Molecular Cloning and Gene Regulation in Bacilli

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Molecular Cloning and Gene Regulation in Bacilli

Manufacturer: Academic Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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Microbiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0122741501

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Molecular Cloning and Gene Regulation in Bacilli.
A.T. Ganesan
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M3Y45C

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Molecular Cloning and Gene Regulation in Bacilli.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IBF5OM

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Molecular Cloning and Gene Regulation in Bacilli.
A.T. Ganesan
Manufacturer: Academic Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH801U

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

If any word could be said to encapsulate the essence of GOA, it would have to be the Portuguese sossegarde, meaning "carefree". For Goan expatriates, the term conjures up memories of long, lazy evenings on pillared verandas, surrounded by tropical vegetation and the heady scent of cashew and frangipani flowers, with the crash of surf drifting periodically through a curtain of coconut palms. The pace of life in this former colonial enclave, midway down India's southwest coast, has picked up over the past twenty years, but in spite of the increasing chaos of its capital, beach resorts and market towns, Goa has retained the laid-back feel that has traditionally set it apart from the rest of the country. Its 1.4 million inhabitants are unequivocal about the roots of their distinctiveness; while most of the subcontinent was colonized by the stiff-upper-lipped British, Goa's European overlords were the dissolute Portuguese, a people far more inclined to enjoy the good things in life than their Anglo-Saxon counterparts.

Goa was Portugal's first toehold in Asia, brutally carved out by the explorer Alfonso Albuquerque in 1510, and served as the linchpin for a vast trade empire for over 450 years. However, when the Portuguese colonial mission began to flounder in the seventeenth century, so too did the fortunes of its capital. Cut off from the rest of India by a wall of mountains and hundreds of miles of unnavigable alluvial plain, it remained resolutely aloof from the wider subcontinent. While India was tearing itself to pieces in the run-up to Independence in 1947, the only machetes being wielded here were cutting coconuts. Not until 1961, after an exasperated Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave up trying to negotiate with the Portuguese dictator Salazar and sent in the army, was Goa finally absorbed into India. A decade or so later the overland travellers' trail wriggled its way south down the Konkan Coast from Mumbai, ensuring that this hitherto remote enclave of Latin-influenced culture would never be quite the same again.

Those visitors who came here back in the late 1960s and 1970s found a way of life little changed in centuries: Portuguese was still very much the lingua franca of the well-educated elite, and the coastal settlements were mere fishing and coconut cultivation villages. Relieved to have found somewhere inexpensive and culturally undemanding to recover from the travails of Indian travel, the blow-ins got stoned, watched the mesmeric sunsets over the Arabian Sea and partied madly on full-moon nights, giving rise to a holiday culture that soon made Goa synonymous with hedonistic hippies.

Since then, the state has largely shaken off its reputation as a drop-out zone, but hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors still flock here each winter, the vast majority of them to relax on Goa's beautiful beaches. Around two dozen stretches of soft white sand indent the region's coast, from spectacular 25-kilometre sweeps to secluded palm-backed coves. The level of development on them varies wildly; while some have ritzy Western-style resorts, the most sophisticated structures on others are palm-leaf shacks and old wooden outriggers that have to be heaved into the sea each afternoon.

Goa's beaches, however, are only a part of the picture. A short foray from the coast will take you into the state's real heart, the densely populated strip inland - a lush patchwork of paddy fields, coconut and areca plantations, and gently meandering rivers. Further east, the jungle-covered hills of the Western Ghats separate Goa from the drier Deccan plateau, scattered with tiny thatch-roofed settlements and isolated communities of forest-dwelling farmers - direct descendants of the region's aboriginal peoples.

