Deep Blue Good-by

Book Description

TRAVIS McGEE
He's a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out and his rule is simple: he'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half....
With an introduction by CARL HIAASEN
JOHN D. MACDONALD
"....the great entertainer of our age, and a mesmerizing storyteller."
--STEPHEN KING
"....a master storyteller, a masterful suspense writer."
--MARY HIGGINS CLARK
"....a dominant influence on writers crafting the continuing series character."
--SUE GRAFTON
"....my favorite novelist of all time."
--DEAN KOONTZ
"...the consummate pro, a master storyteller and witty observer."
--JONATHAN KELLERMAN
"...remains one of my idols."
--DONALD WESTLAKE
THE TRAVIS McGEE SERIES
"...one of the great sagas in American fiction."
--ROBERT B. PARKER
"...what a joy that these timeless and treasured novels are available again."
--ED McBAIN

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-08-19

Fifty percent is better than nothing.

At least that is what you are desperate enough to take if you hire Travis McGee as a 'Salvage Consultant', to recover something lost that may just be of dubious legality. (Not sure what he will do if it is a racehorse, woman, or parrot, however).

Here, a friend asks him to help out another friend, both of whom are female dancers, and he reluctantly agrees, ending up in a sordid plot involving some treasure recovered in a now-jailed husband's army days, and a violent man (think rape and murder) trying to get his hands on it. Along the way, there is plenty of seedy Florida, broken women, and biffo.

If you like this sort of adventurer with booze and broads style of thing, not much doubt you will find this enjoyable. Good stuff.

Deep Blue Goodbye.......2007-08-11

It's a shame that ol' John D. had to pass away. His writing is still as good as it was during his lifetime.

Classic Travis McGee tale (as are they all) with lessons and language for the ages.......2007-08-02

For some reason there's a gap in my reading history for John D. MacDonald's fine fiction, especially the hugely popular Travis McGee mystery crime novels. So you can't call me an expert witness in this case, but a friendly one on this his first in the Travis McGee series.

I had read something in the series before--I think it was the Pale Gray one (the Travis McGee titles always contain a color)--but did not remember what an astute judge of character ol' Trav is... and how he teeters so on the edge of cynicism when it comes to sociological observations.

For example, after Travis assesses his soon-to-be client--"The world had done its best to subdue and humble her, but the edge of her good tough spirit showed through."--he launches into a broad internal diatribe on the world as he knows it:

"I am wary of a lot of other things, such as plastic credit cards, payroll deductions, insurance programs, retirement benefits, savings accounts, Green Stamps, time clocks, newspapers, mortgages, sermons, miracle fabrics, deodorants, check lists, time payments, political parties, lending libraries, television actresses, junior chambers of commerce, pageants, progress, and manifest destiny."

With MacDonald I feel in the presence of greatness, and I'm thrilled to have 20 more Travis McGee books to read for the first time.

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright
Copyright 2007

If you are just starting this series, I'm jealous.......2007-02-17

I read the entire series as they came out starting 40 years ago, and am now listening to the unabridged audiobooks with delectible slowness.

If you are lucky enough to be reading reviews to contemplate starting this series, you have a wonderful journey ahead of you. I think Travis McGee, along with Nero Wolfe, are the two best (albiet very different) characters ever in the mystery/crime genre.

Since it is now 43 years since this book was published, you will be astounded at the amazing contemporary nature of the books.

This is one of the more complicated plots with as many characters as any story in the series, perhaps as befits the first one written. It is a great story, but as MacDonald hits his stride around the third or fouth book in the series, the plots simplify, the number of characters goes down, and the depth of each charcter intensifies.

You can read other stuff about the plot, characters, et. al. The purpose of this review is to tell you that when you finally get to the 21st book in the series, The Lonely Silver Rain, you'll be writing a review like this and be looking forward to your second visit to The Deep Blue Good-by as you start the adventure all over again.

