Meditations from Steerage - Two Whaling Journal Fragments

Customer Reviews:

Comfortable Conversation with Golfing Great.......2006-09-12

Nelson truly is a golfing gem, one that gets somewhat lost in all the current player hype. But this is likely due to media hype, not the players; they are humble around the like of Lord Byron, and most if not all big names play the King's, the Bear's and the Nelson's tournaments.

Here is record of his life and it truly sounds like the man we have learned to like and hear on TV. Downhome, country boy, who really wanted to earn enough money to buy a ranch, which he did. In doing so, he had some amazing golf, the statistics and some of the records are still there. Might be so for quite some time.

Fascinating how he is part of game most don't know, i.e. invent of good golf shoes and Footjoy connection and also the golf umbrella. Around the Hogan's since caddying youth, this guy is legend worth becoming familiar with. His humility, grace and fervor for the game are truly a treat to read about. The tournament that bears his name is what he refers to as biggest golfing thing that ever happened to him, for the joy of helping the kids. Truly an athleter to be emulated.

Worth your time.......2003-01-07

This is simply a straightforward account of Nelson's life by The Man himself. It's primary focus is his poor-as-dirt childhood and rise to stardom on the PGA Tour, culminating in The Streak of eleven straight wins in 1945 (he retired the next year). His television work is also covered, as is the death of his wife of 50 years and subsequent remarriage, but the primary focus is on his rise to stardom and retirement to ranching. It turns out that he doesn't have hemophilia as I'd always heard, nor did he retire because his "nervous stomach" couldn't take the stress of competition. The big virtue of the book is that it's written in a homey style that makes you feel as though Nelson is right there speaking to you in his Texas twang. It was written with assistance from his second wife, and it reads as though she must have been transcribing tapes. There is very little discussion of swing theory and no tips to help your game, but it's fascinating if you have an interest in what it took to make a living in professional golf in the 1930s and 1940s. It should be required reading for today's pampered pros who make more for one fifth-place finish than Nelson made in his entire career as one of the all-time greats. He comes across as an extremely decent, religious man that you would've liked to have known.

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How I Played the Game: An Autobiography
Byron Nelson
Manufacturer: Taylor Trade Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books

Golf | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1589793226

Book Description

Byron Nelson is golf's greatest living legend. He is one of the finest golfers ever to pick up a putter, and the man who had the most magnificent year any golfer ever had--1945, when he won an incredible eighteen PGA tournaments, including eleven in a row, and finished second in seven others. How I Played the Game is the beautifully told tale, in his own words, of a man determined to be the best ever.

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How I Played The Game: An Autobiography
Byron Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JQONDK

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I don't understand the negative reviews

A confused mess

maamaa ne

Japanvisitor Review

Jazz Up Your Japanese with Onomatopoeia: For All Levels
Hiroko Fukuda
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Japanese | Foreign Language | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books
Japanese | Instruction | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Public Speaking | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese: A Vocabulary Builder (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Love, Hate and Everything in Between: Expressing Emotions in Japanese (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Japanese Core Words and Phrases: Things You Can't Find in a Dictionary (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Basic Connections: Making Your Japanese Flow (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Beyond Polite Japanese: A Dictionary of Japanese Slang and Colloquialisms (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

ASIN: 477002956X

Book Description

Onomatopoeia is one of the most outstanding features of the Japanese language. Its acquisition is essential for students who wish to speak (or understand) natural Japanese, read literature or manga, or watch anime in the original. The problem is that Japanese onomatopoeic words are so
different from their English equivalents (words such as pop, bang, splat, and squeak) that they are extremely hard to remember and put into practice.

The book begins with an introduction that outlines what "onomatopoeia" means in both English and Japanese. It covers sound and meaning in general, onomatopoeia in English, sound symbolism in English and Japanese, Japanese onomatopoeia and mimesis, types of Japanese onomatopoeia, grammatical
functions of Japanese onomatopoeia, Japanese written forms, and how new Japanese onomatopoeic words are formed (for example, in manga).

