The Hunter and the Ebony Tree

Book Description

From the Zarma culture of West Africa come this folk tale of a hunter who must overcome am impossible challenge before he can marry the girl he loves.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully entertaining! Very highly recommended.......2002-08-23

A huge ebony tree stands in the center of the village of Tombakonda. Its hard trunk seems impenetrable. A beautiful young girl lives in the village and many men come to ask her father for her hand in marriage. Her father wishes his daughter to marry a man of strength. The girl wishes for a man with more gifts than just strength. With her father's permission, she sets a challenge. She will marry the man whose arrow penetrates the ebony tree. Many men try, but none succeed until one day a young hunter comes to the village who enlists the helps of friends to win his heart's desire.

Author/illustrator Nelda LaTeef uniquely captures the essence of an African folk tale, bringing it vividly to life for children of all audiences. The classic tale of wisdom and cunning to achieve one's goal serves a delightful lesson of encouragement to young readers. The combination of acrylic and collage for the illustrations lends the page a marvelous texture and depth. My young American audience, ages five and eight, found this to be a wonderfully entertaining tale that they ask for again and again. THE HUNTER AND THE EBONY TREE comes very highly recommended.

An authentic African folk tale brought to life.......2002-08-05

Wonderfully written for young readers ages 5 to 9 by Nelda LaTeef, The Hunter And The Ebony Tree is an authentic African folk tale brought to life in picturebook form with LaTeef's remarkable, shape-centered full-color illustrations. The Hunter And The Ebony Tree is the story of a hunter who must demonstrate intelligence, skill, and loyal friends to overcome challenges and win the hand of a wise young woman makes for enjoyable reading aloud to young folks. The Hunter And The Ebony Tree is enthusiastically recommended for family, school, and community library folk tale and picturebook collections.

West African Trees (West African Nature Handbooks)

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West African Trees (West African Nature Handbooks)
D. Gledhill
Manufacturer: Longman International Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

The Butterfly Tree: An Anthology of Black Writing from the Upper Midwest (Many Minnesotas Project, #2)

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The Butterfly Tree: An Anthology of Black Writing from the Upper Midwest (Many Minnesotas Project, #2)

Manufacturer: New Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0898230683

Dancing Trees and Crocodile Dreams: My Life in a West African Village: Journals from Two Years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mail

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Dancing Trees and Crocodile Dreams: My Life in a West African Village: Journals from Two Years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mail
Marcy L. Spaulding
Manufacturer: Poppy Lane Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0938911279

West Coast (South African Wild Flower Guide)

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West Coast (South African Wild Flower Guide)
John Manning
Manufacturer: Botanical Society of South Africa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Bubinga and Kevazingo Offer Beautiful Designer Options.(West African wood)(Brief Article): An article from: Wood & Wood Products

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Bubinga and Kevazingo Offer Beautiful Designer Options.(West African wood)(Brief Article): An article from: Wood & Wood Products
Jo-ann Kaiser
Manufacturer: Vance Publishing Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Wood & Wood Products, published by Vance Publishing Corp. on April 1, 2001. The length of the article is 857 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Bubinga and Kevazingo Offer Beautiful Designer Options.(West African wood)(Brief Article)
Author: Jo-ann Kaiser
Publication: Wood & Wood Products (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2001
Publisher: Vance Publishing Corp.
Volume: 106 Issue: 5 Page: 42

Article Type: Brief Article

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Comparison of stable-carbon isotope composition in the growth rings of Isorberlinia doka, Daniella oliveri, and Tamarindus indica and West African climate [An article from: Dendrochronologia]

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Comparison of stable-carbon isotope composition in the growth rings of Isorberlinia doka, Daniella oliveri, and Tamarindus indica and West African climate [An article from: Dendrochronologia]
A. Tarhule , and S.W. Leavitt
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RR4F3O