Wherever you travel in Goa, you'll find traces of former Portuguese domination, creating an ambience that is at once exotic and strangely familiar. Gabled Baroque church facades nose tantalizingly above the tropical treeline, padres in long cassocks cycle to Mass, fishermen wear crosses and Madonna medallions, and on Sunday evenings Christian families take a leisurely stroll in their best clothes, the women in carefully tailored dresses, the men in slacks and shirts. Blending the Latin love of meat and fish with India's predilection for spices, Goan food, too, is quite unlike any other regional cuisine in Asia, as is the prevalence of alcohol. Beer is cheap, and six thousand or more bars around the state are licensed to serve it, along with the more traditional tipple, feni, a rocket fuel spirit distilled from cashew fruit or coconut sap.

Outside the Christian heartland of central Goa, the temples, rituals and exuberant festivals of Hinduism, the religion of more than two-thirds of the state's population, mingle easily with more recently implanted traditions. Unlike many parts of India, religious intolerance is a thing of the past here; faced by the threat of merger with neighbouring states, Goans have always put regional cohesion before communal differences at the ballot box, and some of the state's principal religious festivals - notably Christmas, Carnival and Diwali - are celebrated by adherents of both faiths.

However, the debate over statehood and identity has gradually come to dominate the political agenda in Goa over the past decade or so. Following New Delhi's recognition of Konkani, spoken by the vast majority of Goans, as the official state language in 1992, the press platformed calls for greater autonomy, as well as curbs on immigration from other Indian states. Goa is considerably more prosperous than adjoining regions, and this has stimulated a vast influx of economic refugees, the poorest of whom live in shanty settlements around the construction sites where they work. Among the main employers of migrant labour in recent years has been the Konkan Railway, completed in 1997 to form a super-fast land link with Mumbai - another stimulus for economic growth that has already brought with it lasting changes.

Fuelled by remittance cheques from expats working in the Gulf and North America, and by the hard-currency receipts from tourism, the recent boom has placed a great strain on Goa's fragile natural environment, and green issues nowadays feature prominently in any talk of the region's future. Much anger, in particular, has been directed towards a handful of purpose-built luxury hotels, which have been accused of ignoring environmental laws. We have tried to reflect such concerns in the Guide, indicating which hotels have been taken to task by the green lobby and what you can do to minimize the impact of your presence in this part of the world.

If you've never travelled in Asia before, Goa may come as something of a shock. Its beaches certainly conform to the glossy holiday brochure image, but once outside the tourist spots many first-time visitors are surprised to find themselves in workaday rural India, where bullock carts far outnumber cars, rice is planted by hand, and the majority of villagers subsist on an average annual wage that is far lower than the cost of a flight from Europe. Don't, however, let this deter you from venturing off the beaten track in Goa. The little-frequented corners of the state are likely to yield some of the most memorable moments of your trip, combining beautiful scenery with the chance to encounter a way of life that is worlds away from the headlong commercialism of the beach resorts.

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly useful travel guide.......2000-12-11

This little book is probably the best of it's kind and is invaluable for the budget travellor. It contains accurate descriptions of accomodation and restaurants in different price ranges. My only comment is that the writer is a little harsh on Calangute, yes it's a busy, bustling tourist town - but I didn't see 'heaps of garbage' and the town starting to 'stew in it's juices'. However generally I loved this little book, the photos were great and I would have been lost without it!

The Rough Guide to South India 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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Rough Guide to South India

The Rough Guide to South India 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Rough Guides
Manufacturer: Rough Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Rough Guide | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1843538520
Release Date: 2007-10-29

Book Description

The Rough Guide to South India is the ultimate handbook to this spectacular region. The full-colour section introduces South India’s highlights from cruising on Kerala’s teeming Kuttanad backwater region to the madness of the Maharasthran capital. This fully–updated 5 ^th edition includes expanded coverage of Kerala and detailed accounts of all the attractions including the majestic temples of Tamil Nadu, the world most visited religious site of Venkatesshvara Temple, and the looming balfries and baroque churches of Old Goa. You’ll find all the practical advice you’ll need whether you’re trekking in the Cardamom Hills, scuba-diving in the Andamans or traveling around Mumbai.The guide comes complete with critical reviews of all the best places to stay, eat, practice yoga, and includes maps and plans for every area.

