Moss flora of Rajasthan, India

Book Description

Now in paperback, FDR and Lucy is the first published account of the love affair between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd, his wife's secretary. While the rest of America seemed to know about the president's infidelity, Eleanor declined to acknowledge the situation for four years until, in 1918, the truth became impossible to deny. Unable to divorce, FDR and Eleanor began a political marriage that would only fuel the first lady's groundbreaking activism. One part historical account and one part love story, FDR and Lucy is a biography of an affair, revealing a man in need of comfort and respite from the cares of the presidency and the critical eyes of both his wife and mother.

Customer Reviews:

Retelling a well known story.......2004-12-12

When I first started graduate school in history, I used to speculate as to how there could be another biography of Lincoln or Washington, or who ever without some newly discovered source of information. I came to learn that historians reevalute existing sources in light of new events and/or place their own unique perspecitve on the materials.

In the case of Resa Willis' FDR AND LUCY, Willis did none of the above. When a new book comes out on a subject in which one has interest, there is always hope that there is some new sources or new perspective. While doing a fine job of research and writing, Willis adds nothing new to a story that came to light in the 1960's after the death of Eleanor.

Willis quotes children and friends of FDR and Lucy Mercer but as another reviewer said - there's nothing new. The story is stretched a bit with the inclusion of lots of basic facts about American history. There is a decent amount of information about the geneology of some of the characters, but other than showing the Mercer and FDR lived in a relatively close circle of friends and relatives, its old hat. She offers some speculation. Did FDR have an hand in arranging the marriage of Lucy and her husband Wintrop Rutherfurd. But she offers no anwers. She talks about FDR's circle of women friends but the author draws no conclusions about these relationships or how they reflected on FDR's personality.

One of the amazing things about the relationship between FDR and Lucy is that the servants never talked. In the 21st century, all of the servants and secret service agents would have published tell all books. As an African American, whose family lived in Aiken, I always found it amazing that no one in the African American community, who clearly would have served as servants, ever mentioned a visit from the President. I've looked for the railroad siding that was suppose to have been built to accomodate the President but have never figure out where it was.

Willis takes no sides in relating her story. She relates the story of two people who had an affair and the came to be great friends. She provides an insight in to life at the White House during the War years but there is little character development.

If you know nothing about FDR and Lucy Mercer, read the book. If you know the least little bit from previous readings, don't bother.

Eleanor's Sweet Revenge.......2004-11-02

Resa Willis tells the story of a time in American history as skillfully, objectively, personally, accurately and compassionately as humanely possible in 152 pages. How refreshing!

You are privileged to hear about all the FDR doings and Eleanor Roosevelt doings along with all the important players.

And, you come to learn how a great man so deeply loved by so many women could be fundamentally lonely.

Some would call it Eleanor's sweet revenge.

Nothing new here.......2004-06-06

I was expecting a thorough examination of the love affair between FDR and Lucy Mercer. The affair has been common knowledge for forty years and it's always touched upon in Roosevelt biographies and documentaries. But this book is a rather crushing disappointment, padded with much unnecessary and repetitive information. Most of the book consists of boring material relating directly to Lucy's life as Mrs. Rutherford in the 20's and 30's. Personally, I was expecting more details on FDR's affair with her throughout WWI, Eleanor's discovery of her love letters in Franklin's suitcase, and then the hysterical control-monster, Sarah Delano Roosevelt, demanding Franklin dump Lucy or risk losing his inheritance. Now that is the stuff of legend!

Instead we get a dreary narrative with no new information. The book picks up a bit when Lucy re-enters Roosevelt's life in the 30's and spends considerable time with his in the closing years of his life. Most of their meetings took place in Warm Springs, Georgia, and also in the White House. FDR's daughter, Anna, was the one who invited Lucy to the Executive Mansion while Eleanor was away on one of many tours during the war. It's mindful to recall a remark from Alive Roosevelt Longworth in this context: "Franklin deserves a good time. He was married to Eleanor!"

