Nobody's Baby and Other Stories

Product Description

These stories by well known author Leo Litwak describe people dealing with members of their own families who are dependent and demanding, weak and insistent. The protagonists of the stories struggle with the boundaries of compassion and love, and the necessity of self preservation in the face of family duty.

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I am fast becoming a V.V.V. fan!

A tremendous read, The Conjurer Princess is a definite must!

A great book with twists, turns, death, betrayal and magic!

Lylene is not your average heroine

Not Your Average Heroine
The Conjurer Princess
Vivian Vande Velde
Manufacturer: Harpercollins (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Vande Velde, Vivian | ( V ) | Authors, A-Z | Teens | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0061057045

Amazon.com

Seventeen-year-old Beryl's wedding ends in murder when a baron abducts the bride. The church and law turn a blind eye to the abduction while Lylene, Beryl's younger sister, is left homeless and seething for vengeance. Lylene goes to a wizard for help, bargaining to learn magic. The bargain has a bitter dark side not fully explained to Lylene ... and so does Beryl.

Like the stories in Vivian Vande Velde's collection Curses, Inc., this character-driven novel has an ironic bite. Despite her good intentions, Lylene's naïvete is her undoing.

Customer Reviews:

I am fast becoming a V.V.V. fan!.......2005-08-06

This is only the second book I read by Vivian Vande Velde, and it was very good. It is a quick fun read, but don't let that throw you off the deeper point - the cost of magic, and the responsibility that comes with having it.

Lylene's sister Beryl is kidnapped on her wedding day by an evil bandit, who kills several people in the process. Furious, Lylene decides to learn magic in order to rescue her sister. However, the magician tries to trick her, and in the end, she winds up being able to duplicate any object she can touch. The catch is she becomes about 80 years old! She is able to wish her years off onto anyone that she can touch though.

She leaves the magician and soon takes up with two bandits. They decide to help her, not that they have much choice after they have the whole county after them, but well.... And the rest of the story is about how she rescues her sister. Except at the end there is a twist that NO ONE sees coming, so I won't give it away. The ending is sad, but satisfying and has a good moral. I just want to know what happens to Lylene and Weiland!

A tremendous read, The Conjurer Princess is a definite must!.......2003-06-03

I picked this book up at the library just because it looked interesting. Now I'm hooked. Vivian Vande Velde's way of drawing you into the story has me yearning for more.

On her sister Beryl's wedding day, Lylene watches in horror as she is kidnapped on the altar. She knows something must be done but the law and church have turned a blind eye to the matter. Lylene determines that the task of saving her sister has fallen to her. Her quest takes her to the door of a wizard whom she bargains with to teach her magic. But that bargain has a dark side that Lylene is too late in finding out.
Now on her own again, armed only with her newly acquired magic, she stumbles into the lives of two theives, Shile and Weiland, who help her out of a bad situation. Seeing that Lylene can not complete this mission on her own, they agree to help her rescue her sister.

Peppered with adventure, intrigue, betrayal, humor and a smidge of romance, Vivian Vande Velde has weaved a truly superb fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending was a little abrupt and left me wondering what happens to our heros but all in all it was a tremendous read that I highly recommend.

Also recommended: THE CHANGELING PRINCE, COMPANIONS OF THE NIGHT, DRAGON'S BAIT...basically anything by Vande Velde.

A great book with twists, turns, death, betrayal and magic!.......2003-01-03

This book is a great book that had me on the edge of my seat. Every chapter has great twists and unexpected turns. The main character, Lylene, is on a mission to rescue her "pretty" sister after she was kidnapped on her wedding day. Lylene seeks the help of the wizard, Harkta. He agrees to teach her magic but Lylene was less than satisfied with her new 'powers'. She stops at a small inn in a strange town seeking the help of anyone who will help her retrive her sister. She makes two unexpected friendships when she meets Weiland and Shile, two traveling friends who help Lylene out of a sticky situation. The trio set out on an exciting adventure that lead them through twists, turns, death, betrayal, magic, suspicion, and even a little romance. This is a fantastic novel that I would anyone who likes great books.

Lylene is not your average heroine.......2002-02-24

When awkward 16-year-old Lylene's sister is kidnapped at her own wedding Lylene will do anything to get her back. Even if it means dragging herself to the local wizard, offering her services in cooking and cleaning in order to learn magic. The wizard she works for isn't kind or good, he's shrewed and selfish but does manage to give her magic... with interesting results. Suddenly Lylene is on her own with new powers that she doesn't understand and can't always control but she still needs to finish her mission. Meeting two new unlikely companions, Weiland and Shile, the three set off to rescue Lylene's rescue, but it may prove to be too dangerous for them.

I thought this book was entertaining and amusing. Lylene's adventure is exciting. You'll want to read this book in one sitting. The only complaint I have with it are the serious lack of good descriptions. It makes the book seemed rushed at times. but if you like fast paced books you probably won't mind. Having only read one book before by Vivian Vande Velde before this I'm new interested in reading another. It's sequel, the Challengeing Prince, looks just as good. I reccomend this to you if you love young adult fantasy novels that takes place in midevil times. Enjoy!

