Mavericks in American Politics: Eight Men Who Forced the Issues of Their Day

Book Description

Mavericks In American Politics is about eight men who embraced unpopular, unpleasant ideas during times of national upheaval. Through personal charisma, political organization, or both, they translated their ideas into a political force which could not be ignored by national leaders.

Their beliefs and tactics made most Americans uncomfortable, yet unlike committed radicals, these men stayed close enough to traditional American values to attract a large national following, demanding highly controversial change.

Their political role has been to force issues rather than to resolve them. They bring into focus the importance of effective national leaders who must somehow absorb or redirect the discontent of the millions for whom they speak.

Customer Reviews:

"You've Got Fe-mail!".......2004-04-07

Excellent read! Finally a book that tells the real story. Interesting, witty, fun yet on the mark! Rumor has it the author is also the Production Manager for the hippest show on television, The World Poker Tour! I'm not sure how she does it all but happy to see such a great book about internet dating. Not many books expose the hardships with text messaging, emails, exchanging photo's online, etc. It's a tough world out there and dating is hard enough but the internet is a new venue for everybody! Looking forward to the sequel. Great job.

Book Description

This twelfth annual survey of emerging stock markets, prepared by the Emerging Markets Group of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is the premier source of its kind. It provides essential coverage of stock market characteristics for the 45 markets covered by the IFC's three highly
regarded stock market indexes -- the Global, Investable, and Frontier Index series. The 350-page volume also provides basic information on "pre-emerging" stock markets in other developing countries, as well as data from developed country stock markets. Many of the tables and charts draw on data
collected from more than 100 stock exchanges surveyed annually by the IFC. Appendixes include information from IFC's Emerging Markets Data Base (EMDB) on investment restrictions, tax issues, and trading costs in emerging markets.

Customer Reviews:

The best, in brief..........2004-06-17

On a regular basis, the Economist, one of the most respected news periodicals in the world, publishes this handy guide of facts and figures. This covers many of the 'vital statistics' of nations, multinational and non-governmental international organisations, and key political and economic topics worldwide, all compiled by the world-class Economist Intelligence Unit, who regularly publish reports for government and business leaders all over the world.

The first section of the book is on World Rankings. This covers important areas in geography, population, urban density, economics and living standards, financial and monetary issues, agriculture, business, transport, education levels, health and over social topics. You can find out here which country has the largest percentage of farmers (it isn't Hong Kong or Singapore), which country has the largest outstanding debt (think big -- big countries have big debts), and even which countries have the highest percentages of beer and wine drinkers, smokers, and music lovers (so you'll know where to party).

The second section of the book has an alphabetical listing of the countries of the world, with all of their vital stats spread across two pages -- demographics, economic stats, financial and trade data, exchange rates (generally), capital, geographic data, and more. The really suprising thing in this listing is that nowhere does it give the principle language of the country -- given the comprehensive nature of the data, one would think that a line or two regarding languages spoken would be a natural piece of data to include.

Also, this is not a complete listing of nations -- this includes only major nations, with a Eurocentric tilt. None of the Central American countries are included; there is a definite lack in Caribbean, African, and Asian countries also. However, to include all the nations would make this a jumbo-sized book, not a pocket guide. As it is, they have been selective, and while one might quibble with some of their choices, it is still a very handy and authoritative guide.

The best single source for global statistical data.......2002-01-19

Few statistical compilations are as consistently useful and interesting as The Economist Pocket World in Figures. I have bought each annual edition since the early 1990s and count it as the single most useful reference source available to managers. The Pocket World is produced by the same group that publishes the weekly Economist magazine and expensive but invaluable country reports from the Economist Intelligence Unit. That lineage guarantees (as much as anything could) the timeliness and accuracy of data. The first part of the Pocket World lists 'world rankings' for over 170 countries using around 200 different measures. These include all the standard economic, population and financial measures as well as interesting comparisons on trade, quality of life measures, creativity and research indices and consumption data. A little cross-referencing produces useful and original information. Match (for example) per-capita book purchases (page 88) against computer ownership levels (page 86) and you can produce a linear regression that should be music to Amazon's heart!

The second part of the book has country profiles providing a two-page statistical breakdown for each of the world's 60 major economies. Spending some time comparing and contrasting the data gives the reader a greater depth of understanding about the factors that set nation's destinies. The sections on age distribution and birth rates, for example, clearly show the different national challenges raised for Japan (with the world's highest median age) and for many troubled African states where close to half the population is under fifteen.

