Glad News of the Natural World: A Novel

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"Loose" Benfield is back

Pearson Is Brilliant, But....

Pearson's funniest in years

good, with flashes of brilliance

Deceptively Complex

Glad News of the Natural World: A Novel
T.R. Pearson
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature & Fiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
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ASIN: B000KHXBTU

Customer Reviews:

"Loose" Benfield is back.......2007-01-11

One after the other I read T.R. Pearson's "Glad News" and "Seaworthy," and in the process I gained a new appreciation for the author's skill as a writer. Ever since "A Short History of a Small Place" I've laughed at the situations and characters he created, but there's more ... in both these books: more skill, more feeling, more of almost everything that matters in literature.

Pearson Is Brilliant, But...........2006-12-31

T.R. Pearson employs the language as well as anyone writing today, and uses it for breathtakingly funny satire. Unlike writers who are supposedly funny but are not at all -- yes, I mean Carl Hiaasen -- Pearson will have you gasping from laughter. Don't read this book in public places unless you want to garner funny looks.

On the other hand, Pearson's world is easily broken down into three kinds of people: The losers who know they are losers, the losers who do not know they are losers, and the evil. Talk about depressing.

You've been warned.

Pearson's funniest in years.......2006-08-30

I have missed the small town of Neely with it's wonderful evenings on the porch -- talking about family and the past -- my past too. Glad News follows the life of Louis, the narrator of Pearson's first three novels, as he moves between New York and Neely.

But Neely has changed as the South has modernized over the years, and I morn its passing while still laughing at its eccentricities.

Meanwhile Louis tries to figure out how to live in a city bereft of his past.

good, with flashes of brilliance.......2005-10-03

This is quite different from the old T.R. Pearson we knew and
loved. A Short History of a Small Place featured Louis Benfield,
and the writing was narrative and rambled--no fast-food here, you
had to take the sentences slowly and lovingly--brilliant small-
town dialogue. The Benfield-less Blue Ridge had some parts that
took place in New York, and which lacked the charm and delight
of the parts involving small-town life. Glad News is mostly New
York:the writing is good, but not great, Louis Benfield is now
grown up, sentences are more compact, less rambling.

The novel reminded me, strangely, of a non-fiction book "The
Last Serious Thing" about a summer of watching bullfighting in
Spain. One of the matadors was aging, and no longer very
enjoyable to watch--EXCEPT!--that perhaps once every 50 or 100
fights he would have a bull he would like, and you would then
see real brilliance and a breathtaking performance. So the
afficionados would endure poor perormance after poor performance
in the hope of seeing the old unforgettable form. In Glad News
the writing is good, but not memorable (as with Short History)
until suddenly you see a flash of the old brilliance, a stunning
series of passes, a breathtaking faena, to use the bullfight
analogy. When you read these, you want to leap out of your seat,
scream OLE!! with tears running down your face, so to speak.
"Not much trace of the wide world had actually penetrated Neely.
We had an altogether deplorable Chinese restaurant on the bypass
where they tried to compensate with cornstarch for what they
lacked in cooking skill, and there was a sort of a taco shack
out near the public pool which got by on corrupted adaptations
like pulled-pork enchiladas, dirty chowchow, and refried black-
eyed peas." It's passages such as this which make Glad News a
fine novel.

The ending is downbeat. I realize that not all of life is like
Short History, and in real life there must be the downbeat
parts--but a lot of the enjoyment in the Pearson novels is to
read slowly, savor the writing, let it roll around on your
tongue, and escape into a world that helps you forget the
downbeat side of real life for a while. Still--the book is
enjoyable to read, and there are the raisins in the pudding
to nibble on, so to speak.

Deceptively Complex.......2005-06-30

Pearson's latest offering is one of his best. Louis Benfield is all grown up, and who and what he is today poses a challenge for those who believed they "knew" Louis in Short History. Pearson's unrelenting eye for detail, his knack for the laugh-out-loud turn of phrase, and his ability to render setting its own character have never been more impressive.