The Rough Guide to South India is like having a local friend plan your trip!

Customer Reviews:

Rough Guide to South India.......2007-01-05

This book gives ou a nice overview of the region, and incredible specific tips for visiting South India.

The Rough Guide to India 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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Devoted Fan of Rough Guides
Great Book BUT Poor Quality Binding

The Rough Guide to India 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
ROUGH GUIDES
Manufacturer: Rough Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Rough Guide | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1843530899
Release Date: 2003-11-27

Customer Reviews:

Devoted Fan of Rough Guides.......2005-12-06

I should begin by saying that I traveled around India with the fourth edition of the Rough Guide. Though I cannot comment on how updates and revisions may effect the utility of this particular version, I feel quite confident in recommending the Rough Guide over any other guidebook in the market.

My approach to travel has always been one of depth over breadth, cultural authenticity over the latest tourist craze. After spending 2 years in Senegal as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I went to India believing that I might somehow have the same ease of access to village life and cultural events that I had in West Africa. That belief was quickly dispelled, though I came to find many other redeeming qualities to travel and to life in India. In total, I have spent about one year in the country and have relied on my Rough Guide in many, many ways.

There is absolutely no way to compare the depth of historical context and cultural insight given by the Rough Guide with what you may find in Lonely Planet or other guidebooks to India. I frequently borrowed Lonely Planet guides from other travelers to compare its recommendations with the ones I found in my Rough Guide. I consistently found the Lonely Planet to be poorly researched, to offer extremely limited background information, and to eliminate many sites/entries of more obscure or esoteric value to the traveler. It would be incredibly difficult to stick to the Lonely Planet and not be one of the millions of blind backpackers circumnavigating the globe thinking they are actually seeing something. The Rough Guide, in comparison, offered countless 'text-box' entries descrbing the complexities of modern-day life in India. A few that come to mind dealt with drug use, journalism, organized crime, education, et al.

If you expect to spend a significant amount of time in India, you will want to know as much cultural information as possible in order to decipher the circus of events going on around you. In many ways you will be marginalized and will struggle to ever feel like you could possibly belong in the place. This of course is the love-hate relationship that nearly every foreigner who spends enough time there will eventually develop. That being said, your status as outsider will allow you to observe and analyze the country in ways that will teach you volumes about your own native land and culture. My Rough Guide proved to be an indispensable companion on trains and in hotels. It gave me the right combination of thorough logistical information for travel necessities and in-depth cultural information for personal ones. Use your Rough Guide to the fullest and get ready to see how much you can love and hate a place at the same time...

I also want to address an earlier reviewer's comments about pages and binding. One great advantage of the pages found in Rough Guides is that they are quite thin. With the same weight and volume as a Lonely Planet, for example, a Rough Guide will pack in significantly (500?) more pages, leaving that much more information literally at your fingertips. The binding on my book was certainly not ideal - seeing my book today, it is not difficult to imagine all that I put it through during my travels. But the point of a buying a travel guide is not to have a lovely coffee table book at which to stare upon your return home. Use it, beat it up, because things do fall apart in India. Should travel guides be any different?

Great Book BUT Poor Quality Binding.......2005-09-30

I have used a variety of Travel Guides (Moon, Footprint, Lonely Planet, Bradt, ...) and find that the Rough Guides are informative and give great background on a country, which put them on par with Bradt. But with this edition of the Rough Guide the pages started falling out immediately - on the plane. The binding is of a very poor quality, in which the pages are just glued to the cover. This is not acceptable for a guide book that will be used "on the road" compared to a book for fiction books.

For this reason I would not recommend the guide book unless The Rough Guide fixes the binding.