Customer Reviews:

Most useful reference guide I have.......2006-07-17

I constantly use this small "Pocket" World in Figures Book. I get it each year, included with my subscription to The Economist Magazine. It is most useful for comparing economies, standards of living, GDP, Economic growth, Stock market capitalization etc.

If you want to know the population or land mass of the Czech Republic or the structure of employement in Romania or a listing of the world's biggest cities, this guide has it. I keep on my desk at all times.

SWEET ECONOMICS INFO, SOUR ECONOMIC VALUE.......2003-05-11

This small book is packed full with vital economic statistics, which came from all the corners of the world. From standard of living to birth and death rates, it covered close to two hundred countries; and provided the economic profiles of all the major economies in the world. It also came with updated information on the Euro-zone countries.
However, its economic value harbour some sour taste. It is easy to discover that most of the books that rank alongside this one offered cheaper prices, while at the same time providing more extensive details. Also, there is just a marginal update between this year's edition and that of last year.
For those who cherish any book with the name 'The Economist', I would say that this is not a bad book to buy. Still, I would not rate it as my first choice. It is relatively overvalued.

Economist" Pocket Accounting ("Economist" Pocket S.)

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Economist" Pocket Accounting ("Economist" Pocket S.)
Christopher; Economist, The Nobes
Manufacturer: Economist Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPT6FQ

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Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004

Barbie collector book

Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004

Collector's Encyp. of Barbie Doll Exclusivies/1972-2004

Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004 (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More)
Michael J. Augustyniak
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Barbie Doll: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions)

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Barbie the First 30 Years, 1959 Through 1989 and Beyond: Identification & Value Guide (Barbie the First 30 Years)

Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide (Warman's Field Guides)

ASIN: 1574324047

Book Description

From AAFES to Zeller's, this is the only book you will ever need to identify and value your retailer exclusive Barbie dolls! This book includes all retail exclusives since 1972, when Montgomery Ward issued their own 'original Barbie' on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. As of 2004 over 90 retailers have sold a Barbie exclusive at one time. This exhaustive book includes all of those retailers and their treasures, and many dolls feature close-ups for ease in identification. Over 500 dolls not shown in previous editions have been added to this volume, along with 60 new fashions. Fans of Barbie doll's little sister Kelly will be delighted to learn that over 100 Kelly dolls have been added, making this a great Kelly reference as well. Some of the latest retailers to join the exclusives bandwagon include Big Lots, Dollar General, Hard Rock Cafe, Mary Kay Cosmetics, the Mattel Store, See's Candies, and Walgreen's. It's author Augustyniak's best work yet.

Customer Reviews:

Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004 .......2007-06-08

Excellent Reference Book for Modern Barbie Doll Collectors.

Barbie collector book.......2007-04-11

What an excellent resource. We had three generations reading every page about their favorite Barbies and we all learned so much.

Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004 .......2007-01-16

The Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives is a great reference to the value of different types of Barbies. I was a little dissapointed that the Holiday Barbies and Bob Mackie Barbies are not listed in the book but I was pleased, otherwise. I would recommend this book.

Collector's Encyp. of Barbie Doll Exclusivies/1972-2004.......2006-07-20

Having read the other collector's encyclopedia's written by this author, this one is also a beautiful collection of the Barbie doll's one may want to know about and/or collect. The pictures are well done and the descriptions very clear and understandable. At a book store, before even my first purchase of these books, I skimmed other books stating they had what I was looking for, but none compared to Michael J. Augustyniak's. Through his books, I have been able to purchase Barbies at what I know is a fair and good price for my own collection. Very good resource book. Highly recommended.

Collector Books.(Field Guide To Fishing Lures)(Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives 1972-2004)(Encyclopedia Of Vogue Dolls)(Doll Directory)(Electric ... Review): An article from: Library Bookwatch

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Collector Books.(Field Guide To Fishing Lures)(Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives 1972-2004)(Encyclopedia Of Vogue Dolls)(Doll Directory)(Electric ... Review): An article from: Library Bookwatch
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Midwest Book Review
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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This digital document is an article from Library Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on February 1, 2005. The length of the article is 506 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: Collector Books.(Field Guide to Fishing Lures)(Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives 1972-2004)(Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls)(Doll Directory)(Electric Christmas Lighting Identification and Values Guide)(Antique & Conte Porary Advertising Memorabilia)(Guide to Coca Cola)(Fenton Art Glass Colorsa and Hand-Decorated Patterns 1939-1980)(Encyclopedia of Early American Sewing Machines) (Book review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Library Bookwatch (Newsletter)
Date: February 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BARBIE DOLL EXCLUSIVES : IDENTIFICATION & VALUES 1972-2004

