Taxonomy and Biogeography of Macquarie Island Seaweeds

Book Description

The great pyramids of Giza have intrigued humanity for thousands of years. Questions about the construction and the purpose of these majestic monuments have existed since the middle period of ancient Egyptian civilization, but recent cutting-edge research has uncovered information about how and why they were built. In Mountains of the Pharaohs, Zahi Hawass, a world-renowned archaeologist and the official guardian of Egypt’s timeless treasures, weaves the latest archaeological data and an enthralling family history into spellbinding narrative.

Nearly five thousand years ago, the 4th Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom reigned over a highly advanced civilization. Believed to be gods, the royal family lived amid colossal palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. Hawass brings these extraordinary historical figures to life, spinning a soap opera–like saga complete with murder, incest, and the triumphant ascension to the throne of one of only four queens ever to rule Egypt.

The magnificent pyramids attest not only to the dynasty’s supreme power, but also to the engineering expertise and architectural sophistication that flourished under their rule. Hawass argues that the pyramids—including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still standing—were built by skilled craftsmen who took great pride in their work.

Mountains of the Pharaohs is an unprecedented account of one of civilization’s greatest achievements.

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoyed this book........2007-07-25

This is a great book if you want to learn about the history of the Pharaohs and the pyramid builders. The author, Zahi Hawass, is secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people.

Hawass writes that the pharaohs, initially worshippers of the sun and eventually made sun gods themselves, began constructing these pyramids (which were giant tombs) as soon as they ascended to the throne.

There are some really nice facts in the book that I did not know:

(a) The Sphinx originally had a beard, and fragments of it are in a museum. It was feared that the head of the Sphinx might fall off, and that the beard had to be restored in order to offer support to the head. But later scientific investigations showed that in fact the head and neck of the Sphinx were the sturdiest parts of the Sphinx. A decision was then taken not to restore the Sphinx's beard!

(b) Contrary to popular belief, the pyramids were not built by slaves. The burial ground of the pyramid builders was found in the 80's, and it showed that they were common people who ate meat and fish (it was once thought that only the elite ate meat), and took a day off every ten days.

(c) Not all Pharaohs were cruel and unjust. Some showed caring to their people, and treated males and females equally.

(d) The pyramids were built about 4,000 years ago (the erroneous and popular belief is that they were built over 10,000 years ago). They were not built by extraterrestrials or by the mythical inhabitants of Atlantis.

(e) Hawass imagines Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid, finding comfort in thinking that "[h]is pyramid was rising rapidly, reaching to the sky and ensuring his eternal life as a god...."

(f) Hawass points out that the Great Pyramid of Khufu is the most famous monument in the world, and it has been visited, measured, photographed, and studied by scholars for centuries.

(g) Giza was the heart of Egypt for three generations, and it was here that the royal government sat and where the court of the king spent much of its time.

(h) Contrary to popular belief, the shape of the pyramid does not prevent dead tissue from rotting. The author actually tested this hypothesis in his office in a miniature pyramid, and the stench produced proved his point.

Read this book to correct some misconceptions you might have had about the history of the pyramids!

"All fear time, but time fears the pyramids".......2007-03-12

To give you some idea of how ancient the pyramids are, think of Alexander the Great. When he conquered Egypt and viewed the pyramids, they were as ancient to him, as he is to us.

Yet, as ancient as these wonders are, we have in recent decades been learning more and more about them and their builders. Indeed the rate of discovery has been accelerating. Much of the credit for uncovering the long-hidden details about the pyramids, their builders, and the pharaohs who ruled then goes to Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. Indeed, you can do a search in a news aggregator and find major discoveries by Hawass since the publication of this book. Things are happening fast in Egyptology, so read Hawass' very interesting and thought-provoking book, and get up to speed on the ancient pyramids.

Mountains of the Pharaohs: The Untold story of the Pyramind Builders.......2007-01-11

Excellent reading. This book kept my interest, I couldn't put the book down.

