Third Alabama!: The Civil War Memoir of Brigadier General Cullen Andrews Battle, CSA

Customer Reviews:

More of a Unit History than a Memoir.......2000-05-18

This memoir reads more like a unit history of the Third Alabama than General Battle's memoirs. He does not spend much time talking about himself. Instead, General Battle describes the war as his unit experienced it.

I thought the book was interesting, and easy to read. It is very short, so don't look for too much detailed information. The thing I liked most were the battlefield vinettes that General Battle describes.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about how the soldiers and leaders of Lee's army viewed the war.

A Missing Link of Civil War History.......2000-01-28

Third Alabama, ed. by Brandon H. Beck is in my opinion one of the most valuable resources for studying the American Civil War.

Cullen A. Battle the author , Col. of the 3rd Alabama and then a brigade commander fought in all of the major engagements of the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Pines to Appomattox. This book does not only go into detail about the campaigns in which Battle was involved but it also puts them into a proper historical context. With the use of context you are able to learn not only about the role of the 3rd Alabama and Cullen A. Battle, but you are also able to learn the fates of both sides during any of the campaigns covered in the memoir.

The book includes six excellently detailed maps of the positions of the 3rd Alabama in various engagements. The maps also depict surrounding brigades and the Federal opponents that they faced off with. These maps are a very crucial part to this book for they give a visual aid of Battle's memoir.

I think that Beck and his cartographer should be given a great deal of credit for making this memoir available to the Civil War community.

It is definitely a must for everyone to have on their bookshelves!

Average customer rating:
Third Alabama! The Civil War Memoir of Brigadier General Cullen Andrews Battle, CSA. (Book Reviews).(Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History
Ethan S. Rafuse
Manufacturer: Southern Historical Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Alabama | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008IIURE
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on November 1, 2001. The length of the article is 1069 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: Third Alabama! The Civil War Memoir of Brigadier General Cullen Andrews Battle, CSA. (Book Reviews).(Review)
Author: Ethan S. Rafuse
Publication: Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2001
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 67 Issue: 4 Page: 866(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

In 1925, William and Charlotte Wiser arrived in the North Indian village of Karimpur. Over the next five years they wrote one of the first studies of village India, originally published in 1930. Charlotte Wiser continued to observe and write about the village until her death, when Susan Wadley picked up the narrative. With updates from the 1960s, 1970s, 1984, and 2000, this expanded edition now encapsulates seventy-five years of continuity and change in the village.
The book traces the initial awkwardness between the Wisers and the villagers and the years of friendship and welcome that followed; sketches the social and economic changes brought on by the increasing encroachment of the outside world; and describes the day-to-day life of people who live in the village--the education of the young, life in the courtyard, castes, marriage, and family. The book now stands as a personal and insightful story of the village and the people who came to study it.

Medicine Creek: Seventy Years of Archaeological Investigations

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Medicine Creek: Seventy Years of Archaeological Investigations

Manufacturer: University Alabama Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Seventy Years in Archaeology (Kegan Paul Library of Ancient Egypt)

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Seventy Years in Archaeology (Kegan Paul Library of Ancient Egypt)
W.. M. Flinders Petrie , and W. M. Flinders Petrie
Manufacturer: Kegan Paul
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Scientists | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Egypt | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The working and intellectual biography of the great archaeologist Flinders Petrie, who was one of the founding fathers of Egyptology, will inevitably be of interest to all those involved with ancient Egypt. Here we have accounts of the research, the observations and the writing of some of the most important work conducted in Egyptology.

Social and Economic Rights in the Soviet Bloc: A Documentary Review Seventy Years After the Bolshevik Revolution

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Social and Economic Rights in the Soviet Bloc: A Documentary Review Seventy Years After the Bolshevik Revolution

Manufacturer: Transaction Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Eastern | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

Human Rights | Constitutional Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Book Description