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COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BARBIE DOLL EXCLUSIVES : IDENTIFICATION & VALUES 1972-2004
MICHAEL J. AUGUSTYNIAK
Manufacturer: COLLECTOR BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Antiques & Collectibles | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000KVHKLQ

Amazon.com

According to author Vinny Lee, "dark colors don't have to be overpowering or somber." If you've ever considered painting a room scarlet, or allowing a deep blue chair into an otherwise light and unthreatening white room, Mood Indigo will inspire you further in the direction of such bold statements. Lush photographs and commonsense advice are intended to spur on the amateur designer with a penchant for darkness. Chapters and photo galleries are divided by color: blues and greens, reds and purples, browns, and grays and blacks. The introduction explains and explores the irrefutable logic of the color wheel. Whether you're envisioning a "tone on tone" room in varying shades of the same color, or a room where red and gold run up against each other, this book makes a good guide. Highlights include a green room that looks like part of an underwater palace, and a persuasive argument about the beauty of black walls. --Emily White

Customer Reviews:

A lovingly photographed book.......2002-08-15

Mood Indigo, like the song of the same name, is smoky, sensuous, and quite beautiful.

If you love rich colors, you'll love this book.

If you're afraid strong color won't work in your spaces, one look at these rooms will change your mind.

Showcasing interiors using browns, blacks and grays, purples and reds, blues and greens `Mood Indigo' works with all shades from the strongest, darkest of the hues to the lightest.

There are tips on how to use strong colors, discussions about rooms size, light needs, finishes, textures, a short history of paint, pigments, and color trends.

Color is used not only on walls but in accessories, on fabric, floor coverings, lampshades ... well, just about anything you can think of.

Room designs run the gamut from country to traditional to eclectic to rustic. You'll see color used in hallways and kitchens as well as the more usual bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms.

Inspiration abounds. Add the fact that this is a great coffee table book, if nothing else, and you'll be happy you bought it. Everything about this book is quality.

Exquisite interiors, beatufiul high-quatily coffee table boo.......2002-04-29

This is a beautiful interior design coffee table book. It is packed with large photos of exquisite interiors that use strong colors including blues, greens, reds, purples, browns, grays and blacks. The wonderful photos are printed on high-quality glossy paper making them appear even more vivid.

In additional to the gorgeous pictures there is also advice on color, texture and light. Color scheme basics are covered with a discussion of tone, shade, balance and the moods each color creates. There are also suggestions for sources of inspiration for each color in nature, history and various cultures.

The interiors shown are simply fantastic and filled with rich, dark colors. There are no large rooms of empty white here. I loved a relaxing bathroom with shades of plum and a cabinet decorated with multiple hues of green, blue and yellow. I also enjoyed a Japanese style bedroom with red walls, a wood chest and a huge hanging white kimono. A dark blue living room with nude outlines on the wall and an artistic cozy brown couch is another of my favorites.

I really appreciated a great list of suppliers and helpful index included in the back. This is a great book of useful ideas as well as being a wonderful display piece or gift.

Color you can live with........2001-10-27

This book was exactly what I've been looking for. Lots of color without being garish. If you want some ideas on home decorating, and you are weary of the tried and tired neutral schemes, but don't want to feel like you are living in a day-glo home or a Fisher Price retail outlet, I definitly recomend this book. It's also not just about paint, but also mentions flooring, trim, wallpapering, accesories and furniture.

hooray!.......2001-08-14

I had been looking at design books for months now and was bored out of my mind seeing page after page of white-on-white color schemes (most of which were heralded as 'fantastically innovative' -- how innovative can they be when they're filling every single book?!) I knew that wasn't what I wanted, but I needed some ideas to spark my creativity.

And then I found this book! It's big, it's beautiful, and as other reviewers have pointed out, it does an excellent job of showing different styles of rooms. (Yes, dark colors don't have to be baroque or ultra-modern! Although those are pictured here too.)

Now All I Need Is A House To Paint..........2001-08-01

I passed by this book and just by accident, the word "Indigo" caught my eye. As I love all things purple, I just had to pick it up and flip through it. WOW. Finally, I found a book on home decorating that didn't include lots of *beige*. I absolutely love the pictures in the book, which range from some very interesting country motifs, to Victorian, to post-modern. The book's divided into sections describing the treatments of different shades; a chapter on reds and purples, blue and greens, browns and so forth. Pick your favorite color, find the chapter, and browse.