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Dendrochronologia, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Inter-ring variations in stable-carbon isotope composition of cellulose in Daniella oliveri, Isoberlinia doka, and Tamarindus indica stumps were analyzed for nine trees in the Soudan-Sahel zone of West Africa. This pioneer isotopic study is a contribution to on-going efforts to evaluate the feasibility of extracting proxy climatic records from tree-rings in this area. Our aim is to investigate trends in individual floating @d^1^3C time series to assess if patterns in variability within and between rings are consistent with those in other climatically sensitive tree-ring @d^1^3C series. Samples were collected primarily from tree stumps but kill dates were unknown. Tree age was estimated from stump condition and shoot regrowth. This approach, combined with low sample replication, hindered the establishment of absolute dates. Nevertheless, @d^1^3C and discrimination (@D^1^3C), absolute values and variability in the time series are similar to those often seen in tree-rings. Average @d^1^3C values for individual series range from -25.90%% to -23.72%% and average @D^1^3C values from 16.56%% to 18.99%%. It is well known that seasonal rainfall is inversely related to the @d^1^3C in growth-season-dry environments and positively covaries with @D. We investigate the possibility of using this relationship to temporally anchor the time series and to identify missing and false rings in wood segments with indistinct growth. The variability in these time series is consistent with expected patterns and shows promise for facilitating the development of stable carbon isotope tree-ring chronologies for West Africa.

Limba: the light-colored West African wood.: An article from: Wood & Wood Products

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Limba: the light-colored West African wood.: An article from: Wood & Wood Products

Manufacturer: Vance Publishing Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00093T3WY
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Wood & Wood Products, published by Vance Publishing Corp. on November 1, 1995. The length of the article is 1032 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Limba is a tree that is native to West Africa. The color of its wood ranges from pale yellow to straw-colored while its heartwood has streaks that range from grey to black. Limba is most often used for interior joinery, shop fittings, furniture, desks and coffins. It is also a popular choice for decorative veneers.

Citation Details
Title: Limba: the light-colored West African wood.
Publication: Wood & Wood Products (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 1995
Publisher: Vance Publishing Corp.
Volume: v100 Issue: n12 Page: p52(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

West Coast kinfolk: in Los Angeles, Chris Abani and Kamau Daaood stand out as strong limbs on the family tree of literature.(poetic license): An article from: Black Issues Book Review

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West Coast kinfolk: in Los Angeles, Chris Abani and Kamau Daaood stand out as strong limbs on the family tree of literature.(poetic license): An article from: Black Issues Book Review
Michael Datcher
Manufacturer: Cox, Matthews & Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000ALQGZC
Release Date: 2006-07-14

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Black Issues Book Review, published by Cox, Matthews & Associates on May 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1604 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: West Coast kinfolk: in Los Angeles, Chris Abani and Kamau Daaood stand out as strong limbs on the family tree of literature.(poetic license)
Author: Michael Datcher
Publication: Black Issues Book Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Cox, Matthews & Associates
Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Page: 34(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The coco-nut tree, its uses and cultivation: Submitted to the consideration of His Majesty's government and colonial landed proprietors, with a view to ... the British West Indian and African colonies

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The coco-nut tree, its uses and cultivation: Submitted to the consideration of His Majesty's government and colonial landed proprietors, with a view to ... the British West Indian and African colonies
J. W Bennett
Manufacturer: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, Paternoster Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0008B8G4S

Book Description

Marvel at medieval monasteries perched upon pinnacles, cruise the midnight-blue Aegean Sea abroad a private yacht, witness an unsurpassed sunset over a flooded caldera, see a play at a 2,500-year-old theater with perfect acoustics or explore the windswept, uninhabited island birthplace of Apollo—Fodor's Greece, 7th Edition offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best —"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

- We frequently update our Greece guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area at Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor's guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best—so you know you're seeing the real Greece.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.

-----------------------------------
With Fodor’s you get much more than a guidebook–we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation.

Visit www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more!

And, for more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” online at www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.

Customer Reviews:

I hope my trip to Greece is more colorful than this book.......2006-10-18

We bought this book to plan our Spring trip. The colorful cover is the only color included. And there were only two photographs in the entire 600 pages. We looked up several cities and historical figures who were mentioned on the History channel and they are not in the index. We saw no suggestions how to visit the Greek Isles if only having a trip for a week or two. The Parthenon is mentioned on two pages with no hints or suggestions how to visit. It is written from an encyclopedia as if they have never visited.
We have not studied the book so our review is limited. We hope our next guide has more information.

