Pacific Coast Berry Finder (Nature Study Guides)

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Southern California is inviting, appealing, and a bit overwhelming. There's so much of it that it's easy to feel lost, even discouraged. The area presents a challenge for a travel guide, a challenge to which Kim Weir has risen admirably. She covers hundreds of accommodations, places to eat, recreations, sports, museums, sights--all without losing her audience. With extensive coverage of outdoor adventures (such as whale watching, surfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping), interesting articles on the Santa Ana winds and California cuisine, plus the low-down on Disneyland, Universal Studios, and how to negotiate the freeway tangle, Weir has pulled together a compact, elegant, and extremely useful guide.

Book Description

Local author Kim Weir can tell you where to sign up for surfing lessons along San Diego's beautiful stretch of coastline, climb never-ending sand dunes in Death Valley, hike sacred canyons near Palm Springs, and explore collections at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. Moon Handbooks Southern California helps you have a truly personal experience, on or off the beaten path. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real insights so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. This best-selling guide is now in its third edition and is better than ever. Kim shows you where trek, climb, mountain bike, and boat through the desert, mountains, and ocean. Complete with maps, photographs, illustrations, and special emphasis on leading destinations such as Hollywood, San Diego, Los Angeles, Death Valley, Palm Springs, and more, Moon Handbooks Southern California has the tools you need to create your own unique trip.

Customer Reviews:

There are better guides to Los Angeles.......2001-05-06

I wrote a review of this book once before and it dissappeared, so I will to it again because I think that Ms. Weir does a huge disservice to travelers who are truly interested in Southern California, and specifically Los Angeles. I LOVE L.A.....LOVE IT! ....and I will defend it. Ms. Weir starts with the typical (most travel writers do) the smog, the freeways, the crime, the grime. Ms. Weir just takes it to an extreme, about 20 pages worth. Only when you get to Los Angeles as diversion do you get the vague idea that there is anything to see here. Yet Los Angeles outdraws the Bay Area in the number of tourists ( by a large amount) year in and year out. They must be using someone else's travel guide because Ms. Weir doesn't seem to find anything nice about the place. I think somewhere through all the claptrap she does say something positive about The Getty, but you would have to be insane to want to try and get there after reading everything else before it. In her companion volume (Northern California Handbook) Ms. Weir does a wonderful job, has nothing but positive to say about San Francisco. She should stop there. If you want to visit Southern California, and Los Angeles I would suggest the National Geographic guide, or Fodor's, those author's actually seemed to enjoy the place.

Editorial Comments in Travel Book.......2000-04-16

Ms. Weir provided us with concise and valuable travel and touring information. However, my opinion is that her personal and unsubstantiated views on the state of ecology and politics of California are inappropriate in this type of handbook.

Witty, informative, fun and sometimes sobering..........1999-08-26

As soon as you open this book you realize that this is unlike any other travel guide ever written. From the author's disection of California's myths to special topics such as the effects of immigration on Southern California's political, social and economic climate, this book makes California real for any reader.

It is clear that a great deal of time was spent learning to understand Southern California. While most people think that "L.A." runs from the Tehachapis to San Diego, Ms. Weir is able to describe the differences between L.A. and Orange counties perfectly (and humorously).

Fear not that this book doesn't also contain all the sights, activities, museums, parks, beaches, festivals, parades, amusement parks, restaurants, hotels, motels and B&Bs that the others have... you will not be short-changed.

Book Description

With an insider's eye and a storyteller's touch, best-selling author Kim Weir reveals the travel possibilities inherent in all of Southern California, including Santa Barbara, the Mojave Desert, Palm Springs, and the Inland Empire. This enlightening guide has been thoroughly updated to include new attractions, restaurants, and hotels in the area.