Book Description

Interactive Tutor: Self-Assessment Software CD-ROM allows students to review chapter content at their own pace and receive immediate feedback. A built-in tutorial is triggered by incorrect answers.

The World and Its People, Interactive Tutor Self Assessment CD-ROM (Win/Mac)

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The World and Its People, Interactive Tutor Self Assessment CD-ROM (Win/Mac)
McGraw-Hill
Manufacturer: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0078663334

Book Description

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Malevich Cameo (Great Modern Masters)
Jose Maria Faerna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HWYLHO

Book Description

From the prestigious American Kennel Club and its official publication, the AKC Gazette, here is a heartwarming tribute to our cherished canine companions. In unforgettable words and images, Our Dogs beautifully captures the enduring bond between dogs and the owners who love them. More than one hundred lavish, full-color photographs are accompanied by thoughtful pieces from an array of respected writers–from Rick Bass, Breena Clark and Jane Smiley, to Roger Rosenblatt, Doug Marlette, and many, many others. Along with top dog trainers and breeders, they pay tribute to the loyalty, enthusiasm, vitality, and grace of dogs of every breed.

Our Dogs celebrates so much of what draws us to these exceptional animals: the essence and exuberance of puppyhood; the selfless ways dogs act in service to humankind, from courageous search and rescue missions to giving comfort to those in hospitals and nursing homes; the wonderful variety of canine moods and behavior–the raised eyebrow, the unfettered joy of a wagging tail; the fascinating role of canine instinct, from the hunting dog in the field to the herding dog gathering a stray lamb back to the flock; and the simple yet unparalleled healing bond that that exists between dogs and humans.

The perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, this gorgeously designed volume honors the timeless appeal of man’s best friend.

Customer Reviews:

lovely to look at, delightful to read.......2003-12-04

I don't know beans about the AKC Gazette but if this sampler is any indication, it must be a pretty good magazine. The writing and photography throughout the book are of a very high quality. Historical photos combine with images of a "feel good" nature to illustrate over 100 years of America's fascination with dogs. The text represents the best of many famous dog writers who you might expect to find in a collection like this, plus essays from well known "mainstream" writers you would not expect. My favorite pieces include those by Jane Smiley and Roger Rosenblatt. And there is a beautifully written short-story about a girl and a guard dog in a concentration camp. Also appreciated were some vivid accounts of Westminster, the world's greatest dog show. I have a few quibbles, but all in all Our Dogs was more than my money's worth--a lovely picture book that is also a good read.

A beautiful collection for dog lovers.......2003-12-04

There are a lot of dog books out there, but this one is really outstanding because of its wide variety of excellent photos of and writing about dogs.

The visuals are wonderful. Two of my favorites are a gorgeous, moody shot of four velvety weimaraners, and a poignant portrait at the end of the book of an elderly man and his grey-muzzled Labrador retriever. There are many more especially memorable images, including a number of fascinating historical photos of dogs. (How could any dog lover not be charmed by the shot of a tiny Yorkshire terrier mascot who helped out in the trenches in World War II, happily peering out from an infantryman's upturned helmet?)

But at least equaling the high caliber of the photography is the extremely fine and interesting writing about dogs. Passages of text excerpted throughout range from fascinating turn-of-the-century commentaries on life with dogs, to snippets of dog-related wartime news from the 1940s, humorous pieces, and moving and heartfelt recent meditations on our relationship with dogs by top-notch modern writers.

Included is an eloquent essay, "Homer the Earth Diver," by novelist Rick Bass, on his soulful, aging hound's seeming ventures across the bounds of mortality. "Some mornings when I go to her room," he writes, "she is sleeping so soundly, and in so loose and strange a sprawl that I think she has died in her sleep. And on those mornings, I get the impression that she has slept deeper, has dived deeper into the land of dreams, than she used to. That surely, now more than ever, the two worlds are blurring, and that she travels further and farther into a place where I can't go. . . ."

