Average customer rating:
- post-post-post-modern
- A remarkable accomplishment
- Virtuosity!
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Sentimental Heartbroken Rednecks: Stories
Greg Bottoms
Manufacturer: Context Books
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Similar Items:
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Angelhead: My Brother's Descent into Madness
ASIN: 1893956156 |
Book Description
These powerful new stories offer a deeply etched portrait that cuts straight to the heart of a group of disparate people in the Shenandoah Valley. In prose as deftly crafted as anything by Raymond Carver, John Cheever, or Denis Johnson, Bottoms's characters and situations evoke an impressive geography of the land and the heart. Among the eccentrics, the dreamers, and the marginalized people in these stories, we witness the reverie of a senile old lady; the desperation of a crack-addicted thief; and the elusive world of southern writer Breece D' J Pancake. With compassion and pathos, Bottoms lays bare the soul of these modern inhabitants of an old land.
Customer Reviews:
post-post-post-modern.......2002-08-09
Bottoms goes for broke in this collection of genre-benders, both emotionally and structurally. Every piece is narrated from a different vantage point by a young writer named Greg Bottoms, who wrote a book called Angelhead, and he uses many different approaches, getting into character's heads, messing with time, changing point of view. If it didn't get so dreamy and speculative you could almost call this book nonfiction. But I get the sense that Bottoms--in both his books--is saying that it's all fiction and it's all true. You've never read anything like this (or Angelhead, which is maybe better). Raymond Carver meets William Vollmann. If you like Charles Baxter, Alaksander Hemon, Rick Moody, or D F Wallace, you'll find something here.
A remarkable accomplishment.......2001-09-25
I thought it would be hard to top Angelhead, one of the finest pieces of nonfiction writing I have read, but Bottoms has done it with this collection of essays/stories, which, like Angelhead, continues to blur the lines between fiction and nonfiction. Bottoms is one of the best young writers publishing today, and these pieces have a remarkable, muscular power. Bottom's writing has the kind of emotional impact that sneaks up you and punches you in the gut. A wonderful, wonderful book, full of passion and fury.
Virtuosity!.......2001-09-10
Here is a really excellent book. It's about...God, drugs, going nuts, making art, making sense of violence, killing yourself, mourning the dead...A few of these stories are deeply sad to the point that you sorta worry about the writer. But anyway, this guy's as close to a Faulkner as you are likely to find. I also suggest Brad Watson's "Last Days of the Dog Men"...and Breece Pancake, of course, who Bottoms has a "story" about.
Book Description
Provocatively blurring the lines between autobiography, short fiction, and essay, Greg Bottoms presents a series of fifteen honest and beautifully spare tales of class, poverty, violence, and racism set in the margins of the urban and suburban New South.
An ode to Pulitzer-nominee Breece D'J Pancake's life and untimely death, the title story deftly interweaves Bottoms's personal history to insightful result. In the transformative “The Metaphor,” the narrator proclaims, “when the world looks like every little promise has been lanced and bled out, you need a story to tell yourself.” So we move seamlessly between the lives of people both real and imagined and the life of the author, and what emerges is not only a composite of sharply drawn and revealing moments, but also a book-length meditation on the nature of, and necessity for, storytelling itself. Including three new stories — “Sam at the Gun Show,” “Strangers and Dreams,” and “Heroism #2” — this revised edition announces an understated, arresting new voice in literature.
Book Description
Once, in Keltia, a woman dared to wrest back from the Lord of Death himself the greatest treasure of all: her beloved mate . . .
It is a time when the star-kingdom of Keltia is plagued by the Firvolgi, an ancient alien race. Yet along with a problem, the gods have sent a solution: Athyn Cahanagh, born orphaned on a battlefield, becomes High Queen and drives the invaders out. Athyn--now known as Blackmantle--and the great bard Morric Douglas fall in love and wed, ascending the Keltic throne as king and queen. But the lovely, dissolute courtesan Amzalsunëa vows she would sooner kill her onetime lover Morric than see him with Athyn--and she keeps that vow.
But Athyn has sworn an oath too, one of love and vengeance. Taking the Low Road that only those mighty in magic may tread, she journeys to the Otherland, to find her lost lord and bring him home...
