Parasite Rex : Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures

Amazon.com

Many books provoke a visceral reaction, but few really make you itch. Science writer Carl Zimmer's Parasite Rex does just that, provoking a deliciously creepy sense of paranoia in the reader as it explores a long-misunderstood realm of science. While entomologists love to announce that there are more species of insects than all other animals combined, few parasitologists choose to trump that by reminding us that "parasites may outnumber free-living species four to one." That figure is based on the multicellular chauvinism of the 19th century, which excludes bacteria and fungi from consideration (athlete's foot, anyone?), but Zimmer looks at the E. coli in our guts as well as the worms, flukes, mites, and other critters that earn a healthy living at our expense--and the expense of our domesticated plants and animals.

The author traveled to Africa to see firsthand the effects of sleeping sickness and river blindness. He learned from physicians and researchers that the parasites that wreak so much havoc are much more than the simple degenerates we've taken them for. Their complex adaptations to their environments--us--are as lovely and awe-inspiring as any eye or wing. The examples of hormonal and other behavioral control of hosts, causing changes in feeding habits and other life essentials, are chilling when personalized. Zimmer knows his subject well, and his writing, while robust and affecting, never descends to the all-too-easy gross-out. You wouldn't expect to find respect for a tapeworm, but Parasite Rex will show you how beautiful Earth's truly dominant life forms are. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE parasites control the minds of their hosts, sending them to their destruction.
IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE parasites are masters of chemical warfare and camouflage, able to cloak themselves with their hosts' own molecules.
IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE parasites steer the course of evolution, where the majority of species are parasites.
WELCOME TO EARTH.

For centuries, parasites have lived in nightmares, horror stories, and in the darkest shadows of science. Yet these creatures are among the world's most successful and sophisticated organisms. In Parasite Rex, Carl Zimmer deftly balances the scientific and the disgusting as he takes readers on a fantastic voyage. Traveling from the steamy jungles of Costa Rica to the fetid parasite haven of southern Sudan, Zimmer graphically brings to life how parasites can change DNA, rewire the brain, make men more distrustful and women more outgoing, and turn hosts into the living dead.

This thorough, gracefully written book brings parasites out into the open and uncovers what they can teach us about the most fundamental survival tactics in the universe.

Download Description

For decades parasites were the pariahs of science, considered too aberrant and insignificant to study. Only recently have biologists begun to appreciate that these diverse and complex organisms are the most highly evolved life forms on earth. In this compelling, gracefully written work of popular science, Carl Zimmer takes us on a tour of the strange and bizarre world that parasites inhabit -- and delightfully recounts the fantastic voyages of these wonders of creation.

Parasites can: rewrite DNA; rewire the brain; genetically engineer viruses as weapons; and turn healthy hosts into the living dead. From a lab in California where the grisly secrets of parasitic wasps are coming to light, to remote Sudan, where the subtle horror of sleeping sickness is threatening millions of lives, Parasite Rex follows researchers in parasitology, one of the hottest fields in biology, as they attempt to penetrate the mysteries of these omnipresent creatures who control evolution, ecosystems, and perhaps the future of the human race. It is life science at its most thrilling -- by a writer who, according to John Horgan, "brings evolutionary biology to life more vividly than anyone in recent memory".

Customer Reviews:

Very interesting and important, if a bit plodding.......2007-09-24

The book its an excellent review of the parasites among us. It also does not miss any key topics, although some of them it glosses over a bit. For example, the chapeter on how these criters beat our immune system could have been much better and more detailed, particularly as this was for me one of the key quesitons I had as I continued to read. While we are told that basically it is too costly for organisms to proof themselves against even particular parasites, that was never explained in sufficient detail. On the whole, however, it covers the important parasite concepts and the evolutionary twists and turns in the battle between parasites and their hosts, and responsibly differentiates scientific speculation from experimental fact.