When Michael Collins decides to become a surgeon, he is totally unprepared for the chaotic life of a resident at a major hospital. A natural overachiever, Collins' success, in college and medical school led to a surgical residency at one of the most respected medical centers in the world, the famed Mayo Clinic. But compared to his fellow residents Collins feels inadequate and unprepared. All too soon, the euphoria of beginning his career as an orthopedic resident gives way to the feeling he is a counterfeit, an imposter who has infiltrated a society of brilliant surgeons. This story of Collins' four-year surgical residency traces his rise from an eager but clueless first-year resident to accomplished Chief Resident in his final year. With unparalleled humor, he recounts the disparity between people's perceptions of a doctor's glamorous life and the real thing: a succession of run down cars that are towed to the junk yard, long weekends moonlighting at rural hospitals, a family that grows larger every year, and a laughable income. Collins' good nature helps him over some of the rough spots but cannot spare him the harsh reality of a doctor's life. Every day he is confronted with decisions that will change people's lives-or end them-forever. A young boy's leg is mangled by a tractor: risk the boy's life to save his leg, or amputate immediately? A woman diagnosed with bone cancer injures her hip: go through a painful hip operation even though she has only months to live? Like a jolt to the system, he is faced with the reality of suffering and death as he struggles to reconcile his idealism and aspiration to heal with the recognition of his own limitations and imperfections. Unflinching and deeply engaging, Hot Lights, Cold Steel is a humane and passionate reminder that doctors are people too. This is a gripping memoir, at times devastating, others triumphant, but always compulsively readable.

Customer Reviews:

First Rate.......2007-08-22

This was a phenomenal book. Dr. Michael J. Collins wrote an account of his four years as a resident at the Mayo Clinic which reads like a novel. It is at times laugh-out loud funny, other times devastatingly sad. I didn't want the book to end, yet I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book. I wish I hadn't read it yet so I could read it again. I hope he writes another one.

Doctors Are People, Too.......2007-01-12

Hot Lights, Cold Steel is an intriguing account of the life of a doctor. Written by orthopedic surgeon Michael J. Collins, it is a fast-paced reminiscence of his four years as a resident at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Michigan. Throughout the book, Collins connects the reader to many of his important cases. Told on such a relatable basis, the reader experiences the achievement, thrill, and sorrow that accompany his countless orthopedic cases.

Collins discusses his medical career, describing many orthopedic surgeries in great detail. There is sufficient detail that people with weak stomachs should be cautioned against reading it. He not only discusses each procedural aspect of his work, he also describes the emotions that accompany each victory and especially, each defeat. A major theme throughout the novel is similar to a theme in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter: humans make mistakes, but nobody is perfect and people learn to forgive. Collins struggles with this reality, recognizing that when doctors make mistakes, people die.

Collins's book isn't all about his career in the hospital, however. He also tells about his ever-growing family and what his being a doctor means for them. Although he relates many pleasurable moments with his family and fellow resident friends, Collins also discusses some of the suffering his family must face until he becomes an attending physician. He especially focuses on the many hardships his wife Patti must endure until he can build up his own practice. Addressing a common misconception that all doctors are wealthy, Collins tells of their poverty, calculating his salary at $2.50 per hour, describing countless "junker" cars, and telling of their near-empty bank account. He is forced to "moonlight" at another hospital on nearly all of his free weekends to supplement his income, which means sacrificing valuable time with his wife and children. Collins enlightens the reader by recounting episodes of his life not only as a doctor, but as husband and father, making the point that doctors are people, too.

For anyone who is considering a career as an orthopedic surgeon, or any medical profession, this book is a must-read. By providing a unique look at the life of a doctor, Collins describes in detail the personal and technical aspects of every surgery as well as his life as a doctor in general. He makes clear just what being a doctor is about, vocationally and personally. Just like an awesome episode of `House', Collins's book will keep the reader interested for hours at a time.

Enjoyable reading.......2006-11-04

The author did a good job keeping our interest and it was very believable.
My 89 year old mother enjoyed it, as did my husband and I.

I highly recommend it. It's nice to know that non-fiction can keep your interest.

"They don't make scalpels with training wheels.".......2006-08-28

"Hot Lights, Cold Steel," by Michael J. Collins, is a fascinating account of the making of an orthopedic surgeon. Collins starts his residency at Rochester's prestigious Mayo Clinic with deep feelings of insecurity. In fact, he dispiritedly dubs himself "the dullest scalpel in the drawer." Unlike his fellow residents, Collins, an Irish Catholic from Chicago's West Side, did not do multiple rotations in orthopedics while in medical school, conducted no research, and wrote no scientific papers. Instead, he worked on a loading dock to make ends meet. To his credit, however, Collins has energy, intelligence, ambition, and perseverance.