"A splendid tale."
--Publishers Weekly
Customer Reviews:
Not her best, but worth a look.......2006-03-26
If you enjoy Kennealy's prose as much as I do, then it's worth the read. If you're concerned about the "autobiographical" elements that the other reviewers are so obsessed about, then avoid the book. Kennealy is obviously using her writing and her Keltic world as a forum to work through some very traumatic events, whatever the "truth" of them were. I, for one, think that this book should be looked at more for its literary merits than its supposed autobiographical truths or un-truths. Most of us weren't there, so we don't actually know.
So, in that respect, my thoughts:
Kennealy's prose is as lush as ever, but some of her characters are rather flat. If these people do represent people Kennealy knows/knew, then I can imagine it would be difficult to get into the characters' minds enough to flesh them out as much as is usual for Kennealy, but still. I never felt that Morric was worth the trouble of bringing him back, although the occasional excerpts of his poetry helped, somewhat. Athyn did seem rather too vengeful. We see some of this kind of vengence in the Aeron series, but the characters dealt with their own actions in a more acceptable manner. At least Aeron feels the repercussions of what she does.
I would recommend the Aeron and Arthur series much more strongly than this book. They're better examples of what Kennealy can do. I hope to see more work of that caliber soon.
HAHAHA...oh boy..........2006-03-21
As we can see, Athyn is a sole loser...yeah she slept with her dream man only because he was famous and she thought that she could control him. If he was a normal guy with a small band, she would be trying to kiss up another rocker...its just a matter of fame and fortune. Its a dirty buisness. I mean I guess it is ok to write how you feel about things, but do you have to be pathetic and use symbols and goths and goblins to do the storytelling. Why doest she say it straight out...not only will it make her seem like a confident (but still a jealous person), I will respect her just a little more if she wrote "My journals" rather than some fantasy island book. But at the same time, she is not special at all..there were others like Nico and Janis who had strong feelings about Morrison too. I dont think she understood that Morrison had liked and loved many, but he wanted to get away from it all by leaving with his soul mate, not you honey. In other words, if he did love you then I think you would have been there with him. Her character is revealed most indefinetly and Patricia should just suck it up and move on. Her writings are boring and unenjoyable. I understand that in the 60s gothica and all this celtic stuff was new, but even then it was still dumb because it was like a game. If there were witches and goblins, I would have seen one by now. I like bashing on fools, what can I say. This book gave me an opportunity to do so. I first thought Ill give this book a chance, but her intentions to kill the girlfriend is just sadistic..I mean come on and take his name off your name too...there is no purpose of it being there I mean no one really cares about your experiences with the Lizard king...It is about the music. Take a hike.
Will Read Her Next Book Too.......2005-12-18
Since I've never been a fan of the Doors, nor do I know much about Jim Morrison's life (and no, I've never seen the movie either)...I did not see the connections between the author's life with JM, or the love-triangle implied therein by the characters in the book. It is with that in mind that I feel I can give an impartial review of this title. It took me a good full chapter to actually get into the cadence of her prose, but once there the story went quickly. I did find the frequent "Keltic" words distracting and tended to pull me completely out of the story. I found the characters sympathic, though I would have liked have seen the story divided equally from both Athyn and Morric's POV's. There were too many magnificent happenings (meeting the faerie-folk, and a ghost horse kind of capped it for me) for one book no matter how lengthy that book happened to be, but I suppose I understand the need for them as plot device. Over all it wasn't a bad read. I read The Copper Crown several years ago and remember it being better. I will read the next book, though, as I don't believe in judging an author solely on the merits or faults of one book.
Dark "Blackmantle".......2005-06-22
As Patricia Kennealy-Morrison will tell anyone who listens, she once was briefly wed to Doors frontman Jim Morrison. But she rewrites her own love life in "Blackmantle," a messy and rather dizzying fantasy novel, which is too vengeful and wild to be enjoyable in its own right.
Imagine her autobiography "Strange Days," but with a lot more murder.
Athyn was born on a battlefield to a dying mystery woman, and was brought back home as a foundling by one of the surviving warriors. Years later, she is cast out of her family's home by her cruel foster brother, and goes on to become a legendary brehon. Then she discovers the shocking truth -- she is actually the hereditary queen of Keltia.