A Classic.......2007-02-06

The first in the John Macdonald "Travis McGee" series, this book sets the stage for the rest of the series. You get to know a little about McGee, and get a good mystery story. It's a little "dated" now for younger readers, but I think most adults who like mysteries would enjoy "The Deep Blue Good-bye", along with the rest of the Travis McGee series.

Average customer rating:

The Deep Blue Good-bye
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0330020382

Average customer rating:

The Deep Blue Good-By
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Greenwich, Conn. Gold Medal 1964.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000AMCTE8

Product Description

Meet Travis McGee. Non-conformist, boat bum, knight in slightly tarnished armor - as he sets out on a wild journey through the wreckage of a woman's soul.

Scarlet Ruse and Two Other Great Mysteries, Deep Blue Good-By, Nightmare in Pink

Average customer rating:

Scarlet Ruse and Two Other Great Mysteries, Deep Blue Good-By, Nightmare in Pink

Manufacturer: NY: Lippincott & Crowell, 1973
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GZG7LK

Average customer rating:

The Deep Blue Good-by
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Impress Mystery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FH5ZU8

3 Titles By John D. MacDonald Travis McGee Series (1-3) : 1. The Deep Blue Good-By 2. Nightmare in Pink 3. A Purple Place for Dying

Average customer rating:

3 Titles By John D. MacDonald Travis McGee Series (1-3) : 1. The Deep Blue Good-By 2. Nightmare in Pink 3. A Purple Place for Dying
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000WCFSV2

Product Description

multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.

4 PBs by John D. MacDonald, Travis McGee: Deep Blue Good-By, Nightmare in Pink, Pale Gray for Guilt, Turquoise Lament (Travis McGee)

Average customer rating:

4 PBs by John D. MacDonald, Travis McGee: Deep Blue Good-By, Nightmare in Pink, Pale Gray for Guilt, Turquoise Lament (Travis McGee)
John D. MacDonald
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VTYMGS

Product Description

Paperbacks

Average customer rating:

Deep Blue Good Bye
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Books On Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 5553674921

Average customer rating:

The Deep Blue Good-By
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Hard-Boiled | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

The Deep Blue Good-By

Manufacturer: Fawcett Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9991804471

Book Description

Third of Osborne-McKnight's vibrant tales of Celtic myths right Sword of Ireland is the third of Juilene Osborne-McKnight's wonderful retelling of cherished Irish folktales. A dedicated researcher into the origins of Celtic myth and legend, Osborne-McKnight infuses her stories with passion and romance and really makes her characters come alive. Here, she weaves the story of one who lived in the shadows of the great warrior queen Medb and the fabled hero Cuchulain. Sometimes the biggest part of a tale comes not from the biggest players on the stage. What happens to those who have grown up in the shadow of greatness? Young Finnabair is the daughter of the mighty queen. Not a beauty. Not a warrior. And one who is seen as a pawn for her mother to use as she will. But Finnabair rebels when she sees that her part in her mother's schemes for power have caused pain and shame to her people. And in doing so, Finnabair embarks on a journey that will change two kingdoms....and bring her love and loss so great as to break the hearts of the gods.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......2006-06-13

This is a wonderfully written book (as are all of the books I have read by this author). In addition to putting her own spin on old irish tales, she puts so much emotion into her characters that they come alive. Each one grows and evolves in such a natural way that you are sucked into their lives and feel joy inside when they are joyful and sometimes even weep when they weep. I have to say, this is one of my new all time favorite books that I could read over and over again, which I cannot say for most.

a special atmosphere.......2004-03-03

This third book shows once again this author's skill in creating a special atmosphere with an enchanting mix of the otherworldly and the everyday in an ancient setting. I particularly like her light touch with the fledgeling Christian faith as it appears alongside the myths and magic of the Irish people. In contrast to some reviewers here, and especially to the person who appears to be abusing Amazon's site by posting multiple negative reviews and thus adversely affecting the rating, I liked Finnabhair very much. She grows in strength and confidence through the book; her relationship with her husband becomes one of equals in which he needs her as much as she needs him; and she is by the end a powerful and influential character. Besides, it takes the most strength of all to put aside one's pride, and forgive.