His thoughtful writing comes from a place that will be intimately understood by those who have ever loved a dog, who have had a dog live its lifetime devotedly beside you, who have known the sad but profound experience of confronting the loss of that dear friend. In this piece, and many others in the book, those with an interest in dogs will truly appreciate wonderful writing by kindred spirits.

All in all, Our Dogs is a beautiful addition to any dog lover's library.

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Our Dogs: A Century of Images and Words from the AKC Gazette
American Kennel Club
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OW5VEE

Average customer rating:
Our Dogs: A Century of Images and Words from the AKC Gazette
The Staff of The American Kennel Club
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVFU9Q

Book Description

Smaller-scale replicas of dream vehicles capture the imagination and touch the child in each of us. Here are Jaguars, Bugattis, Ferraris, Jeeps, MGs, and many, many others, made from 1900 to the present day, powered by pedals, electricity, or gasoline. It covers a spectrum of cars made from the turn of the century to the present day. Over 300 photos of childrens automobiles make this book valuable to collectors, restorers, and researchers alike. Detailed captions for each car explain the model, its unique qualities, current value, and interesting restoration information. A large supplement loaded with catalog material presents childrens vehicles produced by the Tri-Ang company. Both toy and full-size vehicle enthusiasts will stop to enjoy this interesting corner of the automotive world.

Customer Reviews:

Caution: Will not buy this book. here's why. The author..........2007-08-19

Will not buy this book. here's why. This authors other book "Juvenile Automobiles" is poor. As a device for identification of your car JA may help. Good for UK made Triang/ Lines Bros cars - Has a reprint Triang catalogue in the back.
Purely a random collection of black & white piccys of cars with little or no comment this book appears to have been written in under 4 hours. There is self-indulgent bumpf about the author, which is OK if for the fact there is more about the author than the subject. Can I be more damning?? Make it the last book you buy on the subject, not the first.

Collector's Guide to Children's Automobiles

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Collector's Guide to Children's Automobiles
G. Weiner
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MHNAYY

Book Description

Known for his legendary “stone face” and incredible physical gags, Buster Keaton (1895-1966) was a genius of silent-film comedy. Decades after their release, his movies remain unsurpassed marvels of comic invention and mechanical timing. In Buster Keaton Remembered, a unique illustrated survey of Keaton's career, Eleanor Keaton, his wife of 26 years, and film historian Jeffrey Vance provide a personal account of this icon of American cinema.

Drawing on professional papers, screenplays, studio records, and scrapbooks, the authors trace Keaton's beginnings in vaudeville, where he perfected his gags; his first silent shorts with Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle; the brilliant features he conceived, directed, produced, and performed in; and his later sound films for M-G-M and others. Fresh prints of classic film stills and never-before-published photos from the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, together with a lively, anecdotal text, offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Keaton came up with his hilarious ideas, choreographed his elaborate stunts, and crafted his films.

Customer Reviews:

Buster-a wonderful and fitting remembrance.......2005-02-24

I can't believe I've reached my 50th review.And it is happily on a topic near and dear to my heart.....Buster Keaton.
Buster was not as appreciated as he might have been in his 1920s heydays.And when his downfall at the hands of MGM came in the early 30s,as far as the public was concerned he was just considered just another fatality
like so many of his peers that occured in the late 20s and early 30s with the conversion to sound.He was soon forgotten.
But it didn't keep Buster down the least bit.He eventually battled back from depression and acute alcoholism.He was rarely out of work for very long and whether behind or in front of the camera he continued on like a trouper for the rest of his days.
The man lived and breathed comedy and never lost his ability in the development and creation of gags.And of course his masterful directing abilities and knowledge of the camera were unquestionable.
Buster fortunately lived long enough to see a steady resurgence in his popularity and homages from many in the film industry.And his public persona also reached new heights as new generations rediscovered his older films and/or relished his appearances in newer films and on TV.
This book then is a fitting tribute to a legend and one of the GREAT(and I don't use this word lightly) purveyors of screen comedy in the 20th century.
It is first and foremost a pictorial tribute.It is absollutely filled with wonderful photographs,some I have seen but others I have not.
It even has a photo montage of a Buster how-to on creating his trademark pork pie hat.
All this is nicely rounded out with text from the author and most especially his late widow Eleanor.
All in all I recommend this book highly to those who are just discovering this great screen comedy genius.There's no better way to acclimate yourself to his life and career.And to those like myself who have known and adored this mans' work for years,this book should be an essential piece in the Buster Keaton section of your library.