During this time, she also falls in love with famed bard Morric Douglass. Eventually the two are married, as Athyn drives out the Firvolgi invaders. But the beautiful junkie Amzalsunëa is still obsessed with Morric, and poisons him when he comes to comfort her. Now Athyn goes on a rampage against anyone who wronged Morric -- and then goes into the underworld itself, to challenge the god of death.
At first glance, "Blackmantle" sounds like a sci-fi version of the Orpheus legend. But it becomes clear after a short time that this is a therapy session put to paper, where Kennealy-Morrison can get revenge on all the people in her life who have ticked her off, then live happily ever after with an idealized, faithful Morrison. It gets a little stomach-turning, in more than one way.
It certainly doesn't help that Athyn -- Kennealy-Morrison's glorified alter ego -- is such a nasty person. At one point, she skins and debones several men for trivial slights; she also hunts down and beheads Morric's ex-girlfriend, who is a parodic copy of Morrison's longtime girlfriend Pamela Courson. Not to mention the brutal racism toward the Incomers, whose sole flaw seems to be that they are not Kelts. By the last third of the book, it's hard not to wish that a meteor would crush Athyn.
Kennealy-Morrison has an admittedly pretty style, with plenty of description and some truly interesting scene, particularly her vision of the Underworld. It does get a bit exaggerated in its faux-Celtic (faux-Keltic?) atmosphere at times. Unfortunately, it's bogged down by too much talking from Athyn, too much adoration of the plastic Morric, and too much sneering at the absurd parody of Courson.
Reality and fantasy collide with a nasty splat in "Blackmantle." In the end, it seems merely like a way for Kennealy-Morrison to get back at Courson and the Doors in fiction, as she could not do in life.
Let It Go, Sister!.......2003-08-06
This women mentions the fact that she "knew" Jim Morrison at every opportunity. It's clear that she adores name-dropping, something that makes her look like more of a groupie than just one more of Morrison's women. So he "married" her in a Celtic ceremony (legal? no.). Whoopdeedo. It was 30 years ago. Morrison had loooooootttssss of ladyfriends, not to even mention Pamela Courson, whom he appeared to be the most devoted to. She needn't feel so special.
Patricia Kennealy"-Morrison?" If anyone can use hyphenated names so freely, then my new name is Eviepants Kennedy! Guess what? I once saw JFK Jr. in an airport! We were married a year later in an unrecognized, unpublicized ceremony involving bat blood and Tootsie Pops.
*sigh* Sorry, she annoys me.
Average customer rating:
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Try Again, Book 1
Joseph Loturco
Manufacturer: Xlibris Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
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ASIN: 0738868450 |
Book Description
Beer Captured Homebrew Recipes for 150 World Class Beers
This book contains 150 homebrew recipes for brewing clones of the great beers of the world. Recipes are included in three formats, extract, mini-mash and all grain, appealing to all level of brewers. With each recipe helpful hints are provided, along with serving glass and temperature and food suggestions. Charts provided are: mash guidelines, beer style and famous beer region mineral,water modification, beer style guidelines, hop chart and reference guide, grain, malt, sugar, adjunct, and yeast chart and reference guide. There is also a cooking with beer chapter titled "The Marriage of Food and Beer".
Customer Reviews:
World Class Brew Recipes.......2006-09-30
This is an awesome book. I bought the book about a year ago after making my first extract beer kit. This book (and the previous Clonebrews) opened up a new world for me. From Belgium Trappist ales unavailable in this country to Craft brew favorites I've succesfully brewed many of Mark's and Tess's recipes. Being an extract brewer the recipes are easy enough for a novice while producing world class brews. Recipes are also given for mini-mash and all grain.
Also included are detailed charts on hops, grain and malt usage and tables for water modification. There's even food recipes including an awesome chocolate stout cake.
Beer Captured.......2006-06-26
Wonderful book for homebrewing with beer recipes, food / beer matching and description of each of the brewing stages.