Not Your Average Heroine.......2001-02-17

Lylene is not your average sixteen-year old. Instead of obsessing over what to wear, or who to marry, she is more concerned with saving her sister Beryl's life. In the Conjurer Princess, the young heroine of the story faces many tough challenges while befriending two handsome men. I picked up this novel while at a book fair in my school several years ago. Within that time span, I must have read this book 10 times or more. It's a truely great book; it's of fantasy genre, so of course I would love it. I believe this to be Vivian Van Velde's greatest work. I've read Curses, Inc. but couldn't really get into it, and I've also read Companions of the Night, another great book, but did not intrigue me as much as Conjurer Princess. This should be a must-have for all fantasy lovers!

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The Conjurer Princess
Vivian Vande Velde
Manufacturer: Harpercollins (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Saga of Cuckoo: Farthest Star and Wall Around a Star
Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson
Manufacturer: Nelson Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H82PPI

Average customer rating:

Edgar Rice Burrough's tradition is continued

Astride the Farthest Star
Mark Gillies
Manufacturer: iUniverse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595659101

Book Description

The endless war is being fought on one of the 11 planets in their unusual solar system and the ten million remaining people of Unis know they are slowly being exterminated. No one knows if one of the other planets can provide a safe haven but if they do not escape they will surely die. The only space ship ever built is sent out with the last prayer of these desperate people.

The new planet has mere remnants of the old and dying civilizations fighting to the last while Nature is slowly repairing the environment and resurfacing the world. Strange new creatures are evolving from the wastes the dead and the dying have left behind.

Can Tangor repair his space ship with the detritus of the past? Should Tangor delay his return to help his new found friends? Would it be one struggle and one disappointment after another? Would PolodaÂ's power amplifier still be operating for his return? Would truth, justice and the Unisian way survive?

Customer Reviews:

Edgar Rice Burrough's tradition is continued.......2004-02-29

Astride the Farthest Star continues in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burrough's 'Beyond the Farthest Star' and 'Tangor'. Although you do not need to have read those books to fully enjoy this one, you can truly appreciate this author's mastery of the genre if you have.
I recommend it highly.

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BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRX3HM

Average customer rating:

Patriotic swashbuckling

Beyond The Farthest Star
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GPE7H6

Customer Reviews:

Patriotic swashbuckling.......2007-04-27

It's all you expect of Burroughs. The hero was dogfighting over Europe in some un-named war (hint: this was written 1941), when he was shot down. His plane spiraled down while his heart spasmed aroung the bullet lodged in it, then --

Sort of the John Carter thing again. He shows up starkers in a public park 450,000 light-years from home - amazing how he worked that out so precisely. After a few misunderstandings, he gets some pants and learns enough language to discover that he's landed on a distant world of perpetual war. Hot dog! What fun! How Manly! Of course, he lands among the good guys, and it turns out that he's just as good in their aircraft as he was back home, and promptly distinguishes himself for the greater glory of whoever and for the hand of the fair maiden. There's not a lot to get wrought up about here, except for a city that pops up and down like a jack-in-the-box and some overheated scenes of air war.

The second half of this book was written in the 1960s, during the height of the Cold War. This time, Our Hero infiltrates the enemy, who turns out to be a WW 2.5 stereotype of the Red Menace, stupid, brutal, and run by a priveleged secret police. And with names like Gompth and Grunge. Of course Our Hero distinguishes himself brilliantly and manages a clever escape, somewhat along these lines:

Him: Can I borrow one of your fastest fighter planes? You know, just for a spin around the block.
Them: Sure, can't think why not. Here are the keys, it's over in that hangar with no guards or anything.
Him: And all these secret documents and stuff, can I bring them too?
Them: I guess so. We'll flog a flunky until he's got it all loaded for you.

Okay, you don't read Burroughs for anything but heroic stereotypes and action that follows inane but chivalrous rules. You get that here. That's about all you get, but there's plenty of it. This is one of Burroughs's less well-known works, possibly for good reason. But it's good anyway.

//wiredweird

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Beyond the Farthest Star

Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Tandem Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0426177347

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Beyond the Farthest Star

Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000FWCU8I

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Super Reader
Edgar Rice Burroughs' indictment of Stalin's Soviet Union
Hero should have been named Rapas the Ulsio

Beyond the Farthest Star
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-04

Another fun Burroughs romp, elsewhere than Earth. This time the main character is a pilot, and he ends up on an alien world (not a big suprise, eh?) and proceeds to go about having some Buck Rogers style adventures, getting involved in politics and war. This is made up of two different stories/novellas, or whatever you want to call them. If you like other Burroughs style books, no reason you won't like this.

Edgar Rice Burroughs' indictment of Stalin's Soviet Union.......2003-09-27

As is often with the case with many of these Edgar Rice Burroughs novels, "Beyond the Farthest Star" consists of two serialized novels, "Adventure on Poloda" and "Tangor Returns" (the combined title is certainly better than either of those). Although these stories take place on a world at war a half-million light years from Earth, you will find that there is an obvious subtext to this ERB yarn in terms of Josef Stalin's Soviet Union. The story was first published in "The Blue Book Magazine" in 1942 although the sequel was not published until 1964. Eventually both parts were collected in a paperback volume, complete with a Frank Frazetta cover as I recall. Burroughs wrote the first part in 12 days and the second in only five days, which makes them potboilers to be sure, but the political angle makes them interesting nonetheless.