This introductory material is all-important, for without the overall picture it presents, students are forced to learn Japanese onomatopoeia by rote, one word at a time, as if each was unique unto itself, as if each had no logical connection with any other word, and as if Japanese onomatopoeia was a
huge, ugly hodgepodge instead of the beautiful, well-organized microcosm that it is.

However, this introduction alone would not suffice to produce fluency. Onomatopoeia must be seen in action for that to happen. This is done in the second part of the book, which consists of eleven situational dialogues that allow students to eavesdrop on Japanese speaking the way they do in real
life. The dialogues are given in Japanese script (with furigana over all kanji), romanization, and English translation. Each example of onomatopoeia that appears in the dialogue has its own commentary, including definitions, usage, and two or more sample sentences. Cultural notes are given when they
help to clarify the situation presented in the dialogue. Each dialogue is followed by a quiz.

With its edifying introduction and lively dialogues, Jazz Up Your Japanese with Onomatopoeia: For All Levels will, without a doubt, help students come to grips with this intriguing aspect of the Japanese language, whether they be intermediate students who can benefit from seeing onomatopoeia used in
a variety of situations or beginning students who, as they slowly add new onomatopoeia to their vocabulary, will profit from seeing how these words fit into a larger, fully developed scheme. The book will also, whatever the level, make Japanese much more fun to study.

Previously published in Kodansha International's Power Japanese series under the title Flip, Slither, & Bang: Japanese Sound and Action Words (1993). Now with a new introduction and quizzes.

Customer Reviews:

I don't understand the negative reviews.......2006-05-14

This is really a very good supplement to more traditional studies. The onomatopoeia here I have used with native Japanese speakers and all are understood and expressive.

I study Japanese to talk to my peers, to go out drinking, to watch and understand television, to tell jokes and offer conjecture. I don't study the language in order to make hotel reservations or constantly conjugate in an unnaturally polite fashion. Likewise, I spend time in Osaka and Nara, where people say "okini" and "nanbo", so the occasional kansai-ben is welcome.

Just this week I memorized casual sentances like "You don't look so hot", "When I got up this morning i felt a little woozy", "yeah, it's the pits all right" and "It's not like I drank too much last night - maybe I'm getting old". Do these really NOT sound useful? Do you never hear this sort of language in English?

These dialogues are AUTHENTICALLY casual, and they alternate between male and female. As a supplement that absolutely ROCKS - after all, 99% of Japanese-language learning material is polite and contrived... great for learning grammar and basic structure, but once you get to Japan you realize you can't understand anyone.

I was in New York and I used the phrase "shimijimi" with a Japanese woman and she smiled and asked - "How do know THAT? I don't even know how to say that in English." The sentence I used translated as "I was getting a little sentimental..."

This is a SUPPLEMENT, not a textbook, and a fairly advanced one, but emminently usable. It takes work to memorize and put into practice, but when I used 'berobero' and 'gongon' in conversations my friends unanimously agreed that Japanese folks use these phrases all the time. What else could you want?

this book was previously published as "Flip, Slither and Bang", which was a physically smaller edition, easier just to drop in a pocket. I would recommend this if you plan on hanging out in Japan, spending time with friends - it might be too much if you just need ask where the bathroom is.

A confused mess.......2005-10-15

This book can be useful for learning onomatopoeia words but you can quite easily find them in a good dictionary.

The big problem with this book is its simply takes the Japanese language and tries to conjure up a sentence so complex that its just boderline stupid. The realtiy is that no japanese person I have ever met talks in such a ridiculous manner and you'll simply make yourself look stupid talking like this.

For example a sentence like; "my wife always bawls me out because I'm no good at pinching pennies"

seriously, who talks like that in real life? Nobody. This book could have given examples that made use of the onomatopoeia's without making the sentence sound so ridiculously silly and over the top.

Unless you're an experienced student with a desire to conjure up the most silly and ridiculous sounding sentences imaginable you'd be best to avoid this book

maamaa ne.......2004-05-17

This book claims to be "For all levels," which in my opinion it isn't. It also claims to be a book on Japanese onomatopoeia.

The Japanese sentences are in my opinion way too hard to a beginning student, so if your Japanese is still very basic it is of limited usefulness.