Magnificent.......2004-03-01

I found this third publishing of the author to be both exciting and interesting. Although I'm not very knowledgeable on the Celtic Myths I still feel that it was a magnificent story. I strongly recommend this to anyone in search of a wonderfully adventurous novel.

Un happy Reader!.......2004-02-27

I felt like that there was something missing with this book. I felt robbed of a good story. I wanted to read about Medb story not her daughters. I was always intrigued with the story of Medb and her passion to find the white bull, and I found this story did a dis-service to a myth that I love so much. The sad part is the author did know her mythology and the story did have a potential to be good. I didn't like Finnabair, I felt that she was very selfish, mean spirited, holier than thou, and annoying. No you don't need to like the main character to read a story, but it takes away from the enjoyment of it. I found no redeeming characteristic in her. I wasn't going to post this, but the reader from Oklahoma chastised the person that didn't like it, and I wanted to say I didn't like this book for a different reason. If you need to read this book, take it out from the library -- I wish I did.

Enchanting!.......2004-02-27

I found Bright Sword of Ireland a source of never ending delight. I love Finnabair?s bird sight, her growth, her seeking of wisdom and grace as she travels her difficult path.

Juilene Osborne McKnight again brings a time and culture to vibrant life. Storytelling at its best. Get caught up into its waves of enchantment.

Average customer rating:
BRIGHT SWORD OF IRELAND
JUILENE OSBORNE-MCKNIGHT
Manufacturer: Forge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VEUR4E

Amazon.com

This novelization of David Cronenberg's film by established British SF writer Christopher Priest involves confusion between levels of reality, as portrayed so vividly in novels by Philip K. Dick. "eXistenZ" is an all-senses computer game that seems more real than the real world and allows unwary players to enter deeper games nested within games, with the possibility of getting lost in the virtual maze. (Was exiting the game just part of the game? Did I only dream I woke up?) Violence at the first "eXistenZ" demonstration sends its beautiful designer and a security guard fleeing into a multilevel nightmare. Cronenberg's theme of disturbing biotechnologies crops up repeatedly. The game "hardware" is all too like a living organ that links to a new, artificial body orifice. There are recurring appearances of a repugnant handgun built from small animals' bones and sinews, whose bullets are human teeth. After briefly threatening to lose its way in surrealism and horror, the story develops an interesting bite and ends with clever revelations. Aficionados will have guessed before then what's really going on, but for movie SF eXistenZ is cheeringly sophisticated. Not for the squeamish, though. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

From the award-winning master of new wave horror films comes a mesmerizing new story of the strange and the unexpected. Based on David Cronenberg's screenplay, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Willem Dafoe, this is the graphic novel of the movie eXistenZ, drawn by talented graphic artist Sean Scoffield. The story revolves around eXistenZ, a virtual reality game of wild and unpredictable fantasy invented by the gaming goddess, Allegra Geller. Using biotechnic adaptations, her new game is plugged directly into each player's spinal cord. Because the gaming pod has access to the memories, anxieties and preoccupations of its players, the direction each game takes depends entirely on who's playing. The game is so realistic that players often cannot tell which dimension they are inhabiting. While gaming devices plug in at the unveiling of eXistenZ, an assassin tries to kill Allegra Geller with a strange but deadly gristle gun made of human flesh that fires human teeth. In the confusion, Allegra is rescued by bodyguard Ted Pikul, and so begins an adventure in which nothing is what it seems and rival guerrilla factions fight and kill for who will control the dangerously intriguing game of eXistenZ. At stake is the very notion of what we know as the real world. In this disturbingly labyrinthine world of morphing realities, master fantasist David Cronenberg holds us spellbound as we weave toward the unexpected climactic ending to this tale about the fragility of reality.

