Cipher Garden, The

Average customer rating:

an engaging second installment

great police procedural

Cipher Garden, The
Martin Edwards
Manufacturer: Poisoned Pen Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

British Detectives | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Coffin Trail, The

The Arsenic Labyrinth

Death in the Garden

The Shape of Sand

Take My Breath Away

ASIN: 1590583167

Book Description

Warren Howe is surprised by a hooded visitor while working in a garden in Old Sawrey, a lovely village in England's Lake District. Soon it is Warren who is deadmurdered with his own scythe. The police identify several suspects, but lack the evidence to make an arrest.

Years later, an anonymous tip sparks the interest of DCI Hannah Scarlett, who heads the local Cold Case Review Team. Warren's wife Tina is accused of killing her husband, although she had an alibi. Hannah's sergeant, Nick Lowther, involved in the original investigation, seems disturbed by her determination to look again at the old crime. And Daniel Kind, the historian, wants to uncover the secret of the strange garden at his own cottage. Enlisting the help of Warren's former business partner, garden designer Peter Flint, he is drawn into the mystery of the murder.

Daniel and Hannah find old sins cast long shadows as they search for the truth. Then there is another horrifying death. Daniel and Hannah piece together the clues that lead to a shocking revelation. But by the time the puzzle is solved, Hannah's life has changed forever.

Customer Reviews:

an engaging second installment.......2006-03-03

While I had enjoyed Martin Edwards' first Hannah Scarlett/Daniel Kind mystery novel, "The Coffin Trail," I had also thought that the book needed serious editing as "The Coffin Trail" focused more on the private lives of Daniel and Hannah rather than on the mystery at hand; also how Daniel was able to intinctively arrive at the right conclusion and so solve the mystery at the very end of the book, was a bit of a letdown. Of course, in the author's defence, he was trying to establish the premise for the series -- why Daniel and his significant other, Miranda, had moved to the Lake District, and why the up-and-coming DCI Hannah Scarlett has been taken off serious crimes and been given cold cases to resolve. So how did the second installment in this series compare to the first? The good news is that it is a much tighter mystery novel, focusing squarely on the suspects of the murder, rather than on the private lives of Daniel and Hannah; but the bad news is that, once again, Daniel solves the case using intuition; and for mystery fans who enjoy trying to figure out who the murderer is along with the ficitonal detectives, this can be very, very trying.

Almost a decade ago, local lothario, Warren Howe, was murdered with his own scythe while working on a client's garden. And although there was no dearth of suspects (including his own long suffering wife, Tina), no arrests were ever made. Now, however, the police have received an anonymous letter naming Tina as Warren's murderer, and thus giving DCI Hannah Scarlett and her cold case squad yet another murder investigation to sink their teeth into. Except that this time, the case comes with a complication -- DCI Scarlett's right hand man, Nick Lowther, was part of the original investigation and is friends with at least two of people involved in this case. And as Hannah and her team begin their investigations, it becomes obvious that everyone connected with this case seems to have secrets to protect. But have these secrets anything to do with the murder of Warren Howe? In the meantime, historian Daniel Kind is enjoying himself putting his cottage and garden to rights. But something about the garden strikes him as rather strange...

While I thought that Martin Edwards hadn't spent enough time developing the mystery subplot in "The Coffin Trail," the true definitely cannot be said of "The Cipher Garden." Here, the entire subplot dealing with Hannah and her team's investigation of Warren Howe as well as the "fleshing out" of characters most involved with the murder and the subplot dealing with Warren's daughter are very well developed and executed. So that it really was a shame that the author chose not to allow for the cold case team to solve the mystery at hand but for Daniel to make the intuitive leap and so figure what happened and why. Also, while I did find the subplot dealing with Daniel's search for more information about the creation of his strange garden interesting, I'm still not too sure how this really fitted in with Hannah's investigation, except perhaps to give Daniel an excuse to poke around. All in all, "The Cipher Garden" was an interesting and absorbing 3 star read, which bodes well for future installments in this series.

great police procedural.......2005-11-02

Though Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Scarlett knows her current assignment is an exile for screwing up the Rao trial and she would rather not be head of the Cold Case Review team, she is proud of the good stats supporting their efforts. A tip-off comes in that claims Tina Howe killed her spouse a "plantsman" Warren using his scythe as a grim reaper in the garden of customer Roz Gleave. Hannah notices the reaction of her Detective Sergeant Nick Lowther of relief. Though they have little new to go on, Hannah decides to reopen the investigation, which she notices upsets Nick, who was part of the original investigation.