Packed with information but ..........2006-12-05

while the author tried very hard to be objective, I had a strong feeling that he colored his description of ancient Egyptian royalty with his own beliefs. The book is very descriptive about the lives of the kings as is currently believed, for instance, but, while he insinuated women had a decent amount of power and said they had pyramids of their own, their lives were glossed over. Every human culture has two halves with stories to tell, not just one half.

Otherwise, the book is very dry and might be useful as a textbook but is not for the casual reader seeking to learn. Zahi Hawass seems to be a very good scientist but a poor author.

Did not cover enough regarding the pyramids........2006-11-10

NOthing new. Just a repeat of old stuff.

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Builders Of The Old World
Hartman Saunders
Manufacturer: Little Brown & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GUO7GW

Average customer rating:

Builders Of The Old World

Manufacturer: D. C. Heath and Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JFF1IC

Average customer rating:

Builders of the Old World
Gertrude Hartman
Manufacturer: Boston: D. C. Heath and Company, 1951
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXOZ0K

Average customer rating:

Builders of the Old World
Gertrude hHrtman
Manufacturer: D C Heath
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IZSTB4

Average customer rating:

Builders of the Old World
Gertrude Hartman
Manufacturer: Heath
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007IWW0G

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Builders of the Old World
Gertrude, Illustrated by Marjorie Quennell Hartman
Manufacturer: D. C. Heath & Co. 1965
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UBVX14

Average customer rating:

Builders of the Old World
Hartman & Saunders
Manufacturer: D.C. Heath & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L2U8EK

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Builders of the Old World
Marjorie (illustrator) Quennell
Manufacturer: D C Heath and Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L2JYHW

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Builders of the Old World
Gertrude Hartman
Manufacturer: Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1951
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXMUD4

Book Description

Oklahoma artist Charles Banks Wilson has assembled seventy-five remarkable pencil portraits consisting primarily of pureblood American Indians drawn from life and accompanied by narratives of his visits with each subject. The first edition, Search For the Purebloods, served as a catalog for an exhibition of his art at the United States Capitol. This third edition contains thirteen new subjects, specially selected by Wilson and a new afterward.

Customer Reviews:

A very fine presentation.......2001-04-28

Search For The Native American Purebloods appears in its third edition, blending the author's pencil portraits of pureblood American Indians drawn from life with his narratives of his visits with each subject. Search For The Native American Purebloods is highly recommended for any collection strong in Native American studies will want to include this very fine presentation.

great works of art and history.......2001-03-13

Not only is this book a great treasury of Wilson's sketches, it is a piece of American history. Wilson sets out to draw portraits of remaining pureblood Indians--ones who have only the blood of one tribe coursing through their veins. Sadly, the number of purebloods diminshes rapidly every day, a fact which Wilson laments in his wonderful narrative that accompanies the drawings. This is a great book for lovers of Native Americans, American history, art, and almost anyone else! Highly recommended!

Search for the Purebloods (Oklahoma Museum of Natural History)

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Search for the Purebloods (Oklahoma Museum of Natural History)
Charles Banks Wilson
Manufacturer: University of Oklahoma Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

An okay guide, but not complete.......2003-10-30

This is not a bad guide, but it could have been better. Of what information on beginning fishkeeping is included, it does a good job. The guide provides information on choosing an aquarium, selecting equipment for it, plant and fish selection, tank maintenance and feeding, and how to deal with fish illness. The color photos are nice. When it comes to fish selection, the emphasis is on freshwater tropical fish--livebearers, schooling fish, cichlids, bottom dwellers, and anabantoids; the exception to this would be goldfish and koi. The reason I do not find this guide to be a solid reference tool is because the author eludes to, but never elaborates on biological filtration (the nitrogen cycle)--this is disappointing. Other than that, this guide contains useful information; it just is not complete. I actually rate this guide 2.5 stars.

Disappointed.......2003-07-18

This book is, at best, an overview of setting up your first freshwater aquarium. It does not delve into any one topic deeply enough to benefit the beginner, and although nicely illustrated with various fish species, I felt it was a total waste of my money. I could have learned as much - or more - just from browsing on the Internet.

Save your money and buy something with a little more substance if you are looking for specifics on the set up and maintenance of a tank.