If you know little about the mechanics of the Lucy-Franklin alliance, this is a well-written and entertaining book. But if you know more about the pair, it wouldn't be particularly revealing. The characterization of Eleanor is especially weak. While I'm not advocating adultery, let's face facts: Eleanor was frigid, disinterested in sex and in the 30's took up close "friendships" with people like Lorena Hickock (who makes Yogi Berra look gorgeous in comparison). I really can't blame a man as charming and handsome as Franklin Roosevelt pursuing sex outside of marriage. His choice may not have been the "moral" one (whatever that means), but it was the only logical thing to do under the circumstances.

To sum up, if you're an FDR newbie, this would be nice. If you're not, forget it.

Customer Reviews:

TOUCHING THE SOUL.................2003-07-20

I just re-read this book. It is one of the most valuable books for parents, teachers and those who deal with crisis in their life-- which probably means all of us. The author writes poetically of one of the greatest challenges anyone can have --coming to terms with what life gives you. A lawyer, lecturer, teacher and parent, Zimmerman's book goes well beyond talking about the challenges of raising a handicapped daughter and its impact on her family, friends and others. She bares her soul to reveal how you can create a valuable life day by day. Her vitality, her wisdom and her sensitivity are a gift to the world. She writes cinematically and this deserves to be shared with the world. I had the good fortune to meet Zimmerman and she touches everyone she meets with her kindness and warmth. How to go on in the darkest of hours, how to live life to the fullest despite obstacles, hurdles and no guarantees.

Not just for parents of disabled kids.......2003-03-01

This is a wonderful story, a tribute to the human spirit. It's a tribute to Zimmermann's determination, too. I read in Zimmermann's later book that Grief Dancers was turned down by 30 publishers. Then she published it herself. There is much to learn from this story. Just one tidbit to whet your appetite: Zimmermann is concerned as to the effect of the disabled child on the other children. Her young daughter says: "Don't you get it, Mom? She keeps us from just living on the surface." (Despite my name, I am not the author or any of her relatives!)

It will leave you laughing, crying, and will touch your soul.......1999-02-10

This book touched me deeply because I can relate so closely to how Susan was feeling while raising a daughter with Rett syndrome. Her book takes you not only through her daughter's struggles and challenges but it alsotouches your heart as you begin to see how Susan grows with her own realization of how wonderful life can be with a child with special needs.

What others say about Grief Dancers..........1998-02-19

"I have spent most of the day reading Grief Dancers, and am awed by its honesty and beauty. It's a wonderful book, and I wish it could be required reading." Madeleine L'Engle, Newbery Award winning author. "Susan Zimmermann portrays, with honesty, passion and wisdom, a chapter of her life that is both deeply terrifying and wholly inspiring. It is a story of loss and gain, pain and joy, and -- above all -- profound truth. It is a story with the power to change your life." T.A. Barron, author of Heartlight, The Ancient One, and The Merlin Effect. "Susan Zimmermann has written a book about her daughter, but also a book about each of us -- the fragile, damaged, but insistently precious part deep inside, that refuses to be cast off. To read these pages is to be reminded of the value of life itself. I have rarely been so moved." Swanee Hunt, former U.S. Ambassador to Austria.

spellbinding story of a family who triumphs over "tragedy".......1998-02-03

Susan Zimmermann's story about Katharine is NOT for readers with special needs kids only! It is for all people who have an interest in raising children who will appreciate the different gifts that "different"people have to offer. It is about cultivating in our children an appreciation for, rather than disdain or despair for, people who are "disabled". This is a quick read,very compelling true story that deserves widespread attention! I look forward to Susan's next work!!!!!