At the same time, the police begin making new inquiries, historian Daniel Kind decides to look into the strange garden by his cottage. He hires landscaper Peter Flint, Warren's partner, to obtain insight. As the police homicidal case and the historian's curiosity connect, Hannah and Daniel seek the truth even as a fresh murder occurs to keep everything concealed.

The Howe cold case investigation is one of the best police procedurals of this always exciting series as a still in exile DCI Scarlett wonders why DS Lowther fails to use his poker face to hide his feelings with every newly discovered clue. While probing for clues, Hannah wonders who Nick is protecting and whether he and others suppressed evidence when they first investigated the case. Fans will appreciate this particular who-done-it because of the moral dilemma that the heroine expects to eventually face at the end of the inquiries.

Harriet Klausner

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The Kid's Code and Cipher Book
Nancy Garden
Manufacturer: Linnet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Writing | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

The Kid's Code and Cipher Book
Nancy Garden
Manufacturer: Linnet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

The Kids' Code and Cipher Book
Nancy Garden
Manufacturer: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

The latest in the eerie, spine-tingling Dark¥Matter series.

Two agents from a covert organization specializing in the paranormal are looking for their partner, who has mysteriously disappeared. Along the way, they run into a charismatic Nazi leader who is seeking to make the ultimate "super race." The two agents not only discover that their lost partner is already undergoing The Process, but that the leader is himself an ubermensch-well over 100 years old and going strong!

Book Description

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an extremely debilitating condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. In The PTSD Workbook, readers determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, and learn effective techniques and interventions to overcome them. They start with the exercise best suited to relieve their worst symptom then progress to less troubling symptoms, picking up key information about PTSD along the way.

Customer Reviews:

The PTSD Workbook.......2007-09-02

I think it is a helpful tool for people who suffer from PTSD like myself.

Excellent Self-Help Resource.......2007-08-10

Do you suffer from PTSD or other effects of traumatic events? Are you a therapist who treats trauma survivors? Are you involved in a self-help group for trauma victims? This book will help trauma survivors overcome traumatic stress through a variety of useful exercises, questionnaires, journaling, and more. I've recommended this book to several patients and we've worked through many of the processes in partnership, since frequently working these exercises without the assistance of a therapist can be emotionally challenging. While the information is excellent in itself, I prefer to combine it with therapeutic techniques not covered in the book. Fred P. Gallo, PhD, author of Energy Tapping for Trauma: Rapid Relief from Post-Traumatic Stress Using Energy Psychology

Works well alongside therapy.......2007-07-29

I had been through therapy a few years back for a childhood trauma and thought I had put those things behind me. When they popped back up again, I found this book. Because I had been through therapy before, I was able to go through the book alone without any difficulty and with great success. It's well written, has great supports written into it if you've had the background of therapy. I wouldn't recommend it if you have never had a therapist. You do need the safety net of a therapist if you have ever had flashbacks happen to you. They can be a scary thing to go through. The part on triggers was extremely helpful, and enabled me to determine what was triggering my episodes, which actually recovered memories I didn't even realize were bothering me, which lead to more healing. The book is written so that all parts aren't applicable to everyone, but that's the joy of it. For a trauma victim, it's a keeper, because there are parts you use now, and there are parts you may use later. It's set up to be used in pieces, not from cover to cover. It's a great discovery tool. Some memories may not seem like they're worth discovering, but some are. When they had us set up an imaginary safe pace in our minds to go to when things got scary, and asked who was there, I realized I always felt the safest when my grandfather was around, who died in 1991. I dug out a picture of him and put it up in my hallway. This book is definitely my best purchase.

Finally being validated.......2007-07-21

In Dec 2 2002 I was working with fire & police-I had a horrendeous accident I remember going to the trauma room doors and see alot of my coworkers but not remembering why I was there. I hadthe worst headache I had ever had but could not feel my legs or arms from my neck down. I was also left with transient blindness. They told me that boxes of copy paper had fallen on my head neck back and legs. I prayed for my LOrd to take me home. My husband and friends came by and prayed for me. I left the hospital in a very deep depression. A friend told me about the PTSD workbook. I would study and try to research this book-plus go to my counseling sessions. It has really helped.

It's okay . . ........2007-06-26

This workbook is useful for creating handouts and generating ideas. However, it is inadequate as a treatment program in and of itself. That being said, I doubt the author meant it to be used in that manner. Overall, if you work with patients struggling with trauma, this will make a useful addition to your library.