At first, Collins tries to stay in the background and keep his mouth shut, hoping that his superiors will overlook his obvious ignorance. When he reviews a chart with the notation "Patient is TTWB," he wonders what this acronym means. Could it be "three times without bleeding," or "terribly thirsty without beer?" Collins disconsolately predicts that he will shortly be drummed out of the residency program for "practicing medicine without a brain." The author's self-deprecating humor is delightful and it helps to offset the tragic cases he recounts.

The author explores the grueling nature of a surgeon's training: the sleepless nights, snatched meals, long absences from loved ones, and fear of hurting a patient. Because he is constantly short of money, Collins and his wife, Patti, drive a series of broken down junkers, and as his family grows, he must moonlight in order to pay the bills. The compensations are the exhilaration of helping a patient regain his or her health, the excitement of performing an operation for the first time, and the deep friendships that Collins forms with his fellow orthopods. Although it terrifies him to know that, if he slips up, he could kill or cripple someone, as time goes on, he gradually learns to accept the fact that everyone makes mistakes and terrible things do happen. He cannot let this possibility destroy his confidence.

The most memorable aspects of the book are the medical anecdotes: a boy's leg is mangled by a tractor and the doctor must decide whether to amputate, a beautiful woman has a rare cancer that requires mutilating surgery, and on a lighter note, a forty-year old man comes into the emergency room with a fishhook up his nose. Sometimes Collins succeeds, and other times, he fails. However, his four years as a resident teach him the immense value and satisfaction of his chosen profession and the importance of treating every patient with respect and compassion.

Reality.......2006-07-02

The thing I loved most about this book is that it is REAL and it is HONEST. It's not exactly glamourous...and that attributes to the book's success.

Dr. Collins doesn't write about earning lots of money and driving the best cars and going to country clubs. He writes about being a resident, just out of medical school, slightly clueless, working 100 hours a week at $2.50 an hour. Not glamourous at all.

But then he writes about the things he does have - a loving wife, many wonderful children, and how some of his fellow residents are his best friends.

It's all very touching and real...I would reccomend this to any people who think they might want to be doctors. It shows you that you're going to have to work very hard...but it will all be worth it in the end. That's an important lesson anyone entering the medical world needs to know.

Book Description

Have your cake and eat two pieces, sugar-free!

Of all the foods forbidden to low-carb dieters, cakes, pies, cookies, and other desserts are the ones they miss the most. This collection of recipes from executive pastry chef Victor Kline brings welcome relief for carb-counters and diabetics with a sweet tooth.

Low Carb Sinfully Delicious Desserts is the first book on the market to focus on recipes using Splenda, one of the most popular sugar substitutes. Measurements and instructions are spelled out clearly, and all recipes use ingredients that are easy to find in the local grocery store.

With more than 100 recipes for scrumptious fudge, ice cream, cheesecake, flan, brownies, and other mouth-watering goodies, Low Carb Sinfully Delicious Desserts is the last low-carb cookbook you will ever need.

Customer Reviews:

No Better Low Carb Dessert Recipe Book Anywhere!.......2005-06-10

I truly enjoyed whipping up and eating a number of the recipes in this book. I look forward to trying more. Easy to follow guidelines and an excellent source of dietary information, this dessert cookbook is a must for anyone who enjoys desserts but needs to watch their calories. In short, anyone with a sweet-tooth who cares about their health. Whether you entertain, count calories, watch your blood sugar, or just like good desserts, I highly recommend this wonderful recipe book by Executive Pastry Chef Kline. Bravo Victor, keep up the great work!

Better format - many repeat recipes.......2005-05-28

This new book is more professionally done than his previous book, but many of the recipies are duplicates from the original book. If you don't have the old book, buy this one. If you already have the old book, don't bother with this one.

Low Carb Sinfully Delicious Desserts.......2005-05-28

This new book is awesome. Excellent book with creative ways to create just what you are craving. I recommend this book highly to anyone who wants to focus on good health, and a healthy lifestyle commitment. Thank you Mr. Kline for introducing us to a new way to enjoy what we all like,desserts of course!