Perhaps the biggest flaw in the book is the lack of diagrams and its minimal number of photos. One of the coolest things about parasites is how gross they are and I wanted to see more of them. Also the same parasites seemed to keep coming up as examples of everything. Perhaps there are only so many types of parasites so it just doesn't matter whether one discusses blood flukes of humans or some other animal. But the book makes bold statements about how much more diverse parasites are than so called "free living" organisms, so it seemed a bit weird to continually be presnted with the "usual suspects" as examples of each of the parasitic principles.

The writing is clear and well organized, but goes on too long and is repetitive in places. This would probably have been a better book if were 30 pages shorter. But that's a quibble.

On the whole, a very good book that should interest anyone interested in natural systems and evolution, and parasites in particular.

Amazing.......2007-07-12

This book literally changed how I view EVERYTHING. It is as incredible as it is scary. Fantastic work, Mr. Zimmer.

Plenty of Bugs to Creep You Out .......2007-03-19

Wow. That's all I really need to say about "Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures" by Carl Zimmer. The book is gross and alarming, and you simply cannot stop reading it for a second. Malaria-spreading mosquitoes, elephantiasis-causing worms, gender-altering slugs, and all sorts of creepy things that turn their hosts into zombies or free meals or living cocoons for their young are the "heroes" of this nonfiction work, which talks about how each parasite has adapted to survive in our world.

"Parasite Rex" is easy to read and incorporates a lot of ecology and physiology, both written in a clear and understandable way. Plus, there are some nasty photos with even nastier captions (1.3 billion people have hookworms inside them). This book is a fascinating read for anyone of any age, no matter if they are interested in parasites or not. Believe me, once you read it, you will see parasites (and the workings of the human body) in a completely different light. Highly recommended.

Lovely........2006-10-17

Carl Zimmer, Parasite Rex (The Free Press, 2000)

The Free Press has a tendency to put out important books full of thick, barely readable language that make one consider, say, spending a few evenings on the rack as acceptable alternative entertainment. Parasite Rex is not one of them. It's an important book, yes, but it's also a fascinating one. It's readable, which is something uncommon not only in Free Press titles, but in nonfiction in general, and even if there were nothing else to make it stand out from the crowd, that would make this an above-average book by itself.

It is not, however, the only thing that bumps the rating on this one up a tad. It's a fun book, pure and simple. "Fun" is, perhaps, not the word that immediately springs to mind when talking about a book that explores the world of, to be vulgar about it, the creepy-crawly. But Zimmer approaches his subject with an enthusiasm (and, at times, a revulsion he doesn't keep hidden, much to the annoyance of at least one of his interviewees) that's, if you'll pardon the pun, infectious. Parasites have gotten a bad name over the years, since early scientists thought of them as animals going backwards on the evolutionary scale, and it's Zimmer's mission here to dispel that myth by showing some of the many interesting ways in which various species of parasite have evolved along with their hosts over the years. The picture he paints is incredible.

More to the point, however, is the cautionary tale underlying the book, the one where Zimmer points out that, on a microscopic level, some of the things we humans do to get rid of parasites have the same effect on our bodies that the introduction of rabbits and cane toads to Australia did on the ecosystem there (for example, Zimmer draws an interesting parallel between the increasing effectiveness of the fight against intestinal parasites and the explosive rise of Crohn's Disease). Yes, Zimmer argues, there are some nasties that we'd be much better off without, because when we contract them, they kill us outright. But we should get to know our parasites a little more before deciding they're all out to take over the world. It's the kind of hypothesis one doesn't hear too often, and Zimmer presents it in such a way that the reader is beguiled into listening. Nice work, this. *** ½

creepy, horrifying, fascinating.......2006-09-07

I picked up this book to read after seeing a science show on television about snails whose brains were controlled by parasites. These creatures were actually visible to the eye, inside the antenna of the snails! In "Parasite Rex", Carl Zimmer tells the grotesque and horrifying and astonishing ways that parasites affect our world. The adaptations these organisms have made to survive and reproduce are amazing, and some of them could not be rivaled by the imagination of H.P. Lovecraft. In addition to accounts of strange and creepy parasites, Carl Zimmer explains how hosts and parasites have evolved to depend on each other, parasites actually making the host's survival possible or performing a service for the host. Mitocondria are likely to have started out as a parasite in forms of early life. The book is very well written, very interesting, and I feel that I learned a lot about my body and my environment by reading it.