The hero of this two part novel is Tangor, an American airman who managed to end up on the planet Poloda far, far away, after apparently being killed during World War II behind German lines (very reminiscent of how John Carter ended up on Barsoom). He wakes up in a garden on Poloda, which he soon learns is a world that has been at war for over a century. Given the name Tangor, he joins the fight of the Unis against the Harkases. ERB finds Tangor's story mysterious typed on his typewriter (ERB often presents himself as being merely the conduit for his pulp fiction yarns).

For all of his science fiction stories, Burroughs was at heart a telling of romantic adventures. However, in "Beyond the Farthest Star" he shows much more of an interest in forecasting what was to come. In this story you will find underground railroads, plastic airplanes, compact cards, uni-sex clothing, bullets that explode, and even solar energy. Burroughs is almost as interested in the strange animals of Poloda as he is in its advanced technology, going into lots of details on the strange fauna Tangor encounters. However, the most interesting prediction given the fact ERB was writing on the eve of World War II was his depiction of not only a world at war but the coming Cold War. People live in underground cities to be safe from the bombing, women work in the factories so that the men can fight the war, and that this state of constant war is just accepted as the way things are.

Whereas Burroughs authored an indirect attack on Nazi Germany and the Gestapo in his Carson of Venus series, "Beyond the Farthest Star" is clearly inspired by ERB's knowledge of what was happening in the Soviet Union under Stalin, a time of a one party system, show trials and purges. Anyone who was reading the newspapers as well as pulp fiction magazines at that time would have to be struck by the obvious similarities. Usually ERB wrote of wonderous world like Barsoon, but with Poloda he presents a relatively ruthless depiction of a totally repressive government that makes human existence a living nightmare. With these stories pay more attention to the setting than the romantic adventure to get the most out of this interesting "minor" ERB yarn.

Hero should have been named Rapas the Ulsio.......2000-04-22

Like all of Edgar Rice Burroughs' books, this story is full of adventure, fighting, and saving the damsel in distress. But the hero in this book is probably the biggest wimp of all of ERB's heros. John Carter could bench press him, Carson Napier could out shoot him, and Tarzan would just ignore him and leave him to the jungle. The hero never gives his name and the reason why is because he is embarrassed to be compared to ERB's other heros. If it wasn't for the superior storyline and abstract scientific facts that cause you to think, I would have rated this book a 2. This isn't his best, but it is one Burroughs fans shouldn't miss.

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Beyond the Farthest Star
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NRACJY

Average customer rating:

Beyond the Farthest Star
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRJQ6Q

Average customer rating:

Delicious Ideas

The Schwarzbein Principle Vegetarian Cookbook

Being Healthy

Too Many Carbs!!!

A wonderful guide to healthful eating

The Schwarzbein Principle Vegetarian Cookbook
Evelyn Jacob Jaffe
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Vegetables & Vegetarian | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Diets | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 155874682X

Book Description

For the millions of readers who have adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, this cookbook contains 371 healthful and delicious recipes. Sample items include: risotto with sun-dried tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese, Middle Eastern lentils with vegetables, Szechwan tofu with green beans, mushrooms and peanuts, tempeh tacos, mealtess moussaka, quesadillas, tofu enchilladas and artichoke chowder.

If you still eat meat, take a look at Dr. Schwarzbein's other cookbook.

Customer Reviews:

Delicious Ideas.......2007-02-07

This book contains absolutely delicious, creative vegetarian entrees that are easy to make and don't take a lot of time to prepare. Many of the condiment and vegetable side dish recipes are in her other cookbook, which was disappointing because I also own the other book. I had hoped that there wouldn't be any overlap. However, if you don't own the other book, you'll be happy to find those recipes in this one! This book has far more vegetarian entrees than her other cookbook. I was surprised that the carb counts are so high in the entrees (about 2X the carbs as protein) but, then again, it is difficult to get high enough complete proteins without getting such high carb counts on a strict vegetarian diet. All-in-all, it contains delicious ideas with clear directions. I will use it every week to create even more variety with a few meatless meals.

The Schwarzbein Principle Vegetarian Cookbook.......2005-09-19

excellent and yummy recipes - not involved with lots of ingredients. I'm using it nearly every day as I learn more about this lifestyle.

Being Healthy.......2005-09-05

I now own four of the Schwarzbein books. Being a vegetarian makes it particularly hard to get the right nutrition. Dr. Schwarzbein's information and wonderful recipes make it easy. If you want to be healthy by using logic and eating well, these are the books to read!

Too Many Carbs!!!.......2002-08-26

Generally, Dr. Schwarzbein is on the right track. However, as someone who was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance Syndrome two and a half years ago and who has tried every possible way of eating, I can confidently state that there is no way to recover from the symptoms of this illness--diabetes, high blood pressure, high insulin, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and obesity--and eat as many starchy vegetables and grain products as Schwarzbein includes in this cookbook. I'm not surprised that another reviewer and his wife experienced a surge in cholesterol level from eating this way. In her orignal book, The Schwarzbein Princple, Dr. Schwarzbein shows several levels of recommended carbohydrate consumption based on the physical health of the individual. If you have any or all of the above-listed symptoms, I can tell you from experience that you must use the lowest carb level she recommends, which means you will have to be very selective with the recipes in this book. I can tell you from personal experience that if you have I-R Syndrome or any of it's symptoms, you can't continue to eat starchy vegetables and grain products and hope to get better. I've watched family members continue to go downhill on the standard diets offered by their endocrinologists. I strongly recommend you try Protein Power, Atkins or Neaderthin and keep your carb intake between 30-55 grams per day max. It's hard to do, but it beats ending up blind or on dialysis.