An initial reading of Glad News seems quick and light, but if one is careful and deliberate, a different novel will emerge. Louis is dark, cynical, and edgy in ways not readily apparent the first time out. Moreover, Pearson's prose has never been tighter; no languid, meandering sentences/paragraphs here. There's not an extra syllable in the entire text, which contributes to the need to read closely and carefully. Louis's actions belie his commentary, at times. Read it twice and see if you don't realize the character within the character and, consequently, recognize Pearson's genius in the process.

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Glad News of the Natural World
T.R. Pearson
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBZC0K

Average customer rating:

Beats King & Koontz

Save your time and money.

Good new find

not so serene

Interesting, but NOT scary...
Writ in Blood: Serenity Falls 1 (Serenity Falls)
James A. Moore
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Moore, Jim | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0515139688

Book Description

Serenity Falls is dead. No commerce, tourism, or good will. It gets worse.

An historian has uncovered the town's unspeakable past: lynchings, mass murders, sexual depravity, and rumors of the birth of the anti-Christ. But the darkest secret is yet to be revealed--in the Serenity Falls trilogy.

Customer Reviews:

Beats King & Koontz.......2007-09-11

I was very suprised how good this book was! I'm a fan of the early Stephen King books, and this one is right up there with them, and better than King's later books (in my opinion).

Moore creats a great 'mysterious hero' that works his way through the story.

Buy all three in the series at the same time.

Save your time and money........2007-04-23

This was the first book I have read that actually made me angry for being such a remarkable piece of garbage. How did this get published? And two more books to follow? Unbelievable waste of paper! This book is just a ludicrous mish mash of poor plotting. You can buy this book used through Amazon sellers for 1 cent. One penny! And this book is still NOT worth it.

Good new find.......2006-07-20

A style that takes some getting used to, but enough surprises to hold the reader's interest. Well done.

not so serene.......2006-05-24

Serenity Falls - one of those little town names that just ensures everything is anything but serene. This is a fairly enjoyable story that doesn't ever get bogged down with boredom. Each chapter is broken into three parts. Part 1 deals with modern day older writer Simon Magruder (sic?) and his attempts to research the history of Serenity Falls to write a book. Part 2 deals with flashbacks into the history of Serenity Falls itself, meting out the dirty events of the town. Part 3 jumps over to Jonothan Crowley, a paranormal Hunter with magic abilities; he travels about facing off with the likes of demons, witches, vampires, etc. The first two parts of each chapter are of course interlocked, but Crowley doesn't connect with the rest of the story yet but you know he will.

Overall, quite interesting and you'll read it pretty quickly and be ready to move onto the next book in the series. It's enjoyable and could easily be turn into a movie or miniseries/TV series. I could see Jason Statham as Crowley. This book is worth checking out but it's far from concluded.

Interesting, but NOT scary..........2006-04-25

The back of this book makes its story sound very intriguing. The problem is, the back of the book is about all you need to read. I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, for the chills to set in, but they never did. Not only is Writ in Blood startingly not scary, it seemed as though Moore couldn't make up his mind on whether or not he actually wanted it to be.

The scenes with Crowley were as unlikely and fantastical as they were sarcastic, the characters shallow caricatures. Moore has some cleverness, and as a wry parody of horror, this might have worked, except that the little bit of wit was bogged down by confusion; Is this a creepy, subtle tale of small town evil or outlandish Buffy the Vampire Slayer? If the answer was intended to be "both," Moore doesn't pull it off. The chapters' three styles don't mesh well, his ideas are clever, but not orginal, and the characters, some interesting and some wooden, remain distant and impersonal. His writing style is short and sweet, but lacks feeling and intrigue, leaving me wondering if the rest of the series will be equally as dry. And well, this first installment is just not scary. And for me, that's an automatic disqualification from being termed good "horror."

Average customer rating:

Tenth in the Saint-Germain series.
Too political
Another triumph! For Vampire legend, Yarbro is the best
Is -Writ in Blood- an apology for -Mansions of Darkness-?
Forget Anne Rice!

