Zig-Zag in Japan, 1959-1961: Wild Adventure in the US Army

Book Description

From his reporting on Islamic true believers to his descriptions of the postcolonial world, V.S. Naipaul has been a controversial figure in contemporary letters. Winner of the Nobel Prize, Naipaul has traveled throughout the world, looking at its varied cultures and seeking out others' stories, recording and transforming them. His engagement with postcolonial cultures informs his novels, such as Guerillas and A Bend in the River. However it is in his documentaries (such as Among the Believers and Beyond Belief) and his works that combine actual and fictional histories and memories (Finding the Center, The Enigma of Arrival, and A Way in the World) that Naipaul's work best exhibits a growing awareness of the complexities of cultural difference - and the incompleteness and uncertainty of understanding "strangers." In this book, Dagmar Barnouw explores the sophisticated strategies and experimentations that Naipaul employs in his cultural critique and in his enterprise of learning about and documenting the enduring strangeness of this world.

Book Description

Attempts to guide readers towards forming the remarried family, considering such issues as former spouses, new grandparents, and legal issues involving custody, visitation, adoption and financial arrangements.

Customer Reviews:

A good read and helper.......2001-06-25

Though I did not walk away from this book feeling that this book is the best so far or that it had all the answers, it was a great source for building knowledge and insight into how to handle the stressors of blending families. One can never believe just how stressful times can be with your wonderful children and with the new spouse that you love and have married...it is so hard to understand how these good people just can not get along. The plus to this book is that is goes into what it is like to begin dating after divorce, planning the marriage and a great insight into situations that will SURELY happen. It's kinda like childbirth....one thinks they can handle it...I am strong...I won't need special technqiues to get through it...well...look out...you are not that special..grin. In addition to a great therapist....this book will be a welcomed addition to your support system.

Outstanding Guide for Stepfamilies.......1999-02-12

A must-read for anyone struggling with step family issues.I first bought and read this book over ten years ago when I married a man with 2 teen-aged children. I am certain that the advice saved our marriage - and I gave the book to one of my friends to successfully assist her with her step-family issues.The Vishers successfully identify the core issues, problems, and trouble spots inherent in step-families. They offer sound advice and solutions that work. They also explain typical scenarios and situations that arise in these trying step family environments - and again they suggest sound and viable solutions that get postitive results.

Very helpful book.......1998-11-22

This author has lived the experience and speaks from a very deep well of collected wisdom. The Vishers have been involved in helping step families for over twenty years. Any family who has transited divorce and is now being reorganized through remarriage can benefit enormously from this work.

How To Win As A Stepfamily, Second Edition

Average customer rating:

How To Win As A Stepfamily, Second Edition
Emily B., Ph.D., and Visher, John S., M.D. Visher
Manufacturer: Brunner/Mazel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IXGV4S

Average customer rating:

I love this book!

Wonderful, easy recipes!

Pillsbury: Best Chicken Cookbook: Favorite Recipes from America's Most-Trusted Kitchens (Pillsbury)
Pillsbury Company
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Poultry | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Betty Crocker's Best Chicken Cookbook

Betty Crocker One-Dish Meals: Casseroles, Skillet Meals, Stir-Fries and More for Easy, Everyday Dinners (Betty Crocker Books)

Pillsbury: The Best of Classic Cookbooks

Pillsbury: One-Dish Meals Cookbook: More Than 300 Recipes for Casseroles, Skillet Dishes and Slow-Cooker Meals (Pillsbury)

Pillsbury: Best Cookies Cookbook: Favorite Recipes from America's Most-Trusted Kitchens (Pillsbury)

ASIN: 0517708809
Release Date: 1997-04-07

Book Description

Pillsbury: Best of the Bake-Off 0-517-705745

Customer Reviews:

I love this book!.......2006-06-15

I am a new mom looking for healthy, but not over-the-top healthy, recipes that are simple and relatively quick. I am also somewhat new at cooking, since my husband used to do the majority of the cooking. This book is awesome! The recipes usually average a half hour to prepare and/or cook, which is great with a 4-month-old. I have cooked at least a dozen recipes... most were excellent and 1 was good. Several of them taste wonderful without the chicken, when you're in the mood for a veggie meal. I highly recommend this book. My mother-in-law, mother & sister bought it as well.