Gorgeous, glossy full-color photographs........2000-05-02

This is a fabulous resource for the beginning aquarist, written simply and directly. Adults will appreciate the brevity of the material and the ease with which desired information can be found as much as the young readers for whom this book is meant will. It's amazing that such a range of topics can be so completely covered in such a short book. From choosing an aquarium to outfitting it properly, from selecting real and/or plastic plants to sorting through the dizzying array of fish available, Axelrod has ALL bases covered--thoroughly! The brilliant, true-to-life colors in the photographs accurately portray dozens of varieties of tropical fish that are available. Included are lots of pertinent details that are characteristic of the types of fish (temperament, ease of care and breeding, etc.--even relative costs of different breeds). The author even describes how the home/hobbyist aquarist can tell male fish from females! This book has it all.

If you plan to set up an aquarium of your own--or even if you already have one--Herbert Axelrod's book will help you plan ahead and save yourself lots of time, worry, and money. Tropical fish can be a very time-consuming and expensive hobby, and your first step should be reading this book in order to learn as much as you can before making a huge investment in the wrong tank and/or fish. The price of this book can easily be recouped by the mistakes you'll avoid.

Book Description

Collectors of Israel stamps now have a one-stop reference source in the new Krause-Minkus Standard Catalog of Israel Stamps. The first new Israel stamp catalog in more than a decade lists more than 1,500 regular, commemorative and airmail stamps in chronological order.

Prices for used and unused issues, in the most collectible grades are also featured. Black and white photos make stamp identification fast and easy. Theres a table of tabs for Israel specialty collectors included as well.

Handy, small-size format makes this volume easy to carry and reference when collecting. It represents the first in a new series of Krause-Minkus catalogs for countries of the world.

-More than 1,500 regular, commemorative and airmail stamps are listed in chronological order.
-Prices listed in used and unused grades to help determine value.
-Photos make stamp identification fast and easy.

Average customer rating:
Coleus: A guide to cultivation and identification
Roy Pedley
Manufacturer: J. Bartholomew
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0851529437

Average customer rating:
Family Handyman Homes for the 90's
Carey
Manufacturer: Homestyles Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0945471254

Book Description

"Fascinating." (Hollywood Reporter)

"Good stuff." (New York Daily News)

The entertaining, complex, and surprising true story of the funniest-and most instantly recognizable-sidekick in TV history: Vivian Vance.

Customer Reviews:

We love Vivian!.......2007-08-31

A great little book on a woman we never heard much about. I've always wondered about her personal life - WOW - more painful than I imagined. Wish she got her Hollywood Star before she died. She worked really hard only to be a second banana, but we loved her, and boy - was she good!!!

Couldn't Put it Down-- A Great Read!.......2007-06-07

I loved this book. I've read several books on Lucille Ball and this was a very cool opportunity to read about her famous sidekick. I have to say, I have a whole new view on Ethel now!

Hey Ethel where's Lucy.......2007-05-15

Book was in very good shape. I would buy another book from this vendor. The only thing I had trouble with was that it took a little longer then I expected to receive in mail.

Never knew the book existed.......2005-03-17

Glad I got a chance to check this book out...it was very interesting as I'd heard about some of the tiffs between them but never really got into it. While I am sure a few different takes on her life/their lives could also fill in the missing pieces..its a good read and provides the rest of the story to the generally heroic and sweentened up picture often given about Ms. Ball and the whole show in general. They were all each and as a group irreplacable and perhaps may have never really understood their "fate" or "destiny" in the place of American life at the time. What a wonderfully talented, funny, and brillant pair and team of actress/actors they were. While all was not well on the show or in that era as with any...to this day they can make you laugh your head off without the crudeness so many comdieans and shows resort to today. The effort and work put into such show outdoes shows today by far. They were great at what they did for the time that they did it. It was also very sobering to read a human real or truer side to them as the pollyannaness of television lives can sometimes rub off on the viewers. Reading it though I could not help feel a sort of sadness ; Ms. Vance..never really being happy. Perhaps its just the way it was told or written. I would like to read other books about her/them to get a more indepth idea. In any case..I recommend taking a spin with this book.