Customer Reviews:

Essential guide for a tourist or native.......2005-06-23

I bought this book when I first moved to Southern CA, and it's a staple for referencing any trip I want to take in the area. I am confused about any "political" leanings that the other reviewers have mentioned. I use this for any attraction or site I am considering visiting, and I don't dwell on Ms. Weir's personal views on the Southern CA area, ecology, or business. This is a wonderful part of the country, and don't let a few not-so-positive remarks ruin your visit. Focus instead on the practical information found in this guidebook.

When friends have seen me using this book, they've liked it so much that they go out and buy their own copy.

For each area, in addition to major attractions, the book covers little holes-in-the-wall in the form of restaurants and clubs, or seldom mentioned LA landmarks. I've learned a lot of history from this book, and it makes me a better tour guide when I have friends visit. This book is exhaustive on the subject of Southern CA, covering any area I can dream of wanting to visit. It would take years to visit all the places mentioned in here.

When is a travel guide not a travel guide?.......2005-06-03

Why, when it's a course in left wing propaganda, like this book. I guess the left just can't shut up, but then, why should they when they have all the answers and are so superior to everyone else? The Nixon profile was really over the top, blandly asserting that he was responsible for the Pol Pot genocide in Cambodia. The left has been peddling that hogwash for decades and I'm sure they'll never learn any better, which is pitiful. But what is this sick, tired spew doing in a travel guide to southern California?

Excelent for exploring Southern CA..........2005-04-23

I have lived in CA for the last 20 years. With this book I have found and explored many places that I had never heard of before. The information is very useful and easy to understand. I am unsure what the other reviewers "political" issues with this book were but I did not have the same experience. This book lives in my car in case we find ourselves on an impulse trip and need more information. I even bought a copy for my parents and they raved about it as well.

Unreadable guide to California.......2004-06-19

I've used Moon Handbooks as a guide for my last few vacations, but Southern California by Kim Weir is the last one I will ever buy. The author's bias and political views are inappropriate for this type of book and laid on so thick that it's almost impossible to read more than a few pages at a time without retching. The background information doesn't even make California sound like a desirable place to visit!

The only saving grace may be Moon's rich catalog of things to see and do, but this information is rendered untrustworthy due to the extreme bias.

This guide does a disservice to California and anybody who reads it. Do not buy this book.

Book Description

The London Tower Bridge is one of England's most recognized landmarks. Completed in 1894, the bridge features a system that allows the roadway to open so that tall ships can pass through. Learn about the bridge's design and how it has stood the test of time.

Build Your Own Tower Bridge and Tower of London (A Perigee Book)

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Build Your Own Tower Bridge and Tower of London (A Perigee Book)
Alan Rose
Manufacturer: Perigee Books/G. P. Putnam's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Bld Bklyn Bridge Pa

ASIN: 0399505660

Build Your Own Tower Bridge and Tower of London

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Build Your Own Tower Bridge and Tower of London
Alan Rose
Manufacturer: Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0434649309

Crossing the River: The History of London's Thames River Bridges from Richmond to the Tower

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Crossing the River: The History of London's Thames River Bridges from Richmond to the Tower
Brian Cookson
Manufacturer: Mainstream Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Travel | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Tourist Destinations & Museums | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This history of London’s Thames river bridges from Richmond to the Tower, combines history with the romance of the imposing structures bestriding England’s longest river. It includes descriptions of some of the technical aspects of bridge design, as well as statistics on each bridge in the appendix.

History of the Tower bridge and of other bridges over the Thames built by the Corporation of London: Including an account of the Bridge House trust from ... of the Bridge House estates committee

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History of the Tower bridge and of other bridges over the Thames built by the Corporation of London: Including an account of the Bridge House trust from ... of the Bridge House estates committee
Charles Welch
Manufacturer: Smith, Elder and co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

South Thames: Tower Bridge to Thamesmead (Archive Photographs)

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South Thames: Tower Bridge to Thamesmead (Archive Photographs)
Hilary Heffernan
Manufacturer: Tempus Publishing, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0752406701

Book Description

This book is part of the Archive Photographs series, which uses old photographs and archived images to show the history of various local areas in Great Britain, through their streets, shops, pubs, and people.