Wonderful, easy recipes!.......1999-10-27

Unlike me, my husband loves chicken however, with this wonderful book I have come to love chicken. The recipes are great and simple. I have always thought that when buying a cookbook if two recipes were good then the book was worth it but I'm just amazed at how many wonderful recipes this book has. If you like chicken this is a must have book and if you don't like chicken that much this book will change your mind! Try it!

Pillsbury Best Chicken Cookbook: Favorite Recipes from America's Most-Trusted Kitchens

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Pillsbury Best Chicken Cookbook: Favorite Recipes from America's Most-Trusted Kitchens
Pillsbury Editors
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Betty Crocker's Best Chicken Cookbook

ASIN: 0764588524

Book Description

More Than 150 Recipes That Reflect the Way America is Eating Today

Chicken Know-How
Menu Magic
Main-Dish Salads
Sandwiches
Soups, Stews & Chilies
Skillet & Stir-Fry Entrees
Baked & Roasted Entrees
Grilled & Broiled Entrees
Glazes & Rubs

Product Description

Activity for high-end material propels the market in 2006 Scott Specialized Catalogue. A thorough review of U.S. stamp values has led to adjustments for thousands of items throughout the catalogue. While activity for high end material was robust, values for fine, fine-very fine and even very fine stamps remains fairly steady. Selected classic issues, especially unused stamps with original gum, continue to gain in value.

Customer Reviews:

2006 US Specialized Catalogue (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps) (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United State.......2007-09-24

Bought this for the love of my life
She is checking out some stamps that I inherited
She says it rates four stars, so I won't argue with her
She says that it was worth the money that I spent but that it needed more pictures

2006 US Special Catalog.......2007-02-09

Outstanding guide for US stamps- a must have. An Index would be helpful, though.

Richard

Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps.......2007-01-12

Well presented and easy to use. Well done, highly recommend

Scott Specialized US Catalogue.......2007-01-05

Purchase process was excellent, product new and received rapidly, so experience (seller + Amazon) for this purchase was overall a 5. [Note: Unfortunately, the printers had to give a corrective insert because they couldn't print the catalog correctly.]

2006 US Specialized Catalogue .......2006-11-10

This is an excellent resource for collectors of U. S. Materials. The color illustrations are very helpful.

2006 Scott U.S. Specialized Valuing Supplement, Spring Edition (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, Vol. 1: U.S. and Countries A-B) (Scott Standard ... 1 Us and Countries a-B Valuing Supplement)

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Scott Specialized Valuing Supplement

2006 Scott U.S. Specialized Valuing Supplement, Spring Edition (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, Vol. 1: U.S. and Countries A-B) (Scott Standard ... 1 Us and Countries a-B Valuing Supplement)

Manufacturer: Scott Pub Inc Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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

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

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0894873709

Book Description

Enjoy full-color stamp images and expanded valuing information for selected U.S. stamps in this special supplement. The grading system has been expanded into six categories: Superb, Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine-Very Fine, Fine and Very Good. The expansion now gives U.S. collectors specific valuing information for stamps in each grade. The U.S. stamps valued in the supplement are Scott numbers 1 through 715, C1-C31, E1-E14, F1, J1-J86, K1-K18, O1-O126 (including special printings), PR1-PR125, Q1-Q12, JQ1-JQ5, QE1-QE4a and Federal Duck stamps

Customer Reviews:

Scott Specialized Valuing Supplement.......2007-01-11

It was amazing to find out that your copy was in very very good condition. I will highly recommend your items. thanks

2006 Scott US Specialized Valuing Supplement: Fall Edition (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps Valuing Supplement) (Scott Specialized ... of United States Stamps Valuing Supplement)

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2006 Scott US Specialized Valuing Supplement: Fall Edition (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps Valuing Supplement) (Scott Specialized ... of United States Stamps Valuing Supplement)

Manufacturer: Amos Hobby Publishing Co/Scott Pub Inc Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Catalogs | Catalogs & Directories | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0894873717

Product Description

Average customer rating:

Very strange technique

What Fun!!!

Awesome Technique, Awesome Quilts needs 10 stars!