Average customer rating:
People, Places, and Material Things: Historical Archaeology of Albany, New York. New York State Museum Bulletin 499
Charles Fisher
Manufacturer: New York State Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
New York | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

New Solutions for House Museums: Ensuring the Long-Term Preservation of America's Historic Houses (American Association for State and Local History)

The Care of Antiques and Historical Collections: Second Edition: Second Edition (American Association for State and Local History Book Series)

Reinventing the Museum, Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Paradigm Shift

Black Majority: Negroes in Colonial South Carolina from 1670 Through the Stono Rebellion (Norton Library)

A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

ASIN: 1555571433

Book Description

The last decade has been a period of archaeological activity in Albany unlike any other in the city's history in terms of the size and quantity of investigations that were completed. This volume presents some of the recent results of archaeological excavations in Albany to archaeologists and others with an interest in the material remains of this city's past. Following the initial chapters that provide a brief overview of the history of Albany and a history of archaeology in Albany, the chapters are organized under the topics related to daily life in the past: people, places, and material things. The final section presents chapters concerned with battles and breakthroughs or challenges that archaeologists in Albany have faced in the process of investigating this city.

That early Albany was a multicultural community is continually revealed in new ways by archaeological evidence. There is no single, unified past of the city that can be revealed by a single individual or group, but many pasts described by the multiple voices of the former inhabitants. The illegal traders outside Fort Orange in the seventeenth century, the persecuted religious minority, the cottage industrialists who made wampum, soldiers of the colonial wars, servants, and even a middle-class lawyer are among the subjects of archaeological studies included here. Although historic documents have provided names for some of these individuals, the silence of documentary records regarding their daily lives begs for archaeological exploration. The material things that were created, used, exchanged, and discarded by the people of Albany at specific places are the primary sources of these archaeological studies. Places in the landscape of historic Albany may be considered as larger material objects created for a variety of reasons. Gardens, yards, cemeteries, military structures, pottery dumps, and the development of the waterfront have come to light through archaeological investigations, which provide new perspectives on daily life and the way that the urban environment was created and then shaped peoples lives.

Customer Reviews:

Cute dogs.......2002-02-10

This book has tones of info on dogs and if you want say an Irish setter, than you can look and see how much energy it has,how much room it needs,how much food, and how much grooming it needs.All the info for a perect dog you want!

Fantastic Book.......2001-04-09

This book was SO good. I gave it to my sister for her birthday and she can't get enough of the book. The pictures are great and they describe each breed with descriptions and everything. If you were looking at getting a dog, or you enjoy to look at dog breeds, then this book is definatly for you!!!!

Amazon.com

This comprehensive guide provides basic information on 15,000 antique dealers across the U.S., with a few additional notes on the best ones, plus tips on lodging and dining if you're inclined to make an entire weekend of antiquing. It's recommended for the antique collector who likes the hunt and doesn't need too much guidance.

Average customer rating:

Leggets' Antiques Atlas
Kim and David Leggett
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAGZ8Q

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas East, 2000 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas East)

Average customer rating:

Good book to travel with

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas East, 2000 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas East)
Kim Leggett , and David Leggett
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Directories | Catalogs & Directories | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0609804901
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Book Description

In this edition
Alabama - Connecticut - Delaware - Florida - Georgia - Indiana - Kentucky - Maine - Maryland - Massachusetts - Michigan -Mississippi - New Hampshire - New Jersey - New York - North Carolina - Ohio - Pennsylvania - Rhode Island - South Carolina - Tennessee - Vermont - Virginia - West Virginia

The most complete guide to antiquing in the United States, updated every year
Over 9,000 listings of antiques stores, malls, shows, auctions, and flea markets with full addresses and phone numbers

Where to stay and eat, no matter where you travel
Reviews and locations for the most-loved bed and breakfasts, hotels, and country inns throughout America
Recommendations for local dining spots

Thorough, practical, complete
Personal anecdotes from shop owners, with details about their specialties and inventory
Dates and reviews of shows and auctions and events
Special section listing America's largest antique malls

Maps for each state covered, travel suggestions (some off the beaten path), and more
Excellent "How to Get There" directions
Easy-to-read maps for each state highlighting each town with a source of antiques and collectibles
Colorful editorials describing cities and towns to give the unique flavor of each area and to provide suggestions for enjoyable side trips

Customer Reviews:

Good book to travel with.......2003-11-23

If you're planning a driving trip and want to do antiquing along the way then this is a neat book. Each state has the major cities with lists of antiques shops (not comprehensive but a start) as well as recommended Bed & Breakfasts or Inns to stay at. The thing that's missing for me is an intro to each state that kind of summs it up - like if you're going to go to the state definitely don't miss going to this area or that area or if you're going to be there a certain time of the year watch out for this antique fair or this flea market. I'm still looking for a book that will do that. So, for me this book only gets three stars but I think if you plan to be going on a trip and are interested in hitting a few antique shops along the way then this will help get you there. It would have been nice if there were short reviews of the different shops indicating what the dealer specializes in if anything. Oh well. This book left me wanting something more.