A wonderful guide to healthful eating.......2000-03-13

I just loved this book. It expanded our diet at home to includes lots of foods so that this sometime non-vegetarian doesn't miss meat nearly as much (all the women in the family are basically vegetarians). thanks for helping a father eat more healthfully with his family.

Average customer rating:

A Nice Guide

This is the Great Dane book you need

Great Dane: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)
S. William Haas
Manufacturer: Kennel Club Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Breeds | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Great Dane: Model of Nobility (Howell's Best of Breed Library)

ASIN: 159378273X

Book Description

The majestic Great Dane is indeed the giant of the dog world, although his physical size is not the only asset he offers the right owner. The Great Dane excels as a companion for the family and children, providing protection and convincing deterrence; as a personal friend, always responding with outgoing kindness; and as a performance animal, competing in obedience trials and the show ring alike. The Great Dane, of course, comes with his considerable demands as well, requiring an owner with a sizeable yard and pocketbook, plus the confidence to handle 120 lbs. of canine power. This book provides the much-needed information about the Great Dane's remarkable history, an insightful look at the breed's characteristics and standard, as well as puppy selection, feeding, training, and preventative health care.

In addition to an extremely authoritative text, this book presents over 135 photographs in full color, which prove to be as informative as they are attractive. Helpful hints and important information are highlighted to provide easy access to everything the reader needs to know about life with a Great Dane from puppyhood to the senior years.

Customer Reviews:

A Nice Guide.......2007-02-06

My family recently decided to add a dog to our house. All, except the cat, were in agreement. I argued for a Great Dane. I had some friends who raised them when I was a kid and a professor who had one when I was in seminary. I remembered them as being impressing, friendly and faithful. Just to be sure, though, I bought this book to learn a little bit more. I'm glad I did.

The book does a fair job of covering the basics that any dog owner would need to know and does them from the point of view of having a dog that may well be the second largest member of the family. It is common sense to know that a Great Dane can steal food off your counter top a lot more effectively than a Chihuahua but there are other factors that are not so obvious. The book also does a reasonable job of going through the early training process and getting the dog house broken. This turned out to be of less use to us because the dog we obtained was already an adult and had been trained. Still, it might come in handy in the future.

For me, information about the breed was of the most use. This included discussion of temperament, differing varieties and such. After reading it, I felt able to make an informed decision about getting the dog. Clyde is now a loved member of the family and the cat is still hacked off.

This is the Great Dane book you need.......2005-09-30

This is the best Great Dane book that I have read and I've read four recently. We are planning on breeding and possibly showing Great Danes and I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. Not only is this book easy to read, but also the most comprehensive. I also feel that it is the most balanced. Some books are written by dog fanatics and are a little extreme. This book seemed to be very centered with an understanding of reality. It gives good information on conformation (much more than the other books), breeding, training a dog (nice section on housebreaking), and even a little on showing your dog. If you are only going to buy one book on Great Danes, I would buy this one.

Customer Reviews:

For Starters.......2000-04-29

I picked up this book a few years ago and have kept it on a handy shelf near my sewing desk ever since. If you're just getting started or want to get started on hand sewing your own quilts, this is the book to get. It goes into complete details on the techniques of handsewing. Even the tiniest aspect is covered here, such as how to properly thread a needle and how to finish off a stitch. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Goofy over gourds

Gourd Fun for Everyone by Sammie Crawford

Gourd Fun for Everyone
Sammie Crawford
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Painting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0891349936

Customer Reviews:

Goofy over gourds.......2001-08-02

This is a great book if you enjoy gourds. If you don't know anything about gourds or don't know anything about painting, it is still a good book, as there are enough instructions to get anyone started. The author presents some of the most creative gourd designs I have ever encountered. The book was well worth the money to me.

Gourd Fun for Everyone by Sammie Crawford.......2000-11-10

Anyone who enjoys working with gourds will truely appreciate the effort that has gone into the making of this book. I especially appreciated the very detailed photographs that accompany each project in the book. Everyone, from novice to expert will find something of interest. The book is written in an easy to understand format and everything needed to complete each project is listed. An excellent addition to any collection of "gourd" books, exactly what I was looking for.

Average customer rating:
More Great American Mansions and Their Stories.
Merrill Folsom
Manufacturer: Hastings House Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0803846355

Average customer rating:
Great American Mansions and Their Stories

Manufacturer: Hastings House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HUSIHA

Average customer rating:

47 mansions and nothing on...

Enjoyable book

Pretty good, but...

Beautiful book

Beautiful book

Great American Mansions: And Their Stories
Merrill Folsom
Manufacturer: Hastings House Publishers Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

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Fortune's Children

ASIN: 8038268180

Book Description

An indispensable document of Americna history, this lavishly illustrated edition describes how some of America's greatest mansions were built and the families who inhabit them.

Customer Reviews:

47 mansions and nothing on..........2007-04-08

300+ pages, 47 mansions - and not one single floor plan! Disappointed beyond words; and the photos weren't that good either. Don't bother with this one!