Writ in Blood: A Novel of Saint-Germain
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312863187

Book Description

Ambitious in its scope and provocative in its content, the saga of the undying Count Saint-Germain is a monumental feat of the imagination.Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's novels have powerfully captured Saint-Germain throughout his long existence, from the temples of Ancient Egypt to our present century.Now, on the verge of the First World War, Saint-Germain accepts a top-secret assignment from Czar Nicholas of Russia to deliver one last proposal for peace to the crowned heads of Europe. But powerful men plot against Saint-Germain--and may use his love for a talented young artist against him.

Customer Reviews:

Tenth in the Saint-Germain series........2003-04-05

Or eleventh, if you count "Out of the House of Life", which is primarily a spinoff novel about Madeline de Montalia (former lover and vampiric "childe" of Saint-Germain), but which does include some flashback scenes to some of Saint-Germain's early history.

Or fourteenth, if you also count "A Flame In Byzantium", "Crusader's Torch", and "A Candle For d'Artagnan", the spinoff series about Atta Olivia Clemens, an earlier lover and vampiric "childe".

This book is set in the years leading up to the first world war, roughly 1910-1913. As such, it ends only a few years prior to the events in the fifth book in the series, "Tempting Fate". It is one of the most enjoyable books in the series to read; the early books (Hotel Transylvania", "The Palace", and "Blood Games") were not as well written as most of the later ones, being more historical-romance bodice rippers than serious literary efforts, but they had the advantage of being enjoyable reading, with stories in which the hero succeeds in rescuing the damsel in distress. Starting with the fourth book in the series, "Path of the Eclipse", we have had a long run of stories in which Saint Germain has had relatively little success in that regard, and the stories, while frequently very powerful, were something of a downer to read. Finally in this book, we see what Yarbro can do with the action hero plot now that she's grown as a writer; the plot is much more similar in tone to her early efforts, but far better written. For one thing, her villains are far more three dimensional and far less cardboard cutouts than they were in those books, particularly the first.

If you're a fan of traditional vampire fiction, you may or may not be disappointed in these stories; there is none of the struggle with the evil "inherent in the vampiric nature" that one finds in most vampiric fiction, notably the Anne Rice vampires. Saint-Germain is an unabashed hero, neither a sympathetic villain nor an anti-hero. He has lived 4000 years, and outgrew that silliness in the time of ancient Egypt. (Bits of this were seen in the aforementioned "Out of the House of Life".) The villains in this book (and in most of the books in this series) are mortals, and they are responsible for whatever "horror" elements that there are in the plot.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy historical romance, and don't automatically reject the concept of a vampire as the hero and main character, you should truly enjoy this entire series, and particularly this book.

Too political.......2000-02-11

If you're into the politics of Europe before World War I, you would probably like this book. I did learn that Serbia had a large influence in the start of the war from this book, but I thought too much of the book was devoted to politics. I think it highly unlikely that a vampire would involve itself in a high profile position. I would suggest reading this book to Saint Germain fans, but to would be fans, I would suggest reading the books about Saint Germain in the order they were published. I thought the book was not as good as the others, but if you are a fan, you will enjoy it anyway. I did like the way the book Dracula was woven into the story. That was a nice touch. I give this book three stars, but four stars to fans of Ms. Yarbro.

Another triumph! For Vampire legend, Yarbro is the best.......1999-09-04

For fans of Yarbro's "Count Germaine" series, this one is the best effort yet. Once again, Chelsea's exhaustive research pays off. Unlike other writers of her genre, Yarbro gives her Count a human quality, more in the spirit of the real man of history Germain is based on, giving him a sense of reality that leaves the reading saying,hmmm.

Is -Writ in Blood- an apology for -Mansions of Darkness-?.......1999-01-23

-Writ in Blood- is by far the lightest of the Saint-Germain novels. Particularly when compared to -Mansions of Darkness-. It was fun to see Saint-Germain trying to out-politic Germany and England. It was also a nice change to see Saint-Germain able to relax with a lover. Both of his women were likeable. The only bad thing about this book is that "Tempting Fate" is only a couple of years in WiB's future. So I read the entire book with the feeling that something awful was about to happen. BTW, if anyone knows what the Opus number of Chopin's "Winter Wind" is, email me. Please.