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas West, 2000 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas West)

Average customer rating:

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas West, 2000 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas West)
Kim Leggett , and David Leggett
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Directories | Catalogs & Directories | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas East, 2000 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas East)

ASIN: 0609804928
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Book Description

In this edition
Arizona - Arkansas - California - Colorado - Idaho - Illinois - Iowa - Kansas - Louisiana - Minnesota - Missouri - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Mexico - North Dakota - Oklahoma - Oregon - South Dakota - Texas - Utah - Washington - Wisconsin - Wyoming

The most complete guide to antiquing in the United States, updated every year
Over 7,500 listings of antiques stores, malls, shows, auctions, and flea markets with full addresses and phone numbers

Where to stay and eat, no matter where you travel
Reviews and locations for the most-loved bed and breakfasts, hotels, and country inns throughout America
Recommendations for local dining spots

Thorough, practical, complete
Personal anecdotes from shop owners, with details about their specialties and inventory
Dates and reviews of shows and auctions and events
Special section listing America's largest antique malls

Maps for each state covered, travel suggestions (some off the beaten path), and more
Excellent "How to Get There" directions
Easy-to-read maps for each state highlighting each town with a source of antiques and collectibles
Colorful editorials describing cities and towns to give the unique flavor of each area and to provide suggestions for enjoyable side trips

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas(tm) , 1999 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas)

Average customer rating:

Great if you're in certain areas...
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ANTIQUING IN AMERICA!

Leggetts' Antiques Atlas(tm) , 1999 Edition: The Guide to Antiquing in America (Leggett's Antiques Atlas)
Kim Leggett
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0609803948
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Book Description

Go farther, dig deeper, discover more treasures, and make your antique hunting successful and memorable with LEGGETTS' ANTIQUES Atlas.

The most complete guide to antiquing in the United States, updated every year:
Over 15,000 listings of antiques stores, malls, shows, auctions, and flea markets
Detailed information for every listing includes the full address, phone number, and business hours--with many providing additional facts on the special services they offer or the specific merchandise they handle
Excellent "How to Get There" directions. Where to stay and eat, no matter where you travel
Reviews and locations for the most-loved bed and breakfasts, hotels, and country inns throughout America
Recommendations for local dining spots
Personal anecdotes from shop owners, with details about their specialties and inventory
Dates and reviews of shows and auctions and events
Special section listing America's largest antique malls. Maps for every state, travel suggestions (some off the beaten path), and more
Easy-to-read maps for each of the forty-eight contiguous states highlight each town with a source of antiques and collectibles
Colorful editorials describe cities and towns to give the unique flavor of each area and provide suggestions for enjoyable historical side trips
Delightful sources of entertainment for every locale

Customer Reviews:

Great if you're in certain areas..........2002-03-07

This is a nice book if you happen to be in areas where these folks seem to like to travel. Otherwise, you're probably missing some of the greatest shops. Certainly, in my area their listings leave a LOT to be desired. They've missed our best shops and put in some that the local antiquers don't even bother with usually. It's sort of funny how they manage to miss the best and get the rest a lot of times. Anyway, if it's under 5 bucks its worth it. If it's over that... look for a local antique publication at any shop you stop at or just ask people you meet. You'll probably get more info, at least if you're off the beaten path this trio travels.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ANTIQUING IN AMERICA!.......1999-08-04

The accuracy of this book was absolutely amazing! I believe this is the most comprehensive book of its kind on the market--not only did it list antique shops across the country, but also side stories and history about them! I recommend this to everyone thats looking for those hard to find shops while traveling!

Average customer rating:

Leggetts Antiques Atlas West Edition
Kim Leggett
Manufacturer: Random House~trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0609804987

Average customer rating:

i'm returning it, its so bad

The absolute best book on flower arranging!

The Contemporary Flower Arranger
Inc. Book Sales , and Lynda Owen
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Home & Garden | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Flower Arranging | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Creative Flower Arranging: Floral Design for Home and Flower Show

Complete Guide To Flower Arranging (DK Living)

Paula Pryke's Flower School: Mastering the Art of Floral Design

Paula Pryke's Wreaths & Garlands

Wedding Bouquets: Over 300 Designs for Every Bride

ASIN: 078581020X

Customer Reviews:

i'm returning it, its so bad.......2000-02-10

As a professional floral designer I'm always on the look out for great ideas. So it was with high anticipation I waited for this book to arrive. One look and I understood I'd been duped. The ideas are homey, rather than contemporary. Usually I'd find something to keep me interested, but in this case it was a complete bust! I'd recommend some of the other authors who do very daring and interesting work like Pryke, Turner, etc. Forget this. Its going back.