Amazon.com

David Rosengarten, creator of the Rosengarten Report, a newsletter reporting on all the latest food goodies to be found online, has combined the need to shop and the need to entertain and called it David Rosengarten Entertains. It's a party cookbook chock-a-block with where to buy it information and how to make it directions for the entertaining with food challenged.

There are 16 theme parties and they encircle the world: Spanish tapas, Italian pizza, Japanese tempura, Tunisian couscous, Texas BBQ, French bouillabaisse, Mexican tacos, American hot dogs, Indian tandoor chicken, Argentinian steak, Italian bollito miisto, Cajun gumbo, French cassoulet, Greek kebabs and lamb, Cuban roast pig, and English cucumber sandwiches. In each and every chapter (they all have clever titles such as "Love Me Tandoor," and "A Totally Frank Party") there's some central must-have item-- whether the Spanish jamon, the Texas barbecued brisket, the fresh Indian spices, the best steak, etc., and Rosengarten tells you where to shop. This section of the chapter is called The Ingredient. It is preceded by an introduction to the chapter concept called The Plan, followed by potables suggestions under the heading Beverage Time, and finally into the nuts and bolts with The Recipes.

Basically, Rosengarten removes any and all strain from entertaining with food (including the strain of reading--the size of the type makes this book readable from across the kitchen). He declares we are in the Third Epoch of entertaining where it's all about What is Good (if in doubt, he'll tell you). In the First Epoch (1950-1975) it was all about What Sounded Good regardless of truth in tasting. In the Second (1975-2000), What Looked Good was based on trendy restaurant presentation. One is left to wonder about a world of food and entertaining prior to 1950. --Schuyler Ingle

Book Description

As an award-winning Food Network television host, cookbook author, cooking teacher, and food and wine writer, David Rosengarten clearly knows a thing or two about food and drinkânot to mention putting on a great show. Now he brings all three together in an imaginative collection of dinner parties that can transform even a casual get-together into a memorable occasion. Each party features a complete menu of delicious-yet-doable recipes that are centered around a specific food or ethnic themeâa Texas BBQ, Cassoulet ("Show up chez-moi for beans and wienies!"), or a Tapas Time night featuring Spanish Ham and Chorizos. Planning and presentation ideas show how to make a gathering truly special, from table-setting tips to music suggestions and more. Top photographer Quentin Bacon captures the food and the celebratory mood with style and dramatic flair. Throughout the book, Rosengarten is the perfect host, with a style that is as bold, lively, and entertaining as the parties themselves.

Customer Reviews:

Let's Party!.......2005-12-19

Just reading the table of contents got me excited about entertaining. I sometimes feel stymied for great party ideas to keep up with the accomplished hostesses in our neighborhood. Here it is, all laid out for me. Already I can see my friends enjoying Grilled Pizza in the Backyard or a Mexican Street Party. The Devon Cream Tea sounds so special and for really exotic, I must try the Tunisia for Twelve party.
I've not seen the author's TV show on the Food Channel, but apparently he's one of the world's foremost authorities on food, wine and cooking.
The book isn't just recipes, Rosengarten lays out a plan for integrating the food into the party, how to fit the drinks in with the food. Wow, it's a complete package.

Customer Reviews:

Could do better.......2007-05-13

Given the good work I have seen Richard Curtis do I expected better from the book. Although there is some good information re performance, I would have liked to have seen more information on how to achieve the moves. There are better books out there to help with this form of doggy dancing

What Will They Think of Next?.......2006-01-19

I was captivated when I read in the local paper that a Florida group teaches their dogs dance routines. This was something I had to see. Now I find there is a book to teach you how to do this with your own dog.
What a challenge to train your dog to follow a dance routine with you.
Here's the book description from the author's website: "A step by step guide to freestyle which has grown into a highly competitive discipline requiring spot on sense of timing as well as obedience and agility.
In this superbly illustrated guide the author breaks down all the moves from the simplest to the more complex in an easy to read format.
Learn how to perform static, action and crowd pleaser moves.
This hard back book provides everything you need for you and your dog to become the star performers in this exciting sport."