Magical Hexagons: Simple Steps to Dynamic Quilts
Martha Thompson
Manufacturer: Martingale and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Square Dance: Fancy Quilts From Plain Squares, Revised Edition

Log Cabin With a Twist

Totally Tubular Quilts: A New Strip-Piecing Technique

Stellar Journeys: Flying Geese & Star Quilts

French Braid Quilts: 14 Quick Quilts with Dramatic Results

ASIN: 1564773973

Book Description

Give hexagons an all-new twist with this "magical" method! Discover a simplified method for cutting, sewing, and recutting hexagons into beautiful, unexpected designs. You'll love the results you get from playing with this one-of-a-kind technique.

· Choose from 10 eye-popping projects--simply stitch hexagons together, cut triangles from the piece, and re-sew them in easy rows to create vibrant, swirling patterns

· Discover special tips for cutting and piecing that eliminate any anxiety over matching points; large templates with built-in angles do away with complicated calculations

· Use leftover hexagons from one project to make another gorgeous quilt--just rearrange shapes or add a new fabric for a totally different look

Combine hexagons and straight-line piecing for stunning quilts that only look difficult to piece!

Customer Reviews:

Very strange technique.......2007-03-16

I bought this book used because of the two glowing reviews and the pretty quilt on the cover. I have been quilting for over ten years, have 50-60 quilting books in my library, and I have to say that this is the most convoluted technique I have ever seen. To make the type of block you see on the cover, the author wants you to cut dessert plate sized hexagons, sew them together with all the Y seams, then cut triangles along the seams of hexagon quilt top. Rotating the triangles you make stars. The technique is done with templates, marking, and scissors. I am experienced enough that I don't shy away from Y-seams and templates, but those stars can be made much more easily and faster by rotary cutting strip sets. If you really have a thing against rotary cutting, why not just cut the individual templates out for the stars? At least you don't have to do Y-seams and then hack all your work apart again. Very strange book.

What Fun!!!.......2004-07-24

Never being an ace at geometry, it is such a pleasure when someone else figures it out and put it such simple terms. I received the book 3 days ago, after being captivated by the Simply Quilts episode, and have made 3 of the Swirligig Wreaths, which makes a beautiful table centers for everyday or elegant use. When I opened my stash cabinet the ideas just jump out. Now I am planning a full sized quilt!! You will love this book for its simple instructions and the complicated look. Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome Technique, Awesome Quilts needs 10 stars!.......2003-01-03

Ok...I'll have to come back after I get the book, which I'm purchasing shortly. However, I just watched "Simply Quilts" on HGTV (Jan 2, 1:30pm program) and this was the topic and they showed this book. Her technique was fabulous!!! Go to HGTV.com and look it up under the "Simply Quilts" program and you'll see an example of her work. It's episode QLT-821 or look in their episode list. Then come back here and buy the book (they have a link back to amazon.com). The quilts look gorgeous & impossibly difficult, but she makes them incredibly easy. Her technique is very direct & straightforward. I'm dying to start a quilt and get the book. Update: It took quite a while to get the book, but it was worth the wait. Made the Swirligig Wreath the first week I had the book: IT WORKED & LOOKED GREAT!!! And I only started quilting a couple months ago. Follow her directions when triangles overlap. Cut between...it works!

Book Description

In his first book The Birth Order Effect, Cliff Isaacson took over where Alfred Adler left offÂ—challenging and expanding on traditional birth order theory, and showing readers how to determine their Birth Order Personality (not necessarily chronologically) and use that knowledge to understand themselves and others better.

In The Birth Order Effect for Couples, Isaacson applies the Birth Order Effect specifically to relationships, showing readers how to use an understanding of their birth order personalities and that of their significant other to improve their relationships across the boardÂ—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and sexually.

The Birth Order Effect for Couples identifies the challenges couples face given their respective birth order personalities, and offers solutions. ItÂ's fun to read, and as informative and instructive as it is entertaining.