Average customer rating:
Quilting: All About Trapunto (Quilting) (Quilting)
Donna Friebertshauser
Manufacturer: House of White Birches
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Exploring Machine Trapunto: New Dimensions

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The Secrets of Elemental Quilting: Innovative Quilting Designs plus Trapunto Tips & Tricks

Boutis and Trapunto

Trapunto and Stippling

ASIN: 1592170331

Product Description

Explore the fun of trapunto using 5 different techniques. This is one of the most simple & relaxing forms of needlework.

Average customer rating:

Excellent photography and reference for Old Roses

Excellent rose book

Roses: The Most Beautiful Roses for Large and Small Gardens : Design Ideas for Rose Arbors, Trellises, and Beds : Rose Know-How, Planting, Culture, (Nature Guides)
Otto Bunemann , and Jurgen Becker
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Roses | Flowers | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Botany | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Landscaping with Roses: Gardens Walkways Arbors Containers

Accessories:

Trowel Bulb Hand Transplanter Cast Aluminum 12 Inc

ASIN: 0812018184

Customer Reviews:

Excellent photography and reference for Old Roses.......1998-11-21

Wonderful photography and detail description of old and historic roses. Important information on Nurseries and Growers to help find them.

Excellent rose book.......1997-07-30

I took several books on rose gardening from the library and found that this one is the best. The pictures are great, the explicit details are excellent. I have started the rooting procedure and that seems at the moment to be working. The correct amount of time has not elapsed. I highly recommend it to rose novices. The book is so well liked by me that I am going to purchase it

Customer Reviews:

Great introduction to discussing puberty with 9/10 yr olds!.......2007-09-01

My son and I had the best laughs reading this book; somewhat embarrasing at times but it was all out there, he was able to ask questions and it was a great way to discuss these things with him as it is with any child. I highly recommend this book for 9 or 10 year olds if your ready to discuss such things with them.

Great discussion opener!.......2007-07-23

I bought this book for my 10 year old son. It has great explanations and funny illustrations. It really opened the "sex talk" door for both of us and started us in open discussions for present and future questions. Best book on "pre-teen/teen" changes that I've encountered.

OK.......2007-05-09

I wouldn't recommend this book it is OLD and out of date.
The book was in excellent condition though.

Good for a 10 year old.......2007-02-08

I appreciated that it had enough information without getting too involved with older/more complicated topics. It was cute and easy to read, so it was comfortable for my daughter.

Your Kids Need This!.......2007-01-15

The likelihood is that kids will not go to their parents requesting information and advice on personal topics such as puberty, no matter how close of a relationship between the child and the parent. Even Judy Blume, someone who gets questions from kids all over the world, says that her own kids are reluctant to come to her. Whether we want to admit it or not, kids prefer to learn from their friends and reading. I gave this and other similar books to my son, instructing him to read them if he wanted to learn and to feel free to ask questions. As a result, my son, now an adult, developed a great understanding of these matters and can discuss these topics without fear of being embarrassed and/or being wrong. It's great if you plan to talk with your child. However, be sure to supplement the talk with books he/she can read on their own. I strongly recommend this book.

Why Is This Happening To Me . . . AGAIN?! ...and What You Can Do About It!

Average customer rating:

Gimme a break!
The clearest teaching that I have EVER encountered!
Healing you never imagined possible
This book has power to heal!
It works for teens!

Why Is This Happening To Me . . . AGAIN?! ...and What You Can Do About It!

Manufacturer: Dr. Michael Ryce.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Personal Transformation | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1886562296

Customer Reviews:

Gimme a break!.......2006-10-28

That first review bugs me. Another zealot who does not wish to be confused by the facts. This book is wonderful...period!

The clearest teaching that I have EVER encountered!.......2006-10-05

I have never, EVER encountered a sprititual teacher or teaching that is more clear, provable, truthful and simple to apply in my life. There is an obvious reason that both James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy) and Colin Tipping (Radical Forgiveness) recognize Michael Ryce as a primary souce of insights and inspiration for their own teachings. More "big name" mainstream spiritual teachers utilize Michael's insights than would EVER admit it! Pay attention and you will see his influence everywhere, he is the "teacher's teacher" and the "healer's healer". Being a spiritual guide and teacher myself, I cannot imagine my life without Dr. Ryce's work. I recommend not only this book, but ALL of Dr. Ryce's work wholeheartedly and without a single reservation whatsoever. This book can change your life!! PERIOD!!!!