Working on the Edge: Surviving in the World's Most Dangerous Profession : King Crab Fishing on Alaska's High Seas

Average customer rating:

Great read!
Sincere and full of insight
Working on the Edge (crab fishing)
Working on the Edge - a review
Solid

Working on the Edge: Surviving in the World's Most Dangerous Profession : King Crab Fishing on Alaska's High Seas
Spike Walker
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0312060025

Customer Reviews:

Great read!.......2007-09-02

This book is a great add-on, if you are a fan of the deadliest catch on the discovery channel. It gives a true account of how the crab boom started and the crazy amount of money you could make in just a 29 day season. I really enjoyed this book and would recomend it to anyone who likes to read about adventure situations.

Sincere and full of insight.......2007-08-28

I literally devoured the book. If you love the sea, and had some experience with it, it will be very easy to fully understand the powers that these people where facing. The story shows in a very plain manner the continuous struggle of mankind in order to take advantage of the earth's resources. It shows many aspects of human nature: Love for the sea. Thirst for adventure and freedom. GREED, and what men can face in order to satisfy it. And (something that people who have been in the sea for a while completely understand), the incredibly simple and strong relationship that develops between crewmates.
I enjoyed very much reading this book

Working on the Edge (crab fishing).......2007-08-20

I bought this book for my husband because he loves the tv show - actually, so do I! Anyway, he loved the book and is already asking me when I am going to order him more Spike Walker books. By the way, my husband doesn't usually like to read so I was particularly impressed that he liked this book.

Working on the Edge - a review.......2007-07-23

This book about Alaskan crab fishing is somewhat dated, but it gives a wonderful first-hand account of what crab fishing was like 20 + years ago.

Solid.......2007-07-23

This book offers its reader the opportunity to experience the life an Alaskan crabber at a slightly more in-depth level than just "Deadliest Catch." It is a narrative that sequencely takes you through the exciting "glory days" of the crab industry. The book is full of interesting facts and insights; however, the style flows like a suspense as you await each amazing event of these true stories.

The World's Most Dangerous Animals (Atomic)

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The World's Most Dangerous Animals (Atomic)
Paul Mason
Manufacturer: Raintree
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1410924858

Book Description

How many people are killed by sharks each year? Can a bear run faster than a human? From killer bees to poison frogs to dangerous sea creatures, readers will get a thrill from reading about these incredibly dangerous animals. This title utilizes the explanation text type.

The Beastly Book: 100 Of the Worlds Most Dangerous Creatures

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The Beastly Book: 100 Of the Worlds Most Dangerous Creatures
Jeanne K. Hanson
Manufacturer: Macmillan General Reference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Deadly Beautiful the World's most poisonous Animals & Plants Nature's Killeer s& Poisoners in all their glorious but dangerous beauty

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Deadly Beautiful the World's most poisonous Animals & Plants Nature's Killeer s& Poisoners in all their glorious but dangerous beauty
Laurence Gadd
Manufacturer: Macmillan & Co. Limited London, Printed By R. R. Clark Edinburgh
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JD108E

Living Monsters: The World's Most Dangerous Animals

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Living Monsters: The World's Most Dangerous Animals
Howard Tomb
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Most Dangerous Animal in the World
Charles E. Roth
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The World's Most Dangerous Bugs (Edge Books)

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The World's Most Dangerous Bugs (Edge Books)
Nick Healy
Manufacturer: Edge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0736854568

Atlas of the World's Most Dangerous Animals

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Atlas of the World's Most Dangerous Animals
Paula Hammond
Manufacturer: Chartwell Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0785819908

Average customer rating:

The Most Dangerous Animal In The World
Roth
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOK2C8

Amazon.com

Upon the orders of Kemal Ataturk, the fez replaced the turban as Turkey's national headdress. Outlawed completely in 1925, the turban is viewed as a symbol of Turkish backwardness. While living and teaching in Turkey for several years, Jeremy Seals developed an obsession for the fez, a hat he believes has come to symbolize the soul of the country. Through interviews with villagers and historical essays, Seals chronicles his journey through Turkey, to areas both metropolitan and remote, to find the heart of the country as embodied by its national head gear.