Enjoyable book.......2006-05-07

This is an incredibly beautiful guide to some of our historic treasures that are open to the public. I am just beginning my career in real estate, and made this purchase because I am very interested in historical homes. I can see this being a valuable reference tool. So it is great for anyone interested in the architecture of these mansions. I also purchased it because I do love visiting historic homes when on vacation. This is the perfect tool for anyone who is looking for a chance to get inside these grand ladies. Anyone who enjoys the grand opulence and architecture of a bygone era will most defiantly want to add this to their book collection.

Pretty good, but..........2001-11-15

They say that nothing is ever as good as the original, and this book is no exception. Still, this is an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a guide to America's architectural heritage. This book was originally two volumes released sometime in the '60s. It has been condensed into one volume for this reprint, at the expense of some very informative articles, great pictures and in some cases, the houses themselves. They have added addresses and websites, however, which sort of makes up for the scrapped articles and pics (which can be found on many of the websites).

Beautiful book.......2000-09-14

This beautifully designed book brings these mansions to life! I learned more about the homes and their owners than I did on the tours in the mansions themselves! It is a must have before or after you visit the homes!

Beautiful book.......2000-09-14

More Great American Mansions and Their Stories

Average customer rating:

More Great American Mansions and Their Stories
Merrill Folsom
Manufacturer: HASTINGS HOUSE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OK48W2

Average customer rating:

Great American Mansions and Their Stories
Merrill Folsom
Manufacturer: Hasting House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NWNI4K

Average customer rating:

Great American Mansions and Their Stories
Merrill Folsom
Manufacturer: Hastings House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NPRFC8

Book Description

In this lavishly illustrated labor of love, Jerry Weist -- Sotheby's fantasy and science fiction collectibles expert and longtime Ray Bradbury friend and collector -- gives us a unique "visual biography," a one-of-a-kind celebration of the life, career, and genius of one of America's most beloved literary giants.

The works of Ray Bradbury have been read and revered for more than half a century. The winner of countless awards and accolades, including a Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation, he has left a deeper, more enduring imprint on our times than most writers of his or any generation. The source of The Martian Chronicles, father of The Illustrated Man, and master brewer of Dandelion Wine, Bradbury has penned stories, novels, stage plays, and screenplays that have long demonstrated the limitlessness of the human imagination and pure power of the word.

Bradbury: An Illustrated Life features magazine illustrations, movie stills and posters, comic book art, letters, scripts, book jackets, and paintings -- all expertly selected and insightfully explained -- that trace an incomparable artist's journey through the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. Here also are rare and illuminating gems from some of his renowned compatriots and collaborators, including excerpts from the journal of legendary director Fran ois Truffaut, written during the making of the motion picture version of Bradbury's classic Fahrenheit 451.

From his groundbreaking involvement with EC Comics -- which would ultimately inspire generations of comic book creators and graphic novel artists -- through his many decades of literary success, as well as his award-winning work in films, theater, and television, to the present day, the world of the incomparable Ray Bradbury comes vibrantly alive in words and pictures, in photo and ink, in conceptual art and bold living color. Bradbury: An Illustrated Life belongs in the collection of anyone who has ever been moved, astounded, elated, terrified, or inspired by the tales, ideas, dreams, and magnificent visions of America's preeminent storyteller.

Customer Reviews:

A wondrous tribute to America's master story teller..........2006-04-22

Jerry Weist has constructed wondrous tribute to America's master story teller,and one of the world's now iconic fabulists. Unlike biographies which...justly...abound concerning the life and legend of Ray Douglas Bradbury,this multi-format comprise is graphic extravaganza of print;drawings;photos;movie posters; letters;excerpts from movie scripts and dialogue from plays. Copies of original paintings[some by Bradbury himself--including stunning glossy of the black,pthalo blue oil book cover adorning DARK CARNIVAL;the 700 copy signed limited edition of his first collection of short stories recently reprised per GAUNTLET publications now valued at over $3000]abound.Classic "fanta-sci fi"work by Joseph Mugnaini and Al Feldstein abounds and is often astounding.

The unknown tale of Bradbury's battle with censors;snob intelligentsia(& player-hater pseudos)to preserve his relation with genesis publishers(WEIRD TALES men of the pulps; and particularly, his friends at EC publications'MADmen)is fascinating. A letter written by Bradbury to author Weist
(pp.109-110;followed by interview between the two on September 13-14,2001; pp.111-113)details not only the Scylla-Charybdys gorge Bradbury was forced to negotiate preserving his "new" found literary respectibility, but why this GREATEST of AMERICAN STORY TELLERS will probably NEVER EVEN BE NOMINATED for NOBEL PRIZE in LITERATURE he deserves.

BRADBURY:AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE~A Journey to Far Metaphor is a marvel in its own right.It is graphic novel-like biography comprised of media metaphors;photo-histories and collage testimonials to the man who may be...as we enter at warp speed the illiterate world of FAHRENHEIT 451...one of the West's LAST GREAT WRITERS.