Healing you never imagined possible.......2006-07-28

When I was a therapist in private practice, I asked all of my clients to buy this book. It was the foundation of every therapeutic building block that I offered. Issues that "used to" take years ( sometimes) in the recovery process, I witnessed healing an incredible rates. This book will expedite the growth of anyone who chooses "responsibility" for their own recovery.

This book has power to heal!.......2005-12-23

This book will touch you on all level. Spiritual, emotional and physical. I met Michael Ryce at the workshop and he is a great teacher. His work is far superior to anything that I encounter so far, on mind/body connection. This book is a must for anybody interesting in personal growth.

It works for teens!.......2004-11-04

I read this book at my mother's insistence. I was having teenage relationship problems...AGAIN. Then I did a worksheet from the back of the book. It really works. The difference between what was actually happening in my world and the "reality" in my mind about that event were totally different things. Once I learned the tool for holding to love and releasing the goals I held - the anger and frustration left. To understand that I have the keys to my life and can change the events that keep reoccurring is empowering. Thank you to Dr. Ryce for writing this book and for making the tools available and to Mom for making me read it. ;-)

What's Happening to Me?: Boys Edition (What's Happening to Me?)

Average customer rating:

Very good

What's Happening to Me?: Boys Edition (What's Happening to Me?)
Alex Firth
Manufacturer: Usborne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0794515142

Customer Reviews:

Very good .......2007-03-01

This book is along the lines of the American Girls' book called The Care and Keeping of You, but it goes a step farther. It introduces your young girls to middle school issues about the body and feelings for boys and such. It is a conversation starter. I wondered how to bring the subject up with my daughter without pushing it on her before she was ready. This book (which my daughter saw on the shelf at the bookstore and asked to buy) tastefully brings up the subject matter so she can have a jumping off point when she is ready to start asking questions. I recommend the AG book first and then move her up to this one for more IN-DEPTH information on her own body, as well as an introduction to what boys are like.

Que Me Esta Pasando? / What is Happening to me?: Una Guia De La Pubertad / a Guide to Puberty

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Que Me Esta Pasando? / What is Happening to me?: Una Guia De La Pubertad / a Guide to Puberty
Peter Mayle
Manufacturer: Sudamericana
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

De Donde Venimos/ Where DId I Come From?: Un Eficaz Instrumento De Ayuda Para Los Padres / The Facts of Life Without any Nonsenses and With Illustrations

ASIN: 9872065950

Me Toca a Mi / It's My Turn (Que Me Pasa / What Is Happening to Me)

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Me Toca a Mi / It's My Turn (Que Me Pasa / What Is Happening to Me)
Heather Maisner
Manufacturer: Sigmar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

No ficción | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

What makes a year anyway?: Times of the day, months of the year, the seasons, anniversaries, birthdays, dates and events, holidays, holy days, happenings, what a year means to me

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What makes a year anyway?: Times of the day, months of the year, the seasons, anniversaries, birthdays, dates and events, holidays, holy days, happenings, what a year means to me
Arthur Toye Foulke
Manufacturer: s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME ?: First-aid for Parents: A Guide to Puberty

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WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME ?: First-aid for Parents: A Guide to Puberty
Peter Mayle
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0330273434

What's Happening to Me: The Answers to Some of the World's Most Embarrassing Questions

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What's Happening to Me: The Answers to Some of the World's Most Embarrassing Questions
Peter; Robins, Arthur Mayle
Manufacturer: L. Stuart
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QFS3LW

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What's Happening to Me?
Marion O. Lerrigo and Helen Southard
Manufacturer: E.P.. Dutton & Co., Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K6PUSG

Average customer rating:

What's Happening to Me?
Lerrigo & Southhard
Manufacturer: E.P. Dutton & Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LO8XVS

Average customer rating:

A very readable Faust, including the German!