Grief Dancers: A Journey into the Depths of the Soul: An article from: The Exceptional Parent

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Grief Dancers: A Journey into the Depths of the Soul: An article from: The Exceptional Parent
Tricia Luker , and Calvin Luker
Manufacturer: Psy-Ed Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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A Real Piece O Cake

The New Applique Sampler: Learn to Applique the Piece O'Cake Way

Best Book for Applique I've seen

Great applique

How to become a hand applique expert

The New Applique Sampler: Learn to Applique the Piece O' Cake Way
Becky Goldsmith , and Linda Jenkins
Manufacturer: C&T Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Applique | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Applique Delights: 100 Irresistible Blocks from Piece O' Cake Designs

Flowering Favorites from Piece O' Cake Designs

Quilts with a Spin: 7 New Projects from Piece O'Cake Designs

Applique the Basics and Beyond: The Complete Guide to Successful Machine and Hand Techniques with Dozens of Designs to Mix and Match

Applique Takes Wing: Exquisite Designs For Birds, Butterflies And More (That Patchwork Place)

ASIN: 157120265X

Book Description

• Great for beginners and experienced appliqué artists, tons of tips and techniques

• Full-size patterns for 2 appliqué samplers

Appliqué is now officially a piece o' cake—if it's done the Piece o' Cake way! Authors Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins share their skill-enhancing, step-by-step techniques for combining piecing and appliqué, great color and fabric choices, and bright, whimsical designs. Full-size patterns for two samplers let everyone have their piece o' cake, and enjoy it too.

Customer Reviews:

A Real Piece O Cake.......2007-06-26

I have been taking classes at my local quilt shop to learn hand applique and this is the one book that my teacher highly recommended to buy as a reference tool. It is absolutely wonderful and makes needle-turn applique a "Piece O Cake"

The New Applique Sampler: Learn to Applique the Piece O'Cake Way.......2007-05-13

I love, love, love this book! It has wonderful instructions and terrific pictures to help you all along the way. I'm excited that I'm scheduled to take a class from Linds Jenkins who will be visiting my Quilt Guild in a couple of weeks. Now I will be able to follow along with this wonderful book. I really enjoy doing applique and hope to really master it with the help of Linda and her book

Best Book for Applique I've seen.......2007-03-09

This is a great reference for beginning applique. It was recommended by a cousin of mine who owns a quilt shop. There are lots of details and pictures along with great tips that take the fear out of teaching yourself to applique. It's cheaper than a class, and a reference for life.

Great applique.......2006-08-16

Contains great instructions and patterns for modern applique. I love the printed patterns in the back of the book which eliminates trying to enlarge them for use as in some publications. Good book all around and I highly recommend it.

How to become a hand applique expert.......2006-03-19

Three lovely new titles provide quilters and embroiders with new project ideas. Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins' NEW APPLIQUE SAMPLER: LEARN TO APPLIQUE THE PIECE O'CAKE WAY tells how to become a hand applique expert, whether you're right-handed or left- handed. Beginners and those with some applique background will find the instructions easy - and packed with secrets of how to combine pieces, applique effectively, and choose designs.

Customer Reviews:

The Garden at Eichstatt.......2000-04-21

Spectacular color plates of botanicals plus interesting history about the book's original production. Excellent value for the price!

Flowers and Plants: Gardens at Eichstatt: 30 Postcards (Taschen Postcard Books)

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Flowers and Plants: Gardens at Eichstatt: 30 Postcards (Taschen Postcard Books)
Taschen America
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback

Postcards | Accessories | Formats | Books

Postcards | Book Accessories | Our Favorites | Gift Ideas
ASIN: 3822864099

Customer Reviews:

Eire.......2007-05-19

This was a really well laid out book. We found one of our girls names in there (Keira) and quite a few others that made it to the list. In the end, the other daughter received a Russian name ;-)
I've given this book to another Irish friend expecting twins.

Not worth the return postage..........2006-10-31

I ordered this book and was going to return it because it is such poor quality but it wasn't worth the return postage. I put it in the recycling bin instead. Seriously! I was surprised to see so many good reviews that I felt it was my duty to report otherwise. Try doing a web search if you are looking for Irish baby names rather than wasting the money on this book. You can see by my signature that we went a different route entirely (this was not caused by the terrible quality of the book, however! We decided our surname was good enough).