Thames-side Conference, Tower Bridge to Tilbury: An examination of the strategic possibilities : a report of Thames-side Conference for public consultation

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Thames-side Conference, Tower Bridge to Tilbury: An examination of the strategic possibilities : a report of Thames-side Conference for public consultation
Thames-side Conference
Manufacturer: Greater London Council
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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Frommer's Best of London Audio Tour
Alexis Lipsitz Flippin
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

Frommer's | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

The Aero, September, 1912, Vol. VI, No. 114 : Surprising London (Bi-plane Flying Under Tower Bridge )

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The Aero, September, 1912, Vol. VI, No. 114 : Surprising London (Bi-plane Flying Under Tower Bridge )
Aero Magazine
Manufacturer: Illiffe & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MGXKTU

Endowed charities (county of London): Billingsgate, Tower, Bridge, Candlewick, and Dowgate Wards Schools: Return to an order of ... the House of Commons, ... 1894. H. of C. Repts. and papers)

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Endowed charities (county of London): Billingsgate, Tower, Bridge, Candlewick, and Dowgate Wards Schools: Return to an order of ... the House of Commons, ... 1894. H. of C. Repts. and papers)
Great Britain
Manufacturer: Printed for H.M. Stationery Off., by Eyre and Spottiswoode
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006DLNR0

Book Description

Over 250 authentic royalty-free depictions of lunch wagons, ice wagons, freight wagons, fire engines, stagecoaches, hearses, many other vintage vehicles, shown in detailed engravings and photographs, culled from rare trade periodicals in the Smithsonian Institution. Detailed captions. Introduction.

Customer Reviews:

Fun and informative .......2007-03-16

A fun and informative little book. Most insightful on pre motor transport technology. Most fascinating for those interested in history or in Horse drawn Transport.

Some of these little carriages, such as the double decker omnibus and the tree transport, blow the mind in regards to the genius of our forbears in how they applied the technology they had. Then there are the dump wagons.

A must for any library of anyone interested in pre-motor technology.

Wonderful history/reference book.......2003-12-04

A unique book covering vintage horse drawn vehicles of the 19th century. Besides the well written text, I found the illustrations, photos and diagrams amazing in their detail. There are over 250 illustrations. Truly a wonderful reference for anyone into antique transportation history.

Horses and Horse-Drawn Vehicles: A Pictorial Archive (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

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Horses and Horse-Drawn Vehicles: A Pictorial Archive (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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

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

Book Description

Over 800 royalty-free illustrations of equestrian subjects boldly printed in black and white for quick and easy reproduction. The illustrations, selected from more than 25 vintage and contemporary publications, are arranged by subject: horses, riding, hunting, equestrian events, racing, polo, military, Western, stables and blacksmiths, equipment and accessories, carriages, mythical subjects, and hobbyhorses.

Customer Reviews:

The story of a great horse... badly told.......2007-06-04

What a disappointment. Amateurishly written, indifferently proofed and historically inaccurate. Some of Broadhead's claims are just plain wrong, and he seems to have ignored the best sources of information in conducting his research. He also repeats himself needlessly on some of his main themes-- over and over. His insight into Whirlaway's connections' motivations is very superficial, and he comes close to slandering Alsab's owner.

It's the only recent book out there on Whirlaway, but I'm not sure it's better than no book at all.

Mr Long Tail is the greatest.......2007-01-25

This is a fantastic horse, his story is better than Seabiscuit's, but not told quite as eloquently. It's a good read, though, because the horse was so incredible. Whirlaway should be ranked right up there with the big three, Man o' War, Scretariat and Citation, the only reason he's not is that he had many hardships to endure and was raced too frequently. Can you imagine any horse in this day and age racing between the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and The Belmont Stakes and still winning the Triple Crown, well the great Whirlaway did just that!!!!! In fact his story is so incredible there should be a movie made about his life, in his day he was just as popular, if not more ao, as the mighty Sea Biscuit.