Customer Reviews:

Inexcuseably amatuerish.......2005-08-17

eXistenZ was a very good movie, but the book version...!
Of course, novellisations of movies tend to be bad, but this one was way in at the deep end of bad. There was no tension, no suspense, and the writer managed to give away every surprise plot-point before its time. The characters are flat and lifeless, the dialogue is corny and unrealistic... I refuse to believe this guy ever won awards for his writing, which is what the back of the book claims. Maybe he was paying attention when he wrote the award-winning stuff.

One Crazy Novel.......2005-02-11

Existenz was more like amovie than a video game. The whole origin of the game was to kill the creator of it. The movie centered around video game creator Allegra Gellar. During this time the game creators were worhiped like gods and players can actually enter the game. Things turn sour when certain people try to kill Gellar. She must then go into hiding with her guard Ted Pikal. Soon Gellar must go inside the game because she feels the game is sick. She insists that Pikal come iwth her and he agrees. This movie was wierd but I like the idea of people actually being a part of the game. Thas was very intriguing. The ending has a twist to it.

Excellent book.......2000-07-20

I'd been trying to rent "eXistenZ" for some time, but couldn't find it anywere. Finding the illustrated novel based on the movie, I snatched it up and consumed it. The watercolor panels provided enough clarity to make out what was happening, leaving your imagination to fill in the details of each scene. An excellent substitute/companion to the movie.

The uneXistenZ of Priest's eXistenZ.......2000-01-23

Priest's book isn't a good transposition of Cronenberg's eXistenZ, in my opinion. I'll give you some short items: 1. there are many different things and episodes between them 2. the author describes characters' feelings in a way that has no correspondance with their behavior 3. the book explains really EVERYTHING! The readers should have the chance to try to play their own game! 4. why in the end TranscendenZ and not transCendenZ? Anyway, I'm not a writer, only a reader, and I hope you will not get angry for my comments! Bye, Paola

Average customer rating:

Cool Book

The pictures alone make my mouth water...

A lovely book, beautiful photographs...

Cool & Chique Drinks To Suite Everyones Fancy

Cool Cocktails: The Hottest New Drinks and the Best of the Classics
Ben Reed
Manufacturer: Ryland Peters & Small
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Bartending | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails : From the Alamagoozlum Cocktail to the Zombie

New Classic Cocktails

ASIN: 1841720844

Book Description

Delicious, glamorous, even slightly decadent-- cocktails are back in vogue. Whether you want to throw a great party of spice up an ordinary evening with a special drink, Cool cocktails will provide all the inspiration you need. Ben Reed, London's hippest, hottest mixologist, offers a delicious range of recipes for almost 100 classic and contemporary cocktails(arranged by spirit), as well as practical advice on equipment and glasses. Why not start the evening with a classic apertif--a dry Martini, a sparkling Bellini, or an ice-cold Margarita? Of if you want to surprise your guests with something a little more adventurous, then mix up one of Ben's great original creations--a Bramble, a Cranilla Martini, or a Purple Haze. With stunning photography by William Lingwood and Ben's wise and witty words, Cool Cocktails will have you reaching for the crushed ice and cocktail shaker on a regular basis. For those moments when you want the taste without the alcohol, there is a selection of delectable non-alcoholic cocktails, including a Shirley Temple and a Pussyfoot. And for the die-hard party goer, Ben recommends several much-needed hangover cures, such as Prairie Oyster and a Corpse Reviver.

Customer Reviews:

Cool Book.......2006-08-21

Bought it for my sister-in-law as a birthday gift to go with some snazzy cocktail glasses and a pitcher. Plenty of beautiful pictures that might temp you into being an alcoholic! Well, maybe more adventurous in trying many of the obscure liquors out there.

The pictures alone make my mouth water..........2004-01-06

Hey, so just looking at the pictures just makes me want to get trashed. And it is very easy to, as author Ben Reed gives you the necessary steps to making these delectable drinks. The pictures alone make the book worthwhile. And even though mine don't look like that, none of my guests ever care, because its whats IN the drink, not what's on the OUTside of it. So, thanks Will for the pictures. And thanks to you Benny, for being a great bartender. A great book, highly recommended.