I have to admit I haven't even read the text, and still feel the money I paid for this book was more than made up for in the quality of the full-color, gloss-page plates... It really goes to show that with a little inventive color selection, you can create a really outstanding, comfortable environment.

Now I just have to find a house to buy and redecorate. :)

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Vita's Other World: A Gardening Biography of Vita Sackville-West
Jane Brown
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Portrait of a Marriage

ASIN: 0140093540

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Vita's Other World : A Gardening Biography of V. Sackville-West
Jane Brown
Manufacturer: Viking
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KXK94Y

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Vita's Other World: A Gardening Biography of V. Sackville-West
Jane Brown
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ4K58

Book Description

A guide to protecting children under eight years old from becoming either lethargic or high-strung

Today, many children fall into one of two categories, neither of which is healthy: one group is almost entirely inactive, and the other spends most of their "free" time in highly structured, overly stressful competitive sports that are age-inappropriate.

As an expert on children's movement and development, and as a consultant to the Children's Television Workshop, Gymboree, YMCA of the USA, and other groups, Rae Pica shows how the right kinds of activities increase children's enjoyment of physical activity for a lifetime. With straight talk on what works, what doesn't, and why, Pica teaches parents:

Why raising a Super Kid is as dangerous as raising a Couch Potato
Unique activity ideas and the benefits of "cooperative activities"
How to recognize when a child is too active or not active enough
Why competitive sports programs aren't the answer
And much more

Customer Reviews:

Crucial book for ambitious parents.......2004-11-30

Rae Pica is very passionate about her subject, and provides the data to back up her beliefs. Parenting is so difficult, not just because children are so impressionable and innocent, and yet so demanding, but also because parents themselves cannot help but regress to their own childhoods. Books like this help to keep parents sane, reminding them that their good intentions will not heal the human race until they are aligned with the natural and healthy development of each individual personality that is in their care. This book provides much evidence of the importance of a more intelligent approach to mental, emotional and physical development than is currently employed in the vast majority of US schools. The games and suggestions she gives are easy for anyone to employ, no matter how tired or overwrought a parent may be! I'm especially pleased about her comment on swimming -- my niece was a competitive swimmer from a very young age, and although she was nationally ranked for her age, development of her muscular & bone structure became problematic (and expensive!) during her teens. (Why no one mentions this when they talk about how Michael Phelps can't walk or run properly is beyone me!) But not only parents should read this -- it's so easy to understand, that I'd give it to the babysitter too... they have just as much influence on your child as anyone else.

An excellent guide to encouraging physical activity.......2004-07-27

If you are interested in encouraging your child to adopt a more active lifestyle, you will want to add this book to your parenting book library. Rae Pica has written a well-researched, parent-friendly guide to promoting physical fitness in children. She starts out by talking out about the reasons parents will want to encourage their kids to become more physically active (e.g., the scary childhood obesity stats that stare us in the face every time we open the health section of a newspaper these days) and then warns of the perils of forcing your child to become a 'superkid' (a child who lives and breathes sports 24/7). She then goes on to talk about the important role parents have to play in promoting physical activity in children and offers some concrete strategies for doing so. The result is an excellent guide that every parent who is serious about combatting the childhood obesity crisis should own.

Hooray! An inspiring "How To" reference for ALL parents.......2004-01-13

I have half a mind to buy 10 copies for friends and family.

The author has depicted beautifully, not only how important it is to keep our kids active but, to make sure they don't get too much exercise as well. It never occurred to me that too much activity can actually cause harm.

I have two small boys and often struggle with whether or not I do enough to keep them active. It seems most of their friends play soccer, gym class, basketball, music lessons, arts & crafts, etc. The list goes on and on. I feel much better after reading this book that I'm not over-scheduling them. After all, they are only two and four.

This book offers FUN, practicle, simple ideas for age-appropriate activities. I keep this book on the kitchen counter as I plan my days.

My life is forever changed. I am far more motivated to set a good example for my children to follow with regard to exercising (my husband sure does). I want them to develop a life-long love for exercise, to stay fit and healthy. I find it wonderful that my boys now refer to going to the playground as "can we go exercise?" There are no negative connotations to exercise in my house.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Rae Pica!!!