Customer Reviews:

Author Response to M. Cromwell.......2005-06-28

Cromwell has, whether he meant to or not, confirmed birth order analysis very well. The best relationship for him actually is with a fourth born who has learned to deal with criticism by coping with three older siblings. Any other birth order might find his criticizing ways to be unbearable. He is also right about his being able to get along with any other birth order - if he changes his critical ways. The purpose of the book is to enable change as stated in the subtitle: "How Birth Order Affects Your Relationships - And What You Can Do About It." If he is already married to a different birth order than fourth born then changing his ways becomes imperative. Knowing birth order can help him with his relationship.

Not much better than astrology.......2005-06-19

While this book may give some basic ideas that are useful to keep in mind while you are trying to understand your relationships with others, in the end it is just another attempt to give people answers they want even though such answers don't exist. I'll admit that being a first or second born might have a general effect on your personality, but just how far can we take this kind of analysis? The author of this book goes so far to offer that by knowing your own birth order and that of your same-sex parent, he can determine the birth order of your ideal match. My father was 3rd and I was 2nd, thus I should pair with a 4th born. Anyone who thinks about that for five seconds should realize that it is totally bogus pseudo-science. There are too many factors involved to be able to make such predictions. Not every Nth born is the same, and no relationship between Nth and Mth borns can be analysed this way. As with astrology, the only thing this book can do is unnecessarily deter you from pursuing relationships with people just because they are the wrong "sign". Who's to say I won't get along with a 2nd born? Rather than relying on voodoo like this, we are better off just paying attention to how we actually get along with other individuals.

Birth and Relationships: How Your Birth Affects Your Relationships

Average customer rating:

So many questions Answered!!!!

Birth and Relationships: How Your Birth Affects Your Relationships
Sondra Ray , and Bob Mandel
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Obstetrics & Gynecology | Specialties | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

ASIN: 0890874867

Customer Reviews:

So many questions Answered!!!!.......1999-09-10

I learned so much about myself and my past from this book. I highly reccommend it to anyone who wants to know where and how they developed their negative patterns in life. I don't think it all comes from birth trauma, but after reading this book I've realized that being born is one of the hardest things most of us ever do in our lives, and it's no wonder our experiences then continue to affect us for so long aftewards. You and your mate will make so much more sense to each other in the context of the information offered here!

Birth Order and You: How Your Sex and Position in the Family Affects Your Personality and Relationships (Self-Counsel Personal Self-Help)

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Birth Order And You

Birth Order and You: How Your Sex and Position in the Family Affects Your Personality and Relationships (Self-Counsel Personal Self-Help)
Ronald W. Richardson , and Lois A. Richardson
Manufacturer: Self-Counsel Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Personality | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

ASIN: 0889088764

Customer Reviews:

Birth Order And You.......2000-05-24

I really enjoyed this book and was very shocked to see how well it describes personalities according to their birth order. I felt as if someone had written about my life, under the appropriate headings describing my birth order. It is not all flattering, but simply accurate with most things. It is also a helpful tool in understanding and having successful relationships. Try it for yourself.

Birth Order and You: How Your Sex and Position in the Family Affect Your Personality and Relationships (Self-Counsel Audio)

Average customer rating:

Birth Order and You: How Your Sex and Position in the Family Affect Your Personality and Relationships (Self-Counsel Audio)
Ronald W. Richardson , and Lois A. Richardson
Manufacturer: Self-Counsel Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

Personality | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

ASIN: 1551800608

Book Description

While undergoing surgery to remove a benign tumor, Ruby Elzy died. What was considered to be a routine operation took her life. She was only thirty-five. Had she lived, she would have been one of the first black artists to appear in grand opera.

Although now in the shadows, she was a shining star in her day. She entertained Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House. She was Paul Robeson's leading lady in the movie version of The Emperor Jones. She co-starred in Birth of the Blues opposite Bing Crosby and Mary Martin. She sang at Harlem's Apollo Theater and in the Hollywood Bowl. Her remarkable soprano voice was known to millions over the radio. She was personally chosen by George Gershwin to create one of the leading roles in his masterpiece, that of Serena in the original production of Porgy and Bess. Her signature song was the vocally demanding "My Man's Gone Now."

She had come out obscurity and had risen to great heights. Ruby Pearl Elzy (1908-1943) was born in abject poverty in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Her father abandoned the family when she was five, leaving her mother, a strong, devout woman, to raise four small children. Ruby first sang publicly at the age of four and even in childhood dreamed of a career on the stage. Good fortune struck when a visiting professor, overwhelmed upon hearing her beautiful voice at Rust College in Mississippi, arranged for her to study music at Ohio State University. Later, on a Rosenwald Fellowship, she enrolled at the Juilliard School in New York City.

