: Lapis Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0941576205

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The quest of the inner-worlds: Paintings
Gordon Onslow-Ford
Manufacturer: Dream Creations
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Modern | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006RGOPW

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The Quest of the Inner-Worlds: Paintings by Gordon Onslow Ford
Gordon Onslow; Bogzaran, Fariba (Curated by) Ford
Manufacturer: Dream Creations
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SPE2VA

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gordon is an inspiration to all human beings.

Gordon Onslow Ford: Paintings of the Inner-Worlds (Architectural Association. Paper no. 4)
Charles Miedzinski , and Fariba Bogzaran
Manufacturer: Wittenborn Art Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0815000057

Customer Reviews:

gordon is an inspiration to all human beings........1999-08-02

His art spans through time and space. Its the art of the new, of the new millenium...he's way a head and at the begining of what is to be in self expression and inner consciousness. Thank you gordon!

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Paintings of the inner-worlds
Gordon Onslow-Ford
Manufacturer: Harcourts Modern and Contemporary Art
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Modern | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006PDHHW

Book Description

At the pinnacle of Abstract Expressionism, then 24-year-old Jasper Johns covered an entire canvas with a painted version of the American flag, and altered postwar American art forever. In just one work, a work which hung on the wall both like any other flag and like any other abstract painting, Johns had summed up the positions of Abstract Expressionism and European Concrete Art, and had pointed the way for both geometric hard-edge painting and American Pop Art. Nevertheless, Johns cannot be reduced to this one, iconic artwork. With a view toward revealing the complexity and grace of his oeuvre, this book presents oil and object paintings, and drawings from the estate of the artist, and allows a focused view onto the pictorial workshop and world of ideas of Jasper Johns.

Book Description

At the outbreak of World War II, Marianne Strauss, the sheltered daughter of well-to-do German Jews, was transformed almost overnight into a woman of spirit and defiance. When the Gestapo came for her family, Marianne went underground, and traveled across Nazi Germany with false papers, aided by a remarkable resistance organization, previously unknown and unsung. Drawing on photographs, letters, diaries, documents, and interviews, Mark Roseman tells the powerful story of Marianne's journey and reveals the fates of her family members and friends. Part detective story, part love story, A Past in Hiding is a moving examination of courage and survival in the harshest conditions.AUTHORBIO: Recipient of the Fraenken Prize in contemporary history and the Wingate Literary Prize for non-fiction, Mark Roseman teaches modern history at the University of Southampton in England. He has published widely on many aspects of twentieth-century German history and is the author of The Wannsee Conference and The Final Solution: A Reconsideration. He lives in Southampton, England.

Customer Reviews:

A Must Read Book.......2006-01-09

I have read this book over 2 years ago, but to this day, the book still comes to my mind as one of the best books I have read. I never knew that people in the concentration camps could write and receive letters from people outside of the camps. Mark Roseman not only tells you the story of Marianne Strauss Ellenbogen, but he researches outside sources that proof the almost unbelievable things that she says.

This is a must read book for anyone interested in WWII fanatics, and anyone who just wants to know what life was like for a German Jew during the period.

Interesting but could be shorter.......2005-09-20

The story of Marianne Strauss's life in hiding during WWII is truly amazing, and unlike anything I've read before (and I read a lot of WWII / Holocaust books). I'd rate it higher, except that it's overly detailed in some cases. The book is as much about the author's eforts to uncover the truth behind Marianne's memories (vs. those of others she knew) as it is about Marianne's life. I found the author's very detailed account of getting info out of Marianne and her acquaintances too much information; all I cared about was Marianne's story, not how he found out and verified every detail. I recommend it, as long as you're prepared to skim when your eyes glaze over.

U-boat story with a twist.......2004-05-05

Of all the stories I have read about U-boat Jews, this one surprised me the most. A daughter of privilege, Marianne Strauss watched as little by little her family's position--initially protected by Nazi contacts--and fortune diminished until every avenue of escape was closed. When the SS finally came for her, her parents and brother, she managed to escape and began two+ years of hiding in plain sight, successfully aided by an organization called the Bund (no relation to Kulturbund) as well as her own seemingly limitless daring and resoursefulness.

Having survived the war, one of her first tasks was to help disillusioned, emotionally crushed German youth. Shortly thereafter, she was contacted by a British military physician regarding the location of some of her surviving family--and Captain Dr. Basil Ellenbogen soon asked her to marry him. Marianne eventually settled in England with her husband where they raised a son, who later helped author Mark Roseman complete his research for this book after Marianne died in late 1996, and a daughter, who succumbed to anorexia at 18.

But what distinguished Marianne from other U-boats was how she came to see herself NOT as a pursued Jew but rather as just another German struggling thru the last days of the war--she never gave herself away because she completely removed the frightened look of the persecuted from her demeanor. She openly did everything forbidden to the Jews--road public transit, ate in restaurants, walked when and where she chose, went to the air raid shelters along with everyone else where she nursed the ill and cared for children, even obtained food rations--all without any official identification papers! Her boldness got her out of some very tight situations when she would laugh and joke with, or confront, as the situation required, Nazis or their citizen sympathizers. She was wary but she never cowered, and thus her "disguise" proved impenetrable. Even after the war and for the rest of her life, she never drew attention to herself as a victim or sought its special status.