Not What I was Looking For.......2004-01-07

I was very disappointed with this book. What parent/child doesn't know about hitting balloons around? Playing Follow the Leader? Or putting babies on their stomachs to strengthen their bodies since they are supposed to be sleeping on their backs all the time. Or putting objects ahead of them to encourage moving toward the toy? It is filled with what I feel is common knowledge--health risks of inactivity, kids' organized sports pros & cons, "motor milestones" for infants. I was looking for some creative ideas for small children, especially ideas on keeping active during the winter and bad weather. I was expecting many suggestions on simple, inexpensive ideas for active play, ratings of active play equipment, suggestions for some toys good for active play (beyond hoola hoops, balls, etc.). I didn't gain one good new idea from reading the whole book. But, I was glad to see the much hated Dodge Ball is now banned in many schools!

A Dream Come True.......2003-09-29

This book is a "must read" for the parents of young children. Having been a part of the coaching staff and the Board of Directors of a traditional youth sport program, I witnessed a lot that put my stomach in knots. I have spent several years since then reading professional journals and academic texts to help me to understand how to provide for a child's intrinsic interest in movement, play and sport without all of the negative outcomes that come with overzealous youth sport programs. I often wished that others would do some of the reading with me, but parents of young children have other demands on their time. Finally a book has appeared that is full of sound science and practical application. And, it is written for parents, not researchers and academics, even though I know this will be a welcome addition to their library as well. Although it may take hours of reading in professional journals and textbooks to realize just how valuable this book is, I'm here to tell you that I wish I had a book like this one when I started my serious reading in this area. The author provides numerous citations to reputable web sites, organizations, and other written resources for further exploration if you want or need more information on a specific topic. I am particularly impressed with the author's position that more is not always better. There are dangers to overscheduling our children. Thus, it is even more important that we as parents carefully evaluate the programs in which we do place our children. I now realize the importance of child-directed play and the time that needs to be allowed for all of the rich learning that comes with it. Your Active Child is a book you will want to read and keep handy as a reference as your child develops throughout childhood.

Customer Reviews:

A former star Quaterback who now enjoys his golf.......1998-08-24

This book was written towards the begining of his career and shows him in a reasonable light. Not as we all grew to know him. Highlights his career at both Brigham Young and Chicago Bears. Ineresting character to have attended BYU (no alcohol). Shows his love and affection towards his friends and his absolute detest of the media! This book is a little difficult to read because it was written so early in his career and you know about the things he did later in his career which contradict things he states in the book, although he did forcast his retirement would improve his golf!!

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Viva Verdi in this magisterial and definitive tome!
What else would you need to know?
The definitive biography of Verdi

Verdi: A Biography
Mary Jane Phillips-Matz
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0193132044

Amazon.com

A magnificently detailed portrait of the great Italian composer (1813-1901) that refutes many myths and uncovers some unsavory new material, including the strong likelihood that before their marriage Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi conceived several children who were abandoned at birth. Just as important as her full-bodied rendering of Verdi's personal life is Phillips-Matz's powerful delineation of his confrontations with pre-Unification Italy's foreign masters. Verdi's art was deeply political, she reminds us, and he used his wild popularity to ensure that it would be heard in the form he intended.

Book Description

Verdi is revealed as an energetic, rigorous composer of tireless creativity, as a national hero, and as an upright, austere man much loved by his family and friends. The first major biography of Verdi for a generation, Mary Jane Matz's new work studies one of the greatest, the most successful, and the longest-lived of all composers. Nearly a century after his death, many of his operas remain in the standard repertory, and some, such as Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Aida, are among the most popular of all operas. Drawing on a wide range of sources, this is an authoritative account of a long, vigorous, and varied life. The author captures the s complexities involved in the composition and production of Verdi's operas. She also explores his possessive love for his home region and his tireless devotion to his farmlands, and examines Verid's professional and personal relationships, particularly with Guiseppina Strepponi, his mistress and later his wife. The first major biography of Verdi for a generation, this is a fitting study of a great composer.

Customer Reviews:

Viva Verdi in this magisterial and definitive tome!.......2002-12-31

Viva Verdi is the opera lover's response to this magisterial work by Phillips-Matz. Her years of research has produced a detailed life of Verd. The author traces the family lineage of Verdi in Bussetto, chronicles the genesis of his operatic masterpieces and delves into the private life of the greatest Italian opera composer of the nineteenth century.
I dove into this huge book during Christmas 2002. The book will immerse you in the life of the complicated composer detailing his relationships, his tragedies and triumphs. The book
is essential to anyone interested in knowing more about Verdi and his times. The book is not easy reading but is worthwhile for the time it takes to peruse it. Viva Phillips-Matz on a superb biography!