After more than 800 performances in Porgy and Bess, she set her sights on a huge goal, to sing in grand opera. She was at the peak of her form. While she was preparing for her debut in the title role of Verdi's Aida, tragedy struck.

During her brief career, Ruby Elzy was in the top tier of American sopranos and a precursor who paved a way for Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and other black divas of the operatic stage. This biography acknowledges her exceptional talent, recognizes her contribution to American music, and tells her tragic yet inspiring story. She deserves to be known again and to be lauded.

Customer Reviews:

Living Her Dream.......2006-01-26

having a unique maiden name as Elzy, I like to see what I come across on the web. When I came across David Weaver's book on black divas and whom the book was about I couldn't resist. Not only is this a book about a wonderful singer, but about a person whom made her dream a reality with the help of god and some wonderful friends. The determination she had, her beliefs. This book was so informative and easy to read, that I am going to pass it on to others to read. I don't know if she is a relative but this book has given me the inspiration to find out.

Much more than a biography of one singer.......2005-09-30

Ruby Elzy, on the scant evidence of the one recording that I have yet heard (St Louis Blues, in the film of Birth of the Blues), was a great artist, both as actor and singer.

David Weaver's fine book is a most moving and informing tribute to Ruby Elzy's life and career. It is also a tribute to the achievement of a people emerging with triumph from slavery and discrimination. Despite their triumph, this book also indicts the nature of ongoing discrimination, against Afro-Americans and against all other people of colours and beliefs and ways of life that cannot be accommodated by the fear-based, unreasoned and unreasonable prejudice of other people across the world. This world is too small a place to contain both a diverse humanity and oppressive, evil prejudice.

In spite of the great interest and pleasure that I found, and continue to find on re-reading, in David Weaver's first book (surely, other books may follow), reading it was a painful experience - it has forced me to confront my own, deep-seated prejudices. There is a story where Ruby Elzy is walking with her friends and is mocked by a racist white boy. When she starts to sing a joyful spiritual instead of being downcast, the boy then acknowledges, in a kind of begrudging wonder, that she surely could sing.

David Weaver's work in creating this good book has helped many of us to share that boy's wonder. Sharing his admiration and affection for this great woman and her people is a gift that earns him the warm, well-earned gratitude of his readers.

David Weaver is now preparing a CD of Ruby Elzy's work and no doubt this will be sought after by many people on its release.

A Biography Fit for a Diva.......2005-04-20

Ruby Pearl Elzy was born in small town Mississippi, but even when she was a young child it was evident that her voice would be too big to keep her there. Her dream of becoming an opera singer seemed unfathomable considering the fact that her father had abandoned the family and her mother worked multiple jobs,one as a school teacher, just to meet the basic needs of the family. But like her mother, Ruby had strong faith that God would make a way for her and neither of the two women was afraid of hard work. Their faith and work ethics, coupled with the dedication and help from others, both black and white, allowed Ruby to continue her education and eventually study at the famed Juilliard School. Despite racism and the barriers it created, she was able to perform on stage, radio and film, her trademark role being that of Serena from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Although she never accomplished her dream of starring in Verdi's Aida, her brief career was full of notable accomplishments. Tragically, Ruby Elzy died in her prime, before she could accomplish her goal to sing in grand opera. Yet, she left an indelible legacy that has inspired many.

Before I picked up this book I didn't know who Ruby Elzy was, but thanks to this book, I not only know of her accomplishments, but also a little about her on a personal level. I was even inspired to search online for audio clips so that I could hear the voice I read so much about. David Weaver has crafted a work that is a perfect balance between Elzy's personal and professional lives. When he writes about issues such as her divorce from her first husband or her relationship with her father, he does so with a respect that is often missing in today's biographies. He also does a wonderful job recreating the zeitgeist of the 1930's era by providing just enough relevant historical information. It is obvious from reading the book and scanning its extensive endnotes that BLACK DIVA OF THE THIRTIES is a well-researched book; it provides a comprehensive view of an important, but often overlooked woman, whose life was cut too short.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Lost Singer Rediscovered.......2004-11-13