Buy this book!!.......2006-05-25
If you want to brew great beer at home with great recipes, you need this book. It not only covers nearly every style that there is, it also has very detailed charts for hops, grains, and yeast. Even a chart to help you replicate the water used for brewing a particular style. I have won several ribbons with these recipes and know many other people that have done the same. Including several best of shows and brewers cups.
a must if you got more then one Beer recipe book .......2006-05-16
this is one of my books I concider a bible along with pappys starter book and a solid recomdation for even the second in a starter libary
A "Must Have" book for an Extract Brewer.......2006-03-16
Want a clone recipe for Chimay Grande Réserve, Dead Guy Ale, or a plethora of other craft beers? If yes, this is the book for you. And while you're at it, buy Tess's other book "Clonebrews" and you'll never need another recipe book.
Product Description
Get the lowdown on keeping your ferret healthy and content.What can you do when a ferret burrows his way into your heart? Your ferret is a smart little guy, and you'll need to stay a few steps ahead of him. This fun and entertaining book shows you how to handle your furry tornado's playful energy and curiosity so you can live happily ever after with him.Discover how to:Choose the right ferret for you.Make your house ferret-safe.Train your ferret to be well-behaved.Feed your ferret properly.Select safe and creative toys.Integrate your ferret into your life.The Dummies WayExplanations in plain English."Get in, get out" information.Icons and other navigational aids.Tear-out cheat sheet.Top ten lists.A dash of humor and fun.
Customer Reviews:
Wouldn't have survived Without It .......2007-10-07
This book was a godsend. When I first adopted Lloyd, My ferret, I really had no idea. But with this book and as simple as the author explained things...I'm now an expert. I highly recommend this book to any ferret owner.
Very informative.......2007-07-12
This book is great for anyone getting a ferret or anyone who already has a ferret. I thought I knew a lot and I'm learning something new on every page.
Outdated.......2007-07-09
I first reviewed this book after I had read it and owned 2 ferrets for about a month, and happily gave it 5 stars. But after 7 months of happy fuzzy parenting, I realized I badly needed to revise my review.
The Good:
- an entertaining read, no trouble going cover to cover, genuinely funny writing and jokes
- lots of info to get you ready for ferret ownership
The Bad:
- Outdated - namely, the primary treats mentioned in this book - raisins and cheerios - are now universally considered very bad for a ferret's health, you might as well be feeding them rocks. (see the links provided at http://forum.ferret.com/tm.asp?m=30331 )
- Another result of being outdated - many of the websites and companies referenced in the book no longer exist.
- Many common ferret health problems are not mentioned. In my short time as a ferret owner, I have seen them go through a prolapsed rectum, patterned hair loss, and 'abnormal' behavior, none of which were mentioned in the book. A little research and help from friends and vets eventually taught me that none of these problems were uncommon for fuzzies, leading me to believe that the book should have at least mentioned them.
- No poop chart. Though it might sound gross, I think any long time ferret owner will tell you they have needed a poop-chart at least once. Ferrets poop - a lot, and it's one of the quickest ways to diagnose a health problem (just google "ferret poop chart" to see what I mean), but this is conspicuously absent from the book.
- Scruffing. This is when you hold your ferret by the extra skin above its neck. The action is mentioned throughout the book, but never once described clearly or safely. There is a picture of a ferret being scruffed, but the details of the method are left unclear. How something so essential can be missed is beyond me.
- Poor organization - while for the most part the book is organized reasonably well, there are some key areas that really need improvement. a simple list of toy ideas is essential in any ferret book - toys that every ferret should have (dig box, dryer hose tunnel, etc) are not mentioned anywhere. The index is also weak, making information hard to find - "poop, runny" might be listed, but not "diarrhea".
- Disconcerting. This is a minor complaint, but the author mentions hiccuping and tail wagging as extremely rare behavior, but I have yet to meet a kit who doesn't wag its tail when excited, and both of my ferrets had hiccups within the first month. Things like this make me a little uneasy about how much of an expert the author really is.
Conclusion:
- I would still recommend having and reading through this book, but I would strongly strongly advise against using it as your only instructor before buying ferrets. I found online ferret forums to be a far far better resource than this book - the combined wisdom of thousands of ferret owners turned out to be better than the musings of one (I don't know why I was surprised by this). The usual problem with forums would be that there is *too much* information, that you need to know what you are looking for, making them a bad first source of information, but ALL the major ferret forums I found out there have all the essential information instantly identifiable and accessible, even more so than this book.