Well worth having.......2003-07-16

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Being a fan of Buster, I've read numerous bios, ranging from mediocre to all out hatchet jobs. Students of the "Great Stone Face" will learn a lot, I certainly did. The photographs alone are worth the price of the book, epsecially the "stills" from THE GENERAL, STEAMBOAT BILL JR. and ONE WEEK. Keaton always seems to take the proverbial "back-seat" to Chaplin, but Buster was the better comic, by FAR!!! And, as an added bonus, you can see how Buster and Eleanor made the "pork-pie hats" worn in so many of Keaton's films.

Silent No More.......2002-10-13

I've always been a little disappointed that Buster Keaton gets overshadowed by stars like Chaplin, mainly because he was more than just a silent comedian. In many ways, he was a daredevil of his time, always doing his own stunts and risking his life on several occasions. In today's Hollywood, what star would've dared let a whole house fall on him and miss by mere inches as Buster does in Steamboat Bill Jr.?? Not even Jackie Chan would've tried that one!

With that in mind, Buster Keaton Remembered is superb at illustrating a lot of the stunts and tricks he used in making his best movies, not to mention the man himself, with some glorious candid and studio photography.

The only real disappointment I found with this book is the text's general lack of depth. Sure, the classic shorts and features are all here. But his later work (post-1940) is generally glossed over. Many intriguing elements are also introduced like the death of one of his gag writers, his unreleased film "Ten Girls Ago", his family becoming part of Buster's films, etc. But in most cases, these are only mentioned in passing and get little analysis or explanation.

But then, Buster Keaton Remembered isn't really meant to be a biography - this is more of a coffee table book. So if you're looking for a stunning pictorial of his life, this is the one to pick up. If you're looking for more detailed insights into the man and his movies, it's time to head for the library.

gorgeous love letter.......2002-03-25

the photos are worth the price of admission, many i had not seen before as a long time fan of keaton. the text is clear, and not horribly sentimental, which i was afraid to find as the book was co-written by his last wife.

gorgeous. really well done.

A Great Comedian and Grandfather.......2001-10-01

I recently attended the Ninth annual Buster Keaton Festival in Iola .KS. It was my seventh visit. I met Margaret his Granddaughter and she autographed this book. The book is beautifally done in the vailed quality of the golden movie age. The pictures and story line are truly of love for this man from his wife and "grandaughter". James Karen also was present and received the "Buster". Stone face will be remembered as a common man with photos of him smiling. This is special because he was also a proud grandfather to his granddaughter. For a final tribute visit, Find a grave.com GOD BLESS BUSTER

Book Description

A literary tour de force that tells the story of Violet Trefusis, lover of Vita Sackville-West, and her mother, Alice Keppel, lover to Edward VII.

Alice Keppel, the married lover of Queen Victoria's eldest son, and great-grandmother to Camilla Parker-Bowles, was a key figure in Edwardian society. Hers was the acceptable face of adultery. In contrast her daughter Violet Trefusis' love was author and aristocratic Vita Sackville-West. Her passion and recalcitrance pitted her against her mother and society. From memoirs, diaries, and letters, Diana Souhami portrays this fascinating and intense mother/daughter relationship, and how these women and their lovers highlight Edwardian--and contemporary--duplicity and double standards.