Forget Anne Rice!.......1999-01-20

What a joy! Ms. Yarbo gets better and better. This is my favorite St. Germain novel to date. The Baron Von Wolfgast is as nasty a villain as I've seen. When Anne Rice has lost her skill, Ms. Yarbro surpasses it on every outting. The Count St. Germain is a thrilling hero and when you figure in that the man was a real historical figure who it was supposed was immortal ... well ... I don't care if I ever read Lestat again as long as I always have the Count. Go buy this book and then go buy the other 13(?) sequels/prequels. Let's hope that the publisher re-releases all the out-of-print books. There's at least one that I've never read and it kills me. THESE ARE FANTASTIC!! The historical aspects, the pace, the characters, the story .... Burn my library, but leave me these books. Writ in Blood? You bet!!

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Rare angel (writ with raven's blood)
Michael McClure
Manufacturer: Black Sparrow Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Writ in Blood / The Pack / Dark Carnival (Serenity Falls, Volumes 1 - 3)

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Writ in Blood / The Pack / Dark Carnival (Serenity Falls, Volumes 1 - 3)
James A. Moore
Manufacturer: Jove Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

Every town has secrets. Every town has a past that is littered with violence and tainted with lust and greed. Serenity Falls is no exception. There are deeds best forgotten, buried in the past and hidden from prying eyes, but some things refuse to stay concealed. Something in Serenity wants to make itself known and doesn't care who gets hurt in the process. Serenity has had its problems, to be sure, but as a whole everything seems to be getting better. The local economy is booming and the job market has gone from almost nothing to enough work to keep everyone who wants the work employed. Still, something is going sour in the 'Falls. The cemetery has been desecrated, the children are disappearing, the locals are having trouble with all the new people in town, and there have been several attacks by wild animals. The town is trying to rebuild itself, to recover from over a decade of hard times, but every success is met with tragedy and Jonathan Crowley, a stranger himself in the town, is certain that the events are all connected. Proving his theories could be the death of him, because Jonathan Crowley didn't come to Serenity Falls looking for work like most of the newcomers. He was led there, drawn by a series of deadly encounters to look into the town's past and find out what the people who live there have been hiding. Because some secrets aren't meant to be kept and some towns aren't meant to exist. The truth will be known. The past will be revealed. Vengeance will be had. Every Soul Will Scream.

Average customer rating:

Writ in Blood: A Novel of Saint Germain,
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTLK8S

Average customer rating:
Star Wars(r) The Force Unleashed (Star Wars (Del Rey))
Sean Williams
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345499026
Release Date: 2008-03-18

Average customer rating:

Out Of This World

This book Is Great

Unleashed in Space (Super Adventures of Wishbone)
Lyrick Studios , and Alexander Steele
Manufacturer: Lyrick Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fiction | Dogs | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Huckleberry Dog (Adventures of Wishbone)

ASIN: 1570649685

Customer Reviews:

Out Of This World.......1999-12-20

This book is great and plus you can learn about the stuff they use in space camp. Like The MMU but you will have to read the book to Know what MMU means. I rate this book two paws up.

This book Is Great.......1999-11-12

Wishbone The Cute Little dog is going where no one has gone before!So are his friends---Joe Talbot,Samantha Kepler,and David Barnes.Its The chance of a life time for dogs and kids alike.This Adventure reminds wishbone of one of the greatest science fiction stories of all times,"The Legion of Space",by Jack Williamson.Where He Imagines himself as the space hero John Ulnar,Who has To battle aliens to save a beautiful woman who is the last hope for mankind

Average customer rating:

Unleashed in Space

Manufacturer: Lyrick Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRP084

Average customer rating:

Every Grill/BBQ guy should own this book!!!

Great Recipes, Good Instruction

BBQ for the hardcore

Champion Barbeque Bootcamp...

The Real McCoy!

Paul Kirk's Championship Barbecue: Barbecue Your Way to Greatness with 575 Lip-Smackin' Recipes from the Baron of Barbecue
Paul Kirk
Manufacturer: Harvard Common Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Product Features:

Paul Kirk's Championship Barbecue Cookbook

THE HARVARD COMMON PRESS/HAROLD IMPORTS

ASIN: 1558322426

Product Description

BBQ Your Way to Greatness with 575 Lip-Smackin' Recipes from the Baron of Barbecue.