VIVIAN VANCE...........2004-05-11

When I ran across a softback edition of this book, I was floored. I had no idea a book had been written about Vivian Vance. Where had I been? I bought it thinking ,well, it'll be superficial at best. Boy, was I wrong. This is an excellent, in depth and very revealing life story of one of television's best loved ladies. Alvin Walker and Frank Castelluccio have written one of the best biographies on a legend I've ever read. And Vivian Vance is a legend, if an often overlooked one. From her humble showbiz beginnings, to a Broadway career, to her fateful reading with Lucille Ball for the part of Ethel Mertz---I could not put this book down. Vivian Vance came to life on those pages and I learned that there's a lot more to a "second banana" than just the character they play. Vance never escaped her role as Ethel, but she lived a full and complete life worthy of this book and was a more accomplished actress than given credit for. Her years of baffling mental problems, the estrangement with her mother, her extensive stage work, her often rocky relationship with Lucille Ball (not to overlook William Frawley) are all here as well as the huge amount of humanitarian work she did for mental health later in life. This is a highly recommended read for anyone who loved watching Ethel as well as Lucy. It reveals the fascinating woman behind the "mask" of Ethel Mertz, a landmark television icon and an American showbiz legend known as Vivian Vance.

Customer Reviews:

Essential reading for Flann O'Brien fans.......2000-08-25

This book is the definitive biography, whatever quibbles one may have with the author's judgments, aesthetic or otherwise, about O'Nolan's life or art. Think instead about what you get with this book: an author who knew the subject personally, in-depth research into O'Nolan's origins and childhood, an intimate knowledge of the Irish literary scene in the interwar and postwar years, and the ability to show how these shaped the subject intellectually and psychologically. I disagree with a few of Cronin's assessments: I think The Dalkey Archive was the pinnacle of O'Nolan's novelistic achievements. While I agree he should have written more novels, I also feel that his time writing newspaper columns was well spent; there's more wit in most of those columns than in many novels by lesser writers. This book satisfies one of the most important criteria of a biography, that it be a good read in and of itself: Cronin is an excellent writer.

A wonderful view of Dublin literary and middle classlife.......1999-01-10

This is a beautifully written book about a brillant frustrated man, who was a great novelist, newspaper columnist and a competent bureaucrat at the same time. Interesting to an American for that insider's look at those segments of Irish life, it is also valueable to an Irish American Catholic for it is explanation of how O'Brien's convinced Catholicism limited his intellectual curiosity.

Useful, entertaining, and occasionally frustrating.......1997-12-13

Cronin is an affectionate biographer but thankfully not a hagiographer. His personal acquaintance with Brian O'Nolan gives him insight into the various personal and artistic personae that O'Nolan adopted: Flann O'Brien, Myles na gCopaleen, etc. Cronin spends too much energy speculating as to why O'Brien never managed to fulfil the artistic potential of his first two novels. It is, perhaps, unfair to fault Cronin, as this failure frustrates anyone who has read O'Brien's early work. However, Cronin's tone occasionally becomes pious and judgemental of O'Nolan. One wishes this tone would have extended to other aspects of O'Nolan's life (specifically the personal); Cronin evokes and explains the mind set of Dublin in the early to mid twentieth century, but he seems wary of really examining it. In all fairness, that might have been another book altogether. In sum, the book is readable, often as funny as O'Brien himself (and occasionally just as sad), and useful for the student of Flann O'Brien. It fills

No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien.(Review): An article from: New Criterion

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No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien.(Review): An article from: New Criterion
Richard Tillinghast
Manufacturer: Foundation for Cultural Review
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from New Criterion, published by Foundation for Cultural Review on September 1, 1998. The length of the article is 1530 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: No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien.(Review)
Author: Richard Tillinghast
Publication: New Criterion (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 1998
Publisher: Foundation for Cultural Review
Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Page: 71(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien.

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No Laughing Matter: The Life and Times of Flann O'Brien.

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ICPNKW

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