Average customer rating:
Antique Enameled Jewelry (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Dale Reeves Nicholls , and Robin Allison
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Jewelry | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Georg Jensen Jewelry (Published in Association with the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design and Culture)

ASIN: 0764319914

Book Description

Exquisite, exciting, enameled jewelry - powdered glass fused onto metal to create gorgeous, delicate color and detail, beautiful enough to be considered art. Here is the first book to focus exclusively on enameled jewelry, an integral, important, and innovative part of American and European jewelry design at the turn of the 20th century. Attention is given to significant developments in enameling techniques and to the symbolism found in Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts jewelry design during the nineteenth century and later Edwardian and Art Deco styles. Important jewelry manufacturers such as Krementz and Meyle and Mayer are included as well as more modern designers such as David Andersen and Margo de Taxco. Attention is given to the highly collectible Newark, New Jersey, and New York enamels that are often dated c. 1900. Each chapter includes values for many of the pieces illustrated. Over 450 stunning color photographs illustrate this comprehensive volume. This is an important reference for jewelry designers, historians, and collectors.

Designed & Signed: '50S & '60s Glass, Ceramics & Enamel Wares by Georges Briard, Sascha Brasto (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide.)

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George Briard Collectors

Designed & Signed: '50S & '60s Glass, Ceramics & Enamel Wares by Georges Briard, Sascha Brasto (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide.)
Leslie A. Pina
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0887409350

Book Description

Highly collectible household objects designed and signed by name artists of the 1950s and 1960s are presented here. The artists have become well known: Georges Briard, Sascha Brastoff, Mark Bellaire, Frances and Michael Higgins, and others. The modern styles of hundreds of glass tumblers, ash trays, and household accessories that are artist signed(often in gold)have become popular again, 40 years after they were made. The leading designer and marketing wizard of this style is Georges Briard about whom much written here, and many of his designs are pictured, along with much work by the other prominent featured artists. Here is mid-century design at its most popular level.

Customer Reviews:

George Briard Collectors.......2001-08-10

This is the only book I have been able to find on George Briard glassware. Chapter 1, over 50% of the book is devoted to George Briard collectibles. Chapter 2, about 20%, is about Sascha Brastroff. Chapter 3, about 10%, is about Marc Bellaire. Chapter 4, about 15%, is about Higgins. Chapter 5, about 5%, contains more designers and a section showing all of the artists signatures. Each chapter includes the history of each designer. The pictures are absolutely fantastic and include a price range for each item. I have been able to identify and purchase many of the items included in this book. Obviously, this is one of my FAVORITE books. I highly recommend it to any one collecting 50s & 60s glass.

Encyclopedia of Porcelain Enamel Advertising: With Price Guide (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Average customer rating:

Great photographic reference

Encyclopedia of Porcelain Enamel Advertising: With Price Guide (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Michael Bruner
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Antiques & Collectibles | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Art | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Business | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 088740605X

Book Description

Of the many media used by companies to bring attention to their products or services, none seem to have had the overall appeal of porcelain enamel. The process of creating porcelain signs is an art in itself, and the influx of new collectors in the market place attests to porcelain enamel advertising's beauty. Few collectibles are made with such long-lasting properties or have been found in such diversity. With hundreds of full color photographs, this new book will give you an idea of the beauty and diverse graphics that can be found in this very collectible area of Americana. Discover the powerful graphics that were so effective on these signs and see the wide range of advertisers who used the medium. The book is divided by manufacturing design with one chapter devoted to gasoline pump signs, a particularly popular area of collecting. Informative captions include a description, measurements, and the approximate age of the sign. This is simply the best illustrated guide to porcelain enamel advertising ever published, and an important reference to collectors and historians alike.

Customer Reviews:

Great photographic reference.......2000-07-07

This is a very good book for folks starting out in collecting porcelain signs. There are hundreds of photos and it gives you a good idea of the variety of what exists and what to collect. Prices listed are now out of date.

More Porcelain Enamel Advertising (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

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More Porcelain Enamel Advertising (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Michael Bruner
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0764303732

Book Description

In the collectibles world, this durable antique art form is a perfect example of the old "forest for the trees" maxim. Despite their bold designs and colors, only recently have collectors caught on to the value of these antiques of Americana. And the hunt is on. Once posted in every corner of the nation, this durable art form has yet to shed its luster. At the turn of the century, porcelain enamel signs became a standard form of advertising, and they maintained their dominance until the 1970s. Taken down and tucked away, these signs are starting to re-emerge, more valuable than ever. As you page through hundreds of rich color photographs of the signs, learn everything, from how they were made to who was making them, and how many hundreds of dollars they're worth today.