50% of the dialogue in chapter 2 is in kansai dialect, which i find a bit tedious. If i wanted to learn kansai-ben I'd buy a book on it (infact i'm planning to).

The biggest annoyance however is the inclusion of romaji, which is near universal in books on Japanese-language. (but 2 wrongs doesn't make 1 right so i allow myself to complain about this too). Each dialogue is first presented in Japanese script with furigana, then a romaji version, and then English. If there'd been no romaji version in between I wouldn't have had to keep flipping pages all the time to get to the English translation. It's a matter of course that people who don't even know kana can't possibly benefit much from this book. (assuming they're as new to speaking and listening as they are to writing and reading.)

That's it for the negative stuff. Anyhow, I do strongly recommend this book to intermediate students of Japanese who're looking to improve both their understanding of the nature of Japanese onomatopoeia, and their vocabulary. I would've given it 5 stars had it not been for the ulcer-inducing romanization, the somewhat lack of focus at times, etc.

Japanvisitor Review.......2003-11-11

Originally published by Kodansha as Flip, Slither and Bang: Japanese Sound and Action Words as part of their Power Japanese series, this volume has undergone a makeover for the 21st century. Fukuda has added a useful overview introduction, and revision quizzes, both of which should help key Japanese onomatopoeia stick in your head.

And there's a lot to remember. While Japanese has appropriated Chinese script for most of its conceptual words, and promiscuously borrowed from English and other languages for more recent phenomena such as computers, it can be proud of the homegrown nature of its pervasive onomatopoeia - not to mention their expressive `punch'. While in English, such words are often associated with animal noises and children's tales, Japanese uses onomatopoeia widely, in anything from literature to everyday adult conversations, and to express everything from a simple sound to a complex emotional state. What English often uses metaphor to express, Japanese gets across with onomatopoeia. Wanwan may indeed be the sound of a Japanese doggy, but mukamuka means seriously cheesed off, gennari means worn out, and sesseto means as regular as clockwork. Adult enough for you?

Fukuda's introduction helps the learner contextualise the different forms and uses of Japanese onomatopoeia. This, along with an overall book structure based around situational dialogues, creates a fairly structured learning approach. As usual with a book focusing on one aspect of language, there is the temptation to pack in as many target expressions as possible until the dialogues become a bit buyobuyo (bloated). But apart from this, the language is very natural (in fact, `too' natural for the beginner, who should first be learning standard Japanese verb forms, for instance). The dialogues are followed by clear explanations of the target onomatopoeia and example sentences. All text is provided in original Japanese (with furigana readings) plus an English translation, while the dialogues also come in a romanised form for the less able reader. Helpful cultural notes are also scattered throughout the text.

The quizzes at the end of each section review the onomatopoeia, and the handy indexes allow you to find both Japanese and English definitions, so you can locate a particular expression you've heard in Japanese, or find an equivalent for the English concept you want to get across, independently of the dialogue contexts. Note though that this book is not a substitute for a dictionary of onomatopoeia, as it chooses to be selectively detailed rather than comprehensive.

Jazz Up Your Japanese with Onomatopoeia is subtitled For All Levels, which I think is a little ambitious, as much of the material would be overwhelming for neophytes. But this very density of information is a boon for the more advanced student. It will reward close study by significantly enhancing your knowledge of an underemphasised aspect of Japanese language that in many ways embodies the Japanese mindset.

Product Description

Produced in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Color reproductions.

Raphael's cartoons in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, and the tapestries for the Sistine Chapel,

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Raphael's cartoons in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, and the tapestries for the Sistine Chapel,
John K. G Shearman
Manufacturer: Phaidon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0714814504

Book Description

Most pet owners keep their veterinary records in a single place and up until now, a generic notebook has had to do the trick. But with this guided journal based on our popular book The Dog Owner's Manual monitoring the performance of your pet is easier than ever! This spiral-bound journal features space for recording:
- Unit specifications
- Medications and vaccinations
- Service provider visits

Chock-full of technical tips, schematic diagrams, and frequently asked questions plus a special envelope for storing licenses and medical receipts this maintenance log is an invaluable accessory for any pet owner.