What else would you need to know?.......2000-10-25

I have just finished reading this book. It was my intention to get the bits and pieces I have been taught over the years about Verdi together in order to teach a short course on him in January 2000. It has done so much more. If you're looking for a book that details the opera plots and offers translations of the librettos, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a great summary of what we know about this truly great man, his friends and enemies, his work habits, his interests in farming and charity, the gestation and difficult birth of his operas and other words -- and what we *don't* know, things that might still be discovered -- you've come to the right place. It has NEVER taken me so long to read a book because the pages are so densely detailed. That being said, I am very glad that I did. VERY glad. Here is a hero for the ages, pace his operas.

The definitive biography of Verdi.......2000-01-12

I can't imagine a more complete collection of information about Verdi's long and productive life. Phillips-Matz captures the feeling of mid-century Italy and among other things she shows how Verdi became a hero in the movement culminating in Italian statehood. Viva Verdi!

Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera

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Bravo Berger for a Viva Verdi literary treat!
Bravo Berger and Viva Verdi!
All of Verdi's operas discussed in this little book
A Vivid and Genial Guide to Genius
A good but not great book on Verdi

Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera
William Berger
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 037570518X
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Book Description

Everything you could possibly know about Verdi and his operas, from the brilliant and humorous author of Wagner Without Fear.

If you want to know why La traviata was actually a flop at its premiere in 1853, it's in here. If you want to know why claiming to have heard Bjorling's Chicago performance of Il trovatore is the classic opera fan faux pas, it's in here. Even if you just want to know how to pronounce Aida, or what the plot of Rigoletto is all about, this is the place to look. From the composer's intense hatred of priests to synopses of the operas and a detailed discography of the best recordings to buy, it can all be found in Verdi with a Vengeance. William Berger has given another improbable performance, serving up a book as thorough as it is funny and as original as it is astute, an utterly indispensable guide for novice and expert alike.

Customer Reviews:

Bravo Berger for a Viva Verdi literary treat!.......2003-02-11

Viva Verdi! William Berger provides a useful guide to all of the Verdi operas from the obscure "Oberto" to the classic comedic masterpiece "Falstaff" which closed the operatic master's oeuvre.
Berger's book is similar to the treatment he earlier applied to Richard Wagner in his " Wagner Without Fear." This means:
a. Succinct but on target plot summaries of all Verdi's operas including the Verdi Requium.
b. Brief chapters on the staging of Verdi's operas; Verdi's works on CD and outstanding books on the Busseto genius for anyone wanting to know more about the King of Italian lyrical opera.
Berger's work is worthwhile reading for the operatic novice or the veteran opera fan who wants to brush up on the labyrinthal plot of "Il Trovotore" or explore how Verdi's music has been used as soundtrack for motion pictures.
Berger's book on Verdi is a treat for everyone enjoying opera who also relishes good writing done with wit, charm and panache! I eagerly await a similar guide on Puccini which I have learned is in the works from the pen of Berger! Highly recommended!

Bravo Berger and Viva Verdi!.......2003-02-08

This short guide to Verdi's life and works is in indispensable gem for anyone wanting to learn more about Italy's greatest operatic composer! Berger gives a succincly informative sketch of the complex composer's life. He adds chapters on Verdi books, CD'S, Videos, staging of Verdi operas and a helpful glossary of operatic terms.
The most helpful and longest part of the book deals with a brief synopsis of each opera in the Verdian canon from the obscure "Oberto" to the Master's final comic masterpiece "Falstaff." Berger lists the characters of each opera, makes witty comments on the big arias and scenes in each opera and also provides historical information on the production of each opera.
I had earlier read Berger's excellent "Wagner Without Fear" and was so impressed with his writing that I eagerly turned to Berger's guide to Verdi. I understand he is now working on a similar guide to the life and operas of Puccini which will be received by this reviewer with gratitude.
If you are a novice to operatic enjoyment or a seasoned Verdian
this work will be a delight. I highly recommend it for your consideration!

All of Verdi's operas discussed in this little book.......2002-04-02

Unlike another reviewer, what I really like about "Verdi with a Vengeance" is that it discusses ALL of Verdi's operas, even the early and/or less frequently performed operas. I especially like the "what to listen for" aspects, and also that it is informal and personal. I also like his discussion of different recordings and what he likes about them. I am a real Verdi-phile, and I love this little book. Only four stars because it's little and the discussions are brief. I could read a BIG book about Verdi.