Whirly's Preakness Stakes race is the most incredible horse race I have ever seen. He was dead last, in fact left in the dust--you couldn't see him any where near the other horses way ahead of him--and he came on big time to win. It's just an amazing video, if you get the chance to find a clip of his triple crown races check then out, you won't be disappointed, this horse was the greatest closer of them all.

Mr. Longtail's story told.......2002-11-26

Fred Broadhead has meticulously researched the story of Whirlaway and presents the results in a heartfelt tribute to one of our finest Triple Crown winners. Whirlaway was not only a fast and gutsy horse, he spent his four-year old season running for war bonds, in order to assist the war effort. His efforts alone let to America's tracks contributing a substantial amount towards the campaign. Whirlaway never missed a start, despite having his eye seriously hurt, being high-weighted, and having to endure a merry-go-round of jockeys on his back. You will thoroughly appreciate this great equine hero after reading this book.

Whirlaway the Great!.......1998-02-10

Whirlaway is absolutely astonishing, and arguably the greatest thoroughbred in history. He is the only horse to win the Triple Crown and the Travers. He could run on the dirt or through ankle-deep mud. He started sixty consecutive races. He was top-weighted in virutally all of his appearances. He was the best stretch runner in history, as borne out by his 1941 Kentucky Derby. In that race, he ran the last furlong in eleven seconds flat. That's a record that still stands today, Secretariat notwithstanding.

This is a great book, meticulously researched, and lovingly told.

Average customer rating:

It's fun, it's easy - It's Fun and Easy!

Fun and full of inspiration

Perfect for spicing up a party

Take that Martha!

A must have for party throwers

Wild Flowers: Projects and Inspirations
David Stark , and Avi Adler
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Flower Arranging | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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To Have & To Hold: Magical Wedding Bouquets

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The Judith Blacklock Encyclopedia of Flower Design

ASIN: 0609609386
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Book Description

For a decade renowned event designers David Stark and Avi Adler have been creating the art and fashion world's most talked-about parties, with flower arrangements that completely break the mold. Their easy-to-follow formulas show how a rummage through a hardware store, the attic, or even the refrigerator can transform everyday ingredients—colored gravel, feather boas, office supplies, and more—into glamorous, one-of-a-kind floral designs.

Customer Reviews:

It's fun, it's easy - It's Fun and Easy!.......2003-08-23

Mr. Stark takes all the guesswork out of those wonderful arrangements you see in magazines and on television and shows you how you can create marvelous displays for yourself. A must have for those who entertain as well as those who just love to be creative and enjoy surrounding themselves with beauty.

Fun and full of inspiration.......2003-04-04

This is a book that is fun to read and to look at. There are beautiful and amazing pictures of what you can do with everyday items around your house, or, with things you can purchase for very little money. At the same time, the book is full of great ideas to copy or get you started creating your own wild decorations next time you entertain. I can't wait to put water tubes with fresh flowers in my lawn this summer !!

Perfect for spicing up a party.......2003-03-20

Great ideas for innovative party giving. Everything here can be done easily to create a true impact. A definite MUST HAVE for your next event.

Take that Martha!.......2003-03-20

It seems as though Mr. Stark has a lot of experience in hosting creative parties at economical prices. His style is fun, not flashy. While flipping through the pages of this most interesting book it is obvious that the author has a talent for turning everyday household items into something that can be used to entertain. The vase idea especially was ingenious!! With the publication of this book, Mr. Stark and his associates will definitely give Martha Stewart a run for her money.

A must have for party throwers.......2003-03-20

I can honestly say I have never read a book more informative, helpfull, and fun to read as Wild Flowers. After reading the book, my mind was filled with great ideas for my next special occasion. In my opinion this book is more helpful and creative then any "do it yourself" book or video I've ever had and believe me I've had a lot of them. Mr. Stark has an ingenious way of being creative and economical at the same time.

Book Description

Now consultant Morrie Warshawski has created a new, completely revised and updated version that gives filmakers the full story on how to get grants and donations from individuals, foundations, government agencies, and corporations in the 21st century.