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Dog Owner's Maintenance Log 8pk
David Brunner
Manufacturer: Quirk Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 159474047X

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Dog Owner's Maintenance Log
David Brunner
Manufacturer: CHRONICLE BOOKS (HI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K7E27K

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Stamp Resource!.......2004-04-09

For a collector of USA and Canadian stamps of 30 years this catalog is simply the best. Not only is it complete, accurate, but also diverse. First, the size of the book makes it easy to read and access. The various values of grades, average, fine, very fine, never hinged are included along with used, mint, blocks, sheets, and cover values. Scott numbers and BW images of nearly every stamp issued is included. Beside regulars and commemoratives, it includes air, duck, revenue and other issues. Highly recommend for beginners as it has good index, glossary, explanations of errors and differences and history. The values listed are reasonable to current market pricing.

Average customer rating:

A VERY USEFUL BOOK.

Demystifies house plant care

Invaluable

The bast book for house plant hobbyists I have ever seen.

Great plant reference book

Success With Houseplants
Reader's Digest Editors
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
House Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual: Essential Gardening Know-How for Keeping (Not Killing) More Than 160 Indoor Plants

ASIN: 0895770520

Customer Reviews:

A VERY USEFUL BOOK........2007-04-16

I am not a great fan of Reader's Digest (a personal thing), but I do feel they have a very good product with this book. I have had it for a number of years and there have been very few times that, when I had a question concerning house plants, this work could not provide the answer. Like anything else, this work in not by any means all inclusive, but it is quite a valuable resource when used with some of the other excellent books addressing this subject on the market. Information here is concise. The illustrations are quite good and the book is easy to use. This is certainly one you will want to add to your gardening library.

Demystifies house plant care.......2003-08-14

I've had this book for about ten years, and have used it more than any of my many other plant reference books. Tons of plants, great illustrations, concise, well organized. Any time a new plant enters my household I use this book to get better acquainted. Just came to Amazon thinking it would be a great gift for my friend and was disappointed to see that its out of stock (or out of print?). I hope I can track down a copy somewhere else...

Invaluable.......2000-02-27

The best resource book I've found. Concise, excellent pictures, easy to use. Many of my fellow house plant owners wish they had this book on their shelves. Hope a reprint is coming soon.

The bast book for house plant hobbyists I have ever seen........1999-08-27

I have used this book for at least fifteen years as a guide to my greenhouse management and have found it indespensible. My son has just built a small greenhouse. I'd like to give him a copy, so I hope the publisher will reprint it. It is invaluable.

Great plant reference book.......1998-12-03

This is a wonderful plant reference book for the beginner or for the expert. It covers everything you would want to know about any specific houseplant, a picture of the plant, its common name as well as its "plant" name, pest problems, etc. It is terrific!!! I wish it was still available as I need another copy for a gift.

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Success With Houseplants

Manufacturer: Landoll
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1569876983

Product Description

Discover the secrets of growing flourishing houseplants. Practical advise on fertilizing and repotting. How to maintain healthy foliage and glorious flowers. Tips on choosing plants to suit each room.

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Success With Houseplants- 4TH PRINTING
Reader's Digest Editors
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VFH3M2

Success With Houseplants: The Down-To-Earth Guide to Indoor Foliage Plants

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Success With Houseplants: The Down-To-Earth Guide to Indoor Foliage Plants
Chuck Crandall
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0877010676

Success With: Houseplants (Success with Gardening)

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Success With: Houseplants (Success with Gardening)

Manufacturer: Murdoch Books UK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

House Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1853919209

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Success with Houseplants
Lesley Young
Manufacturer: Landoll Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000T8X52S

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Success with Houseplants
Lesley Young
Manufacturer: Landoll s
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000T8NWGW

Customer Reviews:

Variety Plus!.......2006-06-20

This book has something for everyone looking for unique and creative ideas. Includes a great assortment of 35 beautifully- photographed projects each with detailed and easy to follow instructions. Mediums used are wood and fabric. There is also a really cool chapter outlining a nice variety of "Finishing Touches" on projects such as: tiling a colorful bathroom backsplash, mosaic pots, making a wind chime and many more.

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