A Vivid and Genial Guide to Genius.......2001-02-12

William Beger's "Verdi with a Vengeance" is a triumph of music writing: accessible, informed and passionate. For the newcomer to the breadth of works by the great composer, this guide is a godsend, as Mr. Berger lays out the history of each opera, the story behind its plot and, most important, what makes each one special. He doesn't preach, but his enthusiasm makes a reader -- and a potential listener -- hungry to hear and see the works he so vividly describes. Mr. Berger is a master of the telling detail: he lets you know what to look and listen for in particular arias, and how these moments affect the drama. "Verdi with a Vengeance" should also delight Verdi aficionados, since Mr. Berger is so familiar with all aspects of the composer's art, his research is so deep, that he reveals new aspects of the operas (and the Requiem). His prose is free of musicological jargon, though conversant with the language of music. Mr. Berger can describe economically the emotion music can convey, and he can give a sense of the intellect behind the notes. He is a writer of wit and nuance, masterfully evoking a mise-en-scene within an opera or limning the characteristics of hammy singers. This is a book both to be savored at length and dipped into for fresh insights before attending any performance of Verdi. It is a rare book that manages to be learned as well as breezy, humorous and deeply felt.

A good but not great book on Verdi.......2001-01-23

This book is similar in format to the author's "Wagner Without Fear". Like the Wagner book, it provides a lot of information in terms of biography, plot summary, musical overview, and selected recordings. Although a very good book, it is not quite up to the Wagner book in that it discusses many more operas (27 including the Requiem) than the Wagner book did (10) in roughly the same space. The plot summaries are still very good, though often there is not quite the same level of detail and (especially) commentary there was in the Wagner book. As a result, the book is more a (very good) set of plot summaries than its predecessors. In fairness to the author, this may be approrpriate is that Verdi is a generally more accessible composer who often needs less in the way of commentary to be a appreciated. It definitely is a good resource, though a reader interested in Verdi may find himself or herself going outside of the book more than they would if they were reading the Wagner book.

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A moving testament to friendship and musical genius
This book is a must!

The Verdi-Boito Correspondence
Giuseppe Verdi , and Arrigo Boito
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0226853047

Book Description

These 301 letters between Giuseppe Verdi and his last, most gifted librettist, Arrigo Boito, document an extraordinary chapter in musical history. Now available for the first time in English, this correspondence records both a unique friendship and its creative legacy.

This new edition of the landmark Carteggio Verdi/Boito is at once a valuable resource for all students, teachers, and scholars of opera and a fascinating glimpse of the daily life of European art and artists during the fertile last decades of the 19th century.

Embarking on a 20-year collaboration, Verdi and Boito produced a successful revision of Simon Boccanegra, and two new operas, Otello and Falstaff. They created what many consider to be Verdi's greatest operas, thanks both to Boito's poetry and to his handling of the composer. Here are the day-to-day tasks of creation: poet and composer debating problems of dramatic structure, words, phrases, and meters; altering dialogue as, at the same time, they converse about the wider worlds of art and music. The give and take of artistic creation is rendered fascinatingly.

This edition features a new introduction by Marcello Conati, improvements and updatings to the original edition, and an appendix of undated correspondence. William Weaver's translation is characteristically pitch-perfect; he also provides a short closing sketch of Boito's life after the death of his beloved maestro. Explanatory "linking texts" between the letters create a narrative.

Customer Reviews:

A moving testament to friendship and musical genius.......2002-01-21

This superbly-annotated collection of more than 300 letters between Verdi and his librettist Arrigo Boito shows not only an insight into musical creativeness but also the workings of generous and selfless friendship. Boito invested an immense amount of time and effort in his own opera Mefistofele; as those who witnessed its revival at the English National Opera a few years ago will attest, it is a hack work that can only successfully be portrayed as parody. In these letters, Verdi is ceaselessly encouraging and interested in the work, though he must have known that it was not a work of art. For his part, Boito is touchingly appreciative of his colleague's talent - he habitually addresses Verdi as 'Dearest Maestro' - and in their exchanges the reader can gain a glimpse into the creative workings that, Wagner not withstanding, produced the finest body of 19th-century opera.

There is real spine to the work of Verdi and Boito: it encompasses politics, religion, pathos and tragedy. These letters are testament to the men's friendship and genius; it is a moving and important work, and I strongly recommend it.