Customer Reviews:

A delusional life.......2007-09-16

Alice, Mrs.George Keppel, known in Court circles as "Little Mrs.George", was the mistress of Edward the 7th for many years, until his death. It's a well known story that Queen Alexandra sent for her to attend the death bed of her husband, but what I hadn't known before is that Edward had sent Alice a letter, years before, expressing his wish that she might be allowed to say goodbye in the event of his approaching death. She'd kept this letter which she sent to the Queen, virtually forcing her to accede to his wishes. With this same determination and strength, she proved herself to be the perfect mistress for Edward, always ready and willing to satisfy his appetites and, at the same time, using his influence to acquire enormous wealth and social prestige. At that time in the beginning of the 20th century, the position of Royal Mistress was still held to be a position of social esteem, providing, and this was a BIG proviso, that the affair was handled with absolute privacy and tact, and with no hint of scandal. Alice's daughter, Violet, whose parentage was uncertain, was another matter. In her teenage and early years, she conducted a violently passionate love affair with Vita Sackville-West which lasted for some years until her possessiveness proved too much for Vita. This book will be fascinating for history buffs as it gives a wonderful insight into the morals and mores of Edwardian times, which Violet found to be hypocritical but which allowed people who were often married for convenience and to propagate family lines, to live their lives with a semblance of normality. Violet was a supremely self absorbed woman and, like many of her class at that time, idle and self indulgent through a lack of purpose, except her own pleasure. I found it to be a marvellous read.

VIOLET TREFUSIS AND HER MOTHER: LOOKING FOR VIOLET AND FINDING HER HERE.......2007-07-26

This is a terrific read. I couldn't put the book down. It doesn't have Violet Keppel Trefusis in the title but it is essentially about her and this is why I bought the book here on Amazon. It is the first book I read beyond Vita Sackville-West's own memoire of her relationship with Violet; this was published in Nigel Nicolson's 'Portrait of a Marriage' in 1973 - shortly after Violet's death in 1972. Like 'Portrait of a Marriage', the book only really comes (startlingly) alive when we get to the affair with Vita that was cut short to avoid scandal leaving Violet in a wrecked wasteland. This is the book's tour de force. Unlike the other available Trefusis biographies, it gives the reader a much more comprehensive contextual understanding because it draws from a wider range of references and Souhami's own valuable research. It includes excellent portraits of all the main actors and Violet's extraordinary childhood, the hypocritical Edwardian mores and values that Violet found so offensive. And, the force of powerful, beloved and trust fund controlling mothers especially, of course, Alice Keppel. Violet was the product of one of Keppel's love affairs (probably before she met King Edward VII).

The book includes valuable quotes from published and unpublished sources. It firmly sides with Violet and balances the negativity of the Nicolson view of Violet as a dangerous and even evil seductress. Souhami appreciates Violet's vanquished quest for love in truth and honesty and makes her tragedy painfully palpable. Vita on the other hand is not treated sympathetically. There are two sides to every story and this is Souhami's defense of Violet.

Souhami rushes through Violet's later life offering selected vignettes of Violet as a troubled, perhaps deluded woman who was 'unaware of the figure she cut'. She says 'Her messiness, her chaos, her constant painting of her face, seemed to signal inner distress.' How far Violet might have been damaged by the consequences of her relationship with Vita, her isolation and alienation (because she was different in many ways and could not 'fit in'), and her sometimes violent marriage with Denys is unknown. Souhami provides no analysis but she provides information; readers have to make their own judgement.

Despite the different sadnesses that haunt the book, the author also has a good eye for comedy and the absurd and I laughed out loud on a few occasions. When Violet dies at the end of the book, I missed her terribly and this is a compliment to Souhami as well as to Violet. This book sent me on a trove for more Violet who I take my imaginary hat off to for surviving as well as she did.