A lovely book, beautiful photographs..........2002-10-08

A beautifully photographed and laid out book that has some wonderfully good recipes. This book is so "pretty" you'll want to display it. I had this one out on my coffee table for a while. It is a lovely thin hardback that fits on top of any other books that you may already have on your table. The main downside that I may mention though, is that this book is more modern, "trendy" cocktails. If looking for more of a traditional cocktail book I would advise the quirky book "Atomic Cocktails" or the out-of-print classic by Linda Doerser (still available in some Z-shops or E-bay) called "The Cocktail Bible." I was surprised this book didn't list a receipe for a Cosmopolitan. This would make a good gift for any couple you know that entertains a lot or someone getting married who doesn't already have a nice library of libation books going.

Cool & Chique Drinks To Suite Everyones Fancy.......2001-07-09

When it comes to food and drink, the photographs look tastier than the real thing, but not in Ben Reed's book, Cool Cocktails. The drinks look better when you make them and are very good! I definitley would recommed this book for anyone who loves to have cocktail parties. Your guests will keep coming back. I would tell them to bring their own glass as a gift....and you could serve them a variety of drinks....it is a great book for the person that has no idea how to make cool cocktails.

Average customer rating:

Excellent and very thorough

Not enough general review

Information Plus

EXCELLENT BOOK ON LOVEBIRDS !!

Great for the novice bird owner......

Lovebird Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks)
Vera Appleyard
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Birds | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pet Supplies | Categories | Home & Garden | Birds | Cats | Dogs | Fish & Aquatic Pets | Insects & Spiders | Reptiles & Amphibians | Small Animals | Other Pets
Pet Supplies (12923371) | Refinements | Home & Garden | Color (color_map) | Flavor (feature_browse-bin) | Food Format (feature_two_browse-bin) | Leash Length (size_browse-bin) | Material (material_browse)
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The Lovebird: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

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All About Breeding Lovebirds

Accessories:

Lovebirds (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

ASIN: 0764118277

Product Description

Lovebirds are social birds, but it is a myth that they must always be kept in pairs as a tame single bird can make a wonderul companion. Keeping healthy, contented lovebirds require dedicated care. Designed and illustrated much like Barron's Pet Owner's Manuals, this handbook has more pages, even more photos, and more fully detailed pet care advice and instruction. Pet owners and people who plan to acquire a pet will find information on health care, feeding, and housing?and where applicable, on grooming and training. All photos are top quality and in full color. Many of the titles in this series also feature instructive line illustrations. Paperback / 144 Pages / 6 1/2 x 7 7/8 / 2001

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and very thorough.......2007-05-24

This is the 6th book I've read about lovebirds, and my favorite one. It has alot of history on the birds, and also talks about training them, how to handle them when they first come home, diseases, and how to feed them and even a chapter on breeding. Very complete, and has so many pictures that it makes it hard not to read. I recommend it!

Not enough general review.......2007-05-07

The book has some basic review of lovebirds but fills the rest of the book with explanations of genetics and the mutations and pictures of all the lovebird mutations. It wasn't particularly what I was looking for. I wanted to know their habits, personalities, etc. as I was not looking to breed lovebirds.

Information Plus.......2007-01-04

Excellent communication, fast postage.
The book I received has all the information I would ever hope to need.

EXCELLENT BOOK ON LOVEBIRDS !!.......2005-09-12

EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK IS GIVEN IN GOOD DETAILS, YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM IT. I RECOMMEND IT

Great for the novice bird owner.............2004-04-11

As the new owner of six love birds, I find THE LOVE BIRD HANDBOOK by Vera Appleyard, indispensible. I now know that my little birds are a great choice of parrot(two toes back and two toes front and a `horned beak'). I like the colorful antics of the larger birds, but am afraid of the bigger parrots with their tough beaks. Love birds are funny little guys who figure things out pretty quickly and each of my love birds cost about one-fourth the amount I paid for my Senegal Parrot (who is a great little bird).