Mars is Heaven!.......2005-04-13

Now that Sam Weller's "The Bradbury Chronicles:the Life of Ray Bradbury" is selling like water at the bookshops,we'll see the importance of Jerry Weist's "BRADBURY,AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE,A JOURNEY TO METAPHOR".I didn't read yet Weller's book,but I know that Frederik Pohl didn't like it.I own a copy of "Bradbury,an illustrated life...", since it appeared.And I loved it.What a gorgeous "objet d'art"!The ailing Bradbury must be proud to have inspired a book as beautiful-and good-as this one.The text by Jerry Weist is well written,professional,competent.The Foreword,by Bradbury's archivist ,collector and friend,Donn Albright,is very informative about a few of Bradbury's illustrators.The Introduction,penned by Bradbury himself,is enlightening.
As an admirer of Science-Fiction illustration and collector of SF Memorabilia ,this work was a visual feast to my eyes ,taste and, sensibility.
Called my attention:firstly,the reproductions of book and magazine(AMAZING STORIES,WONDER STORIES QUARTERLY)covers,interior illustrations,movie stills and posters(the famous one-sheet poster for the silent "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" and the glorious six-sheet poster designed for William Cameron Menzies's/H.G.Wells's "THINGS TO COME")and the Sunday comic strips(TARZAN,BUCK ROGERS),that influenced Bradbury's visual taste and literary preferences.Secondly,the reproductions of publications(fanzines)like IMAGINATION and FUTURIA FANTASIA(with Bradbury as editor)that enriched his beginnings as a science-fiction fan ,nurturing his creative juices and his friendship with the future great illustrator Hannes Bok,plus the moving photos made when Ray was visiting New York City during the (First)1939 WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION financed by his buddy Forrest J. Ackerman, or made in Los Angeles ,like the amazing photo showing a youthful Ray at a meeting of the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society(LASFS) in 1940,when nineteen-year-old Bradbury was just beginning his writing career.This photo is sensational because it shows us other famous(now)members of the LASFS:FORREST J. ACKERMAN,MOROJO,RAY HARRYHAUSEN,ARTHUR K. BARNES,EDWARD E. "DOC" SMITH,CHARLES HORNIG,ROBERT HEINLEIN(seated at the table,only his face showing).Also appearing in the photo :JACK WILLIAMSON and EDMOND HAMILTON(standing near the wall in the background).The other photograph that moved me was taken(circa 1946/47)probably in Los Angeles, too. In this one , Ray appears side by side with the couple EDMOND HAMILTON/LEIGH BRACKETT and with Hamilton's sister.Thirdly,I was enraptured by the exquisite beauty of the interior B&W drawings(Oh,the marvelous B&W drawings by HANNES BOK,LEE BROWN COYE,BORIS DELGOV, VIRGIL FINLAY&LAWRENCE STERN STEVENS) illustrating Bradbury's stories in pulp magazines ;the outstanding colour paintings printed as illustrations for Bradbury's stories in the 'slicks'(ESQUIRE,THE SATURDAY EVENING POST,COLLIER'S,and so on).His stories(for instance,"A Sound of Thunder","The Beast from 20000 Fathoms","The Illustrated Man" and "Mars is Heaven")were,then, interpreted by great artists like STANLEY MELTZOFF,REN WICKS,JAMES R. BINGHAM&JAMES BAMA;the futuristic cover designs for Hardcovers ,like GEORGE BARROWS'S Arkham House(American edition) and MICHAEL AYRTON'S Hamish Hamilton(British edition) cover designs for "DARK CARNIVAL",ARTHUR LIDOV'S cover illustration for "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES"(1950)and JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S cover painting for the british edition(1963)of "SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES" ;the catching paperback's covers for the BANTAM edition of "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES"(1951)and the BALLANTINE editions of "FARENHEIT 451" &"THE OCTOBER COUNTRY"(1953&1956 respectively,both JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S covers).Deserve special mention the series of JOSEPH MUGNAINI'S(1912-1992) litographs,preliminary watercolor sketches,original B&W drawings and paintings inspired by Bradbury's stories and books.The italian-born MUGNAINI was considered the best interpreter of Ray's dreams.
Finally,the chapter dealing with 'EC COMICS and Ray Bradbury:The Untold Story' is precious.Jerry Weist is in his terrain here.As he says in the opening of the chapter:"The story of how Ray Bradbury came to have his writing adapted by a small,energetic company named Entertaining Comics in the 1950's is now a legendary chapter of comics history".How very true this is.I was enchanted by fantastic reproductions of originals by FRANK FRAZETTA,AL WILLIAMSON,AL FELDSTEIN(his recreations are amazing).And it is always rewarding for me to admire the fabulous adaptations&splash-page arwork by the great WALLACE(WALLY)WOOD,a real genius of the comics.'Last,but not least' I was thrilled reading and seeing the archive of photos and Film Memorabilia reproduced.My favorites:the promotional photographs of Ray with the lovely Barbara Rush during the production of "IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE"(Universal,1953);the Half-sheet &Insert posters & Window lobby card for the same film and the known(signed) One-sheet poster for "THE BEAST FROM 20.000 FATHOMS" .
Many years ago I saw "THE BEAST FROM 20.000 FATHOMS" at an old movie theatre in my home town.It was an unforgettable experience for me.A few years later ,I read the famous Bradbury's terrifying short story "MARS IS HEAVEN",the first yarn by this great writer that I read.I was definitely hooked.From then on I've been reading almost all his SF&Horror stories and a good number of his novels(novels?).
So,I love this book and I warmly recommend it.

A biography of Bradbury, told in pictures.......2004-05-14

There's a point in this book where the author says "You have to be an amazing writer to inspire so many illustrations and paintings." And that's why Bradbury is so great. After reading a book like The Martian Chronicles, you can easily imagine what he was describing. And if you can draw or paint, you'll want to create those images on canvas.