- The book could be great with a new edition. For now, don't rely on it.
The best reference for ferrets - ever. .......2007-06-25
Before adopting my two ferrets, there were many things that I was unsure of. What exactly should I feed them? What shouldn't I feed them? How do I litter train them? How do I ferret-proof my house? Should I get one for my lifestyle, or two? Girls or boys?
This book addressed all of that, and so much more. I learned more than I could have ever imagined, and now I even consider myself somewhat of a ferret-expert, all because of this fantastic book! Best of all, the book is actually a very fun read. I recommend it to any current or soon-to-be fuzzbutt owner.
GREAT BOOK!.......2007-06-25
This book is great! Even if you already know alot about ferrets its a good idea to pick one of these books up.
Book Description
Back by popular demand! The first illustrated guide devoted specifically to the highly collectible field of military watches and clocks. Filled with concise descriptions and explanations of more than 150 distinct models, and including a guide to current price ranges. Chapters cover, in chronological order: pocket and deck watches, wristwatches, aviators watches, chronographs, timers, stop watches, divers watches and clocks. An invaluable reference for collectors.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent companion.......2007-07-23
A nice book, with good photos and useful information. I am a beginner in this area, but I have to admit that the book has a lot to offer. Of course there are enough watches missing, but it is an overall good work. The prices seem to be out-of-date.
Highly recommended, though!
Interesting........2005-08-03
-In my opinion, is an interesting book about military watches.All the explanation are good and is simple to reed.I dindn't find much information about german pilot watch of the second war two: not much about Hanhart and others watches.The same for german watches of werhmacht; you can find information about in my opinion could be longer.In general, i think is a very interesting book!!!
Military Timpieces 1880-1990.......2002-01-14
A good concise book with lots of quality pictures and and idea of value in sterling. A worthwhile investment for collectors. My only complaint is that it is almost completely dedicated to watches. Only a small section in the back gives any information about all the ship's, tank, airplane and other clocks of military interest.
Well done reference book for Military Horologists........2000-11-09
Well done reference book for Military Horologists. It is the first illustrated guide devoted specifically to the highly collectable field of military watches and clocks. Covers deck watches, pocket, wrist and clocks. Current prices are provided (in Sterling) for timepieces covered. This book is highly recommended to all fellow military timepiece collectors!
Well done reference book for Military Horologists........2000-11-08
Well done reference book for Military Horologists. It is the first illustrated guide devoted specifically to the highly collectable field of military watches and clocks. Covers deck watches, pocket, wrist and clocks. Current prices are provided (in Sterling) for timepieces covered. This book is highly recommended to all fellow military timepiece collectors! -- Chris, chronometer.net
Average customer rating:
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Garum and Salsamenta: Production and Commerce in Materia Medica (Studies in Ancient Medicine, Vol 3)
Robert I. Curtis
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9004094237 |
Book Description
Fermented fish products fulfilled multiple functions in Graeco-Roman society. They were a source of nutrition, a medicine with both dietetic and therapeutic value, and a commodity of trade. Their production and commerce provided employment, even wealth, for many individuals in the western and eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. The work defines ancient salt-fish products and clarifies their relationship with modern counterparts. Following discussion of the perceived and actual utility of these products in human and veterinary medicine, the author, employing literary, archaeological, epigraphical, papyrological, and numismatic evidence, provides a province- by-province survey of the areas which produced and exported them. The book closes with a discussion of the social status of those involved in their manufacture and trade, the methods used to market them and their fate in the post- classical period. This study explores an important facet of the Roman economy having continuity with the modern world.
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- Variety of the art, essays and fiction highlighting an exhibition at the Berkley Art Museum
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In a Different Light: Visual Culture, Sexual Identity, Queer Practice
Manufacturer: City Lights Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 087286300X |
Book Description
catalog/anthology from landmark queer art exhibit
Customer Reviews:
Variety of the art, essays and fiction highlighting an exhibition at the Berkley Art Museum .......2006-09-29
I was pleasantly delighted by the variety of the art, essays and surprisingly fiction.