This book is a must!.......1998-01-27

Perhaps the most delightful surprise in reading this book is the number of deep-down belly-laughs experienced in reading the letters of Verdi and Boito. The text between the letters often creates suspense even for those moments when we know the outcome. This is a book to own.

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Verdi: His Music, Life and Times
George Martin
Manufacturer: Limelight Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0879101601

Book Description

This book relates the life and experiences of composer Giuseppe Verdi, from his birth in 1813 to his death in 1901. Besides documenting Verdi's life and the music he created, it also goes further in discussing the times and culture in which he was living in 19th century Italy, both socially and politically. "A complete life-to-death biography, wonderfully comprehensive on both life and art, wonderfully sensible, and splendidly gotten up." - The Boston Herald

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CÃ©zanne (World of Art)
Richard Verdi
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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McMahon
Jim McMahon
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446347728

The Story of Giuseppe Verdi: Oberto to Un Ballo in Maschera

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The Story of Giuseppe Verdi: Oberto to Un Ballo in Maschera
Gabriele Baldini
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521297125

Book Description

Abitare la battaglia, Gabriele Baldini's study of the operas of Verdi from Oberto to Un ballo in maschera, has, since its posthumous publication in 1970, received much critical acclaim both in Italy and elsewhere. Its lack of technical language makes it easily accessible to the general music lover, but its original and sometimes controversial ideas have stimulated a great deal of discussion among Verdi specialists. The book's central concern is to present an analysis of Verdi the musical dramatist, and its conclusions constitute a radical reassessment of the vexed relationship between opera and literary form, between words and music. As Julian Budden says in his Foreword: 'It blows a breath of fresh air into the weary platitudes of traditional Verdian criticism.'

This English translation, The Story of Giuseppe Verdi, includes some new editorial additions, bringing various factual matters into line with recent Verdi scholarship. But the book's discussion of the music is always left to speak for itself. While many of the comments may offend the purists, they are always based on a profound knowledge and love of Verdi's operatic masterpieces as seen on the stage. They rarely fail to stimulate the reader into thinking more deeply about this immensely rich repertoire.

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Encounters With Verdi

Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0801494303

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McMahon!
Jim McMahon , and Bob Verdi
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0446358630

Customer Reviews:

Hope.......2007-09-01

This is a well written personal history of a terrifying time most of us can only imagine. Mr. Orenstein does an amazing job of telling us chronologically what happened to him and those closest to him. What amazed me throughout was the deep vein of hope that was palpable no matter how bad things seemed to be. Perhaps Mr. Orenstein, his family and friends were not always optimistic about their chances but they seemed to remain faithful to one another, their beliefs and their undying faith that the evil that was pervasive during WWII would be beaten down eventually.

I have a deep love of WWII history that was sparked by works of Stephen Ambrose and has crossed over to numerous authors and survivor's stories since. Mr. Orenstein has made his daily life much more visible than some have by focusing on how he dealt with life day in and day out.

To all of the survivors of war, bless you and be strong. Tell your story!

A possibly biased review..........2004-02-13

A possibly biased review because I am related to Henry Orenstein, but I'll do my best to be honest:
I love the book! A couple years ago, I read it for a social studies project. I found out a lot about my family while learning about the horror of reality of that era. I believe Henry Orenstein must have been incredibly brave and clever to escape 5 Nazi camps without any serious injury or disease. I'm proud to say that he is still living today.

pretty good.......2003-04-11

i had to read this book for an english project. at first i didnt really know if it look good until i started really reading it. Henry Orenstein lead a very interesing life so it was a good book

A great and funny book about the holocaust!.......2000-01-21

I read this book a few years ago and was deeply impressed with the story. The author's voice is wry and humorous despite the incredibly dark experience he has endured. It's really a holocaust experience with a twist in that the ironic way that Henry Orenstein survives is key to what makes the story special. This book is well worth a read, especially considering the passing of the generation of people who suffered through those horrific times.

I shall live : surviving against all odds, 1939-1945 / Henry Orenstein ; foreword by Claude Lanzmann

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I shall live : surviving against all odds, 1939-1945 / Henry Orenstein ; foreword by Claude Lanzmann
Henry (1923-) Orenstein
Manufacturer: New York : Beaufort Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VZ9EOC

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I Shall Live: surviving against all odds 1939-1945
Henry Orenstein
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OMWGQU

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I Shall Live: Surviving Against All Odds, 1939-1945
Henry Orenstein
Manufacturer: Beaufort Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WLDLYE

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