This is the story of an amazing journey, and well worth the time it will take to read it.

Amazing, if longwinded, detective story.......2004-02-03

I don't have alot to add to what has already been said about this gripping work. It is an amazing story that draws you in on several levels: as a case study of Jewish life in germany during the Nazi years; as a touching biographical account of an unique woman; as a reseachers detective story; etc. Genealogists might also be interested in the remarkable ways Roseman ferreted out data.

Bottom line: a remarkable story, very well told. Roseman is an incredible and tenacious researcher, and a pretty decent writer. It is a work out, and might have been better if condensed by maybe a 100 pages or so.

One pet point -- Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's small role in teh narrative comes up a few times. He was a brother-in-law to one of the Wehrmacht generals who wanted Hitler dead and tried to rescue Jews. Bonhoeffer's own story has been told many times -- how he escaped Germany to be a professor in New York, but chose to return to fight Hitler and ended up martyred in a concentration camp. Anyway, Bonhoeffer's name appears in the book more often than the index indicates (see also p. 251, for example), and Roseman never mentions the interesting fact that he was a Lutheran pastor and theologian.

Also, poersonally I was longing for more photos as I tried to visualize the cats of characters.

Anyway, one of the best things I have read in awhile. Makes Melissa Mueller's bio. of Anne Frank seem dull.

Coming out of hiding........2002-03-31

A Past in Hiding is the story of Marianne Strauss-Ellenbogen and her extraordinary survival during the Holocaust. Presenting us with one young woman's real life story, Roseman does not paint a picture of a saint but that of a real flesh and blood person who, like us all, had great strengths and also weaknesses. She was, after all, in her teens when she was confronted with events too difficult for her to comprehend. She was only a couple of years older than Anne Frank, but what a different reality! Roseman's investigation into Marianne's history engages us deeply in the day-to-day life of herself, her family and friends. We can follow how and why they misjudged the increasingly dangerous environment they lived in.

The book has a lot more to offer than that. Given Roseman's extensive knowledge of modern German history, he is able to draw a multi-layered picture of every day life for the Jewish community in Germany during the Nazi period. The investigation into the role of the Abwehr in protecting selected Jewish Germans is pertinent for the recent debate around the complicity of the regular army with the SS and Gestapo. Moving between historical chronology and present day commentary and personal reflection on Marianne, the author pieces together a mosaic like a jigsaw puzzle. For most readers it will shed new light on the complexities of this period in recent history like very few other books I have read.

Roseman writes in a style that combines the historical with the intimate personal. He conveys his assessment of the characters and situations with empathy for their situation and struggles. At the time he reflects on discrepancies in their statements and recollections of the past. One of the most dramatic documents in the book is the diary of Marianne's fiancé, Ernst. He was able to smuggle it out of the concentration camp Izbica thanks to an unconventional courier. One of the family acquaintances with probable links to the Gestapo, was nevertheless willing to act as courier for parcels from Marianne to Ernst; he also brought back this very rare contemporary account of life in the camp. Roseman digs into historical records to verify and complement the description. As part of his investigation, he interviewed the courier's widow as well as others who could add to the story.

I started reading A Past in Hiding primarily because, as a child growing up after the war, I knew some of the people connected with Marianne and the "Bund". It was Bund members who provided shelter to Marianne while she was on the run from 1943 to 1945, thus risking their own lives and security. The Bund was a small but committed group of humanitarians and socialists who helped numerous victims of the Holocaust. One of the survivors protected by the Bund, Lisa Jacob, became a friend of my family. She influenced my life more than she ever knew and also much more than even I understood for many years while growing up. However, my interest in this extraordinary book grew with each page that I was reading. It was difficult to put down.

A Past in Hiding has a lot to offer to the reader. Roseman's research into the life and times of Marianne brought him together with her and her family members as recent as the late 1990s. He also interviewed numerous other "witnesses" of her life and survival during the Nazi period. It was fortuitous that so many family documents as well as official records survived. Roseman studied diaries, correspondence and countless historical documents. His notes and the comprehensive bibliography reflect the thorough research that has gone into the book. As a result, at some level A Past in Hiding reads like a detective story, fully absorbing and dramatic. At another level, it is a very personal and critical account of Marianne and her contemporaries. At a third level, it is a study into the changed memory phenomenon, which can occur as a result of traumatic experiences. Last but not least, Roseman introduces the reader to the almost unknown movement of the "Bund" and their role in supporting victims of the Holocaust. An extraordinary book that should have a place in the mind and heart of many people.

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A PAST IN HIDING: MEMORY AND SURVIVAL IN NAZI GERMANY
Mark Roseman
Manufacturer: Metropolitan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Holocaust | Jewish | World | History | Subjects | Books
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Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 071399374X

Average customer rating:
A Past In Hiding Memory and Survival in Nazi Germany
Mark Roseman
Manufacturer: Metropolitan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HZ9AYK

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