Customer Reviews:

An outsider's view.......2007-02-28

I read through the reviews of this book, and must agree that some historical interpretations (and even some facts) appear to be misguided. That doesn't mean that it is not an enjoyable book.
A fez of the heart wasn't meant to be a history book, it is about the travels of an educated outsider expressing his views about turkey. As a turk, I had to laugh out loud at some of the mistakes he makes in his travels and how he misinterprets (or over analyzes) some of the things he encounters.
What I found to be a redeeming quality of the book is the style it is written in. The framework of the fez makes the whole thing funny and worth a quick read.

Warrior Pistachio.......2007-02-04

In this book Mr. Seal carries on the time-honored tradition of British travel writing by depicting the natives as primitive but hospitable and sometimes friendly monkeys. We read on the back cover of the book that Mr. Seal is fluent in Turkish. This is surprising, given his translation of the name of the city of Gaziantep as "Warrior Pistachio" (see the map on the first few pages). I guess his confusion, if there is any, arises from the type of pistachio sold in markets as "Pistachio from Antep". Also, the name of the city of Menemen is translated as "Omelet", but this is as if one translates the name of the city of Vienna as "Schnitzel". I would be interested in reading Mr. Seal's deep analysis of origin of names of perhaps, Liverpool and Arsenal. All I can say is, Mr. Seal, please first grow up and then write another travel book.

A Fez of the Heart.......2006-11-12

This book really gives the reader the feel of modern Turkey written in a very readable format. Having just been in Turkey in April, this book increased my insight into this fascinating country.

misleading.......2006-05-24

Brits are much more tolerable when they are making fun of themselves. When I finished reading this book, I felt that the author's main objective was to make fun of Turkish people. The book is full of manipulated historical references and mistranslations. Either J. Seal doesn't know Turkish as much as he claims or he deliberately mistranslated words just to be funny. "Menemen" doesn't mean "Omelet" and "Antep" does not mean "Pistachio".

Insanely good.......2005-01-22

Brilliant concept into trying to understand Turkey's bizarre obsession with headgear. And a great pretext into delving into the culture itself. Easily one of the best travel books ever written. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Average customer rating:

Great source of inspiration!

Nice Coffee Table Book

Designers' Self Promotion: How Designers and Design Companies Attract Attention to Themselves

Manufacturer: HBI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Arts | Graphic Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Self-Promotion for the Creative Person: Get the Word Out About Who You Are and What You Do

Get Noticed: Self Promotion for Creative Professionals

Art of Promotion: Creating Distinction Through Innovative Production Techniques

The Best of Brochure Design 8 (Best of Brochure Design)

1,000 Greetings: Creative Correspondence Designed for All Occasions

ASIN: 006621355X

Book Description

As an art director, editor, and international lecturer, Roger Walton is one designer who knows how to get his name out there. In this guide, he helps designers give their careers a spin by providing them with examples of today's most attention-grabbing self-promotional work.

From postcards to elaborate direct mail pieces, this work showcases dozens of unforgettable concepts. Each spread includes technical specs and commentary from the designers on how they developed their ideas and executed their pieces.

Customer Reviews:

Great source of inspiration!.......2006-12-02

By contrast to the previous review, I found this book full of inspirational ideas. It clearly says in the title "over 150 examples of work" and that's what it delivers. If you're looking for visual references to help bust the "block", then purchase this book. Some visual pieces are strange, others clearly master the principals of design such as grids, composition, flow, etc. More experienced designers will benefit most from this title, as the work shown is more "out there" and experimental. If you're interested in expanding your graphic design horizons, this is a must have.

Nice Coffee Table Book.......2006-08-22

I think the title is a bit misleading ... I bought the book thinking it was going to give tips or answer the question "how designers and design companies attract attention to themselves." It does, but only in the form of giving visual examples of what others have done in terms of designing brochures and posters and really just one out of the ordinary method. It was a bit of a let down and not that helpful. I found that one could get the same information from the AIGA web site by scrolling through their design archives.