Rough at best.......2003-09-16

Only mildly accurate, the clumsy mix of true Gaelic forms along with Anglicizations leaves me a bit put off. This might make it useful to many, but it is not at all formal in structure. There are also some names with variations given that are just ridiculously old. Noone uses the root 'dub' in place of 'dubh.' Some truly ancient names are included, but their selections are random. It appears to be mostly gloss from a few limited sources.

Great for reading and reference.......2003-06-10

This charming name book will assist parents in choosing the appropriate Celtic name for their baby as it provides an extensive list of evocative Irish names. But why an Irish name? For some reason, this musical language and the magical legends of Ireland have become very popular in the Anglo-Saxon world and further afield. The introduction discusses trends in the giving of names and mentions the most popular current Irish names. The chapter Little Dark One provides a cursory history of the settling of Ireland by the Celts and then lists and explains suitable names for dark haired people, such as Darcy, Douglas and Duane. In the chapter The Fairest Of Them All there's mention of the Tuatha De Danaan and a discussion of names like Barry, Finbar, Kelly, etc. Red haired people are treated in the next chapters, where some of the more common names are Rory and Rowan, whilst the next chapter deals with names deriving from the root words for light or brightness; these include Aidan and Keegan. A Celtic Menagerie provides names that are connected with animal names or qualities: here you will find Colm, Conan, Conor, Oscar and Ronan. In the chapter titled The Green Isle, names derived from plants are given, including Darren and Tyrone. Warrior names in the next chapter include Casey, Fergal and Kane. Wednesday's Child provides names for less worthy traits, like Doran, Etain and Kennedy. Banshee names include Bevin, Cliona and Una, while names invented by authors include Fiona, Gulliver, Imogen and Vanessa. The next chapter discusses and lists the retranslation back into Irish, of popular Anglophonic names and also provides a list of Irish names with their English translations. The A - Z index lists all the names and their meanings/histories alphabetically and is followed by a calendar of saints' feast days. This interesting read and valuable reference work concludes with a thorough index.

Very Full for Such a Little Book.......2003-02-01

I found this book to be quite helpful and full of information. I did expect it to be bigger, as in a physically larger book, but for it's size it is chock-a-block with names.

The book is divided up into sections so that you can find a name based on Irish animals, myths, saints, legends, etc and dark, light or red hair. Then there is a complete name listing from A to Z, a list that translates Irish names to English and another that does English to Irish.

What I especially liked was that the author gave you the Irish name, often an alternative spelling (ie. older or more tradish Irish), how to pronounce the name, whether it is for a boy or girl and Anglicanized alternative spelling(s). Each name has a short story about where it came from, what is it's meaning and any other names it is related to.

This is a great reference guide and enjoyable to simply read, too.

Book Description

Arshile Gorky, one of the most intriguing figures in modern art, was at the center of the New York art world in the twenties, thirties, and forties. Yet he was never fully recognized as an important painter in his lifetime, and it was only after his death that his reputation soared. In this deeply felt and penetrating biography, Matthew Spender--himself a sculptor and the husband of Gorky's elder daughter--writes with extraordinary sympathy and perception, and he gets to the heart of his elusive subject.

Born in Khorkom, a small Armenian village in eastern Turkey, Arshile Gorky grew up haunted by memories of his alternately idyllic and terrifying childhood: the scars of the 1896 Turkish massacres of his people; then the mass slaughter of 1915 from which his own family fled; the desertion of his father; the dominance of his headstrong and loving mother, who died of starvation after they found shelter in the Caucasus.

Making his way to the United States, the young Gorky determined against all odds to become a painter. He buried his past by assuming a new name and identity, and brazened his way into the art world. At once charming and peremptory, seemingly an extrovert but secretive at heart, he could both dazzle and alienate his art students (Rothko was one of his earliest), his fellow painters, and his young loves, as well as potential dealers and patrons.