Customer Reviews:

This is an excellent book..........2007-06-10

I would highly recommend this book, and I would also highly recommend the Government Funding and You book and video series. Click the link below for more information.

Government Funding and You: Registering For Grants On-line 2007 book and video series.

what you need to know.......2007-04-10

this book really sets you up with the information you need to know about funding. it's nice that there is an example of a grant in the book to help you understand exactly what you need.

Required reading for ALL film producers........2006-02-08

If I ever meet Morrie Warshawski, I will probably embarrass us both by giving him a huge hug. In 97 easy-to-read pages (plus another 60+ helpful pages with sample grant proposals, budget forms and a bibliography), he succinctly lays out a viable process for successfully seeking grants for film and television projects.

What struck me about "Shaking the Money Tree" was how it is actually a basic primer for all fundraising projects, not just film. Warshawski starts with the basics: developing mission and vision statements (Chapter 1 - "Laying the Foundation: Your Career"). While these steps should be obvious to any nonprofit organization, this is new territory for many independent filmmakers. Warshawski asserts "funding problems are almost always routed in a basic set of unresolved career issues." Not only does he contend that mission and vision statements are necessary, but that filmmakers must identify a set of values by which they choose projects and people with which to work. All of this, claims Warshawski, adds focus to filmmakers' efforts, and keeps them from wasting time on projects for which they have no vision or passion. Valuable lessons for any nonprofit organization.

For the rest of Chapter 1, Warshawski takes the reader through a series of career development steps: articulating major short and long-term goals; identifying people and organizations with which to interact in order to succeed; evaluating progress against the career goals; acquiring promotional tools to spotlight the filmmaker and his/her projects; and networking to avoid isolation.

In Chapter 2 ("Where's the Money?"), Warshawski provides an overview of the various categories of funding potentially available to a filmmaker (individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, other nonprofits). He correctly points out that there is an abundance of funding sources (not to be confused with an abundance of funds), but the challenge is determining which sources are appropriate for the particular project. He recommends creating a fundraising plan, identifying the most suitable prospects and determining the most effective way to formulate and make the request. (Again, a sound methodology for any nonprofit.) Warshawski identifies the upside and downside to each category, reviews how to find them and, generally, how to approach them (more information on research and proposals is provided in subsequent chapters).

Chapter 3 ("Patchwork Quilt - Putting Your Project Together") was one of my favorites. Warshawski points out that a major impediment to successfully finding funds is beginning fundraising before the project is fully developed and thus not being able to completely answer all of a potential funder's questions. He highlights the difference between "this is a story that must be told" and "this is a story that must be heard." As is the case with all fundraising, one must start with the need. Warshawski runs through the elements of a solid plan, and explains the questions that must be answered. He also points out that fundraising will take longer than a filmmaker might expect: one to two years to complete the funding is not unusual.

The remaining chapters - 4 ("Getting Personal - Individual Donors"), 5 ("The Paper Trail - Foundations and Government Agencies") and 6 ("All the Rest") explain the types of funders, their motivations and how to research them. He offers some excellent tips that the novice fundraiser/filmmaker might miss, such as Chapter 5's recommendation that, when researching foundations, don't just research "film/video/media/TV," but look for funders of the issue area(s) that the film is tackling. Most foundations are not really funding the film, but are funding the visibility to the subject matter that the film is providing. The last two pages of Chapter 6 provide "Morrie's Maxims" - sound advice for fundraising for any type of project.

I did have some quibbles with the book. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is not a government agency. The address for the Foundation Center in Washington is out of date (the book was published in 2003, and the Center moved to 1627 K Street, NW in 2001). Foundation giving levels are directly affected by economic trends: foundation endowments slump when the stock market declines and the effect is often felt for several years after the stock market starts to recover (Warshawski makes it sound as though foundations are relatively immune to economic shifts, other than facing increased requests for support). And finally, it would have been helpful to mention that the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts will provide, upon request, samples of successfully funded film proposals under the Freedom of Information Act. But these are minor blips in an otherwise superb book.