It would have been nice for it to have shown more variety ... perhaps pens, stationary, gifts, shirts, out of the ordinary branding and such. Here, it's just a collection of images of what others have done, which was nice to look at but to me wasn't really worth the price.

Designers' Self Promotion: How Designers and Design Companies Attract Attention to Themselves

Average customer rating:

Designers' Self Promotion: How Designers and Design Companies Attract Attention to Themselves
Roger Walton
Manufacturer: HBI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OODCYI

Book Description

In vivid and dramatic photographs and with an ardent and lyrical text, this stunning book provides an in-depth look at horses and horse-loving cultures throughout the world. Following the passion that led her to the four corners of the globe, Jacqueline Ripart traces the history of riders and horses. From Mongolia, where the youthful heirs of Genghis Khan race horses in fantastic costumes, to Canada, where real- life cowboys perform in rodeos, and from Spain, home of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Arts, to Japan, where modern-day samurai practice the equestrian martial art of yabusame, and to Argentina, where gauchos ride the versatile criollo horse to herd sheep and cattle on the pampas, Ripart takes readers on a spellbinding tour. Horses of the World reveals how horses are tamed and trained, pampered and paraded, raced and revered the world over.

Average customer rating:

An old standby continues moving along

Pocket Watches

Informative Guide to American watches

Good Price Guide

Great - But

Complete Price Guide to Watches #14: The Professional Standard (Complete Price Guide to Watches)
Cooksey Shugart , and Richard E. Gilbert
Manufacturer: Collector books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Clocks & Watches | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Instant Expert: Collecting Watches (Instant Expert)

100 Years of Vintage Watches: Identification and Price Guide (100 Years of Vintage Watches)

Collector's Encyclopedia of Pendant and Pocket Watches 1500-1950: Identification and Values (Collector's Encyclopedia)

Practical Watch Repairing

Wristwatch Annual 2007 (Wristwatch Annual)

ASIN: 0891456015

Customer Reviews:

An old standby continues moving along.......2007-08-17

This used to be considered the bible of pricing of vintage watches - it is a tremendous piece of work - however many models are missing and prices
need updating as the economy has changed very much in a few short years.
However for the beginner there is no better book to learn and have
a handy reference to save money and not lose it when buying an old watch

Pocket Watches.......2007-07-19

The book is not perfect, but it is a great bargain for the money. It is reasonably easy to use and yet detailed in the descriptions and explanations. I was able to pick out my watches and establish a value very quickly. I used it for all my eBay purchases. I do recommend this book as a great reference for pocket watches.

Informative Guide to American watches.......2007-07-13

This is a practical guide to watches and their prices. It dwells mostly on American pocket watches, and in this aspect it is most informative. It is less so on European pocket watches and wrist watches, but still manages to cover a lot of ground. The pricing seems accurate as a guideline.

Good Price Guide.......2007-07-08

An excellent guide to watch values. Strongest for American Pocket Watches and weaker IMO for European Pocket watches and for wrist watches, particularly Quartz.

Great - But.......2007-04-16

I appreciate the amount of information in the book and the author's time invested in the update.

One of my major interests is in the Hamilton 992B pocket watch. I noticed that the author drastically changed the dates of manufacture related to the serial numbers. This is very disappointing. The 992B has not been made for 40 years. Why is the author changing the information?

I wanted to purchase a 992B for the year I was born. This reference book has let me down in having assurance of when that actual date was. The 992B serial number for my birth year was 490,000-495,000 now it is 516,000-520,000.

This lends me to loose trust in the book as a reference. Was the former information incorrect or the current information? At least an explanation on why the change was made could have been provided.

The Bottom Line: It is an excellent reference but the watch collecting information presented is subject to change - so don't depend on it.