A gifted four-year-old black girl child sings in church in a remote village in the hills of north Mississippi. She, two sisters, brother and schoolteacher mother are deserted by the father. In the 1920s existence in this farming community is hard for white folks, and much harder for a deserted black family of a woman and four children. By the time this girl is grown she will have graduated from Juilliard as a singer of classical music, given concerts throughout the country, entertained at the White House, performed in movies, become a favorite of George Gershwin and originated the role of Serena in Porgy & Bess. How it all happened has to be a biography because you would not believe it in a work of the imagination. It is all true. And it is well told in Black Diva. Although published by a University Press it is as far from academic gobbledygook as could be. Mr. Weaver writes well and has constructed an exciting story. This is not one of those bios where you know little more when you finish it than you did before. He "connected" with this girl, Ruby Elzy, and you get to know her, the times, the music, the atmosphere as well as if he had written a novel. Once famous, Ruby is now nearly forgotten. She shouldn't be. I invite you to read this book. You'll like her. And you'll want to hear her sing.

An Accomplished Debut.......2004-11-11

BLACK DIVA OF THE THIRTIES: THE LIFE OF RUBY ELZY is a fascinating and moving tribute to the great American soprano by first-time author David Weaver. Mr. Weaver's solid musical background serves him well in capturing the successes and the ultimate tragedy of this incomparable artist's life and career, and it's a testament to the author's style and sensitivity that no lofty musical pronouncements tarnish the pages of this book. Weaver treats his subject with intelligence and respect and it shows.

Biographers new to their craft often fall into the trap of overstating (and overstuffing) their subject's history, but all such pitfalls are avoided here. The book is a model of its kind and portrays Ruby Elzy's life and times in a warm, comprehensive and thoroughly engaging fashion. Weaver is also a born writer and I defy anyone to sample the marvelously evocative Prologue and not read on.

The book is a joy to read but more importantly, through the quality of his writing and the integrity of his research, Weaver ensures that Ruby Elzy's distinguished contribution to 20th century music will not be forgotten. The greatest test of any musical biography is whether the reader is compelled at the end of the book to seek out the subject's recorded legacy. With BLACK DIVA OF THE THIRTIES David Weaver has accomplished that task triumphantly, leaving the reader only to regret that so little recorded material by Ms. Elzy has survived her untimely passing.

This is a wonderful book by a gifted writer and an essential addition to every serious music lover's library.

Derek Mannering is the author of MARIO LANZA: A LIFE IN PICTURES published by Robert Hale, London. The author's acclaimed and newly revised biography MARIO LANZA: SINGING TO THE GODS will be published in the United States in summer 2005 by University Press of Mississippi.

Customer Reviews:

Origin and Implications of the "Jews to Madagascar" Proposal.......2006-10-24

Adolf Eichmann made many statements when interviewed, and this review only touches on a few topics. One of these is the personal philosophy of Eichmann, including his rejection of Christianity: "More and more I came to the conclusion that God can't possibly be as small as in the Bible stories. I thought I had found my own belief. And I read Schopenhauer, who says the way of religious faith is safer and the way of freedom is a dangerous way, which the individual must perpetually work out for himself. I said to myself: The God I believe in is greater than the Christian God." (p. 39).

Eichmann also touches on the early days of the Nazi Party: "Yes, Herr Hauptmann, of course there was hatred of the Jews in it. But in those days there were lots of party members with Jewish relatives by blood or marriage. I myself knew an SS-Scharfuhrer who was a Jew...I said to him: Good God, man, there's nothing I can do for you. The only advice I can give you is: Clear out, go to Switzerland or somewhere else, because it's no good for you here, it's no good, it's hopeless." (p. 41).

The idea of sending Europe's Jews to Madagascar has at times been mistakenly attributed to the Poles. In actuality, this idea goes back to one of the early pioneers of Zionism. As Eichmann explains: "I remembered Theodor Herzl's efforts to bring about a Jewish state, described by Adolf Bohm, and that at one time Herzl had considered plans for Madagascar." (p. 65). After being asked by interrogator Avner W. Less if he got the idea from a Polish commission that had visited Madagascar in 1937, Eichmann replied: "No, never, never, never. I got the idea from Theodor Herzl." (p. 69). Eichmann also denied knowledge of the conclusions of the Polish commission, which had found the whole idea impractical, as recounted by Less: "...this Polish commission...came to the conclusion that a maximum of fifteen thousand European families could be settled there, while certain members of the commission thought that figure far too high..." (p. 69).