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Antique Enamels for Collectors
Joachim F. RICHTER
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RJK1GC

Average customer rating:

Antique Enamels for Collectors
Joachim F. Richter
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Care & Restoration | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0887402615

Book Description

This book offers collectors and admirers of this beautiful art informative text and splendid photographs. All enameling techniques--from classic to strange--are explained to allow collectors and dealers to organize their treasures correctly. A history of enameling details origins, art history variations, centers of production, styles, notable works, and means of recognition and interpretation. A lexicon explains technical and historical terminology, notes great artists, and makes relationships clear. The brilliant color and black and white photographs show examples of valuable individual works plus everyday objects, jewelry, plique a jour, thimbles, sacred and profane pieces, ornaments, decorations, and utensils. Egyptian, Russian, Chinese, European, and Asian works are featured. In antiquity enamel was just as costly as gold or precious stones. Collecting enamel requires knowledge of history, technology, styles, workmanship, origins, dating, and basic materials--all of which the reader will find here. Antique Enamels for Collectors is an inclusive source of information on enamel, offering the reader fascinating text and stunning photographs that capture the beauty, fragility, and fire of antique enamels.

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ANTIQUE ENAMELS FOR COLLECTORS
Joachim F., author; Deward Force, trans. Richter
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing Atglen, PA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IWLL8A

Book Description

The complete stitch reference for everyone who works needlepoint and canvas embroidery, including most of the known stitches from all over the world. It provides a working text with step-by-step diagrams and an illustration for each stitch, and there is complete information on the tools and accessories of the craft. Full-color and black-and-white photographs.

Book Description

Japanese woodblock prints, or ukiyo-e, occupy a singular position in the lexicon of world art. They enthralled such Western artists as Whistler, Manet, Degas, and van Gogh, and gave rise to a wave of "japonisme" in the salons of Paris, London, and New York that left a lasting impression.

As the successor to previous aristocratic traditions, the ukiyo-e print represents the last flowering of traditional pictorial art before Japan entered the modern era. These "pictures of the floating world" reflected the world of the townspeople of Edo (Tokyo), focusing on the popular entertainments
of the day, landscapes of favored scenic spots, and portraits of well-known geisha, kabuki actors, and sumo stars.

The present volume delves into the history of these unique artistic endeavors, tracing their development from the lavish works commissioned by aristocratic patrons in the sixteenth century to their peak in popularity among the rising merchant class of the flourishing future capital. As the story of
the genre's blossoming unfolds, Mr. Kobayashi's illuminating commentary on all its varied aspects-styles, artists, engravers, printers, and the demands of an insatiable but fickle public-captures the essence of the art and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture of old Japan. With the large
color plates and numerous detailed close-ups accompanying the text, Ukiyo-e: An Introduction is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the exotic world of the Japanese print.

Ukiyo-e: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints.

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Ukiyo-e: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints.
Tadashi. Kobayashi
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000T8M28G

Average customer rating:

Not bad but was lacking all the same.

Familiar story

Terrible book

A Damn Good Book!

Searching for identity

Invisible Woman: Growing Up Black in Germany
Ika Hugel-Marshall
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany

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Blues in Black and White: A Collection of Essays, Poetry and Conversations

ASIN: 0826414516

Customer Reviews:

Not bad but was lacking all the same........2007-09-19

Having read "Destined to Wintess" and finding it one of the best books I have ever read on a subject I was especially interested in considering that being from Europe myself (the UK) We are still know practically nothing about about the history of black German people even though we know so much about the history of Black British, French, Portuguese etc.

I bought this book because unlike Hans Ika was born post World War 2 and grew up in post war Germany, a child who was born from a Black American father and German mother.

Unfortuantly, this book is seriously lacking. The story begins by Ika stating (P14) that she was sterilised (something that only took place during Nazi Germany she was born post war and makes no further mention of this actually being done) That Germany permits Blacks to be "Hunted and struck down" (P15) Harsh words indeed considering we are talking about again, post war Germany.

The book begins with young Ika growing up amongst her mothers family in a small German town, how her mother married a German man and gave birth to a second child Ika younger sister, the book continues to her being sent to a bording school for 'problem children' where she was certainly abused and mistreated to her graduating, finding work and eventually finding her place in society and even her own father.

The problem with the book is there appear to be too many gaps and contradicions to it. She suffers horribly by the nuns at the bording school there is no doubt about that and she is racially abused on numerous occasions but at no point does she mention any friends that she made over the years.