The absolute best book on flower arranging!.......2000-02-01

I just grabbed this book off the shelf without really looking at it. I am an avid flower arranger, been to school to learn all I can about the subject. WOW! Yesterday, when I sat down to look through this book I was amazed. I have NEVER seen such beautiful arrangements, and so clearly and beautifully described with instructions for making every single one. Buy it. You won't be sorry.

The new flower arranger: Contemporary approaches to floral design

Average customer rating:

not so contemporary and poorly printed
Step-by-step floral design for the novice
This covers traditional and contemporary designs
creative ideas and amazing designs, beautifully photographed

The new flower arranger: Contemporary approaches to floral design
Fiona Barnett
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0760715351

Customer Reviews:

not so contemporary and poorly printed.......2003-08-30

I was attracted to the book by the reviews I read on the Amazon. Then I received the book and was confused to see a completely different cover than the on the picture (is it a different edition?). That could explain why I found poor quality printing instead of great pictures. The colors are poor and differ between pictures of the same composition in different stages of the project.
As to the title, de gustibus non est disputandum, but for me word "contemporary" means something different, and adding lots of raffia does not make a flower arrangement look contemporary.
The last thing, refers to the author rather than to this very book. Together with "A New Flower..." I ordered "The Complete Book of Garlands..." by the same author. The quality of the print is better but lots of projects are copied from "A New Flower...". That is disappointing, taking into consideration the fact that the garlands book was created 4 years after the New Arranger, what seems a long time to come up with new ideas (especially for someone who is described as "one of the most innovative young floral designers" - from the back flap).

Step-by-step floral design for the novice.......2002-02-08

This book is wonderfully written with clear instructions on making beautiful arrangements with dried and fresh flowers. It lists everything needed and explains the tricks and tools of the trade. The photography is also quite exquisite and it is a book that one should have in their library. Excellent!

This covers traditional and contemporary designs.......1999-11-09

This is one of best books out! I am a professional floral designer and this covers everything from traditional to contemporary plus identifies plant materials.Has ideas for holidays, silks, dried arrangements and other general ocassions. I wanted to have my students, since I also teach florist and design workshops buy it. I have a large collection and this is my favorite. It's great.

creative ideas and amazing designs, beautifully photographed.......1999-09-28

A lovely inspiration to creating unbelievable arrangements. teaches techniques, inspires the eye and is a wonderful addition to any coffee table, book shelf or library. The images are to beautiful not to be admired over and over.

Average customer rating:

The Contemporary Flower Arranger

Manufacturer: Chartwell Books Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0785813012

Book Description

Through intensely passionate prose, this unique autobiography charts Salas' dramatic coming of age in the conflicting shadows of two older brothers: one drug addict and a petty criminal, the other an intellectual prodigy.

Customer Reviews:

this book ain't just about boxing.......2005-09-24

Floyd Salas' autobiography, told through a series of vignettes, reads like a novel and yet captures the feel of life as it is lived.

Buffalo Nickel follows Salas' relationship with his brother Al, a James Dean-like figure who has the misfortune of growing older, spending much of his life in and out of prison. Trapped in a bad marriage and unable to hold down a job, Al makes the transition from theif to husler, later becoming hooked on heroin. He becomes a tragic figure, unable to take responsibility for his own life.

Buffalo Nickel begins innocently as an entertaining coming of age story but ends as a frightening tale of an entire family addicted to drugs. As finely crafted as any novel, this autobiography is powerful and disturbing, creating a stunning portrait of the darker landscapes of contemporary life.