In telling Gorky's story, Matthew Spender gives us the most illuminating picture of the New York art scene that has yet been written--from the affluent twenties, when the Ash Can school was emerging, to the depressed thirties, which marked the high point of Gorky's career, when he painted a huge abstract mural for Newark Airport. During the explosive postwar years, Gorky withdrew into a world of increasing solitude, even as Andre Breton, the founder of surrealism, was championing him, along with other artist friends like Willem de Kooning, Roberto Matta, and Isamu Noguchi. His last years, dogged by tragedy and illness, threatened even the haven of his marriage and family, until finally, in 1948, he took his own life.

With his artist's eye, Matthew Spender helps us to see what lies behind the paintings--to recognize in the abstraction, for instance, the onion with feathers that hung from a cross above the fire pit in Gorky's childhood home in Khorkom. Above all, Spender understands the enormity of Gorky's sense of isolation in an America he did not fully understand, and that his need to invent the imaginary artist was what sustained his paintings. It is the perfect conjunction of writer and subject that makes this biography so rich in insight and so compelling as a human document.

Customer Reviews:

Gorky's son in law.......2006-10-10

Matthew Spender has something to offer for someone really curious about this artists work. I have been compairing the three biographies. Herrara's book has been much acclained. But, when it comes to getting into the nitty -gritty of an artist's work, Spender is better. Particularly when he writes of his work in the fields of Virginia.None of the other writers have really tackled this important part of Gorky's art. As a sculpture Spender must have wondered would Gorky like me and my work.The Armenian backgound has been covered by quite a few books. None can surpass some of Spenders insight into Gorky's creative process.A shortcomihg of this biography is the lack of color reproductions of the paintings.His choice of photos of the family of Gorky ,give us a glimpse of his background. The paper back (a catalogue ) "the breakthrough years /Arshile Gorky" would be a good companion book of this bio as it has ample repros and an essay by Spender among others ;Aupling for one.

Armenian Modern.......2006-08-23

Matthew Spender, son of poet Stephen, is a good writer who does a deft job of weaving his research into a lively story. But being the husband of Gorky's oldest daughter limits his interests to the "family" side of the artist's life: to hear Spender tell it, Gorky lived through three decades of New York's modern art revolution dreaming of butterchurns back in Armenia. He never really explains what drove Gorky to become an artist, let alone an abstract modern artist, in the face of family pressures, the trials of being an immigrant, and the burden he carried as a survivor of the Armenian genocide.

Gorky's idyllic memories of childhood clearly played a major role in his life and art, but so did Picasso and Cezanne, whose style he copied until the breakthrough near the end of his life. Spender plays down the endless hours Gorky spent in front of the canvas trying to insert himself into the history of Western art, preferring to read the artist's somewhat restricted interests (he steered clear of the tumultuous politics of Thirties New York, avoided bohemia, and refused to theorize about the inner sources of his art) as a gauge of how deeply Armenia held him. Maybe. But more attention to the exciting world his work unfolded in would have helped to explain Gorky's achievement a little more clearly. Hayden Herrera's more recent "Arshile Gorky: His Life and Work" may have replaced this biography and is probably the better place to turn for learning more about his life.

From A High Place, A Life Of Arshile Gorky

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From A High Place, A Life Of Arshile Gorky
Matthew SPENDER
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

From a High Place: A Life of Arshile Gorky.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: New Criterion

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From a High Place: A Life of Arshile Gorky.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: New Criterion
E. V. Thaw
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 October 1, 1999. The length of the article is 1834 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: From a High Place: A Life of Arshile Gorky.(Review) (book reviews)
Author: E. V. Thaw
Publication: New Criterion (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 1999
Publisher: Foundation for Cultural Review
Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Page: 64

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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From a High Place: A Life of Arshile Gorky
Arshile] Spender, Matthew [Gorky
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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