She mentions that she achieved an overwealming majority vote to be elected head of the student body in intermediate school (how could this happen if as Ika would have us believe "All whites are racist, yet do not wish to admit to their own racism" How could she have been put forward? Who were all these people who voted for her? We had been told for almost half the book that every white German she had met (and it was not until she was in her late 30s she met a Black German) was a racist who either did not wish her to exist or did not wish her recognise her existance as a person. This just makes no sense for these self same people to give such an overwealming vote of confidence to her.

She marries a white German yet seem to make no mention during the relationsip the tension she must have surely felt (considering her complete lack of trust of white people and the level of contempt she believed that they had for her)at the begining of the relationship. Rather, she believes it started to gradually fall through later on due to her husband becoming increasingly ashamed of his Black partner. Again the contradition of Ikas childhood to 'falling in love' and marrying this man just dont add up.

Ika goes on to finally meet fellow Afro Germans but again, while being happy to share her experiences with them seems distant and at times condencending towards them. Again she met these same people through white friends but still, she seems steadfast in her near contempt and hatered for white people regarding all without question as racist (now suely an educated woman in her late 30s would have come to a more sensible conclusion that that!)

While the meeting with her father is emotional much of the book rather than alowing the reader to feel sympathy or even share a common bond with her the reader becomes tired of her generalisations, her lack of understanding of others, her refusal to recognise that not everyone shares her history and that she is in fact using the same awful generalisations on others that bigots have used on her.

There are some interesting books out there written by people who have shared some of the emotional trials that Ika has suffered but have come through them a lot more positive than Ika.

I would recomend Cass by Cass Pennant and Destined to Witness. I would not however, recomend this book. Unfortunate as there is so little on Afro German history. I can only hope that more research is done on the subject and something of better quality and value is produced.

Familiar story.......2005-07-14

This was my second time reading this book. The first time i read it, I simply thought, " another tragic mullatto",. There are so many stories about biracial children with identity problems, and frankly, I can't realate to their perceived tragic lives. Now,as an adult who has lived in Boston and traveled throughout Europe, this story is definitely enlightening. Sometimes, AA think that being black in America is so hard and perceived racism is in every slight or insensitive remark. However, her story is truly a story of real, not imagined racism, nothing most AA, even during that time could possibly know. We know racism, but to experience the kind of instituional racism from family members like the author did, is incomprehensible, and to do it alone is unbelievable. We have always had entire communities of people who we can share stories of racism and triumphs with, she had absolutely no one, not even her mother was strong enough to protect her from the cruelty of her environment. She is defintely a hero, to have survived and not feel hatred toward an entire country. What a courageous, strong forgiving person. This should be required reading for every student.

Terrible book.......2004-01-14

This book was terrible. All the author does is whine. After the first few chapters it gets tiring to keep reading about how everything that goes wrong in her life is because of white people. There were times in the book where people tried to give her constructive advice, but the author dismisses it as "racism." I'll bet she was a pain in the rear to deal with and that has nothing to do with her skin color. I'd also bet that there were other children in that boarding school that were white and illegitimate and suffered just as much as she did. A white guy married her, so how bad could it have been? I was never so glad to end a book and am tossing it into the trash.

A Damn Good Book!.......2002-12-14

This is the only book that ever made me shed a tear. All I can say is "READ IT!" It's a truly inspiring story.

Searching for identity.......2002-11-01

I read this book in the original German edition and thus don't know how well the English edition conveys this example of a very "German" post-war destiny. Ika was a 'Besatzungskind' a very negative and subjective term for a child born to a German mother and (most commonly) a G.I. father of the "occupation forces". Her story is just one of a whole babyboomer generation of both white, and mixed-race children - and what a sad story it is, particulary of those little "Black Germans"! Ika's coerced removal from her mother and placement into a Christian institution was a common occurance for 'illegitimate' children of any description. The mothers of Black children were seen as nothing more than whores who were not fit to raise the children they should not have had in the first place. The racially motivated mental and physical abuse that Ika endured makes for painful reading - particularly since the abuse was carried out (as it often was) in the name of Christ and for her salvation. That Ika grew strong, beautiful she is today is a testimony to her strength of character and indomitable spirit. I was so happy for her that she did manage to find her father and come to terms with her struggle over identity. With the growth in recent years of Afro-German associations I hope that many more stories like Ika's will be published. They will give voice to that previously invisible 'Stolen Generation' who now, in middle-age are finally given a change to come to terms with their unique identity.

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