Important, moving tale of brotherly love and drug addiction.......1999-05-15

Buffalo Nickel by Floyd Salas is a poignant and moving tale of a man and his older brother. The strife and hardship experienced by the characters within their complex relationships allow the reader to experience a true-to-life story about the effects of drug abuse and suicide. The metaphor presented early in the novel of the buffalo nickel can be applied to the relationship of the brothers Floyd and Al Salas. In the first chapter, Al presents his little brother Floyd with a buffalo nickel. Floyd had just been in his first fight. Al later asks for the nickel back; Floyd returns the nickel. It is this metaphor, the giving of something desired and the subsequent demand for its return, that runs throughout the relationship between Floyd and his big brother. The physical action of Al giving and retrieving the nickel in the first chapter can actually be found through the entire novel. The promises that Al didn't keep becomes the focus of thier hardship. It is a tale of the anguish involved in loving an addict, the trouble that that gets Floyd into, and the eventual reality of letting go. From the beginning of the book, Floyd loves and admires his brother. After the buffalo nickel incident Floyd remarks, "he'd do that a lot to me before it was over." (p. 15) Al teaches Floyd to box. Boxing would, throughout Floyd's life, be a mixed blessing. Due to his brother's aggression Floyd finds himself in many bar fights that he would otherwise have not been involved in. When Al acts as Floyd's coach he is supportive when Floyd is winning, and extremely abusive when he feels Floyd could have done better. It became a bond between the two boys when they were young and remained to be one their entire lives. Boxing would later be extremely important and lucrative to Floyd, as it would earn Floyd a scholarship to college at University of California. Al taught Floyd how to box. He helped him earn this athletic talent. Eventually Al would waste his talent, and desert it for drugs and alcohol. Many of Al's fights were illegal and unfair, and he often got Floyd involved. He gave Floyd something valuable, the drive and ability to box; but he often used his own and Floyd's abilities for the wrong reasons. Floyd completely trusted his brother when it came to boxing, from the very beginning. When Al puts Floyd in the ring with a gypsy-kid a lot taller than him Floyd is fearless. "My brother had put me in there, though I was scared, I wasn't afraid." (P.22) Due to his drug addiction Al had an extreme tendency to steal and be involved in illegal and unfair business. This ultimately would harm the whole family; and early on it harmed Floyd. The second chapter foreshadows Al's future. Al plays with Floyd by pretending to steal his saved money. When Floyd is caught stealing from a store with another child, Al ironically reprimands him, "...don't let anybody lead you into anything like that again." He says to Floyd, "You don't want to end up in reform school like me." (P. 29) Al had saved Floyd this time. Later, Al promises to help Floyd buy a bicycle, because he doesn't want him "...hanging around the streets..."(P. 32) to sell magazines. It seemed as if Al was going to really let his little brother down (again) when he offered a pair of Levi's instead. Then their father stepped in. If he hadn't it would have been the buffalo nickel all over again - promises unkempt. Floyd often feels optimistic about his brother and their relationship during his childhood. As the two of them rode home on the brand-new bike he remarked, "He'd come through again. My brother." (p. 36) Al often warned Floyd against the evils of drugs and crime. During the time that the two were training together Al would say, "Never lie, never cheat, never drink or smoke... and don't take many from people... always be loyal to your buddies..." (p. 64) The extreme irony in these statements become evident as the story progresses and Al proceeds to do all of these things. Worse than that, he encourages Floyd to participate in them. Despite his apparent efforts to steer Floyd away from this kind of life Al's influence gets Floyd into trouble time, and time again. Floyd and Al would end up swindling people for their money as a collaborative effort. This is something that Floyd had watched his big brother do for years. When Al quit training and began drinking and using drugs heavily, this was how he used his time and made his money; he would then blow his money on booze or smack. Floyd is eventually able to use his intellect and his talent to help him overcome the heart breaking disillusionment that Al's unreliability as a brother caused. Through establishing his own separate life and through his poetry and writing Floyd is able to free himself from the invalid personality of his brother Al Salas. When Floyd notices he is being followed by the police he realizes that Al ratted him out. "...The one thing I knew: I could never trust my brother Al again." (P. 276). Ultimately, Floyd is able to release his pain caused by his brother, his addiction, and his unreliability through his writing. A boxing match helps Floyd get out his aggressions as well. During the match Floyd hits Al for some of the many wrongs Al has done him: "...that's for forty years of bullshit!" (P. 341) Floyd is even able to tell Al, "You've cheated everybody you've know and manipulated every situation to your own benefit! To this very day!" (P. 344)

Salas Delivers Hard Hitting Bio.......1997-08-20

Floyd Salas, author of the classic Tattoo The Wicked Cross (a novel that was originally written as a short story about a rape in a juvenile detention center)delivers with a memoir about the love and respect he had for his family, his life, and particularly his older brother, a man who would have a tremendous affect on him. Honest, tough, funny, and sometimes so sad it's hard to read, Buffalo Nickel is written in the same stark realist fashion as Fred Exley's A Fan's Notes and throws the same righty-cross Charles Bukowski hit us with in Ham On Rye

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