Terrific T-Bone Steak with Redeye Marinade

The Baron's Famous Barbecued Brisket

Ancho and Chiptle rubbed Pork Loin

Smokehouse Spareribs

Garlicky Barbecued Leg of Lamb

Spicy Green Onion Sausage

Barbecued Polynesian Chicken

Black Pepper Shrimp

Smoky Hickory and Brown Sugar Cured Salmon

Grilled Potato Salad

Toasted Sesame Oriental Cabbage Slaw

Barbecued Beer Beans for a Big Crowd

& many, many more

Customer Reviews:

Every Grill/BBQ guy should own this book!!!.......2007-09-02

1st of all, this guy has won 400 awards!
2nd, this book is packed with tons of recipes for anything you can grill or BBQ.
3rd tons of techniques, rubs, marinades, special home-made ketchups, mustards slathers.
Finally, the detail in this book is outstanding! Many BBQ/grilling books have great recipes, but don't give enough HOW-TO details that give you the delicious final product.

Great Recipes, Good Instruction.......2007-05-01

I'd rate this as a great recipe book, and a good but not great BBQ instruction book. The author is not shy about telling you how good he is and he wants you to be just as proficient at cooking up great food.

The book's recipes cover all kinds of meats, including beef, pork, lamb, chicken and even goat, plus there was a chapter on fish, an unexpected bonus. Whole sections are dedicated to rubs, mops, sauces, and all other manner of BBQ flavorings. The author includes some helpful information for hot grilling foods as well, because its not every day you can spend 16 hours smoking a brisket or 6 hours slow cooking spare ribs.

The only drawback to this book in my eyes is that its explanation of cooking techniques are adequate but not great. A few pictures or diagrams might have helped, as I found myself puzzled trying to figure out a few of his explanations for specific methods. Overall, however, I'm glad I bought this book and look forward to using it for years to come.

BBQ for the hardcore.......2007-04-02

Excellent cook book. Everything from making you own ketchup to brisket.

Champion Barbeque Bootcamp..........2007-03-29

this is the best bbq book I have ever bought. I probably own 50 different books now. A must read for anyone serious in bbq

The Real McCoy!.......2007-01-04

Hands down the best BBQ book I have read. I have tested many of the recipes, rubs, and sauces listed and have not been disappointed. This is a "must-have" for anyone that wants to learn real BBQ.

Book Description

Conformation concerns body structure and anatomy. In this comprehensive volume, Heather Smith Thomas explains how conformation relates to function and what to look for when evaluating a horse. She teaches the reader to see beyond a horse's physical beauty to identify desirable attributes and potential faults, and with copious illustrations and explanations, trains the eye to recognize the hallmarks of soundness, durability, trainability, and athletic potential.

Thomas begins with an in-depth discussion of equine anatomy and the importance of balance and proportion. She also explains how to detect "heart," that indefinable quality that distinguishes a horse from his peers and compels him to excel. The book concludes with real-world applications of the principles of good conformation, including helping a horse succeed by matching him with the right job and what the conformation of the aging horse can tell you.

Horses with good conformation move fluidly, experience less wear and tear on joints, and are more apt to stay fit and sound during a long life of service. Whether you're buying your first horse, choosing breeding stock, or simply want to learn more about your equine companion, The Horse Conformation Handbook will help you understand horses better than ever before.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-04-06

This book is wonderful. It really goes into detail and there is more information here than I will ever need.

Equine enthusiast.......2007-01-04

The Handbook is an exhaustive overview of equine conformation relative to athletic ability and stamina. It also appears to be a 'halter class' juding guide. There is an exhaustive amount of information which can make it difficult for the reader to maintain focus on what is an acceptable vs. unacceptable deviation from perfect conformation.

The text is well written and the examples well illustrated, however, in order to be absolutely useful, the reader needs the ability to summarize, overview, review, and focus.

It would be helpful if the author would re-state throughout that her text is written for the 'perfect' specimen and establish that a stated percentage of horses aren't perfect. Having done that, insert a summary on conformation points which are not acceptable under any circumstance; which confirmation points are relatively acceptable; and whether any combination of confirmation points will never be found all in one horse.