Eichmann denies knowledge of any written order to exterminate the Jews. He instead claims that Heydrich communicated this order verbally from Hitler (p. 81).

Eichmann briefly discusses the deal he made with Hungarian Jewish leader Rudolf Kastner, in which nearly 1,700 Jews were eventually freed (p. 211, 255). As the editor describes: "What Eichmann wanted to `straighten out' was a deal which Becher, with Himmler's approval, had made with a Swiss representative of the American Joint Committee. Several hundred Hungarian Jews selected by Dr. Kastner had already arrived, via Bergen-Belsen, in Switzerland, from where they would continue on to Palestine. But the agreed payment in foreign currency had not arrived in Germany." (p. 255). Even more intriguing is Eichmann and his claim of being prepared to free 1 million Jews in exchange for ten thousand trucks (p. 211).

A Painful but Important Read.......2005-11-09

This is a hard book to read, but highly recommended. It must have been Eichmann's worst nightmare: to find himself brought to justice by the very people he tried to exterminate. One feels no sympathy for the man; what makes the book so uncomfortable to read is to see him lie and dissemble.

Like the monstrous bully he was, he is unable to accept responsibility or to show any genuine remorse. Rather, he claims to have been a cog in the wheel, to have no responsibility for what happened. One would almost wish he just denied guilt rather than put on this snivelling performance (but then, it is the Holocaust deniers who ought to be forced to read this book because it not only makes it clear what happened, it makes it obvious, to me at least, that Hitler ordered it).The brilliant interrogation of Captain Avner Less of the Israeli police should be read by all law enforcement officers as a way to trap a suspect. Eichmann denies knowledge of a particular matter and then is shown a document on that very subject that he signed. "I can't wriggle out of that one," becomes a refrain. Peculiar little sidelights about the Holocaust pop up. Captain Less asks about Jewish Nazis, for instance (of which there were a few, surprisingly enough) and Eichmann goes through a song and dance about how they had to be sent off to the camps because they were Jews but were isolated from the other prisoners because they were Nazis. Really twisted knowledge.

It was impossible for me to read this book with a lower opinion of Eichmann than I already had, but it does give you insight into how evil can dominate someone who lacks a moral compass.

Fascinating Words From an Engineer of the Final Solution.......2003-08-04

In many works attempting to discuss the minds behind the Nazi Final Solution, the reader is harnessed with the task of sorting facts from assumptions and interpretations that too often color an otherwise accurate book. However, Eichmann Interrogated allows the reader to study the words of one of the most notorious actors of Hitler's plans for genocide and mass murder. While reading the transcripts of Eichmann's interrogations at the hands of Israeli police, I attempted to try and understand what would cause Eichmann, a man who in his earlier years had a fascination for Jewish culture, to turn evil and attempt to destroy a whole race of people. Although the transcripts don't provide an answer to such a complex question, they did provide a means to study Eichmann. Through out the interrogation, Eichmann consistently denied his role in carrying out the Final Solution. Rather than admit to any actual killings of Jews, Eichmann stuck to a story which maintained that he was simply a soldier following orders, and even then, his only task was to ensure that the trains containing the Jews were running accurately. I found it also interesting to read that Eichmann claims to have provided alternatives to the wholesale slaughter of the Jews, such as exportation of all Jews to the African island of Mauritius, or the strangely Zionistic support for the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Although the truth about Eichmann and his motivations will never be clear, the transcripts of his interrogation, although possibly filled with lies, provides an interesting historical document for those wishing to learn more about the psychology of the engineers of the Final Solution.