The exhibition is over 100 pages of the book in sections titled -
VOID
SELF
DRAG
OTHER
COUPLE
FAMILY
ORGY
WORLD
UTOPIA
I would have enjoyed a larger format edition to view the art more clearly and would have benefited by having an index that could have guided me to favorite artists.
I would have enjoyed seeing more of the artist Tee A. Corinne to be featured and would have liked if one of the 26 essays were from her.
From the publisher
This anthology documents a landmark exhibition at University Art Museum, Berkeley. Curatorial essays, artwork, fiction, personal essays, and rants explore gay, lesbian, and queer experience.
"This illuminating work is essential..."
"...a revelatory ground-breaking show. By its end, all art is seen in a different light, and, perhaps most profoundly, so is difference itself."
From opening the introduction by one of the curators Lawrence Rinder - In a Different Light explores the resonance of gay and lesbian experience in twentieth-century American art. This exhibition has been developed through poetics rather than polemics: not a definitive survey of gay and lesbian aesthetic sensibilities, it is, rather, a gathering of images and objects which, "with a likeness burst in the memory," sheds new light on our collective history.
The initial inspiration for the exhibition was the dynamism and innovation evident in the work of the contemporary generation of young gay and lesbian artists. Not only has there been, in these communities, an outpouring of work in the visual arts, but, especially in San Francisco, there is a palpable sense of community: visual artists, playwrights, poets, performance artists, film-makers, and video artists present their work together in a variety of non-profit venues and small commercial galleries, work that is often itself inter-disciplinary and collaborative. These artists live in a generally hostile social climate, amid the constant threat of "gay-bashings," proscriptive legislative initiatives, and surrounded by the tragedy of AIDS. Remarkably, they not only persist in making art, but do so in a spirit of humor, generosity, and flamboyance. Much of this work, too, has less to do with representing gay and lesbian lives than with conveying gay and lesbian views of the world: it is outward- looking, gregarious, and socially concerned.
And concluding the introduction - In a Different Light opens the door to a fascinating new area for exploration. The resonance of gay and lesbian experience in twentieth-century American art has been profound in ways we are just beginning to appreciate. At the same time, it seems that the work of many of the younger generation of artists is telling us that our definitions of sexual identity are changing in unforeseen ways. Now may be the right time to reflect on our collective history while we still have one foot planted in "gay," "lesbian," and "straight" experience and the other stepping into a new world whose definitions--and pleasures--are, as yet, unknown.
Customer Reviews:
Variety of the art, essays and fiction highlighting an exhibition at the Berkley Art Museum .......2006-09-29
I was pleasantly delighted by the variety of the art, essays and surprisingly fiction.
The exhibition is over 100 pages of the book in sections titled -
VOID
SELF
DRAG
OTHER
COUPLE
FAMILY
ORGY
WORLD
UTOPIA
I would have enjoyed a larger format edition to view the art more clearly and would have benefited by having an index that could have guided me to favorite artists.
I would have enjoyed seeing more of the artist Tee A. Corinne to be featured and would have liked if one of the 26 essays were from her.
From the publisher
This anthology documents a landmark exhibition at University Art Museum, Berkeley. Curatorial essays, artwork, fiction, personal essays, and rants explore gay, lesbian, and queer experience.
"This illuminating work is essential..."
"...a revelatory ground-breaking show. By its end, all art is seen in a different light, and, perhaps most profoundly, so is difference itself."
From opening the introduction by one of the curators Lawrence Rinder - In a Different Light explores the resonance of gay and lesbian experience in twentieth-century American art. This exhibition has been developed through poetics rather than polemics: not a definitive survey of gay and lesbian aesthetic sensibilities, it is, rather, a gathering of images and objects which, "with a likeness burst in the memory," sheds new light on our collective history.
The initial inspiration for the exhibition was the dynamism and innovation evident in the work of the contemporary generation of young gay and lesbian artists. Not only has there been, in these communities, an outpouring of work in the visual arts, but, especially in San Francisco, there is a palpable sense of community: visual artists, playwrights, poets, performance artists, film-makers, and video artists present their work together in a variety of non-profit venues and small commercial galleries, work that is often itself inter-disciplinary and collaborative. These artists live in a generally hostile social climate, amid the constant threat of "gay-bashings," proscriptive legislative initiatives, and surrounded by the tragedy of AIDS. Remarkably, they not only persist in making art, but do so in a spirit of humor, generosity, and flamboyance. Much of this work, too, has less to do with representing gay and lesbian lives than with conveying gay and lesbian views of the world: it is outward- looking, gregarious, and socially concerned.