That's why almost every piece of artwork in this book is so beautiful. Just take the Illustrated Man as an example. Each artist who was commissioned to create a cover for the book had the task of showing an almost-naked man covered in tattoos. But the tattoos had to show scenes from dozens of short stories. One artist made the Illustrated Man an obese, shirtless guy in a carnival sideshow. Another gave him technicolor cartoons across his back and shoulders, depicting roaring lions and men in spacesuits. The third image is the most famous --- a nude man with his back to the viewer, sitting, with all of the skin below his neck covered in images.

This approach is repeated throughout the book --- different artists interpret the most vivid images from Bradbury's best books and stories. Over a hundred paperback book covers are reproduced (including a few that I was obsessed with when I was ten years old), along with movie posters, paintings, movie stills, and comic book pages.

The text is just as good. This book serves as a biography of Ray Bradbury, tracing the arc of his career from science fiction author to short story writer for 'the slicks' to comic book writer, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Bradbury's relationship with EC comics is recounted through the correspondence between Bradbury and William Gaines. It's very interesting, especially when Bradbury catches Gaines stealing his stories and offers to write more for EC instead of suing.

If you're a Bradbury fan, you'll love this. It's the kind of book you'll pull off the shelf every month and flip through, just to marvel at all of the strange and beautiful images. If you don't know Bradbury's work, you'll still enjoy all of the artwork. Maybe the images will inspire you to read his books..

A Wonderful Volume.......2003-04-16

This treat of a book is unique in that it is not merely a collection of illustrations from Bradbury publications over the years, but seeks to document the whole spectrum of "visualizing" the rich prose of Mr. Bradbury, an almost impossible task! This includes films, stage productions, marginal doodles by Bradbury himself, books and films that inspired Bradbury in his early years, and much more - a rewardingly broad approach to crafting the book.
In addition wholeheartedly agreeing with the wonderful points noted by other reviewers, I would like to point out that the book features much rare material by Joseph Mugnaini, the definitive Bradbury artist, in the form of concept sketches for covers, stage backdrops, and some of the original paintings that inspired the Bradbury-Mugnaini partnership in the first place. The contribution of Mugnaini's works to Bradbury's success, as a visual carnival barker beckoning readers into Bradbury's world is tough to underestimate.
The book is beautifully printed, with one absolutely tragic exception - the reproduction of Charles Addams' original illustration for the story "Homecoming" is horrible! It is terribly blurry and there are some kind of liquid stains on the original work, which hung in the Bradbury home for many years. For comparison, look at the (reversed) reproduction used as the dust jacket for Bradbury's recent "From the Dust Returned" novel/collection. Just unfortunate that the one illustration botched - was the lone collaboration between two magnificent twentieth-century masters of the macabre. Still OVERWHELMINGLY worth owning however.

The must have coffee table book.......2003-01-23

This coffee table book is a must have for Bradbury fans. Full of pictures and illustrations of his various stories and books are interweaved with text written by friends and associates of Bradbury's throughout his professional carreer. The book spends a great deal of time on his personal correspondance with William Gaines (comic book publisher and later MAD magazine). The correspondance shows a literary master who was truly fond of comics,then considered a trash medium during the 1950's. The book also spends a good deal of time on notes by Francois Truffaut, the french cinema genious who filmed farhenheit 451. Bradbury is also shown as a man who loved Hollywood from the time he was a small boy. This book is a great addition to have, both for the written word and the beautiful artwork.

Bradbury, an Illustrated Life: A Journey to Far Metaphor

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Bradbury, an Illustrated Life: A Journey to Far Metaphor
Jerry & Ray Bradbury (introduction) Weist
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NY1M4G

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Ward Connerly, the champion of California's controversial Proposition 209 outlawing racial preferences in state government, offers a compelling memoir and polemic with Creating Equal. Political figures don't often write books worth reading, but Connerly can both turn a good phrase (liberals, he says, "need to believe that Rosa Parks is still stuck in the back of the bus, even though we live in a time when Oprah is on a billboard on the side of the bus") and tell a good story (as when he describes tracking down his long-lost biological father in Louisiana). Connerly has generated strong reactions, many of them negative, ever since he burst on the scene as a University of California regent opposed to racial preferences in student admissions. Because he is black (or, more accurately, of mixed black, white, and Indian ancestry), Connerly was derisively labeled an "Uncle Tom" for his efforts. Conservatives will applaud Creating Equal, while many of Connerly's sparring partners will recognize its thoughtfulness: "Affirmative action was the kissing cousin of welfare, a seemingly humane social gesture that was actually quite diabolical in its consequences--not only causing racial conflict because of its inequities, but also validating blacks' fears of inferiority and reinforcing racial stereotypes." Moreover, Connerly's insider account of Proposition 209 (plus similar efforts in Houston and Washington state) will appeal to political junkies of all stripes. Regardless of their views on the philosophical content of Connerly's crusade, readers will find Creating Equal to be a surprisingly good book. --John J. Miller

Book Description

Ward Connerly first burst onto the American scene 1995 as the University of California Regent who had forced the largest public university in the country to become color-blind in its admissions policies. Connerly led the 1996 campaign to pass California's Proposition 209. In 1998, he spearheaded a similar successful anti-discrimination measure in Washington. Creating Equal chronicles Connerly's unique friendship with California governor Pete Wilson, as well as his encounters with figures like Bill Clinton and Al Gore, mogul Rupert Murdoch, Gen. Colin Powell, and Jesse Jackson. But above all, this book tells about how one man's willingness to break ranks created a movement whose end is not yet in sight.