After reading all the other available books, I conclude that Souhami's is the best overall record of Violet's life. It's really enjoyable to read and is good value for money at the prices available now on Amazon. I would recommend that it be read alongside 'Violet to Vita' (her letters) and her memoire 'Don't Look Around' from which the reader can judge for themselves the big gap between her early private and later public persona. 'Violet Trefusis' by Philippe Jullian and John Phillips, the Eve section of Vita Sackville-West's 'Challenge' and Violet's novels 'Broderie Anglaise' and 'Hunt the Slipper' are also valuable references. All are available on Amazon USA and UK at good prices.

A Tour of Two Worlds.......1998-03-03

Most of us are commoner, middle class and heterosexual. We don't give thought to other worlds until something strange happens--the murder of Versace or the death of Princess Diana. This book lifts up the rug on these two worlds and allows us to glimpse at something quite alien from our own. Beneath the upper crust of society there is a social dictum that allows the rich and the well-connected to be "doing it and excusing it" as long as it's done with discretion. Behind the facade of certain marriages are gay people in hiding--arranged marriages of convenience. It is a social hypocrisy that didn't start with the Edwardian era but it certainly continues through today. Billed as a double bio, this book is more the biography of Violet Trefusis, lesbian daughter of Alice Keppel, King Edward VII's mistress and the great-grandmother of Camilla Parker-Bowles. But to tell the story of Violet, one must understand Alice and the Edwardian social set. This story is a tour through strange worlds indeed, richly told with text from the letters and published works of the main characters. This is biography that gives you the pathos of real people. Diana Souhami tries to balance the scales by telling the story of the famous lesbian affair between Vita Sackville-West and Violet Trefusis from Violet's point of view. One feels sorry for Violet but also annoyed. How long does it take for Violet to accept that Vita isn't willing to commit to their relationship? Violet, the victim, is a self-deceiving at best, dense at worst. Violet hasn't inherited her mother's ability to make the best of whatever social situation she's in. That's the ultimate tragedy of it. The hypocrisy of society will be with us forever. Only the strong learn to use it to their advantage. It's a lesson we all learn, whatever our place in this world.

Thought provoking biography.......1997-08-30

After having read this book, I can't stop thinking about it and pondering what makes us happy in life. The people in this story, constrained by the morals of their time, sought happiness through influence, fame, wealth, and sexual relationships with varying success. Today, although our society is more open and free, achieving happiness is still a challenging business. As I read about Violet Trefusis' unhappy life, I wondered how different it would have been had Vita Sackville-West eloped with her. What if their times had been more accepting of openly homosexual relationships. What if Violet had been able to live within the lie of her marriage. If this story had played out today, could it have ended with happiness for Violet. Are things so different for us today.

Souhami's version of the affair between Violet and Vita leaves one feeling angry and annoyed at Vita. If Vita had been honest about their relationship, Violet may have learned to accept her life without the possiblity of a long term relationship with Vita. Violet may have healed emotionally and been able to get back on track in life. Instead, Souhamis portrays Violet as a victim and her life damaged by her unrequited passion for Vita. Vita held out false hopes to Violet by waffling and lying to Violet about their relationship, while actually having no intention of ever leaving her marriage. Vita was not very honest and if she had been a man, she would have been called a cad.

I plan on re-reading A Portrait of a Marriage to see if Vita can change my mind. But my first reading of that book several years ago left me unconvinced and Souhamis has written an interesting and convincing portrait of Violet as the victim.

I highly recommend this book. This is a story about human relationships - husband/wife, mother/daughter, lover/loved, not just the lesbian relationship between Violet and Vita. It is about how these people were able to resolve (or not) the many issues in their lives and the kind of happiness they achieved.

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Mrs Keppel and Her Daughter
Diana Souhami
Manufacturer: St. Martin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QY1JI2

Product Description

338 pages

Average customer rating:

Mrs Keppel and Her Daughter
Diana Souhami
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTF6YM

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