Goethe's Faust

My favorite translation

"Breathe, spirit, soar!"

des Pudels Kern

Goethe's Faust (Parts 1 and 2)
J.W. von Goethe
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Continental European | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0195004108

Customer Reviews:

A very readable Faust, including the German!.......2007-09-28

`Goethe's Faust', translated and with an introduction by Walter Kaufmann was quite a surprising find, as I had been, in an earlier life, quite a fan of Professor Kaufmann's works, but I simply had no idea he had translated the `Faust' of Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, the most famous of the many different literary renderings of this story. My surprise is based on the fact that Kaufmann was primarily a professor of Philosophy, who also did several important translations of Friedrich Nietzsche's most important works. But, I had him pegged as primarily a late 19th century / early existentialist scholar, even though late in his life, he did do a scholarly work on Hegel.
Once having recovered from my surprise, I recalled that Professor Kaufmann had written several semi-scholarly articles on Goethe, which were published in his `Critique of Religion and Philosophy' and `From Shakespeare to Existentialism'. I was also delighted, in that Walter Kaufmann singlehandedly convinced me to major in philosophy, all the way to entering a doctoral degree program on the subject. So, I was really quite thrilled to find this volume, since I was simply looking for a simple, hopefully competent translation of the German into English.
Before I go too much further, let me point out that Herr Kaufmann decided to NOT include all of Part II! And, not only did he drop parts, he dropped the entire first four of five acts, leaving only the prologues and Act V. Now fortunately, I really only wanted Act V anyway, so my goals were met with this translation, but if you happen to be intent on reading the entire Part II, look elsewhere for the complete text.
Needless to say, the good professor had a relatively sound reason for excluding 4/5 of a work which is commonly considered one of the monuments of 19th Century German literature. First, Part II was really a posthumous work, and Goethe really didn't spend as much time editing and refining it as he did with the much tighter Part I, which is actually performed very regularly in Germany and by many German faculties in U.S. colleges. The second reason is that most of Part II is deathly dry and not a pleasure to read. I can attest to this, having tried to read parts of it many years ago in a relatively pedestrian translation.
That aside, Herr Kaufmann promises us that his translation, which appears on the right side of the page, facing the original German text on the left, will leave nothing out and add nothing not said by Goethe's words. This is fine, but all one has to do is read a literal translation of some New Testament material to realize that a closely literal translation may not be the best of all possible worlds. My German is very rusty, and I am not a scholar of translations in general, but I do find Kaufmann's translation quite literal. Unfortunately, Herr Kaufmann is NOT a poet, and even with my creaky German, I can easily see how there is much in the tone of Goethe's German which is not captured by the English. I found it very interesting that Kaufmann made a point of quoting Edgar Allan Poe on some points, because I find Kaufmann's translation of Goethe's verses to come out sounding remarkably like Edgar Allan Poe's verses, especially those in `The Raven'.
Joined with this faithful translation is a fine introduction to the work, seeing Goethe's work far more from the philosophical rather than the literary point of view. Kaufmann's primary thesis is that Goethe's world view has much more in common with later 19th century literature and thought than with the 18th century, let alone the origins of the Faust legend. Here, I was really surprised to discover that the origins of the Faust story arose not only from a real person, but a real contemporary of Martin Luther. This little connection tickled me to no end, as I was researching Faust Part II to find an example of some thoughts in Paul's Letter to the Romans, one of Luther's favorite books of the Christian scriptures.
All in all, anyone who simply wants to become familiar with this work for their own pleasure can do much worse than use Kaufmann's translation, especially if you have some passing knowledge of German, so you can make use of the original text. And, I did verify Kaufmann's claim that in fact, Goethe's writing does contain an enormous amount of humor. That discovery alone makes this edition worthwhile.

Goethe's Faust.......2007-01-03

Good classic literature. Intense with human turmoil. Not recommended for a younger audience. Faust takes the internal conflict of deciding on right and wrong and turns it outward with the use of Mephisto. This shows what happens when you choose the worldly path as opposed to the honorable path. Our actions have consequences and not just for ourselves, but for those around us as well.