Customer Reviews:

A must read?.......2007-02-28

As a young person growing up in America, and observing that some people are looked upon with disdain, over something as simple as skin color sickens me. Even more that we as a Nation condoned such behavior as a matter of Law. I read about internment camps for Japanese Americans, during World War II, and these people were treated this way because of their Nation of origin. But very few people in internment camps were either German, or Italian. Equally our enemy, but White.

Remarkably, Americans of African decent who put their lives on the line for this Nation during World War II had less rights than German POWs, our enemies. What a sad state of affairs. These people fought for someone elses freedom, and had none of their own, in their own Nation.

Dr. King led this whole Nation out of the darkness that was "Jim Crow", and caused a Nation to look at itself in the mirror. At the same time there were those of the Black race who did not support, and spoke harshly of Dr. King's efforts, relating he was just a trouble maker, and that He should go home, and leave the rest of us alone. Stop stirring up trouble.

Trying to make a Nation treat all of its citizens with the same dignity and respect is stirring up trouble. Forcing a Nation to live up to the principle of "One man one vote", is stirring up trouble. These were the same kinds of Black people who fought on behalf of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Mr. Connerly fits here.

As a people not all Blacks, nor all Asians, nor all Latinos, or all Whites, are universal in their thoughts or soulotions to the social problems in this Nation. Some like things just as they are. Others feel the Nation can and should do more to see to it that no group is left behind. Sadly this is not the case as Mr. Connerly sees things.

Mr. Connerly rails aganist Affirative Action, saying it is more of a hinderance, than a help. OK. So what do we put in its place? Some say nothing. Let the sticks fall as they may. It will work itself out in the end. Others are more aggressive, such as Mr. Connerly.

Mr. Connerly makes some good points, because one shoe does not fit all. Our education system is a good case. The system stinks. Instead of trying to make the student adapt to the education system, it should be the other way around. Something Mr. Connerly misses.

Even now, compair so called Suburban schools to those in the Inner City and the difference is day and night. Mr. Connerly misses these differences as well. Inner city schools are over crowded understaffed, and lack parental input for various reasons. More money is continually spent on the Suburban schools, as opposed to the Inner city schools.

These are the short comings Mr. Connerly fails to take into consideration when he speaks out aganist Affirmative Action. The there are programs set aside by some Ivy League Universities, for the offspring of the Alumni, for preferential treatment when it comes to addmissions. Mr. Connerly is not up in arms about these programs.

His book should say level the "Playing Field" for all, but alas ths is a plateau this Nation wants to have anything to do with, and certainly not Mr. Connerly.

I am dismayed that some other so called Black leaders do not think he (Mr. Connerly) should air this dirty laundry in public. The differences between Blacks. But it is after all Mr. Connerly's right to have his say.

After reading this book I found Mr. Connerly to be that which Ronald Ragan taught us to be, a Covert racist, using code words such as "Most Qualified",and requiring College Degrees for certain jobs which never required one before Affirmative Action. Had the concept of a level playing field been in place when George Bush applied for addmission to Harvard, he would have been turned away. He had neither the grades, nor the work ethics for entry.

So do away with Affirmative Action, and all programs designed to give one an advantage over another. Money, background, the works.

Ward is a sell out of the worst kind!!!.......2007-01-28

What a total sell out. This book is complete hogwash. Thanks to his hateful policies the number of minorities in CA campuses has gone down drastically. Diversity is very important. How can we learn about each other if we never have the experience of being around each other. What a silly little man. There is still a lot of racism against minority people in this country and his idea of a colorblind society is really unrealistic.

Inspiring Story That May Change Your Perspective On Affirmative Action.......2007-01-08

Connerly's books is part autobiography and partly a history of the modern ideological shift against racial preferences. Connerly is a black man from a very modest background who found himself leading the fight against "affirmative action." He was the driving force behind California's Prop 209 and similar initiatives. The political intrigue behind this struggle is as interesting as Connerly's life and the philosophical issues underlying the controversy. A good read. The only disappointment is that the book was written in the year 2000, and the reader is left wanting more of an update.

A success story!.......2006-09-05

He shows us that we shouldn't receive a helping hand because of the color of our skin, but that we should work hard to acheive what we can. He shows how someone that works harder to succeed is cast to the side for someone that didn't to make it to college just for them to fail and dampen the hopes of our hardest workers. That what's so damaging about affirmative action cause it tells people that they don't have to work hard to advance but that the government will always be there to play mommy and daddy.

Must Read.......2006-04-22

Equal opportunity and personal responsibility are two sides of the same coin necessary to reach ones' potential. On a National level, Affirmative Action has been improperly implemented via lowering educational requirements and discrimination that has diminished individual effort and created resentment. Clearly this is not the way to accomplish diversity. Government must do its' part to assure equal opportunity, while the individual creates equal for self through the personal responsibility efforts of hard work and study. Creating Equal implies a mutual responsibility on both government and individual citizen, to do the proper amount of work, regardless of background.

Creating Equal - My Fight Against Race Preferences

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Creating Equal - My Fight Against Race Preferences
Ward CONNERLY
Manufacturer: Encounter Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OOZS72

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