Complete Price Guide to Watches: The Professional Standard (Complete Price Guide to Watches)

Average customer rating:

Complete Price Guide to Watches: The Professional Standard (Complete Price Guide to Watches)
Cooksey Shugart , and Richard E. Gilbert
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Clocks & Watches | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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

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

ASIN: 0891456570

Average customer rating:
Best Garden Plants For Washington And Oregon
Marianne Binetti , and Don Williamson
Manufacturer: Lone Pine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pacific Northwest | Regional | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Perennials for Washington and Oregon

Tree and Shrub Gardening for Washington and Oregon

Gardening Month by Month in Washington and Oregon

Annuals for Washington and Oregon

Month-By-Month Gardening in Washington & Oregon: What To Do Each Month To Have A Beautiful Garden All Year (Month-By-Month Gardening in Washington & Oregon)

ASIN: 1551055066

Average customer rating:

Alright companion book

helpful for the home owner

Very Easy to understand

1,200 Paint Effects for the Home Decorator
Ray Bradshaw
Manufacturer: Writer's Digest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decoration & Ornament | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Painting & Wallpapering | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The North Light Book of Creative Paint Finishing Techniques: Transform Your Home from Floor to Ceiling With These 45 Easy-To-Master Decorative Finishes

ASIN: 0891348166

Customer Reviews:

Alright companion book.......2002-03-27

I had high hopes for this book. 1200 paint effects!!! Holy schmokes!! No. The first 20 pages are nice. They give you the run-down on materials and preparation. However, there is only one small paragraph for each technique and then the next 150 pgs is the same effect over and over in different colors. The last 18 pgs are for special effects. Now, the book may be a good companion book, because it does show you what the effect looks like in different colors; however, you don't see it in a room, just a color swatch. I recommend getting this if you're curious about the swatches. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

helpful for the home owner.......2000-09-19

This is a great book for you if you plan to decorate your home yourself. I found something that I could use for every room in my house and the techniques are explained well and easy to follow. There are many pictures that helped in following the directions that insured that the effect I wanted was achieved. You will love all the various painting techniques

Very Easy to understand.......2000-03-25

The book was great! I painted well after just a few pages... I could have used more pictures but all and all it was an excellent book... highly reccomended..

Book Description

In Critical Moves Randy Martin sets in motion an inquiry into the relationship between dance, politics, and cultural theory. Drawing on his own experiences as a dancer as well as his observations as a cultural critic and social theorist, Martin illustrates how the study and practice of dance can reanimate arrested prospects for progressive politics and social change.
From experimental and concert dance to more popular expressions, Martin engages a range of performances and demonstrates how a critical reflection on dance helps promote fluency in the language of mobilization that political theory alludes to yet rarely speaks. He explores how Bill T. Jones’s Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Promised Land defies attempts to separate social ideas from aesthetic concerns and celebrates multiculturalism in the face of a singular national culture; he studies the choreography in rapper Ice Cube’s video “Wicked,” which confronts racialized depictions of violent crime; and he discusses how racial difference is negotiated by analyzing a hip hop aerobics class in a nonblack environment.
Revealing how mastery of modern dance technique teaches an individual body to express cultural difference and display its intrinsic diversity, Critical Moves concludes with a reflection on the contribution dance studies can make to other fields within cultural studies and social sciences. As such it becomes an occasion to rethink the terms of history and agency, multiculturalism and nationalism, identity and political economy. This book will appeal not only to scholars and practitioners of dance, but also to a wide cross-section of people concerned with the study of political theory and the history of social movements.

Book Description

Sir Redmond Barry was the pre-eminent figure in Melbourne of the middle years of last century. A Supreme Court judge for thirty years, he was the founding and sustaining force behind the University of Melbourne, the Supreme Court Library, the Public Library, the National Gallery and the Museum. This important biography is long overdue, probably because of the challenging complexities and sheer scale of Barry's life, both public and private. Ann Galbally, undaunted, tackles the full gamut of his interests, achievements, strengths and weaknesses, and concludes that 'no one replaced him . . . No one could'.

REDMOND BARRY. An Anglo-Irish Australian.

Average customer rating:

REDMOND BARRY. An Anglo-Irish Australian.
Ann: Galbally
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W33V2E

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