My favorite translation.......2006-11-17

Goethe makes me wish I could be handy with other languages, including German. Walter Kaufmann's translation was my introduction to "Faust" but I bought several others to compare how differently they would measure up to Kaufmann's. Since I do not know German I am left with appreciating the sense of what Goethe intended. One encounter seals my devotion to Kaufmann. As Mephisto and Faust approach the witches, the devilish dealer encourages Faust to seek fulfillment in tilling the earth. Mephisto tells Faust quite plainly that he will find what he is looking for through his own exertion. But Faust rejects that option and Mephisto then says, "We need the witch then after all" (pg237). The other two translations render the line differently and while they are interesting reading, I find so much passion and poetry in Kaufmann's that I inevitably rely on it above the others.

"Breathe, spirit, soar!".......2006-09-13

I have no doubt that this is the best English translation of Faust. It is certainly the translation for those who love the tale. All the life and humor and glory shines through. It is not a "scholar's" translation. It is still fully alive.

I know that people avoid Faust for being too formidable and daunting. They need not feel so. It is amazing just how smoothly the translation of Part One reads. You do not want to put it down. Yet it is so very accurate- a quick glance across to the opposing German original confirms that.

As for Part Two, it doesn't read quite so smoothly, but that is no fault of the translator, since the original German also lacks the perfect flow and polish of Part One. Goethe didn't have sixty more years to perfect it as he did with the first part. In fact, we are only given a translation of the first and last acts. The intervening three acts are summarized in the introduction. My sole criticism of this edition is that the summary should have been actually bound between these two acts so that you do not have to flip back to the introduction to refresh your memory. Still, you can piece the full flavor and meaning out of Part Two in spite of these obstacles.

The author tells us in the introduction that we shouldn't fall into the Germanic trap of analyzing the idea behind the story. He seems to insist that we appreciate it for poetry and characterization and leave it at that. To my mind that would be frivolous. The core idea in Faust is the tale of the German nation- indeed of most of western civilization. Faust the scholar and magician represents the dissatisfaction and arrogance of modern man. Not content with comprehending God's will and putting himself in accord with the Divine order he tries to play God himself in order to "improve" creation. He sells his soul to do this, but then he was incapable of faith in the first place (in spite of first hand dealings with the supernatural.) This is directly analogous to those scientists who unravel the glories and mysteries of creation every day, yet do not pause to appreciate the existence of a Creator. Needless to say, Faust's efforts always end in failure and dissatisfaction- and disaster for those whose life he touches (Gretchen.)

The second part is a continuation of this theme, for Faust has learned nothing in Part One. If anything he is more ambitious and insatiable. He seeks after gold, influence, power, command, land, even progeny and a trophy wife (Helen of Troy.) It all turns out twisted. In fact, just short of his final, hard-won triumph he suddenly drops dead from old age. Nothing lasting- except ill effects- remain of his life's constant striving.

Yet, Faust is saved. The translator says that this is unexplainable. He seems to attribute it to softness of heart on the part of Goethe. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As the Lord states in the Prologue: "A good man in his darkling aspiration/ Remembers the right road throughout his quest." In other words, the Lord knows that Faust was trying to do good- it was just that through his flaws and limitations he ended up making a mess of things. This was also Boethius' understanding- even when we do wrong it is out of a flawed quest to achieve the Good. Even Gretchen (who has now re-ascended to her place as part of the Divine Feminine) understands and forgives Faust. Faust has now the perspective to understand and learn from his errors on earth. He is now truly fit to teach other souls hard-won lessons of worth.

May this also be the ultimate fate of all modern men.

des Pudels Kern.......2006-04-04

The strength of this play is its story. Of course some quality is lost in translation and even an outstanding translator would not be able to copy the nuances of the original language. There are simply to much words and to much phrases for nearly one and the same in german. Wovon ich ein Lied singen könnte.
But Goethe is not about the beauty of words, his texts are based on conflicts which would be understandable in even the worst translation.
The conflict of ths play is between might and innosence, which are hard to combine. So it ist a modern theme, because there will be man seduced by power in every century. Even the desires will stay the same, a beautiful girl, respect and forbidden knowlege.

The translator worked all those thoughts out and did his job quite well. Some texts can be read in no time but stay in mind for years. Faust is some of this texts, buy it!

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