There are two positive outcomes for a filmmaker who reads Warshawski's book and puts his words into practice: a funded project, and a successful second career as a fundraiser. "Shaking the Money Tree" should be required reading at all film schools. But even beyond that, it offers extremely helpful information for anyone who needs to raise money for a project.

How the financial side of the film business really works.......2004-04-03

Now in an expanded and updated second edition, Shaking The Money Tree: How To Get Grants And Donations For Film And Television by Morrie Warshawski is a ground breaking instructional manual in the art of fundraising for the financing of noncommercial film and video projects. Presenting the basics of how to apply for and earn grants and/or donations from individuals, foundations, government agencies, corporations, and more, Shaking The Money Tree combines direct decorum with an invaluable insight for how the financial side of the film business really works, as well as being peppered with useful grant forms and superb grant writing examples. If you have a film or television project that you need to finance -- begin with a close and careful reading of Morrie Warshawski's Shaking The Money Tree!

Must Read!.......2003-07-08

This is a great book...after searching high and low and all over the internet, I found a concise, informative and helpful resource to walk me through the complex world of fundraising for media. I'm applying Morrie's suggestions to my movie's business plan. Everyone interested in film/video should read this book.

Shaking the Money Tree: How to Get Grants and Donations for Film and Video Projects

Average customer rating:

Good start for a first time or newly independant filmmaker

Shaking the Money Tree: How to Get Grants and Donations for Film and Video Projects
Morrie Warshawski
Manufacturer: Michael Wiese Film Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Sports & Entertainment | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Amateur Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Industry | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0941188183

Customer Reviews:

Good start for a first time or newly independant filmmaker.......2000-04-13

In Shaking the Money Tree, Morrie Warshawski has provided an excellent resource for anyone looking to fincance their first film (or second or third for that matter). He has put together a book that is not only a good read but is chock full of information that is actually useful. The lists of resources available to the filmmaker is an good place to start when searching for those elusive dollars needed to either start a project or get one completed (or released from the post facility where it sits awaiting payment of past due bills). His thoughts and suggestions on grant writing are right on the mark. For that reason, I would highy recommend this book not only to those in the film industry, but to anyone preparing to apply for a grant not matter what the field. All in all, a well thought out, well researched, informative work.

Customer Reviews:

Committing Self Abuse With "Punishing Savagery"!!!(A Quote).......2005-04-08

I had to read this book in my Final Year at High School and I didn't like it one bit. Now it is 25 years later and I re read it and found I didn't like it anymore the second time around. The protagonist describes his early life in Melbourne as a boy and how he became obsessed with masturbation in his early teens.He seems to have a fascination with homosexuality as can be seen by an early incident in this book.As a consequence of his twisted personality he becomes a teacher where he enjoys the attention of a "captive audience" namely his students.I am very glad that most Australian Writers do not reminisce about their early life if it was sad and pathetic as this author's was.Read this book if you want to be disgusted and appalled by the pathetic life of this loser.

Life in Australia in the early 1900s.......2000-02-02

What struck me most about this book is the density of both the language and the detail of Hal Porter's life in the first decades of the 1900s.

This is a classic Australian book. It is a beautifully written autobiographical work that one presumes was based on an extensive diary.

In short, this book is like reading primary historial sources based on the first two decades of what was then a quite ordinary life. Hal Porter starts with his earliest memories, about his parents at their house in inner suburban Melbourne - including watching life in the street from his cast iron balcony. Then the family packs up and moves to Bairnsdale in country Victoria. His vivid account of how to adapt to a new life and people around him is very enjoyable reading.

After his schooling he goes back to the city as a teacher. He is socially active and provides us with more detailed descriptions of life in Melbourne. Even the menus of exclusive restaurants are reported - for example, at The Latin, he eats tomato soup, lamb and apricot pie.

This book will not appeal to everyone. It will appeal most to Australians and some may have to persist at first to get used to the richness of the expression.

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