And concluding the introduction - In a Different Light opens the door to a fascinating new area for exploration. The resonance of gay and lesbian experience in twentieth-century American art has been profound in ways we are just beginning to appreciate. At the same time, it seems that the work of many of the younger generation of artists is telling us that our definitions of sexual identity are changing in unforeseen ways. Now may be the right time to reflect on our collective history while we still have one foot planted in "gay," "lesbian," and "straight" experience and the other stepping into a new world whose definitions--and pleasures--are, as yet, unknown.
Amazon.com
Always brilliant, ever-controversial, and very often surprising, Stanley Crouch offers trenchant essays on topics including jazz (he was for many years the jazz critic for the Village Voice), American literature, gangsta rap, modern American films and the issue of race. Crouch may startle with some of his opinions, but the clarity of his prose and the intelligence of his arguments ensure that the reader will understand why he holds his outspoken opinions.
Book Description
In this collection of essays long and short, the hugely controversial critic and author of Notes of a Hanging Judge gives us a refreshingly iconoclastic view of race in American culture and society. Whether Crouch is writing about the U.S. Constitution as blues, or jazz (Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis), he is always incisive and provocative.
Customer Reviews:
Great.......2002-10-30
Crouch continues to prove beyond any doubt to be an individual with the highest standard of literary precision. His insight into the human condition and clearness of thought are peerless in American correspndence.
Ken Mask, MD
New Orleans
the long and the short of it.......2001-01-31
american's of all ages and colors should feel indebted to Mr. Crouch for writing some of the most interesting commentary on our american cultural scene. it is because crouch understands so well the basic promise and opportunity of american life that he can weave such wide-ranging and often disparate opinion without losing touch with the reality of the culture. most importantly, crouch establishes himself as part of the great triad of negro americans - along with the novelist albert murray and trumpet virtuoso wynton marsalis who seek to recommit americans to the power and complexity of our national music: jazz. this can only be done by tossing some left hooks at our great national embarrassment: namely the nihilism and materialism of modern popular music, especially rap music. the fact that this music has been co-opted by white suburban kids shows that it has long been a bankrupt and impotent force whose only purpose is to further depress the culture for the enrichment of a few. crouch is calling on americans of all stripes to turn their back on the 'electronic judgement day' of the mass media and the self-serving race-hustlers of the academic and literary establishment and rededicate the culture to jazz and literature based on the 'tragic optimism' that has always been at the heart of jazz/blues music and american culture. count me in.
Politically-incorrect and passionate: Crouch hard to ignore........1998-11-17
Crouch has a long history as a politically incorrect commentator on the vexed questions of race & victim politics. From what he calls "the Afrocentric hustle" to the real "race card" played in the O.J. Simpson trial; a stunning suite of essays in praise of Ralph Ellison; and how the Constitution is like the blues, I found my self in passionate agreement & furious dissent - often within the same sentence. For pure verve, style & energy Crouch is possibly the only writer who stands with Camille Paglia as a thinker who is hard to like but impossible to ignore.
Books:
- Seven League Boots
- Sheltering Rain
- Skinny Dipping in the Lake of the Dead: Stories
- Slow Emergencies: A Novel
- Sorry I Worried You (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)
- Souls Raised from the Dead: A Novel
- Stella Descending: A Novel
- Stepsons of France
- Sultana's Dream and Padmarag (Modern Classics (Penguin))
- The Conversations at Curlow Creek
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Musician's Guide to Pro Tools
- The New Destroyer: Guardian Angel
- Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry, Volume 16: Volume 16
- The Lake, the River & the Other Lake: A Novel
- Painting Sharp Focus Still Lifes: Trompe L'Oeil Oil Techniques
- The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence
- Social Stress and the Family: Advances and Developments in Family Stress Theory and Research
- Irish Dancing Costumes
- Sir Winston Churchill: His Life and His Paintings
- Practical Approach To Toxicologic Investigations