It is THE book to have on Conformation.......2006-12-05

This book is one of the most excellent to have if you want to understand conformation, and there are only a handful on the subject even worth having. I am usually disappointed with the quality and quanity of information in books on this subject and only rarely do I find one that is actually worth buying and this is one of them. It rivals the quality of Dr. Deb Bennett's "Principles of Conformation", usually regarded as the industry's standard on this subject, and it touches on some things that Bennett's books do not. I recommend both equally as they compliment each other very well.

This author is a very experienced horse woman and author who has written several books on equines and many, many articles for various magazines. I've been familiar with her work for years and she is a thorough author.

This book hits on equine anatomy and it does a good job of it. You have to have a handle on anatomy before you can understand conformation and this books takes the pains to explain the skeleton, the muscles, and even equine teeth before it really delves into explaining faults, and it does really delve into faults and it explains and illustrates them well.

The Book is divided into 3 parts:

Part 1. Anatomy and Principles of Conformation
2. Basic Anatomy
3. Head and Neck Conformation
4. The Teeth
5. Chest Conformation
6. Back Conformation
7. Foreleg Conformation
8. Hindquarter Conformation
9. Foot Conformation

Part II. Evaluating a Horse
10. Body Proportions
11. Body Angles
12. Height
13. How a Horse Moves
14. Athletic Ability
15 Type
16. Soundness
17. The Senior Horse

Part III. Appendixes
A. Applying What You've Learned
B. Training Your Eye: Six Case Studies

This book takes you over anatomy, into faults and their pathology and then it has a section devoted to illustrated critiques of 6 different horses. This is a book to have if you want to know what Equine Conformation is all about. It is concise, VERY well-illustrated, and very thorough.

Excellent Book :)).......2006-11-14

Lots of diagrams and explanations to go with them. It contains information on every part of the equine body. Good for beginners and for the more experienced rider. Definitely a book that you can go back to time and time again.

I also bought Horse Conformation - Sturcture, Soundness and Performance, which has more photographs of good and bad conformation traits, whereas The Horse Conformation Handbook has more diagrams. Both are excellent references if you are learning about equine conformation.

A discussion of equine anatomy leads to an overview of ideas of conformation and how to evaluate a horse.......2005-11-07

Heather Smith Thomas' The Horse Conformation Handbook is for those who would show their horse, focusing on conformation and fitness and how it relates to function and a horse's overall a desirable attributes. A discussion of equine anatomy leads to an overview of ideas of conformation and how to evaluate a horse. Author Thomas has worked with and written about horses for over forty years: whether you're buying a horse, showing one, or training your eye to spot problems, The Horse Confirmation Handbook is a fine reference.

HANDBOOK OF SHOWING, THE, Basic Conformation, Defects, Unsoundness, Breeds, Types, Horse and Pony Societies

Average customer rating:

HANDBOOK OF SHOWING, THE, Basic Conformation, Defects, Unsoundness, Breeds, Types, Horse and Pony Societies
Glenda Spooner
Manufacturer: Museum Press Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VBLIJA

Customer Reviews:

Poor photos.......2006-02-22

While this book might be of some use to an antiques dealer, the photos are much to small and of to poor a quality to be of any use to a student of jewelry. I was very disappointed.

Could have been better.......2003-05-12

I think that this author had a lot of good information, but needed better help from an editor in organizing and presenting it.

The first section is disorganized and hard to follow. It was intended to cover the "inspirational forces" for Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry (people, places, ideas, and events) but the way it was presented made the information not very valuable, at least to me.

One thing I learned---while I knew that "nouveau" meant new, I learned that "deco" meant "young.

Section 2 had some wonderful color plates of pieces of jewelry and the third section had lists of designs, motifs, and materials for "new art" jewelry.

Section 4 had "thumbnail sketches" of jewelers, jewelry designers/makers, manufacturers and retailers.

The last section was an interesting glossary of jewelry terms and types. I especially enjoyed the information about hallmarks, enamel, combs, hatpins, and purses (mesh and beaded).