After reading Appleyard's book, I figured out that although three of my `non-masked' love birds appear different from one another they are all variants of the peach-faced love bird from Central Africa. As they purportedly came from the same clutch this makes sense(the bird shop owner was a confused man, i.e. not sure what his partner/wife had done).

Appleyard's book contains useful information on love bird diet and care as well as things to avoid. She also indcludes a section on "What not to do, ever." As all birds can become nippy, I find her advice timely, not only with regard to the lovebirds, but with regard to the other companion birds that live with me. I have been bitten on more than one occasion, and Appleyard has many useful suggestions about how to "nip" this behavior in the bud.

I've kept birds for about two years and read dozens of books on parrots and parrot behavior, and can recommend this book to the novice. It contains useful introductory information found in other books and combines and distills useful ideas specifically about love birds. I was thinking of buying six parakeets (budgies) before I bought my love birds, but I am happy I read Appleyard's book and purchased love birds instead. They are just as colorful as parakeets, and they will live a lot longer. And, they are sweet little birds, very affectionate with each other when they aren't "beak fighting."...just like human kids.

Average customer rating:
Bielfeld, Horst
Manfred Heidenreich
Manufacturer: T.F. H. Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LDGO24

Average customer rating:
Handbook of Lovebirds
Horst Bielfeld
Manufacturer: TFH Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Birds | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0876668201

Average customer rating:
Lovebird Handbook
V. Appleyard
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K39UEO

Average customer rating:

A Great Coffe Table Book

500 Years of Golf Balls: History & Collector's Guide
John F. Hotchkiss , and John Stuart Martin
Manufacturer: Antique Trader Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Sports Memorabilia (besides cards) | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0930625722

Customer Reviews:

A Great Coffe Table Book.......2007-05-26

I received this book as a gift from a friend because he knows how much I love to golf. He also knows I collect golf balls. This book has interesting information about the evolution of the golf ball from its earlier forms through the transformation to what it looks like today.

Did you know that there are rare golf balls worth $20,000? More interesting information like that is throughout the book. All your guests will open it up and flip through it!

I have more information about golf balls at:
http://www.squidoo.com/golf_balls

500 Years of Golf Balls: History & Collector's Guide

Average customer rating:

500 Years of Golf Balls: History & Collector's Guide
John; Martin, The John Stuart Curious History of Golf Ball Hotchkiss
Manufacturer: Antique Trader Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QFMWQE

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2006-07-23

The pictures are absolutely stunning. Excellent coverage of the various types of chinese kites, beautiful color rendering. I gave my brother, a real kite professional, my copy, then regretted it so much I went and got another. An incredible bargain.

Wow........2000-09-04

This book is excellent! Great pictures, great explainations, and instructions. The art of the kites was fully explained and examples were given. Overall, it is wonderful for those interested in making kites.

Product Description

Serve drinks to your guests without ruining your tabletop. Set of four Sopranos coasters features: Bada Bing!, Beansie's Pizza, Nuovo Vesuvio, and Satriale's Pork Store. Each coaster measures 4 inches square and has a cork backing, with a hard plastic overlay.

Book Description

James Langston Hughes

(1902 -- 1967)

With a career that spanned the Harlem Renaissance of the twenties and Black Arts movement of the sixties, Langston Hughes was the most prolific Black poet of his era. Between 1926, when he published his pioneering The Weary Blues, to 1967, the year of his death, when he published The Panther and the Lash, Hughes would write sixteen books of poems, two novels, seven collections of short stories, two autobiographies, five works of nonfiction, and nine children's books; he would edit nine anthologies of poetry, folklore, short fiction, and humor. He also translated Jaques Roumain, NicolÁs GuillÉn, Gabriela Mistral, Federico Garcia Lorca, and write at least thirty plays. It is not surprising that Hughes was known, variously, as "Shakespeare in Harlem" and as the "poet laureate of the American Negro."