Truth be known..........2001-12-29

Adolf Eichmann was the main character behind the deportation of the jews to concentration and extermination camps during the second world war. With that in mind, one better understands the historic and sociological value of a book made of the transcripts of his interrogation at the hands of the israeli police prior to Eichmann execution at the conclusion of his trial. However several things wich I will now detail diminish the impact of this neverteless important work.
The first of these diminishing factor is Eichmann himself... Eichmann lies constantly all trough the transcript and try to weasel is way out of most of what he consider to be potentially damming evidence for his trial... Given the man's weak intellect most of his lies are unimaginative and most of the time he doesn't even realize he is not making any sense and denying evidence already backed by numerous witness and written evidence... He doesn't even have the common sense to realise what constitute dammaging evidence and what doesn't and he sometimes argue against or refute very technical details of little importance and yet not realize that by his own previous admission he has already confirmed the most important charges against him. All through the book Eichmann shows himself to be an uninteresting bore of little character or imagination. Totally selfish he constantly blame others for his wrong doings. He is also completely unrepentant (One gets the impression that under the same circunstance Eichmann who do it all over again, as he doesn't even seem to grasp the importance of his part in the holocaust)
Another factor that raise question about the value of this book is the circumstances in which the transcript were obtained from Eichmann. Even considering the disgusting nature of the character, one must admit that sending secret agent to kidnap him from Argentina (with not respect for the sovereignty of that country)and to bring him to trial on such short notice, trial which ended by Eichmann execution, might raise questions about the impartiality of the israeli authority and the fairness of the procedings. Incidentally, Capt. Avner Less the man who interviewed Eichmann had lost several direct family members to the extermination camps ... So are the extract presented in this book truthfull representation of what really took place in the interogation process? Probably, but one must nevertheless not forget the circumstances in which Eichmann's words were obtained...
In conclusion, the transcript will be of limited interest to people trying to get a better picture of the holocaust and the role Eichmann played in it. Eichmann's constant lying and droning on and on in his answers leave very little interesting facts and you will get a better picture of the holocaust or the role Eichmann played in it in other books. However this book will be of great interest to anybody interested in knowing and undersanding more of the personality and mind of a man who is responsable for the death of 6 million jews. Reading this book makes one realise the rather unconfortable fact that a man like A. Eichmann is not exceptionnal but rather a very dull, very normal man, the kind of promotion chasing heartless civil servant like there are hundreds in every big city ...

Just a normal man??.......2000-12-05

The Israeli agents involved in his capture couldn't believe that such an unremarkable man could be the one with the blood of six million Jews on his hands - This book reveals how he could! This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, not (I agree) everyone's cup of tea but definately mine! Once started I couldn't put the thing down. I was locked to it with disbelief at the way Eichmann could rationalise all his actions (almost justify them) and distance himself from the end product of the conveyor-belt he claimed to be....just the transporter of! I know others have written not particularly savoury reviews of this book, but if you are in any way interested in the Holocaust then reading of the bringing to justice of one of it's most notorious perpetrators will be time well spent. Highly recommended...............Fascinating!

Eichmann Interrogated - Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police

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Eichmann Interrogated - Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
Jochen and Sibyll, Claus Von Lang
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0LZJQ

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Eichmann Interrogated : Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
Adolf; Von Lang, Jochen (editor); ; Manheim, Ralph (translator) Eichmann
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PS0GL0

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Eichmann Interrogated : Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
Jochen von -- Sibyll, Claus Translated from the German By Manheim, Ralph Lang
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O6495W

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Eichmann Interrogated Transcripts From the Archives of the Israeli Police

Manufacturer: Lester & Orpen Dennys
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000S0WX1G

Product Description

For thos who wish to understand the Nazi mass murders of World War II, this book, the record of Eichmann's pretrial tetimony, is indespensable. Wehn Weimar democracy collapsed, German Jews lost all legal protection. Hatred of Jews was the foundation stone of the Third Reich, and under Hitler it was not a crie to murder them. Eichmann could, therefore, claim that he had not acted illegally.......

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Eichmann Interrogated Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
VON LAING Jochen
Manufacturer: Vintage/Ebury (A Division of Random House Group)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OWI984

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Eichmann Interrogated: Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
Jochen Von Lang (ed.)
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus & Giroux (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OXME1Q

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Eichmann Interrogated: Transcripts from the Archives of the Israeli Police
Jochen Von Lang; In Collaboration With Claus Sybyll Editor
Manufacturer: FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLNA52

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