Complete,Concise, Comprehensive Guide.......2000-04-20

Baker presents a definitive guide to Deco and Nouveau Jewelry. She outlines the historical influences on the designs, offers beautifully photographed and representative pieces and concludes with a glossary and price guide. Her format is logical and the placement of the price guide as an addendum allows periodic updates that keep the book current. Overall a helpful guide for the novice or experienced collector and a pleasurable book for simply viewing lovely jewelry pieces. The paperback format allows affordability.

Art Nouveau & Art Deco Jewelry - An Identification & Value Guide

Average customer rating:

Art Nouveau & Art Deco Jewelry - An Identification & Value Guide
Lillian; Photography by Hammell, Dave Baker
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RIR92C

Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry: An Identification and Value Guide

Average customer rating:

Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry: An Identification and Value Guide
Lillian Baker
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBVODY

Book Description

The Indo-Islamic architecture subject of this book is not the result of a `clash of civilizations', but to be seen as innovations of the local architectural tradition, a product of local craft traditions. Alka Patel here brings together two architectural corpora in a careful analysis of the 12th- through 14th-century Islamic ritual buildings of southeastern Sindh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The new social and ritual demands of Islam led local craftspeople to initiate rejuvenation and expansion of their skills and knowledge.

Moreover, the commonality of building practices among "religions" led to the intertwining of various Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

The work's analysis of epigraphical evidence will be seminal to reorientations of historical methods investigating interactions among socio-religious groups in the region.

Book Description

Millions of viewers of Tony Brown's Journal, the longest-running series on PBS, know Tony Brown as an advocate for self-reliance and self-enrichment. Now, in his most personal book yet, he introduces us to the woman who brought him up and taught him the seven core values he lives by to this day: reality, knowledge, race, history, truth, patience, and love. What Mama Taught Me states that only by understanding one's place in the world can one become free in mind and spirit, which is the path to true success. Brown argues that by following other people's rules, we betray ourselves and our desires, resulting in a vicious cycle of disconnection, unhappiness, and spiritual death.

Enhanced by the homespun storytelling he heard as a child, this is Brown's personal recipe for achievement, imparting values that provide a blueprint for reaching success and happiness -- on one's own terms.

Customer Reviews:

Tony - where's your editorial staff when you need them!.......2005-02-12

Honestly, I like Tony Brown. I enjoyed his PBS show. I listen to him on the radio when I can (WLS in Chicago). But, his books are not nearly as good as I know they can be!

This book deals with his "Mama", a woman who took him in when he was a baby and his mother was neglecting him. She was not a blood relative, just a woman who saw a baby starving to death due to neglect. He lived with her until her death when he was 12. This book is an attempt on his part to honor her and the simple wisdom she taught him. The Seven Core Values are:

1. Reality: The Value of Being Yourself.
2. Knowledge: The Value of understanding your purpose
3. Race: The Value of honoring your humanity (In this case, the only race his Mama was worried about was worried about was the human race)
4. History: The value of investing in the future
5. Truth: the value of being true to yourself
6. Patience: the value of "Keeping the faith"
7. Love: the value of living joyfully.

As in his other book, Brown repeats himself a lot. He quotes a passage from Hamlet 3 times (part of the "to thine ownself be true" speech) as part of his multiple descriptions of his high school English teacher. He lifts two pages from his other book concerning a story about a YMCA opening in his hometown. He says the same thing, over and over, repitiously, a lot. He repeats himself. Yes, indeed, he seems to say something and then say it again. Repititive, he is.

Like his last book ('Black Lies, White Lies), this book is in serious need of an editor. He seems to have written the chapters seperately, without regard to what he had previously written. I like the sentiments and ideas expressed, but, man, it was sometimes tiring to read them.

Good Book.......2003-05-19

Mama may not have had a great education, but she sure had plenty common sense, and was able to raise a boy who would become someone great is his own right. What Mama Taught Me is a great book. I enjoyed reading it. I truly learned a lot of things within it. It is great when someone can take a child that is not their own and raise them to be great, and even though Ms.Sanford is not here today, she certainly deserves the props she got for raising this man. One of the things that I have learned is to be true to who you are. He mentioned those who were not true to their ethnic and racial background, which was an eye opener to say the least. Get a copy and be enlightened.

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