-- from the Preface by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Indepth Study of Genius!!.......2005-09-01

LANGSTON HUGHES: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES PAST AND PRESENT by Henry
Louis Gates, Jr. and al, is part of the Amistad Literary Series on African Americans authors of noted literary fame and skill. As the title suggest, this particular installment discusses the some of the work of Langston Hughes.

The book is divided into to sections, excluding the introduction. The first section cover contemporary reviews giving during Hughes' lifetime. As the introduction notes, the reviews are "drawn from magazines, journals, and newspapers from the mainstream and African American press." Noted reviewers include the main rival of Hughes during the heyday of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen, and one of the Renaissance's midwives, Jessie Fauset, both reviewing the WEARY BLUES. Cullen criticizes Hughes on being to much a Negro poet instead of just a poet in the Euro-centric sense and its attending influences. Cullen does offer Hughes praise here and there, but for the most part his taste contrasts sharply with Hughes resolutely Afro-centric/racial pride that would form the basis of a lifetime of the bulk of work composed by Hughes despite his being well read in the works of European authors in additon to those of African decent. Reviews of Hughes work to follow are by Sterling Brown, Richard Wright, J. Saunders Redding, Carl Van Vechten, and other lesser known figures lost to history. Sherwood Anderson reviews THE WAYS OF WHITE FOLKS where he feels Hughes may have
been a little to harsh in his depiction of white folks. Considering the all to often negative depiction of black folks in the various arts of the day, at lease Hughes put a more human
face on white folks, an act seldom accorded to black folks in literature by whites of that same time frame. James Baldwin provides the most caustic review of Hughes by way of Hughes SELECTED POEMS. The review hurt and angered Hughes to the point that Hughes never really liked Baldwin to much again. Later in Baldwin's life, he confessed his regret over his review and attested to Hughes' genius.

The second half of the book covers essays written by scholars on Hughes' varied pieces of work. The essays are comprehensive and well written to the point that a simple review cannot do them justice. Instead, one must simply take the time to read each one or each one of interest to him or her. There are ten essays in all of varying length. For me, three interesting ones were those by Arnold Rampersad, Steven Tracy, Raymond Smith, and
Maryemma Graham. Rampersad cites FINE CLOTHES TO THE JEW as representing Hughes at his very best and one never really equaled again by him. Steven Tracy covers the blues influence on the work of Hughes in-depth. Raymond Smith looks at aspects of the life of Hughes in relation to his work. Of note is the fact that Langston Hughes has more in common with blacks of the post integration period and its realities because of the "somewhat" integrated high school he attended as a teenager. Also, mention is made of Hughes steadfast racial pride, the solidarity despite the contrast in realities of blood history between the average African American to the pure blooded African, and Hughes opinion of whites in general, i.e. some being okay (covered in Rampersad's LIFE OF HUGHES Vol. 2.). Maryemma Graham argues that by focusing on the black working class in his literature, Hughes transcended racial subject matter specifically to become a social/proletarian artist in the universal sense. Moreover, Hughes did not adhere to strict socialist doctrine. Rather, he imbued and formed it around the realities of the African American experience to reach this universality. This significant and important characteristic is often ignored or forgotten when discussing the work of Langston Hughes, both poetry and stories, during the 1930s and 40s. As it otherwise existed, the predominantly white dominated left of his day was marred by a degree on general racism in the U.S. that largely ignored or failed to consider the black experience.

This book is quick to praise Arnold Rampersad's two definitive biographies of Langston Hughes. Arnold Rampersad's extremely exhaustive research is represented here in CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES making this and excellent companion to the biographies for anyone able and willing to take time to read this book along side Rampersad's biographies.

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Langston Hughes: Critical Perspectives Past and Present.
Langston]. Gates, Henry Louis Jr. & Appiah, K.A. [HUGHES
Manufacturer: NY: Amistad
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000U2DJHY

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